this_is_the_way_the_world_ends Reviews

The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)

Feminist Fan of Fairlane

[10/10 · 13 October 2005]

How did this movie flop and "American Pie" become an instant classic? I would say this campy, film noir satire is the superior of the two.

Q. How many feminists does it take to screw in a light bulb? A. That's not funny!

If you're a feminist and you can't laugh at that, don't bother with this movie. If you can, it might be worth a try.

Firstly, I'd like to point out that I am not only a woman but a feminist. For years I was offended simply by the use of the word "chick" let alone the institution of marriage, the subjugation of women, the oppression of the patriarchy, and the entitlement mentality of the white male.

Secondly, I should admit that, despite all of the above, I love love love the Andrew Dice Clay. It's not his jokes, it's him. His presents, his delivery, his aura- who knows. I don't think there is literally anything he could do to offend me. It's only words after all, and I strongly suspect that he's a decent guy underneath the act. And even if he's not- he's still funny.

Finally, like another poster said, this movie- and this comedian is ahead of his time. I mean, M&M, Southpark, Howard Stern- how are any of these less offensive than Clay?. The Dice man is a comedian for folks who like the kind of humor that makes you say "that's just wrong!" but you laugh anyway. Have you seen that guy on Comedy Central who looks like the Dude from Van Wilder and sings those demented children's stories? I bet he's a Dice fan.

Anyway, this movie is the kind of humor that makes you say "that's just wrong!" and then you laugh. But, like South Park, it's got brain behind it too, you just gotta be smart enough to see it. It's a fantastic satire, and anyone who can't see past Ford's foul mouth to the *truth* about his character just isn't looking. Overall, it's campy fun but it's *intellegent* campy fun.

The line I remember from this movie was Dice Man's sweet pillow talk- "Now go clean my toilet"- yeah, I was *almost* offended, for half a second. But like I said, it's just words. He doesn't actually expect her to clean his toilet. He's just trying to **** her off so he doesn't have to deal with 'were is this going' talks. She knows- it's going no where. He probably gets off on insulting her, but he uses it to keep his emotional distance. And a hard shell usually means something soft to protect.

Maybe I just love me a bad boy, always looking for the good that others don't see. But if so, The Dice Man is the Ultimate Bad Boy.

I recommend it, if *and only if* you can laugh at yourself.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)

A good movie- for a really good cry.

[7/10 · 10 October 2005]

This story comes across as very true and heartfelt, yet easily misunderstood. If you don't understand something of dysfunctional families and human psychology, this movie is not going to make sense for you- you will be looking for something that never comes.

When Sidda's offhand comment sparker her mother's rage, the ya-ya's intervene. What about this episode let's them know that it's more serious than any other falling out the two woman have had? Who knows. Maybe it's because Sidda's getting married, and the ya-ya's know that neither will really want the other to miss this important part of Sidda's life. Later, they are even more concerned when Sidda reveals that her past trauma is threatening her future happiness.

"What is the big secret that lets sidda's mother off the hook for years of abuse and alcoholism and abandonment" is NOT the point of the movie. The point comes in Sidda's question- what if I turn out to be like her, a woman who beats her children and leaves? Another big clue is given when Sidda says, "Me not lovin' mama was never the problem." (see- she loves her mom, despite many reviewers who may feel that this love or forgiveness is unfounded) Maggie Smith replies: "Her not loving you was never the problem either." That is the crux right there- now comes convincing Sidda of this truth. It's not forgiving her mother, but finally being able to stop blaming herself for the sudden change in her mother. The revelation, too subtle for many, is that Sidda didn't cause the change and Sidda herself won't suddenly become a monster when she is 'tied down' with marriage and children either.

I fault the movie for not fully explaining how the med's that Vivi took were later found to cause psychotic episodes, a fact which no one knew at the time. And for not stressing this link, and the shame that Vivi felt at having been involuntarily committed (a line in the dialog that could have easily been missed by many viewers) that was so deep that she would let her children think instead that she had abandoned them. Too much stress was layed on the emotional scenes- and not enough on some of the most important details.

Also, this movie made me cry constantly. I felt so drained at the end of this movie. I'd save this movie for a day when you don't have to get anything done, a day when you feel like you 'just need to cry' but don't know the reason. This movie will give you a reason.

It seems to me that the major flaws of this movie may have come in a somewhat sloppy adaptation and then later in post production and by assuming that the audience knows more than they do. And finally, by letting some of the most revealing lines skim by without much notice.

A good movie- for a really good cry.