movie reviews, Volume 4 Number 3, April 2002, © by Thela Clayton Video Dreamland Did you enjoy the smell of the first rain this spring? Alaska has sharpened my senses and I downright enjoy taking the time to smell the roses. I love the smell of wet dirt and driving through big puddles of water. While I don’t don shorts, like my neighbor Amy, I do throw the socks away. Now is the time to let those toes wriggle freely. Open those windows, air out the house, snuggle under your afghan while you tune in for a late night movie. Blade, R In 1998, the Marvel comic book character, Blade, was brought to life on the big screen. This movie was not well publicized nor well liked by the critics, so I skipped it. Two years later, I realized what I had missed. Loving sci-fi, fantasy, and horror movies, but not familiar with comic books, I didn’t know that Blade was a vampire who hunted down bad vampires. He was a perfect contradiction to liven up my evening. Blade keeps himself half-human with injections concocted by another vampire hunter. Wesley Snipes as Blade stalks the vermin day and night while a grizzly old Kris Kristofferson keeps the weapons and an old souped-up Camero in top running condition. These crime-fighting heroes' mission is to wipe out those murderous bloodsuckers who are vying to control the vampire underworld. Yep. It’s bloody and gory—but fun! Invite some friends over, set out the beer, turn the lights off. You’ll be safe tonight with Blade committing hara-kiri on anyone who fancies you a tasty filet mignon. Don’t Say A Word, R Ready for a suspenseful thriller Friday night? This one does an adequate job of fulfilling your need. Not the best one around, but easy to find in the new release section of the video store. Michael Douglas delivers a fairly good performance as Nathan Conrad, a psychiatrist whose daughter is kidnapped. For her return, he must uncover a code buried deep inside the psyche of an emotionally disturbed young lady. Our villain is one ruthless, cold, demanding killer and only gives the good doctor twenty hours to deliver the goods. Brittany Murphy’s performance as a troubled young lady shows excellent promise of young talent. Her grisly make-up makes me wonder if I will recognize her in any future films. Sean Bean plays his villain so well, you never doubt his cold-blooded, calculated meanness. This thriller is good for the whole two-hour ride. Keep a big bowl of grapes handy, as the story ticks down to a deadline and the doctor is pressured to keep his vow and "not say a word." The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, R This odd little 1999 film tells an odd little story. It’s for one of those days when you walk up and down the rows of videos hunting for something different, but you have no idea of what. The story opens with Sebastian, portrayed by Adrian Grenir, wandering the desert with a head wound. As he is being cleaned up and attended to, he tells us his story in flashback. During his sister’s graduation party, his stepfather reveals his plan to go from Hank to Henrietta. Immediately whisked off to England for a year, Sebastian returns to Hank/Henrietta to live and complete his schooling in America. This film has a finesse where characters, not caricatures, are brought to life. Though Hank/Henrietta may be unusual to you, you don’t feel a statement is trying to be crammed down your throat. Sebastian is the focal point of the story and regardless of his baggage, our young man is determined to find his own way. This indie film is enjoyable because it tells an interesting story. It reminded me that caring and kindness is in short supply out there. Keep a smile and a big heart handy, to brighten the day for yourself and any who cross your path. Zoolander, PG-13 I can’t be as mean as the critics because several parts really are funny. It’s a farce that slams the fashion models and the fashion industry’s use of Pacific Rim sweatshop labor. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson play the top male models who compete for male model of the year. The whole business of them posing and giving ‘the look’ to the camera is hilarious. The catwalk scene is something we all secretly wish to witness. This movie breaks down, though, when they introduce the morality of sweatshop labor. Having the two story lines is half-baked and delivers only half the goods either one had the potential to deliver. A few scenes with Jon Voight and David Bowie added some sparkle. Too bad the story was so clouded that the stars lost most of their shine. Life As A House, R Carl Jung says when we dream of houses, we dream of ourselves. We put relationships and feelings into different rooms; perhaps that’s why haunted houses scare us so much. The symbolism of tearing down an old house and rebuilding a new one in its place as a final work to do before dying is the story line of this film. Kevin Kline is George, who gets fired from his architect job and lands in the hospital on the same day. Diagnosed with cancer, he decides to build the house he has always wanted to build. George reveals his illness to no one as we watch him try to restore a friendship with his estranged sixteen-year-old son and his ex-wife. Kristin Scott Thomas, from The English Patient, delivers a no-nonsense, endearing performance as the ex-wife, and Haydon Christensen plays the son who is slowly and subtly transformed. This drama is broken by episodes of humor that represent the everyday casualness of living. You’ll enjoy this film, as the emphasis is on life, not death.. | ||
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