jakasper1's Reviews

Tropic Thunder (2008)

9/10

7 September 2008

I'll keep this short and just say I went to a late-night screening of this movie, and was laughing from the fake-trailer a la "Grindhouse" beginning to Tom Cruise's "Risky Business" updated dance-fest at the end. It is totally hilarious! Lots of cameos, lots of funny bits. Robert Downey Jr. steals the movie for me.

I like the take-offs from "Platoon" and "Apocalype Now." I like the fact that Ben & Co. weren't afraid to poke fun at everyone: mentally impaired, minorities, etc. It's a comedy, people! And they were biting the hand that feeds them by showing the obnoxious, silly, and self-important crew members, director, studio execs, and agents. I used to work for people like this, and the smug attitude was spot-on.

Can't wait till the DVD comes out with all the behind-the-scenes bloopers and outtakes. They all must have been falling out when making this movie. I know I practically fell out of my seat laughing at the movie theater.

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Things Behind the Sun (2001)

8/10

A Film That Stuck With Me

24 November 2007

I worked as a volunteer at the L.A. Film Festival the year that "Things Behind the Sun" was its centerpiece, its main film of the festival. I wish I had known more about it at the time, because I would have loved to have seen it in person and talked to Allison Anders, its director.

What a moving and gripping film. What happens in childhood, both good and bad, tends to stick with us throughout the rest of our lives. How we deal with trauma in our early years can scar and stunt us forever. That's what this film is about. It was horrifying to learn that the director, Allison, Anders, experienced rape at a young age as the girl in the film did, in Florida, in the exact same house that is used in the film. Kim Dickens, Gabriel Mann, Don Cheadle, Eric Stoltz, Elizabeth Pena and Rosanna Arquette all give stellar performances in this little-scene film. The music by Sonic Youth is a haunting addition to the movie.

This was an independently made film, which should have won tons of awards and gotten more publicity. I have caught it on cable and can now purchase it on DVD. I highly recommend this film, but it's not for the squeamish or easily offended. Years later, I still remember how great a movie it is.

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Hot Fuzz (2007)

9/10

Hot Fun!

22 May 2007

Warning: Spoilers

I never saw "Shaun of the Dead" but if it's anything like "Hot Fuzz" it must be a good movie. This one is campy, funny as hell, endearing, has some gore and violence (for comic and plot effect), and is engrossing.

I didn't recognize any of the names of the actors in this, but I did know who Timothy Dalton is, and almost didn't recognize him. Jim Broadbent is also an actor I knew of. Nonetheless, the cast all did a great job.

The climax of the film is a send-up of every cop shoot-out/chase scene that's in perpetually every American movie. It'll make you laugh out loud. What a fun movie! Go see it "for the greater good."

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Affliction (1997)

8/10

Intense, raw, and uncomfortable

14 May 2007

I have seen this movie in bits and pieces, because it was difficult for me to watch it all the way through and digest it all at one time.

Paul Schrader's movies can have a dark, unsettling edge to them, and this movie is no exception.

Maybe because I brought personal baggage to the table while watching this, is why this movie gripped me so much. I have alcoholic relatives in my immediate and extended family, and I have seen what their anger and destructive behavior hath wrought.

Nick Nolte and James Coburn's characters made me squirm. Coburn received a best supporting Oscar for his role, and it is well-deserved. His character is a mean, vengeful, hateful alcoholic who inflicts his pain on others and afflicts one of his sons, Wade, played by Nick Nolte.

Very gripping and intense family drama.

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28 Weeks Later (2007)

9/10

Bloody and well done!

14 May 2007

Warning: Spoilers

I saw the first movie and I have to say that this is just as good, and maybe got me jumping in my seat more than the first one did.

The first 10 minutes or so of the film set the tone for me. Those first few minutes are among the most intense I have encountered in a horror film.

I used to work for a special make-up effects man in L.A., and I also worked in the industry for others, and I'm a movie fan. I also like horror and suspense films. There is gore in this film, but with the quick cuts and flashes, and the way it was edited, you see only bits and pieces (pardon the pun!) Also, the director Fresnadillo may have had a limited budget, so not showing everything in shocking detail, in slow-mo, was a way of saving money. The gore made its point, but it wasn't over-the-top. Except maybe for the helicopter scene...lol Loved the characters. You actually care about them. Makes you think about what you would do in a similar situation. Would you save yourself first? Or help others and sacrifice yourself? Robert Carlyle is a gem of an actor, and he does a great job in this one. Also, the actor who was a military rooftop sniper who accompanies the children later in the movie was great as well. The background music in the movie really packed a punch and was very effective.

Good movie, very suspenseful, and almost outdid the original.

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Grindhouse (2007)

9/10

One Hell of a Good Time!

14 May 2007

Warning: Spoilers

I am a big fan of Quentin Tarantino. I also like Robert Rodriguez. "Grindhouse" did not disappoint me.

The "Planet Terror" segment was good, gory fun. Rose McGowan's machine gun leg just sent the whole thing over the top for me. She kicked some serious ass in that movie.

"Death Proof" took a little longer for me to get into. But once it got rolling, there was no stopping it. The car chase segment was excellent.

Kudos to both directors and the cast, both cameos and major players.

The movies and the trailers in between reminded me of growing up in the 1970's and seeing all the corny trailers we saw then. These horror movie spoofs were a scream! It brings it all back for me...going to the drive-in movies with my parents and seeing the stupid segments advertising the dancing food. Gotta love it!

I hope the cast, crew, and directors had half as much fun making this movie as I had watching it.

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Georgia Rule (2007)

8/10

Touching, poignant, and heavy material

14 May 2007

Good, strong cast of women. Fonda, Huffman, Lohan all deliver. The guys are good too. Garrett Hedlund was a hottie, funny and touching as well. I was very surprised to find out after the credits rolled at the end that Garry Marshall directed this flick.

It is NOT a light comedy. Yes, it has comedic moments, but it deals with mature subject matter. It's being marketed all wrong. Yes, it basically is a chick flick...but a good one. The encounters between Lindsay and Garrett made me laugh. Yes, you can be Mormon, Catholic, or any other religion, but you are still human too.

My girlfriend that I saw this with was very touched by this movie. She has friends in similar situations, dealing with abuse and incest, and this hit a little close to home for her. We both did not expect to be in tears during this movie, but it had its moments, and so did we.

Strong performances in this one. Whatever you think of Lindsay Lohan, put it aside and watch her in this movie. She was right on the money.

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300 (2006)

8/10

Good movie, but more of a "guys movie" than for women

16 March 2007

I went with my male roommate to see "300 last weekend. Judging from the enthusiastic comments by the men around me, they all really got into this film. I am female and I did enjoy the film, it's just that I think it's more of a "guys movie" than a "girls movie" meaning men will enjoy it more than women. Although I did enjoy seeing the lack of armor on the men, save for the helmets and shields, and the six- and twelve-packs being paraded around! The movie is about courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Both the characters of King Leonidas and Queen Gorgo were admirable and appealing. Gerard Butler and Lena Headey performed wonderfully in their roles as King and Queen. She was a strong female character, one of the few women featured in the movie.

Overall, I liked it, it's just that I think men will like it more.

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