Catching Up

So, I've seen a lot of movies that I really don't want to review, but want to write about. So these are some "briefs" about movies I've watched, but haven't reviewed, since starting this blog:

Drag Me to Hell - I like Sam Raimi, but... this didn't do it for me. I felt bored throughout the entire movie, basically, and only liked Justin Long.

The Last Exorcism - Pretty bad. NOT as awful as Paranormal Activity, but definitely nowhere near the hype. The beginning was good... only one part creeped me out.

Fried Green Tomatoes - Sweet. I enjoyed the movie, but, like Steel Magnolias, these type of films aren't for me. I love Mary-Louise Parker, though.

Going the Distance - This one was alright. Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, and Christina Applegate were great, but I just didn't find the movie that funny. Leighton Meester was also enjoyable in her... one minute of screen time.

Up next for review:

Zombieland

Martyrs

But I'm A Cheerleader

Brokeback Mountain

I Am Sam

Starring:

Sean Penn......Sam Dawson

Michelle Pfeiffer......Rita Harrison Williams

Dakota Fanning......Lucy Diamond Dawson

Dianne Wiest......Annie Cassell

Written and Directed by:

Jessie Nelson

Release Date:

December 28, 2001

Running Time:

132 mins.

Keep in mind while reading this review that I watched this film about a month ago, so some of my recollections may be a bit blurry.

I'm sure you know the general gist of the movie. An autistic father struggles to win back his young daughter in several court sessions after she is taken from him at her birthday party. Let me just say that the performances were flawless. I haven't seen many of his movies (that will change now), but Sean Penn's performance as the painfully optimistic Sam Dawson was heart-breaking. I was near tears at several parts in the movie, and I don't cry easily.

A young Dakota Fanning, whom I'm a huge fan of, was so great in this. I believe this was her first "big" role, and she excelled, ending up at the same level as the other female lead, the always reliable Michelle Pfeiffer. Speaking of, Pfeiffer plays the seemingly cruel and eccentric characters well, and often.

Also a highlight was Dianne Wiest as Annie Cassell, the much needed, leveled adult. She was sweet and loving, but also stern and mysterious. I really liked her character, although the courtroom scene with her was awfully depressing.

I'm surprised it's taken me this long to watch the film, as I've heard it being raved about from critics to close friends. I'm definitely glad I've watched it and I've now added it to my growing list of "Favorite Movies." This will surely be my pick if I'm ever asked for an emotional drama recommendation.

Ask the Dust

Starring:

Colin Farrell......Arturo Bandini

Salma Hayek......Camilla Lopez

Donald Sutherland......Hellfrick

Idina Menzel......Vera Rivkin

Justin Kirk......Sammy

Eileen Atkins......Mrs. Hargraves

Based upon the book with the same title by John Fante (which I haven't yet read), this was a period romantic drama set in Long Beach during the Great Depression. Colin Farrell, whose work I haven't seen much of, was actually pretty great in this movie, and really made me believe he was Italian (He isn't, and it's a big part of the movie). Salma Hayek was great, as usual, as the fiery but gorgeous Camilla Lopez. Obviously the two characters fall in love, fighting all the way through their relationship. Camilla doesn't think Arturo wants to be seen in public with her, since she's Mexican and he's Italian.

Racial issues and "class" are, I guess, a semi-big theme in this movie. Arturo and Camilla are both equal wealth wise (he's a struggling writer and she's a waitress), but are seen as polar opposites in terms of their ethical standing. Near the end of the movie when Arturo finally takes Camilla to the movies, a woman sitting next to Camilla got up and moved once Camilla sat down. The way these issues were dealt with, in the movie, were really great.

Okay, so the real reason I watched this is because of Idina Menzel. I love her, and if you know me, you know that. She was great in this movie, and had a bigger part than I thought she would end up having. She plays Vera Rivkin, a young Jewish woman who's hiding a tortured past by pretending to be in a relationship with Arturo (sounds complicated... it is, lol.)

So. Movie good. Go watch. Bye.

Party Monster

Starring:

Macaulay Culkin......Michael Alig

Seth Green......James Clark/James St. James

Diana Scarwid......Edie

Chloe Sevigny......Gitsie

Marilyn Manson......Christina

Dylan McDermott......Peter Gatien

Mia Kirshner......Natasha

Wilmer Valderrama......DJ Keoki

Natasha Lyonne......Brooke

Wilson Cruz......Angel

I watched this about a month ago so my memory is a little fuzzy about some parts of the movie. So sorry.

I've never really been that big a fan of Macaulay Culkin, but I really like Seth Green so I was pretty excited to watch this. I didn't even really know what this movie was about, other than clubbing, the 90's, New York City, and glam. So, essentially, I was kind of right. Anyway, the performances were great. I watched interviews with the real Michael Alig and Jesse St. James after I watched this film, and Culkin and Green really did a pretty fantastic job with their takes on the two 'real' people.

I had my reservations on Marilyn Manson, but I have to say that he was hilarious as Christina. Ditzy, drunk, and gaudy, he played the fictional character (who I assume was a drag queen?) exceptionally well, especially if it was his first acting gig (was it?). He's supposedly set to play Lewis Carroll in a new movie he's producing soon, so I guess we'll see how his "dramatic turn" goes.

The murder was weird to watch. I loved My So-Called Life, so I liked seeing Wilson Cruz A.K.A. Rickie Vasquez, but that part of the film was so disturbing to me. Especially since Michael Alig apparently talks about it in interviews as if he's... recalling an old, funny memory or something... Creepy.

So, I know the movie got, basically, panned, but I really enjoyed it and will recommend it to everyone, even though it's a bit of an eclectic taste, I suppose.