NAHNCEE Reviews

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic (2013)

Hard to Understand

[4/10 · 21 August 2015]

This didn't include much information that I hadn't already heard elsewhere. It did have a little bit about his grandmother, and some interviews with ex-wives and girlfriends so it was vaguely interesting what his taste in females was. His bio's talk about Peoria and his father ... he never says too much about his mother. Did she die young? My main problem with it was the sound track -- *extremely* hard to make out what people were saying. I would not recommend it. Although it's interesting to reflect on the differences in race relations in 2015 and how blacks and whites do and do not interact now as opposed to when Richard was making everyone laugh.

Independent Lens: Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) Season 8, Episode 22

Bush-Bashing distracting

[7/10 · 28 January 2006]

I didn't think the movie "held back on the cozy relationship" between Lay and the Bush family at all. In fact, I was surprised to see it inserted in several places in the movie, in that I'm not remembering these allegations being a factor in the book at all. Perhaps that's the difference about a well-researched book following a demonstrable trail, and Hollywood's well-known tendency to lean to the left on all things, and to bash Bush whenever possible ... no matter how improbable or off-topic.

You can also note this Hollywooditis in its reverent treatment of ex-Governor Gray Davis (Democrat) who was a singular failure in dealing with the Enron-induced energy crisis in California, as well as its snarky sniggering about current Governor Arnold Swartzenegger (Republican) who is still trying to clean up the mess left by Davis.

Bride & Prejudice (2004)

Hated it, hated it, hated it

[2/10 · 19 March 2005]

I am sick and tired of every 4th rate banana republic in the world assuming that they have not only the right, but the DUTY to tell America and Americans that we are rude, arrogant and insensitive ... while they are standing there being rude, arrogant and insensitive by saying that to begin with. In this particular movie, I am told that is picking up the class struggle in the original "Price and Prejudice", but it nevertheless does not sit well. Costumes - great, jewelry - great, dancing - great, colors - great. Bimbo heroine - rude, insensitive and arrogant. American hero - cute himbo, so-so actor. And we're *definitely* not saying anything about killing girl babies, mothers incinerating their daughters-in-law, or beggars in the streets. I don't understand why Ebert, et al, would recommend this stupid movie, nor why its Bollywood creators would think that insulting Americans would endear the movie to us enough for us to pay for the joy of watching it. Did I mention? HATED IT!

A Chorus Line (1985)

It hasn't aged well

[7/10 · 7 August 2004]

I just watched A Chorus Line again for the first time since it came out in 1985 (now is 2004). It hasn't aged well, especially in comparison with the stage show that it beat out for all the acclaim that year, "Chicago". Michael Dougles is doing an indecipherable clenched jaw performance, is if he is suffering intense inner angst or a gall bladder spasm. Cassie, the returning heroine, is just plain annoying. We are never shown ANYthing to show why she is "special", what she can do that no one else can. The personal stories of the different chorus line dancers are interesting, kinda. I sort of think we've gone beyond where an announcement of "I'm black" is shocking or amusing or anything beyond, "Eh?" Likewise, similar announcements about being Puerto Rican or Jewish or gay. I keep comparing this movie to "Chicago" and its vim and vitality ... and Bob Fosse's choreography. Perhaps if Fosse had choreographed "Chorus Line" we would have seen why Cassie was special and a stand-out. But then I guess, if Fosse had choreographed it, it would have been "All That Jazz".

Searching for Debra Winger (2002)

Watch it for Jane Fonda

[7/10 · 26 July 2004]

Every since Madonna effortlessly blew Rosanna Arquette off the screenin "Desperately Seeking Susan", I have considered Arquette to be a light-weight. After having watched this film, I see no reason to change that estimation. Arquette spends the whole movie breathlessly assuring us that she *is* talented and creative, and is seeking outlets for her creativity, but Hollywood won't allow it. If this film is an example of her creativity, then one can understand how she was overwhelmed by Madonna, who truly *is* both talented AND creative.

The documentary is of interest, however, even though the filming and editing is on a level with movies about a child's birthday party. Arquette has assembled an astonishing group of women who seem to talk freely about their lives as "movie stars". Sometimes it's painful to watch, like Laura Dern who seems to be imploding before our eyes. Other times, it's same-ole, same-ole as female after female talks about the importance of her children and balancing them with her career -- interestingly all of these children seem to have been the products of immaculate conception since NONE of the women talk about husbands or mates. Robin Wright Penn, who is married to Sean Penn, refers to him once as "he", and that's it.

But the movie is worth sitting through just to hear and watch and appreciate Jane Fonda, whose time comes at the end. She does a long riff, full of details, about what she misses about acting. Listening to her and watching her, you appreciate her intensity and her craft's technique. Fonda, also, is both talented and creative, and if Arquette had any idea how she would stack up in comparison with the strong and enviable women she blithely films for us ... she wouldn't have done it.

Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)

Get you boppin' in your seat

[8/10 · 26 April 2003]

Good, good, GOOD music. Get you dancin' in your seat, toes tapping, and head bopping.

Marvin Gaye *was* a genius!

Wonder why there was no comment by Berry Gordy.

The Hot Rock (1972)

Use the book

[6/10 · 19 April 2003]

Donald Westlake writes wonderful, funny caper novels. Elmore Leonard writes wonderful, funny caper novels. *Why* can't Hollywood do them better justice? "Get Shorty" was a wonderful, funny caper movie. "The Hot Rock" has potential, but just doesn't make it. Excrutiatingly long breaking into and breaking out of scenes. Really bad editing so you just don't know who's doing what. When producers take these sorts of books they should stick to the written word, and most especially the dialogue as written in the book. Westlake's characters are great in the book, and for the most part, the actors in this movie do them justice. But rather than film them climbing once more over a wall, or chicken-walking down a really long boring white hall -- let them talk. And let us hear them. Focus on the characters, and how they are unique. I don't *care* about prison walls or prison hospitals or how many doors lead into a bank vault.

Independence Day (1996)

Saddam needs to see this

[9/10 · 26 January 2003]

This was made five years before 9/11 -- and re-watching it again in 2003 it's a pleasure to see that optimistic American can-do attitude up there in color and sterophonic sound. Saddam and all his terrorist ilk need to see this both for the capabilities it shows of American technology against those who would threaten us with their box-cutters, spears and camels. It shows also caring about the environment, people who love each other, and the desire to help and protect the rest of the world and all those other people who want what America has without paying anything for it.

Bowfinger (1999)

Eddie Murphy -- whadda guy!

[8/10 · 9 March 2002]

I missed this movie when it first came out, and was just reminded of it recently by Ebert/Roeper. Eddie Murphy is absolutely terrific both as an actor and as a comedian, and the script by Steve Martin has a lot of the same zing as LA Story (which I also adore). It's laugh-out-loud funny in several places. I love the deft skewering of race and ethnic stereotypes: Eddie Murphy's Big Star riff on why black actors don't get Oscars, the Arab supporting 8 brothers and 4 sisters on a receptionist's salary, and the illegal Mexican aliens thrown into movie-making and rapidly becoming pro's at it. Oh! And the Nicole Kidman look-alike who sleeps her way to the top and to the side and to the outside and to all points in between ... and is sincerely natural in all her actions, interactions, and reactions. Steve Martin has done for LA (more and more) the same sort of loving nuances that Woody Allen has done for Manhatten. Just terrific fun stuff.

Jurassic Park III (2001)

women who scream should be eaten

[5/10 · 9 February 2002]

After Sigourney Weaver I have no patience at all any more for women who scream when the monster is after them, or people in general who trip and fall down when they're running away. At one point, many many many years ago, Sam Neill was sort of cool. If he ever did have it, and it wasn't all my imagination, he's lost it entirely and is sort of over-the-hill dreaming of Indiana Jones that he could never be, drooling. It's all just stupid (but William Macy is kinda cute).

Space Cowboys (2000)

you can see why those who have oscars, have oscars

[8/10 · 5 January 2002]

Donald Sutherland is ... grand. Tommy Lee Jones is ... grand. Even Clint allows himself a twinkle in the eye more than once. Poor Jim Garner, though, is wasted. I guess his brand of laid-back loner cool isn't "the right stuff" for this sort of teamwork star turn. I enjoyed it, though -- lots and lots of charisma and star power, even now. These guys fill up the screen, make watching them fun and interesting, and I'm a happy little movie-watching camper. It's even nice to blame it all on the Russians once more, just for old times sake.

Little Voice (1998)

A comedy???

[2/10 · 9 July 1999]

The heroine is a catatonic whiner. She can mimic fair to middlin' and would be a good vegas lounge act - but I wonder if there's any talent of her own there. The people surrounding her are almost without exception living lives of loud desperation. Michael Caine is the good guy hero we expect him to be through 2/3's of this mess, and then flip flops suddenly into a raging screeching bad guy. Brenda Fricke starts loud and sloppy and really has no place to go except to STAY loud and sloppy. The one performer who *did* catch my eye was Sydney, the next-door best friend - some good humored shining humanity.

Copycat (1995)

No one in this movie knows how to turn on the lights.

[5/10 · 30 May 1999]

I hated this movie. You have two very strong performances by two wonderful female actors - but they must have used all their casting budget up on Weaver and Hunt, because all of the men in the movie are wimps who have never been seen or heard from again. You have the obligatory shower scene out of Psycho for titillation, and the mad serial killer slasher gets to torture and torment Sigourney. For two smart women, they sure spend a lot of time creeping around in the dark, and running. It's only at the very end that Weaver gets up enough gumption to fight back and *then* she runs away again! And we're evidently supposed to forget that Holly Hunter has on a bullet proof vest when she's shot. Sheesh.

Can of Worms (1999 TV Movie)

sweet but no jim henson

[5/10 · 11 April 1999]

About a teenaged boy suffering rejection angst who messages The Universe to come and take him away because he doesn't belong on earth. The movie overall is "sweet" - no one is too awful, and nothing too terrible happens to him. The production values are so low as to become distracting; i.e., the aliens are not cute or interesting, the halloween dance has a total of about 20 participants, and his "high tech equipment" consists of a laptop and a backyard satellite dish. You have never heard of any of the actors in this, except for the kid nextdoor neighbor. I watched it because TV Guide rated it very very highly - I wonder what they were thinking of.