gusdanjaq Reviews

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005– )

Can sociopaths be considered as funny?

[10/10 · 5 December 2011]

Well TV sociopaths can indeed. In the same fashion as Seinfeld and Arrested development, this show deals with a group of unlikeable misfits while they engage in moronic adventures based in equally moronic impulses. The difference with those spiritual predecessors is that Sunny takes it a step further. As the tagline of the show indicates ("Seinfeld on a crack) the writers of this show not only embrace the selfishness of their characters but takes it a step further by completely severing their social awareness and empathy towards other human beings. The result, needless to say, is not only sometimes disturbing, but utterly hilarious. Here is a small introduction of each one of the characters:

-Dennis Reynolds: A malignant narcissist in its truest form. Dennis believes he is the closest to physical perfection a human can achieve. A reputed ladies man, he is not above using alcohol, lies, emotional abuse and even the implication of danger (if they say no) to get girls in bed with him. He shows great amusement by watching how other people might get hurt by his actions, even if those people are his friends or his sister (who he constantly refers to as a bitch).

-Mac: Dennis's best friend and roommate, he equally enjoys to be part of the gang's plans even if that means hurting or offending innocent people. He even benefits from Dennis's system to pick up and seduce girls, because Dennis let's Mac hit on them when he gets bored with them. Mac believes himself a skilled martial artist (Even if he has not taken one lesson in his whole life) and enjoys resolving problems with violence or vandalism.

-Charlie: Although equally impulsive and alcoholic as the other's in the gang in many ways, he is the only one who has shown he has some empathy for his fellow human being. He spends his time drinking beer or huffing glue (yes, he huffs glue). Being the most naïve from the group he is easily manipulated by the others, although he has shown he isn't above manipulating them either. He is highly resentful and is prone to violent outbursts.

-Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds: Dee is as manipulative ad his brother and has been shown as only motivated by her own agenda. She is heavily picked on by the others on the gang because of their misogynistic views. Although as the other characters of the group, specially his brother, she shows no regard for how other people might be getting affected by her actions. She is highly vindictive and she goes to great lengths to make sure her schemes and her lies are being bought by the people involved.

-Frank Reynolds: An impulsive, violent and eccentric ex-millionaire he is highly delusional and carries a gun all the time. His likes include prostitutes, drugs and ham (Yes, ham). He is highly irrational and is always looking to crazier and more idiotic ways to deal with the possible issues that might arise for the gang.

This show appeals to your inner child in the way that this characters really have the mental development of a child, and you will find hilarious how they will impulsively engage in idiotic plans without showing any preoccupation of how the consequences could be for them, their friends or for the people unfortunate enough to get involved with them. Is a refreshing show because it is one of the first comedies that embraces the darkness of its characters and the comedic possibilities of having a group of alcoholic, impulsive, borderline criminal, but dim witted protagonists. These are highly unlikeable people, and their humor might offend you in one way or another, but mark my words: You will enjoy every minute of it.

Waking Life (2001)

An inspiring experience

[9/10 · 12 May 2010]

Before seeing waking life, i was already a huge Linklater fan. Before sunset, Before sunrise and even Dazed and Confused, had already established him as an incredibly skilled director who was capable of crafting great movies dealing with important issues by writing extremely believable dialogs. And i think that is the key of my liking of this director in particular, his style of directing and, more specifically, his dialog seems so fresh and effortless, that you almost feel interacting with the characters in his movies. Waking life is no exception. In waking life we find ourselves going through a journey of self-discovery of the protagonist, who is traveling from dream to dream meeting and talking to all kinds of people about all kinds of subjects. The movie is based on the concept of lucid dreams, which is a state in which you know that you are dreaming, which practically enables you to wander and analyze and interpret every knowledge, experience or thoughts that you might have in an incomparable depth. That is exactly what the character does in his journey, he talks with all the people he meets in his dreams about subjects we all think about but rarely deal with them in such a great depth. As i said earlier in those conversations you can see the genius of Richard Linklater, because he presents this major philosophical subjects as things we all think about on day to day basis. The dialog is so engaging that you almost feel inside this dreams. Although the leading character doesn't have much dialog, i think it is done on purpose, because it enabled me to feel as if i was experiencing these dreams from first hand. The visuals of the movie are stunning, the animation that Linklater uses is beautifully confusing and unstable, just like dreams are. Is almost a therapeutically experience, every time i see it, it feels that way. It is an excellent movie, and i highly recommend it. Great direction, Great movie

American Psycho (2000)

I am just not there

[9/10 · 18 March 2010]

American Psycho is one of those movies that will leave the critics divided. Is a kind of movie that if you don't get the point of what's going on you are just going to think about it as an awful mess. I got the point ( i mean i read Bret Easton Ellis's book, but i read it long after i watched and loved the movie) and i loved it. Christian Bale (who i might say is one of the best, if not the best, actors currently working) does a great job playing socialite Patrick Bateman, who's only obsessions in life are taking extremely good care of himself (using a large variety of beauty products, obsessively working out, etc.), going to the bests night clubs and restaurants, and last but not least, satisfying his increasing homicidal impulses. In fact early in the movie we see that Patrick Bateman isn't at all how he wants to be seen by his peers (he is shown as a charming stock broker who has friends and a girlfriend), in fact he is an increasingly psychotic homicidal man who is so bored with his yuppie lifestyle that the only way he feels alive and really feels in touch with the world that surrounds him is by engaging in disturbing and gruesome murders. The worst part is that even with his increasingly chaotic and erratic behavior, he seems more aware about the disconnection from humanity that this yuppie lifestyle gives to the people in it than his peers (theres is a scene in which Patrick and his friends are literally drooling over some presentation cards). I don't think that Harron's approach to the story is at all perfect (having already read the book), and as i said is a pretty tough story to understand. But in her defense, one of the greatest things of a story like American psycho is that you have to keep an open mind to see beyond the violence and the massacres, which also happens while reading the book. As i said Bale's performance is just plain excellent, it might seem over the top sometimes, but believe me, thats Patrick Bateman: a man constantly over the edge of psychotic boredom who could snap at any moment. The funny thing is that their co-workers are so clueless about everything and so self-centered that they don't seem to realize the homicidal maniac they have next door (not even by the fact Patrick sometimes playfully confesses his urges to them). Bale deserved at least Oscar buzz for this role, he is just plain perfect. As a side note, i hope Hollywood starts rewarding him for his carefully methodical performances or he could easily become the next Jeff bridges (a great actor whose every performances are nearly flawless but doesn't get the recognition he deserves): i know Bridges won the Oscar this year, but it was long overdue. The supporting cast is very good too. By playing clueless and self centered characters the wrong actor might look stiff, but the cast does a great job with their roles. Chloe Sevigny, willem Dafoe, Josh Lucas,.. All the cast do a great job with their respective roles. All in all is a great movie, and one of my all time favorites. Is the kind of movie in which with every new viewing you start noticing new elements and themes that are being developed and satirized. Great Performances, Extremely great cult classic.

The Ugly Truth (2009)

Man what a bad movie

[1/10 · 18 March 2010]

Seriously, i don't know what movie studios are thinking now a days, releasing movies like these into the cinemas. I went to watch this movie, not with high hopes (after all the whole opposites attract formula has been used millions of times in romantic comedies, so it wasn't very original) but i thought it could be fun. I mean the trailer had it's moments, and i am a Gerard Butler fan, i thought maybe he could have good chemistry with Katherine Heigl (she did OK in knocked up). None of it was there, no chemistry, no good acting, no script, no laughs. The only reason i am not giving it a 0 to this movie is because i had a few laughs in the vibrator scene (is not a spoiler because it appears in the trailer). I am a big fan of Gerard Butler, but i don't know what he was thinking, is like he accepted the movie without even reading that awfully unfunny script. He did very good in 300 (some people say his acting was stiff, but i think it was very powerful, his approach to Leonidas was chilling) so i guess he should stick to those kind of strong quiet type kind of roles. Another thing is his accent, he cannot pull it of, his American accent is jut plain awful, Gerard if you are reading this for any reason whatsoever, i am a big fan but stick to your native accent or at least get a better American coach. Katherine Heigl does a lousy job playing this highly annoying network executive, her whole character is just annoying, and the way they approached the character was just unreal. As i said earlier the script is painfully unfunny, i mean they jut used clichè after clichè of the macho stereotype for Butler, clearly trying to emphasize how different he was with Heigl's character: Guess what? this time it didn't work. The characters were so cliché'd that they just became caricatures, i never cared for any of them, i didn't care if they ended up together or not. All in all is an awful movie, and i just couldn't repress my feelings towards this mess of a movie. Horrible performances, Horrible movie

Carlito's Way (1993)

underrated perfect film

[10/10 · 11 March 2010]

This has to be one of the most unfairly underrated film in movie history. It's a perfect film, and much better than any other De Palma film (I am a big fan of De Palma but this film is just perfect). Ex-drug dealer Carlito Brigante, recently released from prison, tries to live a decent live while dealing with the ever present temptations of going back to it's old one (mostly from his friends, who aren't very happy with the idea of Carlito becoming a decent citizen). He is always accompanied by his best friend and lawyer David Kleinfeld, who is a coke addicted and increasingly paranoid lawyer with dubious connections in the mob world. As you can see, with friends like these it would be a hard job for Carlito to abandon his old life. However he finds strength and inspiration to continue his efforts of cleaning his act by reuniting with his old love (from before he went to jail) Gail. This story is a perfect thriller whose structure and development feels a lot like a Greek tragedy reinterpreted as a film noir. There are few action sequences, but the dialog is so perfect that you just want to know more and more about the characters. The few action sequences are beautifully filmed, and i assure you: you will not be disappointed, they will keep you on the edge of your seat. The performances are great, Pacino gives a great Humphrey Bogart-like performance as the ex-con always tormented by his past (the narration is also great, it clearly shows us how Carlito is feeling, and how i think an ex-con would think trying to clean his act with temptations in every corner). Sean Penn gives an academy award worthy performance by giving a believable approach to Carlito's increasingly drug addicted, paranoid and even homicidal lawyer. The beautiful Penelope Ann Miller gives us a wonderful performance as Carlito's only positive influence and inspiration in his life (I think this performance should have established her as strong leading lady, but as i said, this movie doesn't have even half of the recognition it deserves). All in all, Is a great movie, and personally, one of my all time favorites (if not favorite). Great Performances, Perfect Film.

Fight Club (1999)

Fincher's masterpiece

[9/10 · 11 March 2010]

I really like the work of David Fincher. I think Seven is one of the most beautifully crafted psychological thrillers in movie history. However i think Fight Club qualifies to be put in a whole different league than traditional movies. A movie like Fight Club, that manages to find and maintain it's coherence while dealing with profound subjects like existentialism and nihilism with dark humor and pretty violent action scenes (some fight scenes are very violent and bloody), is really hard to find. In fact for this reason is that i think that it should be qualified in a whole new perspective, because there are very few movies it could be compared to. The movie is about a guy who is really bored with his yuppie bureaucratic lifestyle but finds relieve when he meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), who teaches him valuable life lessons. The fun of the movie is that this lessons are little by little unraveled while them (and later in the movie, their followers too) engage in brutal fist fights as a way of dealing with their issues with modern society. This fist fights then start becoming other activities increasingly more self-destructive. The beauty of the movie is that everything is extremely well done, from the cinematography (dark scenarios, surreal and practically dream-like sequences) to the soundtrack (great choice of music that enhance the dark feel of the movie) and the script (the dialog is great, conversations between the characters feel real and energetic: such a great dialog is hard to find in modern movies). And let's not forget about the performances, Ed Norton gives a great performance about a man whose boredom in life is so powerful that the only way he feels alive is by engaging in brutal fights with other desperate males. Brad Pitt gives what i think is the best performance of his career, playing the energetic but increasingly self-destructive and anarchistic Tyler Durden- Great Performances, Great Movie

Miami Blues (1990)

Alec's best

[8/10 · 11 March 2010]

Miami blues is a really dark comedy with a lot more to it than whats meets the eye. Alec Baldwin plays a recently released sociopath murderer and thief who manages himself to steel a police badge in Miami. He is joined by a clueless hooker (jennifer Jason)who thinks she has found a decent man to settle down with. Fred Ward plays the officer trying to apprehend Baldwin and get his badge back. Mmiami blues is a great film mostly thanks to the performances by the three main characters. Baldwin does a beautiful job playing this psychopath in a way that you start rooting for him, even though he is murdering, assaulting and steeling from people, you start seeing him as a really sick guy with the mental development of a child. I mean we clearly know his actions are no good at all, but he plays it with a certain quality that even makes you feel sorry for the guy. This ambiguity with which he play the character is what builds the dark humor in this film, because he seems as if he really isn't aware of the possible consequences of his actions. Jennifer Jason beautifully plays the gorgeous and naive prostitute that finds herself falling in love for this criminal. Fred Ward also does a great job playing the cop desperate to recover his badge from Baldwin. This movie greatly shows Baldwin'versatility, and kind of makes me thing of a much lighter version of Henry; Portrait of a serial killer, in the way that both movies deal with leading characters that even thought their morals are highly questionables (they kill and steel just for the kick of it) they are not entirely unlikeable to the audiences witnessing their acts. Great performances, Really Good film.