Galaxy Quest

Galaxy Quest
(1999) [Trailer]
Director: Dean Parisot (IMDB)

I've been getting a lot of requests recently, this one comes from my buddy Mark. I was told by him that I would like this... he was wrong.

Synopsis: The cast of a sci-fi show get transported into a real life galactic battle between two alien races... the comedy ensues.

Okay, I didn't hate this but it's not that great either. It's kinda "middle of the road" to me and a little forgetful. One big problem I had was I found myself getting pretty bored with it after awhile. I thought the cast were all ok... Tim Allen was surprisingly a good casting pick as the Captain... Sigourney Weaver looks pretty good as a blond..... and the guy from Harry Potter plays the same exact character except with shit glued to his head. My favorite was Sam Rockwell, he was a funny addition to the crew and probably the best joke of the movie. The effects were spotty at times, but held up nicely for the most part. I wouldn't go out of your way to see this, it'd be a nice movie to watch on cable on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Breakdown

Breakdown
(1997) [Trailer]
Director: John Mostow (IMDB)

One time EFVS blogger and good friend of mine, Michael Friedman, insisted that I see Breakdown. I knew nothing going into it, other than one of my favorite actors, Kurt Russell starred in it.... that's right, Kurt Russell is one of my favorite actors... suck on that internet! Anyways, that was good enough reason to check it out.

Synopsis: Kurt Russell and the lady from the Twight Zone movie are married and breakdown in the middle of nowhere... things go wrong.

This is entertainment. I found Breakdown to be extremely easy to watch and it kept my interest for the whole ride. It starts like something out of Twilight Zone, but then takes an action flick turn towards the middle once the plot starts to unfold. Kurt Russell is awesome as always and the supporting cast are all fine. There's a few nitpicks here and there but really nothing to complain about. If you can find it or download it... do it, Breakdown is good stuff.

Swingers

Swingers
(1996) [Trailer]
Director: Doug Liman (IMDB)

I watched Swingers on the regular in my late teens/early 20's. It was one of my favorite films back then and along with movies like Pulp Fiction, From Dusk Till Dawn, Bottle Rocket and Fargo, it helped fuel my hunger for cinema through my formidable years. So prepare for a love fest.

Synopsis: Mike recently got dumped. Now his friends do their best to help him get over his ex and get back into the game.

This film works for me on many levels. The dialog is fresh, memorable, and authentic. This movie feels like this movie, if that makes sense? I think Vince Vaughan says the word "baby" over 120 times throughout Swingers' run time, which would seem like it's annoying, but it works for his character in a strange way. I like how this movie pays homage to other films/directors... some are obvious picks like Scorsese, Reservoir Dogs/Tarantino, and the Rat Pack... and others that are more low key like the THX-1138 license plate. This is an absolute must for any fan of independent cinema and good comedies that take a different approach to the genre.

Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas
(1984) [Trailer]
Director: Wim Wenders (IMDB)

I've spoken to the effect that I am overly generous with my ratings for movie on this blog before. I don't think a movie necessarily has to be perfect to receive five stars (Arnolds), but then again is there such a thing as a perfect movie? Who knows, but Paris, Texas is pretty damn close.

Synopsis: After being gone four years Harry Dean Stanton wanders back into his family's life.

This movie has no real flaws that I can think of. The cinematography is some of the best in cinema. The intro filmed throughout the desert is magnificent and some of the shots in the evening when the sun is setting are unreal. The acting, score and plot are as solid as one could ask for from a film.

Paris, Texas is a story of reunion, forgiveness and making amends for past mistakes. This is a real honest look at a family portrait, while not the typical nuclear family, an interesting one nonetheless. Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski's final meeting is one of the most interesting things I've seen on the big screen. The dialogue is extremely powerful but also the setting makes for something really special. Nastassja sits in this facade of a perfect looking room on one side, Harry is alone in the dark on the other side, and a barely finished wall filled with insulation and a one sided glass window separates the two. I like to think of the rooms as a metaphor for the characters themselves. She's broken and unfinished but at first glance seems beautiful and put together. Harry Dean Stanton's character is one who is lost and some what in the dark. I also thought the son's role was well played. He's the one that should be the most upset, but you get this feeling that he's just happy to know his biological parents and have them back in his life.

I really picked up a lot more on this viewing and watching the Criterion transfer on blu-ray didn't hurt either. Get on it people.

The Exorcist

The Exorcist
(1970) [The Greatest Trailer Ever Made!]
Director: William Friedkin (IMDB)

Synopsis: William Friedkin deals one hell of a hand with this thriller about a girl who becomes possessed by the devil.

First... let me start by saying that this is one of the greatest horror movies of all time in my book. It has everything that makes a horror film work... religion, creepy kids, hallucinations, and murder. If you haven't seen this, you're not living life man!

I know I've been on a bit of a Friedkin kick, but I didn't pick this out, my life partner did. We scooped up a new home theater system and this was her selection to test it out. It was a great pick. The Exorcist's sound design deserves a true 5.1 dolby surround sound treatment and the new addition delivered the goods, making this movie experience even scarier. The Exorcist still creeps me out and I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been seeing it back in the 70's... oh yeah that's right... I don't have to imagine. I will leave you with one horrifying image... my old bandmates and I on The Exorcist steps in Georgetown.