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Be Kind Rewind
Not even close to the movie I expected to see after viewing the trailers, Be Kind Rewind is a sweet, heartfelt movie about community and friendship. Sure there are some weird plot twists, like Jack Black’s character becoming “magnetized,” and you are required, on several occasions, to suspend disbelief. But this is Michel Gondry, so why would you expect anything else? At its core, however, Be Kind Rewind is his perhaps his most accessible film. The characters are odd, eccentric even, but also warm and fuzzy. In fact they are downright innocent. Even the love subplots never come to fruition, but are merely insinuated. In these ways it takes after his last film, The Science of Sleep, only with friendship replacing the intensity and sadness Read more
4th and Long
First of all, I love the concept of a mockumentary about high school football fanatics. The subject is ripe for spoofing. In fact I’m surprised Rob Reiner hasn’t thought of it yet. 4th and Long is a sad and hilarious look at this uniquely American phenomenon.
When the New Hanover Wildcats lose their funding, a band of obsessive local weirdos pull together to save the season and the program. They come up with the idea of an adult flag football game with local celebrities to raise money. What ensues is a wonderfully deadpan, eerily believable, and overall well done film with some priceless moments and a cast that seems like they were born to play these roles. I would highly recommend checking this one out!
9 out of 10 rating
Attack of the Slime People
Attack of the Slime People is a spoof of Hollywood B Horror movies of the 1950’s. What makes this film so hilarious is its protagonist, Buddy Flavinoid, who’s roving eyebrows, wild eyes and murderous rage are unmistakably unique. He reminds me of Ren from Ren and Stimpy, with his stress and paranoia spilling over into all sorts of physical comedy. The film is also interesting in that it’s a film about a film that never gets made (in an odd way, this would make it akin to cult classic American Movie).
In Attack of the Slime People (directed by Martin King) Buddy Flavanoid is a washed up Hollywood director trying to make his big comeback and cement his place in history as one of the greats. He sets out to make a monster movie about slime people but ends up himself becoming a monster of sorts, murdering (with a baseball bat of all things) anyone who threatens to get in the way of his “uncompromising vision.” Read more
Control
Ian Curtis, frontman of 70’s British post-punk band Joy Division, is one of rock’s most tragic and elusive figures. In 1980 he committed suicide at the age of 23, at the height of his creative powers. While all this may provide good fodder for music fans and pop historians, it’s a slippery slope of a project for a film director to undertake. With mythology and lionization comes cliché and questionable truths.
Control, based off the memoir of Curtis’ wife Debbie (played here by Samantha Morton), is a beautiful, moving, but ultimately flawed elegy to the late singer. Music video legend turned feature film director Anton Corbijn (Nirvana, Depeche Mode, etc.) shot the entire film on location in stark black and white. Read more
Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
This film is the second installment of Harold and Kumar’s adventures and it did not disappoint the comedy meter, as sequels often do. Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay is full of light hearted humor and bad decisions that lead to unfortunate circumstances.
I love Kal Penn who plays Kumar (if you haven’t seen Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle you may know him from the award winning t.v. series House). John Cho who plays Harold also brings his A game. These two team up to bring you a unique plot line with a series of very strange scenes, including unicorns, whorehouses and Dookie Houser? I spent half the movie jaw dropped thinking “wait wtf” and the other half laughing. One of my favorite bits has to be the cyclops but you’ll have see that for yourself. Read more
Margot at the Wedding
Margot at the Wedding is the newest film from writer/director Noah Baumbach. As was the case with his previous effort, The Squid and the Whale, Margot tracks the misadventures of a bookish family on the verge of oblivion. While less overtly pedantic, Margot is every bit as intelligent, witty and cruelly honest. Margot (Nicole Kidman) is a well-known (to the literati, at least) fiction writer. She is chilly and enigmatic, but fascinating to be around. Wherever she goes, trouble seems to follow. Her teenage son (Zain Pais, in a heartbreakingly brilliant debut) has some serious attachment issues, verging on a full-fledged Oedipus complex. Together they fly out to Margot’s sister’s wedding. What ensues is something of a train wreck. Whether you want to or not, you just look can’t look away. Read more
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