25th Hour (2002)

Me and Spike Lee will always be on a different page. He must of had some real issues with racism when he was a kid, because it seems to be sewn into all his films. Yes, I get it, your "masterpiece", Do The Right Thing, was a film about racism, ok, but must every film go back to this? While the film isn't primarily about racism, it has a racist rant for a few minutes about all the people of New York, when it added little to the film.

Aside of the rant, and a few other moments, the film was average, it really didn't do much me. I had a feeling already that the film had to send out some message, and it's what the film does. If Spike ever dropped his ego, or whatever is holding him back from making another decent film since Do the Right Thing, then he might deserve some respect, but he's been at it for 32 years, and it's the same old story TIME AFTER TIME.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I believe this was my second complete viewing of the film, and I was able to comprehend it lots more this time, probably because I was able to pay better attention this time, seeing it alone. Anyways, it's definitely not an ordinary movie, it's really trippy, but it does make sense. This film certainly merits a second viewing if you didn't "get it" the first time, because I know I wasn't truly fascinated by the film the first time, mostly since the middle of the film, while awe-spiring, it's confusing, but the end of the movie seals the deal.

I've seen people call it too artsy, pretentious, etc.. but in a way, it's as good a theory as any of how the mind works. It's a shame that this movie didn't atleast get a nomination for editing because it's the one factor of production this movie couldn't get through without. The writing, directing and acting is practically flawless in this film.

This is a film you really need to watch if you haven't yet, it's one of the best films of the decade, practically flawless all around (though there are better films). You wont be disappointed, well maybe the first time around, but believe me, some day you wont.

Gun Crazy (1950)

Within about ten minutes into the movie I could tell this was going to stupid. Well, I guess it's not spoiling too much if I tell you the central character loves guns, well yeah, with a plain silly scene that defines the premise of the film.

There just isn't much going for the picture. You could care less about the central character, his girl, or anybody that gets shot. Also the action basically occurs in a montage with the exception for like two or three quick scenes, then it's very predictable all around. I just couldn't get into the film. The acting stunk, the writing was just bad, and so on.

Before I continue this review which is surely as confusing by now as the film confused me to why it received a 7.9 on IMDB, and it's place on The National Film Registry. Like an Oscar speech: I'd like to thank all the fools for this recommendation, swell waste of time!

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

This is the one film that even "normal" movie goers might have heard of, I heard about it ages ago, and I was looking forward to checking it out now. Honestly I had no idea what the movie was about, and to my surprise, the character development wasn't all that bad. The movie was decent in comparison to some of Russ Meyer's other films.

Also to my surprise, world renowned film-critic, Robert Ebert, wrote the screenplay as well as created the story. I actually gained respect for the guy, as I always pictured him as a snobbish kind, but now you know he's anything but class.

The film is pretty much about "sex, drugs, and rock n roll" in the Los Angelos valley. While Hollywood in comparison to his older films, the editing is so bad, it's annoying at points, and it's unbelievable that a respectable studio actually released this film with the amount breasts displayed in this film. I might be wrong, but this was probably a breakthrough in studio films as far censorship is concerned, because I can't think of a film this trashy to come out of a big studio before 1970.

Do I recommend this film? Yes, if you're not snobbish. If you like breasts, you have a sense of humor, and you have an interest in exploitation films, this is a must. Even if you are snobbish, this film holds historical value for being a commercially successful exploit, and it's effect on studio censorship.

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Another film I was looking forward to, but it was a major upset. "You've Got Mail" is a remake of this film, though it's fairly different in it's own right, and because I liked You've Got Mail, I thought I'd love this, considering it's the original, and it stars James Stewart.

Speaking of James Stewart, the lovers in this one are too Disney-ish; too merry, predictable, and unbelievable. I think an older Stewart, and a better script, with an adult treatment, with realistic scenarios would of been better. Part of the blame though comes to the time it was made, 1940, romances were too "star crossed lovers", "gay", "honey, I'm home", you get my drift?

I basically forced myself through this one to see the differences between this and the "remake" and I must admit that I wouldn't have known that this was the original to You've Got Mail, because it's far different, on many more details than just e-mail vs standard postal mail. Between "To Be or Not to Be" and this, Ernst Lubitsch isn't leaving a real good taste in my mouth.