Cat Ballou

Cat Ballou
1965 - Columbia
Directed By Elliot Silverstein



SYNOPSIS
Cat Ballou (Jane Fonda) is a school teacher. When her father is killed by gunman working for the railroad eager to take his land, she forms a gang and decides to rob a train with their payroll on board. She hires a famous (and perpetually drunk) gunslinger (Lee Marvin) an Indian (Tom Nardini,) and a wanted man (Michael Callan) and his uncle (Dwayne Hickman.) Ballou is caught and sent to be hanged for the murder of the head railroader.



MY THOUGHTS

Cat Ballou is a silly and enjoyable western parody.

The plot is a simple revenge one and it works for the film. As a parody, it works to have a simple and common plot to help work its magic, and there's been many revenge plots to poke fun at over the years. The script contains many great one-liners:

Cat: They're trying to drive him off his ranch! They put manure in his well... they made him talk to lawyers!

or

[after a drunken Kid Sheleen shoots at a target on the barn]
Clay Boone: He did it! He missed the barn!

These help to lift the film beyond your everyday comedy.

The use of Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole as a singing sort-of dual Greek chorus/ narrator role keeps the film from becoming too serious or believable. They add humor whenever they pop up. They have great singing harmony together too.

Jane Fonda is great in one of her first lead roles. She's beautiful and you can easily guess why all the guys are interested. She has the strength to command them even if she wasn't so hot.

Lee Marvin won an Oscar for his dual role as the drunken gunslinger and his opponent. Marvin plays a very silly drunk and is a delight to watch, though it's somewhat of a surprise that this was an Oscar worthy performance, though it's fun keep your eye on him when the action is elsewhere. There are many laughs to be had in watching his reactions. The Oscar may have come since he so successfully plays so far against his usual hard-ass type here.

Tom Nardini generates many laughs as the Indian. This film definitely has a more modern take on Native Americans, and there's much more PC dialogue on race relations, which is refreshing and creates more humor.

Cat Ballou maintains a level of silliness that would certainly appeal to anyone, even those leery of westerns.

Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
1966 - Warner Brothers
Directed By Mike Nichols



SYNOPSIS
A bitter, dysfunctional couple (Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor) invites a young couple(George Segal and Sandy Dennis) over for drinks. Secrets, self-destruction and madness are shared during several grotesque 'games' the couples play.



MY THOUGHTS

This film is perfect 'Exhibit A' against getting married! It plays on the fears of falling out of love with someone, personified by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's characters.

Elizabeth Taylor's character is like a female Stanley Kowalski from "A Streetcar Named Desire." She's brutish, abrasive, in your face, and excessively domineering. Taylor's performance is an equal to Brando's, and deservedly won an Oscar.
Burton and Segal give strong performances that were also nominated. Burton is on par with Taylor here.
Sandy Dennis won best supporting actress, for her performance as the not-so-bright young wife.

It's a wonder that Taylor and Burton chose this as a project to do since they were married at the time. Their interactions are brutal and violent, like a verbal boxing match, no, a gang fight! The couple loathes everything about the other, yet at times some love is evident, even though respect for the other has long since left. The two cling to illusions like their 'son' to keep them going together. Both are not very likeable, but the superb screenplay creates sympathy for them, as well as their guests.

The young couple seems to be more stable, but the older couple leads them to realize their relationship isn't as perfect as it appears... and is more like them then the young ones would ever want.

The film is based on a play by Edward Albee and uses minimal locations, like on the stage. Most of the film is set in just one room. This adds greatly to the confining 'pressure cooker' feel of the narrative.

The film is a fascinating study of these couples, and despite the film consisting of little more than 4 people talking for more than 2 hours, it's never dull. I heartily recommend this film to everyone, especially young newlyweds!

Together Brothers

Together Brothers
1974 20th Century Fox
Directed by William Graham



SYNOPSIS

Mr. Kool (Ed Bernard,) a beloved beat cop is gunned down in a run-down ghetto southern town. A small boy witnesses the shooting and group of street thugs led by H.J. (Ahmad Nurradin,) the boy's older brother, decides to track down the killer.



MY THOUGHTS

I've always had a soft spot for the blaxploitation films of the 70's. Over the years I've seen most of the best known ones like Shaft, Superfly, Dolemite, the Pam Grier ones, and a few lesser known ones. Together Brothers is certainly more on the obscure side, not even available on DVD, but it remains an exciting and somewhat unusual entry in the genre.

Most blaxploitation films use very urban settings (NYC and LA) but this film is different. It was shot in Galveston, Texas which gives it an almost rural feel. It's still the ghetto, but there's grass fields instead of concrete. The outfits aren't as garish and tacky in the poor south as they would be in big urban areas with money.

Story-wise the film offers little new. It's a variation on the often-used revenge story.
The most impressive sequence comes at the end when the killer stalks the little boy. The editing really amps up the suspense of the scene, and knowing how mentally unstable the killer is you don't know what will happen.

Like most other films in the genre, this one was a very low budget film and used grainy film stock, which adds a gritty feel. The use of natural lighting also helped achieve the grit. The actors were adequate and clearly didn't have much experience in front of the camera, but didn't detract from the film.

The genre often used some of the great musicians of the era to score the soundtracks. In Together Brothers, Barry White provides the killer soundtrack. You hear him and also his groups Love Unlimited and the Love Unlimited Orchestra. The songs are fast, free and funky. The theme song was clearly sampled for the 90's hit "C'mon and Ride The Train."

I certainly recommend this film to blaxploitation fans, but others may want to watch something else.

Shadowboxer

Shadowboxer
2005
Directed by Lee Daniels



SYNOPSIS
A hitman named Rose (Helen Mirren) and her stepson/lover/fellow hitman (Cuba Gooding Jr.) are hired by a nasty gangster (Stephen Dorff) to kill his pregnant wife (Vanessa Ferlito.) Rose, who has terminal cancer, decides against killing the woman after she goes into labor. The two rescue the wife and her newborn son and they settle into being a stable family.



MY THOUGHTS

Big messes can sometimes make for entertaining and unintentionally funny films, Shadowboxer just missed the mark, and is dull in every respect.

The script is weak. There's not one character who's the least bit interesting or believable, and the film is light on plot and substance, so it's forced to shock the viewer with sex, extreme violence and Cuba Gooding Jr.'s ass.

Hellen Mirren is great as usual, but one solid performance can not save the film. Even though her character is dying and she spares a mother and her baby, she's still not sympathetic. When she meets her end, you are left feeling absolutely nothing.
Cuba Gooding Jr. is utterly boring. His character is a professional killer with an abusive past, so it's logical that he's not emotive. He doesn't speak much and when he does, he says nothing of interest. You never develop any attachment.
Vanessa Ferlito is equally bland. You almost hope Gooding gets bored and bumps her off early in the film.
Stephen Dorff's character is absurdly evil and it's never explained why, and he plays it so over the top and is never believable.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who's great in everything in my opinion, doesn't have much to do here.
The less said about Macy Gray and Mo'Nique the better.

The film is beautifully shot, with great use of exterior locations and colors, but like Vanessa Ferlito's character, beauty with no substance equals blah.

I only recommend Shadowboxer if you want a dvd to use as a punching bag.

for punching purposes only:

Clerks II

Clerks II
2006- The Weinstein Company
Directed by Kevin Smith



SYNOPSIS
30-something slackers Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) find themselves working at a fast food restaurant after their beloved convenience store burns down. Dante has a fiance (Jennifer Schwalbach) and is set to move to Florida with her and begin a new life. But, his feelings for his boss (Rosario Dawson,) jitters about his new future, and the loss of his best friend leave him questioning starting this new chapter in his life.



MY THOUGHTS

Many people are quick to disparage Kevin Smith and his films, but I'm not one of them. Horrible word of mouth kept me from seeing the film in theaters back in '06, but I'm glad I finally saw it.

Smith's greatest strength is in his writing. He has an amazing ear for dialogue (which is funny since his onscreen character is mostly silent.) The jokes come at a fast pace and are nearly all razor-sharp. With as many dick, fart, and gay jokes as Smith has peppered his screenplays over the years, they still remain fresh and original. Clerks 2 touched on some racial humor for the first time in the series (apart from Chris Rock in other installments.) The "porch monkey" scene is probably the second funniest in the whole film and adds an extra level of edginess, since fans have been largely desensitized to the dick, fart, and gay jokes.

Smith has been criticized for his directing style, which seems to always feature people standing against a wall talking. Much of the film fits that assessment, but in one scene outside the restaurant, he does a dolly shot around Dante and Randal that spins around them at an almost nauseating speed... then cuts to Jay and Silent Bob standing against a nearby wall. It seems he's giving a big "Fuck You!" to his critics.

I was surprised at the level of emotional depth to the film. As someone in his early 30's with a shit job, I really connected with Dante and Randal, more so than the first film. Much of the conversations in the jail about doing something really hit home and was reminiscent of conversations I've had and thoughts that run through my mind. That's probably why I felt more here than say in 'Chasing Amy' because I've never been in love with a lesbian.

Anderson and O'Halloran know their roles well, and each other, and it shows on the screen.
Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith also know their roles and add a ton of the humor. I liked how their characters remained on the periphery of the story and weren't essential to it, like an homage to their roles in the original film. Their characters have grown up more than Dante and Randal have, having sobered up and found Jesus, yet still sell weed.
I didn't buy Rosario Dawson working in a fast food restaurant though, but she was good.

The standout supporting performances were Trevor Fehrman as Elias and Zak Knutson as the Sexy Stud. Knutson's donkey show scenes are the most hilarious part of the whole film. Like Dawson's character says "I'm disgusted and repulsed and... and I can't look away."
As with other films in the series, we see familiar faces pop up for cameos like Ben Affleck, Jason Lee and others.

The film benefits from great dialogue and hilarious situations, as well as a great emotional depth and gives a fitting farewell (?) to the series... and an excellent companion piece to the original Clerks.

Gigantic

Gigantic
2008
Directed By Matt Aselton



SYNOPSIS

Mattress salesman Brian (Paul Dano) has always dreamed of adopting a baby from China. His ho-hum life is interrupted when he meets and falls for the daughter (Zooey Deschanel) of a customer (John Goodman.) He then heads to his dad's (Ed Asner) birthday party and they along with his two brothers go on a magic mushroom hunt while tripping. On his return, Brian realizes he loves his girlfriend and tries to integrate her in his family, while receiving some big adoption news.



MY THOUGHTS

I usually enjoy movies that can keep me guessing what's going to happen next. Gigantic is one of them, for better or worse.
Some films, like the works of David Lynch, do this from their utter bizarreness and dreamlike qualities. Gigantic is more grounded in reality. The quirky indie film mentality tries to keep it from feeling mundane and that succeeds, but a mundane approach might make the film work better.

Part of the uncertainty comes from several unnecessary scenes. While Brian and his dad and brothers are hunting for mushrooms, someone suddenly fires a shot. Soon after, Brian is shot in the leg. This is quickly seemingly explained away later and forgotten.
Brian is also repeatedly attacked by a homeless man. This is never explained as to why this happens, or if it's a metaphor for life in the big city or something else.
You are left wondering in the back of your mind if there even was a homeless guy or a gunman and Brian did it to himself (a la 'Fight Club.') The script is too abstract and vague to make much sense. Maybe the scenes are important. You never really know. The addition of one simple scene could have explained everything (not included in film.)

The acting is strong. You really like Paul Dano's character. He is a nice guy with a great dream who's constantly being beat down (sometimes quite literally) and you hope he succeeds. He's certainly more likeable than in 'There Will Be Blood,' his character is similar to his turn in 'Little Miss Sunshine.'
Zooey Deschanel isn't much different than she is in other films, but she plays that pretty but aloof character so well, you don't mind.
SPOILER You want the characters to end up together, but we never do find out.
Ed Asner is a delight in his small role as Brian's dad. (Who'd ever imagine Lou Grant shroomin'?)

I admire the film for its uniqueness, but it's overly quirky and leaves too many questions than answers when the credits roll.

Fifty Pills

Fifty Pills
2006
Directed by Theo Avgerinos



SYNOPSIS

Darren (Lou Taylor Pucci) is a college freshman. He loses his college scholarship after his roommate Coleman (John Hensley) throws a huge party while Darren is away. Now in order to pay his tuition, Darren must sell 50 pills of Ecstasy, brave some unusual customers, and confront angry drug dealers... all while trying to get the confidence to ask out the girl of his dreams (Kristen Bell.)



MY THOUGHTS

High school and college films are cranked out by the studios and from independent filmmakers like an assembly line, rarely producing a great product. The independent production Fifty Pills is no exception... and we get to see many 'exciting' indie film cliches.
Bland alt-rock soundtrack. Check
Character's names written on screen when they appear. Check.
Vague ending. Check.

The direction gives the film a very bland feel. This was Avgerinos' first feature and it shows. It feels like you're watching a student film, which is rarely a good thing. The lighting, shots and editing were equally bland as well.

The script is lackluster. For a comedy, the film is short on big laughs, though there are a very few good ones. Many jokes and situations you see coming because you've seen them before and done far better.
Darren begins the movie by talking directly to the camera several times. In the history of film and television, the only time this has ever worked effectively was on Malcolm In The Middle.
The conversation with the audience is then completely abandoned halfway through the film. Maybe he found us boring?
It's a college film, yet we never see the characters even crack open a book let alone go to class. The only time it's ever mentioned is when Darren says he has a paper to write.
The scenes with the Eduardo character and his two pals seemed completely unnecessary and the film would have been better without them and a chance to further develop the characters already present.
Also, Darren's character has the same awkward reaction every time he encounters a crazy while dealing, which gets old quick. There's only so much an actor can do to save a mediocre script.

The film's strongest element are its performances. Lou Taylor Pucci is very down to earth and is just as likable as he was in his breakthrough performance in 'Thumbsucker.' He has a bright future as an actor if he gets better material. His and Kristen Bell's characters seem to be the only sane ones. Her character never gets to shine much. It was a blandly written role that reminded me of Mary Jane in the Spiderman series.
It's a wonder the character of Darren turned out so normal with his parents. Played by Jane Lynch (most famous for being in the Christopher Guest mocumentaries) and John Kapelos, they make the most of their brief screen time and have great chemistry, though they aren't very important to the plot.
Eddie Kaye Thomas (of American Pie fame) is also funny as the Diff'rent Strokes - obsessed ecstasy customer.
The real highlight of the film is Monica Keena. She plays a dominatrix who runs her operation from her grandmother's basement. She's only in two scenes, but steals them.

Despite the strong performances, it's basically just a completely average movie.