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bjmoxnard
Reviews
Auto Focus (2002)
Really good
A really seedy story about a secret sleeze ball. Interestingly told, great performances by Greg Kinnear(Oscar worthy)and William Dafoe. I had read something about Bob Crane and his secret lifestyle that led up to his unsolved murder. This was an unpleasant story that could not have been told better.
The Ring (2002)
Over rated
I do not know what all the fuss is about. It was way too complicated to be scary. The ending was the typical red herring "everything is ok" followed by the bad stuff. Anyway, how did the evil girl work her bad magic while she was down the well. She really didn't have to be set free. Not scared.
Femme Fatale (2002)
Best of De Palma
When his films are good they are really good (Dressed to Kill). When they are bad, like Body Double, they really stink. This is a winner. Romijin-Stamos is hot and used to center the film and her character well. It's stylish in a useful way. The plot tricks are entertaining, not confusing. Go see it.
Soul Assassin (2001)
Fun, Different and Confrontational
I just saw this on DVD . My friend saw it at a screening at The Directors Guild in LA last year and bought it a soon as the new DVD came out. He said it was different and it was. It's an independently produced action thriller with more on it's mind than the usual low budget explosions and murky pseudo film noir effects. The fast cuts, transition edits, hyper modern music, "industrial blue" tints on some scenes, all act as a counterpoint to a story of betrayal and amoral corporate greed (Enron anyone?). The acting by Skeet Ulrich, Derek De Lint and Antoine Kamerling was a B+ (De Lint was really an A).
You should see this film. Especially if you can see it on DVD so you can get the full impact of the sound track.
What I mean by "confrontational" is that based on the comments I have read people either love this film or are bothered by it's unique differences from the norm. I loved it.
The Truth About Charlie (2002)
Good remake
Yeh, I know it's a redo of a beloved Audrey and Cary classic. So what. It was fun on it's own. Puzzled and innocent heroine. No one being really what they seem. Spy counter spy. All well done mind and screen candy. A good date movie. On second thought, probably not worth the $8 admission though. I should have wauited for cable