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Reviews
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
Good idea, okay execution
Using japanese footage for a "new" film isn't a particularly new idea. Woody Allen did it all the way back in the 60's with "What's Up, Tiger Lily?" Haim Saban has made a career out of it. Anyways, our hero the chosen has taken an existing martial arts movie and dubbed himself in using Bluescreen with humorous intention. The result? A goofy seventy minutes. Some jokes fall flat, and some are funny but quickly wear out. (Some jokes appear deliberately stretched out to pad the running time. Not the best idea in the world.) Nonetheless, I did laugh, about half the time. Steve O. has some good comic instincts, and while sometimes he can spend a lot of time building up to a ho-hum gag, he can also elicit some very powerful cheap laughs. I can't justify someone paying full-price for this movie (70 minutes isn't my money's worth), but I imagine this will have a healthy life on home video.
Sugar & Spice (2001)
Goofy narration problem
I wasn't too sure about putting this on the goofs page, since it involves a major spoiler, but I had a problem with the narrative device. ******SPOILERS*******I advise not to read this if you haven't seen the film, since it not only reveals plot elements for the very end, but it doesn't make too much sense unless you've seen it.
The narration is handled by Lisa, the outcast cheerleader, providing a testimony to the police.
For the majority of the film, it sounds like her testimony is intended to indict the six cheerleaders who pulled off the robbery. However, at the end we find out that head cheerleader Diane made a deal with Lisa, so that she would provide their alibi. Since it was Lisa's evidence that made them suspects in the first place, why would they believe she would change her story?
According to her testimony, they were sitting in her car in the parking lot while the store was robbed, and they were still there when she came out. If that were the case, she would never had thought to suspect them, cheerleader-type dismount or no. Also, if the deal was made before the testimony, as it would have to be, she would have nothing to gain by telling the story of Diane's financial problems, Kansas' convict mother, etc. It also makes little sense, since she was not present for most of the scenes in the film. It's like her story is an afterthought, since the point of view for the film is REALLY Diane.
Basically, whatever the flaws of the films, and there were others, nothing sinks this film more than a weak, illogical narrative device. It's a shame, because it comprises the majority of Marla Sokoloff's performance, who I have enjoyed in other performances.
Coming Soon (1999)
How can people like this movie?
I'm quite frankly shocked at how many positive comments there are regarding this film. There are good films, and then there are bad films that people like anyway. This movie isn't either.
This is a dumb, careless movie movie populated with vapid characters. The three girls spend most of their time obsessing about themselves and being wrong about sex. The following scene happens about three times: "OMIGOD! I've NEVER had an orgasm! I just THOUGHT I did!" This film has been compared to American Pie, which is pretty funny, because AP actually treated female orgasm more intelligently.
The dialogue is laughable. "He's the bomb, I guess." (regarding a character so scudsy you can't help but wonder if the director has it in for prep school kids.) Most of the adults are gross caricatures. The only two characters who I found remotely tolerable were Mia Farrow (a hippie joke who nonetheless has some smart dialogue.) and what-sis -face from Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza place. In fact, I actually liked his character until he started singing. Oh well.
Stay away from this movie. There are smarter, better films about teenage girls having sex.
Bandwagon (1996)
Great Movie, Great Soundtrack
For a while, I actually recommend this movie at my video store without actually seeing it, because it starred the underknown Kevin Corrigan. I finally put it on to see if I was recommending anything worthwhile. The first thing that grabbed me was the soundtrack. Circus Monkey's "ultra-pop" is some of the best pop music I've ever heard.
But about the movie itself: What's really refreshing about this film is how low-key it is. Too many movies about rock bands fixate on the excess of rock and roll. This is a disarming, understated film about a bunch of normal guys who know how to play. The four leads are engaging, even Steve P. as the band's token jackass. The humor and direction are both very sly, often flying under the viewer's radar until it goes for the payoff. (The train scene is the best example, but I won't spoil it for you.)
There's a couple of inconsistencies that most musicians will catch: Lee Holmes and Matthew Hennessy don't look like they're really playing most of the time; use a quarter as a guitar pick, and you'll break your high E string; NEVER travel more than 100 miles for less than fifty bucks, etc. But this is a sweet movie that just might make you want to join a band.