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Ldyandrea
Reviews
Down with Love (2003)
Charming and fun, with jokes that would make Doris Dayblush.....
If only because Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger were in this movie, it would be worth seeing. What you can't expect, however, is the sheer fun that ensues, complete with fake New York City backdrops, glamorous period sets, and even more glamorous costumes, makeup and hairstyles. After the first few minutes, I began to tire of this homage mentality, but the story quickly sucked me in, thanks in great part to the blissfully neurotic performance of David Hyde Pierce as the friend/boss of Catcher Block (McGregor). Sarah Paulson is also fun and perky as Barbara Novak's (Zellweger) best friend/editor, and keeps things moving along quite well. His Theatrical Eminence, Tony Randall, even makes an appearance as "The Big Boss" of the publishing company. He, coincidentally enough, was the friend/boss to Rock Hudson in "Pillow Talk" from 1959.
The chemistry between McGregor and Zellweger heated up the screen in a sweet, old-fashioned way. Remember the kind of romance that reminds you of when just smooching and holding hands was just ever so dreamy? That level is cranked up a few notches higher (in that same sweet fashion) than Doris Day or Rock Hudson would have ever dared; a particular example is the priceless "split-screen" telephone conversation between the leads, taken to a level above, below, and to the side-like of any ever seen on screen before.
Also of great note is Zellweger's scene that includes the longest bit of unedited exposition I've had the opportunity to see on film (one-shot, no cuts at all). It reminds me greatly of Steve Martin's coffee-pouring bit ("Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid") except that it's all dialogue! I was torn between listening to all of the story twists, and wanting to pull out a stopwatch to clock her monologue! The next shot of Catch must have mirrored the expression of the entire audience at that particular moment!
Anyone planning to see this film might find it amusing to first watch movies like "Pillow Talk" to get a feel for the kind of film that is being emulated here. In fact, there are a number of particular story elements that obviously could be attributed to that particular film.
It should be no surprise to learn that the team who wrote this fun sex farce is also responsible for the upcoming "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde" set to be released July 2, 2003.
Have fun, and enjoy this tasty treat of nostalgia. Chocolate, as you will see, becomes a key player. Make sure to stick around for the final credits as well.....if you loved McGregor in "Moulin Rouge" and Zellweger in "Chicago", you will adore the vocal stylings of both at the end of this oh-so-cute movie!
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Overall entertaining, but someone needs to take away George's CGI toys....
I won't give any plot spoilers here, but just my general impressions after seeing the film at 12:01 last night. High points were definately the music (although I didn't recall any new themes being introduced, rather variations on old), the costuming (Natalie looks spectacular in everything), the creatures (although one needed to be attacked with some lemon and drawn butter rather than a blaster *grin*), and the ships (the first big one being very reminiscent of the prop plane in Casablanca). The droids were very entertaining, and Yoda kicked his little green butt into overdrive for some seriously Jackie Chan-type action! Who knew? However, while overall the plot and storyline started coming together, I felt that similar to Episode I the dialogue and acting really have taken a backseat to the special effects. While I can't deny that they are indeed beautiful, I have two specific issues with them. First that they are indeed so perfect as to not have the somewhat gritty reality quality that the first films had. They feel more like a video game or a cartoon at times than a film. Secondly, that there are so many separate elements included on the screen in some scenes that it becomes overwhelming and scatters the focus of the scene itself. Also, in re-watching the first films, I was struck at how much edgier both the dialogue and the characters were then. While many of us could recite and quote the great lines from the first three films, the lines from Episodes I and II seem to be forced and in some cases are simply recycled poorly. Amidala could have been edgier with better lines, and a more intense, less "American Pie" teenage boy to play against. The audience laughed in places that it obviously wasn't intended, and it was unfortunately due to the hormonal rather than anguished/love-struck performance that should have been. Ewan was good, but again needed to be more edgy and less wishy-washy....the interaction between Obi-Wan and Anakin fell flat for me, particularly since it was supposed to be taking place after they'd been together for 10 years. 10 years training as a Jedi would certainly have ingrained far more maturity and tact in Anakin even if he would have still had the ego of a 20 year old. They would have been more like partners of mutual respect, rather than the relationship seen.....one that could have been undermined in a far more effective subtle fashion than occurred. It was actually this relationship that was the key to the entire plot of this film.....Anakin's desire for respect and praise of his abilities, to be thought of as an equal while being egged on by the Senator who played to his ego. Unfortunately, it simply didn't succeed. I know some will think it blasphemous to say so, but it seems to me that while George Lucas has continued to develop his skills as a director of special effects, his skills of directing actors and his writing seem to have atrophied a bit over the years. I was reminded of the adage that simply because you *can* do something (i.e. with technology) doesn't mean that you *should*. Less is more, and using effects as enhancement and backdrop rather than making them the overwhelming star would have instead made this a film at least equal to the original three. I feel that Lucas is truly visionary, has blazed the trail for the present movie industry, and will bring them finally into the age of digital projection that has so long been overdue. However, in regards to this film, I think that perhaps to have done this as a collaborative effort with another strong director (such as the "Raiders" series with Spielberg) would have achieved a far more effective end result.
Return to Me (2000)
Simply one of the best movies you could see!
I must admit that I didn't get around to seeing this movie in the theater. As it was released at the beginning of a summer blockbuster season, this cute little film couldn't help but get a bit lost in the shadow of multi-million dollar special effects movies, could it?
"Return to Me" has a lovely and simple story at its core, and is extremely well-directed and written by Bonnie Hunt (who has been in a number of major pictures as an actress herself....along with this one!) The charming story is beautifully woven with clever comedy and brought to life with superb performances by veteran as well as younger actors.
To those who say that David Duchovny hasn't really had a good shot at breaking out of his "Fox Mulder" mold, I agree. I've seen his other film work, and is, by far, the best thing he could have done for himself. Minnie Driver is simply beautiful, charming, funny, and lively in her role as Grace.
Outside of these two leads, however, you are surrounded by Grace's close-knit family and friends. Jim Belushi is an absolute stitch, Bonnie Hunt is a stable and real-life force. I cannot, however, go without mentioning the talents of Robert Loggia, and the dearly departed Carroll O'Connor. Ironically, I watched this film again on DVD only the day before he passed away. This was his last film, and he gave a performance that an actor of his calibre could certainly be proud to leave as the finale to a great career.
Overall, "Return To Me" turned what would have still been just a fun love story, and grew it into a film that has become one of my favorites! Take the time rent this one.....it's well worth the effort!
Hannibal (2001)
Beneath the skin 'Hannibal' is something unexpected...
As a follow-up to its predecessor from the early 90's, we all expected that 'Hannibal' was not going to be a nice family movie. Quite the contrary, the graphic nature of the violence that was included in the film seriously pushes the envelope, and made the stomach of this die-hard movie goer turn more than a little. (As an aside, I can't remember feeling this queasy since I saw my first horror films at around 13 or 14 years of age) However, that being said, and done within the context of the film, I didn't find that the violence itself was gratuitous in nature.
Now, for those who like to mull over a story, and find some little hidden themes, I've got a doozy for you. While dressed in the trappings of a suspense-thriller/horror genre, if you imagine for one moment, by climbing inside of Lecter's head, that his behavior is perfectly justified, you may see a much more interesting story than the surface might allow.
After seeing the movie, and chatting over it with some friends over dinner (salad for me, thanks) I had some interesting flashes of insight. Go back in your memory and think about each of the actions of Lecter towards the character of Clarice Starling. (I won't detail them here, as I don't wish to spoil it entirely for those who haven't seen it) While some of these actions are more obvious than others, when one separates some of them from the extreme violence aspect there is a rather deep theme that emerges between these two. Romance.
No, I don't mean in a puppy-dog, hormonally-induced, Harlequin novel kind of way. But romance based on a mutual respect, and a bit of sometimes grudging admiration that can be seen every bit as valid as the more obvious kind. It was the discovery of just this treasure of underlying theme that raised my opinion significantly about this film.
Watch Hannibal....he's charming, polite, respectful, playful, teasing, tender, heroic (in a particular action he performs), thoughtful, and although he might not (or he might!) admit to it.....smitten with Clarice Starling. She's a big girl now, not just an uncertain student any longer....she is a challenge in a world that has been without them for him for so long, and someone worthy of his respect and his attentions. He even ends up committing a horrible act of violence to help her even a score with someone who has wronged her.
Now what's not romantic about that? *grin*
Seriously though, there is certainly a twisted logic to Lecter's actions in terms of his "victims". However, it doesn't ever seem that someone doesn't get "got" unless they had it coming to them in one sense or another. Lecter even seems to make some of these into object lessons! Ever the teacher, isn't he?
So, if you'd really like to see this movie, but are put off by excessive violence, I'd say have a friend come along who's seen it to warn you when to cover your eyes. Pay close attention, instead, to the little things Lecter does as well as says.....think of each action toward Clarice Starling and put it *out* of context into another situation with another set of circumstances......say, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Most people will read this commentary, and think I'm way off.....a very few will be able to look beyond the obvious and see something far more interesting that was created in this story.