The Room

"The Room" fits squarely into the "so bad, it's good" camp. I could watch Tommy and his screen buddies pass around their football at extremely close range all day. But I probably don't need to see any more shots of his naked arse. Let's be honest: this film is terrible and incoherent. But it's so flawed that it's actually entertaining to watch. Every viewer will rightly question everything they are seeing and wonder aloud, "Why, Tommy? Why?".


Written 8/3/10

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

Every shot in "Mishima" is a visual poem, but not all of these are pleasant to ingest. Director Paul Schrader produced a challenging work that is certainly not for everyone. The man Mishima remains enigmatic despite the film. Sometimes bio-pics can tarnish a legacy, but "A Life in Four Chapters" only amplifies Mishima's singularity. This most certainly is not the film to watch the first time you meet your partner's parents... you may want to lean toward lighter fare on that occasion.


Written 8/30/09

The Trial

This film adaptation of Kafka's novel, directed by Orson Welles, is uncompromising and as challenging to endure as the novel. Dialogue after the opening 5 minutes is practically inconsequential. After that you simply imagine the strangest, most random thing that could happen next, and it does. The story is certainly not linear. It is a fine production with solid acting, but be prepared for a bewildering time.


Written 3/12/08

F for Fake

Your enjoyment of this film will be greatly enhanced if you have previous knowledge of these 3 individuals: Elmyr de Hory, Clifford Irving, and Orson Welles. Welles seizes the reins masterfully in "F for Fake", as filmmaker and star. His editing ability is shockingly good. He interweaves numerous stories into a rambling, but constantly engaging narrative. "F for Fake" is a film essay revealing Welles character while at the same time requiring the viewer to ask themselves questions. As master-of-ceremonies, he's the coolest, most creative 60 year old I've ever seen on film. Viewers are required to bring their brains to the couch for this one.

Written 4/6/07

Leaves of Grass

"Leaves of Grass" is an oddity. It's a film that can't decide what it wants to be, and its makers don't quite have the chops to blanket all the genres they wish to. Director Tim Blake Nelson ought to be admired for his scope of vision, but the finished film is just too scattershot. A stretch of scenes lead the viewer to believe they're watching a quirky comedy, but then a grisly murder happens. It's schizophrenic. Edward Norton is game, playing the roles of antithetical twin brothers. He is solid, and winning. Keri Russell is luminous as the inevitable love interest. She memorably spouts passages of Walt Whitman while gutting a catfish. But the work as a whole is unfortunately too much of a stretch. And the ending is lame. L-A-M-E. Things come full circle with all the characters in a way that is far too tidy, belying the chaos that preceded. "Leaves of Grass" may be a mess, but it does have its worthy moments.