KILL BILL. I'm glad this was broken into two films (of which I slightly prefer the second), but the tones are at such opposite poles, it makes me wonder how much the story and look were manipulated after this decision was made. The first volume is a kung-fu movie and follows its conventions, and the second is a western that does the same. Especially fun are an anime sequence and a "Texas burial." The fight sequences are fist-pumpingly over the top, and the warrior-code dialogue exchanges are genre staples. Over time, it's lost a little lustre as I've discovered many of the exploitation films he liberally drew material from. And I'm still holding out for some deluxe DVD combo edition. . .
THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS. Yeah, it's about competitive Donkey Kong. A pretty lame subject at first, but it's entertaining, builds well, and they do a nice job of turning it into a hero vs. villain story. And all the 8-bit-looking graphics/sounds on the DVD and its extras are neato. Some clever music usage, too; among them the "You're the Best" tune from Karate Kid and Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows."
KISS KISS BANG BANG. A short-listed favorite. I’ve seen this at least ten times by now, and am still a little fuzzy on some plot details. And I don’t care. This film should be Downey Jr.’s demo reel. He is the perfect vehicle for Shane Black’s whip-smart dialogue. Too smart, even, but it works here, as if he was saving all his greatest-hits rejected banter from other scripts. Michelle Monaghan manages the impossible task of being both cute and sexy, and Kilmer was born to play the gay private investigator (I just got that joke). I’ve also begun describing strangers in terms like “Punk Rock Steven Seagal” or “Native American Joe Pesci.”
KNOCKED UP. Seth Rogen is a bona-fide movie star. He just nails that sympathetic character. Reminds me a lot of Jon Stewart for some reason. Always looks like he's got a dip (of tobacco) in his lower lip, though. I'm really excited about the return of R-rated comedy. This recent string, they're just enough chick-flick for the ladies, and just enough dick-and-fart for the fellas, and commercially successful, ensuring we'll get more of them. Thank you, Mr. Apatow.
I'm glad this was broken into two films (of which I slightly prefer the second), but the tones are at such opposite poles, it makes me wonder how much the story and look were manipulated after this decision was made. The first volume is a kung-fu movie and follows its conventions, and the second is a western that does the same. Especially fun are an anime sequence and a "Texas burial." The fight sequences are fist-pumpingly over the top, and the warrior-code dialogue exchanges are genre staples. Over time, it's lost a little lustre as I've discovered many of the exploitation films he liberally drew material from. And I'm still holding out for some deluxe DVD combo edition. . .
Yeah, it's about competitive Donkey Kong. A pretty lame subject at first, but it's entertaining, builds well, and they do a nice job of turning it into a hero vs. villain story. And all the 8-bit-looking graphics/sounds on the DVD and its extras are neato. Some clever music usage, too; among them the "You're the Best" tune from Karate Kid and Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows."
A short-listed favorite. I’ve seen this at least ten times by now, and am still a little fuzzy on some plot details. And I don’t care. This film should be Downey Jr.’s demo reel. He is the perfect vehicle for Shane Black’s whip-smart dialogue. Too smart, even, but it works here, as if he was saving all his greatest-hits rejected banter from other scripts. Michelle Monaghan manages the impossible task of being both cute and sexy, and Kilmer was born to play the gay private investigator (I just got that joke). I’ve also begun describing strangers in terms like “Punk Rock Steven Seagal” or “Native American Joe Pesci.”