GIRL POWER FAILURE
A Film Review of "Charlie's Angels Full Throttle"
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
The first movie was fun. From start to finish it was a fun roller coaster slam-packed with inside jokes and wink winks. It was an action flick that celebrated female empowerment but never took itself seriously while simultaneously making fun of everything from The Matrix and Godzilla to the "Charlie's Angels" TV show that the movie itself was based on. With the same people involved in the sequel I have to wonder what happened?
First of all I have a real problem with the title. What the hell does "Full Throttle" have to do with this film? The original title was "Charlie's Angels: Halo." The term "Halo" at least references a crucial plot point in the story (what little there is).
Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and the always sexy Drew Barrymore seamlessly resume their roles from the first movie. There are lots of bizarre dress up scenes and flawless action scenes but this time they just seem to go on too long. The motocross episode is excruciatingly long. We all know Demi Moore is the villainess of the piece but the one thing Full Throttle does well is present enough other bad guys we forget about Demi Moore. If only we could.
Before attending this film my companion brought up what a good actress he thought Demi Moore was. I wanted desperately to refute but couldn't think of any bad Demi Moore performances. She had been in bad movies, it's true but always gave it her best. Ironically enough I had yet to see Charlie's Angels Full Throttle. She is terrible. I hope she got paid well.
I understand wanting a viable money name to replace Bill Murray when he was unavailable to play Bosley. Bernie Mac is a wonderful choice but they don't even give him so much as one funny line. He is so wasted here. I hope he got paid well too. Creepy Crispin Glover returns as the even creepier tall man from the first movie in a subplot that goes nowhere. Why? Even cameos from Bruce Willis and Jaclyn Smith couldn't save this mess.
Speaking of being paid well I think they might have run out of money. There are a lot of bad CGI and blue screen shots. It's almost as if all the scenes were shot in someone's garage and then the locations were put in later, and badly I might add.
If there is a third Charlie's Angels movie I hope it won't be just because director McG and the girls need a quick check. I certainly won't be looking forward to it. As far as Charlie's Angels Full Throttle is concerned use your money to rent or buy the original movie. It's a hundred times better.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
USE THE SOURCE
A Video Review of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
Copyright 2002 Glenn Walker
This is the first movie I've seen that is dead on with its source material. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is almost exactly like the book. It is a refreshing change from other successful books made into films where the hacks in Hollywood feel it's necessary to 'sanitize' the material for public consumption. After all if the public could read, they wouldn't be at the movies, right?
The casting of the three young primaries and the teaching staff and everyone else is perfect. Again, as if the book had simply come to life. Daniel Radcliffe, Herbert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris and especially Robbie Coltrane make this movie what it is; perfectly cast from the book.
The special effects are visually amazing and the story is full of wonder at every corner. And wonderment is what it's all about. From the first visit to Diagon Alley to the introduction to the Hogwarts School all one can do is marvel in astonishment at the imagination displayed.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is one of the best and the sequels should follow suite. It's a terrific adventure for the whole family.
A Video Review of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
Copyright 2002 Glenn Walker
This is the first movie I've seen that is dead on with its source material. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is almost exactly like the book. It is a refreshing change from other successful books made into films where the hacks in Hollywood feel it's necessary to 'sanitize' the material for public consumption. After all if the public could read, they wouldn't be at the movies, right?
The casting of the three young primaries and the teaching staff and everyone else is perfect. Again, as if the book had simply come to life. Daniel Radcliffe, Herbert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris and especially Robbie Coltrane make this movie what it is; perfectly cast from the book.
The special effects are visually amazing and the story is full of wonder at every corner. And wonderment is what it's all about. From the first visit to Diagon Alley to the introduction to the Hogwarts School all one can do is marvel in astonishment at the imagination displayed.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is one of the best and the sequels should follow suite. It's a terrific adventure for the whole family.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
THE PLAY'S THE THING
A Video Review of "Nuts"
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
This Barbra Streisand production of the Tom Topor play is often overlooked as just another Streisand vehicle but it's actually quite a good film.
Barbra Streisand plays a high price call girl accused of manslaughter and Richard Dreyfuss is her reluctant public defender. The investigation and trial open old wounds and provide much drama. Fairly simple story with amazing acting.
At times it is suffocatingly like a play but it is also at those points that it shines. The chemistry between Richard Dreyfuss and Streisand is magic and powerful performance. Sadly when this piece doesn't feel like a play it seems forced and badly directed.
Nothing against director Martin Ritt but it should have kept its play presence. The flashbacks are the biggest offender. They tell the story, yes, but are sorely out of place.
Nuts is an astounding study of the difference between anger and madness and should not be missed.
A Video Review of "Nuts"
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
This Barbra Streisand production of the Tom Topor play is often overlooked as just another Streisand vehicle but it's actually quite a good film.
Barbra Streisand plays a high price call girl accused of manslaughter and Richard Dreyfuss is her reluctant public defender. The investigation and trial open old wounds and provide much drama. Fairly simple story with amazing acting.
At times it is suffocatingly like a play but it is also at those points that it shines. The chemistry between Richard Dreyfuss and Streisand is magic and powerful performance. Sadly when this piece doesn't feel like a play it seems forced and badly directed.
Nothing against director Martin Ritt but it should have kept its play presence. The flashbacks are the biggest offender. They tell the story, yes, but are sorely out of place.
Nuts is an astounding study of the difference between anger and madness and should not be missed.
Monday, July 28, 2003
ALL ABOUT AMY
A Video Review of "Tape"
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
Two high school buddies get together after ten years and confront each other over Amy, a girl they both dated. Simple idea stretched into a David Mamet-ish conflict in a motel room. Great acting and all the good points of My Dinner with Andre without the tedium contrasted by the limits of a play. Tape is based on the Stephen Belber play and it so feels like it. Play is written all over this, sometimes so much so it's suffocating.
Ethan Hawke who plays the drug dealer is a whirlwind. He's been behind the camera for quite a few years now and when he does deign to act it is always a juicy part as is the case here. I wish he'd do more in front of the lights. Sean Leonard, although good here as the aspiring filmmaker, is essentially playing the same guy he always plays - a less whiny more intellectual Albert Brooks. When Amy played by Uma Thurman shows up things really get dicey. She's very good here which is a nice change of pace.
I won't give away the secret of the title but it is a twist that will keep your rapt attention throughout. At times the camera work is dizzying but you don't mind because it just increases the intensity of the scenes where it whizzes back and forth. It's a trademark of director Richard Linklater that actually works here. This is a brilliant film.
A Video Review of "Tape"
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
Two high school buddies get together after ten years and confront each other over Amy, a girl they both dated. Simple idea stretched into a David Mamet-ish conflict in a motel room. Great acting and all the good points of My Dinner with Andre without the tedium contrasted by the limits of a play. Tape is based on the Stephen Belber play and it so feels like it. Play is written all over this, sometimes so much so it's suffocating.
Ethan Hawke who plays the drug dealer is a whirlwind. He's been behind the camera for quite a few years now and when he does deign to act it is always a juicy part as is the case here. I wish he'd do more in front of the lights. Sean Leonard, although good here as the aspiring filmmaker, is essentially playing the same guy he always plays - a less whiny more intellectual Albert Brooks. When Amy played by Uma Thurman shows up things really get dicey. She's very good here which is a nice change of pace.
I won't give away the secret of the title but it is a twist that will keep your rapt attention throughout. At times the camera work is dizzying but you don't mind because it just increases the intensity of the scenes where it whizzes back and forth. It's a trademark of director Richard Linklater that actually works here. This is a brilliant film.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
FIFTEEN MINUTES MUST MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
A Video Review of "Battle in Outer Space" or "Uchu Dai Senso"
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
The Japanese version of this is fifteen minutes longer than the American version. One can only assume those fifteen minutes were all plot.
This 1959 Toho film is the masterwork of director Inoshiro Honda and the special effects of Eiji Tsuburaya who created the kaiju eiga mythos that includes Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra. It is set in the future year of 1965 and concerns an alien invasion of earth.
The special effects aren't your usual Godzilla suitmation quality. They are actually much better, more of a cross between George Pal and "Thunderbirds" equipment. It is very surprising. The destruction of various monuments like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Statue of Liberty are highlights. The flick is worth seeing just for the special effects.
The music is by the master composer Akira Ifukube although some of his work is disappointingly replaced by American stock music. This is a real shame.
Battle in Outer Space is mostly just attack after attack after attack by either us or the aliens. One wonders if those fifteen minutes would have helped.
A Video Review of "Battle in Outer Space" or "Uchu Dai Senso"
Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker
The Japanese version of this is fifteen minutes longer than the American version. One can only assume those fifteen minutes were all plot.
This 1959 Toho film is the masterwork of director Inoshiro Honda and the special effects of Eiji Tsuburaya who created the kaiju eiga mythos that includes Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra. It is set in the future year of 1965 and concerns an alien invasion of earth.
The special effects aren't your usual Godzilla suitmation quality. They are actually much better, more of a cross between George Pal and "Thunderbirds" equipment. It is very surprising. The destruction of various monuments like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Statue of Liberty are highlights. The flick is worth seeing just for the special effects.
The music is by the master composer Akira Ifukube although some of his work is disappointingly replaced by American stock music. This is a real shame.
Battle in Outer Space is mostly just attack after attack after attack by either us or the aliens. One wonders if those fifteen minutes would have helped.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)