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Reviews
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
One Great, entertaining film.
I would like to begin by saying that "Something's Gotta Give" is one of the finest films I have seen this season. It is because of films like it that I enjoy writing reviews. I feel excitement when I can praise a film, because I want to work in the industry. And I believe that this film desreves alot of praise.
Mr. Jack Nicholson plays Harry, a 63 year old bachelor. Harry is handsome,
wealthy, and very horny. Harry's weakness is young, single, beautiful women.
When the film opens, Harry is spending the weekend at the home of such a
women, played by Amanda Peet. What surprises them is that they will not be
alone. Harry scares the woman's successful playwright Mother, Erika, played by Diane Keaton. Erika finds out that Harry is with her daughter, and the fun
begins. Harry is invited to spend the weekend at Erika's house. Harry gets the girl, and Erika spends the weekend writing her next play. That is the plot of the film.
During Harry's stay at Erika's house, he begins to feel a sharp pain in his chest. In one of the more histerically funny scenes of the film, Erika performs mouth to mouth for Harry. After a night stay at the hospital, Harry is told to get some relaxation. During Harry's relaxing weekend at their house, his girlfriends
Mother, Erika, is pushed to take care of him. In another very funny scene, while Erika gets ready to take a shower, she runs into Harry, who is somewhat lost
looking for the kitchen.
I could go on and on pointing out funny moments in this film. However, there is a lot of heart in the story. Both Nicholson and Keaton give very strong and sweet performances. As Harry, Nicholson has to go through a ton of emotion in a very short span of time. Harry is at once flirtatious and chovanistic. Then he suffers a mild heart attack, and becomes emotional, crying like a little boy. This is another defining role for Nicholson. He is incredible.
Josh Weinman
Pieces of April (2003)
A stylistic depiction of a family.
I could not find one flaw in this stylistic film. Mr. Hedges has done a fine job in depicting a family in need of a prayer. And, he has some very talented people helping him. The always entertaining Katey Holmes plays "April", a young,
middle class, bohemian woman living in Manhattan, New York. She spends all
of Thanksgiving day desparately trying to get her neighbors to let her use their ovens. This is the setting of "Pieces of April". Ms. Holmes shows off her acting talent in the role of "April". She has no trouble emoting. When she is happy, she shows it with ease. When she is sad or angry, she shows it with ease. When she is scared, she shows it with ease. Ms. Holmes is a versitle actress, and this is no acception.
What is the reason for April's rush in getting a Turkey perfectly prepared? Her family is coming for Thanksgiving. And they are traveling a far distance. They are, "Joy" her Mother, "Jim" her Father, "Beth" her Sister, "Timmy" her Brother, and "Grandma Dottie".
Perfectly cast as "Joy" is the amazing Patricia Clarkson. Ms. Clarkson gives a terrific performance as a bitter cancer survivor. Although "Joy" does not show any hint of fright on the surface, you can almost see horror on her face. But, you can be sure that "Joy" is always in control, not the cancer. She is determined to beat the cancer, and you can see it. The role of "Joy" demands a strong and
uninhibited actress. I can not think of anyone more fitting for "Joy" than Ms. Clarkson.
Cast as "Jim" is the always watchable Oliver Platt. Mr. Platt gives an enjoyable performance as a loving father and husband. You can tell by their performances that "Joy" and "Jim" are as much in love as when they were a new couple. "Jim" never worries about the future. He is happy and excited to see his family
together for Thanksgiving. You can see it in his smile. This is a huge step for them. And, a new beginning. The role of "Jim" demands a sweet and enduring
actor. I can not think of anyone more fitting for "Jim" than Mr. Platt.
Rounding out the cast is "Bobby", played by Derek Luke. "Bobby" is "April's"
boyfriend. I enjoyed Mr. Luke's performance. He is likeable in the role. But, the role of "Bobby" does not demand a versitle actor. "April" and "Bobby" are very much in love, and it shows.
I loved this colorful, romantic, artistic film. I was pleasently surprized by it. The family it depicts is alive and coping with the every day issues we all face. The images are real. The location is real. The people are real.
_Josh Weinman_
Out of Time (2003)
See this film only when there is no other choice
The problem with the film "Out of Time" is the fault of the screenplay. Although I thought the plot was easy and fun to follow along with. Denzel Washington, who is reason enough to catch a film, does a
fine job as Miami Beach Police Chief "Matt Whitlock", who finds himself at the center of a double homicide investigation. If it wasn't for Denzel in the lead role, I would have asked for my money back. The script, however plausible,
sometimes takes itself too seriously. I had trouble with the supporting cast, including Dean Cain and Sanaa Lathan. I think that they were overacting.
During a critical scene in the film, where Police Chief Whitlock is about to be identified by the neighbor of Lathan's character, he gets himself off the hook by acting like a victim of racism. This was comical. I feel this is a badly written scene. However, it is a isolated moment in the film. Overall, "Out of Time" is a believable thriller. In my opinion, the film works in large part due to
Washington's performance. But, the film falls short of being great because of a somewhat flawed script. Josh Weinman
Camp (2003)
Camp is a entertaining, funny, inspiring film.
I am going to recommend Camp to everyone I know. Camp is a entertaining, funny, and inspiring film. The film follows a group of teenagers through one Summer at Camp Ovation, a Theatre camp in the mountains of New York. I related to the film mostly because when I was a teenager, I attended a drama camp very much like Camp Ovation. But the difference here is, the kids in the film perform shows like "Promises, Promises" and "Company," more sophisticated than the shows we performed at my drama camp. And, these teens are great. Camp Ovation is the Summer experience that every kid who has ever felt like an outcast needs to have. The film shows us that no matter how other people see us, or what we are like, the important thing is just to have courage, and to believe in our ability to overcome any obstacle that we have to face. When the film was over, I thought of another work that deals with overcoming obstacles, "Rent." These Two works are comparable because of the subject matter. However, Camp is lighthearted and fun. Mr. Graff, who directed the film and wrote the screenplay, did a fantastic job with the material.
Some of the best scenes in Camp were between Micheal, a camper, and Vlad, the new guy at camp. The dialogue in these scenes is adorable. I love how Micheal is direct about his attraction to Vlad. In one scene, when Vlad whipes his face with his shirt, Micheal looks Vlad over and says, "Sorry, I am only human." In another scene, when Vlad tries to get Micheal to call his parents by telling him how they can't resist him, and accuses Micheal of blushing, Micheal answers, "Are you kidding? I am doing everything but batting my eyes." Boy, I only wish I had a friend like Micheal when I was a teenager. I have to mention the fabulous musical numbers. "The Ladies Who Lunch," "Promises, Promises," "Father, Sister," "Turkey Lurky," just to name a few. I wanted to get up out of my seat and sing out loud. Camp is one of the best films I have had the privilage to see all year. I loved it! _Josh Weinman_
Ben & Arthur (2002)
The film is original.
Contains Spoilers! The film Ben and Arthur, directed and written by Sam Mraovich, is an original and surprising love story. In the film, Arthur's brother tries to get him to deny his homosexuality and start going to church and accept Christ into his life. Arthur and Ben go to Hawaii to get married. When they get back to Los Angeles, Arthur's brother hires a hitman to kill Ben. He has been thrown out of the church for having a homosexual family member. The attempt to kill Ben fails. Arthur's brother then tries to kill Ben himself. He shoots Ben while Arthur pleads for his life. This is a summary of the film. I enjoyed the first third of Ben and Arthur. I thought that the wedding scene felt authentic. It is a great scene. There are also some funny moments that I enjoyed. I think that the relationship between Arthur and his brother is a good conflict. Both of them have a few real dramatic scenes. I think that the actor that played Arthur's brother gave a honest and believable performance. Mraovich, who portrayed Arthur, did a nice job of playing a sympathetic, strong character. The problem with the film is the last half. After the scene where Ben is killed, Arthur starts to seduce his brother. There is no reason I can think of for him to do that. Why does Arthur behave that way? His brother killed Ben, the love of his life. Then his brother passed out. Instead of calling the police, there is a scene that shows Arthur trying to seduce him. I do not think this scene belongs in the film. It is anticlimactic. That concludes my review of Ben and Arthur. I want to congradulate Mraovich on his first film. Josh Weinman