Son of Rambow

I'm sure it looked good on paper, but the execution reeks of trying too hard. Question: what do you get when you mix Amelie with Rushmore with Billy Elliot? Answer: this pale imitation. Just because it features cute children doesn't give the film a "pass" for its lack of originality. Disappointing to say the least.


Written 3/12/09

American Teen

This film can feel contrived at times but it is entertaining nonetheless. The director may have operated under the auspices of the nouveau-doc style espoused by various MTV shows - most notably "The Hills" - in which the 'cast members' often re-enact scenes that actually did occur in their lives. The problem is that upon re-enactment, scenes and dialogue are less authentic and can come across as scripted. This is challenging for the viewer, because all the advertising material for this film led us to believe that this is an accurate portrait of the post-millennial American teenager. Despite these qualms, the film breezes by and is enjoyable enough. The band geek character Jake is worth the price of admission alone. He will drudge up any awkward teen moment that you yourself experienced but have since burrowed in the abyss of your memory banks. Just call him "The Excavator"; he's a squirm-inducing screen presence.


Written 3/9/09

Man on Wire

A fascinating yarn. Our hero, Philippe, is a bit of an egotist but we can presume that one must be in order to accomplish his Twin Towers wire-walk objective. His charisma is undeniably infectious, and the archival footage & photos are a joy to behold. The inclusion of French composer Erik Satie's piano music during the climactic moments is a fitting union of two iconoclasts.


Written 12/30/08

Bomb It

Outstanding overview of the worldwide graffiti scene. However, I am disappointed that the woman with the low-cut top was selected to be the poster/cover image for the film. She is hardly featured in the film, and is not a highly compelling subject -- she doesn't even paint anymore! A crass example of commercialization. "Put a busty woman on the front, and more people will pay to see it!" So that is disappointing. But the filmmaker's survey of the global graffiti scene does not disappoint. He is comprehensive in his scholarship and effectively presents both sides of the pro- and anti- graffiti argument. Any art aficionado ought to give this a look. Ye shall be enlightened.


Written 11/29/08

Cool Hand Luke

Paul Newman oozes cool and contempt for authority as Luke -- an archetype for Hollywood anti-heroes to come. The punishment his character receives for a petty crime doesn't seem appropriate... seems hijacked from an archaic draconian age, really. Do such labor camps still exist? Only in the south, perhaps? Whatever -- watch and enjoy this band of sweaty, southern-accented men develop their schemes and hatch their plots. The soundtrack is outstanding, too. Lalo Schifrin (he's most famous for his "Mission: Impossible" theme, among dozens of other notable credits) enhances the narrative with his propulsive score. Music is at the core of this film, with the prisoners' continually singing work songs. Newman himself picks up a banjo and sings a tune. This is a compelling movie with universal themes and well-drawn characters.

Written 11/29/08

Iron Man

This is a fun ride. Robert Downey Jr. burns bright as Tony Stark, Jeff Bridges shaves his head for his role ("the Dude abides"!), Terrence Howard emits cool as a military man, and Gwyneth Paltrow gets a nice paycheck so she can feed her kids. Suspend your disbelief and be prepared to endure a fair share of hackneyed dialogue. Don't over-think this one -- it is escapist fare.


Written 11/3/08

The Last Laugh

This is worthy of a look, but only if you fancy yourself an amateur film scholar. I defy anyone to convince me that the average beer-swilling, NFL-addicted citizen of our modern day will sit through "The Last Laugh" with nary a word of ridicule. Some of the other reviewers claim that "The Last Laugh" is a film for anyone with a heart and pulse -- I must argue against this. The exaggerated mannerisms of silent-film actors do not age well. This film is undeniably a gem of the early period of filmmaking, but that does not automatically imply that it will compel a 21st century human being.


Written 10/28/08