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Reviews
Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
Two stars are only for the actors time spent
The only reason why I stuck with this thing is because I really like four of the cast members. Bobby Cannavale, Luke Evans, Melissa McCarthy, and Michael Shannon. However, I should have trusted my instincts and never finish watching this nonsense. Lesson learned: if you're stuck with nine screwy strangers at some feel-good spa run by Nicole Kidman, run screaming and never look back! Shocked that David Kelly had anything to do with this.
Mysterious Skin (2004)
Excellent!
Saw this @ the TriBeCa Film Fest and thought it was amazing. Araki manages to juggle tenderness and humor within a disturbing story. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a pleasant surprise for someone that only knows his work on "Third Rock from the Sun." He's really a fine actor. The movie's other star, Brady Corbet, was only 16 when he made this and is also remarkable. Mary Lynn Rajskub gives an earnest, quirky performance as a girl who believes that she's been abducted by aliens (don't ask, one character's search for alien abductees is actually part of the plot). The rest of the cast is great especially the two boys that play Gordon-Levitt & Corbet's younger selves. It's probably Araki's best yet.
Joyride (1997)
Worth a look
Watched this almost by accident on a Sunday afternoon with nothing to do and nowhere to go. This movie was much better than any expectations I might have had. Tobey Maguire and Wilson Cruz are fine together as is Amy Hathaway (not familiar with her). Adam West is fine as a sleazy father pimping for his daughter. Though the "losers making bad choices" plot can bore the heck out of me, this one kept my attention. Certainly not great in any way, it's not boring or stupid and can sometimes be surprising.
Chicago (2002)
Succeeds beyond expectation
Rob Marshall has succeeded at what many may have thought was impossible. He has brought a stage musical to the screen with all of its jazziness, flash and finger-snapping, toe-tapping energy. This success must also give credit to screenwriter Bill Condon ("Gods & Monsters") who while keeping much of the stage book has expanded upon it in a few inventive and intelligent ways. Since this is Marshall's first big-screen attempt (his previous director and/or choreographer credits all on TV), I suppose mention must also be given to Martin Walsh (editor) and Dion Beebe (cinematographer) for helping give "Chicago" its "look". A few cast members are wasted such as Taye Diggs, Dominic West and Lucy Liu, though a pleasure to have them around. Christine Baranski is as always a pro who you wish had more screen time. Queen Latifah is surprisingly good, John C. Reilly is the movie's heart and soul as Amos. Zeta-Jones we knew had a musical theatre career (in London) before the movies stole her away so her wonderful performance is less a surprise than that of Gere and Zellweger. Zellweger is the only cast member who never came near a musical whether it be professionally or in college (Gere at one time was in the original Broadway production of "Grease"). She's obviously worked hard and it's paid off. It's a delight to watch her transform from sort-of vulnerable to hardened conniver. She even holds her own with Zeta-Jones in the final dance duet. Gere may be a better actor than a singer but I can't remember the last time he was so animated. He grabs the role and runs with it and seems to be having a ball. Out of five numbers cut for the movie, the one I truly miss is "I Am My Own Best Friend". "Class" was supposedly filmed and will be on the DVD. The new Kander & Ebb song over the final credits, "I Move On", is okay. But, why? Is there some Academy rule about what defines Best Original Song? This movie is heaven and nowadays that's saying alot.