10-23-00 (Ron)
Space Cowboys, Wonder Boys, Coyote Ugly, Happy Texas, and The Preacher's Wife. I don't know how I was able to watch all these films on one weekend, the last two on video. The only one worth recommending is Space Cowboys.
It was produced and directed by Clint Eastwoood, starring himself, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner. When I go to movie theaters I don't expect to see great movies every time but I do hope for certain ingredients: believable visual effects, fine actors, humorous or smart dialogues, and a plot with at least shades of originality. Space Cowboys had all of these qualities. Despite the flaws -- the same old Clint character (tough and having a good soul), bad guy versus good guy characterization, standard talks, etc. -- the very good production, some atypical directorial moments, and a few interesting dialogues made my day.
Hot videos for the holiday (Ron 10-10-00)
American History X (drama)
Starred by Edward Norton this powerful film depicts the relationships within a family led by a skinhead. Norton is excellent as a white supremacist and received an Oscar nomination for his role. Beware: there are strong crime scenes.
Boiler Room (drama)
Giovanni Ribisi beautifully plays a smart college-dropout who tries to win over his father's confidence by attempting to be a stockbroker. The training process and the sales pitches inspire awe (the title couldn't be more appropriate). Ben Affleck is one of the guys who runs the company where Ribisi's character works.
Three Kings (action, basically)
This is a very good combination of drama and action. George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube play three soldiers fighting Iraq during the Gulf War who decide to go after Saddam Hussein's gold. David Russel, the director, created convincing action scenes and had time to criticize the war and the dictator's regime. Check out the different and interesting photography.
Ron 10-2-00
On September 22 I saw Shangai Noon, a light western with Jackie Chan. He has a very likable personality and is one of the greatest acrobats to have ever appeared on the big screen. The film's fighting scenes are eye-popping, to say the least. The plot, on the other hand, is only average. I'd say Shangai is watchable. A simple question for the movie fans: why can't action-packed films have fine dialogues and stories?
Hollow Man, with Elizabeth Shue and Kevin Bacon, and directed by Basic Instinct's Paul Verhoeven, is a clear example of poor writing. It's a boring, lame, and corny film wrapped in spectacular special effects. Once again, why are good scriptwriters so difficult to find?
Ron 9-11-00
This past weekend I was able to watch two films. I enjoyed Rules of Engagement. Not The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, though.
Directed conservatively by William Friedkin and with the always excellent Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson, Rules of Engagement is an "engaging" court drama about the trial of an American colonel accused of murder. What impressed me most was the favorable portrayal of the American army, which didn't seem false at all. I always believed that the U.S. soldiers were murderers, especially the commanders and Presidents. However, I felt naive after watching this movie. Wars are truly crazy but defending one's commands, nation, family, or happiness with all her/his strength and heart isn't insane. If you have a chance check this one out and write me (english@lynnandron.com) about your point of view.
The sequel The Nutty Professor II, on the other hand, is flat. Eddy Murphy's makeup is incredible, his acting good, and Janet Jackson very pretty. That's it. This "comedy" is not funny nor enchanting. Two positive aspects of the film must be pointed out: the portrayal of a beautiful gal sincerely interested in a fatso and the level of the film, which did not sink, unlike most continuations.
Ron 9-9-00
What Lies Beneath -- An American production released in July in the U.S., directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford.
I recommend it. The film is not sensational but good enough to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats during part of the screening. The first half is slow and intriguing. Claire's (Michelle Pfeiffer) imagination, and her beauty as well, keep us wondering. Unfortunately, the second half is not as full of surprises as I expected.
Monday, September 4 (Ron)
Cool videos of the week
Go, with the cute Katie Holmes from the TV drama Dawson's Creek. I shouldn't get into much detail about the story because it would spoil the film. But trust me. You'll be very amused watching young adults trying to have a good time during one night of their lives.
Entrapment, with Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Good capers are nothing but fun, especially if the protagonists are the much likable Scottish and Michael Douglas's beautiful wife.
***
As you know some movies have great artistic value that, however, is not translated into big bucks at the box office. Here's a list of the highest grossing summer films in North America (week of August 27, in million of dollars):
- Mission Impossible 2.....213
- Gladiator.....182
- The Perfect Storm.....175
- X-Men.....151
- Scary Movie.....148
- What Lies Beneath.....131
- Big Momma's House.....115
- The Patriot.....111
- The Nutty Professor II.....110
- Gone in 60 Seconds.....97
You may not have seen all the movies above but I can assure you that not one will be among my best of this year, or any other year.
Ron 8/26
The Perfect Storm
Released in June in the U.S. and now playing in Brazil this is a perfect disaster. I can't understand how such a bad film can make so much money (more than US$150 million in North America) and very good ones, like Keeping the Faith, are watched by so few. Go figure.
A good story is not easy to create but blending annoying characters, a plot about nothing, with special effects resembling an epic storm at sea, and calling it a movie is very sad, to say the least. Sometimes I wish I didn't like movies so much. I would then be strong enough to boycott Hollywood pictures to protest the lack of respect for the moviegoers.
Hey, if you wish to see a very cool video try Next Stop: Wonderland, a 1998 film with Hope Davis. It's a romance about a woman in search of a decent man to be with. Joyous!
8/18 Lynn comments:
"Keeping the Faith"...don't miss it if you want to float out of the theater, all twinkling and sparkling.
"Besieged" is for those more artistically inclined.
"60 Seconds" -- now this is action and Nicholas Cage at his action-est. By the way, did you know he was Francis Ford Coppola's nephew? Do you think that opened some doors for him? And do you remember Coppola's daughter in "Godfather III"? Everyone wondered how he could have put her in such an important role. Being the director, he could do whatever he wanted. Why not? Anyway, I saw her a couple of weeks ago on Jay Leno and was astounded with her awkwardness and slightly strange way. She was promoting her own movie, one she directed but I haven't heard anything else about it.
And what to say about "X-Men"? Not my style and didn't check it out.
Ron 8-18
Among the films playing in Belo Horizonte I recommend Keeping the Faith, directed by Edward Norton, and The Insider with Al Pacino.
Dinosaur is a fantastically computer-animated movie. However, the story is classic Disney, meaning it's too family oriented and predictable. Of course it was made for children but the Toy Story films, for example, are far superior in terms of narrative.
I saw X-Men and what a disappointment. There's nothing going for it: the effects are just okay, the story pretty bad, and the characters don't generate any kind of fondness.
On the other hand, Keeping the Faith is a wonderful love story. Genuine and simple, as life should be. And unlike many American films the relationships seemed real with no fanciful dialogues or situations. Bravo, Edward Norton.
60 Seconds and The Patriot are average movies. I think that only 60 Seconds is worth watching because it's entertaining. The latter, although recommended by many, is a drag and far-fetched. The war scenes are very good but not enough to save the film.
