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Reviews
Bug (2006)
It Bugs Me and Most Everyone Else
I'm not sure why Ashley Judd continues to make suspense/horror/psychological thrillers? What compels her to these rolls of battered women on the verge of something terrible in the face of something awful at the threshold of something demonic/evil? Bug pretends to be a horror movie wrapped up in a meditation about abused women, drug abuse, love and the military-industrial complex as it pertains to conspiracy laden delusions spouted by a odd mumbling Heath Ledger in Brokeback type drifter played by Michael Shannon.
Adapted from a stage play by Tracy Letts this film starts well with interesting and sometimes surprisingly original dialog as would be expected from a semi-successful play. But alas, we are destined being the audience, to follow this inconsistent movie into the depths of paranoid dementia.
There's something about aphids running amok on and under the skin of Ashley and Michael. There's a muscle bound Harry Conick Jr. as Ms. Judd's ex-con ex-boyfriend, there are mysterious phones a ringing, and even references to the Tuskeegee experiments, and I'm sure something about UFO's even though I may or may not have heard that.
Basically, this is a movie that starts kind of well and descends quickly into an implausible conclusion that leaves the audience, well at least the audience I was with, to moan derision and to ho-hum all the way home.
Not so good. Don't do it.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Action Movies Are So Funny We Remember To Lauch
I like make laugh when action movie so stupid it make me laugh.
You see the thing with most action movies is they are already funny inherently. I mean Rambo? That's a funny franchise.
No, Bad Boys one and two are not funny even though two supposedly funny men are the stars. And, yes Point Break is funny even though its two stars are far from funny, (though Ted Theodore Logan is pretty darn funny). But none of this has anything to do with how funny "Hot Fuzz!!" is except that the filmmakers love those types of action movies so much they are willing to spoof them in a completely over the top way.
From a ridiculous plot and collection of characters to even more ridiculous directorial techniques from hyper active editing of mundane things to overly wrought sound design the movie makers tapped directly into the hot vein of American action genre films. And it is hilarious.
Whether you love or hate the movies they are spoofing you'll love "Hot Fuzz!!" It's smart in all the right places and completely ludicrous in all the right places which makes for a jolly fun time at the cineplex.
There has been a glut of "spoof" movies from the "Scary Movie" cycle to the horrible "Date Movie". The difference here is this one rides its own merits of story, character and plot while reminiscing about those great to mediocre action movies of the past without simply twisting a scene directly form those movies.
Or simply: these guys are original. Like their last outing, "Shaun of the Dead", they made a movie here with just the right amounts of jokes and didn't rely too much on gags.
A definite must see.
Jackass Number Two (2006)
Jackasses Are Not To Be Copied At Home
But kids are trying this at home and they are maiming themselves in the process for all to witness on youtube.
Anyway, not much to report. Jackass Number Two is funny. Hilarious. It made me laugh, granted I was three-sheets to the wind, but understand this: these men are not Jackasses.
Quite the contrary, these men are geniuses of a third kind. This is what post-post modern art looks like people. It is art. Yes, it is.
For those not anywhere on this planet or anywhere near a TV during the last several years here is an explanation of Jackass: See, these skater type dudes with tatts and scabs go around hitting themselves with stuff in totally more elaborate ways. Then they wrestle animals of differing danger levels, then they wrestle each other. Then they make elaborate poop and/or pee stunts involving something harmful and/or illegal in some states. They drink shots of horse semen. They hit each in the nads. They blow things up in practical joke type ways. They hit each other in the face. And so on. The main dude, Johnny Knoxville, is totally hot in a heroin scabby type way and there is a little person (dwarf).
Sounds like art to me. You see these guys do this without trying to make art. Their intention is simply to make each other laugh, vomit, cry, and/or bleed. The simple fact of their unwillingness to call these stunts anything more than jackassery makes them my vote for most influential performance artists of their time.
True their fame was born from the festering recesses of MTV's demographic marketing hubs but darn it even evil can spawn beauty. Just look at the Bush daughters.
Thanks Jackass for spawning a culture of dumbasses while making art without meaning to!!
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
I'm Scared Please Don't Eat Me!
Hannibal Lecter is a scary non-vegetarian in this meaty thriller.
Seriously, this film is regarded as one of the best films of all time and deservedly so. Jonathan Demme is at his absolute best here building suspense and tension into a blend of physical and psychological terror rarely matched in film.
But, the reason this film works and kicks so much ass has everything to do with its stars: Jodie Foster (Genius) and Sir Anthony Hopkins (Knight). The chemical reaction that takes place between these two on screen is so palpable and acidic you find yourself hardly able to watch.
Their dynamic is what sets this film apart from any other serial killer/horror/suspense/thriller ever made. The verbal jousting never wains when they are on screen. These are mind games unlike any other portrayed in the movies before or since.
This is a must see for horror film lovers, suspense film lovers, and just plane film lovers. A great movie.
28 Weeks Later (2007)
No, it's not as good as the first one. No, I'm not saying it's bad though.
No, it's not as good as the first one. No, it's not as smart as the first one. No, I'm not saying it's bad though.
"28 Weeks Later", is scary fun and a full throttle fast paced zombie movie that doesn't let up till the final scene.
First of all, sequels are tough. So, rarely does a sequel measure up to the first installment. But, like other successful part deux's 28.W.L. carries the load on its own merits. Different director, no Danny Boyle here. Different writer(s), no Alex Garland here. But, the story Danny boy and Mr. Garland conceived continues logically and terrifyingly. Because this world is seen with fresh eyes i.e. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (director) and Rowan Joffe, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Jesús Olmo (screenwriters) the movie feels fresh and new.
The approach they take reminds me of "Aliens" the stupendous sequel to "Alien". Military might takes on a familiar foe. But they don't forget what really set "28 Days Later" apart from other films of this genre: the quiet human element. There are interesting dynamics between characters that really lend the movie real dramatic context.
Once the zombies, rather those infected with the "Rage virus", pounce onto the screen the audience is dragged kicking and screaming along till the final credits roll.
"28 Days Later" was in my opinion the best zombie movie ever so, no, the sequel isn't as good but damn if I wasn't white-knuckling the armrests for the entire thing. A definite must see!