Heathers

It has been such a long time since I have seen this film and I forgot just how sick Christian Slater's character, J.D. is...Heathers was one of the first edgy, indie type high school movies of the 80s. The 90s brought us Cruel Intentions, and a bevy of other high school mean girl flicks, but for 1988, this was big. The 80s music was hilarious, and you will know what I am referring to should you decide to go back in time as I did and re watch this. Shannen Doherty and her uneven eyes are in this film as a Heather, and Winona Ryder (who I love and miss) plays Veronica, a non-Heather, but runs with them. The reigning theme is murder disguised as suicide as played out by J.D. and Veronica. I liked seeing it again, even if it did take me 4 sit downs to get through it.

I give it 5 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5yXjghKpO4

Volver

Volver means to "return" and this story had that theme more towards the middle of the film but had to build upon the current character situations to get to the "return" part. I studied Latin women authors in college and this film kept speaking "Isabel Allende" (a great Latin author) to me. It is a story about women in Spain, marriage, family, complexities. No one can tell a story like the women authors I studied, except for writer/director Pedro Almodovar. This film allows you to escape. You have no idea what developments will occur next and that always keeps me interested. Penelope Cruz is so fabulous, such a presence, such a beauty, and this role was no exception. She plays Raimunda, a fiery, hard, working- class woman trying to make ends meet for she and her daughter. Her husband is a good for nothing drunk who is crass and neanderthal in his dealings with the opposite sex. There are so many character parallels in this, so many layers that all connect to every single thing that happens! So few American movies can achieve such graceful writing, and connection. SO MUCH GOING ON. The direction simple but it so laced with such human complexities you can do simple. The gist of it is that Raimunda has to deal with a murder and ultimately discovers that her life eerily parallels her "dead" mother's... I wish I could go further into it, but I don't want to give any away because I highly recommend this film, especially to escape, which I have needed ever so much these past few days. The subtitles are fast in the beginning, because Spanish is a fast language, but you grow accustomed to it quickly and it becomes rote.

I give it an 8 out of 10.
http://bit.ly/volvertrailer

10 Items or Less

This wasn't a film with a lot going on, it was much more subtle and based upon human kindness. Morgan Freeman was dropped off (by Jonah Hill's character) at a far off grocery store in a remote area of California to do research as an actor for an independant film by a tiny, first picture company who fails to pick him up. Morgan notices a sarcastic cashier, played by the beautiful Paz Vega (I like her a lot), Scarlet, and Morgan ends up convincing her to give him a ride home. They strike up a unique friendship and the film centers around it. Morgan plays a version of himself in this story which makes it odd. There are many gratuitous moments of corniness as he makes "movie and actor" metaphors for the plight that plagues the cashier. It was indie like in that there wasn't much going on, no real huge scenes and focus on character interaction and dialogue. Although I didn't hate it, I found it corny at times, and for me that can be a buzz kill.

I give it a 3 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MquN2nZnhZw

Cashback

This is a British film and I did not know what to expect, but I liked the comedic timing and clever special effects. The Brits do know comedy and unlike the US can be quite witty about it, and this film was chock full of off beaten characters who worked together during the night shift at a supermarket. It hit on all the chords of life's struggles, love loss, dream fulfilment, and dead end jobs. It was nicely done since comedies can rarely be funny through the whole film, there were introspective moments strewn around which made it meatier than most comedic films. It remained interesting throughout and illustrated the pain of a remembered romance very well. It was a young cast, and a youthful story line, but somehow they made it less sophmoric than an American comedy. It was more intelligent, thought provoking and visually interesting. Ben, the main character suffered a breakup with his girlfriend, and it shows how he deals with it and how his life progresses as he is dealing the the heartache and sorrow. The trailer I posted below reads drama, but this film was quite amusing (characters, situations) throughout, although not slapstick.

I give it a 5 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siXe9XC723s

Two Lovers

This was an interesting decision for Gwenyth Paltrow's return to the big screen. Not surprising, simply interesting. The main character, Leonard, played by Joaquin Phoenix is a bumbling, insecure, and strange man who resides with his parents in Brooklyn due to a bout with mental illness. In the opening scene, Leonard jumps off a bridge plunging into the bay attempting to kill himself, fails, and comes home soaked and wet. His mother, played by Isabella Rosselini instinctively knows he attempted suicide, but Leonard denies it. This story is a voyeuristic view into Leonard's physical preoccupation with his beautiful neighbor, Michelle, played by Paltrow, and his "settled for" romantic relationship with Sandra, his parent's business partner's daughter. The story leaves out integral details/character development for everyone, which makes it more mysterious and voyeuristic. As the viewer, you do realize what is going on, but the connection to any character or the desire for them to achieve success is minimal. I didn't mind it, although it moved slowly..I found myself enraptured by Joaquin's performance, which was effortless as the clumsy and strange Leonard. What is intriguing is the fact that Leonard, despite his "oafdom," manages to surround himself with 2 beautiful women. Goes to show... women don't have many choices out there for a swell man. Seems there is a shortage of men, and an abundance of attractive, insecure women around. Geesh..

I give it a 4 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH3SdiqmnCc

China Moon

When I sat down to watch this, Venus was the last movie I had seen so I was a little elitist and thought I wouldn't care for it. I made myself sit through it to give it a chance mainly because Benicio Del Toro was young in it, and Ed Harris is just plain sexy, but short!! Wow, I never noticed his paltry stature until this film had him in donned in high waisted bad jeans, and in unfitted, tucked in, belled-out dress shirts! Anyway, back to the film. Like Body Heat, this is a mystery thriller that involves the wiles of a beautiful woman wrangling men and as a result the men doing stupid things to win her love and affection. Of course there is an AHOLE husband who doesn't treat her right, blah, blah, blah, I watched it in two sittings but wanted to finish it. I forget how beautiful Madeline Stowe was, her eyes are mesmerizing and she was cast perfectly in this role. There are twists and turns in the plot and it did manage to hold my interest. But.. is this a must-see, not really, but if you are in the mood for an attractive cast and a mystery, why not? It is far from terrible.

I give it a 4 out of 10.
http://bit.ly/vw4Bn

Venus

I kept thinking a little about Elegy as I watched this film as the theme was similar but very different. Peter O'Toole plays Maurice, an elderly man of about 80 who falls in love with a woman in her 20s, and nicknames her Venus, after the famous nude painting. The young woman comes to town to stay with and care for her elderly uncle, Maurice's best friend. Venus is rough around the edges and quite ascerbic towards Maurice and her uncle. Maurice's friend cannot attend the theater with him and he invites Venus, and their distinctly odd relationship begins. Venus has never been treated very well, and likes the kind and affectionate attention Maurice gives her. Maurice is famous and had been a huge and handsome movie star in his younger years, and I felt that he never let that part of him go. He even looked handsome and believeable in this part, like a young woman could see the "inner rascal" in him. He still had the bravado, confidence and brazen mind, proven by his persuit of Venus. I liked the odd pairing of the two, Maurice, cultured, sophisticated, while Venus is prickly and hard. She learns quite a bit about herself and grows as a result of Maurice.

I give it a 5 out of 10.
http://bit.ly/venustrailer

Dreamland

I LOVE the cinematography in this film. The backdrop of a trailer park in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico made me long for the heat of the west. The story centers around two best friends, one altruistic giver and one with Multiple Sclerosis. The girls are 18 years old and trying to figure out what it is that will define their lives. Audrey, played by Agnes Bruckner, is a writer of poems, and the other girl, Kelli Garner, is more of a simpleton who dreams of being Miss America, however, her disease limits her abilities. A new boy moves in to the park, Mookie, played by Justin Long and both girls fall for him. This isn't an incredibly moving film, but the direction made it better. I liked the art house feel, the heat, and the emotional constraint portrayed. I could appreciate it, being a girl once, and the innate struggles that come along when you are growing...

I give it a 4 out of 10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cUQz-O2kS0