chris111-1 Reviews

The Pledge (I) (2001)

Deep, Dark, Unforgettable

[23 November 2003]

I compare this wonderful movie, with its exquisite photography and fantastic, understated, performances from Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave, and, especially, Mickey Rourke to the sodden, cliche-polluted Mystic River and wonder how sean penn can lend his name to both?

Nicholson is truly tragic as he evolves into the thing he fears. Watch this movie. It is a masterpiece and the best film of 2001

Mystic River (2003)

Muddled, overrated mess

[11 November 2003]

I came in expecting some kind of transcendent cinematic experience (like chinatown, the godfather, or on a lesser scale, unforgiven) but instead sat through 137 minutes of blue collar east coast cliches, improbable plot twists, and juvenile lines utttered by throwaway characters capped off by a totally predictable ending. The excellent character actor john doman sullies his career by appearing in the first 10 minutes of the film as a violent pedophile. Would that Tim robbins had followed his lead, even his outstanding effort couldn't rise above material, and I watched his film demise with sense of relief.

Sean Penn spends lots time screaming and drinking in this film, undoubtedly as a form of protest over his fetishistic tattoo and hairstyles. Note to eastwood: next time you want to add regional ethnic sensibilities to a film, watch a season of the sopranos. (and can the make up artist with the prison fantasies)

Laura Linney is utterly unconvincing as penn's shrewish second wife. I was embarrassed for her and averted my eyes at the end when she combined a little lady macbeth with a lot of angela lansbury. I could go on, but the overwhelming sense of ennui mystic river evokes is coming back so I'll stop. I really wonder about the critics who loved this movie. Did they walk out early? Dreadful, poorly directed, cliche infested mess with virtually nothing redeeming about it.

My advice? Go see the station agent again. Or stay home and watch a rerun of law and order criminal intent.

Third Watch (1999–2005)

Still Good, despite downward pressure from the suits

[27 December 2002]

"sometimes the things that make you a good cop screw you up as a human being" Great line uttered by skip sudduth in one of the early seasons of this fine drama. A large and varied ensemble casts includes outstanding character actors sudduth, molly price, michael beach, and kim raver.

The reruns are better than the newer seasons, depicted in adult non-melodramatic way the pressures felt by cops and firemen. Great, great, great depictions of troubled marriages and parental realtionships, as well as the dynamics of cop partnerships. Recently, the scripts have been dumbed down with fiery car wrecks, sex in the fire station, and female bonding. But you can tell despite heeding the pressure of the suits there are still rich artistic veins the writers are quietly continuing to mine (for example, how a near death experience changes a marriage and exposes long simmering resentments). Still worth watching though because of the fine character development. Interesting guest appearances from Ossie Davis, George Dzundza, Jack Klugman, and Roy Scheider.

An earlier reviewer noted some script fallacies in the numbering of the fire unit, the same is true of the precinct. It appears to take place in the Bronx, but they've used lower Manhattan in many episodes. Additionally, the highest concentration of Russian immigrants is in Brooklyn, so they've got that wrong as well. Still best show in its time slot

The Guardian (2001–2004)

Interesting, well crafted series

[13 October 2002]

The Guardian derives lots of its characters and plotting from the legal drama boiler plate parts bin: Young lawyers with unresolved childhood issues, young lawyers with substance abuse problems, old lawyers who personify every single negative legal and gender stereotypes, etc, etc, etc.

But the high quality of the acting (particulary Dabney coleman) more than compensates for the lack of originalty. Interesingly, the lead character does not seem to posess a single likeable quality: he (still) has a trobled realationship with has father, can't relate to women, situational legal ethics are usually wrong, snobby to the max.

But we should salute the guardian's writers for this brave departure from convention, because, after all, we all know lawyers like nick fallin.

New character of Farah Fawcett and recurring character of Bruce Weitz further burnish this series' quality. But it was already high to begin with and you can tell the big names (with the exception of simon baker) are barely breaking a sweat.

Judging Amy (1999–2005)

a dramatic silk purse from a sow's ear

[13 October 2002]

This wonderful woman's drama is packed with great actors, and although the sheer implausibility of a judge living at home occasionally shines through, its quickly overshadowed by the fast pace of the episodic sub plots (court cases, social work machinations, etc). Tyne daly is great, reprising her role as Mary Beth Lacey...ooops! Maxine gray. Honestly, she is so good in this (and not to disparage Cagney and Lacey, because that show was terrific too) it makes you wonder what kind of career she could have had. Amy brenerman really demonstrates superb talent which was hidden by NYPD Blue's grunting, male oriented scripts.

Another example of how acting talent overcomes script originality deficits.

Zero Effect (1998)

stylized noir homage

[13 October 2002]

Most good actors occasionally find themselves in a role so superbly suited to their physical appearance and mannerisms that you can't tell they are performing. Darryl Zero is such a role. BIll pullman turns in the performance of his career running through a dazzling array of emotions while appearing deadpan.

This homage to detective flicks of the 40s and 50s is smart, funny, touching, and sad. I can't understand why this movie wasn't a hit. Catch it from time to time on Bravo or the sundance channel.

Getting to Know You (1999)

sundance channel mainstay

[5 September 2002]

This touching, beautifully photographed film is part of an interesting trend: the return of the story. roughly based on three short stories by joyce carol oates, getting to know you doesn't employ any fancy camera work, outlandish characters, or irony. The short slice of life plot against the backdrop of a decaying upstate New York town is very intesting. Bebe Neuwirth and Mark Blum are terrific, as is heather matarazzo. FOr those of you with digital cable, this film is in heavy rotation on the sundance channel. I can't wait to see lisette's next film. She is a major, talent (for an interesting contract watch this film then hysterical blindness)

Cast Away (2000)

Hollywood at its best

[2 September 2002]

Although much has been made of the numerous references to Fed Ex, I think that the logos were a really not very significant, and just a distraction for those who had trouble appreciating and understanding this wonderful film. With few words and against a backdrop both beautiful and hauntingly sad, we watch as tom hanks is forced to learn how to survive, and rebuild his emotional core. The scene where the volleyball drifts away is just incredible. This is a masterpiece. It's strong stuff wrapped in mainstream hollywood cliches and performed by the most generic of cast members. I generally boycott films starring tom hanks, tom cruise, brad pitt, and others of their ilk but I'm glad I made an exception for this.

Hysterical Blindness (2002 TV Movie)

Monsoon Orange? Not!

[1 September 2002]

This adolescent melodrama is a failure on so many levels its hard to know where to begin. From the cartoonish accents and stilted mannerisms of the two lead characters, to the wildly implausible notion that gena rowlands could give birth to uma thurman, (not to mention shot after shot of indie film cliches [swinging traffic lights, various bridges, little girls pedaling bicycles, empty beer glasses] this waste of celluloid is a rare clunker from HBO. The only I reason I watched this was to see rowlands and ben gazzara. Indeed, their scenes together and apart are the only things worth watching.

Monk: Mr. Monk and the Candidate (2002) Season 1, Episode 1

The zero effect, lite

[31 August 2002]

Moderately entertaining show whose premise is borrowed from the bill pullman/ben stiller vehicle "the zero effect". Like Darryl Zero, Adrian Monk is chock full o'nuttiness, which, supposedly, is compensated for by his almost supernatural ability to process physical evidence and instanteously process and quantify discrepancies. But that is where the similarity ends. The wimpy monk is totally dependant on his hapless nurse. More rain man than columbo, his obsessive compulsive disorder seems to be injected into story lines that writers can't seem to agree on. And unlike the fine Zero Effect with its richly drawn characters and constant allusions to Noir, this show relentlessly sticks to the low road. The most interesting aspect of this show is that ABC has decided it's a good replacment for the now cancelled "philly," a show several magnitudes of quality above Monk. Go figure.

Hysterical Blindness (2002 TV Movie)

A new Jersey State of mind

[31 August 2002]

This adolescent drama is a failure on so many levels its hard to know where to begin. From the overblown cheesy costumes, to the laughable attempt at evoking blue collar new jersey, to idiotic ramblings of the two women (plagiarized from any number trite self help books) the jerky camera movements really set the intellectual tone for the whole vehicle as veers from one unpleasant episode to the next.

Note to director: when deciding to use a story's geographical setting, pick someplace you know. The jumbled grab bag moronic jersey stereotypes serve no apparent purpose. Also, hang out in a bar for at tleast three months so you can get a more realistic picture of that (not bad, not uninteresting, no undignified) slice of life. And watch two other HBO shows (the wire, the sopranos) whose directors skillfully weave local culture into their stories.

Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999)

sui generis show ahead of its time

[31 August 2002]

The first two seasons of this difficult, carefully directed and well written show represent the highest realization of a TV drama. Although cloaked in the mantle of a police procedural, Homicide explored all kinds of themes, sometimes with a touch of black comedy.

Eventually it became a sign of prestige to direct one or more episodes of this show. Check out the episodes directed by Steve Buscemi, Kathy Bates, and Ted Demme. Buscemis "Finnegan's Wake" is my favorite

Alas, NBC never really knew what to do with Homicide and in its later years the show's quality became uneven as standard police drama cliches were added. The end came unceremoniously when NBC killed it midseason.

You can catch Homicide on court tv, sometimes right after NYPD Blue. (with which it has absolutely nothing in common).

Tin Men (1987)

underrated classic

[31 August 2002]

This heartbreakingly funny comedy is lovingly rooted in Baltimore, giving it a nice cultural base. Devito and Dreyfuss give wonderful performances as a pair of con artists (common at that time) whose hard shell of sales shtick and dishonesty is merely a by product of the job. Each day they are aware of the slow chipping away of their integrity; its the price of admission into the high risk/high reward grift they ply. This is one of barry levinson's best efforts.

Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)

Holds up well with age, watch the episodes in order

[31 August 2002]

This great show quickly becomes addictive: you find yourself anxiously waiting for little bits of each story line. You can see this show on Bravo every day. (for me it became what's known in the trade as a "destination" show: I watched both episodes every day!)Unlike other Bochco productions, HSB really didn't deteriorate over time. AS was NBC's habit, this show was abruplty cancelled leaving lots of plot lines unresolved. Its fun to look for hsb alumni on current TV shows. A recent episode of NYPD blue reunited sid the snitch and buntz (in current character, of course).

One unpleasant discovery (or perhaps a testimony to the skill of the writes) I made is that Daniel J Travanti has no acting skill whatsoever. He bombed in each of his succeeding castings.

The Bedford Incident (1965)

Keeps you on the edge of your seat

[26 August 2002]

The angry dull roar of the north atlantic intersecting with shards of Icebergs creates a visual tableau fraught with tension: It's hard to see through the fog, and hard to navigate. Coupled with an uncanny versimiltude to actual shipboard routine, this terrific thriller is as fresh now as the when it was made. Richard Widmark is one the last of a breed of intelligent actors who actually were interested in the art and the craft of movie making. Watch this movie! (it's on cinemax and AMC from time to time)

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001–2011)

the best law and order

[25 August 2002]

I'velways been a fan of law and order, but the original franchise has grown stale (check out the huge amounts of make up applied to the superannuated stars ohrbach and waterston). The second one is inane, but this one is great. The plots are not repackaged form page on of the times metro section. Something different happens each week, and the two detectives look and act believable in their roles.

This a is a terrific, suspenseful show. It is the best police procedural on TV (the wire is NOT a police procedural).

PS - it's also become a kind of hot ticket to be a guest on this show. You'll see lots of stars appearing.

The Wire (2002–2008)

Makes HBO worth the subscription cost

[22 August 2002]

This terrific show should be carefully watched by budding screen writers and directors. It's worth noting that without exception all of the performances have been terrific. Why haven't more of these fine character actors been seen more?

ALthough much has been made of the homicide connection, I think the wire is actually far superior because it sticks resolutely to a very believable central plotline, and is cast with realistic looking characters.

I hope we can look forward to another season of this series. It alone is worth the money I spend for HBO each month.