2003 Film List - Page 20

Seth Paxton · 05-16-2004, 08:01 PM

Quote:

gun came complete

It did.

And I didn't think the kids acted like real kids, that was the problem. In some spots they did, but in reacting to the situation they acted like kids who knew the story and were acting their parts, going through the motions.

That's the thing about acting, real people often don't react correctly because they are reacting like real people trying to act a part, they haven't learned how to overcome knowing the script, the rehersals, the presence of a camera and crew, etc.

**SPOILERS FOR ELEPHANT KINDA**

Like Benny asks no questions when he finds a room of kids climbing out a broken window and a dead body on the floor. He doesn't even acknowledge the body, yet he hasn't yet seen a shooter nor apparently really know what is going on. He helps a kid step out the window and then goes back to wandering the halls, a serious WTF moment in the film.

And another kid checks on a firecracker noise in the hall, gets shot and everyone, including the teacher, just acts like he fell down or something and then they drag him back in the room rather than reacting like maybe a shooter of some sort is in the hall.

IMO, Van Zant is responsible for those performances, it was his choice (as you say) to go with non-actors. When Eisenstein did it it worked, but here it feels stagey in the last act, and that's where the film lost me.

Jason Seaver · 05-20-2004, 06:54 PM

Updated with Martin & Orloff, the first movie fom the Upright Citizens Brigade which has been trickling into theaters slowly (probably shuttling a single print around). Funny, well-orchestrated bad taste.

Brook K · 05-21-2004, 12:32 PM

You make some good arguments Seth. I'd have to see the movie again to be able to discuss your points.

Dracula: Pages From A Virgin's Diary: Guy Maddin's silent filmed performance of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet exhibits moments of beauty within a frustrating atmosphere. Because Maddin's style is as much parody as homage to the silent film period, the mood of this elegant piece is often comic rather than romantic. His use of color to add punch to certain scenes doesn't work at all since the colors he chooses are unnatural and distracting. Even the telling of a story that is familiar to all is so disjointed and re-arranged that I had trouble following it at times. When Maddin leaves the dancers alone it can be pretty to look at, but it unfortunately never amounts to more than that. C+

Next Up: Bubba Ho-Tep

Brook K · 05-27-2004, 04:01 PM

Bubba Ho-Tep - Grounded by Bruce Campbell's surprisingly touching portrayl of Elvis, the film is at its best when firmly focused on him. He generates a mountain of laughs in describing how he came to live in an out-of-the-way rest home and kvetching about his lack of penile movement. But the film is less successful at trying to incorporate the horror elements, partly because Bruce is so entertaining at just being "old" Elvis; and while you gotta respect Ossie Davis for being game enough to play JFK, he doesn't seem to have much onscreen chemistry with Bruce. Though I did LOVE that JFK has a picture of David Ferrie on his wall. That said, it provided enough entertainment and laughs in the first half to be worth seeing more than once. B+

Ripley's Game: If you are a fan of John Malkovich, as I am, than you should see this movie as it provides him good material to sink his teeth into, though this is really much more of an action/thriller than the nuanced character portrait offered up in The Talented Mr. Ripley. The mature Mr. Ripley is a cold-blooded killer, still indulging his tastes for the finer things and the fun of manipulating people. But he is also surprisingly empathic in this installment. Malkovich gives a weight to the character that another actor might not have found in this lower quality script. B

Next Up: The Company, Monster

Edwin Pereyra · 05-27-2004, 05:10 PM

Updated with Richard Kwietniowski's Owning Mahowny

~Edwin

Edwin Pereyra · 05-28-2004, 07:33 PM

Updated with Nancy Meyers' Something's Gotta Give

~Edwin

Edwin Pereyra · 05-29-2004, 07:35 PM

Updated with Jeffrey Blitz's Spellbound

¼

I'm on a roll now.

~Edwin

Edwin Pereyra · 05-30-2004, 09:14 PM

Updated with Billy Ray's Shattered Glass

- A spirited look at the ethics of journalism only to be followed by the same scandal that rocked The New York Times and recently, USA Today. A good cast delivers outstanding performances while its subject matter makes for a lively and thoughtful discussion piece.

~Edwin