dan_delago Reviews

The Lake House (2006)

Good chemistry equals good romantic fantasy

[8/10 · 16 June 2006]

Suspension of disbelief is a wonderful phenomenon. It's used in many genres effectively and why not in romantic film? Although the Lakehouse mailbox took on some magical qualities, the plot still worked for me on a deeper level. It's about connecting with your true soulmate when you feel isolated. Who hasn't felt alone at a crowded party? Or who hasn't feared if they wait too long that they may never find that special someone? It's a part of the human condition this film examines. I mean, look at the architecture of the Lake House itself. It's isolated yet beautiful in a Frank Lloyd Wright kind of way.

This is a character-driven story. It was fueled by the solid performances of Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. They are so natural and comfortable together on screen. It's more than just physical attraction between two people and that's why the love story works. It's real chemistry between them. I believed these two could be walking along Lakeshore Drive holding hands together.

I was rooting for these two characters to get together. They are likable. They have angst in their lives. They show vulnerability. Real human feelings. They are successful in their careers but there is still that void. In my opinion, they are the right fit for each other. It's the underlying themes of this movie that give it substance not the fact that some of the plot is a bit far-fetched. Love is illogical in many ways but when you find that certain someone, it's magical.

David Auburn's screenplay is first-rate. It creates the right mood. It has emotion in each scene. He makes the story palpable. This kept me interested. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. What more can you ask for in a touching love story? I enjoyed it.

The Break-Up (2006)

Dark Romantic Comedy

[5/10 · 7 June 2006]

If you're looking for a warm and fuzzy romantic comedy, rent Vince Vaughn in "Wedding Crashers." It's a brilliant romantic comedy. The movie company is marketing the "Breakup" as a romantic comedy but it's more of an anti-romantic comedy. I respect Vaughn for not wanting to be typecast but the marketing of this film is misleading.

Why doesn't the film work? It's simple. The script is amateurish. Congratulations to these neophytes but let the audience beware. The characters are superficial. The gags are stereotypical. Since we don't really get to know who Vaughn and Aniston's characters really are. I mean, why did they get together in the first place? They are complete opposites. Vaughn is a video-gaming slob and Aniston is a sophisticated art dealer. Where's the connection? When they fight, which happens right after the opening credits. By the way, the opening credits are a montage of them having fun, I guess to make us feel like they have a solid relationship. Seeing them in Halloween costume pictures doesn't convince me that these two were meant for each other. Anyway, once they begin their verbal insults, it gets UGLY. I felt uncomfortable listening to their arguments.

You get the feeling through the movie that they are more worried about their real estate investment than trying to salvage their sinking relationship. You just DON'T care if these two ever kiss and make up. There is simply no chemistry between them.

Rule number one in romantic comedy writing 101. Make your characters interesting so the audience will care about them. This is no fault to Vaughn and Aniston who are two of the most talented actors in film today. I place the blame on the screenplay. It just didn't work for me. Romantic comedies depend on a good script because they are character-driven stories. This film runs out of gas right after the opening credits.

Elizabethtown (2005)

Not One of Crowe's Best Films

[7/10 · 14 February 2006]

First of all, I love Cameron Crowe movies. Three of my favorites are Almost Famous, Jerry McGuire, and Vanilla Sky. By the way, Vanilla Sky is undisputably Tom Cruise's best performance ever, hands down! Now back to Elizabethtown, maybe it's too ambitious, maybe it's Cameron Crowe's idea of the perfect boy meets girl romance, maybe just maybe, Crowe just wanted to say the heck with you guys (the audience) and decided to make the kind of film he wanted. That's okay, he is not only a great writer/director but an movie artiste of our generation.

I had trouble buying the whole love affair with Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. No girl, as good-looking and smart as Kirsten, would try so hard to win the affections of this guy. It just was hard to believe that she would go thru so much trouble. I like the last scene. I won't give it away but it's a journey that Orlando takes with his father (in an urn). It's very carthartic but it's too unbelievable as it progresses.

I would have like to have seen more of Susan Sarandon's character. The scene in which she dances on stage to "Moon River" is beautiful. Who ever says women over 40 are not sexy, should be shot. Her character needed more time to grow, oh well, too bad.

This film has some good moments but it fails. Maybe that is what Crowe wanted, a Spasmodica shoe that is flawed but has good intentions.

Stay (I) (2005)

Artistic and Thought-Provoking Psychological Thriller

[9/10 · 30 October 2005]

"Stay" is a surrealist thriller into the subconscious mind. It has some of the elements of a David Lynch film yet has a unique style of its own. It masterfully uses editing and transition techniques to keep the story moving along and more importantly, keeping the audience engrossed in what is going to happen next. The way the film is put together makes one question whether where our reality ends and where our perceptions begin.

This is what makes the film a visual spectacle to watch. It plays on perception. What is real and what is memory? Can we depend on our point of view to get to the truth? Director Marc Forster brilliantly creates different points of views that reflects the individual perceptions of the main characters. These differing angles give the film a visual freshness that I've haven't seen in a long time. It also allows us to take in the film at different levels.

I am not giving away any spoilers by saying that the visuals in this film are very surreal and meaningful to the context of the film. There are scenes that use the geometric architecture to move the characters along that seem to lead to nowhere and are repetitive. This is conveying the complexities of human memory and how they do not always give us the whole meaning through our experiences and perceptions. Heavy stuff but fun to watch! The acting is excellent. Ewan McGregor is very believable as the psychiatrist. I wish we could have seen more of Naomi Watts' character Lila. Maybe it was intentional to use her sparingly. When she does appear, her flawless performance brings more layers to the story line. The ending brings the film all together so you are not left scratching your head but you will want to watch this one again to get at some of the subtle clues given through out the film.

"Stay" is a real treat for the movie goer that enjoys art with his price of admission.

The Interpreter (2005)

Script Stinks

[3/10 · 29 April 2005]

I was excited about the new Sydney Pollack suspense thriller, "The Interpreter." I mean, "Three Days of the Condor," is a true movie classic in the thriller genre. And how can one go wrong with two A-list movie actors (Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman). Maybe we as the movie public just want to be entertained by our favorite actors. As PT Barnum once said, you can't predict the taste of the public or maybe it was, "There is a sucker born every minute." Well, I felt like a sucker after purchasing my movie ticket. This movie has so many flaws I don't even know where to begin.

First of all, let's talk about the chemistry between Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman. There is a concept in movie watching called cognitive dissonance. Basically, the movie goer is ignoring certain things in a movie that aren't exactly real but it's okay because the movie is so entertaining we suspend the trivial facts and let our imagination run wild with the flow of the story. Well, after a while, I did not buy it for a moment that these two actors were attracted to each other. They were so opposite that I just could not buy it. Sean Penn is mumbling through most of the movie. Is he trying to play a secret service agent that went to the same actor's studio as James Dean? I don't know but Sean Penn is starting to play Sean Penn in many of his roles. I felt like he was just collecting a paycheck and he did not want to be in this film. He is also grieving at the loss of a loved one that happened two weeks prior to meeting up with Nicole Kidman's character. Fellow secret service agents are not even treating Sean Penn any different from a guy who just lost his pet dog. Nicole Kidman's character is playing a character that seems indifferent to any human contact. She also is on a higher intellectual plane than Penn so I did not see any chemistry between them. If there was any, it was so subliminal, it quickly flashed across the screen before I had a chance to see it.

Second, the script is crap. It was so complicated I started tuning out right after the bus explosion. You had one African tribal leader doing this and you had another African leader living in Brooklyn doing that. After a while, I had to ask myself, what is going on here? I'm lost and you know what? Once I get lost, you've lost me. I would have walked out but the theater was so crowded I would have had to climb over 10 people. Why didn't this script work for me? It's fairly easy to decipher. The original screenwriter who came up with the whole idea of the Interpreter did not work on the final draft of the script. Charles Randolph wrote the original screenplay. He is very talented. He was busy with another project so Pollack brought in two other scribes that are experts in reconstructing scripts. The original script had Kidman's character lying about the whole whispering secret situation at the UN and she was more involved with the plot assassination. My god! Hello!!! That would have made this script more suspenseful. This is the problem with bringing in too many other voices to write a script. The plot line got very confusing midway through and I started tuning out. Goodbye, I'm gone. Another thing is that Pollack likes to tinker with the script as he is filming. He even said in an interview that he drives people crazy because he makes last minute changes to the script. Duh? Well, I wasn't surprised to see that this movie is making money. The public's taste never ceases to amaze me. This film was disappointing and a piece of crap. It's just another example of how Hollywood doesn't like to take chances on innovative scripts and usually regurgitates old plot formulas to make a quick buck. If you want to see a good thriller, rent the movie, "North by Northwest" by Alfred Hitchcock. Randolph's original script was trying to capture Hitchcock's style. The studio chiefs didn't get his original vision so they called in the other writers to completely mess up his story. I think it's time Sydney Pollack thinks about hanging it up. He's getting stale.

The Upside of Anger (2005)

Tour De Force performances

[9/10 · 12 April 2005]

Are you looking for a romantic comedy that is witty and sardonic? Look no further, The Upside of Anger is a refreshing addition to the mundane crop of movies currently at theaters. What makes this movie stand out are the acting and a very smart script. Joan Allen and Kevin Costner have chemistry on the screen. Their performances are so raw as two alcoholics that you can't wait to see them in the next scene together. It's nice to see actors playing alcoholics in a realistic manner. They aren't playing these characters as sloppy drunks that need to slur their words to convince you that they are truly intoxicated. That's an nice touch.

Credit needs to go to Mike Binder, who wrote and directed this movie. He also plays a radio producer with some very funny moments scattered through the film. The script seems to find its way from one scene to the next. It's not predictable so it does keep your attention. You do want to find out what happens next to these characters.

Joan Allen plays Terry Wolfmeyer, a rich, suburban housewife that suspects her husband has runaway with his Swedish assistant. Kevin Costner plays Denny Davies, her neighbor as a washed-up baseball player. The two seem to connect to each other and the relationship is truly fun to watch. When you watch them together, you really are rooting for them. You want them to hook up. Beyond having alcohol in common, they make a good couple.

You have to tip your hat to casting in this film. The four daughters are all solid actresses. Alicia Witt plays Hadley who is the eldest and goes to college. College seems to be her way out of the house of chaos. Erika Christiansen plays Andy who decides to break the mold of Hadley and go straight to work. She lands a job at Denny's radio show. Keri Russell (of Felicity) plays Emily who wants to be a dancer to her mother's objections. Lastly, Evan Rachel Wood (of Once and Again) plays the youngest and who narrates the story.

The movie has some sobering messages at the end. I liked how they had an opening shot that ties into the climax of the picture. It definitely makes you think about how life can throw you a curve ball now and again. However, if you accept change as part of the journey, you can grow from it. This movie was a pleasant surprise and I highly recommend it.

Sin City (2005)

A Film Noir Classic

[3 April 2005]

Finally, a director comes along and pays homage to a type of film that you hardly ever see anymore in cinema. I am speaking about film noir. Sin City is a masterpiece in film noir. In order to appreciate film noir, you need to know some of its origins. It is not a genre but a mood or tone of film. Film noir evokes the moods of melancholy, alienation, disillusionment, moral corruption and paranoia. The films of noir were imported to Hollywood by émigré film makers. Film noir is rooted in German Expressionism of the 1920s and an excellent example of that is the movie "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari." Film noir really took hold in Hollywood during the 1940s with such classics as John Huston's "The Maltese Falcon" and Orson Welle's "Citizen Kane." Both these films made their debut in 1941.

This is why Sin City is going down in American Cinema as classic film noir. Robert Rodriguez directed it and has done a superb done. Quentin Tarantino gets credit as a guest director. When those two collaborate, watch out! You can see some of his influence to the film as well when you view the ultra-violence. It is so mesmerizing to watch because it is filmed like a detective comic book. The scenes are filmed in black and white and color placed strategically in the scenes to make certain features stand out such as a female character's red lipstick or blue eyes.

One of the actors that really stands out is Mickey Rourke's character named Marv. I thought this actor was a has-been until I saw him in this role. The role really shows Rourke's acting talents because the character was made for him. He not only plays Marv, he is Marv. It is gritty and comical at the same time. This role could help Rourke revive his acting career.

Another stand-out performance is by Jessica Alba. She is not only beautiful to watch on screen but she plays a good heroine. I hope to see her in more movies in the future. She is so natural and stunning on screen that you cannot help but root for her character. Did I say she is beautiful? Let's talk about the sexiness of the characters. All the actresses are dressed to kill. You see butt cheeks, so guys, you might want to leave the little lady at home and go with the boys to this one. Women are also slapped around a bit on screen too. This follows the true film noir detective story. There are usually two kinds of women in film noir. They are either trustworthy or predatory. One thing is for certain, every female character is hot. I mean they are gorgeous! This film really blew me away. The dialogue is smart and the cast is sexy. What more do you need for a night of entertainment? I can see some of the lines in this movie becoming classic one-liners on the same vein as "Scarface" one-liners. If you want to see something new and refreshing plop down your money for this cinematic work of art. Rodriguez transports you to a place that is dark and corrupt. It's not just cinematography that grabs you. The acting is first rate too. Bruce Willis does an excellent job as a good cop. Another excellent performance is by Clive Owen. If you are not familiar with Clive Owen, go see him in the Mike Nichol's film "Closer". He is an incredible actor with range. He should be the next James Bond. He is cool man, real cool. Benicio Del Toro and Brittany Murphy's performances were amazing too.

One thing I need to point out. This film is not for everyone. Some people are not going to like it. These are the people in the audience that didn't get it when I saw it. The violence is over the top so in a way it is rather comical. However, some women will find the movie offensive so guys, I don't know if this would be a good date flick. Some are going to find it more offensive than entertaining. It's your call. I just know what I like and I really dug it.

Love for Rent (2005)

Horrible Script

[2/10 · 24 March 2005]

I really wanted to like this movie, really I did. It was showcased at a Latin film festival. I heard nothing but wonderful things about Angie Cepeda who plays the lead actress. In the movie premiere, Angie was seated behind me and the director was seated next to me. I had high hopes for this romantic comedy and then something happened!...they rolled the film.

This was one disappointing film. The plot was unbelievable. All of her possessions are stolen while she is sleeping. I don't know about you but even if I were a heavy sleeper, I'm going to hear noises from a robber stealing of all my worldly possessions right in front of my nose.

I will say that Angie Cepeda does have a great deal of potential. It is not her fault that the script stinks. I mean it really stinks. The jokes are so amateurish. Specifically, the jokes are forced and sometimes the script leans to vulgarity just for shock value. Angie is surrounded by characters with no depth. Some of them are just plain obnoxious. You wonder why a girl of Angie's class would even be associated with these morons. That's the point. In real life, Angie probably doesn't hang out with these kinds of characters.

There is a scene in the movie where a big group of people are having dinner. This has to be the worst scene in the movie. Kind of like scratching your nails on a chalkboard. They burst out singing the song "Don't You Want Me Baby" by Human League. Oh my, oh my, it is bad with a capital "B." Congratulations on messing with a classic 80s hit.

Angie's love interest is supposed to be a doctor. Where did they find this guy from Chippendales? He acts like a little school boy when he first meets Angie. He then has the nerve to call her on his cell phone the very same day and ask her if she has a crush on him. Again, we are reminded of the bad script.

I will say in defense of the movie that there were people in the audience who were laughing at these obnoxious jokes. If you like some of the situation comedy junk on television, you might find some of this film amusing. If you have good taste in movies, you probably won't find it charming.

The problem with a bad script is that after a while you don't care about the characters because they never have anything intelligent to say. That is the whole point of a romantic comedy - intelligent banter. I can only recommend this movie to my enemies.

Acquaria (2003)

Special Family Film

[8/10 · 14 March 2005]

I just recently saw Acquaria at a Latin Film Festival and was blown away. It is a very innovative film. The premise is similar to the film Waterworld with Kevin Costner but it goes beyond your typical doomsday story. The director has a vision that I haven't seen in American Cinema in quite some time.

First, the desert scenes are filmed like a Salvador Dali painting. It is so surreal and stunning at the same time. It is worth viewing just to look at the beautiful desert scenes.

Second, the actors are refreshing. The leading actor is actually a Brazilian pop star in real life. Her name is Sandy. I'm not exactly sure what kind of music she sings in her native country of Brazil but she is hot! This girl is so beautiful you cannot wait for her to be in another scene just to take in her beauty. Plus, she is a natural actor. She seems so comfortable in front of the camera. I can see her crossing over to American Cinema someday. Watch out! This girl can do it all.

I have to mention the dog in the movie. He is a Jack Russell Terrier named Mingus. This dog is probably the most talented canine I have ever seen on screen. Benji eat your heart out. The tricks this dog does in front of the camera are amazing.

And here's the best thing about this film. It is a family film with an intellectual plot so the adults can watch it with the kiddies and not get bored. This film is entertaining. I hope it finds wider distribution in the US.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Hilary Swank is an acting goddess

[13 March 2005]

First, I would like to say that every actor hopes to land a role of a lifetime. This is that one role for Hilary Swank. I know that we will see her for years to come in other roles but this could be the role that defines her career. She deserves it. She is the most gracious person to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards. I don't know if anyone caught it but when she was interviewed on the red carpet, she thanked her 5th grade teacher for giving her the chance to do a skit in front of the class. She even said his name. She is one classy individual! She really conditioned hard for this role. She is ripped in the gym! She really looks like a boxer. It's a gritty performance. That is what makes it such a pleasure to watch. She is not afraid to take on the roles that do not show off her beauty. She is gorgeous but she chooses not to take the fluffy, cutesy romantic leads that too many others get sucked into doing for the big money. That is why I applaud her. She will be remembered as a great actor.

Morgan Freeman is also exceptional. He is such a good actor. He does it so effortlessly. He said in an interview that Eastwood doesn't like to do a lot of takes. Freeman said that is okay with him but you better come to the scene prepared to deliver. Eastwood likes to use an economy of scale method in order to stay within budget. He's very professional and likes to work with others that hold the highest standards of excellence as well.

I like films that have conflict and good character development. This movie has both. It is a touching relationship between Clint Eastwood's character and Hilary's. It develops so expertly. You really have to hand it to Eastwood. He has reached a level of directing others in his class envy. He is doing some of his best work in his later years when most actors his age walk off into the sunset.

He's an actor's director. Although it is a formula film, the characters are so strong and compelling, you just can't help but care about them. This film made me misty eyed. Any film that can evoke emotions from its audience such as this is definitely worth the price of admission. Don't forget to bring the Kleenex.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Tarantino hits one out of the ball park!

[9/10 · 13 March 2005]

I first saw this movie in the dentist's chair of all places. That's right, my dentist allows you to watch a visor with a film playing while he does his drilling and cleaning. I thought Kill Bill Vol. 1 was appropriate in the dentist's chair. This is a non-stop action flick to the nth power.

I decided to purchase the DVD and give it a second look. I was not disappointed. I was never bored, never looking at my watch. Uma Thurman plays the ultimate femme fatale. I liked the yellow jump suit effect. It reminded me of the jump suit that Bruce Lee wore in his last unfinished film called, "Game of Death." I was a big fan of Bruce Lee movies and I like the way Tarantino pays his respects to Bruce Lee and the Kung Fu genre as well.

Everything about this movie is captivating. The way the scenes are set up and the music really contributes to the heightened tension in the scenes. The choreography is spectacular. Uma really must have had to condition herself for those fight scenes. You can tell it is her in most of the fight scenes doing her own stunts. Don't you hate it when you see a double in a fight scene? You don't have to worry about that in Kill Bill. This is the real deal folks.

I also like the Japanese characters in the film too. It brings such an authentic feel to a picture when you here the villains speaking in their own native tongue. I don't mind subtitles in those scenes. It gives a nice touch to the scenes. You really think these fights are taking place in Japan. And who was Lucy Liu's body guard? Her character's name was called Go Go. She is wearing this naughty school girl outfit. She's hot! This film will definitely go down as a classic. Tarantino's signature style shines through once again.

Collateral (2004)

Acting at its Finest

[10/10 · 12 March 2005]

Now let's talk about a great character-driven movie. Jamie Foxx's performance of Max the cab driver is a fine performance. What makes it so compelling is that you really are rooting for this guy. You want him to succeed.

On the other hand, there is Tom Cruise as Vincent. He plays a psychopath. It is a clean performance. It is pure acting genius. He performs this acting job like a surgeon performing a heart operation. That is all I am going to say because I do not want to give away what he does in the film. This is one of the true joys of the film. The fact that Tom Cruise doesn't get to play the bad guy that often. It must be fun to play the bad guy in a film.

Jada Pinkett Smith should get honorable mention too. She plays a key role in the film but she is so good and subtle it's easy to overlook her fine performance. She is also easy on the eyes and as Marth Stewart always says, "That's a good thing!"

Another overlooked actor in the film is Mark Ruffalo who plays a detective. He is destined to become one of our best character actors in film. His range is incredible and scary. This guy can handle just about anything put on his plate.

Finally, Michael Mann is one of our best directors when it comes to action movies. Without his vision, this movie would not have the suspense that makes it so brilliant. I also want to point out the setting in the film. Most of the film is shot on location in Downtown LA. If you have ever been to downtown LA, you will see a sharp contrast between affluence and decadence in the way the city is laid out. Mann shows us the flash of LA and as well as the gritty underbelly. There is a scene at a night club that is amazing because the music is pulsating to the beat just like the characters are pulsating in the scene. Do yourselves a favor, microwave that bag of popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy a good ride! You'll be glad you did.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Screen writing Genius

[10/10 · 12 March 2005]

We are not worthy Charlie Kaufman! This is what good creative film writing is all about folks. Kaufman is a genius. This film finally shows his merits and that he can carry a movie to commercial success without compromising too much on artistic merit.

I wanted to review this film because I just bought it on DVD and saw it again. It's amazing how many things I missed in the movie the first time I viewed it on the big screen. This is one of those films you can see again and again and still get something new and refreshing from it.

I also have to credit the French director who collaborated with Kaufman. His name is Michel Gondry. If it were not for his artistic vision and surreal cinematography expertise, this film would not translate well to a mass audience. It really shows you how important it is for creative minds in Hollywood to work as a team.

Now for the acting. A drum roll please. Kate Winslet, I love you! Your portrayal of Clementine deserved an Oscar. It was so raw and energized. It was spontaneous and that is what attracted Joel to your character. They complimented each other so well. Seeing Jim Carrey as this introspective, reticent character was haunting and that is why it was so real.

I do not want to give away any of the plot because I believe everyone should see this film. We have all been jilted by a lover once in our lives and that is why the romance between Joel and Clementine rings true to the heart universally.

There is a seen that takes place between Joel and Clementine at a beach front house that is so moving it almost brought me to tears.

I hope everyone has an opportunity to view this movie and enjoy it for the pain and pleasure you will feel when you experience it.

Constantine (2005)

Strong Acting but Story is too ambitious

[7/10 · 11 March 2005]

First, I would like to say that any movie that deals with Satan and Hell is a large undertaking in any script. What usually happens is that the screenwriter needs to resort to stereotypical images of what Satan might look like to the human eye. This is the case in Constantine.

Peter Stormare who plays Satan is a great character actor. He pulls off his role but I feel that he was kind of set up in a way. They made him wear a white suit. I don't know about you but the white suit was a bit laughable. As Donald Trump would say, "Wardrobe, You're Fired!!" I beg to differ with the other reviewer. I thought the actors were the strongest part of this production. I love Rachel Weisz. She is an amazing actress on the same scale as Kate Winslet. What I also like about her is that she is in many films but she is not a name brand. This makes me feel like she is my secret treasure when I go to the movies. You know what I mean. I don't have to share her with millions of other movie fans. Ever since I saw her in "Confidence" with Edward Burns, I've been hooked. The sad part is that she is going to be famous very soon and the masses are going to enjoy her as much as me.

I'll see anything with Keanu Reaves in it. He was excellent as Neo in the Matrix series and he is excellent in this film too. He's the strong, silent type of actor. You either like him or hate him. I chose to support his roles and I am glad he chooses to take on ambitious roles that are risky. Actors should take risks. That is why film is art. If it were conventional, it would be boring and not creative.

Unfortunately, the story falls a bit flat at the end. I will not give anything away because I do feel that this movie has some bright moments and is worthy of a screening. Let's not blame the actors. I would blame the screenwriter for taking the easy way out and using stereotypical images of heaven and hell to wrap up this story.