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Reviews
Just Friends (2005)
Funny No Matter How Old You Are
I don't care for a lot of the mainstream stupid comedies (Jackass, The Ringer, that sort of thing) but both of us over 30 and less than 40 year old laughed until we cried watching this.
Ryan Reynolds is again superb. Highly underrated actor who is so natural. I almost spit pop up my nose watching my husband laugh at Chris Brander (Reynolds) and little brother Mike (Chris Marquette) acting like true brothers. Anna Faris sparkles in her role as the Britney-esquire Samantha. And for the next few days, every time we saw an awkward phone call in a movie, someone would mutter in a falsetto, "Hello, Grace?" and we'd lose it again.
See it. You'll like it.
Prime (2005)
Engaging, Real, Enjoyable
This was one of the best movies I have seen in years. Writer/director Ben Younger has a gift with dialogue that capitalizes on Uma Thurman's and Meryl Streep's skill as actors. The conversations between Rafi (Thurman) and her psychoanalyst Lisa Metzger (Streep) are some of the best moments in the movie.
The chemistry between Dave (Bryan Greenberg) and Rafi (Thurman) is electric. Watching Rafi as she breaks free from uber-composed professional to become a vulnerable, alive woman was truly a pleasure.
Greenberg deserves special note for his performance. I find it interesting that so many other reviewers on this movie noticed the change toward the end of the movie yet failed to understand the significance. Dave, at 23, is not a full-time man. There are moments in his relationship with Rafi where he acts more like a child than a lover to her. Rafi explains it to Dr. Metzger, who plays this off like a pro, as "he's not the man I need him to be, at least not all the time". A truly splendid moment! As their relationship runs into trouble we see Dave as a real person, eyes and nose red from tears, face flushed with emotion, and with his guard down completely.
And so a number of reviewers point out that he's pink and ugly. Folks, I think you miss the point. We don't live in a world where the pretty people are always pretty. If you want a world where the makeup is perfect and the clothes are pressed and clean, watch a teeny bopper movie on Disney.
You know what? Life is messy. It isn't always pretty, but if you are surrounded by good people, willing to learn and do their best, then at least it is a life worth living. This may just be a total chick-flick but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I don't do chick-flicks! Take a chance on "Prime" and I suspect you'll be pleasantly surprised.
The Machinist (2004)
Powerful Performances
This movie could so easily have been a 9 out of 10, but it loses some points because of the predictability towards the end. Starring Christian Bale as Trevor and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stevie in two of their best performances, the only weak character I found was Nicholas. I didn't connect with this actor; perhaps that was an intentional casting choice given his role in the story. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that it was a shame Anderson didn't receive the industry support he needed. Why we can see incredibly stupid movies made and promoted while projects such as The Machinist are abandoned eludes me.
Both Bale and Leigh are not pleasant actors to watch; when they take on a role, they do not sugarcoat any aspect of that character. They have an ability to make the entire character come alive - as real as any person you meet on the street. This is a rare talent in the current crop of "a mile wide and an inch deep" so commonly seen today. I think the best way to judge the quality of an actor's work is by whether or not you are aware of the actor playing the character or the character itself. As always, with these two, it's Trevor and Stevie you remember, not Bale and Leigh.
Bastard Out of Carolina (1996)
Unnerving
I saw this on Movie Central one cold, Greg day and I have never been able to forget it. Ron Eldard is completely believable in his performance, and will both captivate and horrify you. All the characters in this movie have such a subtlety to them. Houston's directorial debut enhances the performances of these talented actors. You know there is love, of a kind, between the family members. Yet one of the most compelling aspects to this movie is the flat and joyless undertone to the characters. Anney (Jennifer Jason Leigh) stands out in her family because she is an emotional firecracker - her emotions are almost a separate character from that of Anney Boatwright. Special mention must go to Jena Malone for her sophisticated, passionate portrayal of Anney's young daughter, 'Bone'. Bone carries the weight of her mother's world on her shoulders. This is her first major role to speak of and she carries the movie effortlessly.