tywebb Reviews

Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Awesome performances, but the rest...

[5/10 · 10 November 2008]

The entire movie seems to have been filmed with a hand-held camcorder. Why would someone choose to do this, with such a talented array of actors? It does not make it seem more intimate or in-the-moment...on the contrary, it makes me back away from the whole thing because it seems so unprofessionally done. Using handhelds tastefully in certain scenes can be very effective, but used throughout the whole film it is a waste of acting talent.

The second problem is the lack of editing. Some scenes go on and on way longer than they should. The whole point of editing and pacing when creating the finished product seems to have been missed here. Maybe not everything they teach in film school needs to be revisited.

Thirdly, the writing itself isn't very tight. This is a story that could have been powerful and compelling, but instead left me not caring very much about the main characters. It felt like a very personal film, with the material having been unfortunately not crafted and polished enough. It ends up seeming self-indulgent rather than touching and powerful.

A good example of a well-done film with similar content is About Schmidt.

Surfwise (2007)

This is no Endless Summer. It's not even about surfing...or wisdom.

[2/10 · 8 July 2008]

Oh man. There really is not much about surfing in this movie. It is mainly about a large dysfunctional family headed by a narcissistic tyrant nutjob. It's painful to watch.

Considering this, I still tried to keep an open mind about the quality of the film-making itself. Whatever the true subject matter, is this a good documentary, is it well-crafted, does it flow, is it a piece of art in itself? Sadly no. Too many fast edits, too much sub-par music filling almost every minute of the move. Too much stock/filler footage. It doesn't really flow, it doesn't feel authentic, it feels schizophrenic. The moments captured on film are not allowed to "breathe" and carry the movie. They rather just seem carelessly slapped together, not skillfully woven together into a coherent whole.

Too many cooks in the kitchen? Looking at the credits I count at least 11 (!!) producers, co-producers, associate producers and executive producers...

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Another Terry Gilliam Masterpiece of the Visceral and Absurd

[10/10 · 2 October 2006]

This film is at turns brilliant, excruciatingly funny, grotesquely disturbing, and in one spot even touching and beautiful. What gets me again and again is, how on earth is Gilliam able to take Hunter Thompson's book, and make it into this vivid, experiential piece that hits you like a freight train. Some kind of creative force of nature, this man is. If it seems to get dragging and messy in some spots...well...creation is messy. I love this piece as a whole, including the imperfections.

Fear and Loathing is about a lot of things, much more than just two men on a demented, depraved, prolonged drug binge. And it is more than just an adaptation of Hunter Thompson's famous novel. It has a life of its own, makes political, social, personal statements, and the way Gilliam's wit and imagination synergizes with that of Thompson's makes this a compelling and unique experience. I would give it two or three viewings initially, to let it sink in. The Perl of the whole thing is when the narrator reminisces about the mid-60s...a glimpse of peace and beauty amidst the chaos that surrounds it...the centre of the vortex.

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)

Cultish pseudo-science, pseudo-spiritual quack fluff piece

[28 March 2005]

Marlee Matlin is beautiful, expressive and captivating. There are many rapturous, beautifully lit slow-motion scenes in this film. Much of the music is very well done.

But take away the pretty computer animations, the slow motion, the hypnotic music, and what do you have? A collection of scientific and non-scientific people (including the leader of the Ramtha cult) talking about their personal spiritual beliefs, trying to give them 'validity' by a supposed connection with science.

I consider myself spiritual and non-religious, yet after viewing it twice, I have to blast this film. I have come across too many people and organizations that offer alluring half-truths, that pretend to know but really don't. One minute in an Alexander Payne film holds more power, depth, truth and beauty than What The Bleep... ever could. It is fragmented, amateurish, half-baked, the pacing is bad, and worst of all, it tries to subtly slip ideas to the viewer such as "you don't need things like anxiety or depression medication, once you see the light." Not only is that a dangerous lie (look up the Scientology cult), but I don't see any evidence of real solid wisdom on the part of the filmmakers that would give them license to make a film that seems to be spouting pieces of wisdom left and right.

If you are interested in quantum physics and its possible connections to mysticism, read the Tao of Physics or The Dancing Wu-Li Masters. I can see good intentions in this film, but as they say, the road to hell is paved with those.

Here's a hint for William Arntz - It is impossible to prove the existence or realness of God or spirituality. It is a matter of belief and faith.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

I LOVE Pedro, Napoleon and Deb!!

[10/10 · 17 January 2005]

I was delighted a few years ago when Wes Anderson came out with Rushmore and Royal Tenenbaums.

But the people who did Napoleon Dynamite took it several steps further. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up in the Criterion Collection as well. Halfway through my second viewing of Napoleon, I noticed that it had put a persistent grin on my face that would not go away.

I can see how many people would enjoy this film just for how painfully well the character studies were done. I personally feel validated, understood, redeemed, etc., and I love Napoleon, Pedro and Deb. A prime example of how the synergy of great script, acting and directing can make you care so much about a character in a movie that it hurts.

Hopefully there will be "more where this came from..."

Wavelength (1983)

Overlooked, profoundly beautiful gem

[28 April 2004]

Those of us lucky enough to catch it on late-night HBO when it first came out were strangely touched by it (especially those of us not so jaded as to be put off by the low-budget production or b-movie feel).

The screen presence of Robert Carradine and Cherie Currie...the steady flow of understated and beautifully filmed scenes...the mesmerizing music of Tangerine Dream at their best.

This film is a synergy of several elements that came together to create a rare kind of sci-fi film magic. It has a meditative feel that is sadly absent from most films today, and while it may not have mega-buck mass appeal, it is well worth tuning into Wavelength.

The Tick (2001–2002)

Utterly hilarious...why can't more TV shows be this good?

[2 December 2003]

Every aspect of this show shines - The writing, casting, directing and comic timing raise this series to a level of quality that few other TV shows have been able to achieve in recent years. Especially Patrick Warburton as the Tick is perfectly cast.

Unfortunately, it only ran for one season - A reflection of the dismal state of TV programming these days. Fortunately, all episodes have been released on a 2-DVD set!

Do not let this gem pass you by...

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)

A timeless piece of rock documentary

[10/10 · 20 April 2001]

I have read the comment of my fellow viewer and apparent Heavy Metal Connisseur, who says this film falls short of completely covering the Heavy Metal scene at the time.

But I really don't think that that's what Spheeris was trying to do. This film is so much more. Like any truly great documentary, it somehow manages to capture life, raw and unfiltered.

The characters are funny, loveable, sad, pitiful, admirable, inspiring, bewildering, all at the same time. A very odd, strangely fascinating and mystifying mix of moods and emotions and realness that is stranger than fiction.

Like Paul Thomas Anderson and other great filmmakers, Spheeris has this talent of having compassion for her subjects, rather than judging them in some way. It is what it is. She gets out of the way and lets an utterly fascinating and at times "un-real" segment of life tell its own story. A timeless piece of rock documentary.