keystone_cop17 Reviews

Celebrity (1998)

Brilliant. I love this film.

[10/10 · 29 December 2007]

I don't write many of these reviews, but upon viewing Celebrity again, and noticing that it is Woody Allen's lowest rated film - I felt that I absolutely must say something. As stated in my summary I think this film is brilliant. There are so many nuances, so many little things that work so well.

What people fail to realize is that this movie is not about liking the main character. In fact, he is decidedly unlikable. But we are not supposed to empathize with him. We are supposed to feel sorry for him. Lee needs "help" as is clearly stated at the end of the film.

What's more, the movie is about Celebrity. Plain and simple. It shows us every kind of celebrity from the TV Priest to Brandon Darrow's party boy character. It shows the ridiculous and cardboard thin nature of celebrity as the old woman clearly points out about a famous hostage: "what - he's a hero for being captured?"

"Celebrity" illustrates America (and maybe the world's) bizarre obsession with fame, by holding up a mirror and presenting the people as they really are. It also shows us how we as an audience can be fooled, and how we worship celebrities for moments of fabricated beauty. This is brilliantly shown during the "Kiosk at Midnight" scene between Nola and Lee. It's possibly one of the most beautiful scenes ever put on film - but it's between two perverse and loathsome people. But we are fooled - and just for a moment, all is right.

Such is the nature of celebrity.

10/10 Give this film another shot.

Scoop (2006)

Very, Very, Funny. A Great Movie.

[10/10 · 28 July 2006]

"Scoop" is easily Woody Allen's funniest film of the 2000's so far. Allen, although finally looking his age, is at the top of his game as low-brow magician Sidney Waterman. His one-liners and demeanor are hilarious. Don't let the critics sway your opinion. "Scoop" is a top notch "Woody-Lite" picture.

The classical music score is an excellent compliment to the action on screen. Scarlett Johanson looks gorgeous in that bathing suit. Jackman is dashing. The cinematography glows. "Scoop" is wonderful escapist fare from start to finish. The last shot of the film alone is worth the admission price.

The New World (2005)

Beautiful Poetry

[10/10 · 9 March 2006]

As I sat in the darkened theater, I thought to myself - this is poetry. This is the cinematic equivalent of a long beautiful poem. Never has a love story been so simply represented with so few words, but so much feeling.

I felt the images and emotions flow through me. An honest and unflinching, but at the same time lyrical and stylized depiction of love, and the clash of cultures.

An inspirational, enchanting, and incredible ride down a quiet river, rustling on the banks with joy, devotion, greed, jealousy, and the need to survive.

Malick has crafted such a fine piece of film-making that words downplay it's brilliance.

A masterpiece.

Match Point (2005)

Good Luck

[10/10 · 20 January 2006]

This is a great film. One of Woody Allen's best. There are many, many people who complain of plot holes in this film. What they are talking about are not really plot holes. They are LIFE holes. The events such as the police not investigating Nola's (alleged) pregnancy is maddening.

That however, is not a shortcoming of the film, but instead one of it's strengths. Chris Wilton was a very, VERY lucky killer in that there were many ways he could - and should - have gotten caught. But, due to a seemingly open and shut case, and a lazy police department, he emerged completely unscathed.

In a way, Woody Allen's manipulation of the audience to an almost angry state over this fact is the mark of a master.

To those who see similarities in this to Crimes and Misdemeanors - yes there are. The endings are somewhat similar. However, in the vast scope of films that have been produced, so many films resemble so many other films, that to criticize them for that is ridiculous.

Would you talk down to Hitchcock for always directing a suspense thriller? Or Keaton for a slapstick comedy? Allen, like many great filmmakers, has his little magic bag of themes. Because he is so prolific, people tend to notice them more than other filmmakers.

Match Point is another notch in Allen's belt of magnificent, intellectual, and thought provoking films.

See it, you won't regret it.

The Hoboken Chicken Emergency (1984 TV Movie)

Fascinating glimpse into soul of chicken.

[10/10 · 30 December 2005]

"The Hoboken Chickn Emergency," is perhaps, one of the greatest exercises in surrealism since Salvador Dali's "Un Chien Andalou". The symbolism denoted by the chicken is at the same time nostalgic for a simple, more agricultural time, and characteristic of a new, more frantic lifestyle. The concept of the "emergency", has it's roots in the 1903 film, Edwin S. Porter's "The Life of an American Fireman".

The recalling of such cinematic classics as these surely puts "The Hoboken Chicken Emergency" in a class far above similar efforts.

Truly an American masterpiece.

JM/ZM

Lucky Jim (2003 TV Movie)

Don't be so picky. It was a nice film.

[7 December 2003]

I happened to enjoy this film adaptation of the novel "Lucky Jim". I thought that the performances were of a fine nature and, unlike another one of these fine reviewers, I was rooting for Jim to get the girl. He's the underdog, and indeed looks the part. I think it was an appropriate casting choice. Now, I have not read the book, and I probably never will, however I know when I see an entertaining film. It is not breathtakingly brilliant or life changing, sure, but everything can't be. I was very much taken with the story, and felt that I could empathize with Jim immensely. I also enjoyed the use of the song "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" in it's various forms. Overall a good production, I would recommend it those seeking my recommendation. I give it three out of four stars.