Book + Movie List

Bride & Prejudice
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 04 August 2005

Neither Bollywood nor Hollywood enough. The reason Austen’s crisp wit (in P&P ESPECIALLY) works is it must always be balanced on a razor’s edge with politeness. It is so clever and subtle that it should soar far overhead of the other characters. In the modern world setting this wit is unfortunately too often portrayed as mere sarcasm--accessible to any twelve year old. The BBC/Firth version did it best so far, and while Ashiwaraya Rai seemed possibly up to the task, Martin Henderson endures this film as though he just woke up, mistaking bewilderment for reservation, and stupidity for pride—or maybe the screenwriter’s did that. This film’s saving grace was watching Lost’s Sayid dance, dance, dance.

Chasing Papi
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 22 February 2004

Thanks to an overdose of tranquilizers, the 'papi' in question is passed out (a la Bernie) for 90% of this comedy, in which the three women he's dating in NY, Miami, and Chicago respectively convene (unwittingly) at his house in LA. They become witting soon enough, and what follows is an unremarkable (but pleasant enough) plot about three very different women finding strengths and worth within, and ultimately realizing that they don't need their 'papi'. Nice that the comedy did not come from one long, unrelenting cat fight over the hunk of beef. Nice that the [mythical] "universal tribe of women" motif was not as tacky and unbelieveable as it often is portrayed.

In America
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 31 May 2004

It's not an Irish story, but an American one, see? With some cutie wee bairns and a (supposedly) ill Djimon Hounsou that looks more like carnal (yet angelic) perfection. Samantha Morton,--who rocks as an actress--has yet to win me over to her chemo-survivor haircut. Paddy Considine looks like the Independent Film Channel's version of TV's Ed.

Le Divorce
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 22 February 2004

Muddled Merchant/Ivory production. Never decides on a main character or plot. The only lasting conclusion I could take from it is; "never divorce in France", coupled with "Kate Hudson is preternaturally thin".

Monsoon Wedding
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD Rental 08 February 2003

Where was all the rain? Where? I loved the father/uncle in this picture by the end. I do believe the DVD-viewing experience would be greatly enhanced if it included even the briefest documentary on traditional Indian weddings, as this was the first Indian film I have ever watched, and I am all but ignorant of their culture.

Mystery, Alaska
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 08 October 2003

Every once in a while an actor, on the cusp (or sometimes in the middle) of Big Fame makes a small movie. These movies tend to either be spoiled by the actor's Presence (as Winona Ryder admits Little Women was by hers) or tend to spoil from viewer's expectations, as happens with Hugh Grant in The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill, etc. or Ewan MacGregor in Little Voice or Brassed Off--films where Big Fame takes Small Parts in Ensemble Drama. Like it or not, Big Fame tells us, as viewers, where to invest and where to focus. In these cases (let us call this, "Big Fame meets Small Film"), that rule does not usualy apply, which can lead to confusion and disappointment.

Mystery, Alaska (cont'd)
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 08 October 2003

Sometime between 97's L.A. Confidential and 00's The Insider & Gladiator, Russell Crowe made this film. In truth, it would mark the last time he would play a normal guy: not an iconic genius, not a famous whistle blower, not the baddest Roman general/imprisoned gladiator to ever live. No, he's just a guy from Alaska, the local sherriff who likes (along with just about everyone else in town) to play hockey. Probably, without question, this is my favorite Russell Crowe. In this BFmSF scenario, there's lots of characters, lots of familiar faces. It's not a great film. It could have been greater if it had been filmed less studio glossily (its subject matter doesn't really deserve big studio treatment), and more like an indepedent film. Some scenes are handled this way, and the change in immediacy is noticeable and effective. Points for the only film where Crowe actually seems well-matched with his female partner, as both an actor and romantic interest. Points for making me believe the kids were his. Points for Burt Reynolds showing he can act (and pretty well, too). Negative points for someone else being brought on to tinker with David E. Kelly's script (whose third act was doubtless better than the one I suspicion was written in).

Romeo Must Die
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 06 April 2003

In fair Verona (San Francisco), where we lay our scene/Two houses (Black - Chinese), both alike in dignity/From ancient grudgebreak to new mutiny. Finally, a film that proves once and for all that the NFL is, unquestionably, evil. Romeo and Juliet, if Romeo (Jet Li) began the play banished, the Capulets and Montagues were warring mafia/gangs, and both Tybalt and Mercutio were each trying to engineer hostile takeovers of their master's territory. Dad-gum-it, I *enjoyed* this film. Jet Li TEARS UP the screen when he fights--and any scene where he's allowed to speak Chinese. Aaliyah brings the charisma, and together they actually have some interesting "opposites attract" chemistry. Could have been more tightly scripted, or cut to an hour and a half. Julie, I miss you, good person with which to view fu.

Sweet Home Alabama
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 01 April 2003

The only scenes really worthwhile in this film (especially once you know the plot turns) are those including Josh Lucas as Jake. What was released as inoffensive fluff is revealed (as often is) in DVD extras and deleted scenes, to have been intended to be something a little more, a little better. Once again proving that kowtowing to test audiences is the best way to ruin a picture. For some reason, this second viewing of this film kind of soured me on it. Hmmm.

The Animatrix
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 08 June 2003

Series of nine anime shorts based on various aspects of the Matrix film(s) and concept. Varying in quality and my own level of interest in what they chose, individually, to address. As I was expecting more from it, a disappointment. Expected level of enjoyment: Viewing Logan’s Run. Actual level of enjoyment: Watching friend play newest Tomb Raider. (Aside: Explosions will never replace compelling storyline for me--even less so when the explosions and what they are exploding are animated.)

The Pianist
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 08 June 2003

A sentimentality-free two and a half-hours (a bargain at any price). Easy to dismiss as overrated and just as easy to canonize as a new classic and an “Important” film, _The _Pianist_ is perhaps a bit of both. Told with a starkness of dialogue and narrative line, as though the German occupation of Poland and ensuing extermination of its population (Jewish and other) robbed the story of embellishments as much as the times robbed the main character of his dignity, the film stands as remarkable on two points. Point One: It tells us not one single new thing about war, suffering, or survival—or even, specifically, about World War II in Europe. And in doing so it wastes none of our time (or its momentum) with lectures, indictments or revelations. Point Two: In giving us a main character of whom we know very little before the War, and whose anguish and privation consume his character (and viewers) so fully as the film goes forward that we end the film similarly dis-acquainted with this man, and how he might be in the post-War society, this film offers an incredible gift: the journey of a single man, specific, yet general; a man boiled down to basest parts--and yet a man whose nobility and larger humanity illustrate that such things cannot be stolen from us without our own complicity.

Two Weeks Notice
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 03 May 2003

Much funnier that it would ever have been without Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock. A higher functioning romantic comedy, lacking most of the mean-spiritedness most films currently made in this genre seem to suffer from. Possibly/Likely/Definitely Bullock's best film since her pre-Hope Floats era (though I did enjoy her in Forces of Nature). Did I mention it's funny? This film? Why is finding a funny, non-meanspirited, non-potty humor film so hard theses days? Why?

Veronica Guerin
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 04 August 2005

Somehow Jerry Bruckheimer was attached to this production. The violence is so real it’s upsetting, the story is dark (and allegedly true) and the bad men are truly, unredeemably bad. After all, it’s an Irish story. Cate Blanchett should be given a small kingdom (I’m thinking Monaco, or even Vatican City) in recognition of her performance here. Is there nothing she can’t do? I’d pay to watch her portray an African tribesman in Shaka Zulu’s time.

Wimbledon
A Bennett Hollywood Video DVD 04 August 2005

Sort of surprising this charming film of good acting didn’t make more of a splash. Granted, I know nothing of tennis, but the two leads have chemistry to spare. Could have done without the lengthy, wooden, and painful cameos by John McEnroe and Chris Everett as announcers. The world cannot have enough diverting films that manage to entertain.