Change Your Image
HerbertRousch
Reviews
Eating Out (2004)
Not very tasteful
I'll stop short of calling this the worst film I've ever seen, as others have done here, but it is dreadful and, at times, insulting. I rated it two out of ten because the actor Ryan Carnes has a lot of charisma, though he isn't well-directed here. I feel sorry for the actor and the other one who's name escapes me for they are subjected to a completely gratuitous nude scene, the kind that young bimbo actresses are subjected to time and again. The plot is completely old hat, nothing new --stop me if you've heard this one before -- a straight guy pretends to be gay to impress a girl. Yes, in 2005 we're still trying to gett mileage out of that one and the perpetuation of gay stereotypes. Actually all the actors are poorly directed and as so often happens most of them overplay their scenes, hoping to milk this slight material for laughs where there aren't any real ones. Production values are non-existent, which is understandable with an indie film, but the amateurish writing and directing is inexcusable.
Connie and Carla (2004)
Just awful
This is an insulting comedy. It's made by people who have obviously never seen a drag show.
It perpetuates stereotypes and even has a character listed as
"Extremely Fey Guy." Nia Vardolos, the success of whose last film was a fluke, should
be ashamed of herself. David Duchovney looks embarrassed to be in this mess. Debbie Reynolds should know better. Just awful. One of the worst of the year.
Me, Natalie (1969)
Evocative
Me, Natalie is a very evocative film of the late '60s. It's notable as one of Al Pacino's first films but Patty Duke gives a wonderful performance. It's a shame this isn't on video. It perfectly captures the vibe of late '60s New York.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Nothing special
This is just a typical prison yarn with some mawkish sentiment
tossed in. I really don' t understand the fuss. I guess some people
look for grandeur and prjoect it onto middling, palatable material
like this. That's the only explanation I've got for the unwarranted
popularity of this flick. Production credits are fine enough, as is the
acting but it certainly doesn't belong on any repsectable list of
greatest films of all time.
The Dreamers (2003)
Totally Dreamy
A truly beautiful film. Easily Bernardo Bertolucci's best in years, The Dreamers details the influence cinema has on our lives. Set during the youth rebellion in Paris during 1968, the lives of three young people are changed forever after meeting at the Cinemateque after the removal of curator Henri Langlois. This is a must see for film buffs.
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)
The worst
This is possibly the worst gay romantic comedy i have ever had the
misfortune to watch. Every character is a stereotype, no cliche is
left unturned. The token black character is also the token queen!
It's impossible to believe that any of these people who speak to
each other, let alone be close friends. It's set in West Hollywood
but is filmed elsewhere. Unfunny and offensive, Broken Heart's
Club is perhaps the nadir of my filmgoing experience.
Bad Santa (2003)
Hilarious Holiday fun
This is easily one of the best films of the year. Billy Bob Thornton's scabrous character is hilarious and his performance as the alcoholic bad santa is one of his best. This usurps A Christmas Story as the least sappy holiday film and will probably become a viewing tradition among the more discerning film buffs. Terry Zwigoff has done it again. His last two films (Crumb and Ghost World) were among the best of their respective years and this one will be as well. The audience was howling with laughter throughout this movie. Bravo!
Whoopi (2003)
Truly awful
This is possibly the worst show on television right now. The script isn't the least bit funny, the jokes all fall flat, the cast is, well, let's be kind and not comment. It's really a train wreck and too sad to go on about.
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Coen's most disappointing
Truly the most depressing cinematic moment this year. The usually wonderful Coen Bros. have unleashed their most disappointing film. Actually, that's not fair as this isn't a Coen Bros. film. This is a generic attempt at a comedic battle of wills. George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones try hard but are defeated by an unfunny script. A sad waste of talent here.
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)
So so
There's a really interesting story here of a woman not allowed to soar to the stratosphere of stardom due to racism. Unfortunately, the film is rather standard-issue TV bio drama. Halle Berry is a very beautiful woman and tries very hard and succeeds at times to make Dorothy Dandridge a complex figure but many of the other characters are stereotypes.
An Unexpected Love (2003)
Too namby pamby
I've read some of the comments about this film and can only surmise that some people are easily entertained. This movie is nothing. It's so badly written, directed and acted that it barely makes an impression. The characters speak in cliche-ridden dialogue and the situations are completely implausible. While that might make this campy and fun, it doesn't because everything is so lifeless the film becomes dull. It's as if Lee Rose decided to write a drama about a woman struggling with her sexuality but then she either wasn't allowed by studio execs to give the story some true-to-life gusto or didn't have the cojones. This movie could go in the enyclopedia as the standard-issue bad Lifetime TV movie.
How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980)
Funny in spots
This is a then-topical lightweight comedy about the perils of inflation. Not terrible but nothing special, either. It reminds me of other comedies from that era like Harper valley, PTA, which must've looked good on paper. The cast is game and an opportunity to see Jessica Lange's incredible beauty is always welcome.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1995)
Fine production
This is mostly a fine production of the venerable Tennessee Williams classic. Baldwin relies a bit too heavily on Brando portrayal but Lange finds her own way. She gives the doomed, fragile Blanche an inner strength that most other interpretors do not. Lane and Goodman are fine, as well.