dan9241 Reviews

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Beautiful

[9/10 · 20 April 2000]

The movie itself is wonderful, but Sofia Coppola deserves most of the credit. The atmosphere that she has created is simply wonderful. The camerawork in the dance scene (when "Come Sail Away" was being played) gave me goosebumps; it was simply beautiful. I cannot wait to see what her next project will be.

However, everything else about the movie is also worth praise, particularly Kirsten Dunst. I found myself getting very involved in the story, and a few moments got quite a reaction out of me. The effects the film had on me were perfect. This one is definitely worth seeing.

Happiness (1998)

The best film of 1998

[10/10 · 20 April 2000]

This is remarkable. I had been a huge fan of Solondz's "Welcome to the Dollhouse," for a few years before I finally got around to seeing this masterpiece, which in my opinion is even better than Dollhouse and one of the GREATEST films ever made. Sure, it's disturbing, and that's the point. It also effortlessly weaves multiple storylines into one movie (only "Magnolia" is better at handling the multiple plots, though I still slightly prefer "Happiness" on the whole).

The performances in this movie are simply brilliant. My personal favorite was Cynthia Stevenson as one of those typical housewives with 2.5 kids and a carpool. Her character was so obnoxious, superficial and condescending - she clearly did a wonderful job. Philip Seymour Hoffman also deserves praise. He is so incredibly versatile - he successfully made my skin crawl here. Louise Lasser is simply wonderful. You can see the despair on her face in every scene that she's in. I was also a huge fan of Camryn Manheim (what a twist!), Lara Flynn Boyle (she gives new meaning to the role of the phony snob), Dylan Baker, Jane Adams, Elizabeth Ashley, and Molly Shannon's cameo which was HYSTERICAL. And the child actors...simply brilliant and such difficult material.

The movie makes me feel completely numb and empty when it's over, but I cannot get over just how amazing it is. Todd Solondz is definitely intriguing me - I can't wait to see what he'll do next. As for "Happiness" - 10/10.

It's My Party (1996)

Allow yourself to get sucked in...

[9/10 · 20 April 2000]

Yes, many of my friends hate this movie, because it IS melodramatic and sappy. But the first time I watched it, I got sucked in and cried my eyes out like I had never cried before. I thought it was beautiful.

The performances were realistic and heartbreaking (nearly all of them made me cry at one time or another) and if you feel the need for a good cry, this is definitely your best bet.

New Nightmare (1994)

Even better than the first one

[8/10 · 20 April 2000]

This is by far the best Nightmare movie. The first one was very good, but I've seen many better horror films. The sequels were all interesting in the development and evolution of the story, but they weren't necessarily GOOD (though I did LOVE the third one). This movie, however, has some incredibly eerie moments and one of the best premises I've ever heard of. Having all of the actors play themselves makes the movie even scarier and more realistic. Wes Craven, I do believe, is a genius. From his earliest, low-budget work (check out the amazing "Last House On The Left" and the decent "The Hills Have Eyes") through his latest (this and the Scream trilogy), he has always had me on the edge of my seat.

This was not only a good horror movie, but it was a good movie. It was just so interesting and held my interest from beginning to end (and it is slightly longer than most horror films). Still, make sure you've seen at least the first one before you see this to understand a lot of the twists, and the many in-jokes.

Drowning Mona (2000)

Dark-humored fun

[8/10 · 15 April 2000]

This movie was a good time. I didn't laugh out loud all that often, but it was definitely funny. My only complaint - MORE BETTE MIDLER. The scenes that she IS in are wonderful and near the end (when the flashbacks grow more infrequent), I was missing her presence. However, everyone else delivered great performances, too.

Danny DeVito was adorable and very likeable (I especially liked his references to the theater, comparing himself to Daddy Warbucks or Auntie Mame); Jamie Lee Curtis was the epitome of the white trash waitress (her haircut had me cracking up); Neve Campbell proves again that she can handle a variety of different roles (the blond streak in the front of her hair was icing on the cake); Casey Affleck was perfectly vulnerable; and Peter Dobson - well I was just very excited to see him after 1989's "Sing," one of my favorite 80's guilty pleasures. I was also excited because I grew up (in normal suburbs) about a half hour away from the actual Verplanck, NY. I'd driven through Verplanck's outskirts before, but was never actually there - though I heard many stories that I will not repeat. I'll just say that the movie was a very close approximation of the stories. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed the film even more. And oh yes, it was quite funny.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

One of the funniest movies ever made

[10/10 · 15 April 2000]

OK. So it's not "Waiting For Guffman." No movie will ever be Guffman and I also doubt than any director will ever make a better mockumentary than Christopher Guest can. So leave that at the door when you see this movie. "Drop Dead Gorgeous," while its documentary-style is not as authentic as Guffman's, is probably just as funny (but in a different way). I saw it in theaters (there were 6 people there) and my friends and I LOVED IT. We laughed out loud on many occasions. Sure, the humor is offensive to many, but that's the point. Too many movies want to be cutting edge and risky, but are afraid to go all the way. "Drop Dead Gorgeous," makes no apologies for anything, and doesn't sugarcoat the material. That's what makes it so wonderful.

Of course, there are also some amazing performances, most notably by Kirstie Alley (who is so over-the-top, especially near the end), Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Ellen Barkin, Brittany Murphy, Nora Dunn (in a brief role towards the end), Matt Malloy (he was the nerdy one in "In The Company of Men") and the endlessly versatile Allison Janney: she's been loud and humorous in this and "The Object of My Affection," a key supporting character in "The Ice Storm," (she hosted the key party), and was devastatingly quiet as Col. Fitts's wife in "American Beauty." Keep giving her good material!

Back to this film - there is no need to be offended if you truly think about how silly everything is. I usually love black comedies, but for the darkness (I normally don't find much true humor in them). Here, though, I laughed more than usual. I won't reveal too much, but the scene involving the lip-synched "Don't Cry Out Loud," had me rolling on the floor. As did many other scenes. If you enjoy a good black comedy (and agree that many Americans are quite hypocritical), then you will LOVE this movie. It's a groundbreaking masterpiece.

Cradle Will Rock (1999)

Near-perfect

[8/10 · 15 April 2000]

I had such goosebumps watching this movie! As an aspiring actor and theater lover, I couldn't help but get caught up in the story and its important message - and the performances! I notice that a lot of people have said that the characters are one-dimensional, but I didn't see that at all. Since there are so many characters, there isn't as much time to get to know all of them - but we do see the most important traits of each character. My personal favorite was Vanessa Redgrave whose giddiness and excitement over the show certainly rubbed off on me while I was watching it. Joan Cusack and Bill Murray were heartbreaking and especially wonderful. I also enjoyed John Turturro (who made me cry), Hank Azaria, Susan Sarandon (you just have to get used to the accent), and the AMAZING Cherry Jones who was so natural and charismatic. I also got a kick out of seeing some of my favorite theatrical performers in small roles (like Stephen Spinella, Victoria Clark and Erin Hill). And in the beginning, having the voice of Audra McDonald heard as Hank Azaria's ideal voice was a perfect choice. There isn't anybody who can sing like she can.

Overall, this was a wonderful movie to watch and get caught up in. And the end was so empowering, though it felt like it was cut a bit short. 8/10

The Doom Generation (1995)

Hot and cold

[5/10 · 15 April 2000]

I saw this movie because it was the predecessor to Gregg Araki's "Nowhere," which was one of my favorite films. However, I did not enjoy it as much. James Duvall's acting was a bit uneven (he's better in "Nowhere" and "Go"), and the plot was very lacking in many places. I was expecting a crime-road-trip-type movie, and there WAS crime and a road trip - but the movie was mostly a series of sex scenes and brooding. As for the violence, yes you do see quite a bit during the killings, but the killings happen so rarely that it doesn't matter much. Rose McGowan and Jonathan Schaech were both wonderful as the other two main characters, but they've both been better (i.e. she in "Jawbreaker" or "Scream," and he in "Splendor," another Araki movie). There were a few funny cameos, the best being Margaret Cho (you see her for like two seconds) and Parker Posey with a huge, fake-looking blond wig that doesn't even cover her head. Her scene was by far the best scene in the movie (and she's my favorite actress).

As for the rest of the film, I was bored by a lot of it - except for the ending. That climatic scene in the cave (I won't reveal anything) was VERY intense, and held my interest. Otherwise though, go for "Nowhere," which was a blast to watch.

Clockwatchers (1997)

Perfect

[9/10 · 13 April 2000]

I have never worked as an office temp before, but after seeing this movie, I have a very clear image as to what it must be like. The film does a perfect job of making the viewer feel like part of the office community (which isn't always a good thing to want to feel). After the movie was over, I felt somewhat void and numb - and very tired. That is the exact effect that this film should have. The business world allows for no individuality or creativity - instead, it silences one's spirit.

Toni Collette is wonderful as Iris. I have known so many people like this character - quiet, shy, someone who lets life go by without making his/her mark. I have also known many people like Margaret (Parker Posey) - people who need to be seen and heard at all times. And this one of Parker's greatest performances. She goes from a bouncy free-spirit to an aggressive troublemaker to an outcast without warning, and her transformation is fascinating to watch. Lisa Kudrow, too, gives another great performance (and this was before her scene-stealing role in "The Opposite of Sex") as the possibly compulsive liar Paula. The fourth actress, Alannah Ubach, I have not seen in anything else, but she is absolutely a delight to watch. Smaller roles by actors such as Jamie Kennedy, Bob Balaban (Posey's costar in "Waiting For Guffman"), and David James Elliot are also performed with perfection. If you appreciate a movie about interesting characters in everyday situations, then this is a movie for you. Many people have complained about the slow pace, but I have never found this to be boring. The slow pace is effective in making viewers feel as desperate and unimportant as the temps. 9/10

Copycat (1995)

Amazing

[10/10 · 13 April 2000]

This is the BEST thriller ever made. I know, everyone will crucify me for saying this, but I was bored by much of "Se7en." I think that "Copycat" is far superior. As for "Silence of the Lambs," comparisons - yes they are similar (with one convicted killer aiding people in catching another killer at large), and "Lambs," is naturally amazing (it deserved its Oscar), though it is not as scary as "Copycat." For some reason, "Copycat" struck the right chord with me. The small details of the killings are so clever and creepy, and they add to the atmosphere wonderfully. Sigourney Weaver is in one of the greatest roles of her career (though she is always fantastic), as is the remarkable Holly Hunter (who also provides some humor). Dermot Mulroney, William McNamara and Harry Connick Jr. round out the fine cast. However, in addition to the powerful female leads, it is the story that drives this movie. I was so hooked by it, and every twist had me on the edge of my seat. It is both terrifying AND well-made. And the score! I can't even begin to say how beautiful and haunting the music is. This is one movie I am very happy to own.

Clue (1985)

Such a blast

[9/10 · 13 April 2000]

I first saw this movie in the third grade, and it has been a favorite of mine since then. The movie is just so much fun! The dialogue is hysterical and wonderfully quotable. Sure, if you've seen the movie as many times as I have, you can see the many plot holes (when the murderer(s) are revealed, it is not always possible for these results to exist. If you go back and watch the movie again, the outcome would require many people to be in two different places at once), but that does not matter. The movie is an absolute delight to watch.

I cannot say enough good things about Madeline Kahn. She is so perfect in this movie (she was perfect in everything, actually) and her character of Mrs. White is deliciously cynical, especially when discussing her dead husband ("It's a matter of life after death. Now that he's dead, I have a life"). Other standouts in the cast include Eileen Brennan as the loud, neurotic Mrs. Peacock, Tim Curry as Wadsworth the butler (with the exception of a few moments, he steals the entire last act of the movie), and Leslie Ann Warren as the mysterious sexpot Miss Scarlet.

Overall, this movie is a lot more fun than playing the board game, and oh so clever. Gotta love it.

Cabaret (1972)

Fosse's best film work

[9/10 · 13 April 2000]

What a masterpiece! This is one of the all-time greatest film musicals ever made. The film, on its own, is simply brilliant. Fosse's direction is better than ever and Liza Minelli - WOW. What a performance. However, I do prefer the stage version of "Cabaret," due to the many subplots (i.e. the Fraulein Schneider/Herr Schultz relationship) that do not appear in the film. People who are unfamiliar with the musical or the story should see the film first, and then the play (I've seen the current revival 16 times to date); the experience is much more harrowing when you are actually there witnessing everything. But like I said before, the movie is brilliant, and even more brilliant when not compared to the stage version. I know I already mentioned Liza, but you cannot say enough about her here. She is magnificent, as are Joel Gray (as the Master of Ceremonies) and Michael York (as Brian). The choreography is another stand-out. "Mein Herr," is Fosse at his best. Everything in the film is so real, it almost feels like a documentary. My only complaint is that the film can feel heavy at times. This heaviness is nowhere to be found in the stage version (which was directed by "American Beauty" genius Sam Mendes). Fans of the movie should definitely see the play - Broadway's Susan Egan singing the title song is the most intense theatrical experience I've ever witnessed, not to take anything away from Liza. Just see both. It's the story that's the most important thing.

The Big Tease (1999)

FUN FUN FUN

[8/10 · 12 April 2000]

I LOVE mockumentaries. "Waiting For Guffman," is one of my all-time favorite movies. "Drop Dead Gorgeous," is another. "The Big Tease," may not be as funny as those two, but it's still a great movie. How can one NOT be entertained by a Scottish hairdresser in California for the first time, trying desperately to compete in a hair-cutting contest? Craig Ferguson is magnificent, campy, and deliciously over-the-top (watch him singing "California Dreamin'" on his hotel room balcony and you'll see what I mean). Frances Fisher, as his cohort, is equally wonderful (and her exercise machine!!!). And of course Mary McCormack who caught my attention during her brief run as Sally Bowles in Broadway's "Cabaret" last year - she was wonderful (and I've seen the show 16 times to date). But this movie - just such a great concept. The actual competition had some of the best sight gags I've ever seen. You need to see it to believe it. 8/10

American Psycho (2000)

Wonderful, but not what I expected

[7/10 · 12 April 2000]

Having heard all of the hype about the twisted violence and sick imagery of the book, I was very curious as to how I would react to this movie. Movie violence usually doesn't bother me, but on occasion, I have been incredibly disturbed (example - "I Spit On Your Grave" which I could not sit through again). Here, though, I was very surprised to see very little violence, suspense or blood. This so-called "sick" movie was not sick at all. Despite not being scared, I thought that the movie did a wonderful job at satirizing the business world in the late 1980's (and it featured a great sound track of 80's music!). When I walked out, I was feeling a bit disappointed - not just by the under usage of the immensely talented Reese Witherspoon and Chloe Sevigny - but by the story itself. I wanted to know more. But the more I thought about it on the way home, the more I liked the way the movie handled the story. It really made me think, and it featured some very interesting twists. In addition, Christian Bale was absolutely mesmerizing in the title role. So although it was nothing like I expected, I thought that the movie was very well-done in other respects. 7/10

Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998)

A cute, nice flick

[8/10 · 12 April 2000]

This movie works because it's cute. It's just a really nice, cute movie with a universal theme (developing a crush on a friend) and some hysterical drag queens performing various acts throughout. While Sean Hayes is not as funny here as he is on "Will & Grace," it's because he's not playing Jack. Not every gay man acts like Jack, and in this movie, Billy is more of the serious type. There are a few good laughs in the movie, but it's not an uproarious comedy. It's just...nice. I don't know any better word to describe it.

Broadway Damage (1997)

How cute is this movie?

[9/10 · 12 April 2000]

Two years ago, in high school, I did some community theater shows in a theater that was also used by the actress Mara Hobel as part of her acting school for children (in suburbs outside of NYC). There was a big bulletin board showing pictures of Mara's film work, including of course "Mommie Dearest," (she was Baby Christina) and a movie I had never heard of, "Broadway Damage." I didn't see it until a few months ago, and being a student at NYU, I was able to play "spot that building" since much of the movie was filmed in NYU's surrounding neighborhood. But on to more important things: Regardless of where I grew up or where I live now, this is one adorable movie. When it was over, I felt like I wanted to hug the world. And it's great when movies have such a positive effect on you. Watch this one with people you love. 9/10

Apt Pupil (1998)

Well-acted and chilling

[8/10 · 12 April 2000]

I saw this movie because the trailer looked amazing. It was truly one of the most interesting and well-done trailers I had ever seen for a movie. While the movie may not have been a masterpiece, it was still a VERY good movie. Brad Renfro and Ian McKellen both give wonderful, realistic performances, and the subject matter is both intriguing and repelling. There is a lot more going on here than in your typical scary movie. It was just creepy and created a wonderfully quiet mood that disturbed me throughout much of the movie. 8/10

Beautiful Thing (1996)

A beautiful, feel-good film

[8/10 · 12 April 2000]

I will start by saying that yes, not much happens in the first half of the film. But you do get sucked into the world of the characters. The acting is wonderful and heartbreaking - Linda Henry is one of the most realistic mothers in film history. Tameka Epson (who plays Leah) is also brilliant, and absolutely hysterical. And keep watching for a great last act, with one of the sweetest endings I've ever seen.

I've also seen the play when it was revived in New York City (early 1999), and I actually enjoyed it even more than the movie. It was slightly funnier, and more entertaining (it also didn't hurt that the accents weren't as thick). But the film is brilliant in its own right - and better than the recent and much-compared-to "Get Real" (the other well-known British gay teen movie). Keep in mind that the most realistic movie I've ever seen about a teenage boy coming to terms with his homosexuality is "Edge of Seventeen." I would recommend that for anyone who enjoyed "Beautiful Thing."

Beetlejuice (1988)

Such a classic

[8/10 · 12 April 2000]

This is one of my favorite childhood movies - and one of the few that I still enjoy today. Catherine O'Hara is one of the most underrated actresses working in films today. She steals every scene she's in with her marvellous interpretation of dialogue. And the film, as a whole, is pure entertainment.

Blue Velvet (1986)

Intense and gripping

[9/10 · 12 April 2000]

This film is not perfect, and it tends to be a bit overrated. But it sure has its moments. David Lynch, I do believe, is a genius. This movie is so incredibly intense that it can be hard to watch. Much of the intensity stems from the Isabella Rosselini-Dennis Hopper characters and their relationship (not to mention their remarkable performances). On the other hand, the film has a slow feel to it, and by the end, it seems to be dragging slightly. But see it anyway, it's quite an experience.

All That Jazz (1979)

Fosse is a genius

[8/10 · 12 April 2000]

"All That Jazz" is almost a masterpiece - a brilliant autobiographical film directed by Bob Fosse. Maybe I'm biased since I'm a huge fan of Fosse's work, but I still think that this film is brilliant in many ways. First, you have the choreography. I can't watch a number like "Take Off With Us," or "Everything Old Is New Again," and NOT want to get up and dance. I get goosebumps just watching it.

Next, you have the actors. Roy Scheider is the better than I've ever seen him here. With his goatee, cigarette, and black boots, he really looks like Fosse (although the character is not supposed to be Fosse himself, just based on him). Ann Reinking is one of the greatest dancers who ever lived, and it doesn't hurt that she was Fosse's girlfriend portraying Joe Gideon's (Scheider) girlfriend in the movie. Leland Palmer and Ben Vereen both starred in "Pippin" on stage for Fosse, and their talents are utilized again here. Add in the star power of Jessica Lange as the mysterious Angel of Death, and you've got a winning cast.

Lastly, you have the material, and the way Fosse handles that material. You could write a book comparing the movie to Fosse's life with analysis after analysis. Instead, I'll just say that the style and pacing of the film is near-perfect - until the end. It loses a little bit of its energy with the too-long and drawn out production number "Bye Bye Life." It definitely could have been shorter. But the cynical message of the movie is not to be missed for those who enjoy dark movies, and especially for Fosse fans (although his "Cabaret" is better). 8/10