28 Days

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28 Days is a disappointing horror film. There’s only a few scenes with blood, and the demon that torments Gwen is a unconvincing CGI creation with the voice of Steve Buscemi.

Spot-on!

Lord Ebert approves

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As do his esteemed, intelligent and devastatingly attractive readers, where Delirious is concerned.

What “Delirious” has is knowledge of overnight celebrities and those who feed on them, and insights into the self-contempt of the feeders. So much depends on Buscemi’s performance here, and he has lived in the world of paparazzi targets, just as in “Interview,” he was able to draw on the experience of doing countless publicity interviews. Buscemi plays Les not with disdain, as he might have, but with sympathy for a guy trying to get famous by taking photos of the famous; he is the flea on the flea.

Roger Ebert gives Delirious 3.5 stars. People. This is, in the film world, like Jesus sweeping down from the heavens and shooting you the finger guns and an approving wink as he leaves the theatre.

Welcome to Chicago, DiCillo. I dare say it will be much easier from here on out.

I Think I Was Right

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The only thing decent about this dog is Steve Buscemi in yet another memorable character role.

A notable quote in an otherwise run-of-the-mill movie round-up. Yes, I will rent this movie. No, I will not go in it with an open mind. If you want unbiased journalism, go to CNN. (Oh, wait…)

Fargo is an awesome movie

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Seemingly out of nowhere is this review of Fargo, which is a recommended addition to any bloody and violent movie collection..

Fargo was my second Buscemi movie, with Reservoir Dogs the very first. I had to watch them both while my mother was at work, so I wouldn’t get them taken away. (Hey, I was 12!) If you haven’t had the chance to take a look, do it. Such a great and wonderfully done movie, but what would you expect from the Cohen Brothers?

I think I called this long ago

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Surprise! I Think I Love My Wife was not that good.

 The supporting actors are strong, with Washington and Torres doing everything they can to play out their respective roles, and Steve Buscemi stepping in as Rock’s sleazy coworker constantly warning him away from infidelity. In spite of the prowess of the supporting cast and Rock’s superb comedic timing, I Think I Love My Wife never really gets off the ground.

But hey, if you must have it, you can now officially buy (or rent) the damn thing on DVD.

Bad news for Interview

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For once, everyone agrees. Thumbs down? Damn.

This veneer of pseudo-adult psychological realism doesn’t stop the film from being trashy, awkward and implausible, something like a stage play that might have seemed challenging in 1976. If Eugene O’Neill had tried to write a play about celebrity culture and the decline of journalism, this would be it.

I know I’m supposed to be upset, but I really do love Salon and this (albeit negative) review is funny and written well.

Though less nasty, there’s still no real encouragement to rush out for tickets.

Vaporous and chilled to freezing, “Interview” lacks a single honest moment, but it does have plenty of diverting ones… Two well-matched opponents enter, spar, punch, clinch, flail, break, draw blood (metaphoric, literal), block and knock down. Do they score? Yes and no.

Sigh.

Buscemi’s stark, compelling direction and excellent performances from the actor-director and his co-star, Sienna Miller, are not enough to overcome a cliché-ridden script and paper-thin characters. The overall product is a film that sacrifices authenticity for cleverness at every turn.

 

Chuck and Larry has arrived

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I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, the latest comedy by the very funny Adam Sandler, hits theatres today. Most of the reviews and press so far have been negative, if only for the strong opposition the movie faces with the gay community. (Not to mention that whole “copyright infringement” thing.) As far as I’m concerned, many movies play off stereotypes and this one is no different; in humor, nobody is safe, regardless of how hot the issue is. But hey, nobody asked me. View the movie trailer here, or see below for some mixed reviews. Warning: may contain spoilers.

The Advocate, a massively popular and award winning LGBT website, was one of the first to sound off.

Yahoo! Movies, though not exactly known as the voice of the gay community, was also not amused.

Coming Soon paints a more positive portrait, calling it classic Sandler.

Variety: Relentlessly juvenile and awash in stereotypes.

New York Press: It’s a modern classic. By comparison, Hollywood’s most celebrated gay comedies—In and Out, Chuck and Buck, Blades of Glory, even the laughable Brokeback Mountain—were all failures of nerve.

Tallahassee Democrat: …a sweet, underlying theme that reminds us that people are people regardless of sexual preference. And it somehow gets the message across despite its inordinate amount of gay-stereotype gags.

The biggest surprise, for me at least, was the fairly good review it received from alternative lifestyle magazine Village Voice.

Tremendously savvy in its stupid way, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is as eloquent as Brokeback Mountain, and even more radical.

Well, well. I guess we’ll just have to judge for ourselves… as usual.

Interview bonanza!

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Interview will officially hit very select US theatres tonight in New York and California. Over the next few weeks, it will come to Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas (where I will be waiting when the theatre opens), Washington and Minnesota. Thank you, Sony Pictures Classics! When can you catch a showing? Click here for the full release schedule.

Goodies to tide you over? Why sure! Buscemi did some serious press schmoozing in anticipation for this release, which was a real treat for the fans. Definitely not the norm, as Buscemi is notoriously interview shy and isn’t keen on chatting with reporters. Warning: some articles may contain spoilers. Photo by Wire Image

IFC Q&A on the writing, directing and Theo van Gogh.

AP gives it two stars. Everyone has a different reason to watch a movie. Some go for the actors, not caring much about how good the plot is or how rich the characters come across. Others like a good plot, and don’t mind what names and faces they see so long as the story runs smoothly and plays out well. For the rest of us, there’s the acting - and a belief that a good group of thespians can pull together even the poorest of screenplays. Filmmaking is an art, and like all art it should be interpreted differently from one person to the next and especially when so much of it is focused on character emotions and personality.

Sienna Miller speaks: And now for something completely different! The leading lady gives her take.

The Village Voice likes: Sympathies, revulsions, Mametesque nastiness? Oh yeah.

The original: Official website to 2003’s Interview, directed by Theo van Gogh. Both website and trailer are in Dutch, but that certainly doesn’t ruin the experience. If you’ve seen the remake trailer, it’s already easy to spot the similarities.

Click To Play

Finally, a video interview from The Reeler. It takes a bit to get to Buscemi, but it’s worth it.

Another good review: Paris

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I’m sure you are all getting sick of “Paris this” and “Tuileries that” but I can’t resist just one more review. You’ll see why if you just read on:

The emotions are lower-down in the Tuileries episode by the Coen brothers. I never get enough travel, so to make up for it, I pick up Lonely Planet guides and read about the terrible things that can happen to tourists. Because of this bad habit, I was probably too carried away by this short slapstick comedy set entirely in the Tuileries Metro. Peering into the camera with the reproachfulness of a walloped llama, Steve Buscemi sits; the tour book he’s reading feeds his traveler’s uneasiness. Its text fills the screen, as big as the script in Barton Fink. First, it comforts him with blather (”Paris is a city for lovers of art, for lovers … of love”). Then it jitters him with precautions: “Do not make eye contact with strangers.” Too late, Buscemi’s wayward glance zooms 100 yards right into the furious stare of a jealous Latin rageball across the tracks.

The reproachfulness of a walloped llama… I love it. I think I just found my new tagline.

Paris, Je T’Aime opened May 25, so go see it already!

Can’t go wrong with Paris

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Probably the funniest segment, “Tuileries,” comes from Joel and Ethan Coen and stars one of their favorite players, Buscemi, as an American tourist who breaks one of his guidebook’s cardinal rules while waiting on the Metro platform (”Eye contact should be avoided!”). Just the extreme close-ups of his expressive mug are good for a laugh, but then the situation becomes hilarious as it steadily grows more violent.

Let’s stop for a moment here. A project, consisting of 18 short films from some of the world’s top directors, featuring some of the world’s best actors? Sign me up, and soon. In Paris, Je T’aime, you’ll see Steve Buscemi (of course), Sandino Moreno, Nick Nolte, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gina Rowlands, Natalie Portman, Elijah Woods… and the trailer will completely hook anyone who isn’t already salivating for more.

It’s not sexy or stylish or glamorous or any of the things you might assume Paris would be before going there. But of all the segments that comprise the film, it comes the closest to depicting honestly what it feels like to fall in love.

And really, who wouldn’t want a reminder of that? [Source]

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