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Reviews
Black and White (1999)
This is not a good movie
I remembered hearing some fuss about this film some time ago when it was (briefly) in some theaters. So, I got sucked in an picked it up tonight on DVD.
Most of my feelings on this particular movie can be summed up by mentioning something that James Toback said during the 5 minute featurette on the disc. He seems to think his lack of direction and allowing for improv during the film's controversial opening sequence somehow makes him a great filmmaker.
And while he is right, you can't reasonably direct every move during a 3 way love scene in Central Park, but his lack of direction during the rest of the movie does, in my opinion, not work in its favor.
Clearly the script for Black & White was about ten pages long and this could help explain why it makes no sense whatsoever and says absolutly nothing, other than the fact that it's really easy to exploit racial stereotypes and degrade women.
This movie doesn't know if it is a documentary on black and white interaction or a murder mystery and seeming as how it is billed as a movie that takes on the issue of white kids trying to act "black" then it might have been better to spend a little more time dealing with that as a serious subject.
There are a lot of interesting ideas presented here, but the format, bad acting, and lack of function detract from the pursuit of them all. Instead of making a movie about a documentary perhaps Toback just should have seriously made the documentary. Now that would have been some interesting entertainment.
The Wizard (1989)
Run, don't walk, AWAY from this movie
Do yourself a favor and avoid this movie. I remember seeing it many years ago and I just caught the end of it on TV tonight. I was reminded of how truly terrible this film is.
The sappy "family togetherness" scenes inserted to balance the film from its (flawed) video game action come off as just that, sappy. For some reason they get on my nerves and as such I can't particularly feel anything for the lead protagonist, the ever bothersome Jimmy.
Be afraid. Very afraid.
Scary Movie (2000)
Be afraid be very afraid...or not
While most of the comments I have read so far from my fellow IMDb'ers have been negative towards this film many of the ones I have read at a different board have not been. I would like to suggest that, if anything, this shows that users of IMDb are significantly more knowledgeable about film than others, or at least those who happened to post messages on this particular forum that I happened to be reading not an hour ago.
That said, here is my review.
If you think that THIS is the best movie or one that "rocked the theatre" then might I humbly suggest that you increase your maturity level by 300% before seeing another movie.
Granted, I admit giggling a couple (as in 2) times, but what Mr. Wayans needs to realize is that repeating other movie's scripts line by line until someone farts or ejaculates does not a spoof make.
I shudder to think that the future of cinema will be shaped by those who would give Scary Movie an Academy Award.
World's Most Amazing Videos (1999)
Ought To Be Outlawed On The Grounds That Watching It Violates Human Rights Treaties
Yet another rehash of the network "How do we get as many rednecks to watch our station without actually doing anything ourselves" theory.
Makes me wish I were insane so that I would have a defense for going on a rampage through the studios of these almost television producer's offices.
American Pie (1999)
Been there, done that
I am not about to tell you about how obscene or offensive this movie is - and no doubt it is both of those - because I know that you've heard enough about that. I am also not going to lecture the film industry either on gradually shifting the limits of comedy to the point where story is no longer a critical aspect provided that you can put the characters into as many embarrassing and disgusting scenes as possible or on how despite the films rating which supposedly restricts admittance to those 17 and over (yeah, right), it is a perfect example of Hollywood's marketing to an audience for whom it maybe shouldn't be.
American Pie is a textbook case of all of the above points. It's plot, high school seniors vow to lose their virginity by graduation, sinks beyond unoriginal and enters blatant cliche territory. But, the fact that you get to see one of the characters masturbate with baked goods makes up for it in the laugh department.
That said, American Pie was NOT a bad movie and for that matter I DID like it...sort of. It's characters were certainly likeable enough and somewhat sympathetic. And indeed, I caught myself laughing at things that I probably wouldn't want to admit to.
However, like so many teen sex comedies before it (however much more explicit this one is in relative comparison) it is stale and predictable.
A few redeeming performances, notably Chris Klein who, although, seems to be playing the exact same character as he did in Election, comes off honest and refreshing. Even more notably, Eugene Levy, who more or less using his comic genius managed to add hilarity to an otherwise dreary work.
Rushmore (1998)
Genius! Pure Genius!
Isn't it odd how all the truly good movies get pushed aside by either comedies which contain disgusting bodily fluids or action thrillers with talentless goons doing things that just aren't possible no matter how much muscle tissue you've injected yourself with?
Take for instance Rushmore. A movie that was only playing in one theater in my whole area (which coincidentally was also the one furthest away from my home) and even at that didn't stay there very long. But, Rushmore didn't even get the credit it deserved even in video rentals.
What is so amazing about this film is just how subtle it is. Rushmore isn't a comedy that forces you to laugh so hard that you nearly puke your guts out on the floor - it's much too refined for that. It gets under your skin and swims up into your brain where it lies forcing you to think about it for days, maybe even weeks after - the mark of good film making.
Rushmore tells a story that is both incredible and ordinary and the way it melds the two together is what is so unique. And so much of the story can be shaped and molded without words. Silence, the incredible musical backdrop, and the visuals all come together to create one of the most fascinating stories in recent memory.
Closet Land (1991)
What makes a great movie?
Acting, of course! Think about it, Closet Land could easily have turned out so horribly - an entire movie filmed in one room with only two people, they better have some damned interesting things to chat about.
But it didn't turn out horribly. On the contrary, thanks to incredible portrayals by both Stowe and Rickman, Closet Land is a masterpiece in its own right.
That's not to say it is for everyone. Persons who have had their attention spans decreased through glitzy sex scenes and random gun fire may have trouble digesting Closet Land. However, those who can appreciate good story telling without explosions should give it a look (no matter how many video stores you have to call to find someone who has it in stock).
Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
93 Minute Infomercial
I know this is the point...sort of...but frankly, this movie was completely unwatchable. It made me want to vomit. Avoid this unless you want to do a study in what becomes less and less funny since being made until it becomes about as funny as a close relative's funeral.