Thank Odin That Bruce Willis Is In This Movie

The Whole Nine Yards is an example of a movie that I saw the sequel (The Whole Ten Yards) before the original.  I had heard great things about it and, because I had seen the sequel, I obviously wanted to watch the original.  The film as a whole I think is great.  As far as the two leading actors are concerned, however, only one of them stands out.

The Whole Nine Yards is the story of Oz Oseransky who finds out that his new neighbor is gun-for-hire Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski.  Oz's wife then convinces him to track down the mob boss who wants Jimmy dead.  I found this movie extremely entertaining to watch and the comedy, for the most part, is hilarious.  Having just watched this movie for the first time, I found the story a tad hard to follow, but not so much that it makes for a bad movie.  It is simply that so much was going on so fast that I cannot wait to watch it again just so I understand it clearly.  I have one minor problem with the movie, and one HUGE problem (more on that later).  My minor problem is that throughout a majority of the film, Oz is nervous to be around Jimmy except for one part where they act like they are best friends....and this is right after Oz finds out Jimmy is a contract killer.  This minor story point made no sense to me.  However, as I said before, the story as a whole is one of the things that kept me glued to the television during the movie.

Bruce Willis is glorious as Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski.  You never know whether Jimmy is going to shake your hand or kill you, and that is because of the way Willis plays him.  His banter with Matthew Perry, for his part, is sheer genius.  He is delightfully funny in the movie as well, which is something I do not think Willis gets enough credit for.  It is always great to see an actor step out of their comfort zone, and Bruce Willis is the other reason why I cannot wait to watch this movie again.

Remember that HUGE problem I mentioned earlier.  Well, that problem is Matthew Perry.  He is just not a good actor.  It seems like all he can ever play is Chandler from Friends, and that is exactly who he is in this film.  I mean it was great watching Chandler for 99 minutes, but I think it would have been better to get an actor who is actually funny to play the part of Oz.

Jonathan Lynn is the director of The Whole Nine Yards.  This movie thrives on the banter between Willis and Perry, and Lynn is great at comedic timing with his shot selection, especially with the reaction shots.  Also, as horrible as Matthew Perry is in this film, Jonathan Lynn knows when to keep the camera on him when he is being threatened by Bruce Willis's character because he actually is funny from time to time.  I have a feeling that the sequel, The Whole Ten Yards, would have done better critically and financially if Lynn had been involved.

I have not enjoyed a movie this much in a long time.  It is one of those rare action-comedies that actually has a great story.  If you are a fan of these kinds of movies, and of course Bruce Willis, definitely check this movie out.

The Clock Strikes At Midnight

When it comes to Woody Allen movies, there is no middle ground.  You either love them or you hate them.  Even though I have only seen a handful of his films I can honestly say that I am one of those people that loves them, and Midnight in Paris is no different.

Midnight in Paris is the story of a screenwriter who is on a trip to Paris, and gets mysteriously transported back to the 1920's every night.  This film falls more into the realm of fantasy than most of Woody Allen's work which is what makes it so interesting to watch.  Every night, Gil (Owen Wilson) meets famous people from that era, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, and then when he tells his fiance, Inez (Rachel McAdams), about his adventures she worries that he might have a brain tumor.  This makes for humorous banter between the two.  Her father ( Kurt Fuller) even has a private detective follow him every night, but then he gets transported as well.  The wit, humor and great characters are all there in typical Woody Allen fashion.  There are a few plot holes in the movie, but overall it is quite enjoyable.

Owen Wilson plays Gil.  Gil is a man who is wrapped up in "Golden Age Thinking".  He truly believes that the 1920's is a better time period than the one he is currently living in.  Woody Allen wrote his character beautifully.  Gil cannot stop talking about how much he loves Paris.  Inez is actually quite annoyed by this.  In fact, it is not only clear to us as the audience that the two of them are not meant for each other, but we know deep down that Gil feels that way too.  I am usually not a big fan of Owen Wilson, but if he did more dramatic roles I would be up for seeing them because he absolutely shines in this movie.

Rachel McAdams plays Inez.  Even though Inez cannot stand Paris, she is completely infatuated with her friend Paul because of his intellectual level.  She even looks down on Gil for not being more like Paul.  It takes a truly great actor/actress to make a completely loathsome character, and that is exactly what McAdams does.  McAdams is so good in the film that it makes you want to reach through the screen and grab her by the throat.  It has been a long time since I have seen Rachel McAdams in a good movie but, like her counterpart, she is brilliant in her role as Inez

Woody Allen beautifully directs Midnight in Paris.  Paris is the central character in the film, even more so than Gil or Inez.  In fact, the first few minutes of the film is filled with wonderful shots of the city and the people in it.  It is also remarkable to see 1920's Paris recreated.  Everything, right down to the costumes, feels authentic.  This is truly another landmark hit for Woody Allen.

I had so much fun watching Midnight in Paris.  Woody Allen always creates such dynamic characters, and this film is a great example of that.  If you are a fan of Woody Allen, you should definitely check out this movie.

Defying Conventional Wisdom

We all know the typical romantic comedy formula:  guy meets girl, they fall in love, they have a fight and break, they get back together.  I still maintain that a good romantic comedy can be fun to watch.  The problem is that not many of them introduce fresh ideas.  10 Things I Hate About You is not only a film that introduces fresh ideas, but it makes you love the genre.

10 Things I Hate About You is the story of a popular teenager who is not aloud to date until her older does.  The fact that this movie is incredibly anti-cliche is what makes it so wonderful.  The fact that Kat (Julia Stiles) and Patrick (Heath Ledger) are so much alike instead of being the typical "opposites attract" couple makes for great chemistry between the two of them.  The fact that Patrick never cared about being paid to take Kat out and generally cared about her makes for a great twist.  The fact that both Cameron & Bianca and Patrick & Kat end up together instead of one them not working out just makes for a great movie overall.  The scene where Patrick sings to Kat is just so much fun to watch.  It seems that lately I have been writing about movies that have come close to perfection.  If only there were just a small scene where both boys ask the girls to the prom, this film would be just that.

Julia Stiles plays Kat Stratford.  Kat is smart-mouthed, opinionated and hard to deal with.  Stiles disappears into the role, giving off a genuine anti-social attitude.  We do see she has an emotional side, however instead of crying during these scenes, we see her actually get mad at herself for letting her soft side come out.  Kat is a girl who is completely out of touch with her feelings, and Julia Stiles crushes it.

Heath Ledger shines as Patrick Verona.  Like Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger disappears into his role as the bad-boy, right down to the cheshire cat-like grin.  Also, like Kat, Patrick has a soft side which is particularly nice to see considering all the horrible things that we hear he has supposedly done.  Ledger does so much with just his face and we see that in this movie, particularly when Kat is reading her poem.

Gil Junger is the director of 10 Things I Hate About You.  This film thrives on the moments between the characters, and Junger directs this movie using tight shots for those moments.  There is also a great shot of Patrick and Kat slow dancing to a fast-paced song.  Everybody around them is dancing vigorously, and to show these two slow dancing shows exactly the kinds of characters that Patrick and Kat are.  This is a great feature film debut for Gil Junger.

10 Things I Hate About You is one of those movies that I could watch over and over again.  The acting is great, and the dialogue is easily quotable.  I highly recommend this film to anybody who has not seen it, and even if you have you should watch it again!

The Biggest Wish Of All

For some reason, I think Hollywood is scared of making movies about sex.  I have no idea why; it is not as if sex is a controversial issue.  Everybody has sex.  Some people have it more often than others, but everybody does it.  The Sessions is an example of a movie that is about sex, but at its heart is a beautiful and emotional story.

The Sessions is the story of a man who uses an iron lung, and his wish to lose his virginity.  The thing that I love most about this film is its refusal to be cliche.  This story is not about two people falling for each other.  It is about one mans wish to experience the physical act of love.  This film is filled with snappy dialogue and great characters.  I would have liked there to be just a little more explanation into Mark's (John Hawkes) troubled past, but other than that this is truly a beautiful film.

John Hawkes plays Mark.  I love Mark as a character because even though he is extremely disabled, he has such a wonderful sense of humor about life.  His character goals in the film are also very clear: he does not just want to have sex with random women.  This is a man who does not know when he is going to die, and he wants to experience sex before that time comes.  The fact that he contacts a professional sex surrogate shows how seriously he takes this issue.  Hawks plays the role beautifully, and gives a wonderful physical performance that shows how troublesome life can be for a person of limited means.

Helen Hunt plays Cheryl.  Cheryl is a woman who is not ashamed of what she does for a living.  In fact, she embraces it.  She is also a woman who understands and accepts Mark's physical condition.  Helen Hunt plays the role perfectly, right down to the Boston accent.  We see her go places emotionally that you always knew she could do, but we have never seen from her until this film.  The scene where Mark and Cheryl decide to end their sessions is filled with emotional tension.  Also, just when you think that this movie is going to become cliche and Cheryl and Mark are going to end up together, the story takes an abrupt left turn and leaves the viewer pleasantly surprised.

William H. Macy plays Father Brendan.  Even though Macy's character is funny from time to time, he is far from being the film's comic relief.  Mark is a religious man, and he seeks guidance on his issue and he gets that from Father Brendan.  However, Father Brendan does not give him guidance as a priest; he gives it to him as a friend.  He understands Mark's physical condition, and because of that he suggests that the big guy upstairs just might be okay with what Mark wants to do.  Macy gives a very wholesome performance in the role.  He takes what would ordinarily be a cliche religious part, and makes Father Brendan a genuinely likable man right to the very end.  It is also quite humorous to watch his expressions while Mark is talking to him about his sessions with Cheryl because we know that Father Brendan is sexually inexperienced.  This may go down as my favorite William H. Macy role.

Ben Lewin is the director of The Sessions.  This film has an incredibly emotional and intimate story, and the way Lewin directs is a reflection of that.  Every frame of the film is so close in on the characters that you automatically feel the closeness and the personal bond between them.  In fact, I do not recall a single wide shot in the entire film.  You feel everything in this film, from the pain and awkwardness that Mark goes through and Cheryl's emotional journey, while also feeling the bond of friendship between Mark and Father Brendan.

The Sessions is another one of those rare pieces of cinema that is near perfection.  It is also one of those films that you have to be in the right mood to watch.  This is a great film, but not one to watch on movie night at your house.

The Haunted Mansion

For me personally, I feel that 70's and 80's horror movies tower above anything that has been released recently.  There is a genuine creepiness that exudes from these films which is why horror fans, including myself, love them so much.  The House That Dripped Blood is a primary example of that.

The House That Dripped Blood is an anthology horror movie that revolves around a house in the U.K.  It was amazing to see such a star-studded cast of horror legends like Peter Cushing and the late Christopher Lee appear in the film, along with Denholm Elliott and even Joss Ackland (the baddie from Lethal Weapon 2)!  I feel like the segments with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are the best ones despite some cliche writing.  You know you are watching a good horror flick when you catch yourself looking behind you to make sure you are alone, and The House That Dripped Blood is exactly that.

Peter Duffell is the director of The House That Dripped Blood.  The way he directs the film is one of the principal reasons why horror movies of that generation are so good.  He uses the camera as you would just as if you were making any other kind of movie, and then classic horror elements are implemented throughout.  You get a genuine sense of fear and terror when watching this film.

Horror is one of my favorite genres.  It is always great to watch a movie that has you waking up in the middle of the night, and The House That Dripped Blood will do just that.  This movie will definitely make for a good movie night, especially during the Witching Hour.

Epic War And Love

The Last of the Mohicans is an example of the kinds of films that my father would always recommend I watch.  However, when you are seven years old you do not really want to watch those kinds of films.  Now that I am older and have a better appreciation for cinema, I can honestly say that The Last of the Mohicans falls just short of being a masterpiece.

The Last of the Mohicans is the story of three men who protect a British Colonel's family during the French and Indian War.  Were it not for the occasional lip sync problems with the audio that take me completely out of the movie, I would consider this film to be a rare piece of perfect cinema.  This movie has such a great story that has great interpersonal conflict between the characters.  The love story between Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe) feels genuine and flows well with the rest of the story.  This film is the embodiment of greatness.

Over the past fifteen years, I have become a huge fan of Daniel Day-Lewis.  He is, arguably, the greatest actor of all time, and he displays that greatness in the character of Hawkeye.  Hawkeye has an attitude and quick wit about him which Day-Lewis displays to perfection.  We also see him take part in brutal fight sequences which make you cheer for the actor and his character simultaneously.  One of the things I enjoy the most about his character is that he does not get distracted from his duties after falling for Cora.  In fact, it makes Hawkeye a better character because he does not fall into that typical cliche.

Michael Mann has recently become one of my favorite directors.  There is a certain rawness and a grittiness to his films that I enjoy, and he brings that same trademark to The Last of the Mohicans.  I particularly love the way he films action sequences because he uses wide shots that let you soak in the entire breadth of what is happening.  The wilderness is just as much as character in this film as any of the actors, and the shots of the landscape are incredible to look at.  The entire film is shot to near perfection, and has further cemented my admiration for Michael Mann.

The Last of the Mohicans is one of those films that should be on a "100 Movies To See Before You Die" list.  Even the music is flawless!  If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend that you do as soon as possible.

Scorsese and De Niro With The Knockout!!!

Over the past ten years, I have become a huge fan of director Martin Scorsese.  However, I still have yet to see most of his earlier films.  Up until now Raging Bull fell under that category, and I am so glad I finally watched it.

Raging Bull is the story of boxer Jake LaMotta.  The movie takes us on a journey through his life, and contrasts his success in the ring with his failure outside it.  The movie is heartbreaking and emotional to watch because we see how volatile LaMotta is.  It is his relationship with his brother Joey (played wonderfully by Joe Pesci) that keeps him in line for the most part.  The journey that this film takes you on makes you take a hard look at one man's fall from greatness.  There are a few minor issues that I have with this film.  At times, some of the lip syncing is off which takes me completely out of the movie.  I also would have liked to see more of Jake LaMotta's drinking problems that led to his first divorce.  Also, there is a scene in LaMotta's locker room where his manager is randomly getting stitched up with no explanation of why.  Other than these issues, this movie is a flat-out masterpiece.

Robert De Niro expertly plays Jake LaMotta.  It takes a truly great actor to play a despicable character and make us love him, and that is exactly what De Niro does in this film.  At times, you are actually afraid of him because you never know when he is going to snap.  There is not a single thing to like about LaMotta, and De Niro gives us one of the greatest performances of all time.

Martin Scorsese is the director of Raging Bull.  In typical Scorsese fashion, the camera never shies away from the violence in the movie because it is an essential part of the story.  LaMotta is suspicious and almost downright paranoid of his wife Vickie's (Cathy Moriarty) every move, and the way the camera moves during their scenes together makes you feel the tension between them.  I love the way the camera moves during the boxing scenes.  Every punch, every drop of sweat and blood is beautifully shown.  Martin Scorsese is hailed as one of the greatest directors of our time, and this film is one of the reasons why.

What grinds my gears is when someone claims to be a huge film fan, yet refuses to watch any black and white films.  Some of the greatest movies of all time are in black and white, and Raging Bull is one of them.  I highly recommend this classic to anyone who has not seen it, and if you have then watch it again!