Chris Weber
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Chris reviewed...
The Lookout (2007)
After a tragic car accident leaves him with brain damage and the… More
After a tragic car accident leaves him with brain damage and the inability to function beyond a very basic level, a former high school hockey star turned lowely janitor at a bank finds himself drawn into a plot by a former classmate to rob the bank where he works in this taut thriller from screenwriter Scott Frank, who makes his directorial debut here.
Even though this is a crime thriller that belongs into the heist genre, this is ultimately a character study that happens to have crime elements to it. Basically you just mix a bit of Memento with Fargo and throw in a tale of struggle and redemption, and you have this movie.
And, you know what? I really enjoyed the end result. This is a solid film that surprised me with the emphasis on character over action, and how the crime elements are merely just part of the overall scheme of things instead of being the driving force. Of course, they are a big part of the movie, but they're not the focus, and that's cool.
You really grow to care about the protagonist, and you feel for how the events going on affect him, especially since he may not be as over his head as it seems. Don't worry though, Frank keeps this from getting too far into the maddening territory of twists common in the works of Christopher Nolan.
And it's not just the lead that you enjoy watching either. His blind roommate Lewis is a great character, and even the thuggih villain is rather compelling. It really helps too that the film has some great actors giving strong performances, especially Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the lead, Jeff Daniels as Lewis (who really steals his scenes), and Matthew Goode in probably his best performance as Gary the villain. You've also got a decent Isla Fisher as a femme fatale, and brief appearances by Carla Gugino and Alex Borstein, so that's cool too.
All in all, I really liked this and found it to be veryt compelling, engaging, and attention holding. I did take issue with a few thigns that kinda stretched some of the believabiolity, but I won't get into the specifics since that would involving some spoilers. Despite those little issues though, this is some good stuff, albeit maybe not the most memorable film ever (no pun intended). I'm torn on the rating, so let's split the difference and call it a trong B to a light B+.
1 day ago via Flixster
Chris reviewed...
The Crow (1994)
Very awesome atmospheric and gothic set pieces, a gripping and… More
Very awesome atmospheric and gothic set pieces, a gripping and creative story, superb performances, intense action, and one of the best soundtracks ever make this one of the best films of the 1990's.
It's a shame that this was Brandon Lee's final film (as well as his breakout one), because he really showed a lot of potential and promise. This film kind of became marginalized and cast off as the stuff of jokes and steretypes due to its influence with the gothic subculture, but ya know, it works on it's own terms as well, even if it is just a variation on the revenge theme. It's done incredibly well, has a unique look and style reminiscent of stuff like Blade Runner, and is both entertaining, and emotionally girpping great stuff. Also, what humor the film has also wroks pretty well.
There's talks of a remake, which is just a totally wrong idea. This doesn't need it, nor did it really need sequels. This is a film that just really fit the aesthetics of the 90s, and to remake it would take away part of what makes this so great. It's like doing a remake of any film that is quintessentially representative of whatever decade it comes from and expecting the results to be the same: something that really just can't work.
Bottom line, this is one of the best ever, and even though it was sadly the end of a promising start, I will always love this film (and its soundtrack) no matter how many times I see it or think about the crap that it inspired.
2 days ago via Flixster
Chris reviewed...
Eight Men Out (1988)
This is writer/director John Sayles's historical drama about the… More
This is writer/director John Sayles's historical drama about the infamous Black Sox Scandal in which eight players from the Chicago White Sox were paid to throw the 1919 WOrld Series- an event which is one of the mot notable and darkest moments in ports history.
The retelling here is pretty good, and qwuite insightful, yet not without its flaws. The story could have ued some more context and clearer motivations, and it helps to have at least a little prior knowledge of the story before seeing this, but even then, this is still an enjoyable look at just how different the sports world was way back when, as compared to the days depicted here where the players were true working class heroes not making millions of dollars, and were seen as truly being guys deserving of worship, making their screw ups all the more stinging and upsetting.
I think the film also could have further detailed the labor history aspect of things, and the exact cultural impact the scandal had, but it does a decent enough job as it stands.
3 days ago via Flixster
Chris reviewed...
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
So, I finally saw this much beloved and highly regarded film and, you… More
So, I finally saw this much beloved and highly regarded film and, you know what? It's overrated. Ans that's a bummer too, since I was really hoping this film truly stood the test of time like I was lead to believe. Don't get me wrong, this is a good film, just not a great one.
Jimmy Stark is the new kid in town, and he's having a hard time fitting in, getting along with his parents, and struggling to find his place in the world. He falls in with some other misfits, but the pains of adolescence don't go away easy, and certainly not without leaving a mark first.
Maybe had I seen this at a young age I'd be more enthusiastic, but seeing it now ,I must say I can't really relate too much anymore. Also, some of this is really dated and on the nose. Maybe it was more relevatory in the 1950s, but seeing it now it almost seems like melodramatic kitsch, and that's not necessarily a good thing either. It's funny, because I'll still defend Catcher in the Rye, but I have a hard time siding with those who call this a stone cold classic.
Sure, James Dean does give one of the best and most iconic performances ever, and Wood, Mineo,Backus, and others all put in some terrific work as well, but this feels so warmed over in light of all that's come out since (and been influenced by it). This shouldn't be the case if it truly was something timeless.
But, despite these issues, it does look good, I wasn't bored, and at least understand why this is so important, even if I don't totally agree with that assessment. I mean, this film did pretty much define the cultural landscape of the American teenager, even if more polished works have come out in its wake.
Yes, it needs to be seen, but don't expect to see something you haven't already seen before. You know what? I just realized something: I think I feel about this film the way that many feel about Citizen Kane. I don't know the significance of that statement, but I feel it needed to be said. Take it easy, everyone.
3 days ago via Flixster
