1-9

Good multi-perspective storytelling

Some storytelling methods have been so overused that you almost groan, like the multi-perspective gimmick where they dissect a plot into the individual characters and then show it from each of their viewpoints. It's filler material for sitcoms and just doesn't work in many movies, most recently Hoodwinked. But with an intriguing story and done creatively, it can still be implemented appealingly. Case in point is 11:14, a story of accidents, coincidences, conspiracies, and death - but whose? And how? And why? It's great how you start with absolutely nothing at the outset and have to put all the facts together yourself. The film does not lead you by the nose and towards the middle it seems overburdened and complicated. By the end, it all falls into place with such satisfaction that the trip is worthwhile. It seems to have been direct-to-video, but has some names in the cast, like Hilary Swank and Patrick Swayze. A bit more gory than necessary and the resolution does not include a dramatic followup that's hinted at in other scenes. A fun jigsaw puzzle that you have to solve yourself.

**** out of *****

The life of a jury contemplating a verdict.

One of the celebrated classics, this somewhat short film, in b&w and taking place almost entirely inside the sequestered jury room, has 12 men deciding on the fate of a boy convicted of murder. Since there's not much change of scenery, special effects, or sex, the film runs almost entirely on its dialogue and characters, which don't disappoint. It's very clever and distinct with likeable characters, some satisfying twists, and even a little humor. Probably one of the better sorta-courtroom dramas I've seen.

**** out of *****

N/A

We picked this video up because it looked like the kind of film loaded with coincidence and irony or, as Xydexx likes to call it: mischronolocology - the science of being in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time. Unfortunately, that's absolutely all this movie has going for it. It has no beginning and no ending. All the worst parts of Changing Lanes. It's mostly just a train of thought, interrupted and then disregarded at random intervals. We were so revved up for all the threads to tie together in one cataclysmic streak of crazy fate...but it never happpened. No resolutions. Just weak lessons and oh, hey, here's the credits. Yawn.

** out of *****

Die Hard wannabe

This seems to be a practice run for getting Bruce Willis back into his Die Hard character for the third sequel due this year. He looks terribly old, can barely move, and drinks, drinks, then drinks some more. While John McClane was often portrayed at the bottom of the trash heap, this character fell down into the sewers. It's somewhat hard to believe he can accomplish all the running around he does based on his hardly coherent state at the start of the film. But what ensues is more of a tense thriller than an action movie, featuring hideouts, sneakiness, and the occasional gun battle and brief chase scene as he tries to make it to the courthouse with his star witness, Mos Def, while the entire police department of NYC is after him. I'm torn on Def's character - he was both really annoying, but also had a likeable personality. In either case, it was an extreme portrayal and a wide swing from what you may have seen in Hitchhiker's Guide. I was greatly appreciative of the ending as well, rather than repulsed as I increasingly expected to be. I skipped the alternate ending for fear of what it might contain. Fun popcorn-munching jaunt.

***1/2 out of *****

Mumbling, torture, and not much else

Whatever you may say about the qualities of the original book or the values and lessons embedded therein, they do not translate to the most recent film adaptation. It's trudgingly slow, lacking in clear development throughout the first half of the film - mostly a haze of bureaucracy masquerading as a plot, and barely audible mumbling by seemingly drugged actors. The plot points therein are conveyed in seconds, and then belabored to death through repetition and sloth-like pacing. Rather than forward the story, the scenes and locations merely repeat. Halfway through, the film abruptly becomes even less pleasant to watch...and then the lecture begins! Sleep-inducing and disappointing for such a well-regarded and referenced book.

*1/2 out of *****

Uhhh...

Definitely a film that you have to set aside time for and be in the right mindset to appreciate. Probably late at night, and go to bed right afterwards. The opening sequence is borderline silly these days, but can be tolerated. After that, tho, the film goes into a fantastic space ballet sequence which is part Fantasia, part Concerto, and part sci-fi movie. The film is imbued with a wonderful sense of forward-thinking optimism that is only cheesy in that it's the vision of 30 years ago. The film moves slower than molasses and the final chapter is mostly a sound and light show, although supposedly filled with uncommunicated meaning beyond the few plot points it does manage to get across. Definitely filled with great aspirations, just not communicated effectively.

***1/2 out of *****

I was completely blown away by the 75th Oscar Short Films collection, so when I found that there was a 2005 (and 2006) edition, I was quite eager to see them. While the shorts in this collection, again divided into animation and live-action, are mostly examples of quality filmmaking, there's a general theme to them this time around: death. Six of the eight offerings are deeply affecting and often morbid explorations on death and dying which, while perfectly valid, makes the DVD as a whole rather depressing and not as full of marvel and wonderment as its predecessor. The two Oscar winners would not have been my choices, but who can guess the whims of the Academy? "Six Shooter", the live-action winner, is particularly noxious and unpleasant, while "The Moon and the Son", the animation winner, is merely banal. My personal favorites were "Our Time Is Up" about a psychiatrist who turns over a new leaf, "Badgered" about a grumpy badger and two noisy crows, "The Mysterious Geographic Exploration of Jasper Morello" featuring wonderful steampunk visuals, and "Cashback" a Clerks-like examination of a supermarket that has been recently released as a full-length motion picture in its own right.

**** out of *****

Sequel to 2001

Oh, so that's what it was all about. If you saw the prior film, 2001, in its entirety, you may have been a little confused at the abstract and drug-trip style imagery that was used to "explain" the climax. While 2010 doesn't spell it out for you, it presents it in a much more palatable and standard format. Minus the horror of Alien, it has the same general sci-fi feel to it on the spaceships. The characters are much more active and human and, while the climax isn't particularly a nail-biter, it's much more satisfying. Worth seeing if you saw 2001.

**** out of *****

The lives of several people surrounding a car accident

If you're looking for a good movie to make you feel miserable, this would be a great candidate. The film is almost devoid of levity - just happy people suffering deep misfortune and just making things worse for themselves. Brilliant and affecting emotional performances. The film is also not told in linear fashion, but instead like puzzle pieces which slowly add up to a full picture of the entire plot. You can't help but feel really bad for these people. Drawbacks include a somewhat confusing ending, a very weakly-related title, and some questionably logical decisions made by some characters. Not sure if that's a flaw or if it just serves to make the characters more human.

***1/2 out of *****

Zombie-filled post-viral outbreak world.

Ok, more what's-this-movie-like? Let's try Dog Soldiers and The Stand. Except not quite as funny. In fact, not funny at all - the film is pretty much directed at horrifying rather than entertaining. In the end, it starts getting confused, tho, and attempts to go Rambo. Before it gets there, it evokes a lot of creepy scenes and events which are marred by zombie attacks. The zombies, while cool for a monster flick, change the movie into just an artsy slasher flick rather than a creepy post-apocalyptic experience. The film could've been better without some particular gross-out scenes. The alternate endings aren't worth watching and the DVD Making Of documentary is merely a fear-mongering tabloid-esque scare-job.

** out of *****

Live-action Seuss movie

Made in the 50's, this film tends to show its age with a few gratuitous songs and ghastly dialogue. Most of that is easily overlooked, tho, because the film is clearly a product of Dr. Seuss's imagination. The sets are crazy shapes that leap from the pages of any of his books. The actors and their wardrobes also hearken back to any good Seuss story. It reminded me greatly of Chuck Jones's greater cartoons, which isn't surprising since Seuss and Jones collaborated later on such things as the animated 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas' and 'Horton Hears a Who'. Even moreso is that Hans Conried, the antagonist, resembled Dan Backslide from the immortal WB short 'The Dover Boys of Pimento University' - because Conried also lent his voice to Snidley Whiplash! I would swear that The Simpsons stole the 'See My Vest' song from Conried's musical number, too. This film also has the strangest dance bit in the dungeon scene that you'll ever see, wondrously mesmerizing. Very worth checking out. Bonus trivia from IMDB: "According the Theodor Geisel/Dr. Seuss, the film's director, one of the 150 boys vomited on the piano while filming. This caused a chain reaction and they were left with 150 vomiting boys. Geisel said that the film's reviews were similar."

**** out of *****

Collection of short film nominees & winners

Whenever I've seen the Oscars, they only show 5-10 second clips of the short film nominees - I was always disappointed that I never got to see them in their entirety. When I stumbled across this collection of the nominated and winning animated and live-action short films from the 75th Academy Awards, I had to check it out. This is a one-time treasure trove of fantastic short films. They weren't nominated without good reason - every film is great. The DVD includes 9 shorts, separated into animated and live-action categories. They're all perfect examples of playing the viewer like a fiddle, whether through comedy or tragedy. My favorites included "Rocks" about the lives of stones at their speed, "I'll Wait For The Next One" which elicited the strongest reaction from us, and my personal favorite: "The Cathedral", a stunningly detailed, dialogue-free animated fantasy short that left my jaw on the floor. Sadly, the Academy had never before and does not appear to ever again plan on releasing another collection of short films.

***** out of *****