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Reviews
Rent (2005)
Terrific Film...
I finally saw RENT last night. I have loved the OBC soundtrack since its release in 1996, though I have never seen it on stage. I admit I was not excited at the premise of a film version, until I heard 6 of the 8 principals from the Broadway cast were returning for the film, which gave the project a sense of validity that reassured me the film would be a worthy verison of the show.
And it certainly was. I have heard some criticism that the film lacks focus, that it is not told from the perspective of a certain character etc. In fact, I think the film is nothing more than a filmed performance of the show - so really it is Jonathan Larson and his magnificent music that is the star (if you think of the opening credit sequence in that light this concept makes sense). And the center of the piece is Angel, how (s)he enters into this world and changes all who inhabit it. I thought Chris Columbus directed with great reverence for the show, and added enough to bring the story to life. The performances throughout are strong, particularly Jesse L. Martin as Tom (whose performance is so joyous, deep, and passionate it's as if he is purging 6 years of restrictive acting on Law and Order in one sitting), Wilson Jermaine Heredia as Angel, and Adam Pascal and Rosario Dawson and Roger and Mimi. I did think that Anthony Rapp as Mark was a little too theatrical, however.
While this movie was made clearly for RENT's fan base in mind, those with no familiarity with the show will still enjoy this movie. Go see it!!
Jarhead (2005)
The First 21st Century War Film
I must say, as a fan of Anthony Swofford's book and of Sam Mendes, I have been waiting for Jarhead all year. The early reviews did not dishearten me, however, because many of them shared criticisms I had heard about the book (e.g., lack of a plot, etc.).
I saw Jarhead last night, and I realized that most of the critics are criticizing what the movie is not rather than what it is. These are a select group of STAs (and I do not think this is representative of everyone's Gulf War experience, just Anthony Swofford and we are watching the film through HIS eyes) weened on Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket who have developed a thirst for the "Sh*t" and a kill. And the '91 Gulf War was NOT Vietnam, but it was as Swofford says "his war." This situation fosters the development of the characters, and is exacerbated by Chris Cooper's character, a Lt. Col. cut in the mold you would find in Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket who give Swoff and Troy hope that their war-time fantasies may come to pass, only to come up empty.
And no, this is not a political film, but then what requirement is there that a war film should be political? It is a film about a war that barely happened, as George Clooney's character said in Three Kings - "I don't know what we did here!" Yes, Three Kings is a better movie, with stronger satirical bite than you will get here, but then again, Jarhead is based on a true story.
Mendes and Broyles streamlined the non-linear structure of the book, turning it into the chronological narrative, which I thought was appropriate. Technically the film is superb, from the performances, to Mendes' direction, Thomas Newman's score, and Walter Murch's editing. And no, you do not need to have read the book to appreciate Jarhead. But see it for what it is - a modern revisionism of the American War Film.
The Patriot (2000)
The First Great Revolutionary War Film!
Considering the amount of time and money that Hollywood has invested in chronicling America's other wars on film, it is surprising that it has taken nearly a century to create the first great film about the Revolutionary War. The Patriot is a stirring epic that is historically accurate while remaining thoroughly entertaining (what happens to Martin's family actually happened to a number of the signers of the Declaration). Mel Gibson gives one of his strongest performances as Benjamin Martin, a widower and former war hero who strives to protect his family from the horrors of war. And as his son, Gabriel, Heath Ledger comes into his own following the promise he showed in his breakthrough performance in "10 Things I Hate About You" The acting is uniformly strong, the effects terrific, and the visuals gorgeous. While the film is weighted down by a couple of clichéd themes (the black man fighting for his freedom and the white man who learns to respect him for doing so...I don't know if there was a certain amount of irony intended in this, but even so, it's a pointless sub-theme). While there are some gory war scenes, "The Patriot" is really an honest love story between a father and his family, and is well worth the admission price.
Waking the Dead (2000)
A Film Worth Seeking Out
Keith Gordon may be the American filmmaker of the future. Although he is best known for his starring turns in "Dressed To Kill" and "Christine," Gordon's fourth feature, "Waking The Dead," further establishes him as one of the most stylish and talented directors of his generation. Much like his previous effort, "Mother Night," Gordon compresses big ideas and emotions into an intricately woven film that occasionally dazzles the viewer. Carefully telling two stories simultaneously, "Waking The Dead" is about the most complex of all emotions, love, and asks how strong a hold can love take on a person. Billy Crudup and the lovely Jennifer Connelly (co-stars of "Inventing The Abbotts") give wonderful performances as the young couple in question...every one of their scenes are realistic and delicately portrayed. Gordon keeps you enraptured throughout, all the way to the climactic ending. Sadly, the ending seems to be a cop-out, as if test audiences were too confused at the initial ending and Gordon added the last minute to make sure the audience really gets. This diminishes what could have been a powerful and suitable conclusion to the film. Despite this drawback, "Waking The Dead," is a film worth seeking out, simply to revel in the emergence of a first-class filmmaker.
Mission to Mars (2000)
What a horrific experience
Unfortunately, Brian De Palma's new film "Mission To Mars" is another example of the typically vapid Hollywood film searching only for the cheap, superficial thrill. It is such a shame to see such fine actors as Don Cheadle and Gary Sinise literally prostituting their talents for a hefty paycheck, only to be trapped within one of the worst scripts I have ever heard. The dialogue crawls throughout, the emotions could not appear more forced, and scenes only seem to be inserted to show off the "like, way-cool" special effects (ie. the whole "Dance The Night Away" sequence - what the hell was that for?). The real tragedy, however, is that the story has some merit. It is an interesting fable of space travel, and the special effects do occasionally rise to the gasp-inducing level. Yet De Palma (who is not exactly the most original director in the business) tries too hard to create a homage to "2001" from a script that owes more to the "everything's going to be OK" ethos of "2010." The mystery so potent throughout the Kubrick masterpiece never really applies to this story - and De Palma's direction only heightens the ridiculousness of the whole mess. Bottom line: If you're looking for an intelligent exploration of the universe, go to the source and see "2001." If you're looking for a two hour exercise in superficial entertainment, "Mission To Mars" is for you....just don't forget the popcorn.
Real Life (1979)
A Brilliant First Feature!
Any Albert Brooks fan who has not seen his first glorious feature is truly missing out. As anyone can attest, Brooks has the rare gift of turning ordinary human moments into riotously funny scenes, and this film is full of such moments, plus much more subversive material, like the way Grodin's character repeatedly comes perilously close to committing a felony against his family.
Perhaps the greatest joke of all is that while the character "Albert Brooks" continuously states how he is documenting real life, we all know that this is really a star vehicle for him. He is more concerned with how much everything costs, like the head-held cameras (for those who haven't seen it, imagine the result of torrid affair between Dave Bowman and the Hal-9000). This film, more that anything, is a satirical take on how Hollywood subverts what is really "real life," all this coming from a director with as great a grasp on how humans relate to one another than anyone.
Man on the Moon (1999)
A Wonderful Tribute
In short, this is a wonderful tribute to an artist who, though greatly misunderstood during his life, changed the way comedy was performed. Jim Carrey's portrayal is so on-target it's frightening, and Kaufman's various pieces are recreated with delicate care. The point is not necesarily to understand Andy Kaufman, the man, but rather the artist as perceived through his work. This should serve as a wake-up call to anyone aware of Kaufman only through his performance as "Latka," and hopefully would propel the viewer to check out the real thing.