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Maneal
Reviews
TV Party (2005)
Doesn't match the original TV show
Saw the movie last night at Tribeca. Was very excited for it, but found it disappointing. Worth it only for the actual TV Party clips which are FASCINATING. A basic talking heads style docu, but with poorly chosen interviews and structure. It had none of the energy or originality of the actual TV Party program & with a show that crazy, you think they could have come up with something outrageous for the documentary. Unfortunately they stuck to the most conventional format possible. To the filmmaker's credit, he did manage to convey the atmosphere of this fantastic period of New York history but then tried too hard to find some sort of structure out of a show that was simply drug-addled nonsense/chaos. My suggestion - make TV Party the movie the same thing the TV show was - a movie that's actually a party.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
More than say no to drugs
After reading various comments on the film, I read a comment stating that the films only apparent message is 'say no to drugs.' I have to ask this question: why on earth did these characters begin using in the first place? Look at Sara for instance: her life revolved around the TV. Upon hearing she is going to actually be on TV, she becomes obsessed with looking perfect, fitting into the ideal dress. She can't restrain herself, because us spoiled americans rarely have to live on limited means, and ends up on miracle pills to help her lose the weight, rather than use self control. This film is a commentary on material culture as a whole. Why does Harry sell drugs? To make money to buy "stuff." Well, yes, sometimes that stuff is more drugs, but he buys his mother a large screen TV, as if that would make her happy. These characters have no understanding of how to achieve happiness. And how can they in this world that tells us that purchased goods equal happiness? So to limit the film to anti-drug propaganda or what not is utterly ridiculous. This is a brilliant film criticizing not drugs, but culture. As Tyrone's mother tells him, I don't want you to make it rich (in so many words), I just want you to love your mother. I may be exaggerating my point, but please see this film for something more than surface value.
Twin Falls Idaho (1999)
Great potential but horribly contrived
I was very excited upon hearing about this film. It sounded like a very original idea, but unfortunately lacked. The ending of the film was shockingly bad, so "hollywood" in style that it seemed like someone entirely different had written it. Michele Hicks as Penny was downright awful, my suggestion to her-stick to modeling. Her character wasn't the least bit believable and I had absolutely no sympathy. However, the film does have its good points, the cinematography at the beginning, the scene where the brothers play the country song. Certainly worth watching, perhaps your opinion will differ.