alexanderswann Reviews

Alchemy (I) (2005)

A Great Mainstream Comedy

[10/10 · 28 April 2005]

Just caught this in its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. At the Q&A after, someone in the audience described this movie perfectly -- it's the kind of comedy Hollywood used to make so well, before the movies started drowning in their own stupidity. "Alchemy" is laugh- out-loud funny, immensely charming, a whole lot of fun, and -- amazingly enough -- doesn't insult your intelligence! Not much else to say about it, other than that (like my favorite documentary, "Spellbound") it's a movie that absolutely everyone should and will enjoy. Will be very curious to see how many millions this movie makes when the general public gets to see it.

Oh, and one other thing -- Tom Cavanagh (from "Ed") as "Jerry", the gay French computer program (you'll know what I mean when you see it)....Hilarious!!

Spellbound (2002)

A great documentary

[10 May 2003]

Even if you don't like documentaries, you should see this. It's tremendously entertaining, and as dramatic as a regular feature film.

I understand that it'll be coming out in a lot of movie theaters. So check it out. If you don't love it, you'll be the first person I know who doesn't.

Justice (2003)

Wow! Very powerful and moving -- but funny, too.

[10/10 · 10 May 2003]

Just caught this movie at its premiere at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. And I'd gladly see it again, right away. It was really fun and funny for the most part, yet somehow managed to reach a very emotional and powerfully moving ending, in a way that felt natural.

The main character is a comic book writer, played by Erik Palladino from the TV show "ER" (I didn't love him on ER, but I loved him in this movie). He wants to create a new kind of superhero, based on a real New Yorker -- and when he meets Michael Jai White (he was "Spawn" in the movie of that name) he knows that he's found his man.

Anyway, I don't want to give away too much, because one of the things I liked best about this movie is that you don't know what's coming every second (unlike most Hollywood movies). The movie is really well made, with brilliant writing and great acting. If it ever comes to a theater near you, see it. You'll thank me.