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Kane26510
Reviews
Clerks II (2006)
Clerking Amy
I really enjoyed Clerks 2. While not as tight and raw as the first, it did provide an escape for a brief period of time. Some of the dialogue was hilarious, as were some of the routines. Look, I'm not about to pretend that Brian O'Halloran is John Malkovich. However, for this movie and this role, he was fine. The characters stayed pretty true to their origins, but things did get a little sappy at times. I think the tension between Becky and Dante was drawn out too much. I did, however, like the homage to the hockey game from the first "Clerks" with the dance lesson on the roof. One of my favorite parts was the whole "Pillow Pants" dialogue between Randal and Elias. It was classic. Randal didn't have to say anything - his facial expressions were enough. While not as immediately quotable as the first ("37?!?"), some lines will emerge as time goes by and it's viewed a second or third time. I'll buy it used. I give it a 9, because I like the characters, I like the basic story, and I laughed my butt off.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
You either get it or you don't
The wonderful thing about this film is that it stands up to repeated viewings by default - You really have to view it several times just to understand what the heck is going on. The payoff is not only getting a grip on the ultimate battle between the black lectroids (good guys) and the red lectroids (bad guys), but you are also treated to picking up on new gags and jokes (actually more like bits of humor - to wit: Who in their right mind would build a jet car out of an Econoline Van???) and subtle plot devices which were previously overlooked. One criticism that makes this a less than perfect movie (although I rated it a 10 because it's just so way out there) is the audio track, which seems to be mixed way too low on my copy of the video, making it a struggle to hear what's being said over background noise, music, and tape hiss. Maybe this is just another of the clever plot devices to keep you tuning in to the adventure. By the way - does anyone have an extra Oscillation Overthruster they can spare?
"Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!"
I'm out.
A Night at the Opera (1935)
One of my Top 5
Simply put, there's not a wasted frame in this classic. It has all the elements, and should be on everyone's top 10 list. Combining the low-brow antics and the musical talents of the Marx Brothers with the "high art" of opera, this film is the benchmark for classic comedy. The stowage class dinner scene, the overture featuring "take me out to the ballgame," cutting down the pompous impressarios, the CLASSIC stateroom gag - it's all put together in such a way to keep the story developing, and keeping the film moving at a steady and comfortable pace. This is a must see for audiences of all ages.
"Here's a quarter - get yourself a stogie."
That is all.
Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001)
Hits on multiple levels
Being in the suburbs of New York when the Z-Boys were creating history in Dogtown, I was only exposed to a glimpse of what was going on. I had a P-O-S Black Knight skateboard with clay wheels. It is long gone, and on the ash heap of my personal life. But I never forgot. It's like watching long-lost brothers and friends, and it hits me right where I live. I cannot watch this film enough. Every time I view it, some other aspect rises to the top, some other viewpoint come into sharp focus. The vintage footage, the incredible stills, the current personalities intermeshed with the vivid shadows of the brightly lit past, the heartfelt and not over-done narrative, all beautifully edited together in such a way as to make a landmark documentary of a genuine slice of American history. In the words of Glen Friedman - "It was F-ing unbelievable."