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Reviews
For Those Who Hunt the Wounded Down (1996)
Warning: deeply affecting performances
There are a lot of themes in my own life that are reflected in this film: abuse, violence, rejection, illness, sacrifice, fear, and death. But at the core, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy about accepting what you believe to be your destiny. From the moment the opening credits begin, both the audience and Jerry know what the ending will bring. And we travel alongside him to that end.
The movie isn't perfect, and you may disagree with the decisions that are made within it, but there's just something about it, weighing heavy on your heart, and yet ultimately, leaving you with a feeling of peace.
Most importantly, it's available on-line at a leading Canadian store.
Hard Core Logo (1996)
One of the best films you've never seen
First of all, this is not another Spinal Tap. This mockumentary has a far more serious tone, equal parts The Filth and the Fury and Almost Famous. It has a very realistic, confessional feel to it in between the big laughs. It takes a few minutes to make its identity known, but it's definitely worth the rental.
Mumford (1999)
Not an average comedy
I decided to watch this movie for a number of reasons, most notably the desire to see Jason Lee play a different kind of character. Don't get me wrong-- I love the loud, obnoxious, and gorgeous type. I enjoy listening to him bitch and moan in film after film even more than the average viewer does, but every actor deserves the opportunity to exercise his range.
His character in this film was... different. Not just different from his previous roles, but different from the usual selection of one-dimensional stereotypes that plague most movies. I am at a loss to describe him in any normal, comparative way. And that inability to easily and concisely categorize Skip extends to the film itself. It was... different. It personally offended me, but I enjoyed some of the performances. I'm glad I saw it, and yet, I can't recommend it. Basically, if you're interested in the subject matter or a member of the cast, see it. If you're not, then you can live fine without it.
Eden (1996)
A metaphysical concept made accessible to the masses
This is a beautiful film about a woman escaping into a cycle of involuntary astral projection experiences and making the difficult decision of coming back to her body and her life. For anyone who has suffered through the limitations of physical disability or disease, this film is a gift. And it's recommended viewing for anyone who wishes to gain an understanding of illness and death. Should be seen by every medical practitioner in the country.
Swans Crossing (1992)
If you only knew...
Yes, this was a soap opera... a teen soap opera. And not just a regular soap opera, but one of those fantasy soaps, such as Passions and Days of Our Lives. So why do I remember it 9 years after it was canceled? Because it was great. It was shamelessly melodramatic and superficial, filled with conniving and selfish "poor, little rich kids". Imagine having Cruel Intentions piped into your living room 5 days a week. Trust me, you'd get addicted to it just as my friends and I did. There was even a campaign to get the show back on the air. My school had a petition. Why am I telling you this embarrassing bit of unsolicited information? Because you need to know the truth. Sarah Michelle Gellar was a remarkable actor then, just as she is now. And her presence alone made this show respectable and worthy of our affections. I still to this day remember a specific episode in which Sydney (SMG's character) was supposed to publicly announce her secret relationship with the son of her mother's rival. Well, you can pretty much figure out this storyline. Sydney chickened out and her boyfriend gave up on her. And she ran after him, taking a shortcut through a cemetery, where she fell on her father's grave. She finally arrived with dirt and leaves in her hair, her make-up smeared, only to see her beloved with his arms around the dim-witted and naïve third member of this love triangle. If Sydney had been played by someone else, this episode would have seemed to come right out of a Mexican soap, displaying an absurdly awful case of over-acting. It would've been nothing more than a bad joke. But fortunately, SMG brought real emotion to a severely lacking script, and she made me cry with her. So on this day of Buffy's season finale (series finale?), as SMG's career takes another spectacular turn, I thought I'd tell you that Swans Crossing wasn't what you think it was. It was a lot more.
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)
One of the finest looking casts in film history
Of course that in itself is not a reason to see a movie. Luckily, there are many reasons to see this one. It's hilarious, sweet, smart, and did I mention SEXY? If you think all the good men are gay, you're absolutely right! And if Timothy Olyphant's performances in average films such as `Scream 2' and `Go' caught your interest, run to the video store for this movie. Free from the burden of playing weird, intense psychos, Olyphant finally gets a starring role as a normal guy, and he does a wonderful job of making the character true to life. The subtle change in his body language was mesmerizing. He left me wanting more. A great film about love and friendship.