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I said I'd write when I felt like it, so here I am again. Not a lot to say on recent releases, but a little more to say about a certain wicked-awesome 80s classic referenced in the title of this post. More on that later...
MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED AND FABULOUS (2005, Josh Pasquin)- Yuck. A colossal miscalculation all around, a vanity project (Sandra Bullock stars, produces, exec-produces the SOUNDTRACK ALBUM, and entrusts her pet screenwriter to give her just about all the would-be funny bits) that somehow manages to be completely off the mark when it comes to the star's persona. She's not a glamorpuss, she'll never be a glamorpuss, and so the entire first two-thirds of the movie where she pretends to be one are just a waste of time. But then, so's the final third, just not for the same reason. And speaking of waste, Regina King deserves better than this. Rating: *.
GUERRILLA: THE TAKING OF PATTY HEARST (2004, Robert Stone)- a serviceable telling of a curious chapter in 20th century American history, but limited by the small number of viewpoints that actually provide some insight into the Hearst circus. Not nearly as compelling as 2002's THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, which admittedly provided more of an inside look, and focused on a legitimately ambitious band of militants rather than a group that was pretty much a one-hit wonder. Although the SLA was referenced in "Judy Is a Punk," so that's something. Rating: **.
REMORQUES (1940, Jean Gremillon)- atmosphere and plenty of it, with a reliably cool Jean Gabin lead performance and some good cinematography. However, pretty minor compared to some of the star's classics. Rating: **1/2.
LA NUIT FANTASTIQUE (1941, Marcel l'Herbier)- An innocuous rom-com about a man who confuses his dream life with his waking life. I was tired and the opening minutes weren't doing much for me, so when my eyes drifted shut I didn't fight it, dreaming that I was watching a better movie instead. What I saw after waking up was mildly diverting, nothing more.
SOMETHING WILD (1986, Jonathan Demme)- I remember liking this back in the day when I first saw it, but years later I find that it's pretty damned amazing. Demme and screenwriter E. Max Frye tell their story with gusto, plunging almost instantaneously into a whirlwind plot, as Audrey (Melanie Griffith, before she got annoying) forces Charlie (Jeff Daniels) far outside his comfort zone. Reminded me this time of one of my favorite films (scroll down to #60), not just for their similar tendency to shift directions narratively and tonally, but also for their amused but not condescending looks at small-town America. Both Herzog and Demme are able to marvel at the small wonders of "flyover country" without lampooning it, and SOMETHING WILD is full of priceless touches- the roadside sign with the message you see in this post's title, the gas station/gift shop where Jeff Daniels purchases a cheap "Virginia Is For Lovers" t-shirt, and so on. Demme also has a special fondness for bruised characters, both literally and figuratively, and Audrey and Charlie are two of his best. Also, Ray Liotta rules in this, coming out of nowhere to introduce darkness to the film just when it needs it most. Rating: ***1/2.
Posted by hkoreeda
at 12:56 AM EST
