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Reviews
Equilibrium (2002)
more "1984" than "Matrix"
*** SPOILERS ALERT ***
First off, after watching this movie, I wish Christian Bale had played the role of Neo rather than Keaunu Reeves, but this is no Matrix ripoff -- though it has plenty of action scenes reminiscent of that movie. And it's no masterpiece: I still rate it a 7 and Matrix an 8, but it's a film that seems to take itself more seriously, to concentrate more on the inability of the human spirit to be silenced rather than focus on a rebellion against the system, akin as such to Huxley's "Brave New World" and Orwell's "1984." You are given the impression that humanity (the realm of emotion) will inevitably surface, whether John Preston (Bale) is successful or not. As such, it's more like a remake of "1984" starring John Hurt (although I still feel this is the best realization of the idea) or "THX 1138;" perhaps even influenced by "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in a way. The one truly original idea that gets across is the sort of in-joke that the Father himself (the ruler of the emotionless society) is not taking shots of the emotion-cloaking drug and is just waging a war of his own -- further backing up the belief that without emotions there would be no wars -- against those who are really just like him, a truth he must be ashamed of, and as such he is merely running a fascist state. Sure, there are plenty of silly situations that pop up and keep this from being a perfect movie -- the puppy Preston won't let die while he'll go ahead and kill hundreds of humans; his kids who have also stopped taking the drugs and the ease with which he takes down the system, but, on the other hand, there are refreshing situations to counter the silly: he doesn't get the girl in the end and, in the end, you get the sense that the change of power that takes place (Preston's sly grin at the conclusion) will eventually turn rotten just the same. That comes the closest to the truth.
Zoolander (2001)
unwatchable
I couldn't even make it past 15 minutes into the film. Watching Ben Stiller try to pass himself off as an idiot, with a constant pout, and a sort of retard Schwarzenegger accent was unbearable. Stiller is too good an actor to be wasting time on this junk.
Free Money (1998)
worth it just for the Brando performance
I really wanted to like this film, but it's definitely not in the same league as "Fargo" (as someone here mentioned) nor is it deep (as someone else mentioned). The film tries hard -- and does have some great jokes -- but it ambles along filled with plot holes and poorly thought-out scenes that would be better off left on the cutting room floor. That it doesn't know whether to take itself seriously or be a flat-out comedy isn't such a bad thing -- nothing wrong with breaking conventions -- but it doesn't work here because there's no reason for it, it's just an annoyance. However, that said, it's worth it to see the film just to watch Brando in one of his few recent roles as a lead actor. In fact, it's worth it just to see him get his head stuck in the toilet in one scene and belt out lines like "I want you to shut every hole in your body right now." He's playing a great character in "the Swede" -- sort of a cross between Dr. Moreau in "Island of Dr. Moreau" and the oil baron in "The Formula" -- a ruthless jail warden with a tattoo that reads "Jesus Saves" on the back of his head. I just wish his character had been fleshed out more -- this could be his own fault; he's not exactly out to prove anything anymore as an actor. The film tends to focus more on Charlie Sheen, who does a fine job, but whose character is not quite what you would call quirky. The film would have worked much better if all the characters had been as odd as the Swede and Larry, played to perfection by Thomas Haden Church. Worth a look for Brando buffs, but I rate it a 5 overall. I probably would have upped it to 6 if it weren't for the completely stupid conclusion.
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)
don't believe the bad reviews
I still don't understand why this film generates such negative reviews. What is it people were expecting? Maybe people still don't get Brando. Brando doesn't "act," he just IS and he's never been one for memorizing lines; it's never been about the words he says anyway, so why shouldn't he have the lines taped to the table, to the foreheads of other actors, etc. It's all about how he gestures and becomes the part and maybe just says whatever comes into his head as the character anyway.
I will admit it took me two viewings before I got into the film myself, but I've seen it more than 10 times by now and it still holds up. It's beautifully photographed for one thing and the tension on the set between the actors -- especially Val Kilmer and Brando adds to the tension of the film itself. If for no other reason than to see the original "Minnie Me" in action, rent this and try to keep an open mind.
Body Melt (1993)
hilarious parody of suburbia
If you like Peter Jackson's earlier works, "Bad Taste" and "Braindead," you'll love this film as it works in the same vein. It's a great parody of the dull life of suburbia whose citizens seem to have no reason to live but would be willing to do whatever they can to live as long and as healthy as possible. They become unwitting guinea pigs of experimental drugs designed to create superhumans. Warning: it has some really gross scenes, but this is secondary. This is one of those rare B-movie horror films that actually tries to convey a message and pokes fun at itself at the same time.