Adaptation. (2002)

Posted on December 28, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

It’s easy for directors to spoof themselves and their own movies, and it could easily come off as self-indulgent, but director Spike Johnze somehow makes it seem refreshing and truly bold. I was intrigued from the beginning as Jonze dares to be cliché and predictable from beginning to end. Charlie Kaufman is an odd character. He’s insecure, self-loathing, balding, and never knows the right thing to say to people despite the fact that many people actually like him but he manages to instantly repel them with his knack for talking too much and saying the wrong or inappropriate thing as he does with an attractive friendly waitress (Judy Greer) at a restaurant. Charlie is constantly running his head with thoughts of insecurity despite the fact that he’s thought of as a genius in Hollywood.

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Waking Life (2001)

Posted on August 24, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

A nameless young man walks out from a bus station calling his friend from a phone looking for a ride and in come a man dressed as a sea captain driving a boat/car. That’s where the journey begins as the man talks about philosophy which the boy merely disregards as yammering. A young boy in a dream world confronts characters who impart philosophical and existential ideas upon him forcing him to come to grips with his own purpose and existence. What he doesn’t know is where he’s going which the man is talking about in front of him. I was intrigued by where this movie was going and became truly engulfed within the context and meaning of the film itself.

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