movie reviews, Volume 4 number 4, May 2002, © by Thela Clayton Video Dreamland Yahoo, yippee! The color of green is finally here and it’s my favorite green—baby green. A promise of a bright, vibrant, fun season to renew our spirit of life. I found April to offer better television than the new release shelf at the video store. I really loved the Anne of Green Gables offered on PBS. If you’ve not seen all of the series, do rent this; they are most enjoyable. Be sure to check out the Blue Loon. Their selection of new "indie" movies is right on par. And you can’t beat only having to drive two miles for a movie date. I’ll meet you all in the waiting line for the newest Star Wars episode this month. What a way to kick off the summer, eh? Mulholland Drive, R This film is worth $1 because it is a David Lynch film. $1 is taken off because it is a David Lynch film. I have no idea what this film was all about. You tell me. Deirdre loves letters to the editor, so give us your opinion. I’m open to the fact that I just didn’t get it. O, R Caution! You’re about to be exposed to Shakespeare. This time round, the film is a loose adaptation of "Othello." Set in a high school, Odin and Hugo are on the basketball team with lovely Desi cheering on the love of her life, Odin. Hugo resents Odin for being top player which he thinks rightfully should be himself. Knowing Odin’s love for Desi, Hugo contrives a treasonous scheme to undermine his friend. The result is tragedy which shows us that jealousy is truly a destructive attribute. Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles, and Martin Sheen all deliver good performances. However, there were times when a little more Shakespeare was needed to set up the scene. Personally, I think running a kingdom lends itself to a fuller story than a high school team winning a basketball game. Shakespeare’s emotionally rich characters are timeless. If this adaptation of "Othello" isn’t your speed, check out a few of the other films out there of this play. From Orson Welles to Larry Fishburne, you’re sure to find one to fit your taste. My First Mister, R This film holds lots of surprises in store for you. I guarantee that this movie offers enchanting character development. The story opens with a seventeen-year-old girl graduating from high school. Feeling that her family surpresses her, she wants a job so she can get her own apartment. Her tattoos, various piercings, disarranged hair and dress lead to rejection by all employers. Her despondency takes her to a conservative men’s store, where she tries to wheedle a job out of the manager. To everyone’s surprise, he hires her; thus starts an unusual friendship between the two. Albert Brooks, the manager, gives a fine performance of a lonely man who has closed off all meaningful relationships in his life. The young lady in search of her own identity is Leelee Sobeiski. Carol Kane, Michael McKean, and John Goodman are the divorced parents who add comic relief to this film. Beware! You might see some of their dysfunctional traits in yourself. This film is full-bodied and very pleasing to the palate—an excellent representation in learning the art of compassion. Donnie Darko, R Flash back to 1950 and a comedy called Harvey. Jimmy Stewart is a friendly drunk with a six-foot-tall companion rabbit named Harvey and a sister who is trying to commit him to a hospital for rehab. Now, move to the present and we have Donnie: a teenaged young man, presently in therapy, who is visited by a tall, menacing rabbit who gives him messages. This indie film has taken a couple of old elements and updated them to the present time, fitting our society. We can’t laugh at alcoholism anymore, but we can snicker at the hallucinations of a teenager who is crashing into mental delirium—maybe. Or is this movie about something else? You’ll just have to watch it to find out. Jack Syllenhoal is Donnie Darko, with Drew Barrymore as his teacher and Katherine Ross as his psychiatrist. Everyone delivers a fine performance. It will be interesting to see what section the video store will file this movie under, after leaving the new release section. I call it a puzzle movie, so pop a big bowl of popcorn and turn off the lights. That rabbit is menacing, and we just don’t know what he will do next. | ||
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