#18 - The Last Picture Show

Just so there's no confusion, this is the Larry McMurtry adapted film that DOESN'T have gay cowboys in it. Nor does it have an astronaut next door neighbor and all of the doves are popular with tremendous social lives. Having said that, this movie does have a town that is at the beginning of the road to nowhere. The story is centered around a young man who is transitioning from high school into adulthood in a town that is slowly losing its dreams and future. Even though he is the main character, this is truly a wonderful ensemble cast that works well with each other to represent the posibilities for the future, as well as the unrealized potential of the past.

The title of this movie is a sad metaphor for the lives of the people in this town. It refers to the local movie theatre going out of business, but it also represents the last chance for people to escape from the reality of their day to day existence. After this, the question is what do people have left. The spirit of the town has been lost and the only chance there is for a future or any happiness resides elsewhere.

It's hard to know where to start with this movie. There are the older women who have had their dreams but have not been able to see them through and are therefore unfulfilled in their current situations. The wife in the only rich family in town is not fulfilled because she married for money thinking it would make her happy, but she still yearns for the owner of the pool hall, her true love. She doesnt see any other way for her daughter and looks to have the girl go in the same direction she went. This is just a fraction of the layered stories that fill this movie with a sliver of hope and a tremendous amount of sadness. Jeff Bridges has an opportunity for a future in the military, but he doesnt want to leave. Cybil Shepard wants to lead a normal life, but she knows that she is different from everybody because she lives comfortable while everyone else struggles. Cloris Leachman looking for some sort of human connection is devastated when the truth about her situation comes crashing down upon her.

This film is so dynamic, so well structured, and so well crafted. The choice to film in black and white was a good choice because it lends to the stark, lifeless nature of the place. The performances are very well done and eveybody works with each other to create the world they live in. What I want to know is why the actor playing the main character, Tomothy Bottoms, didnt have a larger career. If you look him up on imdb.com, you see that he has done a ton of stuff, but never became a big name. I just find it interesting that nothing major seemed to build off of this performance. Go watch this movie.

Also, young Cybill Shepard is hot.

#17 - The Upside of Anger

Woohoo!! Four hot chicks...and Kevin Costner and Joan Allen. But don't forget about the four hot chicks!!! But seriously, it's more like three and a half hot chicks cause Alicia Witt isn't in the movie very much. Actually, its like two and a half hot chicks cause I will always think of Evan Rachael Wood as being a cracked out thirteen year old. Honestly, its like two hot chicks because even though Erika Christensen is pretty damn cute in this movie, she gets it on with the sleazy older dude. In all actuality its like five hot chicks because Keri Russell is such a cutie in this movie that she counts for four hot chicks. After crunching the numbers, it is officially five hot chicks...and Kevin Costner and Joan Allen.

Speaking of the two main characters, one of them is actually pretty good, and the other one has a character I just can't wrap my head around. If you guessed that I can't wrap my head around Kevin Costner's character, you would be dead wrong!! You see, he actually plays the kind of character he is good at playing. Its that romantic male lead with a bit of a swagger. But this time, he's not the one in charge of the relationship. I know what you're thinking. You are thinking that in Kevin Costner movies there is suppossed to be a female who falls in love with his pig headed character for no real reason at all. This movie flips it around. He actually falls in love with a pig headed Joan Allen for no real reason at all.

In this movie, Joan Allen plays a woman who has been left by her husband for his young secretary. The problem that I have with her character is that I felt no sympathy for her struggles. She has become an alcoholic and is drastically detached from the lives of her four...I mean FIVE daughters. If this was a dark comedy, some of her actions would be funny because they are in that style. But this movie has the feel to it of one where you are suppossed to sympathize with the main character. Its not quite a chick flick, but it is definately geared towards the female audience, especially the older female audience. But she doesnt start out as a good person. She is too involved in her own self pity and self loathing that she ignores the lives and feeling of her daughters and completely disregards the fact that they may be suffering too.

Overall, I was suprised because I didnt expect to enjoy any of this movie. The performances by the cast were pretty good. Is it possible to not enjoy a character, but enjoy the portrayal of that character? I was basically impressed because this movie wasn't completely filled by the cliches I expect from this kind of movie. The writer and director is also the sleazy guy who Erika Christensen gets it on with. I can't get over a sleazy guy writing something like this, but he did. In the end, don't rush out and get it, but if your not sure about what movie to watch and its there, give it a shot.

#16 - For Keeps

Oh boy. Where to begin with this one? Well, if you are looking for a movie that addresses the subject of teenage pregnancy, you could watch this one. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could. You see, this movie is so unbelievably bad on so many levels that your time would be better spent trying to lick the shell off of a peanut. Seriously, the writing is bad, the acting is bad, the story progression is stupid at best, and the overall feeling of "Why was this movie approved to be made?" stays with you throughout. Shall I go on?

First of all, there's the basic premise of the movie. Boyfriend and girlfriend sneak out for a weekend together and while they are making out in the woods during the rain they have sex for the first time which leads to a pregnancy and against the wishes of their parents they decide to have the baby even though they are still in high school and have no jobs but they move out of their homes into a crappy place with barely four walls and try to keep things together on after school jobs and with no help from the parents but things get hard because things arent as easy as they thought it would be because they are broke, boyfriends parents want nothing to do with the child because they are stiff traditional people and the girlfriends mom doesnt support them because she is an overbearing bitch who doesnt want her daughter to make the same mistake she did when she had the girlfriend but they stick it out through family squabbles, alcoholism, post partum depression and every things turns out okay. WHY? Because they love each other. AWWWWWW. Thats so sweet. The power of love will ultimately overcome all of your hardships and crappy decision making, and everything will be all right. It warms the heart. No, wait. That would be the strain on the heart as a result of excessive vomiting.

If you think that this movie properly addresses any of the issues of teen pregnancy, then you seriously need to get your head checked. An after school special is more hard hitting and has more poignancy that this piece of crap. The main character is played by the golden child of the Brat Pack, Molly Ringwald. Let me just say that I have no problems with Molly Ringwald, until she tries to act. Then I want to take a meat tenderizer to my nuts to distract from the pain going on in my skull. Oh, and she was excessively winy and pouty in this one, which is want you want to see from a young mother anyway. Seriously, watching her trying to be dramatic is truly difficult to do. You can tolerate it in her other movies where there is something else going on that can distract you, but when she is the main character in a romantic comedy kind of movie about teenage pregnancy, you are trapped praying that you were like Darby O'Gill getting tricked out of your wishes so that you can get out of the Banshee's carriage.

This is hands down the worst movie I have seen out of my DVD rentals so far. I have said before that if they showed Requiem for a Dream in high schools, no kids would ever do drugs. If they showed this in high schools, we might have a population explosion that would make the parents of Baby Boomers look like Puritans. A waste of celluloid.

#15 - Before Sunset

Well looky here!!! We gots us a sequel. Can you guess what movie came first?(Hint for MORONS: Look two reviews down.) Can this movie pass the test and rise above the tradition of crappy sequels? Can the unique love story structure of the first movie work again in another? Are they just saving money by only having two actors? Can Julie Delpy pull off the pretty little franch girl character again? Is Ethan Hawke going to rise above his pre-determined station in life by collecting DNA from the keyboards of people suppossedly more gifted than he? Answers to these questions and more are...well..right below.

Yes. Yes. Couldn't hurt. If Elke Sommers can do it...then yes. Yes, but he will need help from The Bride and Alfie. Thanks for stopping by. NEXT MOVIE!!!

Oh, you want more? Well, the structure of this movie is essentially the same as Before Sunrise, but its a few years later and they meet while he is in France on a book tour that is eerily similar to a story about two people who met on a train. The thing that is interesting is that the end of the first movie leaves you with a question about what will happen. This movie answers that question, and then builds upon that. They have obviously grown over the years, but they both held on to the connection they made. What propels this movie is the question of what they are going to do this time. Again he has to get on a plane and leave the country. Are they going to go through the same thing again, or will this time be different?

There is also a number of very powerful moments placed through out where you see each character wanting to reach out to the other in the way they have been thinking about over the years. But they don't. They hold back. It kills them because they desire it so much. It kills the viewer because you want to see them together as much as they want to be together. Its truly an excellent expansion of the original story. Its not just a rehash of the things that worked in the first movie. There is an evolution that has occured between the two and it is interesting to see if time has been too long to make a difference. Only watch this if you have seen the first one. Unlike Wrath of Khan, it would make a difference.

#14 - A Hole in the Head

Oh, this is what happy, warmhearted family friendly movies were like in the late 50's. Oh how far we have come and how little has changed. Some people ask why these silly little movies are made, and I always said that people go see them. Not my kind of movie, but if people like em, they'll keep makin em. It's not that its a bad movie, just not my kind of thing. Never has and never will be. I haven't seen many Sinatra movies and I just hope, nay, I KNOW they are better than this.

First of all, the guy really isnt a good parent. He's out all night carousing with some dame while his hotel is going bankrupt. But the little fellow still loves his Pop. Awwwww, gee that's swell. I just sat through the thing wondering why anybody would want an annoying little kid like that anyway. He really is a shining representation of that sassy little scamp you think of when you think of 50's entertainment children. Think of Beaver Cleaver with out being as much of a sissy and the "Gee Wally" meter is only at about 7.5, instead of exploding at 10. I'm not the biggest fan of young child actors in Hollywood, and this one really tries my patience.

Oh, but the kid isn't the worst part. No, no, no. I save that achievment for one of my FAVORITE things in all of moviedom. I am talking about the random, out of nowhere musical number. Don't get this confused with what happens all the time in musicals, they are musicals, its what they do. No, this happens in a non-musical movie FOR NO REASON AT ALL. Let me set it up for you. Father and son are having a heart to heart and to make things better, they break into song. They've got high hopes. That's right!! That's the song!! High Hopes and sung by a great performer and a stupid little kid who plays it up in the classic 50's Hollywood way that makes me wanna hang a lasso and pretend I can fly like R. Kelly. Seriously, just because you have someone in a movie who can sing, does not mean that they HAVE TO SING. And if they do, make it a solo. This annoying song won a freaking Oscar. I hear the Three 6 Mafia is planning a cover.

#13 - Before Sunrise

In the Waking Life review, I said that a non-animated movie that was one philosophical and metaphysical discussion after another wouldn't work. I was partially wrong. Before Sunrise, also directed by Richard Linklater, has almost the same structure as Waking Life. But there is a difference, and I think its what makes the movie work.

While the structure of having a series of dialogues about various subjects is similar, this movie is not just metaphysics. Dont get me wrong, it is in there, but it is included in with a number of discussions about life, relationships, and personal stories. This gives a connection with the characters who have met on a train in France and have struck a quick relationship.

Like Waking Life, there is no real plot in this movie. There's just a simple thru-line that becomes a vehicle for a number of discussions about life, love, and the world around us. The difference between the two movies is the emotional connection between characters. This is essentially a love story, but a different love story. There's more depth and insight of the characters on a personal level than the usual love story and the only challenge standing in their way is the clock.

I'm not the biggest fan of love stories. Just not my cup of tea. But this one is different. Its not sappy or over the top with unrequited love or a love that was always meant to be but the world stands in the way of true love, blah, blah, blah. Sappy cheese. Sappy cheese. Its two people who meet on a train and end up sharing a bond over the next twelve or so hours. They are drawn together over these few hours, but there is always the looming realism of their eventual departure. Its uplifting and tragic, but more interesting to me, its unique. They never say that they love each other, but you see it and feel it so stronger than any other love story I have seen. Okay, I admit it, I havent seen that many. Maybe if more were like this, I would have.

#12 - Garden State

I loved this movie!! There you have it. No setup like other reviews do. It was fun, exciting, engaging, unique, happy, sad, depressing, uplifting, all those things. I wanted to see it when it was released, but that just didnt happen. I feel lucky that it came along in the list so early. Its the only movie, of all the ones I have seen in this little rental journey of mine, that I have purchased the DVD. Remember, I am catching up with movies I have seen. Right now I am around 50 DVD's. Some of them I could buy, this one I had to buy.

First of all, Zach Braff is great. I have loved Scrubs since the first season and was pleased that he made a movie...and wrote it...and directed it. But this isn't his TV show character. Instead we are given a guy who has gone through his young life unable to relate or connect with anybody. Until he randomly meets a sweetie named Natalie Portman. For the first time he feels emotion, and he likes it!! He's not depressed and moody. There is no self pity in his character, just someone who is lost in the world because he hasnt been able to find himself or anything else. Thats one of the things I enjoyed the most about this movie, and what I also think makes it unique. So many movies have people who hate or dislike their parents, and are sad, miserable, and whiny about their lives cause they havent been perfect. Zach Braff is not angry or depressed. Instead he just hasnt been able to feel anything, until now. The scene when he finally talks to his father, was a simple, straightforward, yet completely honest and effective monologue.

Other than the characters and writing, some of the shots Zach created were completely effective in creating the feeling of anxiety that his character lived with. Now, I'm not always the first to pick up on symbolism, but there are two shots that stick in my mind as being extremely descriptive of the character. First, when he is looking at himself in the mirror and the break in the two pieces of glass goes right down the middle. Here we have a shot of an individual that is not a whole person, and when the door opens, we are shown why. Second, one of the popular shots of the movie, when he is standing in front of the wall that is made out of the same fabric as his shirt. Its not just blending in, its being lost in the surroundings. He cant stand out because he doesnt know who he is and has never been able to find out.

There is so much I can say about this movie, but I like to keep these short. The relationship between Zach and Natalie is as engaging as it is entertaining. The perfmance by Ian Holm as Zachx father is truly great. He doesnt know how to relate to his son because they have never actually talked about anything and what he thinks about Zach, isnt quite reality. But he's not an overbearing or bad parent. He just couldnt relate with his son who was unable to emote. The role of Zachs friend as someone who has felt, tried, and done numerous different things is in direct contrast to Zachs character, but still doesnt know who he is either. WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!

#11 - Music Box

What do you do when your father, whom you love, trust, and admire, is accused of commiting numerous atrocities in his European homeland during World War II? This is the struggle that Jassica Lange is faced with in Music Box. She is forced to legally defend her father after his imigration status has been revoked due to these accusations. What follows is an interesting struggle of a woman defending her fathers honor, when she knows very little about his past. In the midst of mounting evidence, she questions her actions as a daughter/lawyer as well as questioning the honesty and purety of her loving father.

The movie does a good job of bluring the truth for the majority of the film. Why would this be good? Because it is taking you on the journey of Jessica Lange's character who is struggling to uncover the truth about her father. We feel the highs and lows that she does as information is revealed about the past is revealed. This is a convention that is done quite often, but this one does is better than most. What makes it so effective is that the performance of the father is one of honesty and sympathy. He is what makes the struggle so hard because you want to believe that he is unable of performing such heinous acts. He is truly kind, calm, and quiet.

One thing that pops into my mind is a question of how daning ones past should be. Are there some acts that are so heinous that you can never escape them, even if you have proven yourself to be kind and honest in other respects? It's an interesting question and I think that a past such as activities during the holocaust would be unforgivable, but where is the line drawn? At what point can you forgive? Is it time that makes forgiveness a possibility, or is it the level of the initial atrocity?

All in all, this was a good movie. I can't say that I need to see it again, but it had good writing and good performances. It was a bit slow at times, but I guess thats the danger of dramas. More importantly, it raised questions other than "Why am I watching this?" or "Is this still on?" Good movie, not great.

#10 - Promised Land

Here we have a touching and tragic drama from the late 80's starring a quartet of up and coming stars. You have Jason Gedric playing...get this...a cop!! I know, its a stretch, but it did happen. Then you have Tracy Pollan playing something other than the wife of Michael J. Fox. You have Meg Ryan playing...Meg Ryan. And in the surprise of the whole film, you have Keifer Sutherland playing someone shy and impish. This was a surprise because it was such contrast to the current Jack Bauer character he plays, but it is also the only compelling performance in the whole movie. Did I say touching and tragic? I meant pointless and mundane.

The movie starts near the end of high school for Jason - The Basketball Star, Tracy - His Sweetheart, and Keifer - The Imp Who Nobody Talks To. Then it jumps ahead about 3 years or so, I dont remember, and it doesnt really matter. Jason lost his scholarship and is now a cop and angry at the world. Poor widdle guy. Tracy is doing her own thing with some other guy in some other town. Keifer left town for some reason and ends up in a little hut near some abandoned mining area...I think. He has recently met Meg and he decided to marry her. Are you sufficiently bored yet?

What follows is a series of pointless dramatic moments. Jason aint happy cause he isnt a stud anymore. He still loves Tracy who still wants to be friends but has another guy. Keifer is coming back to see his parents after he marries Meg. Meg was drunk when they got married...blah, blah, blah, blah....

I guess there is a message about lost dreams and things not turning out the way they were supposed to be. But it is so boring and pointless. I dont care about Jason, I dont care about Tracy, I dont understand the point of Meg or why Keifer likes her. I did feel bad when Keifer got accidentally shot(!!!SPOILER!!! - hate to ruin the movie...I really do...), but more than anything else I was asking the point of his character or the point of any of it. Did I say anything about the bad writing, other than the mention of boring characters and pointless plotline? Did I mention the fact that it rolls along at a snails pace in order to make all the unneccessary things tedious to sit through? My kingdom for a movie about drag queens.

#9 - Wigstock: The Movie

There was no confusion about this one. I put it in my queue around the same time as After Stonewall and The Celluloid Closet, but no amount of not paying attention could keep you from knowing what this movie is about. You would have to be stupid, or dead. As if the title isn't enough to make you turn your head...its freakin RuPaul on the cover!!!! And last I checked, the Statue of Liberty doesnt have a hot pink wig on it.

What is Wigstock? Very good question. Apparently, every summer in NYC there is a festival of drag queens. They set up a stage, pretty themselves up a bit, mouth the words to a few songs, and generally have a rogering good time. Thats what this movie is all about. It has performances from three years of Wigstock, but also follows a number of draggers(is that a word?) as they prepare for another festival. I have seen a number of various documentaries about rock bands and musicians and they all generally followed a format of interviews in between performances. Thats exactly what this movie does. Its not a gay pride film and other than a couple of moments, there really isnt any mention about homosexuality, other than the obvious fact that they are drag queens. Its a concert documentary, much like you would see about Woodstock or any other music festival.

Believe it or not, I actually learned a couple of things. First, there are female drag queens. Thats right, THERE ARE FEMALE DRAG QUEENS. I'm not talking about women dressing in plaid shirts and blue jeans. Oh no. I am talking about a woman, who gets all gussied up and performs in traditional drag queen style. I was shocked. I had no clue that such a thing was possible. Also, its all about the wigs. There was footage taken in a wig shop a few days before the festival and everybody was getting some wigs. An amazing amount of decoration and styling goes into these things. Big, wide, colorful, its actually quite an impressive aspect of the whole thing. I have no idea how some of these things stay on peoples heads. I always focused on the makeup, which in my opinion can become VERY frightening, but I guess that a performance in front of a large crowd requires more than just makeup for the people in the back row.

This movie wasnt without it moments of "ugh". For instance, I turned away when the one performer stripped down to his/hers skinny and pale nakedness. Didnt need to see that. Ugh. I also didnt need to see the fat drag queen sweat and slop out a nasty ass rock song. First of all, I wasnt aware that drag queens did anything other than Donna Summer and Judy Garland songs. But seeing this chunky thing head bang and slobber to an unexpected tune was quite disturbing. Ugh.

All in all, not a bad film. There were a number of good performances shown and the overall spirit of just wanting to go out and enjoy oneself was very strong. Sure there were times that tried my patience, but like I have said before, its not my favorite subject. I feel as though I have earned a bit more understanding about the subject and may be a little more comfortable with it as a lifestyle, and not just a stage performance. I said a little. Dont go crazy. I still cant completely wrap my head around transvestites, but that is a different thing than what a drag queen is.

I told you I would watch everything.