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Reviews
Weird Science (1985)
Classic
Along with 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' this is one of John Hughes's best movies. Written over the course of a weekend (also corresponding to the plot time line), Hughes rushes, head first, into 'everything goes'-territory and takes a familiar plot...well, God knows where. I guess this was, sadly actually, only possible in the mid-80s. The lead characters are constantly overexcited, the supporting cast are even more excited in addition to Bill Paxton's key career performance as the 'bully brother' (later on, also as the 'human turd'. Don't ask). It even features a fairly young Robert Downey Jr. with a bra on his head shouting obscenities. After several years in limbo, 'Weird Science' has finally been released on DVD (part of the Hughes triple-feature) but depressingly enough without any extra material. Imagine if Paxton had contributed with a commentary track?
Miller's Crossing (1990)
Still excellent after all these years
One of my favorite Cohen-brothers movie and definitely on the Top Ten-list.
'Miller's Crossing' captures the romanticized, depression-era mobster and the film-noir ethics and aesthetics spot on and is just simply beautiful to watch.
The way the Cohen brothers lovingly portray their lead characters is something I haven't seen in a long time. Their clever plot twists and, above all, John Turturro's devilish, deceiving character are amazing. Miller's Crossing is an interesting companion piece to Barton Fink and is worth watching as a double-feature.
Lone Star (1996)
A two-hour treat
"Lone Star" is John Sayles' low-key take on the familiar don't-open-the-can-of-worms story. Set in Texas, the movie slowly unfolds the secrets behind the mythical sheriff, Buddy Deed (Matthew McConaughey) and the actions of the past that have come to play a crucial part in the present.
Sam Deed (Chris Cooper) is the new sheriff in town, living under the heavy expectations of his heroic father, who discovers a dead body in the Texan desert. And that's just the beginning.
The film has several sub-plots, intervening superbly with each other, cutting back and forth in time, until finally revealing some painful truths about several characters. A must see.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
The Greatest College Movie Ever Made?
John Hughes's 'Citizen Kane' is one of the finest in its genre. Set as a seemingly regular college-movie, it quickly transforms into a something much bigger with Broderick's Ferris becoming an almost mythical character, able to perform and get away with anything. As usual, the film is packed with the Hughesian trademark of subtle, yet clever, jokes, requiring some viewing to grasp. Hughes clearly had a great time with this movie (as did the cast) which adds to the general delight of watching the movie. Add some great performances by Jennifer Grey and Jeffrey Jones (and a killer Ferrari), FBDO is a movie to watch over and over again. The DVD includes a commentary track by John Hughes but sadly nothing else(is there a special edition in the making?)