rje58 Reviews

Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas (2014)

Definitely not a 10, nor a 1

[6/10 · 21 November 2014]

This movie is not a '10', and not a '1', either. Why are the vast majority of the votes either 1's or 10's, then? Because people are voting their worldview, instead of voting on a movie.

It is hard to categorize this film - if I had to categorize it, I would call it a Christian docudrama, or Christian Christmas movie. In my opinion, an hour long television program would have been a better format for this effort, than an hour and twenty minute theatrical release.

It is a low-budget digital independent film, and the production values reflect that. It sets out to present a conservative Christian point of view, and does that openly and unapologetically. There was nothing that I found intolerant or mean spirited, and it seemed rather to espouse traditional Christian values of Christmas, such as "Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward All" - although that line does not occur in the film.

The bottom line is: if you are a conservative Christian, then you will probably enjoy this movie or at least find it interesting. The further your worldview departs from that, the less enjoyable you will likely find it.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Great, if you can relate...

[24 March 2004]

If you can relate to the underlying theme of love longed for, love given and received, and love lost, this is a great film. If you have come to understand that acceptance can -sometimes- be a great thing and not a compromise or a 'settle for' - this is a moving film.

As crazy and almost surreal as elements of this film are, it somehow remains honest and real. That seems like a contradiction... life is contradictory, isn't it?

Carrey and Winslet both turn in superb performances, as do the supporting cast. An incredible film that most of the people who 'get it' will love - but I suspect there will be more than a small percentage who won't understand it or can't relate to it and they will (understandably) dislike it.

The Italian Job (2003)

very well executed and well acted

[9/10 · 2 July 2003]

The Italian Job is a complete film with few weak links. The acting is superb - and by extension the casting. Well directed, great camera work, good special effects - but the writing is what I believe set it apart and took it to the next level.

The inevitable comparisons to Soderberg's "Oceans 11" are unfair to Italian Job in my opinion. I felt this film was much better written, the acting was better and overall execution a cut above what Oceans 11 accomplished. When watching the latter, I felt like it was more escapist entertainment, whereas Italian Job did a much better job of drawing me in to the story -and- entertaining me.

The criticisms that Wahlberg didn't have enough 'charisma' to pull off the leading male role in this film are unfounded. If they came from the same people who gushed over Clooney in Oceans 11, then they obviously value Clooney's 'pretty boy charm' over Wahlberg's more substantive acting talent.

If you haven't seen this one, you should. It has a much broader appeal over more audience segments than most films of its type.

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

excellent propaganda

[1/10 · 5 April 2003]

This film is very misleading, showing scenes cut together from different dates, thousands of miles apart, made to appear as if they are all filmed on the same date at the same time.

It is very successful for what it is: Michael Moore's personal vendetta against the "conservative Establishment" and the NRA.

This film is a good example of why "political correctness" is so vogue in our society and why common sense is such a rare commodity.

Whatever your politics or your opinions about gun control, anyone who knows the facts behind how and why this film was made, should understand that manipulating half-truths into very polished propaganda should be reserved for fascists like Hitler, not so-called 'progressives' or 'liberals' like Moore.

The Miracle of the Cards (2001 TV Movie)

not that bad

[7/10 · 3 March 2003]

When I learned the premise that The Miracle of the Cards is based on, that discovery was met with an inward groan. Here it is: a young boy with a brain tumor, not likely to survive, wants to break the Guinness Book of World Records count for receiving get-well cards. I was glad to see that the movie is based on a true story, at least, and not some urban legend or internet hoax.

The story is told mostly through flashbacks during a sceptical reporter's interviews with the young patient's parents. From the mother's nightmares of seeing her son in a coffin (which began before his first symptoms), to his hospitalization and diagnosis with a rare form of cancer and his pursuit of the record for most cards received, this sentimental story is worth watching IF you keep reminding yourself that it is based on a true story and that it's not a sappy takeoff on an urban legend / internet hoax.

Good production values, a few solid performances and what could have been a more compelling story line are unfortunately offset somewhat by a premise that has been defamed by internet hoaxes and by the length of the film at 89 minutes. Whether or not an hour and a half was needed to tell this story is debatable, but when a movie feels too long, it probably is.

Killer Me (2001)

Killer Me delivers its promise

[8/10 · 28 February 2003]

Zachary Hansen's Killer Me is a chilling psychological study of two people building a very unusual relationship. Even when you think you see what's coming, this film keeps you off-balance and draws you in to the emotional turmoil of the two lead characters. George Foster makes his character, Joseph, come alive in all his technicolor torment. Christina Kew gives a great performance as the strangely bold-yet-timid female lead (Anna) who sometimes seems almost to take her own breath away with her actions. Watching the relationship evolve between these two is fascinating, and only becomes moreso as the story unfolds.

This film is not for everyone, but will appeal to a broad range of film fans, while refusing to neatly fit into any single category. There are things in this film that we never figure out or know for certain, but one thing that is certain is that Joseph is emotionally disturbed, and suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome. Anna is obviously not only attracted to but somehow drawn to Joseph. This is one of those rare films that succeeds in leaving the viewer satisfied without answering all the questions and filling in the blanks.

Neal Fredericks, cinematographer for THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, also filmed KILLER ME.

The promotional literature for this film says: "Killer Me is a mysterious, unsettling film that gets inside your head..." and this picture delivers on that promise.

Jackpot (2001)

doesn't live up to expectations

[3 February 2003]

I probably expected too much from Jackpot, since it was the winner of the 2002 IFP/West Indie Spirit Award for "Best Feature under $500,000 Budget". What I want to know, is how can you cast Jon Gries, Garrett Morris, Darryl Hannah, Adam Baldwin, Peggy Lipton, Mac Davis and Anthony Edwards in an indie film and still come out with a budget under $500,000? I thought I read somewhere that Edwards made approximately that much from one episode on "ER"?

There are several good acting performances in Jackpot, but nothing that jumped out at me as being something really noteworthy. A lot of publicity surrounded the fact that this film was shot in high-definition digital format and transferred to 35mm for theatrical release. The story starts out like it's going to be fairly interesting, then degenerates into something murky and confused. What is the point? Who is the protagonist? Who are we supposed to care about here?

I won't give a plot summary rehash here. Suffice it to say that the pink Cadillac is almost one of the high points and the pretentious monologue that provides a narrative soundover in places in this film was absolutely unappealing and unenlightening. Good performances by the name talent (who apparently appeared for very little financial compensation, if we are to believe the budget numbers) as well as good cinematography by M. David Mullen saved this film from the disaster that it might have been, if the Polish brothers had to make it for under $500,000 without benefit of all the name acting talent and Mullen's visual artistry. Apparently the overall response to the film was closer to mine than to the IFP voters: the film grossed less than $50,000 in nine weeks of very limited theatrical release.

Aileen Wuornos: Selling of a Serial Killer (1992)

Disturbing, no one comes across in a positive light

[5/10 · 26 September 2002]

"Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer" is a disturbing documentary in which no one comes out in a positive light: not the police, not the lawyers, not the judges, not the media, certainly not Aileen Wuornos and not even the filmmakers.

This documentary by Nick Broomfield is unfocused, and the filmmaker and his small crew are often part of the saga. It paints a rather grim picture, where police are more concerned about possible movie deals than arresting the right person (although they did have the right person, almost by accident), where lawyers are slime buckets even when masquerading as laid back rejects from the '60s and '70s "flower power" era, and where people who claim to be spiritual and doing "God's work" come out looking no less mercenary or self-serving than anyone else (well, except maybe the killer and the sleazy lawyer).

Filmmaker Broomfield doesn't give us nearly as many facts as you might expect - and in this case, even wish for - in a documentary of this type. Much of the film consists of him traipsing around with his small film crew, trying to convince somebody to talk to him. He seems often to miss the point, and doesn't ask the most relevant or probing questions. I never could decide, while watching this film, how much of that was on purpose, for effect, and how much was just him not doing a very good job. It does add to the overall dark impression in the film, that few people really know the truth, know what's going on, and that fewer still care...

Interesting in places, disturbing in others, downright scary if you come out of this believing this is how the criminal justice system works (or not) in this country, Broomfield's film is certainly thought provoking, if somewhat confused and lacking focus.