Lady in the Water, or Why I Love and Hate Shyamalan All at the Same Time

M. Knight Shyamalan is the most visually talented of all the directors in his age group working today. There I said it. Nobody got hurt. The batch of brilliant directors all in their late thirties/early forties that includes: Kevin Smith, Paul Thomas Anderson, John Favreau, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and M. Knight, is the most amazing group since, Lucas, Spielberg and Coppola.

I adore all these young directors. They speak to me, and each in their own way is genius. But Shyamalan is head and shoulders above the rest, visually. First let's do the review, then I'll get to my frustrations.

Lady in the Water is a beautiful film, both literally and figuratively. The brooding yet glossy style that Shyamalan has been working on throughout all his films, is near perfection here. As usual he has gathered some fantastic performers to fill his movie, Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard in main roles, and Bob Balaban, Bill Irwin and Sarita Choudhury in smaller ones. The acting is top notch, the characters lovable, the story intriguing. If you don't bring too much baggage or expectation with you, this movie will be a joy to watch. So what bugs me about M. Knight?

Shyamalan seems to be infatuated with storytelling. To the point that he can't just tell a story, he has to tell a story in a fascinating or different, or difficult way. Unlike Tarantino, who is fond of non-linear films, Shyamalan's films are in order, just complex. That is not to say that I like simple movies, or dislike difficult ones. I adore (and am preparing a review of) Magnolia from P.T. Anderson. That movie is nothing if not complex. What I have a problem with is when that adherence to non-traditionally structured plots becomes a hindrance to good storytelling. I think that might be the case in "Lady in the Water." I loved this film, and hope for many more classics from Shyamalan. It is that hope that leads me to question why he has to maintain the feel of "Amazing Stories" or "Twilight Zone" if you prefer.

Why must all of his films wink at us? And make no mistake about it, that's what they're doing. Six times during "Lady" I noticed a boom mic dropping into the frame. It's not completely unheard of for something like that to make it through to the final film, everybody makes mistakes, but six times is almost too many to be believed. They are so blatant, I can't imagine that someone as meticulous as Shyamalan is, could not notice. And if he did notice, does that mean they were supposed to be there? What is he trying to do, remind us it's just a movie? This turned into something of a rant. That is not what I intended. Here's what I intended:
1. To raise the question of Shyamalan's intentions and future direction.
2. To point out I love his work, but worry about his future work.
3. To ask which one of the above mentioned directors, you think will ultimately have the best career.

I am not speaking necessarily of box office OR critical acclaim, but some of both. Who from that group will in 50 years be looked on as the master? Drop a comment, opinion, rant, random cursing below. Thanks for listening, see you at the movies.

Truth and Spectacle= The Hustler

I just finished watching a movie so moving and enjoyable that I thought I'd write you about it... The Hustler. You know how sometimes (especially today's movies) movies will be pretty good, and you're enjoying it but the film makers don't know how to end the picture so there's some kind of forced tacked on ending that ends up ruining the whole movie? (This movie doesn't do that... and in general knowing how to end a movie, is the primary difference between a classic film (one that will stand the test of time) and a forgettable picture). Anyway, this movie The Hustler is the best romantic, dramatic, comedy, sports, indie flick I've ever seen. It has a bit of everything in it... Pool is merely the backdrop of the film, it's not truly a sports movie... it's a character study. Four characters make up this movie: A hot headed pool shark, a lovely girl with her share of failings and foibles in life, a shrewd businessman who is too smart for his own good, and a rival pool master, who's less villainous than one might think. The skill with which these characters were played is a testament to how great this movie is. Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott and Jackie Gleason act their brains out in this movie. Much credit goes to Sidney Carroll and Robert Rossen for writing such great words for people to say...

It's rare that I watch a movie and fall in love with the female lead... (I easily fall in infatuation with an actress) but once in a blue moon, I see a character and the actress who plays her, and I think that I would marry that girl. Sarah Parker, played by Piper Laurie is such a character... her relationship with Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) is beautiful. They're so cute and smart and funny and real together.

The Hustler, is eerily reminiscent of Billy Wilder’s brilliant film The Apartment.
The most refreshing thing about both films is the characters aren't perfect. They're like you and me; they're broken people, who can't do life on their own. They're interdependent upon each other. This quality in film, is one I can very much appreciate, because it rings true.

One of the reasons I love independent films (or “low budget” movies) is because they're full of great dialogue that echoes the real world. The characters are more than stock characters, they’re brought to life by good writing and good performances. This movie plays like a Hollywood blockbuster but is in truth an "indie" pic. It's when you fool the people into think that they're watching "spectacle" and you give them "truth". That’s when you can make the most impact. This movie succeeds overwhelmingly. I didn't know what to expect from it, and when it was over I left a changed person. I have a different view of myself, a new view of love, and what a success is. The Hustler, who knew it, would change my life? You all should see it and we'll discuss... Truth and Spectacle Style. (blim blam)

Thanks for reading,
dre :)

Nothing Helps Friends Bond Like a Donkey Show

Male friendship is a hard thing to understand. I am a man, and have several longstanding friendships, and I don't understand it. Even as an educated, culturally literate guy the implication of "too much" feeling between guys unnerves me. Even to my closest friends I find it hard to voice my affection for them, or my dependence on their friendship. For any man that has ever had a friend, or any woman who has ever marveled at the strangeness of her fella's friendships, Clerks 2 paints a perfect portrait. But can you handle the donkey show?

With the exception of Mallrats all of Kevin Smith's films have had very personal messages. Clerks was about the misplacement of a generation. That feeling in your early twenties that you're destined for greatness, but have no clue when the greatness train is pulling in. Chasing Amy was about inadequacy as a lover and a human being. Dogma was a wayward Christian's messed-up love letter to his faith, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was Kevin's personal quest to make a boatload of cash. Jersey Girl (derided as it is by fans and critics) is a beautiful story about a boy becoming a father (I imagine I'll get even more out of that one after I have kids). Kevin's latest, Clerks 2 might as well be a love letter to Kevin's best friends Scott Mosier and Jason Mewes.

There is another thread that Kevin weaves through all of these movies as well, male friendship. Its pitfalls, its shortcomings, its highpoints and low. From the first scene between Randal and Dante in the original "Clerks," the dynamic of one male friendship is established and largely maintained throughout his canon (including his one foray outside the "Askewniverse," "Jersey Girl"). Kevin is a lot like you (or your boyfriend/husband) he needs his friends, he wishes (sometimes) he could tell them how he feels about them (in a completely hetero-sexual way). But unlike you (or your bf/husband) he can write dialogue so that an actor can say it for him. In this film the nugget of "secret male bonding truth" is delivered by Jeff Anderson as Randal and it puts this movie at the top of Kevin Smith's films.

But what about the donkey show? Kevin's particular brand of "dick and fart" jokes has won him a legion of fans, sold millions in merchandise and tickets and revived the dirty teen comedy (Mallrats). It's that layer of filth that allows such heartfelt and poignant messages to sink in to an audience that otherwise wouldn't listen. It also keeps him from appealing to some audiences that could truly appreciate the message inside his films. The language, sexual discussions and implications will keep this film from ever reaching blockbuster proportions, but the people who need to hear this particular message most, probably won't be put off by those things.

"Clerks 2" is funny, heartwarming, uplifting, challenging and at times revolting. Who else could use a "donkey show" as both the romantic climax and the catalyst for a touching scene that plumbs the depths of male friendship (in a totally hetero-sexual way)? The film is fantastic. All the new additions (Rosario Dawson, Trevor Fehrman) are truly spectacular and all the returners are in better form than ever before. Jeff Anderson and Brian O'Halloran are still not stars, but in the decade since they appeared first as Randal and Dante they have gained considerable skills as actors. The true gem though is Jason Mewes. "The Sonic Boom with Dirt on It" as Kevin likes to call him, has been through some rough times since finding fame. His fall into, and eventual climb out of drugs has been well documented. But the change we see on screen is tremendous. Jason has a future as an actor. Pacino, and Deniro shouldn't be nervous or anything, but this kid is captivating to watch when given the right words to say. And no one can give words like Kevin.

This movie does frighten me a little (although recent statements from Kevin have softened this). I fear that a good reception for this film (after the drubbing "Jersey Girl" took) will add to his already great insecurities. He should not, can not, hamstring himself as a filmmaker. He deserves to stretch the limits of his abilities and we deserve to enjoy the fruits of those explorations. I love the "Askewniverse" and would gladly visit again ("Mallrats 2: Die Hard in a Mall" or even another "Clerks" in ten years) but I also want to see Kevin Smith without the safety net of Jay and Bob (although he should bring along Jason Mewes for the ride). There is room for both Kevin's on my DVD shelf.

A Big Film Weekend (Dre's take)

Here's my movie watching weekend.

I went to see Clerks II (it not being at Celebrity Theatre in Ruston) I drove, like I did in "the old days", (about a month ago) to Monroe. So in Monroe, there are 2 places to see movies, 1) Tinseltown (the local multi-plex) and 2) The Mall, (the crappy mall) the good thing about the mall though is, they have slightly different choices there than at Tinseltown, but more importantly they have 2 dollar, movies if you see the movie before 6PM! I might have chosen to see this movie at the multi-plex but I had a buddy with me and he wanted to see it at the mall for the money we could save, (and since I was driving he didn't lose money by having to buy gas...). Anyhoo, there's a theory that I now subscribe to, seeing a movie at the mall is alright, if you don't actually want to see it for more money, IE- It's okay to see "When a Stranger Calls" or "Stick It" at the mall, because if it's a crappy movie it's alright because you've only spent 2 bucks, and if it ends up being pretty good you feel like you got a deal out of it. However, if there's a movie you actually want to see, DON'T SEE IT AT THE MALL! (The reason being, because the little things that don't bother you when you're seeing The Benchwarmers, do when it's a movie you REALLY CARE ABOUT SEEING!) I didn't see the importance of this rule until this weekend, which is why my Clerks II experience, was horrible.

The movie itself is really good, and funny. It's a delight to Kevin Smith fans, (though I'm not sure it's reach is anything beyond that, it's not very accessible to "new fans".) and to all of us who want to see Dante and Randal again. So the movie was good. I liked Rosario Dawson, and Trevor Fehrman (who played Elias (possibly my fave character) I thought the "new and improved Jay and Silent Bob" were hilarious and fun, really adding texture and breadth to the cast of characters. The overarching point of the movie was the depth of friendship, and the lengths friends would go to sacrifice for the other. This is evident in the friendships between Randal and Dante as well as Jay and Silent Bob. Silent Bob is willing to put up with Jay's crazy dances and even enables him, by providing a boom box, the reason being, without dancing Jay could relapse and fall off the wagon, and begin using the dope he’s merely pushing. The "cameos" by Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, Wanda Sykes, and Marshall from Alias (Kevin Weisman) also served to add a refreshing palate of characters to the movie. I also want to say (in a spoiler free way) I’ve never enjoyed The Jackson Five more than in this movie, that and Pillow Pants are the two most remarkably hilarious points in the movie. Not to mention that Smith proves he can be touching, sweet and sentimental without being crass during the Jackson 5 scene. Not that I would know, because I saw it at the mall!

The jokers at the mall played about 2/3rds of the movie in Pulp Fiction style, as in non-chronological order. Some of the events occurred out of order, and I couldn't tell if it was intentional (on Smith's part) or if it was an error on the mall's part. (Incidentally I just called the Mall and manager was a very nice guy, and offered to give me some free passes next time I came in, and he said it "WAS a BIG deal" after I insisted it wasn't (That I get my money back). Anyway, if I were alone I would have gone immediately to the multiplex to re-watch the movie, but I didn't (because I wasn't alone). (But I did re-watch the movie at Tinseltown on Sunday...)

On Saturday I watched two three hour movies. I watched the HBO mini-series Empire Falls and Sergio Leone's excellent film Once Upon a Time in the West. Both were excellent and worthy your and my time.

On Sunday I went again to watch Clerks II (in the right order this time) and I watched M. Night Shyamalan's Lady in the Water, as well. I was blown away, this is my fave of his movies (yes, even more than Unbreakable which lots didn't enjoy and I did because of the Comic Book geek in me...) it's also interesting to see how Clerks II and Lady in the Water are similar, in theme. (Though they both go about things in an entirely different way...) both tell the tales of people not reaching their full potential, and finding a place in their respective worlds, by embracing those around them. I don't recommend seeing these movies back to back, but if you were to do so, I'd be interested in seeing if my analysis holds up.

Shyamalan delivers in this not 100% well received bed time story. I'm not quite sure why the critics are down on the movie, it's a deliciously brilliant film. People may reject it because it's not like the other of his movies; (though you might be fooled into thinking it is from the trailers...) Bryce Dallas Howard, delights as she did in The Village, and so does Paul Giamatti (in everything he's in...). The story and movie are much less complex than previous Shyamalan projects, and it's that detail that draws me to the film. It's just a treat for the film lover and the lover of good storytelling. (This may be odd since I just discussed how much I liked Clerks II but), I found it refreshing that the movie didn't have any dirty language or nudity, it's a movie I didn't shudder to see kids in the audience of, (both times I saw Clerks II there were kids 12 years and younger in the audience and I felt a bit uncomfortable in the midst of them.)

When I came back from my double feature I watched The Sting. That too was an enjoyable film, starring two of the most beautiful men who’ve ever lived. The movie is stylized in a grittier Post-Godfather world, but a really intriguing movie none the less. All in all, I don't regret movies I saw this weekend, I just regret doing it at the mall.

A Big Film Weekend

Hello, moviegoers. This is a big weekend for film, not because of one large opening like "Superman Returns" or Pirates of the Caribbean 2, but because several smaller films are opening, vying for your time and (most importantly) your dollar. In the interest of better preparing you to choose, we will try to have reviews of all the new films up as soon as possible. The new films this weekend are:

Monster House, from Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, My Super-Ex Girlfriend with Uma Thurman and Luke Wilson, and the two heavy-hitters (as far as geeks are concerned) Lady in the Water from Shyamalan, and Clerks 2 from Kevin Smith. While all of these movies, I'm sure, have a lot to offer, my choice for definite viewing is "Clerks 2." Here's a few reason why:

TEN REASONS TO SEE CLERKS 2:

1. What other filmmaker could put a poop monster in a film about religion and make it all make sense?

2. Two Words...Snootchie Bootchies.

3. M. Night Shyamalan doesn't need any more money, and besides his name is too long.

4. How else will we ever get a sequel to Jersey Girl?

5. It may not have snakes on a plane, but Clerks 2 does have a donkey in a compromising position.

6. No one since the Reynolds, has grown a mustache quite like Jason Lee.

7. Let's find out if Jason Mewes is still funny without the drugs (Robin Williams wasn't). I'm just playin' Mewes!

8. Just to prove Joel Siegal wrong.

9. Kevin's wife is a beautiful lady, we should show props when a man has such bedroom skills ('cause let's face it, she's not with him for his looks).

and the final reason you should go see Clerks 2...

10. My name is in the credits! Seriously, that's how cool this fool is. Kevin ran a contest on MySpace, to give 10,000 fans a chance to have their name in the credits of his film. And I'm one of them. Jealous?

Now, this movie (or any of Kevin's films, minus Jersey Girl) is not necessarily for everyone. It is rated R, mostly for language and gratuitous amounts of potty humor, but that's right up my alley. Mom, Tara, you guys might want to sit this one out, but for most of you, I think you'll find that beneath all the dirty jokes, and pop culture references Kevin Smith is a guy with something to say. Clerks 2 in theatres this weekend, don't miss it...unless you're my mom. Then ignore this message.

Enjoy a great weekend at the movies, we'll be back soon and throughout the next week, with reviews of these, and other, exciting films.

A Tale of Two Jacks

First off, my computer was on the fritz, and I for my first time ever, helped fix it! This is a big deal, because I'm a technological moron. I meant to write this yesterday but the comp thing happened so now I'm treating you with my thoughts today.

I'm going to discredit myself from the get go; I must confess I didn't see this movie Pirates 2 in optimum conditions. There were some mildly annoying kids there with their dad, (I actually like kids and LOVE seeing movies with children because it is a reminder of why we love movies... you can hear kids laugh and love the movie and remember watching movies as a youngster and bringing the magic back, kids aren’t sullied by some of the dumb things we as adults are annoyed by in movies. So watching a movie with kids is like a glimpse of myself as a youngster watching the same movie.) But these kids as soon as my loud booming laugh was heard began to mock my laugh for the rest of the movie. They even turned around and threw popcorn on me thrice throughout the film. In truth that might have ruined the film for me... and I might need to see it again, just to take it in properly... but I'm going to get my thoughts down, and I hold veto power over them should I change my mind.

First of all when I wasn't particularly excited about seeing this movie, until my good friend (you've probably read his blogs) Joel hyped it up. So then I raised my expectations by quite a bit. I liked the first Pirates movie, a lot but I had very low expectations going into the movie. Pirates 1, is really good but it's only so because of Jonny Depp. He's a master, a wizard, a magician, we watch him and stand in awe; an equally capable actor could do the role and it’d boring, but Depp makes it memorable (to the tune of an Academy Award Nomination). However, does that mean there needs to be a second picture? I was perfectly happy knowing Jack Sparrow is "out there" having adventures, but I don't need to see them. I'd have been perfectly happy with no sequel and letting Pirates 1 stand on its own. Yet Disney did not agree with my assessment so we're treated to a second and a third movie as well.

In this installment of Pirates, we already know that Depp is a wizard and Jack Sparrow is a great character and all that. So there's no surprise there. This whole movie is a non-surprise, except that I was expecting to like Jack more, but he hurt my heart. However, not all was lost, as I learned something about myself during this film, the heroic characters I like are not the strongest or the smartest or the funniest, the heroes that I like, share this in common, when they make decisions I trust their heart and their intentions. For example watching the great TV Show 24 there's no doubt what Jack Bauer's intentions are, even when his boss or even The President of the United States is at odds with him, you know Jack Bauer will make the right choice. Right doesn't mean easy or especially not self serving, it very well might mean hurting a few people, but it is done for a purpose greater than self. Jack Sparrow on the other hand has no such sense of duty. He does not make a choice without purely selfish intentions; he doesn't even try to help the people that have helped him. Once the novelty of Jonny Depp's portrayal of Jack Sparrow has worn off, (early in the 2nd movie) I was left with emptiness and disappointment in Jack Sparrow. It was then that I found the hero in Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). He's the one you can look to with admiration, because he is the type of character that makes the right choices regardless of the loss to him personally.

Bloom and Keira Knightly have also grown as actors since the last movie, thus it's fun to see them share the screen together as well, and they can take up the mantel of heroism since Jack is devoid. I did like Bill Nighy as Davy Jones though do not agree with Joel's assessment, "Davy Jones is a step up villain-wise from the delicious Capt. Barbosa of the first film." A great character and actor to be sure, but Barbosa was tremendous. He was funny and devilish, he had charm, Jones is a little too melancholy for my taste.

Upon reflection and picking the movie apart, it's not as bad as I had made it out to be. The movie is pretty good, (I love all the scenes on land) but I guess I had hoped from more out of Jack Sparrow. It's a good thing we have a 3rd installment for me to change my mind again... I just hope those stinkin' kids aren't there.

Back in the Saddle: The Greatest Westerns of all Time

One of my favorite film genres is the Western. This hasn't always been the case. As a child, my dad loved the movies of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, but I just couldn't get into them. He and I did both enjoy the Trinity films (spaghetti western spoofs starring Terence Hill). But as a whole I didn't fall in love with the genre until I got to college.

The Western, more so than any other genre relies on silences. Tracing its roots all the way back to silent films, the genre uses pictures to tell entire stories. This is one reason why few western screenplays would be considered classic, the story is all on screen. In glances, body language, picturesque scenery. I love the Western because at the same time, it shows the romanticism of the cowboy life, and the harsh reality of the lonely existence at society's edge.

I would recommend that if you claim to love films, you should spend quality time with the Western genre, to start out check out these:

1. Rio Bravo (1959) -- Ricky Nelson, John Wayne, and Dean Martin star in arguably Howard Hawks' greatest film. The movie is classic Hollywood western at its best. You want epic, how about one close-up in the entire film. Dean Martin's character rolling up a cigarette. The characterizations are broad, the overall mood lighter than my other favorite westerns, but it's gold. Don't overlook the Duke.

2. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) -- After studying under the Italian master Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood directs one that almost one up the teacher. Set (as many westerns are) against the Civil War, this story of a vengeful father is a joy to watch. Excellent performances from Eastwood, Chief Dan George and John Vernon, anchor the film while cameos and small roles, give the film it's sparkle. Incidentally this was the film that turned me on to Westerns as a whole.

3. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) -- This is not the best known of Leone's films (it was edited poorly for U.S. release and was a box office failure), but it is by far his greatest. Owing no small debt to both the book and film version of Shane by Jack Schaefer. In fact the Charles Bronson character here, could easily have left this movie and then rode into the town portrayed in "Shane." Some night when you have the time, watch this film and then check out "Shane," the realization on the part of the heroes, that their time is over, is really what Westerns are all about. One era is over, and it's kicking on its way out. One of the best films ever made, regardless of genre. Do not let another week go by, without watching this film.

The Best of the Rest: Unforgiven (1992), The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966), and Serenity (2005) a perfect example that a Western is about mood, characters and code, and doesn't have to be set in the 19th century or even on Earth.

Coming Soon: "Fuggetaboutit": The Best of Crime Films

A Tale of Two Jacks

First off, my computer was on the fritz, and I for my first time ever, helped fix it! This is a big deal, because I'm a technological moron. I meant to write this yesterday but the comp thing happened so now I'm treating you with my thoughts today.

I'm going to discredit myself from the get go; I must confess I didn't see this movie Pirates 2 in optimum conditions. There were some mildly annoying kids there with their dad, (I actually like kids and LOVE seeing movies with children because it is a reminder of why we love movies... you can hear kids laugh and love the movie and remember watching movies as a youngster and bringing the magic back, kids aren’t sullied by some of the dumb things we as adults are annoyed by in movies. So watching a movie with kids is like a glimpse of myself as a youngster watching the same movie.) But these kids as soon as my loud booming laugh was heard began to mock my laugh for the rest of the movie. They even turned around and threw popcorn on me thrice throughout the film. In truth that might have ruined the film for me... and I might need to see it again, just to take it in properly... but I'm going to get my thoughts down, and I hold veto power over them should I change my mind.

First of all when I wasn't particularly excited about seeing this movie, until my good friend (you've probably read his blogs) Joel hyped it up. So then I raised my expectations by quite a bit. I liked the first Pirates movie, a lot but I had very low expectations going into the movie. Pirates 1, is really good but it's only so because of Jonny Depp. He's a master, a wizard, a magician, we watch him and stand in awe; an equally capable actor could do the role and it’d boring, but Depp makes it memorable (to the tune of an Academy Award Nomination). However, does that mean there needs to be a second picture? I was perfectly happy knowing Jack Sparrow is "out there" having adventures, but I don't need to see them. I'd have been perfectly happy with no sequel and letting Pirates 1 stand on its own. Yet Disney did not agree with my assessment so we're treated to a second and a third movie as well.

In this installment of Pirates, we already know that Depp is a wizard and Jack Sparrow is a great character and all that. So there's no surprise there. This whole movie is a non-surprise, except that I was expecting to like Jack more, but he hurt my heart. However, not all was lost, as I learned something about myself during this film, the heroic characters I like are not the strongest or the smartest or the funniest, the heroes that I like, share this in common, when they make decisions I trust their heart and their intentions. For example watching the great TV Show 24 there's no doubt what Jack Bauer's intentions are, even when his boss or even The President of the United States is at odds with him, you know Jack Bauer will make the right choice. Right doesn't mean easy or especially not self serving, it very well might mean hurting a few people, but it is done for a purpose greater than self. Jack Sparrow on the other hand has no such sense of duty. He does not make a choice without purely selfish intentions; he doesn't even try to help the people that have helped him. Once the novelty of Jonny Depp's portrayal of Jack Sparrow has worn off, (early in the 2nd movie) I was left with emptiness and disappointment in Jack Sparrow. It was then that I found the hero in Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). He's the one you can look to with admiration, because he is the type of character that makes the right choices regardless of the loss to him personally.

Bloom and
Keira Knightly have also grown as actors since the last movie, thus it's fun to see them share the screen together as well, and they can take up the mantel of heroism since Jack is devoid. I did like Bill Nighy as Davy Jones though do not agree with Joel's assessment, "Davy Jones is a step up villain-wise from the delicious Capt. Barbosa of the first film." A great character and actor to be sure, but Barbosa was tremendous. He was funny and devilish, he had charm, Jones is a little too melancholy for my taste.

Upon reflection and picking the movie apart, it's not as bad as I had made it out to be. The movie is pretty good, (I love all the scenes on land) but I guess I had hoped from more out of Jack Sparrow. It's a good thing we have a 3rd installment for me to change my mind again... I just hope those stinkin' kids aren't there.

Lap tops are great!

I love the internet! I can play poker, watch a wrestling match, and listen to music all at the same time, and because I have a lap top I can do all of them on the toilet! Well that might be a little too much information for you, if that's the case I apologize. Perhaps my list of top 3 favorite romantic comedies will set the world back on it's access, and you and I will no longer be at odds.

At the risk of looking like a dirty stinkin' cheat Romanian, I'm going to say my #1 fave romantic comedy is the same as Joel's. When Harry Met Sally. There are myriad reasons to like this movie, so let me only name two. Both guys and girls can identify with this movie as; it shows the neurosis and inner turmoil of both genders. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are great in this movie. Their characters are real, and funny, poignant what more could you ask for; (kudos, to Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby for their excellent supporting character performances in this movie too.) The other thing I really like about this movie is that it's not one of those dumb movies that have a couple meet and "fall in love" in 20 minutes. This isn't real life (unless you're Joel...), for lots of people falling in love, or meeting your soul mate, is tough work. It's something that can take years to develop, so it's nice to see a movie develop the friendship before the "romance" begins.

For the record, I'm off the toilet now.

My second choice for fave romantic comedies is Frank Capra's
It Happened One Night. This might be the first renowned romantic comedy, and it definitely holds up 70 years later. I've only seen this movie once, over two years ago, but it has made such and impression on me, that I must include it in my list. Part of the reason I want to include it, is because I know it's not a movie that LOTS of people born in the last 30 years have seen, and I want to encourage you to get lost in the genius of Frank Capra and Clark Gable. To give you a picture of how good this movie is, my good friend Jim Yancy who is somewhat particular with his movie watching watched it with me and loved it! He usually doesn't have strong positive reactions towards romantic comedies or movies older than 30 years, and this movie made such an impression on him that he's written a screenplay of a modern day adaptation of this movie, because he likes the story so much. In this world we live in, if a movie makes an impression upon you, longer than a day or two, it's a cause for celebration. If a movie from 1936, can make an impression that lasts over two years, it's a must see for those who haven't!

Which, brings me to my thrid choice for best romantic comedy. It's a movie only freaks haven’t seen, and with a few exceptions, only freaks dislike the movie. (If you haven't seen it or by some happenstance happen to dislike it, you're the exception... and I respect your opinion) The movie is none other thanThe Princess Bride. I don't even think I have to write anything about it. We all know it, we all love it, we can quote it and delight in the glory that is this film. It's an adventure story that we can all get into, plus, the characters are so engaging, and the dialogue so witty that it's just plain fun, to watch. Plus Andre The Freakin' Giant is in it! (It occurs to me that this is the 2nd Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner movie on my list... I'm not really that narrow minded... or maybe I am... I also LOVE A Few Good Men (which is another Rob Reiner film... crap, I've become predictable...) Guess, I'll go back to the toilet now.

Others that didn't make the cut, but deserve honorable mention, A) Big and
B) Say Anything

What Warms the Cockels of Rogue's Heart?

Sweet title, huh? Cockels. I'm not sure where exactly they are in the heart, but I am pretty sure that emotions are seated in the sub-cockel region. Therefore, when you are all emotional, your cockels get warm, because, you know there's activity going on below them.

Enough of cockels. This is the second section of the "Joel and Dre's Top Movie Lists" feature. Today's list: Romantic Comedies.

I really feel like the romantic comedy is overlooked, particularly by men. There is a lot to love about the genre, especially since the invention of the "Dick Flick." (I've trademarked that name by the way) This sub-genre is what would traditionally be known as a chick flick, but is told from the male perspective, thereby becoming, a "Dick Flick." Examples are "Something's Gotta Give," "What Women Want," and "Sleepless in Seattle." The birth of this genre came, in my opinion, in 1989 with the first on my list:

1. When Harry Met Sally (1989) -- This movie was actually sort of groundbreaking for its time, if you think about it. The breaks during the movie where real couples are shown discussing their own relationship hadn't really been done in romantic comedies before. Also, while "Bull Durham" and others had dabbled at making a Rom-Com from the male perspective, this was the first to jump with both feet. It also is damn funny. Even if you've never liked romantic comedies before, give this one a shot, it may give you a whole new perspective.

2. Moonstruck (1987) -- Norman Jewison (a much underappreciated director) leads an all-star cast, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, Cher, and Nicolas Cage among others. Between this movie and my love of gangster films, it's sort of a shame I wasn't born Italian. There is a lot to love here, not least of which is some fantastically drawn characters. Nicolas Cage is inbetween films like "Raising Arizona" and "Leaving Las Vegas," and what he brings to table is perfect. Not zany, but just on the edge of realistic and believable. Cher is a conundrum. She is the only woman in the history of the world that ages backwards, and while she doesn't ever really act (no not even in "Mask") she always seems perfect for the role. **Note to Madonna** ditch your agent, call Cher's ** End of Note** Watch this with somebody you love, it's well worth the cheese.

3. The Graduate (1967) -- This might ruffle some tail-feathers as it doesn't fit into the traditional category of a Romantic Comedy, but it is funny as hell, and it is about falling in and out and back in to love. It's the basic story of boy meets girl, boy is seduced by girls mother, boy falls in love with girl, boy breaks it off with girls mother, girl leaves boy, boy gets girl back, but maybe not. Simple, really. It also is one of the greatest films ever made, period. The music, cinematography, acting, and especially the script are all top-notch. Oh and did I mention that Anne Bancroft ,in her prime, was one of the most beautiful women ever. This wasn't the first thing that Dustin Hoffman ever did, but it is what made him a star. Excellent film, I can not recommend this enough.

The Best of the Rest: High Fidelity (2000), As Good as It Gets (1997), and Love Actually (2003). Guys I know this is a category of film that we often try to avoid, but check out some of these. You and your special lady will both be pleased.

Coming Soon: Westerns - not just for cowboys anymore!

What Tickels The Dre's Funny Bone or: #1 or #2?

There are two ways to answer the question "what's your favorite movie of all time"? A) Do you mean the best movie I've ever seen? or B) Do you mean the #1 movie, I've enjoyed watching in my life? These two types of questions are fundamentally different. One asks if you see a well-directed, well acted, well written movie do you appreciate it? Liking it in that case is less relevant than appreciating it for it's artistic qualities and it's contributions to film history. The 2nd part of that question is more along the lines of "what's the movie you'd put on, if you were alone, bored and needed some company"? I guess that's the true test of "favorite movie".... (at least to me... I could be way off on this...)

So to be difficult I'm going to give my 3 "favorite" comedies, based on these 2 different ways of thinking of the question.

1) Airplane!- It's simply the funniest movie ever made! Seriously! I saw this movie when I was 10 years old, and at that time I'd never laughed harder in my life. Sixteen years later, I feel the exact same way. There's a lot of lame, obvious humor in this movie, but it's the conviction with which the film makers persist at that type of humor that makes it funny. The humor in this movie is layered. There are a lot of puns, as well as visual gags, as well as pop culture references and movie parodies, there's a little something for everyone here. It's a work of genius, I can't wait to show it to my kids. (This is a #2 type film...)

2) Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb - This is the #1 type of answer... it's a movie that I've seen and I enjoyed thoroughly, but my enjoyment took a back seat, to the fact that I knew I was watching one of the greatest movies ever created! This movie is truly hysterically funny, and it does so in a variety of ways (like Airplane!), but it makes a social statement as well. It's a hilarious movie about a very serious and frightening topic. Nuclear holocaust was on the mind of every American in the mid 60's, thus making a movie about it and making it HILARIOUS is an undertaking no short of genius. Peter Sellers (who plays four different characters) is on his A-game, as are George C. Scott, James Earl Jones and the rest of the cast. This movie is a treat to the funny bone, but it's rooted in political and social parody as well. It's one you must watch or re-watch soon. I know I'll be doing the same thing and glad that I did.

3) This one was a struggle for me, so narrow it down to just one film. I finally decided on this #2 type comedy, Lost in Translation. I was trying to find three movies with three distinct styles, and styles of humor as well. This movie, is beautifully shot, and moody. I like it, the craziness of Japan is part of the ambience of the movie, and adds to the loneliness of the two central characters and the comedy therein. Bill Murry (along with Steve Martin- who has nothing to do with this film- but I'm glad Joel gave him a nod in his own column) is a comic genius. He can make everything funny, and this movie is a perfect example. There are scenes in this movie that wouldn't be funny had a different actor been cast. Furthermore, it's the humanity of the characters, the fact that we can all somehow Identify with them that makes this movie successful on a deeper level than emitting a vocal response to it's humor. I think this movie is hilarious, but it's subtle in its approach. Part of the humor comes from knowing the characters, and getting into their skin. The other part comes in seeing them react to the crazy world around them, and who doesn't know what that's like... (If you like this movie and want another one like it (and don't mind "slow" movies) check out Stranger Than Paradise. )

Yo, Ho! Yo, Ho! A Pirate's Life for Me!

Joel here. Another week, another midnight showing for the Drunken Rogue. It's starting to get to be a habit, and I sort of like it. As if my geekdom needed validation, not once but twice this summer I have been one of the first two in line for a summer blockbuster. The first time it was my esteemed colleague, Dre that was ahead of me, and last night for "Pirates II" my lovely wife got the honor. Although I got the dirty looks for dragging her there so early.

We arrived at our neighborhood Celebrity Theatre at roughly 9:40. We were indeed the first ones in line, but the workers were so impressed they gave us chairs to sit in while we waited in line. We were joined before too long by a motley crew of hooligans, F-O-X and his lady friend, Tina. Chuckles and his two lady friends, Lee and Josh, and a regular rogue's gallery of other Ruston area Geeks. The house was packed, not one but TWO sold out screenings. We couldn't have seen the movie with a more excited audience.

The lights went down and we were treated to...a new Disney logo? Same old castle but in live action now, filmed from Disneyland, not the animated silhouette we are used to. This may not be the premier of this logo, but I hadn't seen it before. Sort of excited me to tell you truth. Then without further ado "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

I've already shouted my love for the first film from the heights of cyberspace, so you know going in, I was completely hyped up. The short of it is the film does not disappoint. If you are looking for hijinks and hilarity, we've got it. Looking for swordplay and sex appeal, check and check. Want demonic villains and dashing heroics? It's here in spades. Johnny Depp (one of my favorite actors) was perhaps born to play the role of Captain Jack Sparrow. He puts it on again like an old cold, comfortable and familiar. One of the most surprising things about the film was that they found an entrance for Jack that is almost as unbelievably cool as his mast riding entrance in the first film.

I'll stay out of spoilers here, but I do want to give an overview of the production. The whole team from the first film largely returned, and it shows. Gore Verbinski, who had little in his career to suggest he was ready to head up a huge franchise such as this, brought a dark twist and sly humor to the first movie and it is on display here. Again, fans of the ride will find some scenes very familiar. This alone is an achievement because the film is such a drastic departure from the ride, to find ways to give homages to it without breaking the storyline deserves applause. The film is beautiful. After the success of the first film, Disney ponied up a little extra and it shows.

The two bumbling pirates from the Black Pearl are back again, and provide a great deal of humor, a good thing since overall this film is a little more serious-minded than the original. Orlando Bloom is again fine, in the role of Will Turner, he is just outshone by much more experienced and gifted actors. One of those gifted actors if Bill Nighy. You probably remember him as the aging rocker from "Love Actually," but that memory will be quickly replaced by the devilish Davy Jones. His squid like face was completely computer generated, using similar techniques to Andy Serkis and Weta for "Lord of the Rings" and "King Kong." Davy Jones is a step up villain-wise from the delicious Capt. Barbosa of the first film. Jones doesn't want the death of Sparrow, he wants to own his soul. Yep, the stakes are higher this time. Keira Knightley is given much more to do here, included a starring role in one of the biggest (and longest) fights in the film. That fight alone surpasses the Will Turner and Sparrow fight in the blacksmith shop from the original. Keira is not a damsel in distress here, but a participant in all the adventures. There are a number of wonderful characters and actors on display in this film, but the reason we all love this franchise is Johnny Depp. Why do we love Jack Sparrow so much? I think this line tells the tale:

Elizabeth Swann: There will come a moment when you have the chance to do the right thing.
Jack Sparrow: I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by.

Jack is unrepentantly self-serving. As he tells Ms. Swann, "You'll want to know what it feels like. To do what you want because you want it." We all want that, at least sometimes. We all wish we could take what we can, and give nothing back. We live vicariously through Sparrow. And I for one can't wait to do it again.

The only knock on the film that I expect, is that it has little or no resolution. There is no real finale, but then we all know the finale is coming a little less than a year from now in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." So can I officially start the line now?

Anatomy of a Blockbuster

Joel here. I'm warming up for my date with Capt. Sparrow and his cohorts in what is sure to be the summer's biggest movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man's Chest." I'll be catching it tonight at Celebrity Theatre at the midnight showing. To really get into the mindframe for another pirate adventure, Ella and I re-watched the original last night.

It's every bit as good as you remember. Maybe better. The small things stood out for me last night. When Will Turner first goes to the Governor's house, bringing the Commodore's sword, he breaks off the candlestick holder and then shoves it in a vase. Hilarious, and the kind of thing that normal summer blockbusters miss. You see what separates "Pirates" or for the matter any great summer blockbuster from the average fair, is the little things.

Every big movie from May to September has explosions. They all have muscled up heroes, and slimy villains (sometimes literally). Generally they come stocked with evil schemes, and unselfish sacrifices. What many of them miss, and what sends them directly to the discount pile after release on DVD, is thin characters. Jack Sparrow, for all intents and purposes, exists, at least for the two plus hours we're watching. He makes choices, some honorable, some despicable, but real choices with consequences and repercussions for him and his world. That dynamic is the reason why the "X-Men" films and "Batman Begins" have largely been praised and "Fantastic Four" panned. It's the reason we still watch and talk about "Star Wars" but have almost completely forgotten "I, Robot."

I don't mean to bring down those of you that like the bullets and fistfights without all the angst and existentialism. There is nothing wrong with a little mindless fun. Just the way that we don't take Tolstoy to the beach to read, we as a nation don't always want to bring our brains to the movies. And why should we have to? But there is a distinct difference in the latest bodice-ripping paperback and "Confederacy of Dunces." If a filmmaker wants his (or her) film to be remembered, to be shared from parents to children, for years to come, they need to add those little things. Real character depth is what sets apart the great adventure films from the forgettable popcorn fare.

I have no doubt, we are in for another treat in the latest "Pirates..." installment. Now if we could just get a few more summer heroes as fully realized as Capt. Jack, we'd have a real summer to remember.

I'm offically depressed

Here's the deal. I went to work on July 3rd and Joel asked me "what are your favorite 4th of July movies?" Up until that point I had never before considered this question... I don't even think I have a clear understanding of what a "Fourth of July movie" is... anyway, I went to Blockbuster that day, to do a 7 for 7... (which is simply the best movie deal out there besides the public library... you can rent 7 movies for 7 dollars and keep them 7 days... a great deal... but I digress). My initial intention was to look for "Fourth of July films", so I picked up Hoop Dreams (the 1994 documentary, about 2 boys trying to make the NBA), because after all what's more American than pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and making something of yourself. Anyway, after I picked up Hoop Dreams I snagged the movie Kids. Which I also thought was a documentary, and I like to get movies that somehow connect to each other. I watched Hoop Dreams that night, and I watched Kids today, (Re-read the title for a clue as to how I feel now...)

Kids takes place in 24-hour period, chronicling the lives of some particular younglings and their friends. It has a distinct documentary feel, like you're a fly on the wall, watching something unfold in the most visceral and voyeuristic way. But in truth it's not actually a documentary. It just plays out like one. This movie is Thirteen meets City of God, in that it deals with kids, experimenting with adulthood without fully experiencing their childhood. All I could think about while watching this movie, is "these kids shouldn't be saying, doing or thinking these things". It's chilling. "I'm watching innocence dissolve before my very eyes. And I'm powerless to stop it." So, I'll just sit here and be depressed.

The movie itself is great. It's put together really well, and the acting is surprisingly good. For a lot of the actors it was their first film. Rosario Dawson, and Chloe Sevigny both get their start in this movie. I say the movie is "great' because it's affecting. It's not one of those that you can toss aside easily. It's a lingerer. These are the kinds of movies that I love. You can't shake them if you tried. And sometimes you wish you could but you can't. That's how movies should be. They knock you down from the beginning and then they never relent. They just keep you down, so that when you're done you're so overwhelmed that you have to sit and process everything. I guess two other examples of such films are American History X or Requiem For a Dream. These movies are well made, with distinct styles, and they leave your flesh crawling with the grime of the film long after the movies end. I'm not saying they're my favorite movies, I'm just saying this should be the goal of filmmakers today. To make us feel, to elicit a reaction, even if the result is depression.

The theologian/philosopher G.K Chesterton once said, "When a man knocks on the door of a brothel, he's looking for God." I take that quote to mean, that people look to pleasure to fulfill a deeper need within themselves. A need that only God can fill. "A God shaped hole" if you will. The kids in this movie, turn to many illicit. ADULT activities to fill their "God shaped hole." When the high of whatever they're into wears off, it's time to go and find the next rush. When forced by this movie, to look inward, I find that it's true for myself as well. I look to entertainment, amusement, and fun to fill my "God shaped hole". I know we all do it. And I know that God is the only thing that can fill that desire within us. Knowing that and acting accordingly I'm suddenly not depressed. Now if I could just figure out what a "Fourth of July" movie is...

What Tickles the Rogue's Funnybone?

Joel here. It occurred to me that as you guys read our reviews, unless you know us well personally, you have little to judge our reviews by. You don't know how our movie opinions stack up to yours. So a new weekly segment is born!

Once a week for the next several Andrei and I (in addition to our regular reviews) will post a top three films list from a given genre. This way you, our beloved readers, will get a better understanding of the prism through which we view films. This weeks genre: Comedy

Joel's Top Three Comedies and Why.

A Shot in the Dark (1964) -- This second film in the "Pink Panther" franchise wasn't even supposed to be an Inspector Clouseau film, but during the scripting process, Peter Seller's bumbling character was added to capitalize on the success of the first "Pink Panther" film. This one rises above the first because it adds so much to the series as a whole, characters like Cato, and Chief Inspector Dreyfus, as well as refining Clouseau's accent that has become of the defining points of the character.

The Jerk (1979) -- Of the two I always thought Bill Murray was funnier than Steve Martin, but none of Murray's films come even close to the hilarity of this one. Forgive him for his later day missteps ("Cheaper by the Dozen" and the sorely underachieving "Pink Panther" remake) and just remember for Navin R. Johnson, one of the funniest characters ever created.

To Be or Not To Be (1983) -- In my opinion, this is the funniest movie Mel Brooks was ever in. He didn't write, he didn't direct it, but his touch is all over it. The film is actually a remake of an historically important, controversial film of the same name. The original was shot in the early stages of World War II before the United States had chosen sides. In fact it was not released or publicized in the states until America entered the War. The remake is very faithful to the original. Even maintaining some of the dialogue. It was controversial in its own way, becoming one of the first major American films to acknowledge that homosexuals were victims of the Nazi reign in Germany. Several of Mel Brooks' films could have been on this list and many would be in a lengthier list, but this one stands out for me. Mel and (real life wife) Anne Bancroft make this a must see for any comedy fan.

The Best of the Rest: The Big Lebowski (1998), Mallrats (1995), and Animal House (1978). Andrei's list should be up soon, and we'll be back next week with our next list Romantic Comedies. Till next time, I'll be at the movies.