rogerlmarcus-1 Reviews

Inserts (1975)

Remarkable Movie within a Movie film

[9/10 · 20 August 2007]

Released after American Graffitti and before Jaws, a chance to catch Richard Dreyfuss in something that can be considered a legitimate art film, albeit with a bit of a bigger budget. Also amusing is Bob Hoskins in his role as Big Mac, making the same references to the upcoming onslaught of LA Freeways that served as a major plot device in his more well-known Eddie Valient role in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".

Rather graphic for its time in the portrayal of full frontal female nudity, with a glimpse of full frontal male nudity (although we are spared the sight of Richard Dreyfuss and/or Bob Hoskins in the buff), the entire film takes place in one setting, with plenty of camera tracking movements instead of rapid cutting.

Jessica Harper as Cathy Cake is a wonderful character, and I am a bit surprised that her career was not more extensive. I wonder if this role hurt her marketability at all. Both Harper and Veronica Cartwright have plenty of scenes with casual nudity, and Dreyfuss is rarely seen without a whiskey bottle in hand.

Its now available on DVD. Check it out if you can.

As unique a "movie within a movie" film as you will ever see.

The Naked Kiss (1964)

Better than you would expect

[9/10 · 31 January 2007]

This had the makings of a very tawdry exploitation film, and was quite a surprise. There were several instances where certain scenes, which seemed like individual throwaways, were referenced and resolved later in the film, such as the wild pre-credit sequence in which a bewigged, bra-clad Kelly is beating up what seems to be a random drunk, only takes $75 of the $800 in his pocket, and calls him a "leech". As I first watched the scene, I thought it was pretty cool, and it sort of set up my expectations for the aforementioned exploitation experience. However, late in the film, you find out who the guy was, why she was mad, why Kelly only took $75, and why she had to leave town. To me, that makes for a great piece of story telling.

The sequences with the kid's singing in the hospital were both creepy and touching, but again later the film provides some insight as to why Kelly so readily and convincingly played the role of "mother" in the song.

Between this and Shock Corridor, Fuller cranked out a couple of fine, provocative films in this era.

Point Break (1991)

Highly Underrated Multi Genre Movie

[10/10 · 3 August 2006]

This film is very clever, highly creative and swings from cop movie to romance to adventure film and ties all the elements together. Bigelow's camera movements are tight and creative. The scene where Johnny Utah chases Bode through a series of yards, houses, viaducts and the like features some great direction. Instead of multiple cuts simulating action, the camera seems to chase the characters and really captures the energy.

I guess Bigelow got the directing job since she was married to the ego-maniacal James Cameron, who produced this film. I' a bit surprised she didn't have more of a major directing career.

While there was some degree of stereotypical cop banter (the blowing of the undercover cop's cover was a fine example), the concept and execution are really top notch.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Still a Classic

[9/10 · 10 January 2006]

I just rented the extended version, and was reminded of what a landmark, memorable film this really is. Sure, some of the car crash stuff is a bit over the top, but this film really is a rare documentary of some of the great blues and R&B artists of the later part of the 20th century.

One part in the extended version I particularly enjoyed was an expanded scene with the late, great John Lee Hooker on a semi-fictionalized version of Maxwell street, which has since been rehabbed and is now upscale housing, just south of Chicago's University of Illinois Circle campus. (If you look closely, you can see a sign for Esquire J-Town Clothing for Men and Boys..."J-Town" being a slightly more politically correct way of saying "Jew Town", a nickname for Maxwell street from way back). Anyway, John Lee is doing his thing accompanied by several members of Muddy Waters' blues band, plus the very colorful Big Walter Horton on harp. Before entering Aretha Franklin's diner, Jake and Elwood are just taking in the scene, and I gotta believe that John and Dan (the alter egos) were really enjoying themselves at that moment.

As a musical comedy, I don't think anything came close during that time. While some critics were not happy with what they considered gratuitous exploitation of R&B giants like James Brown and Ray Charles, I for one am happy that someone like John Landis captured something as "cool" as Cab Calloway performing "Minnie the Moocher" with the very accomplished Blues Brothers band.

If you can't have fun with this movie, you just ain't much fun.

Syriana (2005)

Over Rated

[3/10 · 9 January 2006]

One of the most disappointing movies I've seen in years. Dull, confusing, whispered dialog, and no reason to care about any of the characters. Sure, it had a point about how sleazy the oil business is, but so what? Unless you really get off on the anti-American and/or anti oil-business vibe in this film, there is almost nothing to recommend it.

To several points, there are movies with whispered dialog that are to my liking, such as Godfather II. There are movies about sleazy American business to my liking, such as Wall Street. There are confusing movies to my liking, such as The Big Sleep. And I am a George Clooney fan. But the total lack of action (which is the element that was falsely advertised in the ads for this movie) got to me after a while, and just because motivations are unclear and plot elements are confusing doesn't mean there is some big hidden meaning.

In its defense, the ending did tie up some loose ends, and had the solid noir feel of some better anti American movies of the late sixties and early 70's. As a whole however, a very tiresome and boring film. Thumbs way down.