NYCDude Reviews

Hairspray (2007)

Lean back and enjoy this one.

[10/10 · 29 July 2007]

What a beautiful old-fashioned Hollywood musical! Sure, it has the background of bigotry, segregation and integration, tolerance and understanding in Baltimore of the 60's, but except for one song, no preaching. The music was fine, the dancing great, the acting delightful. The dancing and music nicely blended into the action. I was delighted that Travolta did a great job, subdued and comedic - a wonderful Edna, mother of the irrepressible Tracy. The plot - well, it does simplify the civil rights movement - but I don't think It's a spoiler to say that it's fun and ends happily. Michelle Pfeiffer plays an over the top meanie, Christopher Walken, as usual, is great, and does a wonderful dance with John Travolta, who plays his wife. Queen Latifah brings a lot of it together. You walk out of the movie knowing that you will be very happy to see it again.

Regular Lovers (2005)

Boring. Boring.

[2/10 · 11 February 2007]

This is clearly a French film. It is about young group of idealist/revolutionary/anarchistic people. It moves very slowly. Long takes. LOng closeups. A minute or more devoted to an attempt to light a pipe full of hash/opium. A long take on how a group overturns a car and burns it. It is a black and white film. The subtitles were white, so about a third of the time they were unreadable. (Why do they do this?) I walked out after about an hour and three quarters when it became clear that this picture was going nowhere, slow. I was not the first to walk out. It was the first time I walked out of a picture in my long lifetime. (Well, maybe the second.)

On Oak Island (2006)

Surprises throughout. Much more than a boy meets girl film.

[10/10 · 16 November 2006]

I saw this at the Asheville Film festival (really!) and had no idea of what I was going to see. On one level, it's an old-fashioned boy meets girl - boy loses girl - boy gets girl flick. But this is almost incidental.

A short film by today's standards (89 minutes), it held my attention throughout. Surprises occur throughout. A nice technique, and a very effective one was the replaying of many sections of the film, each time giving a little bit more information. It had a nice story line, with large doses of romance and betrayal. It is definitely worth checking out.

Warning: I went with a couple who said afterward that it had poor direction and poor acting. That's why we have horse races.

Boynton Beach Club (2005)

Geriatric dating in the Sunshine State

[8/10 · 22 April 2006]

I saw this movie in Deerfield Beach, Fla. on the same day I visited relatives in Boynton Beach, two towns and about 10 miles north. It was highly recommended by these relatives. The story centers around a bereavement group consisting of seniors most of whom (about 8 out of 9) are females. The movie concerns the problems of dating and (what else?) sex, and it handles this pretty well, following three principal characters through their struggles and doubts. It tackles the problems of getting back on ones feet after the demise of a spouse, and perhaps starting a new relationship. The movie addresses the problems of both the men and the women, and does so thoughtfully and sympathetically. I thought there were a few false moments, contrived for effect, but on the whole it was an honest movie which held your attention throughout. The acting was fine, and I would single out Brenda Vaccaro for her fine acting. I rate the picture as a eight (very good), though I am tempted to add more points because it refrains from demeaning older folks and their problems.

Loggerheads (2005)

The Adoption Triad: The child, the birth mother, and the adopting parents.

[10/10 · 30 December 2005]

This is a beautiful, tightly written movie about three families and how they intersect. Its primary topic is adoption, and the quest of a birth mother to find her child (Mark) who she had given away for adoption. The three families are the child himself, now in his 20's, his birth mother, and the family who adopted him. It takes place in North Carolina with breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains of that state.

Homosexuality plays an important role in the film. Mark, who is HIV positive, was totally rejected by his father, a homophobic fundamentalist minister. He becomes a wanderer, and feels rejected and unloved. After he leaves home, he is befriended by a local, and connects with him.

But above all, it's a wonderful story full of human emotions, of longing, and resolution. And unlike similar movies with different plot lines that converge, the plots here were all intelligible, coherent, and held your interest to the end.

The acting and cinematography were superb. The loggerheads refer to sea turtles, and have metaphorical implications. The movie stays with you after you leave, and is well worth seeing.

Be Here to Love Me (2004)

A Story about a tragic genius

[9/10 · 4 December 2005]

This is a wonderful documentary about a songwriter almost universally acknowledged to be one of the best, if not, the best country/folk songwriter of the last 50 years. Many friends, including such notables as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earl, Emmylou Harris and Guy Clark, give some of their remembrances and evaluations of his work. There are lots of interviews with Townes, as well a several performances lovingly sung by him and others. All in all, a beautiful documentary. Now for some personal gripes, mainly calling for another hour or so in a 99 minute documentary: 1) I would have liked more complete, uninterrupted, performances. The director clearly did not want this to be a concert film, but at least one complete, uninterrupted performance would have been nice. 2) The beautiful Tecumsen (Tecumseh) Valley song is not sung or mentioned. This was a great disappointment for me, having lived with Nanci Griffith's as well as Townes' version of this great song.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS ***

The depiction of Townes' mental problems as well as his drug and alcohol problems were frankly discussed by friends and relatives. One could be saddened by his early demise, but not surprised.

Crash (I) (2004)

no redeeming value

[5/10 · 22 June 2005]

After the first 10 minutes, I whispered to my significant other, that if the next 10 minutes continue in this manner, I would leave. Anyway, the next 10 minutes were not quite as bad so I stoically stayed till the end. The picture is disturbing in its depiction of intolerance, but I was more disturbed by the production than by its depiction of racism and intolerance.

The characters tended to be one dimensional; the action was generally preceded by loud music (ominous if the scene is ominous, tender if it is tender, etc.); the bad guys were very bad, the good guys (I think you could actually find one) very good.

Clearly, the picture was made with good intentions, and I think it intended to instruct. Still I walked out feeling it was a fake and I found no redeeming value in it. I gave it a 5 out of 10 because much of the acting was fine, despite what I regard as a bad script.

My significant other thought the picture was "great." And so it goes.

Anything Else (2003)

A fine Woody Allen Movie and a joy to watch.

[8/10 · 9 April 2004]

Yes, I admit to being a Woody Allen fan. Yes, I agree that his movies are uneven and have not all been up to the great standards of Annie Hall or Hannah. So I saw this on video, since it slipped out of the theaters quickly. And having read the IMDB reviews, I was prepared for the worse. The good news is that Mr Allen has recovered from whatever it was that was interfering with his muse. The picture is a classic Woody Allen film: fine acting, wonderful lines and gags, an ongoing psychoanalytical situation, dysfunctional relationships, funny situations, and Woody himself in a suitable role as a crazy guy, but the only "sane" one in the film. I would also add that the scenes of New York, including Manhattan and Brooklyn, were breathtakingly beautiful.

Critics now seem to enjoy dissing Woody, whatever his output. Maybe that's the price of a long, fruitful career. Ignore them and enjoy his films. Long may he present his gifts to us.

The Singing Detective (2003)

Not the TV version but well worth it!

[9/10 · 5 November 2003]

I am familiar with the 6 tape TV version, and I was skeptical that a movie version could do that masterpiece justice. I was pleasantly surprised. For one, this version has Robert Downey Jr who is superb in the role. Without giving anything away, the movie nicely weaves the hero's present condition, his current delusions, and his history. It's a little more explicit than the original TV version in many cases, so it was easier to separate these. However, reading various reviews (many highly negative), it's clear that this wasn't explicit enough for many viewers. The acting was fine throughout, and especially noteworthy was Mel Gibson in an uncharacteristic role for him.

For those who know the original version, I note that the relationship with his father is essentialy omitted, as well as his experience with his horrible grade school teacher. But it was thrilling to get a new take on the detective, even if it was abbreviated.

All in all, a very worthwhile picture. See it - it will no doubt become a cult classic.

A Christmas Story (1983)

A Christmas movie that always delights.

[10/10 · 22 December 2002]

I've seen this picture about 4 or 5 times, and I just had the pleasure of watching it again on Turner Classic Movies. It remains as good as I remember it. A wonderful, very nostalgic view of Christmas through the eyes of an 8 year old. Everything - from "shoot your eyes out", the neighborhood dogs, the wonderful mother and father (and school teacher), the kids, the local bullies, the white Christmas, the small mid-western town, the concerns and fantasies of the kid hero, all add up to a great movie.

And Your Mother Too (2001)

A perfectly delightful buddy/road/coming-of-age film.

[10/10 · 8 April 2002]

A beautiful film. The sex is explicit and unabashed. The scenery wonderful. The story is fine, though it ended abruptly and surprisingly. The three actors perform beautifully, and there are many interesting people and places along the way. And it was all held together by a wonderful narration (and a wonderful narrator's voice) giving a deeper perspective and background to what was going on.

It was the first picture I saw from this director, and I would hope to see many more from him. An exhilarating delight.

The Cider House Rules (1999)

A nice four hanky movie

[7/10 · 5 March 2000]

Orphanages... loads of adorable kids waiting to be adopted, a caring doctor (played by Michael Caine) whose goodnight to the kids is very Shakepearean in tone. (You may have seen the trailer.) Bring along lots of hankies - you're in for a nice old-fashioned, tearful sitting. Tobey Maquire is, well, Tobey Maguire -- at least as I've seen him in Wonder Boys. The acting is uniformly fine, especially Delroy Lindo, who I don't believe I've seen before. There is a bit on abortion, and I suppose that if you are strictly anti-abortion, this aspect of the picture won't endear you to it. But it's basically a growing up picture with (what I think is) a weak ending. But bring your hankies anyway.

Man on the Moon (1999)

A strange movie about a strange (genius?) man.

[6/10 · 24 January 2000]

I came into the picture never having seen Andy Kaufman in anything, not on Saturday Nite Live, not on Taxi, not anywhere. Somehow (I must have been severely distracted at the time) he was off my radar screen. Some friends told me they loved him and waited for all of his appearances -- he was different, a genius, etc., and I was looking forward to the picture. I must admit I came out confused - a strange movie about a strange and apparently dysfunctional human being who may or may not have been a genius, depending on how loosely one uses that word.

I don't remember seeing a movie with so many audience reaction shots. The purpose seemed to be to let you, the audience, know that it it was appropriate to be confused, or embarrassed. Andy's concept (and he stated during the film that he was NOT a comedian) seemed to be fully confrontational and to act unexpectedly at all times (say, like a 4 year old). Some of it was certainly funny, but most of it was simply embarrassing. (This may have been completely intentional on Kaufman's part.) I know that this point of view puts me into the category of old fogy, but so it goes. When you can't say you're sick to someone and be taken seriously, maybe you have gone too far.

Yes, I will make amends and try to get Andy Kaufman reruns. Or go to the Museum of Television and Radio and seek him out.

Of course it is a movie, and the acting was all excellent. But I still went out shaking my head...

Sweet and Lowdown (1999)

Another fine Woody Allen film complete with music and characters of the 20's.

[10/10 · 20 December 1999]

I saw this film on a rainy Monday afternoon in its first run. It obviously has not caught on, since there were perhaps 20 people in the appreciative audience. This isn't going to be an objective review, because I usually go out of my way to see Woody Allen films, and I've been disappointed only once. He is as creative and original as ever. Yes, I know he plays well only on the coasts, but this doesn't detract from his genius.

As usual, the music (here, 20's jazz) is a critically important part of this film, as in almost all Woody Allen films. Sean Penn somehow manages to seem play the guitar with ease. He plays a great jazz guitarist, with an enormous number of personality flaws: egocentric, irresponsible, womanizing, nasty, etc., but a great guitarist. Not surprisingly, because we have come to expect it from Penn, his acting is flawless.

The period (the 20's) is wonderfully captured by the scenery, language, and costumes. The flawed personality almost redeems itself, but it's clear from the beginning that this is not to be. The style is a narrative, with several commentators (including Woody Allen) playing themselves and the narrative is appropriately ambiguous, since it it's about an allegedly mysterious guitarist, known mostly to his remaining avid fans. A wonderful sequence involves three very different takes of a single incident. This is more than Rashoman, it's how myths grow in many different ways.

If you see this film thinking you'll be seeing a minor Woody Allen film, think again. To use a 20's expression, it's swell.

Arlington Road (1999)

A great idea, but a failed attempt.

[6/10 · 2 August 1999]

Arlington Road is an exceptional picture -- on paper. A great theme (homegrown terrorism), exceptionally fine actors (Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins), suspense, thrills, some psychological suspense, and a great idea for an ending.

But something went wrong along the way. In a movie like Austin Powers, we don't expect a plot to make sense. But in a picture such as this, I want some glue to hold the parts together. Here, coincidence after coincidence attempts to pull this plot together. Sure, movies have certain conventions. But I still want to walk home feeling that the action and the ending are at least credible. I think of this as a great failed attempt and can only wonder what Hitchcock might have done with this idea.

The Winslow Boy (1999)

Mamet meets turn of the century England, and the result is a gem.

[10/10 · 22 July 1999]

The previews of this picture made it very clear what the movie is about. A young boy is (wrongfully?) accused of stealing and is tossed out of school. The family then fights for his name and it goes to court in a notorious trial. I went to see the movie based on this preview and had mentally constructed the outlines of the picture. I had not seen the previous Winslow Boy film.

I was wrong! I expected to see an action trial scene. I expected some lingering doubt about the guilt or innocence of the boy. I did not expect any romance. Instead, I witnessed the power of great writing. The acting was uniformly wonderful, with Nigel Hawthorne giving an unusually compelling performance. Jane Austen would have loved this film.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

A masterful movie about love, death, jealousy and relationships.

[10/10 · 22 July 1999]

I saw this picture five days ago, and it still resonates. It's rated R, probably because of nudity and occasional naughty words, but the sexiest scenes (to me) were the G rated fully clothed and detailed flirtations which Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise independently indulge in at the beginning of the film.

Kidman is simply sensational when she starts pulling apart some of Cruise's basic assumptions about their relationship, propelling Cruise into his all night adventure in which the prostitute, the costuming, the ritualistic orgy all lead to fear, some surprises, and perhaps a kind of reconciliation.

As usual in a Kubrick film, the music is perfect. A great film!

The Red Violin (1998)

Great idea for a film. Too bad it misses.

[6/10 · 6 July 1999]

I do hate to be a naysayer, but I will anyway. It's a great idea for a film: following a wonderful violin through the centuries and through different worlds. The music is grand. But something is missing -- life. Except for the Chinese sequence, (and the music), the picture is static. Sure you're interested in what happens to the violin in its many lives, but it just doesn't hang together. And the ending, in present day Montreal, is simply a disappointment.

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

Course, crude, funny, witty, clever, and stupid. A don't miss film!

[8/10 · 25 June 1999]

Let's start by saying that the movies is great for all kids from 9 to ???. I saw this movie with an audience of kids 9 to 10, and they howled throughout, catching all double entendres, loving the naughty words, etc. And certainly much of the humor was on this level. Yes, lots of humor involving bodily parts and functions, and non too subtle either.

On the other hand, there's lots of stuff for the over 12 audience too. Witty lines and references are scattered throughout. I wish I had seen various Bond movies (there came a point where I couldn't watch them) just to catch all the references. Dr. Evil was magnificently idiotic and evil, and the only sane person in the movie was his son, who, while giving an honest appraisal of the good Doctor's plans, makes it all the more hilarious.

Don't even look for a plot. If you do, you've missed the point. Go for a cleverly written fab picture. Lots of pretty girls, lots of bizarre situations, Jerry Springer, Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello cameos, and a wonderful performance by Mike (Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard) Meyers. Yeah!

Notting Hill (1999)

Very pleasant fairy tale

[7/10 · 7 June 1999]

This movie asks the question: Can a superstar, say like Julia Roberts, make it with a very shy, sensitive (though young and handsome), middle class Englishman, say like Hugh Grant? It's a very pleasant fairy tale, and in fact a very enjoyable movie.

One thing though -- much of the music is dreadful, loud and intruding, with words like "I'll always love you madly" or the equivalent, and music most syrupy.

But all in all, a good night at the movies.

Central Station (1998)

A wonderful film. A real picture with real people.

[10/10 · 17 April 1999]

What a wonderful film! You just have to watch the minute or so before the titles appear to know that you're in for a treat: a real picture with real people.

First it's a story about a woman, Dora, and a nine year old Josue, who is looking for his father. Yes, this is a tear jerker, and in the best sense of that phrase. The development of their relationship, the point of the film, is subtly and beautifully done. The story itself develops and ends with a bit of a surprise.

Want to see who should have won the Oscar for best actress? Just watch Dora (Fernanda Montenegro). Do you like odyssey films? What about a trip through Brazil, full of surprises, heartbreak, people, and adventure?

Don't miss this one.

Tango (1998)

A magical mixture of dance, drama, creativity with a fine match of music to drama.

[9/10 · 3 April 1999]

On the one hand, you can watch this movie for its incredibly beautiful and sensual dancing and music. And you can be completely satisfied. Then there's the story, which is not merely tacked on, but augments the action. There's love, war, Argentina, theater, politics. A great mixture!

Affliction (1997)

An intense psychological portrait of a man who can't escape his history.

[9/10 · 16 February 1999]

About 30 seconds into this fine film, you know that Wade is troubled. Sure, the music is ominous, but the dialogue and situation tells you that this is one tense fellow. As the picture develops, you learn something of his history, and how hard it is (for him - for us?) to escape that history.

The photography is amazing. The acting - especially Nick Nolte and James Coburn - is superb. The story unfolds and the viewer sees what's happening - or it merely Wade's (Nolte's) version?

A dark, psychologically interesting, and gripping film.

A Civil Action (1998)

Overdone legal action with an excellent Duvall performance.

[7/10 · 8 January 1999]

This is a heavy duty Hollywood production courtroom drama based on a true life ecological disaster. Much of it is overdone, but it is not simplistically resolved. A beautiful performance by Robert Duvall (of course) and Travolta is fine. The picture tends to be didactic at times, except for the delicious Duvall lectures. And was that Kathy Bates making a nice cameo at the end?

Hilary and Jackie (1998)

An intense, intimate, and sophisticated biography of the sisters Du Pre.

[10/10 · 5 January 1999]

This great picture is a biography of the Du Pre sisters, one of whom, Jacqueline, was a world renowned cellist, and the other, Hilary, a well known flutist. Because Jacqueline was cut off, by MS, at the height of her career, and died in her early forties, one would hope that such a picture would be more than a tear-jerker. It is much more. It is a very well constructed, sophisticated biography of the two sisters, with a little sexual titillation tossed in as a necessary part of the character development of Jackie. Interesting, too, is the Rashoman aspect, where critical scenes are viewed from the perspectives of the sisters. The acting is great all around - the parents, the husbands, the childhood versions of the sisters, the teachers, etc. A must see!