turner_cinema Reviews

Inland Empire (2006)

As a Lynch fan I was disappointed.

[5/10 · 2 September 2007]

I am a fan of Lynch, I have a book of interviews on him, and a book he wrote about creativity. I thought Mulholland Dr was a masterpiece, and yet INLAND EMPIRE disappointed me.

Its not that INLAND EMPIRE is bad, its just that after all the praise its received I felt that it should have been better. This is basically a Lynch experiment, not a Lynch film. He seems to be utterly fascinated by all the new "gizmos" involved with digital film-making, and thus instead of a story we get a 3 hour film of Lynch having a good time with the new digital era.

For a short while, INLAND EMPIRE almost ALMOST has a plot. Laura Dern plays a washed up actress, Jeremy Irons is a film director, and they set about making a haunted film. I have to wonder, knowing Lynch's style, if this isn't just some joke on his part. Releasing an incomprehensible film and seeing just how many snooty film critics will proclaim it as a masterpiece. Ultimately I can't shake that feeling that this is just Lynch getting sloppy, rather than making a coherent film (which takes work) he instead opts to make an incoherent film (which takes absolutely no work).

Considering I had to wait five years for the next Lynch film it is understandable that I was underwhelmed. Still I think Lynch is very interesting and I will be first in line for his next film, because when he gets it right, he gets it VERY right.

La Notte (1961)

A Beautiful Film

[10/10 · 1 September 2007]

Its better to wander into this film without knowing too much. The performances are all outstanding but the main credit must be handed to the artist behind it all Michelangelo Antonioni. It would have been quite beautiful to have seen this film when it came out, but even after all these years the themes still resonate as true.

I don't want to get into the plot too much, but this film is more about feeling. The friction and differences between husband and wife are explored.

Antonioni doesn't force anything, he allows a scene to play out in proper time. This film is full of symbolism and despair.

Factory Girl (2006)

An Interesting Mess

[5/10 · 1 September 2007]

Alright yea its a mess, but going in KNOWING it is a mess allowed me to view this film with more forgiveness than the average film critic was willing to shell out.

First off there's the acting which is all over the place, some people are doing great while others aren't allowed enough room. Casting Sienna Miller was a good call, its a difficult role to cast but if they felt they had to go with a "name" then Sienna was the right choice. As for Guy Pearce as Andy Warhol, that really worked and its a true shame that the film was such a mess you couldn't realize that Guy Pearce was turning in an excellent performance. Especially if you have seen his work in L.A. Confidential and Memento, I had to remind myself a few times oh yea thats Guy Pearce. Had Factory Girl functioned as a GOOD FILM Guy Pearce would have received much more acclaim.

As for Hayden Christensen, I like him alright as an actor but his role as the Bob Dylan-esquire Musician just wasn't allowed much room. He was crammed into a corner spouting out cliché lines and trying his best to do an impression rather than an interpretation. This film was around 90 minutes long, and it should have been around 2 hours long considering all of the significant characters. You can't just brush by Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan (even though they don't officially call the Bob Dylan character Bob Dylan).

What I did like about this movie was that Warhol was portrayed as a little bit cold and detached, but Sedgwick was portrayed as being equally messed up and responsible for her own downfall. So the blame wasn't placed anywhere. Having actors like Jimmy Fallon and one of the Olsen twins in this movie only made me go "what are they doing here?" Pearce and Miller really did give it there all, and even that wasn't enough to elevate this sometimes incoherent mess. Its a mess, but I was still interested thanks to the two leads. I can't wait until Sienna Miller is given a lead role in a GOOD movie.

Californication (2007–2014)

this show is AWESOME

[10/10 · 20 August 2007]

Seeing as how DULL TV is right now I was shocked to find such a cool television show. I am into shows like Lost (which wont be back on the air till forever), The Office (wont be on the air for another month), and Arrested Development (why was it canceled?). So I didn't think I would be that into californication but for some reason I just loved this show, the characters are real, and in some ways pathetic, thus far I have only seen the pilot as it only premiered a week ago or so but I am already hooked.

I think I like this show because it has honest realistic characters, its also hilarious even if it does have several dramatic elements.

I hope this show lasts because its a true gem!

The Fountain (2006)

Aronofsky: America's Most Brilliant Director

[10/10 · 18 August 2007]

Some would argue David Lynch as America's art house hero, but I would beg to differ, I have to say that Aronofsky is the new man of the hour. Lynch is a talented director but I feel his work is too often recycled (even his recycled work is brilliant though, mind you). If you look at Aronofsky's short list of films you can't help but to be impressed by his diverse efforts. The only similarity between his three films is that they are all beautifully inventive.

First off I have to say, not everyone is going to want to take the trip that is The Fountain, and a lot of close friends didn't find it to be enjoyable because it is not at all easy to process. The Fountain is an unusual film, jerking you between different points within a one thousand year time frame. More than anything what impressed me was the fact that this was such a DISTINCT film, you won't find anything like this out there, if you are in desperate pursuit of NEW cinema then this is it.

The premise is simple, the pursuit for immortality, and the failure of man to attain it. The Fountain is a trip, its an experience, do not expect a typical film or an easy ride, but this is film is ultimately rewarding and fascinating.