koinlondon Reviews

Mystery Men (1999)

If you like "camp," this film is for you.

[7/10 · 6 November 2003]

While there may be something about Mary, there's something truly endearing about this film. It's definitely grown on me, and I like it more with each viewing. While it doesn't necessarily work as a whole (the plot is sketchy at best, but this is comicbookland), it's imaginative, fun and incredibly light-hearted. Worth watching if for no other reason than the superb character creations-- how can you afford to miss Geoffrey Rush as Casanova Frankenstein? Some might call it a dumb movie for smart people. Exceptionally snappy dialogue, and if you watch it more than once, you'll discover the more subtle jokes.

In order to gauge my taste: I love "Something About Mary," hated "Flirting With Disaster" and, in general, prefer "The Ben Stiller Show" (90s Fox TV series) to anything he's done so far in film.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Zen for Boomers: Lebowski as the Anti-Hero

[10/10 · 6 November 2003]

Apart from its burgeoning cult status, this film is seriously overlooked and underrated. Perhaps partially the result of gross marketing misrepresentation. Regardless, you know how there are some films that strike such a cord that you tend to believe you can effectively use them to screen potential friends and lovers? This is such a film for me. Excellent script, generation-defining philosophy (both Boomers and Xers tend to like it the most in my experience) tempered with humor, unforgettable characters and performances exquisitely produced. My favorite film of the Coen brothers' offerings and in my top ten of anyone else's. Great soundtrack, to boot.

Baraka (1992)

Perfect fodder for the armchair traveler/philospher

[10/10 · 6 November 2003]

Absolutely stunning symphony of images from places most of us will never see in a lifetime. The narrative is entirely visual-- it does have a message, but interpretation is largely up to you. Forget it if you're easily bored. Cinematography is out of this world. Good, also, for children, but they'll unlikely sit still for the whole thing in one go. Endlessly watchable in a meditative kind of way.