Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Real Women Have Curves
First, this movie gave me a new crush. Damn.
Brian Sites.
He plays (in a small role) the boyfriend of Ana. Ana is a smart, funny recent high school graduate torn between her desire to go to college and her family obligations. The movie is set in L.A. and gives a completely different view of the city, from the Latino immigrant perspective. The film is generally good throughout, but falls apart in the last few minutes. And then the credits say: from the Play by .... And that is generally not a good sign. So if you go into this thinking "interpretation of a play", it's easier to enjoy the tidy plot. A few good laughs, but overall, visual appeal is the best thing about this movie. The story of a young modern woman has been told, but not in these self-aware terms.
Brian Sites.
He plays (in a small role) the boyfriend of Ana. Ana is a smart, funny recent high school graduate torn between her desire to go to college and her family obligations. The movie is set in L.A. and gives a completely different view of the city, from the Latino immigrant perspective. The film is generally good throughout, but falls apart in the last few minutes. And then the credits say: from the Play by .... And that is generally not a good sign. So if you go into this thinking "interpretation of a play", it's easier to enjoy the tidy plot. A few good laughs, but overall, visual appeal is the best thing about this movie. The story of a young modern woman has been told, but not in these self-aware terms.
Monsters Inc.
I had never seen Monsters Inc. And now I can say that I really do love Pixar Studios. "Finding Nemo" was amazing and "MI" generally impressed. Animated humans still look funky, but when the folks at Pixar stick to wacky creatures, everything is gorgeous.
The plot of "MI" is actually quite complicated and well-told. Much more than you would expect for a "kid's film". Basically, a world of monsters uses the screams of little children to generate "clean" electricity. Two of the monsters responsible for these scare-tactics are the stars of the film. But at the end of the day, it's just a job and everyone is quite pleasant and funny. John Goodman and Billy Crystal provide voices.
On of the best things about "MI" is the cleverly employed cinematic techniques used to keep the story rolling in a series of complex "shots". The sets are richly detailed and the town of Monstropolis is bustling in the background of the establishing shots. Puns and in-jokes abound. The food comes from a "Grossery" and one child has a "Finding Nemo" clownfish stuffed animal.
This is a fun, light film with a few moments of Disney style horror-suspense. Highly recommended.
The plot of "MI" is actually quite complicated and well-told. Much more than you would expect for a "kid's film". Basically, a world of monsters uses the screams of little children to generate "clean" electricity. Two of the monsters responsible for these scare-tactics are the stars of the film. But at the end of the day, it's just a job and everyone is quite pleasant and funny. John Goodman and Billy Crystal provide voices.
On of the best things about "MI" is the cleverly employed cinematic techniques used to keep the story rolling in a series of complex "shots". The sets are richly detailed and the town of Monstropolis is bustling in the background of the establishing shots. Puns and in-jokes abound. The food comes from a "Grossery" and one child has a "Finding Nemo" clownfish stuffed animal.
This is a fun, light film with a few moments of Disney style horror-suspense. Highly recommended.
Saturday, November 08, 2003
The collected work of Spike Jonze (DVD)
I adore music videos and treasure innovation. Spike Jonze rarely disappoints. Many of my favorites were directed by him, although not all of them are on this lo-fi DVD. The ones that made the cut:
California (Wax), Sure Shot (Beastie Boys), Drop (The Pharcyde), Cannonball (The Breeders), Sabotage (Beastie Boys), Da Funk (Daft PUnk), What's Up Fatlip (Fatlip), Undone (The Sweater Song) (Weezer), Praise You (Fatboy Slim), Feel the Pain (Dinosaur Jr.), If I Only Had a Brain (MC 900ft Jesus), Sky's the Limit (The Notorious B.I.G.), Weapon of Choice (Fatboy Slim), Buddy Holly (Weezer), Elektrobank (The Chemical Brothers), It's Oh So Quiet (Bjork).
The video for "Buddy Holly" was the highly memorable one where Spike made it look as if the boys of Weezer were playing at Arnold's in "Happy Days". This is easily one of the top 10 videos ever made. The "Weapon of Choice" video is the one with Christopher Walken dancing across an abandoned hotel lobby. "Elektrobank" features Sofia Coppola performing a gymnastic floor routine with tumbles and flips and even a twirly ribbon on a stick. Spike and Sofia are a couple, and now she is better known for her direction of "The Virgin Suicides" and "Lost in Translation". Spike Jonze also directed "Adaptation" and "Being John Malkovich". Did I mention that Nicolas Cage, born Coppola, is Sofia's cousin? And Jonze was born Adam Spiegel, of the mail order catalog clan.
The DVD also has a B-Side. I applaude B-Side technology, as it keeps me from having to rent two discs. The tracks are documentaries and rarities, but none really worth watching. The mockumentary of Spike leading the Torrence Community Dance Company to New York for the MTV Video Music Awards is entertaining, mostly because he never breaks character. Spike plays Richard, the ultra white boy troupe leader. The handheld cameras reveal reaction shots from people like Madonna, obviously NOT in on the joke. Brilliant.
California (Wax), Sure Shot (Beastie Boys), Drop (The Pharcyde), Cannonball (The Breeders), Sabotage (Beastie Boys), Da Funk (Daft PUnk), What's Up Fatlip (Fatlip), Undone (The Sweater Song) (Weezer), Praise You (Fatboy Slim), Feel the Pain (Dinosaur Jr.), If I Only Had a Brain (MC 900ft Jesus), Sky's the Limit (The Notorious B.I.G.), Weapon of Choice (Fatboy Slim), Buddy Holly (Weezer), Elektrobank (The Chemical Brothers), It's Oh So Quiet (Bjork).
The video for "Buddy Holly" was the highly memorable one where Spike made it look as if the boys of Weezer were playing at Arnold's in "Happy Days". This is easily one of the top 10 videos ever made. The "Weapon of Choice" video is the one with Christopher Walken dancing across an abandoned hotel lobby. "Elektrobank" features Sofia Coppola performing a gymnastic floor routine with tumbles and flips and even a twirly ribbon on a stick. Spike and Sofia are a couple, and now she is better known for her direction of "The Virgin Suicides" and "Lost in Translation". Spike Jonze also directed "Adaptation" and "Being John Malkovich". Did I mention that Nicolas Cage, born Coppola, is Sofia's cousin? And Jonze was born Adam Spiegel, of the mail order catalog clan.
The DVD also has a B-Side. I applaude B-Side technology, as it keeps me from having to rent two discs. The tracks are documentaries and rarities, but none really worth watching. The mockumentary of Spike leading the Torrence Community Dance Company to New York for the MTV Video Music Awards is entertaining, mostly because he never breaks character. Spike plays Richard, the ultra white boy troupe leader. The handheld cameras reveal reaction shots from people like Madonna, obviously NOT in on the joke. Brilliant.
Sunday, November 02, 2003
Bend It Like Beckham
At CelebMatch.com, you enter your birthday and get told your "Top 5" celebrity matches. David Beckham is my #3 match (100% physical!, 94% emotional, and 98% intellectual). But this has nothing to do with this movie, nor does Beckham himself, except for the huge poster adorning the bedroom wall of a young Indian-British woman who dreams of becoming a professional soccer player -- er, make that football. This movie is super cute and actually funny. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers does his usual hyperactive, thin gorgeous thing (think "Titus" and "Velvet Goldmine") as the soccer team coach. The real story though is Jess, the girl, and the amazing first time actress playing her. This is one of those light, funny films like "A Mighty Wind" but even more funny, as they chatter in rapid British accents. And Keira Knightly is damn hot in her sports bra and soccer shorts. Highly recommeded. Good date film.
