shelshula Reviews

Ghost Town (I) (2008)

What a lovely, lovely film

[10/10 · 8 December 2008]

This is such a lovely film. It manages to be sweet and touching without the maudlin saccharine problems of similar movies.

It has a very talented cast. Tea Leone and Greg Kinnear are excellent as always, but Ricky Gervais is a delight. Having never seen him in anything else, I didn't know what to expect, but he carried the movie beautifully. He really made the character believable and not just a caricature or a one trick pony played for laughs. You could really see the sadness and the pain of the character. It was so wonderful to watch the character develop over the course of the film.

Also, it is one of those films which have become so rare these days. It is an intelligent film written for an adult audience which is still appropriate for a broad range of audience. In other words, I can take my mom to see it without being embarrassed.

I'm so happy I saw it, and I hope Ricky Gervais is in any more films to come.

Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School (2005)

Such a good movie

[10/10 · 2 October 2008]

This is such a good movie.

There is so much tragedy in the lives of the characters and yet they seek comfort and happiness at the Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School.

It is so lovely watching these characters trying to recapture or rebuild the happiness in their lives.

Robert Carlyle is his extraordinary self. You simply can't go wrong watching a movie with him in it. Marissa Tomei is wonderful as a fragile flower. Mary Steenburgen is a delight. and John Goodman...

Please watch this film.

Smokin' Aces (2006)

Fatally flawed

[5/10 · 21 January 2008]

If you catch this flick on cable, it might be worth watching, but don't waste any money on it.

If your a film buff, you may also want to see it because it is referential to films like "The Conversation."

The actors do one heck of a job and the individual characters are well fleshed out and interesting. Most films don't do a good enough job on character development, this happens to be one of this films strengths.

That being said, the plot is so stupid that you'll walk away annoyed. The twist at the end is just dumb, and there were several scenes which could have been deleted without damaging the film. Apparently they never heard the phrase, less is more. They could have eliminated the ADD kid completely and they could have done without the useless rant about women at the hotel check-in scene.

Another problem with the film was its pacing. The FBI are in a big rush to get to Buddy Israel before the assassins do, so they stop for lunch. Interesting sense of urgency to say the least. Also, they take the "Company Lear Jet" to get Israel, but land in Reno requiring a 2 hour drive instead of landing at the Lake Tahoe airport, which is designed for private planes and small commuter flights. A point I wouldn't have noticed if the rest of the film hadn't had similar plot problems.

If the film makers had spent less time trying so hard to be hip they may have noticed the ridiculous flaws and been able to address them. Being hip shouldn't take such a conscious effort.

Jeremy Piven's Journey of a Lifetime (2006 TV Movie)

Pretty cool

[10/10 · 11 July 2006]

I have been a fan of Jeremy Piven for a very long time. I think he is an exceptionally talented actor with a gift for comedy. He is one of the few performers whose work I will seek out regardless of the project. I counted myself lucky to have come across this show while browsing the channel guide late one night.

There are an unfortunate number of actors who have problems putting together a coherent sentence on their own. Thankfully, Mr. Piven is not one of them. He comes across as the kind of fellow everyone hopes sit next to at dinner. He is very interesting and his observations about India and the culture are worth hearing. He manages his usual wit without being disparaging or disrespectful and is a very articulate guide. He is passionate about his subject and conveys that to his audience. I had already wanted to visit India, but this show makes me want to visit it even more. I hope he has a few more projects like this one in the works.

I hope to be able to watch this program again.

Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966)

Absolute torture

[1/10 · 19 January 2006]

For all those dears who thought Gigli or Battlefield Earth was painfully bad, they are Oscar worthy classics next to this tortuous monstrosity of a film.

I love movies. There is a discount second run theater near me, and I will watch anything for 50 cents. I'm even usually able to find something redeemable about the mess the director allowed to be seen. For example, Catwoman. I can see where they were trying to go with it. It felt like they accidentally left an important section, like the entire middle of the film, on the cutting room floor. But, Sharon Stone is worth the price of admission. Even Gigli, there were moments where I could see the glimmer of what the film could have been. But 'Manos' The Hands of Fate … I would gouge my own eyes out before I would watch it again. I still look at my friend who brought the VHS tape into my home with disdain and loathing. The stink of it still fills my nostrils. That there are 15 films voted worse on the 100 worse films list just shows that people have not seen 'Manos'. If they had they would know that no matter how bad Glitter or From Justin to Kelly may have been, they were still better than this drivel. There should be a special level of hell for the people who made this film.

If you see this film the stain of it will never leave your soul. You'll be afraid to see other movies, fearful that other movies will be as bad. Be brave and go back to the theater sure in the knowledge that nothing will ever be as bad as 'Manos' The Hands of Fate.

Marlowe (1969)

Horribly disappointing

[21 October 2004]

I can't say strongly enough what a horrible disappointment this film was.

I realize that books can't be translated to film with out some alterations, but this adaptation was pure butchery. The book was rich with character development. The characters actions were given context. It was a complicated plot, but it made sense. Hell, Demi Moore's 'The Scarlet Letter' was a better adaptation then this.

This whole movie was a hodgepodge of scenes with little or no context or grace. The editing was choppy and the dialogue was not the smooth, off the cuff wit it should have been. Many of the changes they made were downright silly and useless. And what a waste of talent! James Garner is a wonderful actor. The way he handled the scene when he was drugged was masterful. Sharon Farrell's Orfamay had the perfect combination of innocent guile and ruthless cunning. Gayle Hunnicutt was a perfect Mavis. Whoever cast this movie did a fabulous job. But the utter crap these actors are given to work with makes me shudder.

As beautiful as Rita Moreno is, and as wonderful as her dance was to watch, it was purely gratuitous. There was no basis for Dolores to be a stripper and no need for any of the scenes to take place in a burlesque palace. As cool as Bruce Lee's performance was, and it was cool, I can think of no reasonable basis for the screen writer to make so many changes to the original character. Bruce Lee did an admirable job of capturing the character's creepy calm and sinister suggestions. But once again, the character's action sequences were purely gratuitous. Besides Winslow never physically threatening Marlowe, the office was never trashed, he didn't die and he didn't work for Steelgrave. Also, the scandal in the book had nothing to do with sex. Did the screen writer really think that this was the only type of scandal movie goers would be able to understand? And why were there hippies? Was this supposed to be some sort of 60's short hand for seedy squalor?

Part of what makes Noir so interesting is the way the characters start out seeming so normal and then are slowly revealed for the vile nasty bit of goods they really are. A remake of this would do well to set it back in 1947, as it is written in the book. Chandler gave the book good bones. A screen writer would do well to recognize that and stay within the frame work Chandler created.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

A Strange Kind of Wonderful (Contains Spoilers)

[15 March 2003]

This was a finely crafted movie.

The opening sequence sets the tone for entire film and gives the viewer a sense of how Barry Egan (the main character) feels about life. Things happen which are outside of his control and make no sense to him. Its also very startling and leaves the viewer thinking "What The Hell!" It is never explained, and the sequence is never referred to again. Although, in hind sight, the sequence maybe a metaphor preparing the viewer for Berry's repeated violent outbursts throughout the film.

Berry's family is a nightmare, and they don't see how their behavior is emotionally abusive. They call him "Freak" and "Gay Boy", but never understand how their behavior is crushing him. His loneliness is palpable. When he calls a phone sex line, its almost a relief that he is going to have someone to talk to that will be nice to him.

The scenes in his shop with his sister are amazing in that the feeling of panic and being emotionally under attack is so well conveyed that it feels almost claustrophobic. Its a physical relief for the viewer when she leaves.

Emily Watson's Character, Lena, is a blessing because she can see the wonderful, giving person under the shell shocked exterior that is Barry Egan. The only calm moments on screen involve her. Her love, courage, and acceptance radiate off the screen.

Adam Sandler does a wonderful job of conveying his characters quiet desperation. He has the potential to do wonderful work as an actor. Luis Guzman is a treat in any film.

I really liked this film. I thought it was touching and beautiful. I just wish that something had happened to Georgia Peach to punish her. And with that I'll leave you wondering.