kolyanbogie Reviews

Sideways (2004)

I disagree with many others about this movie

[8/10 · 19 November 2007]

I don't think it's fair to dismiss Miles as "a failed writer" or someone who lives a "meager existence as an English teacher." What is wrong with being an English teacher? What is wrong with trying to write fiction and not getting it published? The odds are WAY against you. Most people of Miles' and Jack's age are not "succesful" per Se, but they make concessions and make the best of what they have. To quote the cliché: "Life is what happens while you're making other plans." I see this movie as a character study of two guys who embark on a road trip and the subtle deceptions they encounter on the way: Miles pretending to want to see his mother on her birthday when he really just wants to steal money from her, Jack pretending he has read Miles' book, Jack misleading Stephanie so he can get into her pants, deceiving his fiancé, etc. etc.

Funny Ha Ha (2002)

Good "slice-of-life" movie, but is it interesting?

[5/10 · 22 September 2006]

Looking like a documentary, this movie captures well life at the age of the characters, that I remember when I was that age: direction-less and insecure. The problem is, a glimpse into people's personal lives aren't necessarily interesting, and I wanted more to happen or for the story to be more interesting. I also wondered why characters we saw a lot of in the beginning of the movie, simply disappeared with no explanation. Alex's unexpected marriage was never explained, nor did Marnie seem to try to find out how this marriage came about. In keeping with the theme of a segment of someone's life snipped out randomly and put on film, the ending provided no resolution to anything, but I felt it could have been less abrupt and arbitrary.

Don't Bother to Knock (1952)

Historically interesting but dated style

[5/10 · 28 March 2006]

I don't know what to make of this movie. It seems to be made in a style reminiscent of TV melodrama of the 1950s, with some film noir elements. I didn't find it particularly compelling, but interesting to see Anne Bancroft in her first movie - so young and pretty - as well as an early role by Marilyn Monroe, before she became a screen icon as a sex symbol. I disagree with one commenter that it's the best performance of her career. On the contrary, her acting is slightly below par, but you can see she had potential. This appears to be a 'B' picture and I would be interested to know more about the background of its genesis and production. I like the way the movie is lit - atmospheric and moody (characteristic of film noir).

Herbie Fully Loaded (2005)

A fun romp

[7/10 · 24 June 2005]

While it's not going to go down in cinematic history as one of the greatest moments, it's fun and certainly worth the six bucks I paid to see it. I suspect viewers who are old enough to remember the original Love Bug movie will get more out of it, because there's a strong nostalgic appeal. Herbie emerges as a character more sympathetic than a lot of human characters! After hearing so much about Lindsay in the popular media, I was curious to see if there's anything behind the hype. There is. She is adorable, and although not the strongest actress, she is only 19 and will surely get better. Her look is a little different: reddish/brown hair and freckles. I was surprised to see how much Michael Keaton has aged.

Adaptation. (2002)

Great actors

[8/10 · 15 March 2005]

I won't try to write an in-depth review of this movie, as others have already done a better job than I could, and I kind of doubt anyone reads beyond the first few reviews anyway! However, I did want to comment on a few things. Nicolas Cage is superb. I haven't been a fan of his and thought he wasn't a very good actor, suspected that he got where he has because he is Coppola's nephew. Leaving Las Vegas began to change my mind, he was so good in that, and now with Adaptation I am truly impressed. A lot of actors and actresses aren't very good when they first start out, but they improve greatly over time. Chris Cooper is also excellent. I did not even recognize him from Sea Biscuit, October Sky, or American Beauty. Although his roles in American Beauty and October Sky were very similar (he played a very strict father), his other roles have been very different. The guy is diverse.

Old School (2003)

Brilliant moments, overall dubious

[7/10 · 8 March 2005]

Does anyone read these reviews? I didn't like the main idea at all, i.e. some fraternity for older people, and their fight to keep on going. However, there are some ingenious bits, such as Will Farrell running along naked thinking he had others following him, and many more. One brilliant sequence deserves special mention: when Will Farrell has fallen into a swimming pool, messed up on tranquilizer, and has a fantasy on a beach dreaming up an ex. Which of course turns out to be a drug-created dream, but the sequence is amazing. And then there is Elisha Cuthbert. Her role is relatively small, but memorable. She is as delectable as any female on the big or small screen, and I predict big things for her. Special mention for Artie Lange from the Howard Stern show.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Great movie, but I have a criticism

[28 November 2004]

I don't have anything to add to the praise for this film, that other users haven't said already. This is an excellent movie, very original and well-done. However, would the doctor of Lacuna employ two irresponsible kids to carry out his bizarre procedure? Drinking beer, smoking pot, and having sex while a man's brain is tampered with? It's just absurd. I suppose one must "suspend disbelief." Another thing: what was up with Joel not shaving? I understand being lazy about shaving, but would Clementine be attracted to this taciturn guy who doesn't shave or comb his hair, and always wears that dopey cap? I doubt it.

The Girl Next Door (2004)

Suspend disbelief for a fun movie

[13 October 2004]

One of my pet peeves about movies and TV shows about teenagers or high school is the tendency to use actors several years older than the characters. Henry Winkler was in his late twenties-early thirties when he played "The Fonz" on Happy Days. He was obviously too old to be in high school, as was Ron Howard. James Dean was in his early twenties when he played a teenager in Rebel Without a Cause - and looked it. Elisha Cuthbert was 20 when she played Danielle in The Girl Next Door - and looks it. At least Emile Hirsch was 17 when he played his character. Then there is the problem of believability: would a young porn star who has been around the block fall for a green, straight-arrow kid, and would he jeopardize his future for her? Probably not, but if you can suspend disbelief, this movie is worthwhile. For me it was worthwhile just to look at Elisha Cuthbert (a very unsexy name for a very sexy woman) and the way she looks at Hirsch. Anyone expecting a lot of nudity in the "unrated version" will be disappointed - contrary to what one might expect in an unrated version. There's a scene in a strip club featuring topless women with storebought boobs, and we never do see Cuthbert nude. An "R" rating would easily apply. The director's commentary is useful and interesting if you want insight into the mindset of the Hirsch character and the idea of high school as a grind where many students like they're missing something.

Super Size Me (2004)

I still love fast food!

[13 October 2004]

I have loved fast food since about 1968, when McDonald's introduced their Big Mac (for 25 cents!) and my mother took me and my brother there to sample this new hamburger: "two all-beef patties, special sauce ... etc." I love the fact that you can buy a meal which is cheap, fast, tasty -- and you don't have to pay a tip! -- even though nutrition was never part of the equation. Obviously, these reasons are attractive to many other Americans, and increasingly, customers throughout the world. I even considered creating a coffee-table book on the origins of individual fast food restaurants. I have endured criticism from friends for my fast food ways. So of course I rented Super Size Me. I have already cut back on my fast food consumption in the interest of reducing my fat and calorie intake, and Super Size Me definitely inspired me to eat even less. Morgan Spurlock's relaxed yet funny personality is a nice contrast to Michael Moore. Of course eating at McDonald's three times a day is going to affect your health! However, I wasn't prepared for the extent that Spurlock's mental as well as physical health was affected. I would have been more interested in seeing how much one McDonald's meal per day would affect someone's health, because this is a more realistic level of consumption.

Flipper (1964–1967)

Thoughts of Flipper makes me feel so nostalgic

[7 October 2004]

I don't know if anyone will ever read this or care about my memories about this show, but after reading another commentary I had to put in my five cents worth. In the late 60s, when our family had never owned a TV, our next door neighbors bought a brand new color set. This was 1967 or 68. Older viewers will remember when color was a big deal, and the new shows were very exciting to watch. (Remember the NBC peacock which announced that a show was "in COLOR!") One of these shows was Flipper. Thinking of the theme song brings tears to my eyes ... I am taken back to my childhood as an innocent 8-year old who had hardly seen any television, kind of mesmerised. I always loved animals and thought a dolphin would be such a cool pet - although I do remember getting tired of flipper making that weird dolphin noise! Anyone who wants to share memories, feel free to e-mail me.

Waiting for Guffman (1996)

If you like Spinal Tap you'll like this

[26 September 2004]

One of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time. Christopher Guest nails his role as the gay theater director. Well, he says he's married but we never see a wife. I don't know if any gay men or politically-correct viewers might be offended by the character of Corky St. Clair, but I have seen so many gay men - especially in the theater world - who look and act like Corky does (with the possible exception of his temper flare-ups). I don't know how to describe Guest's brand of humor, but it's distinctive and in this movie very reminiscent of So This is Spinal Tap. Interestingly, on second viewing (with commentary), I laughed a lot harder at some jokes, such as Parker Posey barbecuing one miniscule chicken wing and nothing else. Much of the humor is subtle and easy to miss, which can also be said about the commentary, which is funny in its own right.

Ordinary People (1980)

It holds up well

[11 September 2004]

A lot of movies become dated after 25 years, but Ordinary People could have been made today. When I saw it in the theater in 1980, I hadn't been out of high school long and Timothy Hutton, who graduated a year after I did from the same high school (Berkeley High), was only 19. He was the youngest man to win the academy award (for Best Actor) at that time. It was well-deserved.

Yesterday I watched it in a high school Health class I was covering, with students who weren't even born when it was made and haven't heard of the actors and actresses in it (I pointed out that Donald Sutherland is Keifer Sutherland's father). The pained expressions on some of the faces watching told me that it still has emotional impact.

One thing I noticed this time around is the similarity of Hutton's performance to James Dean's in Rebel Without a Cause: especially his scenes with the psychiatrist and with his father.

Spider-Man (2002)

What about Steve Ditko?

[5 September 2004]

I just finished watching Spider-Man on DVD. I saw a Japanese bootleg version in a classroom (weird) and then I paid to see it in the theater, but rented the DVD to see the Extra Features.

It's a terrific movie - I was an avid reader of the comic book in the 70s (until some bozo decided to kill Gwen Stacy, and then I felt betrayed and stopped reading it; but that's another story). I'm very happy with the Sam Raimi movie adaptation.

What I want to know is: What happened to acknowledgment of STEVE DITKO? Ditko drew Amazing Fantasy #15, as well as the original Amazing Spider-Man #1- ? Not sure of the number, but it was No. 30 or 40.

According to legend, Stan Lee has long taken credit for the creation of Spider-Man, when in fact Steve Ditko was at least a co-creator.

One artist on the DVD extra disc acknowledged Ditko as his model for drawing Spider-Man, but still, Ditko has been given short shirt. Stan Lee acts like Spider-Man is his baby, but some of us know better.

And what about Ross Andru, an important artist of The Amazing Spider-Man in the late 70s?

Margaret Cho: CHO Revolution (2004 Video)

Cho's getting too preachy

[30 August 2004]

I have always been impressed with Margaret Cho as a performer. She's funny, irreverent, with dead-on and hilarious impressions of her mother, etc. Unfortunately, she has become too preachy for me. She needs to get off her soapbox and stop whining about being Asian and female and her fluctuating weight. I don't watch stand up comedians to get a lecture about how to be more politically-correct. Her performance has become a vehicle for her agenda, and it's gotten old. And Margaret, stop blaming the media for getting fat! You are an adult - the only one who makes decisions for what you put in your mouth. I wish I could keep renting Cho's concerts, because she can be extremely funny, but I've had enough, at least for now. An honorable mention is deserved by Tony Daniels. I predict he will become a star in his own right. His low-key comedy complements Cho's over-the-top style.

Sidewalks of New York (2001)

Woody Allen imitator

[15 August 2004]

In the DVD commentary, Ed Burns says he wanted to make a movie that was "completely different." Who is he kidding? It's so close to Woody Allen that if it were released as a Woody Allen movie people would accept that Woody had made it. The mannerisms (e.g., people stammering and saying "you know" a lot, the jokes, the hand-held camera)... now don't get me wrong, it's done well, and beautifully filmed and acted ($1 million dollar budget, shot in 17 days? Hard to believe). I hope to see more of lovely Rosario Dawson - omigod, those lips! - and Brittany Murphy's star is rising as we speak. Stanley Tucci needs a toupe. He is an OK actor, nothing special, but I don't want to see this man's ugly bald head.

An Evening with Kevin Smith (2002 Video)

Better than his movies

[3 August 2003]

Clerks is a very funny movie, if you can overlook the grainy, B&W film stock, but Kevin Smith's movies to date after Clerks have been regrettable, in my opinion. Perhaps it's just a matter of taste: I don't like his movies. I don't even want to watch them to the end. However, I admire someone who launched a career from a cheaply made B&W movie like Clerks.

An Evening with Kevin Smith is much more entertaining and worthwhile than his movies. He's a gifted raconteur and immediately establishes an excellent rapport with his audience.

Comedian (2002)

Should have been better

[5/10 · 29 June 2003]

When I saw this at Blockbuster I chose it over all the other titles I wanted to see. After all, I spotted Jerry Seinfeld as one of the funnier comedians on Letterman, long before his hit show. I love showbiz backstage scenes, etc. What a disappointment this was. I wasn't even interested enough to want to watch the entire thing. Orny isn't very funny, and Jerry's material pales next to his old stuff. What happened? A hit show and zillions of dollars and you lose your knack? This movie needed longer periods of standup, and interviews lasting at least a few minutes. Instead we get snippets, MTV style, that don't add up to much.