BStu Reviews

Auto Focus (2002)

Questionable direction, but great story and acting

[7/10 · 4 November 2002]

Here we have a classic fallen star story, almost to the point of seeming like a cliché. But, as is often the case, reality proves far more tragic than fiction. Does it take liberties on reality? Sure, but what biopic doesn't? I don't feel the film takes so dramatic liberties to change the nature of the story, and neither does his eldest son. Just because his youngest son, busily making money off his dad's porno videos, objects shouldn't be enough to dissuade you from seeing the film. The writing is excellent. Great story-telling, especially for a biopic. The acting is very strong, too. Greg Kinnear is phenomenal and probably should get an Oscar nod but he won't. Willam Dafoe might, though, for his portrayal of John Carpenter which was just as strong. Maria Bello was also impressive as Patricia Crane, though I didn't really care for Rita Wilson. The only real failing in the film is the direction. I found it chaotic at points and very questionable at other times. The choice to pixelate scenes that would have earned the film an X rating particularly troubled me. I don't mind them cutting the material out, but I didn't understand why we had to look at several frames of a pixelated image filling the screen. Surely, something else could have been done. Heck, even adapt it into an artistic effect. Anything but a blatant bit of censoring. Also, some techniques struck me as much less than subtle in trying to convey changing tone. I normally don't notice that kind of thing, and that's how I like it. Nevertheless, it is a great and gritty film, well worth a visit to the theatre.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Fun. No really, it is.

[13 December 2001]

Okay, I know just about every critic has referred to this film as fun, either approvingly or dismissively. Still, that is the best way to refer to it. Is it formulaic? Heck, yeah. So what? So are most of the movies that go out of their way trying not to be. At least here, the camp value is played to the hilt. The only way to play camp value, of course. All involved look like their having fun, and that translates to a really fun, breezy flick. Self-consciously entertaining, but not to the point of condescending to its audience. Its a good, old-fashioned, Hollywood entertainment with bigger-than-life movie stars actually allowed to be the bigger-than-life movie stars we all know them to be. A meaningful artistic achievement? Perhaps not, but its fun and you can tell that it was trying to be. I achieved its mission, and I am not complaining.

Tempest (1982)

An Insult to the Bard

[22 July 2000]

How a film with so intentionally little to do with Shakespeare's masterpiece, The Tempest, could have the arrogance to maintain the title and many character names is beyond me. I would have responded to this film much more openly had it not been for this audacity. It is fine to base a story on a great work, and perhaps even include some textual references. To maintain a title when so little remains is just silly. The movie doesn't even get around to the action of The Tempest until its final minutes. So many themes from the original work are just left hanging and purposeless in this film.

Even with this audacity, the film's story leaves a lot to be desired. It just isn't that interested, isn't well told, and isn't well acted. Raul Julia is nice in an overly comic Caliban, but everyone else comes off as overacting. This would be fine for a straight Shakespeare adaptation, but this isn't one.

Over all, I would not recommend this film. Read the play if you want to be exposed to the engrossing and engaging story of "The Tempest". You won't find the story here.

Fail Safe (2000 TV Movie)

Exceptional Drama, Great TV

[8/10 · 9 April 2000]

I only heard about this program a day before it aired, and I am very glad I did. The acting was absolutely amazing all around. There was not a single performer who didn't rise to the occasion in this picture. It is all the more amazing since it was performed live on national television. Particularly strong were Richard Dreyfuss, Harvey Keitel, and Hank Azaria, but it is difficult to break away any actors from the strong ensemble.

The whole effect of the production very well captures the sense of a Cold War drama. From the set design, costumes, performances, direction, and the choice to air in black and white, the atmosphere is as much a player in "Fail Safe" as the actors. One really gets the feeling that they are watching a 1950's era live broadcast.

I must say, that I knew nothing of the original story or film, and I really feel I benefited from that. The story is amazingly suspenseful. I did not know the ending going in, and I won't ruin it for you either. Just trust me that it is unquestionably the best way to view this picture. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the film and was honestly moved by the ending. The script is excellent, and the story even better. While it is clearly a cautionary tale of nuclear war, it never tries to beat its purpose into the viewer. It lets the story tell the story, which is always the best.

If you missed the live broadcast, be on the look-out for a re-broadcast. This is a real accomplishment from CBS, and its a shame that it was not more widely promoted.

First Time Out (1995)

One of many lost sitcom gems

[7 December 1999]

Jackie Guerra is a latina role model and achieved no small feat in just getting her own sitcom. Making it enjoyable and funny was an even better accomplishment. Having a ratings success, alas, was never in the cards. Remember, this was back in the first days of the WB network. Hardly a fair shot. Hopefully she'll get another one. Not only a latin-amercian female, she is also of rubenesque proportions, so the odds are against. Hopefully her great sense of humor will help this very beautiful woman grace our television sets again.

Grand (1990)

One of the most underrated sitcoms of all-time!

[7 December 1999]

If you never got the chance to see Grand when it first aired, you really missed on a clever and witty show. You also aren't alone. Although it was a major ratings surprise its first season (NBC actually had canceled not expecting its strong ratings), its second season dropped off. This was partly a result of NBC's cancelling the show. In an unusual step, the show filmed and aired a series finale which was notoriously final. The second season was mostly spent trying to explain the dramatic events of the series finale. At least they didn't cop out and make it a dream.

Bonnie Hunt and Pamela Reed offered stand-out performances. The beautiful Sara Rue was possibly the funniest cast member. You may remember her from any number of small supporting roles in any number of things. Its a shame her size have kept her from getting more desirable roles. She's still playing teen-agers 10 years later!

Overall, this show was always very funny and was a favorite of mine in its time. If you get a chance to see some episodes, jump at the chance! You won't be disappointed.

Dark Star (1974)

A Surreal Sci-Fi Classic

[10/10 · 20 January 1999]

I, too, caught this one on a Late Late Movie airing. What a hidden gem! The production value may be about what you'd expect from low budget early 70's Science Fiction, but it hardly detracts from the great writing and direction. It kept amazing me with the way it could deliver some of the best lines with such a wry subtleness that really impressed me. The metaphysical discussion at the end was classic and Pinback's past was also brilliantly done. The ending was a bit cheesy, but alien beachballs, campy explosions, and an absurdly sized ship model aside, this movie is genius.