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Reviews
A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
fun, fun, fun.
Hello,
I've been an avid fan of Altman for some time so sitting through an early screening of A Prairie Home Companion was certainly a treat. I think this might be one of his most accessible movies of recent years(less dense than most). It's a lovely little story about an era ending for a certain group of people. It's a situation that I think everyone can relate to in some way. The music, even if it isn't of your taste, is wildly clever and amusing. The whole cast is brilliant (Including,surprisingly, Ms. Lohan who has one particular effective scene). And the direction of course is top-notch. I can't really say more about it than it's just really fun. I think is SHOULD be an Oscar contender on many levels (supporting actor/actress nominations could be spread all around) , but you know how the academy is about comedies.
Just see it. Have fun. Laugh. And Enjoy.
When Will I Be Loved (2004)
A showcase of Neve Campbell's acting chops.
Reading through several posts on this movie, I couldn't help but laugh. People just aren't keen to the idea of a director doing his own thing and making his own kind of movie. I especially loved the post where the person compared it as a "Cruel Intentions" wannabe! That was the best, but obviously the person doesn't know what they are talking about.
If anything, this movie is a mix between Altman(improv) Mamet (wordy dialogue) and Verhoeven(all the booty). This movie might not be the most original but it does try(and mostly prevails). Instead of making Neve Campbell's character too cunning and calculated, the filmmaker makes her motivations even more frightening: her sheer boredom and her realization that she is being used. & instead of planning the events out (like most movie hero/ heroines would)and things coming together so smoothly, The character improvs her actions which make the situation more shocking.
James Toback is a wild director and works in his own way. He has made some brilliant movies over the years (Fingers,Black and White, writer for Bugsy) and even with some misses he still never hesitates to keep doing what he likes doing best. And Neve Campbell just shines in this movies. She speaks Tobaks talky dialogue with finesse and keeps the audience wanting more.
If nothing else, see this movie for Neve Campbells performance.
The Company (2003)
Altman and Co. shine in a beautiful Poem to the ballet world.
Altman has never been afraid to say/do/film what he wants to. With The Company, Altman constructs a beautiful film with limited dialogue/plot but creates a wonderous film with stunning imagery that plays like an ode to everyone involved in the creative process(dance or other). Altman has been a master at creating worlds (MASH, MCABE and Mrs. Miller ,NASHVILLE, and The PLAYER to mention a few), and with The Company he strikes gold once again. In our recent society filmgoers seem to only take to very plotty pop-corn pop movies and its a breath of fresh air to know that those like Altman are still around to create pieces of entertainment that also happen to be art. Those of you who do not care to see a dance movie that is all about High-Drama(exmp. Save the Last Dance, The Turning Point, Flashdance, ect.). There is no "prima ballerina" or the girl who dreams of being the top dancer. The dancers and the productions are glorious, Neve Campbell is an astonishing, and Malcolm McDowell has never been better(well, not since Clockwork Orange). GO see it with an open mind and enjoy the show.