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Reviews
Conan: The Adventurer (1992)
Two words: This was a radical show!!!
This show made me late for school in the early 90's, as it was on right around the 7:00 hour when I had to go. I'd usually wait until the last possible moment, in front of a bowl of Cap'n Crunch, before running off to catch my bus.
I have vague recollections of the show itself. I remember that Conan used to pair up with one of his "friends" (I seem to remember one of them being a hawk person of some kind) to go battle evil. Each friend had a unique ability and persona...as well as a hazy relationship with the protagonist. There was also an arch-villain who meant Conan and his friends ill will. I don't remember who, or what he/she/they were, but I'm sure they were fierce.
That's about all I can remember...but if you ever get a chance to see an episode, just keep in mind how awesome the show is, and you will find peace.
The Grudge (2004)
All Style, No Substance
I think, before you see this movie, you need to ask yourself exactly what you expect to get from it. Do you want a good movie, with an inventive plot, great acting, and imaginative directing? Or do you want a very pretty movie that will frighten you?
'The Grudge' will scare you. If you truly allow yourself to be taken into that world, the silences and sudden bursts of activity are sure to startle you. The cinematography is disjointed and creepy enough to keep you reeling and interested from the first "ghost mauling" to the final scare.
Unfortunately, in retrospect, "The Grudge" just disappoints. This is because, frankly, I just didn't care. Something that would have elevated this movie from a "cheap scare movie" to a great viewing experience would have been to include even a "smidge" of character development. Instead, we get to witness a cluster of caricatures being hunted by some supernatural force. The movie missed its chance to allow the audience to love the characters before they are torn away from us, which kept the film from being truly great.
Also, like most horror movies, the story line finally comes into focus in the final third of the movie. When it inevitably happens in 'The Grudge,' everything seems to make sense...but it's something of a let down. "Oh...so...that was it?" I remember asking myself at the time. There are no surprises, or clever twists at the end. Just...a solid explanation that is sufficient, and nothing more.
In all, I'm disappointed that the obviously talented filmmakers missed their opportunity to make a truly memorable film something along the lines of "The Ring" (although I believe that movie has serious shortcomings as well).
Instead, I imagine "The Grudge" will most likely languish in the dark pit of "movies that did well in their first week, but dropped off the radar once something better came along." See it if you want to have a good, solid scare. Stay away if you desire a movie that is completely filling, and memorable.
The Company (2003)
Imagine this; a cliche free dance movie!
Now, that's not totally accurate for this movie, per se. "The Company" does include its share of cliches...but they're not given the Soap-Operatic treatment that previous dancer-focused movies like "Fame" and "Center Stage" have. In fact, that's one of the biggest strengths of this movie: it feels like a documentary. The portrayal of all aspects of the "creative world" is spot-on. For instance, one tried-and-true cliche is the "Creative Director" (portrayed marvelously here by Malcolm McDowell). Traditionally he's an old guy that everyone fears/respects; some almighty deity that throws insults around randomly and exists solely to discourage the movie leads, and encourage the villains. In "The Company," McDowell creates a character who loves his performers, and doesn't unjustly antagonize anyone. He loves every aspect of his craft, and is instead respected and adored by the dancers. Other than its fresh script, another strength of the movie is it's ballet sequences. The dance scenes actually make ballet seem interesting. Even those with short attention spans, with a loathing for things like Jazz, Ballet and Opera, will most likely enjoy the creative dance sequences. The movie lacks a real central narrative, but I don't see that as a shortcoming. I think the intention of this movie was to show a couple of months in the life of a real life Ballet company, through the eyes of the lead (the surprisingly good Neve Campbell). It's not perfect, but it's a very good slice of creative life.
Trojan War (1997)
Bad, bad, bad.
Now, I decided to watch this movie for two reasons...and both of them belonged to Jennifer Love Hewitt, if you catch my meaning. But really, this was a bad movie. The script was tedious, unimaginative, and laughably predictable. Don't get me wrong; I know that this was wrote as a "fluff" piece to be shot on a tiny budget. The problem was, that there are movies that make the "fluff" funny and interesting...like "Can't Hardly Wait." "Trojan War" was never funny, and there wasn't a single interesting character (or relationship) in the entire awful movie. Additionally, most of the actors seemed to take a page from the Bette Midler school of WAY OVER-ACTING COMEDY, which makes for a lot of joke-flop cringing. The directing, writing, and acting all combine for what is a unappealing, 84 minute long utter waste of time. Avoid this movie if you're not 13, or drunk enough to have trouble focusing your eyesight on the television monitor.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Amazing in its Simplicity
This is not a movie "about nothing." That's probably the biggest misconception I have seen and heard about this movie. Nothing happens? I would say: everything happens. It's a simple, beautiful, efficient story that is completely and utterly engrossing. The movie is just a shade over 90 minutes long, making it quite short in comparison to typical movies of today. But in that short span of time, you experience extreme culture shock, a dampening feeling of entrapment, a sense of longing, and you are privy to the story of two people who are lost spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
You can see the honesty behind every facet of the production...as the movie is semi-autobiographical for the writer/director Sophia Coppola. Each shot evokes some kind of emotion, without forcing emotion into the mind of the viewer. For instance, you will feel restless as you watch the characters flip through late-night, obnoxious Japanese television in their pajamas. You feel utter frustration as Bob Harris (Murray) tries to make sense of a photographer giving directions with pidgin English. The film is masterfully directed with a perfect, subtle simplicity.
This is, far and away, Bill Murray's finest performance, and also an amazing feature of Scarlett Johansson. The most dynamic part of all is the amazing chemistry between the two, which carries the film and brings you, willingly, into their world.
Swingers (1996)
A Must-See for All 20-Something Males
Let me preface this review by saying that this is my favorite film of all time. I'm not saying it was the best, most artistic, original, or most innovative...but it is my favorite. It's a movie about a 20-something man getting over a nasty break-up, living in Los Angeles. Pretty simple stuff, but the honesty in the film is amazing. This film boasts the most realistic, and interesting depictions of male friendship I've ever seen. Some might simply pawn this movie off as a buddy flick, but it goes so much deeper than that. Mikey (Favreau) deals with insecurity, rejection, depression, an overwhelming feeling of inadequacy. Something almost everyone can relate to. And, as an audience member, you live and die with the poor guy. The supporting cast is very strong, popping in and out as the assortment of friends populating Mikey's social life. Each is trying, in his own way, to get their buddy out of his post-break up funk, which meet with varying degrees of success. Swingers is chock full of laugh-out-loud moments, and oft-quoted lines ("Our baby's all grows up!") that could very easily lead to repeated viewings of this masterpiece.