Quickie: YOU, ME AND DUPREE (2006)
You, Me and Dupree (2006)–*1/2 Quickie Review A recently married man looks to have a bright beginning with his wife, but his “loveable fuckup” of a best friend and his father-in-law aren’t making it easy. Not nearly as funny as it should have been, this “serious” comedy never gets people in the mood to laugh. Matt Dillon overplays his married man character, making a spiritless Owen Wilson seem less funny in the process. Michael Douglas, too, is distracting, with the A-Lister making his character seem more important than it really is. Only Kate Hudson looks at ease in this film, acting like the star she has yet to become. Directed by the Russo Brothers of Arrested...
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Quickie: THE PRODUCERS (2005)
The Producers (2005)-**1/2 Quickie Review A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his dreamer of an accountant set out to make $2 million by producing a Broadway flop. This musical adaptation of Mel Brooks’ Broadway adaptation of his own 1968 film is funny but not consistently funny. Too much time in between the big laughs makes this overlong musical a little too boring a little too often. Susan Stroman directs this musical like I’ve wanted a musical film to be directed, but does it with a Broadway show that doesn’t allow her to use the technique to its fullest. Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Roger Bart and Gary Beach reprise their stage roles. Also starring a standout Will Ferrell and Uma...
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Quickie: 21 GRAMS (2003)
21 Grams (2003)–**1/2 Quickie Review A dying man receives a heart courtesy of a soccer mom’s dead husband who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Fate brings together these three people looking for love, revenge, and redemption. Utterly intriguing for the first half, director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s sophomore film starts out like a puzzle but ends up like a paint-by-numbers drama. I suspect the film would have been tedious if it was told in a straightforward manner, but the film’s six-dimensional narrative only reveals the conclusion at the half-way point. Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benico Del Toro give strong performances, even if they are undercut by the disjointed...
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Movie Review: 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS (2003)
2 Fast 2 Furious – 1/2* Quickie Review After being arrested for illegal street racing, fugitive LAPD officer Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) is blackmailed into going undercover for US Customs so they can take down the leader of a major drug cartel. Unbelievably ridiculous and infinitely stupid, this street-racing sequel makes the same mistake of creating an inconceivable plot as the first film, only this time it does it without Vin Diesel. Paul Walker and his onscreen partner Tyrese come off as too dim-witted to succeed in the task at hand, and only Eva Mendes has no problem delivering the constipated dialogue. At least the plot is so completely disposable it rarely interrupts the killer racing scenes. Directed by John Singleton at the lowest point of his post-Boyz N the Hood career....
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Quickie: THE 400 BLOWS (1959)
The 400 Blows (1959) — **** Quickie Review A young man, neglected by his selfish parents, turns to petty crime and general trouble-making in hopes of liberating himself from his tortured home life. A magnificent tale of adolescent isolation, François Truffaut’s first feature is as timeless and poignant as The Graduate in its display of a youthful viewpoint. The picturesque trip through Paris adds dramatic visual appeal to the already captivating story. Starring Jean-Pierre...
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Quickie: 42ND STREET (1933)
42nd Street (1933)–**** Quickie Review A famous, but penniless stage director has to put together one last hit before he can retire. When his leading lady can’t perform, a first time chorus girl takes her place and gets the a once in a lifetime shot at stardom. A snappy screenplay and performances as witty as they are touching make this movie musical into a top-notch screen spectacular. The “42nd Street” stage number is unforgettable, while Warner Baxter’s performance as the desperate director a showstopper. Also starring Bebe Daniels, George Brent, and Ruby...
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