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Reviews
Rushmore (1998)
Great movie for the blessed minority of intellectuals.
After seeing that the Royal Tenenbaums was slated ahead of Rushmore on the user rating system here at IMDB, i feel I have to stand up for Wes Anderson's best work (Rushmore and Bottle Rocket).
For those of you who loved the Royal Tenenbaums and haven't seen the other Wes Anderson movies, I envy you, because you have quite a show ahead of you! *Especially* with Rushmore, which is slighty better than Bottle Rocket in my opinion.
I'll admit, the humor is out there. It is not for all. If you are in love with movies by the Farrelly Brothers, or any teenybopper comedies like American Pie - - STAY AWAY FROM THIS ONE!!! Because you won't get it.
I AM SICK AND TIRED of people commenting that they HATED this movie, or that they HATED Bottle Rocket or Tenenbaums, or that they HATED other great movies by great directors (Coens, C.Guest, etc.)
So, I'll repeat: IF YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT WHO NEEDS EVERYTHING SPOON-FED - - just simply STAY AWAY! You don't get it, and you never will. The easiest solution to your problem is to just put your leash back on get back in your line - - and STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!!
hehehe, just had to get that off my chest. .. .
anyway, rushmore is a great movie if you enjoy something a little different...
"Take dead aim on the rich kids. Get them in the crosshairs, and take them down"
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Too many characters, but wonderful no less...
I enjoyed this movie greatly, however, I was surprised a little at Wes Anderson's choice of casting so many characters. The fact Anderson billed so many big stars wasn't troubling to me, it was the fact that he tried to squeze all of them into equal time on the screen.
You see, the beauty of Rushmore and Bottle Rocket, was the fact that there was only two or three (three at the most) main characters. We got to see each main character in many aspects of life, which, in this special brand of humor especially, is SO IMPORTANT.
However, this is all very petty, because I loved the movie regardless. I've always loved reading Salinger, and I would be partial to this movie regardless of how well done it was! There weren't too many strong links to the Salinger stories, but Margot Tenenbaum (Paltrow) reminded me a lot of Franny Glass.
I was skeptical of the casting of Ben Stiller, not because he isn't talented or anything, because he IS very talented (see the Ben Stiller show) - - but because he hasn't been in ANY good movies lately (see Zoolander, Meet the Parents). But he pulled it off. He was my least favorite character, but he did alright I guess.
Richie Tenenbaum, played by Luke Wilson, was great though. I loved the character. The scene where he punches the glass and then stands beside Bill Murray as they both look away was so hilarious! Also the scene where Luke is shaving it very powerful and moving. I dont know how Wes Anderson pulled off such a serious scene in a movie like this, but he pulled it off. But again, it would have been better had we known Richie a tad bit better. Luke is too talented in this type of humor to be underused.
Owen Wilson needed more time as well, and a better character then what he got. He is also too talented and funny in this kind of comedy to be so grossly underused. The scene where he talks about his book on Custer was so funny, I was just waiting for his character to develop and it never did.
When I see the Wilson brothers in these type of comedies I wonder why they make so many BAD movies outside of Wes Anderson (see Home Fries, Anaconda, etc) Outside of Wes, the best movies they were a part of were probably Dog Park for Luke (directed by mad genius Bruce McCulloch), and Cable Guy for Owen.
But I'm whining again, when I should be praising. All this talk over who was underused when I should have talked about how great Gene Hackman was!!! Overall The Royal Tenenbaums was a wonderful movie that I'll treasure forever, but it finshes a close third behind Rushmore and Bottle Rocket.
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
Pointless
I saw this movie literally directly after finishing the book, and maybe that was a neutral idea or a very stupid one. I think it was the latter. First of all, it was inaccurate in many small, yet important details. One of the first things I noticed was, during Winston's day to day life in his work, his conversations, eating in the cafeteria, etc. he feels free to look unhappy and make suggestive glances at people without immense fear. One of the most important parts of the book, was that even in small activities it was virtually impossible to safely show even a hint of his true emotions on his face AT ANY MOMENT. This is also shown in the scenes on the streets of the proletarions. In the book Winston knew that this was a huge risk to wander around there and was skeptical and frightened at every trip. While in the movie, he does it so often and without fear, that you lose the important feeling of heavy surveillance and risk right off the bat.
Other minor inaccuracies included Winston hiding his diary in the wall, yes a very small change, but it begs the question, what's the point? There was also the most annoying thing a director can do with a book, and that is morphing characters.
The large inaccuracies were far more disturbing, however. First of all, one of the important pieces of the book is that Big Brother is a government based on an intelligent, yet crude philosophy. In the movie, they skip that and go straight to making you think that the government is run by Hitler with technology. Which is true, in a sense, when directed with its facism, but if that's all you get out of Big Brother, you really missed the point of the book. The terrifying thing about Big Brother is that, in a way, it has some points behind its philosophy. When O'Brien is picking at Winstons mind in the Ministry of Love, he is LISTENING to everything Winston says against Big Brother. The fact that he listens, and advances forward in his philosophy, is in effect what is most creepy and intriguing. In the end, (careful SPOILER ahead) when Winston says he loves Big Brother, the terrifying thing is that you are not sure whether it was souly the beating and torture that caused this, or the actual power behind the philosophy. I am in no way saying that the Big Brother's philosophy has points that appeal to me, but its intelligence and depth is what makes this book incredibly disturbing.
Also, how could anyone feel any connection between Julia and Winston in the film? It was awful, no connection whatsoever.
And where was O'Brien before he gave Winston his address? One of the things that carried the book was Winstons thoughts about O'Brien BEFORE he made contact with him. In the movie, they just jump the gun.
But that about sums up why this movie was a terrible adaption: because its impossible NOT to jump the gun and morph characters in less than two hours. How could anyone think this movie was watchable if it was under two hours? At the very least, the movie demands 3 hours to be able to capture some of the important moods and connections. Anything less is just pointless.
If you loved the book, and I mean TRULY adored it, you will not approve of this movie, and chances are, you already knew you wouldn't. Because the book is unfilmable, and this movie just proves how impossible it is cram something decent into a small reel of film.
Two stars out of ten
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
One of the worst movies ever made
The amount of thought put towards the storyline to this movie equals roughly nothing, and I am wondering just how I can go back in time and get my money back. The acting was absolutely terrible on top of a horrible story, and if you actually liked this movie, may god have mercy on your soul...
Pi (1998)
pi is one of the best films I've ever seen
Finally! A movie about the origin of life that doesn't follow mindless hollywood guidelines! This movie was incredible, and it just goes to show you that intelligence overpowers money in making a good movie. Sean Gullette delivers a brilliant performance of Max Cohen, and Aronofsky triumphs in his debut. Bravo! Buy this movie!