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Basic (2003)
Basically Trash
Don't expect anything less than whiplash from this "thriller" that seems to think it is smarter than we are. Once again, nothing is as it seems, and none of us really care. Evidently the writer doesn't care either because none of the characters remain consistent for the movie, or ten minutes for that matter. John Travolta does his over-the-top action hero again, but it really is just annoying when he cannot take investigating people's deaths seriously. Samuel L. Jackson is pretty much wasted as a sergeant who yells a lot. In fact, I don't remember a line of his that was not yelled. Then, there's Connie Nielsen, a Danish-born actress with a more-than-shaky Southern accent. She gets the most screen time but lacks the charisma to carry the movie, event though I preferred her dullness to the raving antics of Travolta and Jackson. Finally, the movie ends and then ends and then ends, and when you finally think there are no more "twists," the filmmakers squeeze out a few more. If you like movies that are condescending and pointless, then this movie should be BASIC for you.
Highway (2002)
Should come with a 'Yield' sign
"Highway" is a movie that I could see some people loving. Unfortunately, the story is a little too tired for me. I mean, the plot revolves around a road trip/buddy movie/running from gangsters/hot girl along for the ride. It's a shame though that the central idea is such a rip-off. The movie has a weird sense of humor that, even if it doesn't come off as funny, at least intrigues. It's been awhile since I've seen a movie with an alligator boy. Also, the movie stars one of the best up-and-coming actors, Jake Gyllenhall. He continues to show a strong dramatic and comic range, even though this movie has him riding shotgun alongside Jared Leto's typical showboating for 90 minutes.
Memento (2000)
Unquestionably, the Best Film of 2001
It's unfortunate that MEMENTO is not receiving the attention of the Academy, or other awards for that matter. In twenty or so years, I believe this movie will finally be given its due rewards. The innovation of the storytelling and the directing of this movie will reshape the art of cinema as we know it. Some movies have employed non-linear structures to tell their stories. Although MEMENTO does indeed have a linear structure (merely inverted), the unique storytelling has never been so integral to the characters and plot of the movie as this one.
Even though 2001 ended on a particularly strong note for movies, none surpassed this one in creativity and ambition. While the simpler movies collect all the awards this winter, MEMENTO will be the movie with the most impact upon the medium of filmmaking. I think that that speaks for itself.
As far as the movie itself, even if it was played forward, it would be compelling. The fact that it doesn't stick to convention makes it riveting. Guy Pearce proves that he is a great actor, even though he doesn't appear to want stardom. Good for him. Good for us.
Soul Survivors (2001)
80 minute snore
What a waste of three good, offbeat actors. Casey Affleck has too little time to inject his humor into the boyfriend role. Luke Wilson seems like he's just as confused as we are that he is playing a mysterious priest! Wes Bentley loses every bit of charisma he showed in AMERICAN BEAUTY, but his role is about as complex as a one color Rubic's cube.
If I wanted to waste 80 minutes of my life, I would have watched television. This movie tries to cross SCREAM with THE SIXTH SENSE. The big surprise ending is only surprising if you have never seen a horror movie ever. I have seen a lot of stupid movies, but this one ranks down there with the worst of them. Sorry Casey.
Pay It Forward (2000)
If you don't like sap, don't bark up this tree.
"Pay It Forward" is the year's most pretentious movie in a movie that boasts a killer cast. It's not everyday that one can see Oscar winners Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt in a movie that also includes Angie Dickinson and Jon Bon Jovi.
This is the kind of movie where every character has some sort of tragedy. The writers try to make us feel sorry for just about every character by giving everyone tragedies. One teacher (Spacey) has mysterious burns all over his body that he won't discuss. Of course he eventually reveals the source of his burns so that we can really feel sorry for him. This overblown scene coincidentally takes place at the Oasis Motel. The symbolic irony is so thick you could cut it with a knife!
Another character is a low-class single mom waitress (Hunt) at a sleazy Vegas bar where she has to pick up extra shifts to support her son (Haley Joel Osment). There's the obligatory scene where drunken men hit on her and tease her with a tip. This is of course so we can feel sorry for her as well. Not only is she a single mother with a bad job, she's also a drunk who has an abusive ex-husband. There are plenty of scenes of Hunt rummaging through the house looking for bottles of booze. She is of course only using alcohol to escape her problems, so we can still feel sorry for her!
The story itself isn't that bad. Osment devises the "Pay it forward" plan of doing big favors for three people, those three people doing three big favors for three more people, and so on and so on. If the story had stayed simple, it might have worked. Instead they turn the "Pay if forward" plan into a phenomenon that eventually reaches a reporter (Jay Mohr), and the movie begins to get really hokey.
This is a movie where every character is so thinly drawn that I thought they might disappear. The characters are only defined by their tragedies or their vices. Other than that, they don't exist.
I won't reveal the ending. I will just say that it infuriated me as a moviegoer. It is completely insulting. The writers pull out all the stops to ensure that we really feel sorry for these people, and they go to measures that are absolutely unnecessary. They really are reaching for those Oscars. Spacey, Hunt, and Osment are given plenty of scenes to be pitiful and overstretch those acting chops. I guess the makers of this movie think that tragedies equal Oscars. The only tragedy is having a movie with a great cast that prefers to be sappy instead of smart.
My vote = 3 out of 10
Magnolia (1999)
A Breathtaking Film Experience for those of us who aren't perfect
MAGNOLIA is a heavenly slice of filmmaking. Paul Thomas Anderson of BOOGIE NIGHTS fame makes an even more compelling and revelatory feature than his previous two outings. He adeptly handles a day in the life of a dozen or so seemingly disconnected people. Not only does he spin the stories wonderfully together, but he draws some of the best performances out of a major studio production in a long time. Tom Cruise gives a jolting, crude, and ultimately heartbreaking performance as a chauvinistic sex guru. It is surely his best performance, and one that was deserving of the best supporting actor Oscar. John C. Reilly continues to shine in Anderson's films as the God-fearing, love-hungry cop who provides the movie with its emotional balance. Last but not least, relative unknown Melora Walters delivers a raw and emotionally powerful performance as a heroin addict trying to cope with the guilt and shame of her family's secrets. She is what gives the movie its emotional impact.
This is truly not a movie for children or casual moviegoers. However, for all those interested in serious filmmaking and top-notch acting, MAGNOLIA is a masterpiece to behold. With wonderful sing-along music provided by Aimee Mann and the most bizarre and exhilarating concluding plot device ever seen on screen, MAGNOLIA finally unravels itself to expose humanity in its most naked and exposed state, as well as to discover redemption "for the freaks who have never loved anyone."
Dark Harbor (1998)
Tired premise equals tiring movie
It is easy for a movie that tries to be suspenseful to wind up being merely uninteresting. It happens quite often. Not only is Dark Harbor uninteresting, but it is very poorly done. Scene after scene is tacked on to an otherwise overdone premise. A troubled couple picks up a troubled stranger only to find more trouble.
Some movies build tension by building the story. Dark Harbor keeps adding on to its story but never building upon it. I was hoping that like other movies, the suspense would finally explode. It never does. Also, the characters have no continuity from scene to scene. They may act one way in one scene, but then act a completely different way in another scene. At first, you think that they are merely out of character, but by the end you realize that they are not really characters at all. They are just props for the final twist. The final ten minutes try to be shocking. Instead, it's rather lame and uninteresting. The only thing that was shocking to me was that the movie finally ended. At less than ninety minutes the movie still feels way too long.
This isn't one of those low-budget gems. It's more like a counterfeit watch that breaks as soon as you take it home.
Groundhog Day (1993)
A brilliant comedy/morality tale
Groundhog Day is undoubtedly one of the best movies I have ever seen. I will admit by bias. I think Bill Murray is a comic genius, which is on display in full force in this comic tour de force.
Bill Murray plays a disgruntled meteorologist who works for a small-market TV station. He is embarrassed that he still has to do gigs like the local groundhog festival in a smalltown. As it happens, the last place that Murray wants to be is the place where he must remain. He wakes up the morning after to discover that he is reliving the previous day. With each passing day (the same day that is), Murray realizes that there are no rules for him because each day he is given a second chance. No rules means no consequences. He attempts to woo the luminous Andie MacDowell(in her best role), but after repeated failures, he starts killing himself off. This is the darkly comic part of the movie, especially the kidnapping of Phil the groundhog.
I will not spoil the ending, but suffice it to say, it is not disappointing. Murray realizes the meaning of life is not about self; it's about selflessness. Point being: we live dead-end lives when we live them in selfishness. We can only escape when we learn to be compassionate, and we can't be loved until we learn to love others ourselves.
This is more than mindless entertainment to me. It is truly an uplifting story, not to mention the fact that it is one of the most romantic movies I've seen. Without a doubt, Bill Murray is one of our best and most under-appreciated actors. Watch "Rushmore" if you think I am mistaken. "Groundhog Day" is one for the keeping and cherishing.