wileykylie Reviews

Garden State (2004)

lost it at the end

[9/10 · 9 June 2004]

Garden State is a noble effort, which occasionally touches greatness but then drops the ball in the last five minutes. I went to a screening of this movie in NY and greatly enjoyed myself. Zach Braff has a great eye and a truly wry and interesting sense of humor, both visually and with the dialogue. The banter is inspired, however, the longer speeches need some work. I don't want to give away the ending, but I will say that for such a strange and wonderful movie, which is one of the few that really taps into the weird ennui of being a twenty-something returning to your hometown, it turns oddly trite and emotionally unsatisfying in the final five minutes. As if he knew he only had a few minutes left of film and was trying to give the audience a satisfying ending. But it didn't fit. That said... Natalie Portman gives the best performance I've seen from her since her near perfect turns in Beautiful Girls and The Professional. Ian Holm was wonderful, as always. Zach Braff, ambitiously taking the helm as director, writer, and actor works ably at all three, and definitely has a long and prosperous future in whatever avenue he chooses. Overall, well worth seeing, I just wish Mr. Braff had the courage to trust his audience to understand the subtext and leave his characters with less explicitly spelled out at the end.

Sports Night (1998–2000)

one of the best prematurely cancelled shows EVER

[30 April 2001]

I have never been more sad to see a show cancelled than I was at the untimely demise of Sports Night. It speaks volumes about the current state of network television (ABC, in particular) that a cutting edge and intelligent show like Sports Night was cancelled after its second season while "Full House" had an extended run (and yes, I know it was a family show but that doesn't mean the writing had to be atrocious). All I can say is that the writing on Sports Night was superb (which should come as no surprise to those fans of Sorkin's plays, screenplays, and his recent television hit, The West Wing), the production values were top notch and the ensemble were all absolutely wonderful actors, notably; Felicity Huffman, Peter Krause, Josh Charles, Joshua Malina, Sabrina Lloyd, and (a paragon of actors) Robert Guillaume, with guest appearances by Bill Macy. If ABC felt that they couldn't build an audience for Sports Night because it is an intelligent show that falls outside of the realm of traditional sitcoms, they merely proved that they lack marketing savvy and one suspects that they must be chagrined by NBC's enormous success with a show that is similarly structured. Lastly, mad props to Comedy Central for resurrecting a fabulous show which cannot be praised enough for its brilliance and which refused to pander because it believed that people were smart enough to appreciate it for the finest show of its sadly brief time on the air.

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Too close for comfort, BUT...

[10/10 · 11 April 2001]

Too close for comfort, but great for a laugh! Despite the fact that this movie strayed from a beloved book, I thought it really captured the spirit that made Bridget Jones so lovable and someone with whom I could identify. I must admit, I had severe doubts as to whether Renee Zellweger could be "normal" enough for me to have that feeling in movie, but she did a fabulous job of really submerging herself in the character and within 60 seconds I was laughing so hard both with and at her. Hugh Grant did a fabulous turn in a character that is deliciously out of character. Colin Firth is perhaps the most beautiful stoic ever. Must say, I liked this movie beyond all expectation and I think it ranks among my favorite date movies of all time.

Tank Girl (1995)

Guilty pleasure

[9/10 · 1 November 2000]

I have to say that not, this is not the world greatest movie. HOWEVER, it is one of the most fun things I have seen in ages. A welcome release from testosterone ridden action films, it is great to see a girl kick some serious booty. Malcolm McDowell has lost none of his creepy "Clockwork Orange" devilishness. I have to admit, my best friend and I rented this on a whim, and it is one of my favorite good "bad" flicks. Besides, too few action movies have musical numbers. It is nice to see someone trying to tip that balance.

Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Role models, social conscience, and a fab soundtrack

[10/10 · 1 November 2000]

As a twelve year old girl, I had a hard time finding role models. I lived on the outskirts of what was basically a country club neighborhood, but was not that kind of gal. So I found it wonderfully refreshing to find a role model in the pre-"Girl-Power" girl power of Watts. I fell in love along side her (and to this day, harbor a special place in my heart for Eric Stoltz), begged my parents to let me learn the drums, and knew every line by heart. She was tough, witty, and (according to my older brother) incredibly sexy. Eric Stoltz is dreamy in a working class kind of way and puts in a performance of true depth and character. This movie has heart without being sickly sweet. It delves into family relationships, friendships, and romance. Most notably, it tackles something that the current teen fair seems to lack, social consciousness. It's not afraid to break stereotypes or point out social injustice. Not to mention, it has one of the best soundtracks of the '80s. I give it an A++!!!