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21 Grams (Reply to this comment)
by cntaur5,  in Movies
This may be a 3 star movie, but you've written a 5 star review.
cntaur5
Keep writing well!
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May 06 '04
8:46 am PDT
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... (Reply to this comment)
by dpjohansen
You know, I can't make my mind up if I like Sean Penn, or I detest him. In certain lights he looks like a munchkin, and I find that rather off putting.
Yeah, I'll give this movie a miss.. I'll wait for his next movie..wait.. munchkin meets one of those dogs with a screwed up face. Maybe I'm being too harsh.
Great review m'dear.
Cheers!
Richard.
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May 06 '04
10:28 am PDT
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Take my heart....please! (Reply to this comment)
by disinclined
Type Sue Negative,
Paul is confused by his own feelings – tremendously eager to receive a transplant, not fully understanding what he’ll be getting along with a heart.
Oh! Oh! I read about this in the Weekly World News, where organ recipients wake up after the operation, and realize that they have the memories and feelings of the dead donor. You'd think that having a recycled lung narrating its madcap adventures would make for enthralling cinema.
Failing that, I'm envisioning a hit TV show where an attractive, female police detective receives a heart transplant from the body of a young dealer murdered in a drug deal gone sour. Using the organ's extensive underworld contacts, the detective and the heart team up to solve crimes. We could call it...um... "The Heart of Crime." C'mon, what's not to love?
appendis
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May 06 '04
11:31 am PDT
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Excessive excess (Reply to this comment)
by beckytcy
Sue,
That week-old sweat line is grossing me out. Thanks a lot. At least I won't eat any more of the cheesecake someone brought in now.
This excessive, and horrendously annoying, lack of linear sequencing
Why do people think that linear sequencing is such a crime these days? I think they mix things up to try to distract us from the fact that the story isn't strong enough or there aren't enough characters or something. Do they show the same events happening multiple times? That really gets on my nerves.
Becky
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May 06 '04
12:49 pm PDT
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well (Reply to this comment)
by sadgit
I knew at some point- in this cinema age of "Memento" and "Signs"- that all these attempts by Hollywood movies to be really artsy and confusing and full of twists and mind games and non linear structure was eventually going to become....well.... boring.
This is a brilliant review which really makes me want to see "Don't Look Now"- a much better art-school film.
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May 06 '04
1:00 pm PDT
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Re: 21 Grams (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket,  in Movies
cntaur5,
Thank you very much, and thanks for stopping to comment.
Sue
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May 06 '04
1:03 pm PDT
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Outstanding Review... (Reply to this comment)
by vemartin
…I share your consternation vis-à-vis this film, though I thought the performances outstanding, the constant flip flopping let me dizzy. Naomi Watts was outstanding, the raw nature of her performance was chilling at times to behold. And Sean Penn, not enough can be written about this mans ability in front of the camera. Again outstanding review….thank you.
VeMartin
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May 06 '04
1:21 pm PDT
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Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Oh, Richard, I think we may be twins.
You know, I can't make my mind up if I like Sean Penn, or I detest him. In certain lights he looks like a munchkin, and I find that rather off putting.
I couldn't agree more. I can admire his talents as an actor, yet still be repulsed by his unsettling Elvis-like pompadour. I can be disturbed that he never smiles and rather sickened when he does. It's a conundrum. I don't have this problem with Kevin Spacey.
Maybe I'm being too harsh.
Oh, but there really is no such thing.
Great review m'dear.
Thank you very much, Twin Richard.
Sue
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May 06 '04
1:35 pm PDT
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Re: Take my heart....please! (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Pancredis,
I read about this in the Weekly World News
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
where organ recipients wake up after the operation, and realize that they have the memories and feelings of the dead donor. You'd think that having a recycled lung narrating its madcap adventures would make for enthralling cinema.
Didn't Lifetime do this, starring Judith Light as the lung?
I'm envisioning a hit TV show where an attractive, female police detective receives a heart transplant from the body of a young dealer murdered in a drug deal gone sour. Using the organ's extensive underworld contacts, the detective and the heart team up to solve crimes. We could call it...um... "The Heart of Crime."
I watch enough crap TV to realize a winner when I see it. If we pitched this to the USA network, we'd be shooting a pilot in no time. Who should star? It should be someone sporting a curvy size six, I think.
Executive ProduSue
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May 06 '04
1:44 pm PDT
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Re: Excessive excess (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Becky,
That week-old sweat line is grossing me out. Thanks a lot. At least I won't eat any more of the cheesecake someone brought in now.
Heh. I know it has special meaning for you.
Why do people think that linear sequencing is such a crime these days?
I have no idea. I'm so sick of trying to play catch up because of this stupid device I could scream. This film is by far the worst offender I've seen.
I think they mix things up to try to distract us from the fact that the story isn't strong enough or there aren't enough characters or something. Do they show the same events happening multiple times? That really gets on my nerves.
And I might be able to understand that - but not here. There is so much to this movie that all the out of sequence crap just ruins what is good and makes it suck. They don't do too much of the repeated scene thing, but if that really bugs you, never see Catch-22.
Sue
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May 06 '04
1:48 pm PDT
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Re: well (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Sadgit,
I knew at some point- in this cinema age of "Memento" and "Signs"- that all these attempts by Hollywood movies to be really artsy and confusing and full of twists and mind games and non linear structure was eventually going to become....well.... boring.
Poor Memento - it uses a device as a part of the actual plot and it ends up being used everywhere it shouldn't be. It is getting boring, and is starting to feel more and more hokey - especially when it's so incredibly overused.
This is a brilliant review which really makes me want to see "Don't Look Now"- a much better art-school film.
Thank you - I don't think I've heard of "Don't Look Now" - is it new?
Sue
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May 06 '04
1:51 pm PDT
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Re: Outstanding Review... (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
VeMartin,
…I share your consternation vis-à-vis this film, though I thought the performances outstanding, the constant flip flopping let me dizzy.
The performances really are fabulous. Watts and Penn of course, but also (maybe even especially) Del Toro. Too bad they get wasted. Thanks for stopping to comment!
Sue
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May 06 '04
1:53 pm PDT
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Re: Re: well (Reply to this comment)
by sadgit
Sue, "Don't Look Now" was done in 1973- a psychological horror film shot in Venice, starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, based on the book by Daphne Du Maurier.
I mentioned it because it made use of twists, final revelations and moments out of time that were quite sophisticated and new for the time it was made, and even today it's ending still blows me away.
I'm actually surprised you haven't seen it.
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May 06 '04
2:25 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: well (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Sadgit,
Oh, I'm looking stoopid, now. I'm sort of surprised I haven't heard of it as well. I love Donald Sutherland and this sounds right up my alley. I'll have to add it to my Netflix queue - thanks for bringing it up.
I'm glad someone pays attention! :)
Sue
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May 06 '04
2:33 pm PDT
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~~@~~ (Reply to this comment)
by tbthorn
I hate when a film goes non-linear sheerly for the purpose of trying to be 'artsy.' When used properly it can be powerful, but there are so many instances when it just doesn't work. I still haven't seen this one, but it will work it's way up on my Netflix queue sooner or later!
nice one,
Tom
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May 06 '04
4:01 pm PDT
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Re: Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by dpjohansen
FINALLY! Someone who agrees with me Re: Sean Penn.. I may spontaneously combust yet.
I don't have this problem with Kevin Spacey.
Noooooo. Spacey's a big hunk o' burnin' love by comparison.. and I can't believe I just called someone a "Big hunk o' burnin' love" . Ah well, it's true!
Yep, definitely twins. Are you being Arnie or Danny? Wait, you're too nice to be either, and I'm neither Austrian nor 4'10", so that won't work.
Richard
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May 06 '04
8:14 pm PDT
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@[xxxx]§:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::> (Reply to this comment)
by flamepillar
OH MY GOD, Suey, you are my hero! I knew I couldn't be the only one who was a little jarred by this whole thing, not to mention perturbed by its 8.0 rating at IMDb. But yes indeed, those are some of the best performances around. If only the reasons for such rage and tension had been clearer, we might have been able to grab onto those feelings better.
This strikes me as one of those movies that's probably actually really good around the 10th or 12th viewing, though... I just ain't got that kind of time though!
See ya and WAY TO GO :)
TIM
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May 07 '04
5:20 am PDT
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What an outstanding review...... (Reply to this comment)
by 4paws
The movie may have been a bust, but not this review. The review was riveting. I usually don't read the reviews that show major parts of the movie until I've seen it and I haven't seen this yet. But, your review sucked me in. I may have to watch it anyway to see the performances you spoke about. Thanks for a very nice read.
Ginger
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May 07 '04
9:15 am PDT
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Re: Re: Take my heart....please! (Reply to this comment)
by disinclined
Sue.E.O.,
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
That's the Weekly World News's motto. In fact, I think they invented the saying.
Didn't Lifetime do this, starring Judith Light as the lung?
If not, I'm volunteering for the part as of now. I've always wanted to see my name in lights:
"SPUNKY LUNG.......................DISINCLINED"
I watch enough crap TV to realize a winner when I see it
Damn right! Who could resist the hilarious hijinks of a crime-fighting heart and its sexy host? Maybe we could introduce a romance between them in season 2.
Who should star? It should be someone sporting a curvy size six, I think.
Me! Me! Me! Even though I haven't seen a size six since I was six.
dis
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May 07 '04
9:16 am PDT
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Re: Re: Excessive excess (Reply to this comment)
by beckytcy
Sue,
Heh. I know it has special meaning for you.
Ack! I blame you and Steph for the dream I had last night.
They don't do too much of the repeated scene thing, but if that really bugs you, never see Catch-22.
I couldn't get through that book, so I won't be seeing the movie. Run, Lola, Run annoyed the hell out of me.
Becky
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May 07 '04
2:02 pm PDT
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The 22 Gram . . . (Reply to this comment)
by macresarf1
Dear millinocket: At the risk of interrupting this love fest, might I say that there is nothing wrong with non-linear movies or Sean Penn as an actor. While I agree with you that 21 GRAMS does not use the format very well, there is nothing inherently bad about presenting scenes out of sync. The Director's AMORES PERROS proves that. The problem with 21 GRAMS is that the sequencing is arbitrary.
As for Sean Penn, his character in MYSTIC RIVER is secretive, gives nothing away, which is why he and the movie are so good. In 21 GRAMS, his character is needy and gushing. Penn does both characters marvelously. It is not his fault that, for all its considerable critical acclaim, 21 GRAMS fails him.
And if you have not seen DON'T LOOK NOW, millinoket, hurry down to the blockbuster. It is very close to a true horror story, near to the best one ever made -- because until the very end the horror is both and suggested.
Excellent review, caveats to one side.
With great regard.
[Macresarf1]
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May 07 '04
2:44 pm PDT
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Re: ~~@~~ (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Tom,
I hate when a film goes non-linear sheerly for the purpose of trying to be 'artsy.' When used properly it can be powerful, but there are so many instances when it just doesn't work.
I really get the impression from watching this film that the sequencing was done as a stylistic choice - it seems not to service the power of the story or the plot at all. They overshot artsy by a country mile.
I still haven't seen this one, but it will work it's way up on my Netflix queue sooner or later!
Because I have the queue from hell, I moved this one up. I sort of wish I'd let it linger down around #200........;)
Sue
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May 07 '04
4:46 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: ... (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Richard,
FINALLY! Someone who agrees with me Re: Sean Penn.. I may spontaneously combust yet.
Oh, don't combust - who would be Cleo's pet? The other problem with Sean Penn is that every once in a while, in the middle of some very dramatic role, I will have a random flashback to Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High - it tends to break the tension. But this is probably more my problem than his..........;)
Noooooo. Spacey's a big hunk o' burnin' love by comparison.. and I can't believe I just called someone a "Big hunk o' burnin' love" . Ah well, it's true!
Hey, you have to call 'em as you see 'em. If the man is a scooter ridin' hunk o burnin' love, so be it.
Yep, definitely twins. Are you being Arnie or Danny? Wait, you're too nice to be either, and I'm neither Austrian nor 4'10", so that won't work.
No, no, we'll be far better twins. Neither of us will try to be Governor of California and we'll wear matching outfits for our scooter rides. Beanies or berets?
Sue
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May 07 '04
4:52 pm PDT
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Re: @[xxxx]§:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::> (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Tim,
OH MY GOD, Suey, you are my hero!
Cool! Do I get a superhero costume? 'Cause that would rawk.
I knew I couldn't be the only one who was a little jarred by this whole thing, not to mention perturbed by its 8.0 rating at IMDb.
No, you aren't - on both counts. I noticed the IMDb rating, too, and really found it quite confusing. Much like the movie itself as a matter of fact.
But yes indeed, those are some of the best performances around. If only the reasons for such rage and tension had been clearer, we might have been able to grab onto those feelings better.
Agreed. I was so impressed by all three leads that the failure of the movie to put everything together was that much more disappointing.
This strikes me as one of those movies that's probably actually really good around the 10th or 12th viewing
Oh, I couldn't take that. I was annoyed enough after one.
See ya and WAY TO GO
Thanks, Tim :)
Sue
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May 07 '04
7:44 pm PDT
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Re: Sue, I'm Awfully Blue... (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Jack,
...because all I can allow myself to read is the first paragraph of this sure-as-I-love-boobies-it's-a-Very-Helpful review
Holy cow, you are sure!
I don't want even the merest inkling of a hint as to what might or might not happen. Will be back to read it after I've seen this.
I'll be interested to know what you think. And I'm not even being sarcastic and snotty.
(By the way, I heard that Naomi Watts shows some serious nipple pokies here. True, Sue?)
Not even an inkling, Jackie my boy.
Sue
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May 07 '04
7:45 pm PDT
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Re: What an outstanding review...... (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Ginger,
Thanks you so much for the kind compliments. I'm glad you liked the review!
If you do see the movie, the performances are great. Not worth the irritation for me, but great nonetheless.
Thanks again,
Sue
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May 07 '04
7:48 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Take my heart....please! (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Dis,
That's the Weekly World News's motto. In fact, I think they invented the saying.
Well, they sort of invented it - it was actually passed on to them by the spirit of Elvis in a K-Mart in Toledo.
"SPUNKY LUNG.......................DISINCLINED"
If theaters still had outdoor marquees, that would look fabulous in hundreds of tiny light bulbs. And who could say no to the irresistible pull of such drama?
Damn right! Who could resist the hilarious hijinks of a crime-fighting heart and its sexy host? Maybe we could introduce a romance between them in season 2.
No one, that's who. They could put it on right before the WWF marathon. We'll be millionaires!!!! The whole romance angle will open new frontiers in TV sex scenes.
Me! Me! Me! Even though I haven't seen a size six since I was six.
Well, since if we want a size 6 we'll have to actually get a six-year-old - which would ruin the hijinks entirely - the job is yours! Who shall play the heart? Pierce Brosnan?
Sue
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May 07 '04
7:55 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Excessive excess (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Dream a Little Becky,
Ack! I blame you and Steph for the dream I had last night.
Why I have no idea what you could possibly mean. I was innocently playing Parcheesi.
I couldn't get through that book, so I won't be seeing the movie. Run, Lola, Run annoyed the hell out of me.
I haven't tried the book, yet. I feel like I should, since I've heard that it's far better than the film, so it's on my list.
Sue
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May 07 '04
7:57 pm PDT
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Re: The 22 Gram . . . (Reply to this comment)
by millinocket, in Movies
Macresarf1,
At the risk of interrupting this love fest, might I say that there is nothing wrong with non-linear movies or Sean Penn as an actor.
Oh, no. Dissent is a good thing. It adds texture to the love.
I agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Sean Penn as an actor - he's excellent. Though personally I do get a creepy vibe off him sometimes.
As for non-linear films, I agree there as well. I've enjoyed some immensely, but I'm tiring rapidly of the overuse of the style. When it serves the story, or is part and parcel of one of the characters, it's great. When it's excessive and gimmicky, it's not.
The problem with 21 GRAMS is that the sequencing is arbitrary.
Indeed, and as a result the film falls apart.
As for Sean Penn, his character in MYSTIC RIVER is secretive, gives nothing away, which is why he and the movie are so good. In 21 GRAMS, his character is needy and gushing.
My feeling about the two characters is that in Mystic River he didn't need to stretch. That character was really rather a cliche, and his hysteria on discovering the death of his daughter not much more than a one note stereotype of a grief reaction. It was big and flashy, but didn't have much nuance. I liked the 21 Grams character better because he was more complicated. His emotions were right on the surface, but they were interesting, emotions born of an intriguing situation.
Penn does both characters marvelously. It is not his fault that, for all its considerable critical acclaim, 21 GRAMS fails him.
Absolutely not. Those three stars I gave this movie can be considered one for each principal actor. All were excellent.
And if you have not seen DON'T LOOK NOW, millinocket, hurry down to the blockbuster.
I haven't seen it - and feel sort of stupid to never even have heard of it. It's on my Netflix queue and I'm very much looking forward to it.
Excellent review, caveats to one side.
Thank you very much!
Sue
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May 07 '04
8:12 pm PDT
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Wow... (Reply to this comment)
by katmar
Benicio Del Toro plays Jack, the greasy ex-con who’s found God, so skillfully you can almost smell the week old sweat emanating from the character.
That might be one of the best descriptions I've ever read of any actor's performance, in any film, in the entire f*cking history of film. You nearly took my breath away with that one, girl. (I'm genuflecting before you.)
As for your annoyance with the film's sequencing, oddly enough, I found it provocative, and not annoying at all.
(And you liked "May" and "Magnolia," and I abhorred them... just different tastes at times, I guess.)
I agreed with you about the performances, though, and you made a lot of good points.
Here's my thing about this film, though, Sue... It's eaten at me since I watched it -- which was several months ago now -- and I'm not sure why. I thought it was powerful, and at the time, quite involving, but I think I was left with the question: "What did it mean?"
Were these snapshots of tragedy shown to us to shake us, move us, haunt us, make us cry, make us angry????? I guess I like to know what I had for dinner instead of being left wondering. Especially when the meal refuses to ever leave my mind. But does that mean it was a good meal, or just a memorable one? You know what I'm trying to say?
A few minutes before I came online, I was thinking about this film (what else is new?). And I think one of the problems was that I didn't care enough about any of them. The snapshots went by too quickly.
I think part of what the director was trying to accomplish was this: show three people's lives, in three dimensions. Could he have done this if the film played "normally"? I don't think so. It would have ended up five hours long. I think the trick he had to pull off, was to let us know these people, what they'd gone through before, and what they're going through now, within a reasonable amount of time. That's a hard thing to pull off. Obviously, to some, he failed badly. But to others, like myself, I found his risk-taking fascinating.
What I think got lost in the attempt to know their lives, was our chance to know them. I empathized with Watts, but I didn't know her well enough to feel her loss - beyond her wrenching display of that loss. You know what I mean? We weren't allowed to just walk with her, and see her everyday grieving. We were just shown pieces. And for me that wasn't enough. Same for the other two.
I've pondered what my own review of this film would say, but it's remained in the pondering stage since I saw it. I still don't know what to make of it. I think I would have given it four stars, as I'm more likely to applaud a director who takes a big chance and fails, rather than laud one who sticks to formula and fails. God knows we have enough of those.
Anyway, excellent job. Your writing never ceases to make me want to try and be a better writer, so that maybe one day, I can come close to the magic you create on these pages.
Hats off, neighbor.
Marsha
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May 07 '04
8:41 pm PDT
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