Change Your Image
tiger0212
Reviews
Mean Creek (2004)
A Modern Day "The River's Edge"
I totally agree with the review listed above, and will just add a few more thoughts.
The ensemble cast brought to mind the great acting of Tim Hunter's "The River's Edge", which also involved a group of friends who know what happened and who did it, but still struggle to turn on one another.
I also feel that this will be a star making vehicle for Scott Mechlowicz, who has the looks of a Freddie Prinze Jr., but with much more talent and certainly a screen presence. This isn't to put down the work of the other actors and actresses who do an outstanding job, but most movies have one breakthrough star, and Scott is it!
Sadly, the subject matter is rather grim, and some people may take offense to singling out an overweight, learning disabled, socially misfit young male as a victim, but unfortunately, this is a fairly realistic way of how people view others, especially in a high school setting, and I can only hope that this film receives the distribution that it deserves.
Criminal (2004)
Why remake "Nine Queens"?
After sitting through the world premiere of "Criminal", I spent the whole movie trying to remember where I had seen this script before, and then the credits mention that it was adapted from the script of a great British film called "Nine Queens", which was out only a few years ago.
Except for exchanging a postage stamp for a rare currency bill, there is no originality in this adapted screenplay. Similar to the remake of "Psycho", if you are going to film a scene-for-scene remake, then why do it?
I can only hope that this movie causes people to seek out the original "Nine Queens", so that it gets the recognition it deserves in America.
It's truly sad that the first film from someone who has worked for years as an assistant director couldn't be something more innovative, original, or unique.
She Hate Me (2004)
Spike Lee Returns To His Roots
The old Spike Lee is alive and well, and "She Hate Me" proves it. It is very political, from the opening and closing use of the George Bush "phony as a" three dollar bill background. While Spike Lee taps into his usual supporting cast, the lead role of Jack Armstrong, a drug company whistleblower who represents anyone who has fought the system and struggled to regain their name, will be a star-making performance for Anthony Mackie.
The evil white corporate executive (Woody Harrelson) and the do anything to get ahead, but still caring boss (Ellen Barkin) still show that Spike Lee can play the race game and do it brilliantly.
When you throw in an ex-fiancé, turned lesbian, turned businesswoman, who wants her ex to impregnate other lesbians for $10K a pop, a caring mother (Lonette McKee), the wise father (Jim Brown), the elderly judge (Ossie Davis), and in a film lovers role, John Turturro as an NYC mobster who re-enacts scenes from "The Godfather", while being under investigation himself.
All of this could be confusing and waste of time, if it wasn't in the hands of a great screenwriter, and Spike Lee shows that he still has the ability to create social commentary and get great acting from his entire cast. From looking at the role of a whistleblower from Watergate, to the cover of Time Magazine, the truth is something that will always win in the end.
One criticism might be that this movie is long (140 minutes), but with great writing, great roles, and a great anti-Republican movie, it's worth every minute and then some.
Although it will open after Roger Moore's more publicized documentary, attacking the President, make time to enjoy this treasure!