MOVIES (Beginning June 2009)
Sling Blade A- (92)
The Hangover B (86)
The Verdict A- (91)
Harold and Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay C+ (77)
The Reader B+ (88)
Shoot’em Up D- (60)
The Proposal C+ (77)
Shouting Fire in a Crowed Room C+ (79)
Bruno B+ (89)
Revolutionary Road B+ (89)
Public Enemies C (76)
The Hammer B- (82)
Last Chance Harvey B (85)
Spring Breakdown D+ (68)
Army of Shadows A+ (97)
Changeling B- (81)
Julie and Julia A- (90)
Pineapple Express B (86)
American Teen C (75)
I Love You Man A- (90)
(500) Days of Summer B+ (89)
District Nine C+ (77)
Inglourious Basterds A+ (97)
Adventureland B (85)
Frost/Nixon A- (91)
Extract C+ (78)
The Informant! A- (91)
Men Who State at Goats C- (73)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Quentin Tarantino Movies as compared to the 1991 – 2005 Braves’ teams
1. Pulp Fiction - 1991 & 1992 Braves
In 1994, this film came out of nowhere and caught the world by storm. Critically adored and a success at the box office, it somehow lost the Oscar to Forest Gump (Forest Gump? Really?). In 1991, the Braves went from worst to first, losing to the Twins in the best World Series of the last 50 years. The team’s stellar play continued into the next year, until the Braves ultimately lost to the Blue Jays in the 1992 World Series. To this day, fans of Tarantino and the Braves look back as these as the “best of times.” While exceptional runs for both were in store, nothing either has done since has approached the specialness of this movie/these teams.
Pulp Fiction is not only the best movie Tarantino has made, I believe it is the greatest movie of all time. I understand some may feel saying this is ridiculous, especially when one considers that so much of the writing and direction is lifted from earlier periods – but to me, to see it at the age I saw it, it is an aggregation of all the great filmmaking to come before it.
Just go to the Wikipedia page and read the analysis. There are 750 words breaking down Vincent’s use of the restroom as a plot device. Tarantino carefully crafted every scene of this movie. The editing is phenomenal, creating a great pace that never seems to linger, but at the same time is never rushed. Thanks to courageous casting, every acting performance is perfect. Perhaps its greatest feat is that despite its popularity, no other filmmaker has even attempted to replicate this movie. It is too unique.
2. Inglourious Basterds - 1995 Braves
The 1995 Braves was the only team of the 1991 – 2005 run to win the World Series. As you can tell from the discussion above, if I had to pick between the World Series victory and the Braves’ runs in ’91 & ’92, I would opt to burn the trophy and live my life relishing my memories of “worst to first” and the Bream slide. The same works for Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds (“IG”). With IG, it seemed as though everything came together for Tarantino. The direction is crisp and the pacing is even better than in PF. Once again, each role is perfectly cast. Perhaps IG does not have as much meaning behind every nuance. However, what IG lacks in philosophical fodder, it makes up for with its narrative. It is completely engrossing from start to finish. I found that upon reaching the conclusion I immediately wanted to watch it again. In the same theater. Right then. Just hit rewind.
If it wasn’t for Pulp Fiction, IG would be Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction”. For almost any other writer/director, this would be a masterpiece. Just as for any other team, the World Series would mean more to its fans than anything else. However, both the Braves and Tarantino are “victims” of their own success (a term I use very loosely based on their continued success).
3. Jackie Brown – 1996 & 1997 Braves
Following the World Series championship in 1995, the Braves were odds-on favorites to repeat. With the combination of Cox, Schuerholz, the best starting pitching in baseball and an excellent farm system, the sky was the limit. 3, 4 even 5 straight World Series wins were not out of the question. The same was true of Tarantino. After Pulp Fiction, the world was his oyster. One cannot even fathom the offers he must have received. The meetings with producing suitors must have been fascinating. With that in mind, what does he do? He creates Jackie Brown.
In 1996, the Braves took a 2 – 1 lead over the upstart Yankees, including two victories in vaunted Yankee Stadium. Game 4 found the Braves up 6 – 0 after the fifth inning, and still up 6 – 3 going into the top of the eighth. Six outs from a 3 – 1 lead. Cox brings in the closer in the eighth, who promptly gives up two hits followed by Leyritz’s home run tying the game at 6. Yankees ultimately win 8 – 6 and take the series in 6 games. The Braves were that close to likely going on an unprecedented run. The next year, another nearly unstoppable Braves team is victim of the widest strike zone known to man, getting screwed out making the Series, where they would have undoubtedly beaten the Indians.
Comparably, Jackie Brown (“JB”) is close to being the second near perfect movie from Tarantino. But for a few flaws this could have been the second step in creating an unstoppable dynasty. I realize that my affinity for JB is greater than most. But Pam Greir’s and Robert Wagner’s performances are the most complete characters Tarantino has given us. And Ordell just spits out fantastic lines:
Ordell Robbie: I got this young nineteen year old country girl named Sheronda. I found her on a bus stop two days outta Georgia, barefoot, country as a chicken coop. I took her to my place in Compton, told her it was HollywoodLouis: She believed you?Ordell Robbie: Hell yeah! To her dumb country ass, Compton is Hollywood; closest she's ever been anyway.
Ordell Robbie: Look, I hate to be the kinda nigga does a nigga a favor, then, BAM!, hits a nigga up for a favor in return. But I'm afraid I gotta be that kinda nigga.Beaumont: What?Ordell Robbie: I need a favor.
Ordell Robbie: Damn girl, you gettin' high already? It's only 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I get my shit done for the day, then I get high. And besides, getting high and watching TV will rob you of your ambition!Melanie: Not if your ambition is to get high and watch TV...
Unfortunately, Michael Keeton’s character is a bit dull. The De Niro part is underwhelming. The cinematography is certainly the poorest of the Tarantino movies, though perhaps this is intentional due to homage to blaxploition films (though Death Proof manages to look great – but this could be advancements in technology as I believe it was shot digitally).
There are faults, but certainly this is a highly underappreciated movie.
4. Reservoir Dogs – 1999 Braves
Once again, the 1999 Braves team completed a regular season with over 100 wins. The team breezed through the playoffs, setting up a match-up with the Yankees in the World Series to determine which team would be monikered the “Team of the Decade”. Unfortunately, the Braves offense failed to show up, managing only 9 runs in the four game sweep. Clearly, this team was great, but lacking a certain spark needed for greatness – an apt description for Reservoir Dogs.
Despite the violence, Reservoir Dogs (“RD”) is more memorable for its comedy. The movie also set a template for the Tarantino movies that followed, i.e. disjointed plot lines, meticulously selected music, hyper-violence, long narrative scenes, etc. RD is fun and holds up on repeated viewings. However, it lacks a certain soul the three movies above possess.
5. Death Proof 2003 Braves
The 2003 Atlanta Braves team was an anomaly. After years of relying on starting pitching and timely hitting, this Braves team was filled with sluggers. This team scored over 900 runs during the season, second in all of baseball. They won 101 games and outscored their opponents by 167 runs aggregately, which led the MLB. Six of the eight position players hit over 20 home runs, with Furcal, the shortstop only hitting 15 and Fick, who played only 126 games, only hitting 11. For the first time during their division championship run, the team led the NL in almost every offensive statistical category. The 2003 Braves were first in runs, home runs, batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases, and were second in on-base percentage. In light of the previous twelve years, this team was shocking to watch. But more importantly, it was fun. Sure, they ultimately choked once again in the playoffs, losing a deciding game 5 at home to the Cubs in the Division Series. But true Braves fans will always remember this team.
Death Proof (“DP”) finds Tarantino having the most fun he has had as a director. The plot is simple and straightforward. There are no religious allegories or unnecessary edits to the time structure. Put simply, this was a very different movie for Tarantino, much the like the 2003 Braves. It is fun. And very rewatchable. The first half of the movie, spent primarily in various Austin bars, builds palpable tension, just by the presence of Stuntman Mike. The slow build pays off once we see him and his young female companion get in his “death-proof” car. The second half of the movie is owned by Zoe Bell. The chase scenes are incredible. Plus, the second half once again gives us classic Tarantino, as the girls continually engage in long, narrative conversations. But this time it is different. It is shocking that Tarantino is able to find a female voice to allow him to write dialogue of the caliber displayed in DP. Again, this is very unorthodox for Tarantino. But it works and is enjoyable to watch. The concluding car chase works much better as an “action scene” than anything done by Tarantino in KB I or II. DP and the 2003 Braves both broke the mold, had some success, but ultimately are appreciated more by their true fans than outsiders.
6. Kill Bill II - 1998 Braves
By this year, the Braves were on auto-pilot. Yet again, the team racked up 106 wins by relying on what they do best, starting pitching. This team seemed to be the first Braves team victimized by media backlash. While the Marlins had made the World Series the year before, most baseball fans were tiring of seeing the Braves continuing to win with their proven formula. Moreover, there was clearly some elements missing that would have made the 1998 Braves unstoppable (see Braves 1999). After losing the first three games to San Diego in the NLCS, the Braves made a valiant comeback, winning the next two. However, the team was unable to overcome the buzz saw that was Kevin Brown and the Braves fell in 6 games.
Similarly, Kill Bill II (“KB II”) primary flaw is simple: We have seen this before. In my opinion, KB II is well made movie, but frankly, I was a bit bored by it. I have rewatched it a couple of times, but it has not grabbed me the way Tarantino’s other movies have. Perhaps it is a personal distaste for the genre of movies this film arises from, i.e. kung-fu and other martial arts movies. Again, I do recognize the fact the movie is well-made and the direction by Tarantino is probably his best (the Bride buried alive scene is more tense and frightening than any horror movie). On the other hand, I do not enjoy the shared scenes between the Bride and Bill, especially the ending. This drops the movie down the rankings for me.
7. Kill Bill I - 2000 – 2002; 2004 – 2005 Braves
Finally, we have the five Braves teams of the ‘00s that made the play-offs, but failed to mount a serious bid to even get past the first round. Sure, there were many memorable moments, i.e., the 2005 season when the team defied expectations and reloaded with young talent, coupled with an near MVP run by Andruw Jones, only to end the year with an eighteen-inning series clinching loss to the Astros, an NLCS appearance in 2001 when the team was quickly dismantled by Randy Johnson and Curt Shilling (this series, combined with the later ’03 loss to the Cubs in the NLDS proved the Braves strategy concerning starting pitchers fails come playoff-time), John Smoltz’s absolute dominance as a closer, followed by a return to the role as the ace of the staff in ’05. These teams were all good, and provided great memories. But these are the teams that get left out of the discussion of the beat Braves teams of the 1991 – 2005 division championship run.
Kill Bill I (“KB I”) suffers from the same fate. It is a memorable movie filled with great moments. The early moments when we learn of the strength and conviction of the Bride, as she comes out of her coma, beats off multiple would be coma-rapists (I am sure there is a term for people who rape coma victims – if you are familiar with it, please leave us a note in the comments section), and then makes her way the to the Pussy Wagon without the use of her legs is phenomenal. Also, the scenes in the far east, as the Bride waits for her sword, demonstrate good patience by Tarantino, as he allows the story to slowly build. However, outside of the Bride, the characters in this movie are too cartoonish. Tarantino seems lazy for shrouded the antagonists in mystery, rather than developing what happened to allow them to be in the position they are in when they confront the Bride. Perhaps Tarantino was trying to squeeze too much in. Nonetheless, much the five Braves teams discussed above, I do love this movie, it is just not on par with the movies analyzed above.
Honorable Mention: Four Rooms and 1994
Neither really count.
In 1994, this film came out of nowhere and caught the world by storm. Critically adored and a success at the box office, it somehow lost the Oscar to Forest Gump (Forest Gump? Really?). In 1991, the Braves went from worst to first, losing to the Twins in the best World Series of the last 50 years. The team’s stellar play continued into the next year, until the Braves ultimately lost to the Blue Jays in the 1992 World Series. To this day, fans of Tarantino and the Braves look back as these as the “best of times.” While exceptional runs for both were in store, nothing either has done since has approached the specialness of this movie/these teams.
Pulp Fiction is not only the best movie Tarantino has made, I believe it is the greatest movie of all time. I understand some may feel saying this is ridiculous, especially when one considers that so much of the writing and direction is lifted from earlier periods – but to me, to see it at the age I saw it, it is an aggregation of all the great filmmaking to come before it.
Just go to the Wikipedia page and read the analysis. There are 750 words breaking down Vincent’s use of the restroom as a plot device. Tarantino carefully crafted every scene of this movie. The editing is phenomenal, creating a great pace that never seems to linger, but at the same time is never rushed. Thanks to courageous casting, every acting performance is perfect. Perhaps its greatest feat is that despite its popularity, no other filmmaker has even attempted to replicate this movie. It is too unique.
2. Inglourious Basterds - 1995 Braves
The 1995 Braves was the only team of the 1991 – 2005 run to win the World Series. As you can tell from the discussion above, if I had to pick between the World Series victory and the Braves’ runs in ’91 & ’92, I would opt to burn the trophy and live my life relishing my memories of “worst to first” and the Bream slide. The same works for Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds (“IG”). With IG, it seemed as though everything came together for Tarantino. The direction is crisp and the pacing is even better than in PF. Once again, each role is perfectly cast. Perhaps IG does not have as much meaning behind every nuance. However, what IG lacks in philosophical fodder, it makes up for with its narrative. It is completely engrossing from start to finish. I found that upon reaching the conclusion I immediately wanted to watch it again. In the same theater. Right then. Just hit rewind.
If it wasn’t for Pulp Fiction, IG would be Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction”. For almost any other writer/director, this would be a masterpiece. Just as for any other team, the World Series would mean more to its fans than anything else. However, both the Braves and Tarantino are “victims” of their own success (a term I use very loosely based on their continued success).
3. Jackie Brown – 1996 & 1997 Braves
Following the World Series championship in 1995, the Braves were odds-on favorites to repeat. With the combination of Cox, Schuerholz, the best starting pitching in baseball and an excellent farm system, the sky was the limit. 3, 4 even 5 straight World Series wins were not out of the question. The same was true of Tarantino. After Pulp Fiction, the world was his oyster. One cannot even fathom the offers he must have received. The meetings with producing suitors must have been fascinating. With that in mind, what does he do? He creates Jackie Brown.
In 1996, the Braves took a 2 – 1 lead over the upstart Yankees, including two victories in vaunted Yankee Stadium. Game 4 found the Braves up 6 – 0 after the fifth inning, and still up 6 – 3 going into the top of the eighth. Six outs from a 3 – 1 lead. Cox brings in the closer in the eighth, who promptly gives up two hits followed by Leyritz’s home run tying the game at 6. Yankees ultimately win 8 – 6 and take the series in 6 games. The Braves were that close to likely going on an unprecedented run. The next year, another nearly unstoppable Braves team is victim of the widest strike zone known to man, getting screwed out making the Series, where they would have undoubtedly beaten the Indians.
Comparably, Jackie Brown (“JB”) is close to being the second near perfect movie from Tarantino. But for a few flaws this could have been the second step in creating an unstoppable dynasty. I realize that my affinity for JB is greater than most. But Pam Greir’s and Robert Wagner’s performances are the most complete characters Tarantino has given us. And Ordell just spits out fantastic lines:
Ordell Robbie: I got this young nineteen year old country girl named Sheronda. I found her on a bus stop two days outta Georgia, barefoot, country as a chicken coop. I took her to my place in Compton, told her it was HollywoodLouis: She believed you?Ordell Robbie: Hell yeah! To her dumb country ass, Compton is Hollywood; closest she's ever been anyway.
Ordell Robbie: Look, I hate to be the kinda nigga does a nigga a favor, then, BAM!, hits a nigga up for a favor in return. But I'm afraid I gotta be that kinda nigga.Beaumont: What?Ordell Robbie: I need a favor.
Ordell Robbie: Damn girl, you gettin' high already? It's only 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I get my shit done for the day, then I get high. And besides, getting high and watching TV will rob you of your ambition!Melanie: Not if your ambition is to get high and watch TV...
Unfortunately, Michael Keeton’s character is a bit dull. The De Niro part is underwhelming. The cinematography is certainly the poorest of the Tarantino movies, though perhaps this is intentional due to homage to blaxploition films (though Death Proof manages to look great – but this could be advancements in technology as I believe it was shot digitally).
There are faults, but certainly this is a highly underappreciated movie.
4. Reservoir Dogs – 1999 Braves
Once again, the 1999 Braves team completed a regular season with over 100 wins. The team breezed through the playoffs, setting up a match-up with the Yankees in the World Series to determine which team would be monikered the “Team of the Decade”. Unfortunately, the Braves offense failed to show up, managing only 9 runs in the four game sweep. Clearly, this team was great, but lacking a certain spark needed for greatness – an apt description for Reservoir Dogs.
Despite the violence, Reservoir Dogs (“RD”) is more memorable for its comedy. The movie also set a template for the Tarantino movies that followed, i.e. disjointed plot lines, meticulously selected music, hyper-violence, long narrative scenes, etc. RD is fun and holds up on repeated viewings. However, it lacks a certain soul the three movies above possess.
5. Death Proof 2003 Braves
The 2003 Atlanta Braves team was an anomaly. After years of relying on starting pitching and timely hitting, this Braves team was filled with sluggers. This team scored over 900 runs during the season, second in all of baseball. They won 101 games and outscored their opponents by 167 runs aggregately, which led the MLB. Six of the eight position players hit over 20 home runs, with Furcal, the shortstop only hitting 15 and Fick, who played only 126 games, only hitting 11. For the first time during their division championship run, the team led the NL in almost every offensive statistical category. The 2003 Braves were first in runs, home runs, batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases, and were second in on-base percentage. In light of the previous twelve years, this team was shocking to watch. But more importantly, it was fun. Sure, they ultimately choked once again in the playoffs, losing a deciding game 5 at home to the Cubs in the Division Series. But true Braves fans will always remember this team.
Death Proof (“DP”) finds Tarantino having the most fun he has had as a director. The plot is simple and straightforward. There are no religious allegories or unnecessary edits to the time structure. Put simply, this was a very different movie for Tarantino, much the like the 2003 Braves. It is fun. And very rewatchable. The first half of the movie, spent primarily in various Austin bars, builds palpable tension, just by the presence of Stuntman Mike. The slow build pays off once we see him and his young female companion get in his “death-proof” car. The second half of the movie is owned by Zoe Bell. The chase scenes are incredible. Plus, the second half once again gives us classic Tarantino, as the girls continually engage in long, narrative conversations. But this time it is different. It is shocking that Tarantino is able to find a female voice to allow him to write dialogue of the caliber displayed in DP. Again, this is very unorthodox for Tarantino. But it works and is enjoyable to watch. The concluding car chase works much better as an “action scene” than anything done by Tarantino in KB I or II. DP and the 2003 Braves both broke the mold, had some success, but ultimately are appreciated more by their true fans than outsiders.
6. Kill Bill II - 1998 Braves
By this year, the Braves were on auto-pilot. Yet again, the team racked up 106 wins by relying on what they do best, starting pitching. This team seemed to be the first Braves team victimized by media backlash. While the Marlins had made the World Series the year before, most baseball fans were tiring of seeing the Braves continuing to win with their proven formula. Moreover, there was clearly some elements missing that would have made the 1998 Braves unstoppable (see Braves 1999). After losing the first three games to San Diego in the NLCS, the Braves made a valiant comeback, winning the next two. However, the team was unable to overcome the buzz saw that was Kevin Brown and the Braves fell in 6 games.
Similarly, Kill Bill II (“KB II”) primary flaw is simple: We have seen this before. In my opinion, KB II is well made movie, but frankly, I was a bit bored by it. I have rewatched it a couple of times, but it has not grabbed me the way Tarantino’s other movies have. Perhaps it is a personal distaste for the genre of movies this film arises from, i.e. kung-fu and other martial arts movies. Again, I do recognize the fact the movie is well-made and the direction by Tarantino is probably his best (the Bride buried alive scene is more tense and frightening than any horror movie). On the other hand, I do not enjoy the shared scenes between the Bride and Bill, especially the ending. This drops the movie down the rankings for me.
7. Kill Bill I - 2000 – 2002; 2004 – 2005 Braves
Finally, we have the five Braves teams of the ‘00s that made the play-offs, but failed to mount a serious bid to even get past the first round. Sure, there were many memorable moments, i.e., the 2005 season when the team defied expectations and reloaded with young talent, coupled with an near MVP run by Andruw Jones, only to end the year with an eighteen-inning series clinching loss to the Astros, an NLCS appearance in 2001 when the team was quickly dismantled by Randy Johnson and Curt Shilling (this series, combined with the later ’03 loss to the Cubs in the NLDS proved the Braves strategy concerning starting pitchers fails come playoff-time), John Smoltz’s absolute dominance as a closer, followed by a return to the role as the ace of the staff in ’05. These teams were all good, and provided great memories. But these are the teams that get left out of the discussion of the beat Braves teams of the 1991 – 2005 division championship run.
Kill Bill I (“KB I”) suffers from the same fate. It is a memorable movie filled with great moments. The early moments when we learn of the strength and conviction of the Bride, as she comes out of her coma, beats off multiple would be coma-rapists (I am sure there is a term for people who rape coma victims – if you are familiar with it, please leave us a note in the comments section), and then makes her way the to the Pussy Wagon without the use of her legs is phenomenal. Also, the scenes in the far east, as the Bride waits for her sword, demonstrate good patience by Tarantino, as he allows the story to slowly build. However, outside of the Bride, the characters in this movie are too cartoonish. Tarantino seems lazy for shrouded the antagonists in mystery, rather than developing what happened to allow them to be in the position they are in when they confront the Bride. Perhaps Tarantino was trying to squeeze too much in. Nonetheless, much the five Braves teams discussed above, I do love this movie, it is just not on par with the movies analyzed above.
Honorable Mention: Four Rooms and 1994
Neither really count.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Brian's Top 7
(1) Pulp Fiction - Easily one of my top 5 all-time favorites, great dialogue, great acting, great plot, great cameos. This was perhaps the first movie I walked out of the theater knowing immediately that I had to see it again (and again and again...). You can pick one or two scenes to enjoy, settle down for the full 2.5 hours - either way, this movie is, as Jules might put, some gourmet shit.
(2) Kill Bill Vol. 2 - This was tough, but I decided I like the second installment better than the first. I am a big fan of Michael Madsen, I love the fight scene with Uma and Darryl Hannah, and punching out of the box is set up amazingly well. The way the story is told in this one, while it takes a while, keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.
(3) Kill Bill Vol. 1 - This movie nails it right from the start, and the fight between Uma and Vivica A. Fox sets the tone for the film right away, not to mention that excellence of the Lucy Lui storyline. The fight in the Japanese club near the end is one of the best directed and choreographed fights you will ever see.
(4) Inglorious Basterds - Hard to imagine that this movie could finish 4th on a list of mine, but it did. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie - well paced, well written, just the right amount of gory violence. The performance by Chrstoph Waltz has Col. Hans Landa nearly elevated this movie to number two in my list.
(5) Reservoir Dogs - While this movie has tons of memorable scenes, as a whole I don't think it rivals the four above it. That being said, I would rank the Mr. Blonde "Stuck in the Middle With You" scene as perhaps the greatest of all time, at the least the greatest set to music.(6) Death Proof - I definitely enjoyed the Grindhouse experience, but this movie does not compare to any of the ones above it. Kurt Russell is entertaining as Stuntman Mike, and the pacing is typical Tarantino - a slow build, almost too long, followed by abrupt action. But due to its time constraints and the point of the Grindhouse event, this movie didn't have that "wow" factor of his other films.
(7) Jackie Brown - Maybe I need to watch this movie again, but when I last saw it a few years ago I just was not that impressed. I liked Robert Forster (as I always do) as Max Cherry, but he was the main bright spot. I think this movie was just too plot driven, as I think Tarantino excels at creating characters.
Quentin Tarantino Rankings
Matt and I are both big fans of Quentin Tarantino. We would certainly agree that he's a director you either love or hate. We know people who hate him - just not us.
So, we decided to each rank our 7 favorite Tarantino-directed movies. Also, when you don't count Four Rooms or My Best Friend's Birthday, then he has directed 7 movies. What luck.
Here's the lowdown on the movies we're ranking...
---Reservoir Dogs (1992) - 8.4 rating on IMDB
---Pulp Fiction (1994) - 8.9
---Jackie Brown (1997) - 7.6
---Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) - 8.2
---Kill Billl: Vol. 2 (2004) - 8.0
---Death Proof (2007) - 7.2
---Inglorious Basterds (2009) - 8.6
Our ranking, along with some brief commentary, will be up later today.
So, we decided to each rank our 7 favorite Tarantino-directed movies. Also, when you don't count Four Rooms or My Best Friend's Birthday, then he has directed 7 movies. What luck.
Here's the lowdown on the movies we're ranking...
---Reservoir Dogs (1992) - 8.4 rating on IMDB
---Pulp Fiction (1994) - 8.9
---Jackie Brown (1997) - 7.6
---Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) - 8.2
---Kill Billl: Vol. 2 (2004) - 8.0
---Death Proof (2007) - 7.2
---Inglorious Basterds (2009) - 8.6
Our ranking, along with some brief commentary, will be up later today.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Varsity Blues - Matt
I was recently at the two-gate airport in New Bern, N.C. (the birthplace of Pepsi!) and I stopped in at what was described as the "deli". I ordered a ham sandwich and then admired the Corona beer vending machine, thus confirming there is not a single airport in America where you can't get loaded before getting on the plane. The elderly lady behind the counter went to a table, opened a loaf of Wonder Bread and a packet of Oscar Meyer ham and unlovingly assembled a sandwich that would have made Dagwood commit suicide. As she was ringing me up (cash only; seriously), she looked up at the television hanging above and remarked, "Now, that's a great movie." I had already noticed that Remember the Titans was running on TBS. Of course the old hag was fondly commenting on this movie. But we all know. Remember the Titans sucks. It really sucks. It is painful to watch. That pain is compounded by the fact that you know so many people love it. Screw "Beatles or Stones?" as a psychological test. Give me, "Do you like Remember the Titans?" Say yes, and I know our conversation is likely going to consist of a discussion of those silly headlines Jay Lino is able to find. Furthermore, Remember the Titans ruined Sports Movies. Every Sports Movice since has followed the plot and conflicts of that were shoved down your throat in it. It was released in 2000. This was followed by a decade without a single good sports movie. So, why this rant? It's simple, the last great sports movie: 1999's Varsity Blues. Don't believe me? Look at this list of Sports Movies released in the 90's:
Necessary Roughness (1991)
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
School Ties (1992)
The Program (1993)
Rudy (1993)
Jerry Maguire (1996)
The Waterboy (1998)
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Varsity Blues (1999)
The next sports movie (well after 1999's cult classic Fumbleheads)?
Remember the Titans (2000)
This was then followed by these gems in the 00's:
The Replacements (2000)
Full Ride (2001)
The Slaughter Rule (2002)
The Junction Boys (2002)
Hometown Legend (2002)
The Second String (2002)
Radio (2003)
Friday Night Lights (2004)
The Longest Yard (Remake) (2005)
Two For the Money (2005)
Invincible (2006)
We Are Marshall (2006)
Facing the Giants (2006)
Gridiron Gang (2006)
The Comebacks (2007)
The Game Plan (film) (2007)
Leatherheads (2007)
The Express (2008)
The Longshots (2008)
Seriously. Each and everyone of these is horrible. The only good sports movie this decade is Friday Night Lights. Not the movie of course, but the T.V. show - where we often have to find well-acted and well-written entertainment these days.
So just what makes Varsity Blues so great? First, it is a complete male fantasy. But I disagree with Brian. What you have here is a psychological analysis of a teenage boy. It is the id, the ego and super ego. Moxon encompass all three as he progresses through the movie. Brian makes a great point that he never "grows", however, I would argue that the point is he ends up right back where he started, and that is a good thing (or at least that is the point of the movie). As his fantasies are lived out, he learns that the life he was living, or the path he was on, was the life he wanted (as Brain noted, we know one life he definitely did not want). As a teenagers, we often see ourselves cast as a specific type, and fantasize about how the other types live. Moxon gets to do this. I mean, he goes to a freaking strip club ON A WEEKNIGHT and sees his hot sex ed teacher strip AS A SCHOOLGIRL!!! That scene has stayed with me even more so than the ever so iconic whipped cream bikini scene. It is not only sexual fantasies though. What high school athlete did not dream of karate chopping his coach in the face, leaving him lying on the floor, and then leading the team out to victory without the supervision of a single authoritative figure. It is completely ridiculous, but in Varsity Blues, it happens.
Sure, in the end, everyone lives happily ever. That too is ridiculous. But it is a great ride getting there. Too bad Remember the Titans had to ruin everyone's fun.
Necessary Roughness (1991)
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
School Ties (1992)
The Program (1993)
Rudy (1993)
Jerry Maguire (1996)
The Waterboy (1998)
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Varsity Blues (1999)
The next sports movie (well after 1999's cult classic Fumbleheads)?
Remember the Titans (2000)
This was then followed by these gems in the 00's:
The Replacements (2000)
Full Ride (2001)
The Slaughter Rule (2002)
The Junction Boys (2002)
Hometown Legend (2002)
The Second String (2002)
Radio (2003)
Friday Night Lights (2004)
The Longest Yard (Remake) (2005)
Two For the Money (2005)
Invincible (2006)
We Are Marshall (2006)
Facing the Giants (2006)
Gridiron Gang (2006)
The Comebacks (2007)
The Game Plan (film) (2007)
Leatherheads (2007)
The Express (2008)
The Longshots (2008)
Seriously. Each and everyone of these is horrible. The only good sports movie this decade is Friday Night Lights. Not the movie of course, but the T.V. show - where we often have to find well-acted and well-written entertainment these days.
So just what makes Varsity Blues so great? First, it is a complete male fantasy. But I disagree with Brian. What you have here is a psychological analysis of a teenage boy. It is the id, the ego and super ego. Moxon encompass all three as he progresses through the movie. Brian makes a great point that he never "grows", however, I would argue that the point is he ends up right back where he started, and that is a good thing (or at least that is the point of the movie). As his fantasies are lived out, he learns that the life he was living, or the path he was on, was the life he wanted (as Brain noted, we know one life he definitely did not want). As a teenagers, we often see ourselves cast as a specific type, and fantasize about how the other types live. Moxon gets to do this. I mean, he goes to a freaking strip club ON A WEEKNIGHT and sees his hot sex ed teacher strip AS A SCHOOLGIRL!!! That scene has stayed with me even more so than the ever so iconic whipped cream bikini scene. It is not only sexual fantasies though. What high school athlete did not dream of karate chopping his coach in the face, leaving him lying on the floor, and then leading the team out to victory without the supervision of a single authoritative figure. It is completely ridiculous, but in Varsity Blues, it happens.
Sure, in the end, everyone lives happily ever. That too is ridiculous. But it is a great ride getting there. Too bad Remember the Titans had to ruin everyone's fun.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Varsity Blues
Year: 1999
Starring: James Van Der Beek, Jon Voigt, Amy Smart
Rotten Tomatoes: 39% fresh
IMDB: 6.0
Tagline: "Make your own rules."
BK review: I will start out by noting that I will refer to this one as a movie, not as a film. But I will see it was a very entertaining - very cheesy - movie. This movie could really be summed up by one scene: Johnny Moxin throwing the ball in the front yard before angrily stating "I don't want your life" with Van Der Beek's terrible Texas accent. Really terrible. I like this movie for a number of reasons. (1) I thought Voigt does a fantastic job as the asshole head coach. (2) It was the first time I had seen Amy Smart, and I am now a big fan of hers. (3) The whip cream bikini. (4) Most of the lines uttered by Tweeter. (5) The game action is actually pretty well put together and realistic-looking. (6) The fact that Ron Lester played the overweight lineman named Billy Bob in this one, then reprises that exact same role as Reggie Ray in Not Another Teen Movie.
But, this movie is nothing more than a fun 105 minutes. You can re-watch it again on cable, but not all the way through - only in bits and pieces. Other than Voigt and Scott Caan, none of the acting was anything to write home about. The plot was pretty predictable. The only time it lost its predictability is when the team plays without a coach - and that's just absurd, so I don't give any credit there. Also, you have the same old storyline of girl dating back-up player who then becomes star, so she stops getting along with him for some reason only to get back with him at the end (see: Teen Wolf). Here's the problem: Van Der Beek's character does not change at all in the movie, other than becoming the starting QB. It was just that the director - Brian Robbins - apparently felt this romantic drama had to occur, like it was in the book he read about directing movies. Smart's character dates Moxin, then gets annoyed at him for basically no reason, then gets back with him at the end, only neither of them has changed at any point - they broke up merely as a required plot point. And yes, I spent more time on this than need be, it has just always bugged me.
Last thing I will add - would any business owner who loves his high school football team as much as they make it seem in this movie ever allow the team to come to his establishment in get ridiculously drunk the night before a big game? Doubt it.
So, the movie misses on a bunch of things. If you were hoping to watch a gripping drama about high school football, then this is not for you. If you want to have a few beers, grab a few quotable lines that will draw some laughs in the future, then this movie will fit the bill.
Out of 100, I give this one a 63.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
American Psycho
Year: 2000
Starring: Christian Bale, Josh Lucas, Reese Witherspoon, Willem Defoe
Rotten Tomatoes: 66% fresh
IMDB: 7.4
Tagline: "No Introduction Necessary."
BK Review: This film, based on a novel by Bret Easton Ellis, is most certainly in my Top 75 of movies all-time. This was the first movie I saw starring Christian Bale (on DVD, shortly before Batman Begins), and it quickly let me know that if Bale was in a movie, it was probably worth seeing. However, this movie is definitely not for all movie-goers. It might seem slow-moving to some, overly violent to others, or lacking a plot structure that makes sense. I actually like all of these qualities - though I don't actually think its pace was too slow.
Essentially, Bale plays Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street worker who watches co-workers compare the font of their business cards by day and kills people by night. Or does he? That's the real beauty of this movie to me - some of the actions in the movie seem so absurd that you might expect to be listed as "goofs." Scenes where a person who has to believe every scene he is seeing will dismiss the movie as implausible, but I don't think we are expected to believe that every scene we see in the movie is depicted exactly how it happened.
In addition to Bale, Willem Dafor plays his usual creepy and slightly off role, but he does so perfectly as the detective investigating a missing colleague of Bale's. Witherspoon does a nice job as Bateman's fiancee, and Jared Leto does a solid job playing the all important Paul Allen - a man at the center of the whodunit portions of the film.
In the end, I would very highly recommend this movie - though I would caution who I recommended it to. I would not watch this movie with your parents, nor would I watch it on a first or second date - unless you are really putting your new partner to the test. However, I would go out and rent it for someone who is a Huey Lewis fan, as it may change their lives.
Out of 100, I give American Psycho an 80.
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MD review: This movie was released in 2000, a year following one of the best movie years ever. But I think you have to consider this as part of that great wave of non-indie, entertaining, fresh movies from 1996 - 2000 that seemed to dissipate after 9/11 (see Best Movies of '00's Lists - pretty lackluster). Frankly, American Psycho is fun. The first part that always jumps to mind is the business card scene. The embossing, the borders, and who the hell knew there were so many shades of white ("bone"). The rage on Bateman's face after Luis unsheathes his card is priceless.
Shockingly, this movie was directed by a female - Mary Harron - who has essentially done nothing before or since. She also assisted with the screenplay (with another female), and while the characters' dialogue lacks the crispness of Ellison's book, I believe she does a wonderful job with the direction. She gets a great performance out of Bale, as Brian mentioned. We have now seen this type of performance is the norm, but during my initial viewing, I too was in awe with Bale, which eventually led to me actually watching 20 minutes of The Machinist. But it is not just Bale. All the other actors provide realistic, yet disturbing performances. I particularly enjoyed the two actresses playing the roles of prostitutes that visit Bateman's apartment. To me, they seem to act as though they have seen a lot of crazy shit in their time, but this guy, well, he is something else. Another kudos to Harron - the pacing of the movie is very well done. While it could have come across as a disjointed collection of scenes, she never lets the plot lapse, and while the situations increase in their utter ridiculousness towards the end - culminating with Bateman's lunch with Evelyn - the movie holds together.
Oh, and how great is the chainsaw drop? It is almost cheeky, and you expect Bateman to turn to the camera and shrug his shoulders - as if to say "Yea, who the fuck knows how that happened?" I believe the scene is when you know for sure that the line between reality and Bateman's dream world has surely blurred.
I think the other theme that must be discussed regarding this movie is the vanity and materialism of the times. Bateman's routine for preparing in the morning. The clothes. The VHS tapes. The restaurants, not to mention the reservations. To think, just 5 - 10 years before the time the movie was set, this would have all been so foreign. And now, are things even a bit different in NYC? As an outsider, I suspect it is not. While these scenes all provide an obvious appeal for us watching in the 00's, what is also fascinating is that the movie encapsulates the "birth of pop culture". As is so true with our society since the early 80's, people do not like art because it appeals to them, people like art because the art is forced down their throat. Bateman's inclination towards the commercial albums of Huey Lewis and the News and Phil Collins is a great example. He takes the time to learn so much about these, to formulate thoughts and opinions, but really, a 5 year old could offer the same type of analysis. To me, this is "pop culture".
Finally, I could not watch this movie without thinking of The Bonfire of the Vanities. There, the Masters of the Universe at least worked hard. They traded bonds and made millions everyday. In American Psycho, no one worked at all. Every character was obsessed with the fruits of their labor, but yet, there was no labor. What was the point of this? Why so vapid? Really, each character is no different that those business cards.
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