Kudos to the producers of this riveting and important documentary. I was an honors student from kindergarten through law school and have always been an avid non-fiction reader and casual history buff. Yet, had you asked me about President James Garfield prior to watching this documentary, the only thing I could tell you was that he had been murdered -- which actually turned out not to be the case! In my opinion, President Garfield's story is easily as compelling as President Lincoln's. In short, Garfield was the John F. Kennedy of his time, save for the fact that he grew up in abject poverty. Garfield abhorred slavery from a young age; was a brilliant orator and turned around what was initially a miserable marriage to his wife Lucretia. The man was so be loved by his fellow party-members, they nominated him for Congress without his consent. If that, alone, isn't a historic gem, I don't know what is. I can't praise this documentary enough.
Reviews
16 Reviews
Cultural Conflict?
6 September 2016
After watching 15 episodes of "Pablo Escobar: El Patron Del Mal," I'm done. I've had enough. No mas.
However, I'm not writing this review to wholly condemn the series. I'll admit, no one forced me to sit through 15 episodes. Also, I recently watched the series "Narcos" as well as a documentary on the subject so I've simply had my fill of Pablo Escobar. Had this been my first exposure to Escobar, I'd probably still be watching.
Unfortunately, the series suffers from flaws which would have turned me off regardless of my knowledge of the subject matter. The most notable problem is the casting of Andres Parra as the lead. Parra constantly looks awkward and embarrassed. Pablo Escobar must be rolling in his grave; never in a million years could he have risen to power had he carried himself like Parra. Parra's version of Escobar also conflicts with the portrayal of Escobar as a young man. The actor who played the younger Escobar was charming, confident and reasonably handsome. It's difficult to believe that Parra and his younger counterpart--who can't be separated by more than seven or eight years--are the same character. Parra also speaks in a monotone as if he is too focused on the cue cards. Escobar was driven by his emotions. Parra's acting is devoid of emotion. It's just a terrible, terrible fit.
The Parra debacle aside, my other complaints are more trifling. At times, the filmmakers spent too much time on fairly insignificant matters. For example, the fallout from Escobar's execution of a prominent public figure is the subject of two entire episodes. Much of that focus was on the widow, who wasn't even a public figure in her own right. Perhaps there is some cultural conflict here. Perhaps the deceased public figure is so beloved in Columbia that two entire episodes were warranted. As an American, I perceived it as overkill.
Lastly, the music/score is cheesy and awful.
"Pablo Escobar: El Patron Del Mal" is informative and fairly compelling and the acting (exclusive of Parra) is pretty good. It's worth a shot if you want a comprehensive narrative on the life of Pablo Escobar and if you're not a picky cinemaphile like me.
However, I'm not writing this review to wholly condemn the series. I'll admit, no one forced me to sit through 15 episodes. Also, I recently watched the series "Narcos" as well as a documentary on the subject so I've simply had my fill of Pablo Escobar. Had this been my first exposure to Escobar, I'd probably still be watching.
Unfortunately, the series suffers from flaws which would have turned me off regardless of my knowledge of the subject matter. The most notable problem is the casting of Andres Parra as the lead. Parra constantly looks awkward and embarrassed. Pablo Escobar must be rolling in his grave; never in a million years could he have risen to power had he carried himself like Parra. Parra's version of Escobar also conflicts with the portrayal of Escobar as a young man. The actor who played the younger Escobar was charming, confident and reasonably handsome. It's difficult to believe that Parra and his younger counterpart--who can't be separated by more than seven or eight years--are the same character. Parra also speaks in a monotone as if he is too focused on the cue cards. Escobar was driven by his emotions. Parra's acting is devoid of emotion. It's just a terrible, terrible fit.
The Parra debacle aside, my other complaints are more trifling. At times, the filmmakers spent too much time on fairly insignificant matters. For example, the fallout from Escobar's execution of a prominent public figure is the subject of two entire episodes. Much of that focus was on the widow, who wasn't even a public figure in her own right. Perhaps there is some cultural conflict here. Perhaps the deceased public figure is so beloved in Columbia that two entire episodes were warranted. As an American, I perceived it as overkill.
Lastly, the music/score is cheesy and awful.
"Pablo Escobar: El Patron Del Mal" is informative and fairly compelling and the acting (exclusive of Parra) is pretty good. It's worth a shot if you want a comprehensive narrative on the life of Pablo Escobar and if you're not a picky cinemaphile like me.
Four Lions
(2010)
Da Bomb!
31 August 2016
Christopher Morris' spoof of a bungling Muslim terrorist cell is brilliant and an instant cult classic. By virtue of its non-stop laughs, Four Lions is ostensibly a comedy. What separates it from other movies of the genre is the depth of character development and the characters' well-defined interrelations. The power struggle between Omar and Barry is palpable, as is the mutual fondness of cousins Waj and Omar. Ne'er-do-well Faisal and his crow almost brought me to tears. I even found myself rooting for Omar's boss, who proves himself to be truly lovable despite his limited screen time. Another divergence from the typical comedy is the films' strong plot-line and classically tragic resolution. Four Lions is a gem and not to be missed.
Bloodline
(2015–2017)
Most Underrated Drama Series
29 May 2016
If you ask your friends what they think of Bloodline, they won't be able to answer because they've probably never heard of it. However, Bloodline is easily on par with Breaking Bad and The Wire.
With the abundance of original programming flooding the market, Bloodline, with its understated name, is a victim of bad timing and obscurity. It could easily be the best drama series in recent years.
Bloodline is gripping. Watching one episode is like eating a half-melted Toll House fresh from the oven; you'd have to be less than human not to crave a second and a third and a fourth.
Bloodline's plot is not entirely unique but it is brilliant in its complexity and execution. The acting is superb; there is no melodrama or obvious plot holes. The character development is unparalleled; and, last but certainly not least, the cinematography is top-notch. The series takes place in the Florida Keys. The humidity is palpable as is the smell of brine and the cacophony of tropical insects. Bloodline is magnificently transporting.
It would be wonderful if Bloodline could garner mass appeal. The show is wholly deserving and I would relish the chance to chat about it over the water cooler.
With the abundance of original programming flooding the market, Bloodline, with its understated name, is a victim of bad timing and obscurity. It could easily be the best drama series in recent years.
Bloodline is gripping. Watching one episode is like eating a half-melted Toll House fresh from the oven; you'd have to be less than human not to crave a second and a third and a fourth.
Bloodline's plot is not entirely unique but it is brilliant in its complexity and execution. The acting is superb; there is no melodrama or obvious plot holes. The character development is unparalleled; and, last but certainly not least, the cinematography is top-notch. The series takes place in the Florida Keys. The humidity is palpable as is the smell of brine and the cacophony of tropical insects. Bloodline is magnificently transporting.
It would be wonderful if Bloodline could garner mass appeal. The show is wholly deserving and I would relish the chance to chat about it over the water cooler.
Fray
(2012)
Unconvincing
22 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
It is an unspoken rule that you don't disparage our nation's brave soldiers in any way, shape or form. Heck, Spam would be every mom's first choice for dinner if only the label depicted a smiling grunt waving the American flag. That said, any applause you hear for Geoff Ryan's "Fray" and protagonist Justin Williams is most likely being feigned.
Williams is a vet who returns stateside after five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He finds himself in a small, depressed logging town. Clearly it's not his hometown so, other than his taking respite in the serene woodlands, we are left guessing why Williams chose to settle in the village from Deliverance.
With no rhyme or reason, Williams takes one class in the local community college. He begins a romance with his professor and shortly moves in with her. This is where the movie falls off the cliff.
In his first night with his love interest, Williams wakes up to a late night panic attack and leaves. What follows is a subtle montage of Williams wandering through the woods in the rain, sleeping in his truck, throwing himself in the mud and yet still showing up for job interviews as if he'd spent the night in a Courtyard Marriott.
After forty five minutes of wondering, "What will he do next?" the movie ends abruptly with a cliché phone call to his doting professor.
It is clear from the outset that Williams struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. He's been to hell on earth and back; we get it. Unlike similar films, however, there are no flashbacks; only the sounds of gunshots and shells exploding inside Williams' head. In The Last Samurai, Tom Cruise recalls a black and white vision of his regiment as it prepares to slaughter Indian women and children. Cruise's feelings are powerful and palpable. Williams "moments" don't have nearly the same impact.
Despite the bare-bones plot, Bryan Kaplan plays the role well and the cinematography deserves special mention. I suppose Fray will satisfy cinephiles who enjoy character studies; for most others Fray will fall flat.
Williams is a vet who returns stateside after five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He finds himself in a small, depressed logging town. Clearly it's not his hometown so, other than his taking respite in the serene woodlands, we are left guessing why Williams chose to settle in the village from Deliverance.
With no rhyme or reason, Williams takes one class in the local community college. He begins a romance with his professor and shortly moves in with her. This is where the movie falls off the cliff.
In his first night with his love interest, Williams wakes up to a late night panic attack and leaves. What follows is a subtle montage of Williams wandering through the woods in the rain, sleeping in his truck, throwing himself in the mud and yet still showing up for job interviews as if he'd spent the night in a Courtyard Marriott.
After forty five minutes of wondering, "What will he do next?" the movie ends abruptly with a cliché phone call to his doting professor.
It is clear from the outset that Williams struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. He's been to hell on earth and back; we get it. Unlike similar films, however, there are no flashbacks; only the sounds of gunshots and shells exploding inside Williams' head. In The Last Samurai, Tom Cruise recalls a black and white vision of his regiment as it prepares to slaughter Indian women and children. Cruise's feelings are powerful and palpable. Williams "moments" don't have nearly the same impact.
Despite the bare-bones plot, Bryan Kaplan plays the role well and the cinematography deserves special mention. I suppose Fray will satisfy cinephiles who enjoy character studies; for most others Fray will fall flat.
Into the White
(I) (2012)
Why No Oscar Nod?
26 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I am at a loss to understand how this Petter Naess masterpiece didn't merit a single nomination by the Academy. Perhaps the Academy's Nominations Coordinator was a former member of the Wehrmacht who couldn't fathom the concept of a Nazi soldier demonstrating warmth.
Into the White is the story of the crew of a British and a German fighter plane, each of which crash-lands in the Norwegian tundra. In the midst of a blizzard, the five surviving soldiers (two British; three German) clamor for shelter and quickly find themselves sharing tight quarters in a nearby abandoned cabin.
The soldiers' blood-lust quickly wanes in the absence of a windshield and airspace. The tension is palpable. Will they kill each other or will humanity prevail? This question will keep you from so much as a bathroom break; Into the White is a cinematic page-turner and its conclusion does not disappoint.
While all five actors were excellent, Florian Lukas (Lieutenant Schopis) was superb. Schopis is the quintessential ranking German officer, cool and methodical. As resources become scarce and the situation deteriorates, Lukas does a phenomenal job of exposing the cracks in Schopis' emotional armor until either morality or duty to country must prevail.
Into the White is a beautiful film. So rarely does one come across a movie combining such fine acting, cinematography and suspense. I will be on the lookout for future Naess flicks. Hopefully his handiwork will be met with greater recognition in the future.
Into the White is the story of the crew of a British and a German fighter plane, each of which crash-lands in the Norwegian tundra. In the midst of a blizzard, the five surviving soldiers (two British; three German) clamor for shelter and quickly find themselves sharing tight quarters in a nearby abandoned cabin.
The soldiers' blood-lust quickly wanes in the absence of a windshield and airspace. The tension is palpable. Will they kill each other or will humanity prevail? This question will keep you from so much as a bathroom break; Into the White is a cinematic page-turner and its conclusion does not disappoint.
While all five actors were excellent, Florian Lukas (Lieutenant Schopis) was superb. Schopis is the quintessential ranking German officer, cool and methodical. As resources become scarce and the situation deteriorates, Lukas does a phenomenal job of exposing the cracks in Schopis' emotional armor until either morality or duty to country must prevail.
Into the White is a beautiful film. So rarely does one come across a movie combining such fine acting, cinematography and suspense. I will be on the lookout for future Naess flicks. Hopefully his handiwork will be met with greater recognition in the future.
A Dog Year
(2009)
Doggone, I Really Wanted to Like this Movie
17 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Cute-but-mischievous pup meets fifty-year old ne'er do well. It's a formula that scores automatic points much like writing your name correctly on the SAT.
As expected, Jeff Bridges is solid. As expected, the dog makes you want to rush out and adopt from a shelter. Beyond that, there's simply nothing. There is no back-story, no moral, no climax, no score, no notable supporting performances. I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me the plot had been improvised.
I so very much wanted to like A Dog Year. I gave it five stars because, let's face it, who doesn't like Jeff Bridges or dogs? If the dog wasn't so lovable, I would have given the movie 1 star. If Jeff Bridges wasn't the lead, I'd have given it no stars.
Dog of the Year is a better antidepressant drug alternative than it is a movie. I suppose these days, that's not such a bad thing.
As expected, Jeff Bridges is solid. As expected, the dog makes you want to rush out and adopt from a shelter. Beyond that, there's simply nothing. There is no back-story, no moral, no climax, no score, no notable supporting performances. I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me the plot had been improvised.
I so very much wanted to like A Dog Year. I gave it five stars because, let's face it, who doesn't like Jeff Bridges or dogs? If the dog wasn't so lovable, I would have given the movie 1 star. If Jeff Bridges wasn't the lead, I'd have given it no stars.
Dog of the Year is a better antidepressant drug alternative than it is a movie. I suppose these days, that's not such a bad thing.
The Killer Inside Me
(2010)
American Psycho Meets Andy Griffith
26 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Common sense dictates that serial killer flicks and spaghetti westerns don't share the same DNA. But that didn't stop Director, Michael Winterbottom, from trying to breed the two genres. Not unexpectedly, The Killer Inside Me--as it's name virtually suggests--is a ghastly abortion.
The protagonist (played by Casey Affleck) is a nerdy deputy sheriff who missed his calling as an M16 Agent because he's as crafty as James Bond and scores equally hot women (Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson).
Affleck beats up his babes and kills them then whacks all potential witnesses until half the town is dead and his colleagues, undoubtedly members of Mensa, finally conclude that he's the only possible suspect.
To make matters worse, there are a handful of unresolved subplots such as the wannabe Perry Mason played by Bill Pullman and something about a murdered rapist step-brother.
I would rate The Killer Inside Me three stars out of ten but Affleck's solid acting and Alba's tush combine to merit a fourth.
The protagonist (played by Casey Affleck) is a nerdy deputy sheriff who missed his calling as an M16 Agent because he's as crafty as James Bond and scores equally hot women (Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson).
Affleck beats up his babes and kills them then whacks all potential witnesses until half the town is dead and his colleagues, undoubtedly members of Mensa, finally conclude that he's the only possible suspect.
To make matters worse, there are a handful of unresolved subplots such as the wannabe Perry Mason played by Bill Pullman and something about a murdered rapist step-brother.
I would rate The Killer Inside Me three stars out of ten but Affleck's solid acting and Alba's tush combine to merit a fourth.
Heidi Fleiss: The Would-Be Madam of Crystal
(2008 TV Movie)
Too Many Parrots
22 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Heidi Fleiss is just one of those people whose head you would love to get inside. She's brilliant but tragic; sexy yet grotesque. Heidi Fleiss: The Would-Be Madam of Crystal, captures those qualities and that's what makes the movie watchable.
Would-be-Madam is not the story of the Hollywood Madam. It's the story of Heidi's life ever since. The story starts out compelling: Heidi moves to a small, old boys' town with plans to open an upscale brothel ("stud-farm") which caters to successful women. Using her incredible skills of manipulation, Heidi snatches-up a multi-million dollar property for pennies on the dollar. This leaves other locals who have long-attempted to grab the property befuddled and bitter.
Heidi manages to finagle a partnership with Joe Richards, the wealthiest, most despised brothel-owner in town. However, Richards falls into the FBI's cross-hairs and the entire town's affairs are put on hold. That's where the movie loses its steam.
The remainder of the film focuses on Heidi waiting for the storm to pass. It focuses on Heidi's friendship with a dying former Madam who collects exotic birds. When the madam dies, the movie's focus on the stud-farm also dies. Heidi adopts the birds and the last half hour are about Heidi and the parrots.
I couldn't take my eyes off the film because Heidi is the Titanic personified. If you're looking for anything more that, Would-Be-Madam will be unsatisfying.
Would-be-Madam is not the story of the Hollywood Madam. It's the story of Heidi's life ever since. The story starts out compelling: Heidi moves to a small, old boys' town with plans to open an upscale brothel ("stud-farm") which caters to successful women. Using her incredible skills of manipulation, Heidi snatches-up a multi-million dollar property for pennies on the dollar. This leaves other locals who have long-attempted to grab the property befuddled and bitter.
Heidi manages to finagle a partnership with Joe Richards, the wealthiest, most despised brothel-owner in town. However, Richards falls into the FBI's cross-hairs and the entire town's affairs are put on hold. That's where the movie loses its steam.
The remainder of the film focuses on Heidi waiting for the storm to pass. It focuses on Heidi's friendship with a dying former Madam who collects exotic birds. When the madam dies, the movie's focus on the stud-farm also dies. Heidi adopts the birds and the last half hour are about Heidi and the parrots.
I couldn't take my eyes off the film because Heidi is the Titanic personified. If you're looking for anything more that, Would-Be-Madam will be unsatisfying.
The Boys & Girls Guide to The Worst Movie Ever Made
9 November 2007
I would rather eat my own vomit than watch one more minute of this dreck.
IMDb's automated Editor warns that I must include ten lines of text without adding unnecessary padding or else my privileges will be suspended. I do not think this movie deserves any more than two lines. So please do not take my slightly extended review as any indication that this movie warrants any attention whatsoever.
The Boys & Girls guide is a movie about the do's and don'ts of partying. If Swingers is the Rolls Royce of the genre, The Boys & Girls Guide is a rusty tricycle accidentally dredged from the Hudson River by a bass fisherman.
Holy abysmal, Batman. Negative like 26 stars. Was this a practical joke? Come on guys, where's the hidden camera?
IMDb's automated Editor warns that I must include ten lines of text without adding unnecessary padding or else my privileges will be suspended. I do not think this movie deserves any more than two lines. So please do not take my slightly extended review as any indication that this movie warrants any attention whatsoever.
The Boys & Girls guide is a movie about the do's and don'ts of partying. If Swingers is the Rolls Royce of the genre, The Boys & Girls Guide is a rusty tricycle accidentally dredged from the Hudson River by a bass fisherman.
Holy abysmal, Batman. Negative like 26 stars. Was this a practical joke? Come on guys, where's the hidden camera?
Eastern Promises
(2007)
Broken Promises
8 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Eastern Promises could have been the Russian Godfather. The initial plot and character development scream Oscar. The deliberate violence and ever-present tension of the underworld are masterfully presented. About halfway through the film, we learn that Viggo Mortensen's Michael Corleonesque character is actually an undercover agent. In that moment, the movie's originality all but vanishes. If the formulaic plot-twist is not disappointing enough, the tale suddenly accelerates to breakneck speed like a vehicle in need of recall. With absolutely no explanation, Viggo has unseated the head of the Russian Mob and the credits are rolling. If you have ever lost consciousness, the experience will not be unfamiliar. Gaping-plot notwithstanding, Viggo Mortenson gives a memorable performance and Naomi Watts fails to disappoint.
Clerks II
(2006)
They Should Forcibly Remove "Clerks" From the Title
3 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I loved Clerks. It was brilliant. It is a cult-classic. Clerks II should be pulled from the shelves of all video stores and burned; the ashes placed on a barge and shipped off to Staten Island.
The Plot: Quick Mart burns down. Dante and Randall get jobs at a fast food joint. Dante and Randall are depressed because they are lame. Jay and Silent Bob give them $50,000.00 to reopen Quick Mart. Dante and Randall are happy again.
Clerk's II is improperly categorized as comedy when it is really sci-fi. For example:
-Hottie Rosario Dawson is head-over-heels in love with fat loser Brian O'Halloran.
-Hottie Jennifer Shwalbach Smith is head-over heels in love with fat loser Brian O'Halloran.
-Neurotic, uptight, prudish O'Halloran has unprotected sex with sexual deviant Rosario Dawson.
-Silent Bob and Jay inexplicably have $50,000.00.
-Silent Bob and Jay inexplicably give their $50,000.00 to Dante and Randall, no questions asked, no collateral, nada.
-$50,000 is enough money to clean-up, re-open and restock the Quick Mart, pay the liability insurance, rent, phone, electricity, payroll and all of the other major expenses associated with running a Quick Mart.
-Ben Affleck has two lines in the whole movie....and his acting still stinks.
-Multimillionaire Jason Leigh goes out of his way to visit Randall and Dante to taunt them about working in a fast food joint yet Leigh is known as pickle-f*cker because the football team anally sodomized him with a pickle back in high school. Way to pick your battles, Jase.
Bottom line, let's take a Mulligan on this one, Kev. How about trying for "Clerks II, The Re-Do"? It can't get any worse the second time 'round.
The Plot: Quick Mart burns down. Dante and Randall get jobs at a fast food joint. Dante and Randall are depressed because they are lame. Jay and Silent Bob give them $50,000.00 to reopen Quick Mart. Dante and Randall are happy again.
Clerk's II is improperly categorized as comedy when it is really sci-fi. For example:
-Hottie Rosario Dawson is head-over-heels in love with fat loser Brian O'Halloran.
-Hottie Jennifer Shwalbach Smith is head-over heels in love with fat loser Brian O'Halloran.
-Neurotic, uptight, prudish O'Halloran has unprotected sex with sexual deviant Rosario Dawson.
-Silent Bob and Jay inexplicably have $50,000.00.
-Silent Bob and Jay inexplicably give their $50,000.00 to Dante and Randall, no questions asked, no collateral, nada.
-$50,000 is enough money to clean-up, re-open and restock the Quick Mart, pay the liability insurance, rent, phone, electricity, payroll and all of the other major expenses associated with running a Quick Mart.
-Ben Affleck has two lines in the whole movie....and his acting still stinks.
-Multimillionaire Jason Leigh goes out of his way to visit Randall and Dante to taunt them about working in a fast food joint yet Leigh is known as pickle-f*cker because the football team anally sodomized him with a pickle back in high school. Way to pick your battles, Jase.
Bottom line, let's take a Mulligan on this one, Kev. How about trying for "Clerks II, The Re-Do"? It can't get any worse the second time 'round.
Capote
(2005)
Underwhelming Film Despite Stellar Hoffman Performance
13 November 2005
Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance as Truman Capote will undoubtedly earn him best actor candidacy. So poignant was Hoffman's acting in the last moments of the film that no one in the audience rose or spoke for several moments into the credits.
Hoffman's achievement notwithstanding, Capote was laborious and plodding and the supporting cast was lackluster at best. Katherine Keener was badly miscast. I loved her sexy quirkiness in Being John Malkovich and The 40 Year Old Virgin. As the matronly Nelle Harper Lee, she was no-frills plain vanilla. Clifton Collins Jr. was unconvincing as the sociopath Percy Smith. Bob Balaban deserves bigger roles.
I give the film a 6, with 5 of those points being credited to Hoffman.
Hoffman's achievement notwithstanding, Capote was laborious and plodding and the supporting cast was lackluster at best. Katherine Keener was badly miscast. I loved her sexy quirkiness in Being John Malkovich and The 40 Year Old Virgin. As the matronly Nelle Harper Lee, she was no-frills plain vanilla. Clifton Collins Jr. was unconvincing as the sociopath Percy Smith. Bob Balaban deserves bigger roles.
I give the film a 6, with 5 of those points being credited to Hoffman.
Crash
(I) (2004)
Missed the Mark
4 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Crash is gripping and well-acted but lacks the key ingredients which might have made it a great film. Crash introduces us to nine or ten protagonists within the various Los Angeles socioeconomic strata whose lives are inextricably and fatefully woven. Unfortunately, nine or ten proves too many and no single character develops beyond embryonic.
Crash also lacks credibility. Almost all of the characters are overtly and verbally racist. This film would have made much more sense if it had been released in the eighties when racial tensions were more elevated. (Think Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" or, if you're a reader, "Bonfire of the Vanities").
All-in-all, Crash is a good entertainment value. Very good performances by Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle and Thandie Newton. Unfortunately, they're only served in sample-size.
Crash also lacks credibility. Almost all of the characters are overtly and verbally racist. This film would have made much more sense if it had been released in the eighties when racial tensions were more elevated. (Think Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" or, if you're a reader, "Bonfire of the Vanities").
All-in-all, Crash is a good entertainment value. Very good performances by Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle and Thandie Newton. Unfortunately, they're only served in sample-size.
My Kingdom
(2001)
Not my cup of tea
28 November 2004
My Kingdom was sufficiently entertaining for a rainy Sunday but that is where the upside ends.
Maybe it's that I'm American and have been overexposed to Capone, Gotti and Luciano but the characters in this movie fall miserably short as mobsters. Rule one: Mobsters are scary people. Mother (Mandy) and daughter (Jo) are so wholesome they could pass for GoodHousekeeping covergirls (Mandy even resembles Martha Stewart!). Apparently, Jo (Moll-turned-preppy coed) managed to just "walk away" from her position with "The Chair". Shouldn't she be dead?
Dad is apparently so important that he asks the lowest of thugs, "Do you know who I am?". Where are his bodyguards? Why is he sitting in the cheap seats at the show? Also, it would have been nice if someone clued us in as to how this giant-among-men built his empire: Drugs? Prostitution? Gambling? Stamp-collecting?
Lastly: Where was the trademark blood? Guess the budget was too low for a few bottles of Ketchup.
All-in-all, My Kingdom had a good plot-line and decent actors but it was a little low-calorie for my gangster-genre diet.
Maybe it's that I'm American and have been overexposed to Capone, Gotti and Luciano but the characters in this movie fall miserably short as mobsters. Rule one: Mobsters are scary people. Mother (Mandy) and daughter (Jo) are so wholesome they could pass for GoodHousekeeping covergirls (Mandy even resembles Martha Stewart!). Apparently, Jo (Moll-turned-preppy coed) managed to just "walk away" from her position with "The Chair". Shouldn't she be dead?
Dad is apparently so important that he asks the lowest of thugs, "Do you know who I am?". Where are his bodyguards? Why is he sitting in the cheap seats at the show? Also, it would have been nice if someone clued us in as to how this giant-among-men built his empire: Drugs? Prostitution? Gambling? Stamp-collecting?
Lastly: Where was the trademark blood? Guess the budget was too low for a few bottles of Ketchup.
All-in-all, My Kingdom had a good plot-line and decent actors but it was a little low-calorie for my gangster-genre diet.
Kissing Jessica Stein
(2001)
Oy Vey! (In a good way!)
31 March 2002
Kissing Jessica Stein is cute, feisty and brimming with the innocent-naughtiness of a frolicking pup. Jessica Stein (played by writer Jennifer Westfeldt) is a big-screen Ally McBeal; a neurotic, semi-successful, twenty-something professional fed up with the men she is dating. Inspired by a touching personal ad, Jessica trifles in a seemingly innocent affair with Helen Cooper (played by co-writer Heather Juergensen). Before long, Stein's secret flight-of-fancy grows into a genuine relationship which slowly but surely becomes known to Stein's conservative circle of family and friends, including Stein's quietly-longing boss. Stein's dissonance and apprehension over her newly-emerging identity steadily grows and creates strain in her relationship with Cooper. The conclusion of this unconventional love-triangle is sober and honest, uplifting but by no means sappy. Tovah Feldshuh deserves special mention as Jessica's wonderfully comic, devoted, stereotypically-Jewish mother. While not the most compelling, action-packed or intellectually-challenging film, KJS is fun, clever and thoroughly enjoyable.
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