If I could have a wish for Christmas, it’d be to take Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, anyone from “American Idol,” and the Duff Sisters, strap them into a bus, drive it off a cliff, and then shit on the charred remains. “Material Girls” is proof that you don’t need brains, talent, or appeal to have a considerable hit film. You just need connections, the right marketing, and a great idea of your niche audience. Fans of the Duffs finally have a film to look forward to while they’re doing their nails and staring off into space. The Duffs aren’t the Barrymores, that’s obvious.
Category Archives: Movie Reviews
The City of Violence (Jjakpae) (2006)
Imagine “Stand By Me,” combined with “Four Brothers,” and a hint of “The Warriors,” and what you’ll get is “City of Violence,” a stunning send-up of seventies actioners that makes no bones about its attitude. It doesn’t take itself seriously, and its never too sentimental, but the relationships are felt, and that invokes enough incentive to care about the characters involved in the plot. Ryoo’s action thriller is a fantastic piece of Korean cinema that combines themes of friendship, betrayal, and family into a beautiful piece of gangster action. Tae-Su, an officer, emerges back into his home town after his best friend Wang Jae is killed in a back alley.
Watch Me (2006)
The recent craze of Asian horror inspired films has been one I’ve not been most accepting of, mostly because half of them aren’t very good to begin with. Some are dramas painted as horror (Dark Water), and some are just remade into horrible films (Pulse), but I’m always willing to watch a horror film inspired by the trend and see if it lands on its feet or falls flat and breaks its neck. “Watch Me” has all the basic elements of an Asian horror film. Creepy ghost, mysterious object inspiring mysterious deaths, and of course a modern medium used as a facilitator.
Saw III (2006)
Well, it’s sad that a promising trilogy is now being announced as having almost five more installments added soon. Lions Gate has made no lies or double talk about this decision. The creators Whanel and Wan have proclaimed they’re dropping out of the further installments, but the studio and Tobin Bell are intent on continuing this franchise. Soon we’ll have “Saw: in Space”! Since the studio is intent on raping this series until it bleeds, “Saw III” is possibly the last good entry in an otherwise quality franchise.
Babel (2006)
Since films like “The Constant Gardener” and “Traffic” have set a precedent for big budget Oscar contenders with a commentary on society, “Babel” is one of the many to enter the film community with a rather timely commentary. If anything, “Babel” should make for some interesting debating once the film has ended, and will surely enter into the Oscars eventually. Iñárritu’s film revolves around alienation and communication, and alienation not only through immigration, but through the differences that alienate us from everyone around us, even to people similar in nationality. Take for example Chieko who is a deaf-mute still grieving her mother’s suicide and seeks to be accepted in her country among her friends.
Curious George (2006)
“Curious George” takes the adaptation in the right direction, with new character changes that work well. As a fan of the book series, and as someone who grew up reading this wonderful series, I was anxious to see “Curious George.” And the child in me wasn’t let down. The man in the yellow hat is now named Ted. And his yellow suit is one he was tricked into wearing. And I like it. Many other questions are answered in this big screen animated adaptation (How did George get his name?) that I can describe as one of the most adorable animated films I’ve seen in years.
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
“I’ve never said suicide, I never will say suicide… Jim Jones killed them.”
One of the most spine-tingling moments of “Jonestown: The Life and Death of the People’s Temple” is a simple minute of passive home video footage. Jim Jones opens a box of supplies and explores it: “Here we have rice… black-eyed peas… Kool-aid.” How does one man win over 909 people? How does one man convince them he is the second coming of Christ? How does one man convince almost a thousand people to follow him in committing suicide? Prey on their vulnerabilities.