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ramsbodane
Reviews
Kill Me Later (2001)
Hostage movies tend to be lame. Unless they're 'Kill Me Later"
I'm quite happy to admit that I only watched 'Kill Me Later because it starred Selma Blair and I happen to think she's rather cool (despite 'Hellboy', but I'm happy to chalk that down to a bit her right of a laugh at work). Dana Lustig balances out 'Kill Me Later' with all the food groups necessary to make a motion picture work, pulling together some great performances with an original script and well thought out characters. It's theme stems from the tested movie setup: Two people living out the worst day of their respective lives meet. Gradually add hilarious or terrifying situations as required... But this is turned on it's head to satisfy the black comedy needs of 'Kill Me Later'. I'm fairly sure that the intent of the film is not to make suicide seem funny, so your allowed to laugh.
Welcome to Sunny Florida (2004)
live piano rock from the queen of the keys
Tori Amos gives off heat for a few hours as she straddles her piano bench letting her fingers do some rather exceptional walking across the ivory field of her shiny Bossendorfer piano. There's likely to be a moment of initial head scratching while you ponder the absence of a guitar in during the concert, but Amos' talent on the piano and her distinctive, sultry vocals soon prove that sometimes less is way, way more. I'm not convinced the Tori Team gave it their best shot when it comes to camera work though. It seems as if in an attempt to not ruin the intimacy of the experience for the live audience, a little of the class had been sacrificed for the home viewer. With 18 tracks, both well known and obscure, performed on stage, there's definite value for money. Plus there's a free CD with it so what's no to love? The red-headed wailer does a good job keeping ears perked and eyes on the screen for the duration of the show.
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
patience pays off
Big winner here, particularly if you like you happen to like innovative music and don't mind "passion projects". The film is original and brilliant, yes, but undeniably depressing as well. The pace is really uneven which actually helps out, just as you're starting to wonder when things are going to get interesting, they get far more off the wall that most are prepared for. This is all managed while a tragedy of human greed, love and desperation is laid out to make us all feel, well, quite crappy about the human condition, sorry for Selma, and kind of angry. 'Dancer' and its makers deserved all the golden statues it got (and most of the ones it didn't). As I don't want to be responsible for anyone jumping over their balconies, so I feel obligated to warn you that this is really, truly not a feel-good romp of musical goodness. Maybe pass on hiring this one next video night if the whole point of films is to cheer oneself up over a weeks worth of salty snacks. Try 'Waiting for Guffman' instead your concerned about 'Dancer' bringing on the tears. It's no wonder Bjork swore off acting after making this film. I'd have lost it too.