Change Your Image
paulkayefan
Reviews
The Puffy Chair (2005)
What Brothers McMullen Should Have Been
For anyone who has been in a relationship and at some point wondered "why are we together" this film is a wake-up call. Fairly low production value, the main characters Josh and Emily have a heartfelt connection (though I heard they're married or such, so I suppose that's part of it) that's both raw and un-nerving at times. We follow Josh and Emily as they drive to Josh's father's home for a surprise visit on his birthday - and the big surprise is the delivery of the "puffy chair". On their way, they are joined by Rhett, Josh's brother, who begins to force the two to answers questions about their relationship and whether they truly are happy. While Rhett the actor is fairly good, Rhett the character remains a tad one dimensional.
Beyond the faults of the production value and camera work, the film has a solid soundtrack and brings to light the most relevant question: Why are we together?
Layer Cake (2004)
Could've Been Brilliant
XXXX (Daniel Craig) introduces himself as a wise, careful and mature drug dealer. He's not quite at the top of the pyramid nor running with the pugs at the bottom but tries to stay an essential, profitable middle man among the true thieves. XXXX has determined his time playing this game is done and decides to silently exit the business, money in hand, and retire to a relaxing vacation of nothing. Unfortunately the news doesn't sit with with his superior, who thinks XXX is a little too essential. His superior asks XXXX for one last "favor", mixed in with a drug deal gone bad, a beautiful woman Tammy (Sienna Miller of Jude Law fame), and you've gone a rip-roaring brilliant bit of confusion all tied up in a knot in the last five minutes. Despite strong performances and a pace that'll knock your slacks off, the film suffers from a simple truth: It's a Brit version of the U.S. Carlito's Way, done properly by Al Pacino.
Fubar (2002)
Terrificly Uncomfortable
Honestly the first 30 minutes of this film is fairly painful as we watch the main characters played by Dave Lawrence and Paul Spence go through their childhood, as twenty-somethings with meaningless jobs and non existent friends and six pack after six pack. Farrel, the documentary filmmaker, decides to follow these Canadian fellows and make a film on their "so-called" life. As one character discovers a health issue that turns his life upside down, the two characters (and the filmmaker) start a journey into the woods and mother nature to excise their fear. It's only at this point that the film really gets going and the director is finally able to take the saran wrap off the characters and let them emote something more than pure silliness. The production value is low but the story while simple is executed well. Look forward for the Director's next film about a deaf deejay: All Gone Pete Tong.
It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
A Tough First Act But Ultimately Rewarding
Okay, a couple of things. First, I'm a big Paul Kaye fan, so I'm biased, and it all started with Dennis Pennis. For those of you who don't know Dennis, he's the original Ali G and IMHO much funnier. Search for "jeff meets dennis pennis" and you'll get a taste of Paul/Dennis and his ambush of Jeff Goldblum, who, I have to admit, rolls with the punches.
As a Paul Kaye fan, I was disappointed with Blackball. This movie (Pete Tong) was the first big Paul Kaye movie I really was looking forward to, until I read that the director was the same person who directed (and wrote) Fubar, which I cringed through and had to leave the room. (I would have turned it off, but the others were having a blast. Why? I don't know).
So, hearing that Paul was paired up with a director whose work I wasn't entirely enthralled with wasn't confidence building. I heard it won a couple of awards (Best Actor! Go Paul!) at the Aspen Film Festival in February and my confidence increased.
A sneak screening changed my initial impressions completely. The first half hour is really tough and I had to fight my urge to give up on the film even though Paul does an amazing job. See, I told you I was biased, but I'm not the only one. Ask those Aspen people. However, the last two thirds of the movie completely changes from a dark comedy into a light-hearted and empowering film. The music and the colors are fabulous and shows Paul's (as deejay frank wild) breadth. The film is really a "simple" redemption film, of a man who finds out what's important in his life and proves it for himself.
There's a love interest as well, and this works as a date movie. All the reviews and descriptions as a "dance" movie (I don't even know what that's supposed to mean) isn't entirely correct. While there is dance and rave in the film, it's really a backdrop for this simple story of a complex man who has to make some tough choices in life (and deal with a disability that is his worst nightmare).
Paul did an extraordinary job and I have to admit that the director really surprised me with this film, as it was nothing like his previous work. It's a difficult ride, but one worth taking. There's no "big surprise" ala 6th Sense nor is the beginning entirely too painful, but it's not all fun and games, either. Watch it and enjoy it and it'll be worth it. All least do it for Paul!
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Too Much Money Ruined a Great Director
They say that money corrupts. It seems fairly obvious that this was a film with a bit too much budget and not enough editing. While I'm a fan of Anderson's work from Bottle Rocket to the Royal Tenenbaums, this film has turned into the Spruce Goose, big, ostentatious, and barely gets off the ground. The effort, it seems, was spent on the production budget (the finely animated but ultimately useless sea creatures and the cutaway boat) rather than editing the script (we need Owen Wilson back, his voice is essential) and editing the film (2 hours is 30 minutes too long). The laughs were fairly cheap and the characters were thinly developed. Much of the plot wasn't resolved and the characters were left without much to think about after the credits rolled.
Jeff Goldblum, while slowly drifting away in my praise (except for The Fly), does the best work in the film. As for Bill, well, he plays the same character with the same motivation as his Lost in Translation turn.
Cut the budget, and Anderson and the others will be forced to think think think and the next film will be much more compelling.
24 Hour Party People (2002)
Fan of Music? Be a Fan of This Film
24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE hits you like a quick flick to the forehead. While not a sledgehammer, the film is a roller coaster ride in the ups and downs of the club scene in the UK, following the journey of Tony Wilson (and his Factory Records) and the likes of Joy Division (which is now New Order). Steve Coogan puts in a brilliant performance as the rascal Tony Wilson. There are a couple of "what the f!!!" moments, but all in all, a quick fast history lesson in the realm of Brit Dance Music.
The scene with the pigeons, while supposedly true, is truly horrid, though it made me laugh with pride watching these "rats with wings" meet their untimely demise.
A great film for true enthusiasts, a good film for music lovers, and not recommended for anyone who doesn't know New Order or UK dance scene.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Funny But Over-Rated
Wow, I feel like someone just stole 7 bucks from my wallet (and another 4 bucks for a pop and popcorn). While I'm a big fan of British films and horror flicks (Halloween) and their parodies (Scream) I just couldn't get into this film.
The acting is fairly solid and I had a few chuckles here or there, but it wasn't enough to keep my eyes glued and attention focused on the screen. I even left for a WC break and glanced at my watch a few times, which isn't typical.
The production value is fairly good, no issues with that, but the humor is a bit flat and the momentum slows down after the first 40 minutes. I think I'd wait for DVD if I were you.