Films 78, 79, 80, 81 (Caught Up Now)
"The Princess Bride" (78)
Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn (among others)
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Easily one of my favorite movies from childhood. It is one of those desert-island movies, you know, that you can watch over and over again and just never get sick of it. Why is that? Well, I think it starts with the fact that it is a charming, humorous fairy tale (of sorts) and the actors really believe in the material. You can tell, just from how they act their ways through things that otherwise might be scoffed at. Cary Elwes plays his part as the hero with such charm and ease. His dry wit and sarcasm are relished as he journeys to save his dear Princess Buttercup, after being treated poorly by her in the beginning of the fairy tale. Well, not so much treated poorly, as much as a farm boy should be treated, I suppose. Anyway, she realizes she loves him, slightly to late as they are separated from their love affair by the "Evil" Prince Humperdink (come on, now, what a great name for a character). So, there are the character qualities of a decent fairy tale, but then Rob Reiner goes even further with the story, as he presents obstacles for the couple to meet again. Enter 3 otherwise bumbling stooges but here they are brigands on a mission to kill the farm boy-turned-Dread Pirate, who have also kidnapped Princess Buttercup. The brigands are played by Wallace Shawn as the conniving leader who plays a battle of wits only to end up poisoned to death; Andre the Giant plays Fezzik, the muscle; and Mandy Patinkin plays Inigo Montoya (easily one of the best performances in the film). His role is defined by his swordsmanship and his seeking of vengeance against the 6-fingered man that killed his father.
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
(Side note: Mandy Patinkin went on to play one of the main characters of the TV show "Criminal Minds" where he was once again stellar.)
Anyway, like other Rob Reiner films (re: This is Spinal Tap) "The Princess Bride" starts off as a decent looking and entertaining film of a specific genre, but it turns satirical as the script and director go for laughs more than sticking to the typical fairy tale script. And there are plenty of laughs. In fact, they seem to come one after the other, which is a talent that Reiner has, I think.
Fred Savage plays a boy home sick from school whose grandfather comes to entertain him for the day by reading him this story "The Princess Bride" ironically, a real book, whose author also wrote the screenplay (and maybe that's why it works so well, it's his own material). The boy does not want the typical fairy tale, "with lots of kissing in it" and he is not disappointed by the end. And you won't be either. In fact, whenever I watch "The Princess Bride" it seems to go by so quickly, from the introduction/prologue, to the Screaming Eels, to the epic sword fight, to the R.O.U.S.s and quicksand, to the Pits of Despair, until the happy ending!
If you haven't seen this movie and cherished it from your own childhood (or later) do yourself a favor and watch it immediately.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
................................................................
"All Good Things" (79)
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Ryan Gosling
Here is a film based on a "true" story about the famous Marks family that seemed to own the neighborhood around 42nd Street in New York City in the 70s. Or it is at least about the patriarch of the family Sanford (played convincingly by Frank Langella), who is a commanding and demanding man who is very hands-on in his under-the-table, sketchy real estate business, as he owned massage parlors, porn stores, strip clubs, etc. that seemed right at home in the 70s on 42nd Street, places that certainly attracted a specific crowd. And Ryan Gosling plays Sanford's son, David Marks, who fights against joining his father's business, but ultimately and perhaps against his better judgment starts the book-keeping for his father. He quickly meets Katie (Kirsten Dunst) who is a rather free-spirited hippie girl, right at home within the 1970s. They get married and leave New York against David's father's wishes for Vermont. Since the film focuses on David's involvement in sketchy business, the happy couple moves back to New York, so that David can work for his father. Katie discovers what type of business her husband's involved in and she does not like it. Interestingly enough, Katie soon and mysteriously disappears. And her disappearance haunts David, and it haunts us as viewers of the film because we are left with unanswered questions (but the same happened in real life apparently, as well). It's bothersome because Kirsten Dunst is really good playing an "adult woman" who is at a loss to understand her husband and how he can change or go through such a drastic transformation from a hippie-free-spirited guy to someone she seems to know absolutely nothing about. Kirsten Dunst can sometimes disappoint me because of the roles she chooses. I always want to believe she is a decent actress (re: the Virgin Suicides, Crazy/beautiful) but the films she gets involved in do not let her live up to her potential often. Here, though, she is great (and she goes missing and leaves the film!).
The film is such a great thriller/mystery that I don't want to give anything away. There are many twists and turns. The film is sort of an enigma that might leave you a bit pissed off because you don't really get any answers. You are left to infer a lot on your on, which I was okay with. I can't even tell you the things I want to tell you. Perhaps you'll watch it and we can discuss it.
"Prime" (80)
Starring: Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep, Bryan Greenberg
Okay, I think I can admit at this point to have quite a crush on Uma Thurman. Easily one of the best, if not the best model-turned-actresses, with credibility to boot! I think I've determined part of Uma Thurman's problem, when it comes to hit or miss films she is in...She needs a new agent. She needs an agent that can read through scripts and throw away the ones that don't meet her acting standards, and yes, she should have standards because she is a decent actress (re: Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction), or does Quentin Tarantino know how to bring out the best in her? (I'd like to think differently, because I respect her as an actress, she just needs to make better choices.)
"Prime" is a film that is flawed from the beginning, thanks to a bad script. Roger Ebert calls them "Idiot Plots." I like to call them Throwaway Films, I suppose. I won't go so far as to say "Prime" is a Throwaway Film because the acting is decent, the characters are given depth and they are making decisions with consequences and it seems as close to "real life" as it possibly could be (given the subject matter). The problem here is that the characters are not really given a chance to say the important things that they need to say. There's more said in the nonverbal cues and acting that Uma Thurman and Bryan Greenberg do throughout the film. And Meryl Streep is comedic gold as a psychiatrist/mother.
Here's the Idiot Plot: Rafi (Uma Thurman) and David (Bryan Greenberg) meet by chance outside a movie theater. He is with another date. She is with friends. He calls her. They go out a few times. He falls hard for her. She falls hard for him. The only trouble is: She's 37 and he is 23. The age difference really bothers Rafi (who's also just recently divorced). She discusses these facts with her psychiatrist (Streep). But then, when things get going and going well, Rafi also discussing her relationship at length and with great detail ("His penis is beautiful." and "He didn't know where the clitoris is.") The problem is: her psychiatrist is also David's mother (a fact she doesn't divulge), so now we've got a case of "mistaken identity."
"Prime" focuses on the fact that Rafi and David are basically at completely different places in their lives. She wants to settle down and think about having kids, I mean, she is 37 years old and a career-woman. David doesn't seem to want to grow up. He lives with his grandparents (until he moves in with Rafi), he plays videogames and street basketball, and he is ultimately very immature. They are both at the "prime" of their lives, just separate ends of their respective "primes."
The question we are left to answer is: should the relationship continue?
Well, the film answers the question for you, and I won't ruin it for you.
It has some good moments and decent acting, so check it out. It's worth it.
It's interesting to me, as I watched this film, because I was recently in a relationship with a 28 year old girl who acted like she wanted/believed she was still 22 years old. She wanted to be in the "prime" of her life, the stage where I guess it's still okay to be irresponsible and not have things figured out. I was 30 years old and had already clearly defined myself and created a path for my life. I was heading in a direction I wanted to include her in, or at least help her see that the same road was a possibility for her (with me). Unfortunately, we could never agree on the "important" things in life and in relationships. We left each other. I was hurt. She seemed quite unscathed. I've since moved on to a better way of life and I can only imagine that she has continued to live the life she wants or at least thinks that she wants. The great thing is, I don't have to stress or worry myself anymore about her and her choices, because they no longer affect me. And, as you can probably tell, I'm doing quite well.
"Walking and Talking" (81)
Starring: Catherine Keener, Anne Heche, Liev Schreiber
Here's a film about two childhood friends that follow each other into adulthood and are there for each other through everything. The friends are Amelia, played by Catherine Keener (who is always an expert actress, for evidence please see "Being John Malkovich, 40 Year Old Virgin, Lovely and Amazing). She is the good looking brunette who doesn't seem to have any luck in love. She is friends with an ex (Liev Schrieber) and they try occasionally to rekindle and reconstruct their relationship. The film really centers on Amelia and her lack of being able to understand what she is doing wrong when looking for love or what is wrong with her, specifically. The trouble is Amelia is a good looking woman with seemingly nothing wrong with her. She is very smart. I think her only flaw is that she has a bit of desperation in understanding herself and love and relationships. Perhaps she's good at the "talking" but not so much the "walking" when it comes to relationships...except of course with her ex-boyfriend. She goes out with a video clerk who in turn never calls her back and then she confronts him about this later in the film, to which he reveals why he never called her again for a second date.
Laura, the blonde friend, played by Anne Heche, is in a wonderful relationship. She gets engaged. They plan a wedding. They have a fight. They get back together. They end up getting married. Ups and downs of any typical relationship. To be expected.
Nothing too big and extreme ever happens in the film. It revels in its ability to remain subtle and "quiet" when it could have gone for big moments. Big thanks is due to the director Nicole Holofcener who has made other wonderful, subtle films. She really lets the actors take over the film.
Please see: Lovely and Amazing and Friends with Money.
Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn (among others)
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Easily one of my favorite movies from childhood. It is one of those desert-island movies, you know, that you can watch over and over again and just never get sick of it. Why is that? Well, I think it starts with the fact that it is a charming, humorous fairy tale (of sorts) and the actors really believe in the material. You can tell, just from how they act their ways through things that otherwise might be scoffed at. Cary Elwes plays his part as the hero with such charm and ease. His dry wit and sarcasm are relished as he journeys to save his dear Princess Buttercup, after being treated poorly by her in the beginning of the fairy tale. Well, not so much treated poorly, as much as a farm boy should be treated, I suppose. Anyway, she realizes she loves him, slightly to late as they are separated from their love affair by the "Evil" Prince Humperdink (come on, now, what a great name for a character). So, there are the character qualities of a decent fairy tale, but then Rob Reiner goes even further with the story, as he presents obstacles for the couple to meet again. Enter 3 otherwise bumbling stooges but here they are brigands on a mission to kill the farm boy-turned-Dread Pirate, who have also kidnapped Princess Buttercup. The brigands are played by Wallace Shawn as the conniving leader who plays a battle of wits only to end up poisoned to death; Andre the Giant plays Fezzik, the muscle; and Mandy Patinkin plays Inigo Montoya (easily one of the best performances in the film). His role is defined by his swordsmanship and his seeking of vengeance against the 6-fingered man that killed his father.
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
(Side note: Mandy Patinkin went on to play one of the main characters of the TV show "Criminal Minds" where he was once again stellar.)
Anyway, like other Rob Reiner films (re: This is Spinal Tap) "The Princess Bride" starts off as a decent looking and entertaining film of a specific genre, but it turns satirical as the script and director go for laughs more than sticking to the typical fairy tale script. And there are plenty of laughs. In fact, they seem to come one after the other, which is a talent that Reiner has, I think.
Fred Savage plays a boy home sick from school whose grandfather comes to entertain him for the day by reading him this story "The Princess Bride" ironically, a real book, whose author also wrote the screenplay (and maybe that's why it works so well, it's his own material). The boy does not want the typical fairy tale, "with lots of kissing in it" and he is not disappointed by the end. And you won't be either. In fact, whenever I watch "The Princess Bride" it seems to go by so quickly, from the introduction/prologue, to the Screaming Eels, to the epic sword fight, to the R.O.U.S.s and quicksand, to the Pits of Despair, until the happy ending!
If you haven't seen this movie and cherished it from your own childhood (or later) do yourself a favor and watch it immediately.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
................................................................
"All Good Things" (79)
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Ryan Gosling
Here is a film based on a "true" story about the famous Marks family that seemed to own the neighborhood around 42nd Street in New York City in the 70s. Or it is at least about the patriarch of the family Sanford (played convincingly by Frank Langella), who is a commanding and demanding man who is very hands-on in his under-the-table, sketchy real estate business, as he owned massage parlors, porn stores, strip clubs, etc. that seemed right at home in the 70s on 42nd Street, places that certainly attracted a specific crowd. And Ryan Gosling plays Sanford's son, David Marks, who fights against joining his father's business, but ultimately and perhaps against his better judgment starts the book-keeping for his father. He quickly meets Katie (Kirsten Dunst) who is a rather free-spirited hippie girl, right at home within the 1970s. They get married and leave New York against David's father's wishes for Vermont. Since the film focuses on David's involvement in sketchy business, the happy couple moves back to New York, so that David can work for his father. Katie discovers what type of business her husband's involved in and she does not like it. Interestingly enough, Katie soon and mysteriously disappears. And her disappearance haunts David, and it haunts us as viewers of the film because we are left with unanswered questions (but the same happened in real life apparently, as well). It's bothersome because Kirsten Dunst is really good playing an "adult woman" who is at a loss to understand her husband and how he can change or go through such a drastic transformation from a hippie-free-spirited guy to someone she seems to know absolutely nothing about. Kirsten Dunst can sometimes disappoint me because of the roles she chooses. I always want to believe she is a decent actress (re: the Virgin Suicides, Crazy/beautiful) but the films she gets involved in do not let her live up to her potential often. Here, though, she is great (and she goes missing and leaves the film!).
The film is such a great thriller/mystery that I don't want to give anything away. There are many twists and turns. The film is sort of an enigma that might leave you a bit pissed off because you don't really get any answers. You are left to infer a lot on your on, which I was okay with. I can't even tell you the things I want to tell you. Perhaps you'll watch it and we can discuss it.
"Prime" (80)
Starring: Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep, Bryan Greenberg
Okay, I think I can admit at this point to have quite a crush on Uma Thurman. Easily one of the best, if not the best model-turned-actresses, with credibility to boot! I think I've determined part of Uma Thurman's problem, when it comes to hit or miss films she is in...She needs a new agent. She needs an agent that can read through scripts and throw away the ones that don't meet her acting standards, and yes, she should have standards because she is a decent actress (re: Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction), or does Quentin Tarantino know how to bring out the best in her? (I'd like to think differently, because I respect her as an actress, she just needs to make better choices.)
"Prime" is a film that is flawed from the beginning, thanks to a bad script. Roger Ebert calls them "Idiot Plots." I like to call them Throwaway Films, I suppose. I won't go so far as to say "Prime" is a Throwaway Film because the acting is decent, the characters are given depth and they are making decisions with consequences and it seems as close to "real life" as it possibly could be (given the subject matter). The problem here is that the characters are not really given a chance to say the important things that they need to say. There's more said in the nonverbal cues and acting that Uma Thurman and Bryan Greenberg do throughout the film. And Meryl Streep is comedic gold as a psychiatrist/mother.
Here's the Idiot Plot: Rafi (Uma Thurman) and David (Bryan Greenberg) meet by chance outside a movie theater. He is with another date. She is with friends. He calls her. They go out a few times. He falls hard for her. She falls hard for him. The only trouble is: She's 37 and he is 23. The age difference really bothers Rafi (who's also just recently divorced). She discusses these facts with her psychiatrist (Streep). But then, when things get going and going well, Rafi also discussing her relationship at length and with great detail ("His penis is beautiful." and "He didn't know where the clitoris is.") The problem is: her psychiatrist is also David's mother (a fact she doesn't divulge), so now we've got a case of "mistaken identity."
"Prime" focuses on the fact that Rafi and David are basically at completely different places in their lives. She wants to settle down and think about having kids, I mean, she is 37 years old and a career-woman. David doesn't seem to want to grow up. He lives with his grandparents (until he moves in with Rafi), he plays videogames and street basketball, and he is ultimately very immature. They are both at the "prime" of their lives, just separate ends of their respective "primes."
The question we are left to answer is: should the relationship continue?
Well, the film answers the question for you, and I won't ruin it for you.
It has some good moments and decent acting, so check it out. It's worth it.
It's interesting to me, as I watched this film, because I was recently in a relationship with a 28 year old girl who acted like she wanted/believed she was still 22 years old. She wanted to be in the "prime" of her life, the stage where I guess it's still okay to be irresponsible and not have things figured out. I was 30 years old and had already clearly defined myself and created a path for my life. I was heading in a direction I wanted to include her in, or at least help her see that the same road was a possibility for her (with me). Unfortunately, we could never agree on the "important" things in life and in relationships. We left each other. I was hurt. She seemed quite unscathed. I've since moved on to a better way of life and I can only imagine that she has continued to live the life she wants or at least thinks that she wants. The great thing is, I don't have to stress or worry myself anymore about her and her choices, because they no longer affect me. And, as you can probably tell, I'm doing quite well.
"Walking and Talking" (81)
Starring: Catherine Keener, Anne Heche, Liev Schreiber
Here's a film about two childhood friends that follow each other into adulthood and are there for each other through everything. The friends are Amelia, played by Catherine Keener (who is always an expert actress, for evidence please see "Being John Malkovich, 40 Year Old Virgin, Lovely and Amazing). She is the good looking brunette who doesn't seem to have any luck in love. She is friends with an ex (Liev Schrieber) and they try occasionally to rekindle and reconstruct their relationship. The film really centers on Amelia and her lack of being able to understand what she is doing wrong when looking for love or what is wrong with her, specifically. The trouble is Amelia is a good looking woman with seemingly nothing wrong with her. She is very smart. I think her only flaw is that she has a bit of desperation in understanding herself and love and relationships. Perhaps she's good at the "talking" but not so much the "walking" when it comes to relationships...except of course with her ex-boyfriend. She goes out with a video clerk who in turn never calls her back and then she confronts him about this later in the film, to which he reveals why he never called her again for a second date.
Laura, the blonde friend, played by Anne Heche, is in a wonderful relationship. She gets engaged. They plan a wedding. They have a fight. They get back together. They end up getting married. Ups and downs of any typical relationship. To be expected.
Nothing too big and extreme ever happens in the film. It revels in its ability to remain subtle and "quiet" when it could have gone for big moments. Big thanks is due to the director Nicole Holofcener who has made other wonderful, subtle films. She really lets the actors take over the film.
Please see: Lovely and Amazing and Friends with Money.
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