135 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(02/01/07 3:59am)
I'm not a very experimental person. I enjoy predictability and while Sony has made vast improvements in its different video game systems, the model remains relatively similar: disc games and the same incarnation of controllers. Playstations are my comfort food. It's hard to believe that two letters and a number (PS3) could bring so much happiness into one's life. The graphics are creepily realistic, game controls aren't overly impossible and the controllers are now wireless and extremely light. On the downside, the system itself is a beast. The size isn't a huge deal, as the system just sits on a shelf, although someday soon that shelf may break. To go along with its HD-capable clarity is the ability to play new BluRay DVDs, although with movies costing about $35, this feature will go unused until prices drop.\nUpon encountering the Nintendo Wii, I was expecting to be amazed by its motion-censor capabilities, but to be overly tired by the end of gameplay. To ask someone who's spent 19 years of video-gaming on a couch to get up and move around is asking a lot. But after playing "Wii Sports," I felt that perhaps I had purchased the wrong gaming system. The PS3 offers some motion-censored activity but not much (free throws in "NBA2K7" require the player to shoot in a throwing motion). It is so much fun to bowl realistically, plus I kicked ass at it. "Mario Tennis" is one of the greatest games ever, but Wii allows players to actually practice their backhand and have a Richie Tenenbaum-style meltdown if their game goes downhill. It doesn't take that much effort to move your arm back and forth. I didn't like playing baseball -- and here's why some younger kids might not enjoy Wii -- because it actually required some athletic skill, and well, I suck at baseball. All those unathletic 10-year-olds who escape sports through video games may soon be experiencing some temporary embarrassment when they strike out constantly.\nUnfortunately, the fun of Wii sports didn't transfer as much for regular games. In "Call of Duty 3" for Playstation 3, the battles are so frighteningly real I often have to pause to go shudder in a fetal position in the corner. On Wii, it was impossible to figure out how to actually play. I died as quickly as I would have if I were actually in a war. The graphics for Wii's "Duty" were nowhere near as impressive as those of the PS3. The cartoonish look might work for "Wii Sports" and any of the creepily super-happy fun type of games Nintendo releases, but not for action-packed titles.\nI've never been a huge X-Box fan for the sole reason that I've only played a few times. I'm extremely jealous of the large variety of games 360 offers, but PS3 is still brand new, so give it a few months and more titles will be available. Hopefully these new releases will include "Gears of War" and "Lost Planet." Both imagine a world that's been inhabited by giant bugs and are extremely entertaining.
(02/01/07 3:44am)
For a movie-goer, Oscar season is like bulimia: There's so much great cinema, glamorous movie stars and Billy Crystal to gorge on, but when your favorites are overlooked and the ceremony is overexposed, Oscar, too, can leave you drained, feeling empty and crying in a bathroom stall. \nAnd the nominees are...\n"Little Miss Sunshine?" Little Miss #$@%&*$ Sunshine? I can't believe it has been nominated for Best Picture. I still don't. Upon reading the nominees, I let out a yell of rage to the surprise of many extremely frightened students sitting in a Ballantine computer lab. Why? Why did this happen? The ruthless for-your-consideration marketing campaign obviously helped. If only the film was as good as its bright yellow poster. No film this year received more undeserved audience and critic adoration. Oh, what a quirky little original indie comedy, people raved. No! The film was anything but that, what with its intentionally contrived characters. A father who divides people into winners or losers, a silent Nietzsche-worshiping teenager, a horny grandpa, among others -- all designed to be so artificially over the top that they become real. Only I didn't fall for the trick. \nTruthfully the movie wasn't terrible. I understand why people find it funny and little Abigail Breslin was fantastic, but is this really one of the top five movies of the year? There were much better films that could have taken up that fifth slot. \nYet, as undeserved as the nomination is, some good does come from it. The Academy is finally recognizing old-fashioned comedy. It's no secret that the Academy isn't the biggest fan of humor. Of the past 50 Best Picture nominees, only nine can be considered comedies and these include movies such as "Life is Beautiful" and "Shakespeare in Love" (which don't necessarily scream happiness). It's great the Academy is learning to smile, but why couldn't the nod have been given to "Borat," hands-down the funniest, smartest movie of the year? And no acting nod for Sacha Baron Cohen? Yes, the foreigner impression is funny, but also consider the danger Cohen put himself in and his insane improv skills. \nThe other four top contenders include "Babel," "The Departed," "The Queen" and another unworthy film, "Letters from Iwo Jima." Now don't get me wrong, "Letters" was an excellent film, but we shouldn't be talking about it until next year. The second part of Clint Eastwood's Iwo Jima epic wasn't supposed to come out until mid-February. But when "Flags of Our Fathers" tanked at the box office (and it just plain sucked), all its Oscar chances were shot down. Warner Bros. then moved the "Letters" release date up to make it eligible for contention, a sneaky albeit very wise move. The Academy loves Clint and he is a great filmmaker. But there's a good chance they'll give him yet another Oscar and well, to be cliché, it's about time Martin Scorsese gets his. Alejandro González Iñárritu deserves the win for "Babel," but if the Academy plans on giving Scorsese an actual Oscar instead of a lifetime achievement award, "The Departed" is the film to do it for. It's a flashback to his older great gangster films and far surpasses his other recent efforts. \n"Little Miss Sunshine's" inclusion meant "Dreamgirls" got kicked out of the top race, but this isn't as big a surprise as people are making it up to be. The film didn't live up to the high prestige its Cannes preview suggested. So much drama was packed into two short hours that the storyline was extremely rushed. The movie was still great though, mainly because of Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. It's no secret Murphy can sing, he's been doing it since his "Saturday Night Live" days, but he finally put his voice to good use (although "Party All the Time" still rocks). And Miss Hudson, well, her voice is … hard to describe. At the end of "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going," I went to turn to my friend to say "Wow." Only instead of forming words, a giant wad of spit shot out of my mouth. The film still earned the most nominations, mainly because of three Best Song nominees. Beyonce's "Listen" was a no-brainer, but the addition of the wonderful "Love You I Do" means Hudson will be performing as well (insert 867 exclamation points here). \nNo big upsets came in the lead acting categories, although Ryan Gosling was included for "Half Nelson." Initially it was feared that not enough voters had seen the film. Same thing happened last year for "Junebug's" Amy Adams. Here's a new campaign technique: Don't try to get nominated; complain that while you deserve a nomination, it's doubtful it will happen. Voters might throw in a sympathy vote or not want to be the one's who overlooked something great. Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker still appear to be virtual locks, although (and here's where I go to hell) Whitaker's performance as dictator Idi Amin wouldn't have been half as terrifying if it weren't for his lazy eye.\nDirk Diggler himself, Mark Wahlberg, might be able to accept a different kind of golden statue than he did in "Boogie Nights" for his supporting actor nomination for "The Departed." I was hoping co-star Martin Sheen's much more calm and subtle work would've gotten the nod, but since Warner was pushing for either Wahlberg or Jack Nicholson, Sheen didn't have much of a chance. Other overlooked performances include Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci in "The Devil Wears Prada" (it's no easy feat to give Meryl a run for her money), Michael Sheen for "The Queen" (creepy how much he resembled Tony Blair), Aaron Eckhart's suave skills in "Thank You For Smoking" and the lack of recognition in general for "Volver." Although Penelope Cruz is nominated, the film deserved much more, including a supporting nod for Lola Dueñas and screenplay and direction for Pedro Almodóvar's insanely original story. Somehow it is inexplicably excluded from the foreign language film race. Constant omission of some favorites always leaves me wishing there could be more than five nominee slots. Also when calling the Academy dumb, I always have to remind myself that this is the combined opinion of thousands of voters, not one single person. At the same time, that means more than one person thought in such idiotic ways. \nFor the most part, the nominees are predictable, but predictability comes for a reason: Those nominated really do deserve it. "The Departed" was such a great mindfuck of a movie I felt like my own parents might murder me. "The Queen" is a fascinating examination of old-time morals and how easily public opinion can be swayed by the media. The scene in "Babel" demonstrating the world of a deaf girl on ecstasy is astonishing. I'm off to inject myself with whatever it is that keeps Joan Rivers going this time of the year.
(01/18/07 5:00am)
After dabbling in Hollywood fare such as "Blade 2" and "Hellboy," Mexican director Guillermo del Toro returns to his native Spanish tongue with the excellent "Pan's Labyrinth." \nSet during the final days of the Spanish Civil War of the 1940s, the film tells the story of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero -- enough about Abigail Breslin in "Little Miss Sunshine," this is the child performance of the year), a young girl who moves to the countryside after her pregnant mother is remarried to a military captain. The captain, a soulless prick of a man, is set on running out hiding rebels. Complications arise with Ofelia's mother's pregnancy, leaving her in constant bedrest. Left to fend for herself, Ofelia copes by imagining herself immersed in a fairy tale world (whether this world is real or not is up to the viewer to decide). A mysterious looking faun named Pan (who could kick "Narnia's" Mr. Tumnus' ass any day) tells her she is the reincarnated soul of a princess from an underground world who must perform three tasks in order to restore glory to her kingdom.\nDel Toro takes a different approach to the fairy tale story aspect of the film. While the story is of basic structure, its execution is much darker. The creative team uses a mix of fantastic makeup, puppetry and CGI to design the gloomy world of the labyrinth and the creatures that inhabit it. Don't expect beautiful castles and glass slippers -- the film's fairies resemble praying mantis', and no words can do justice to just how creepy the character of the Pale-man is (with his skin hanging off and eyes attached to his hands).\nWhile the fairy tale is fun, it is del Toro's narrative that shines, weaving both reality and fantasy to study how a child deals with living in a hopeless world. The story becomes even more engaging when the captain learns of the villagers' involvement with the rebel forces, and he will go to any length to stop them (lots of violence ensues that's not suitable for the squeamish). \n"Labyrinth" is a lock for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay Oscar nominations and hopefully, but not likely, a Best Picture nod. "Pan's Labyrinth" may leave you emotionally distraught, but it's a film not to be missed.
(01/18/07 5:00am)
Somehow I didn't see either of 2006's magician movies ("The Prestige" being the other) in theaters so I can't compare the two. That's a good thing, because "The Illusionist" is a fine film on its own that shouldn't only be weighed against something similar.\nEdward Norton plays Eisenheim, a popular magician in 1900 Vienna. Eisenheim's shows capture the attention of the city's Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), who swears him as an enemy when Eisenheim forms a relationship with his fiancée (Jessica Biel, finally in a role that doesn't require her to just be hot.) Leopold assigns his chief policeman Uhl (Paul Giamatti) to watch over Eisenheim until problems arise and cause Uhl to doubt his loyalties. \nThe film is beautifully photographed, largely thanks to the location (most of which was shot in Prague), the elaborate costumes of the day (done by costumer Ngila Dickinson) and the theatrical sets (designed by Ondrej Nekvasil). Lighting is especially well-used, as electricity didn't exist at the time. Only natural lighting and candles appear to have been used, creating a darkened, entrancing effect that slightly evokes the feel of silent era films. As this is a film about magic there's plenty of eye-candy (eerie spirits arise, objects fly, plants grow at alarming speeds). It's nice to see constant visual effects that don't involve dragons for a change. Norton and Giamatti give calm but always confident performances (traits of musicians and showmen of the time), but then again they rarely ever fail. \nThere's only a few special features including a making-of featurette, which mostly only shows clips from the film and an interview with Jessica Biel (most of which is used in the making-of feature). However, for those who have time to invest a second viewing of the film, director Neil Berger's commentary is fascinating. He discusses many subtleties one wouldn't catch upon first viewing and describes the art of magic. We learn that many of the effects in the film were actually performed rather than using CGI (pretty cool, if you've seen the tricks).
(01/18/07 5:00am)
I love Hollywood, I really do, but sometimes the big studios can really piss me off. Example: "Idiocracy." Here's a good comedy (albeit not great, but better compared to most films released these days) that got shelved for more than a year, barely received a theatrical release (only 125 theaters in seven cities) and was left to die on DVD, all because Fox didn't feel it was marketable. Interesting, because if audiences just gave the film a chance, it might actually have been a moderate word-of-mouth hit.\nIn the film, director and writer Mike Judge ("Office Space," "King of the Hill") imagines a future where evolution didn't quite work out the way it's supposed to. A present day Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) is selected by the Army to participate in a "hibernation program." He's frozen (think "Austin Powers") and supposed to re-emerge in a year. Complications arise and Joe wakes up 500 years in the future. The world is very different in 2505. Instead of intellectually and technologically advancing as most films imagine the future, society has actually regressed. Landfills cover the world, a Gatorade-like substance has replaced water, Starbucks now offers handjobs, the restaurant Fuddruckers has changed its name to Buttfuckers. People are unintelligent, overweight and basically the epitome of white trash. Joe discovers that he is now the smartest person in the world. And while first persecuted for his intellect ("you talk like a fag" the yokels tell him), it is eventually up to him to return society to its old ways.\nJudge has conceived a smart concept and critique of our current society. The opening sequence that explains how the world came to such a stage seems creepily plausible. The low-brow jokes (farts, asses, sex, etc.) that make up the culture of the new society are funny but do tire out a bit after 90 minutes. \nThe film is inexcusably absent of special features except for a few measly deleted scenes that barely amount to three minutes. Where's Mike Judge's commentary on why he pictures our world this way? Where's the explanation of why the film got screwed over? What a wasted opportunity. Rent the movie though, it's a good candidate to join comedies like "Old School" and "Super Troopers" on constant dorm room rotation.
(01/18/07 5:00am)
Ahh January, what a crappy month. All the studios dump movies that weren't good enough to be released last year, and TV has yet to pull stunts for February sweeps. One can't help but fantasize of better things to come. Here's a look at some of the most anticipated entertainment events of 2007:\nThe Sara Silverman Project -- At last the hilarious comedienne finally gets her own TV show on Comedy Central. In the meantime, rent her hilarious concert film, "Jesus is Magic." (Feb. 1)\nPrince at the Superbowl Halftime Show -- The Superbowl has played it so safe in the last two years since the Janet Jackson fiasco (come on, one titty never hurt anyone) it's a wonder they haven't hired The Wiggles for show duties. Sure Prince's Jehovah's Witness beliefs ensure no foul play, but that doesn't mean he still won't funk. (Feb. 4)\n"Zodiac" -- Director David Fincher ("Se7en," "Fight Club") returns with his first film in five years about a journalist following a serial killer over the course of a decade. (March 2)\n"Grindhouse" -- Insane directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino team up to salute violent B movies. Last time Tarantino paid homage to something, the result was the awesome "Kill Bill" series. Did I mention Rose McGowan has a machine gun for a leg? (April 6)\n "Entourage" Season 4 -- For naysayers who felt last season wasn't up to snuff, here are eight words: "Is that something you might be interested in?" It'll be fun to see how Vinny and the boys work (if at all) sans Ari. Plus rumor has it Martin Scorsese has signed up to direct an HBO original movie of "Queens Boulevard." OK, I completely made that up, but how sweet would that be? (April 8)\n"The Nanny Diaries" -- Hollywood hasn't recently provided America with a nanny they'd actually want to take care of them. Getting to tra-la-la around London with Mary Poppins would've rocked, but that was 40 years ago. Newer caretakers have included Fran Drescher and Supernanny Jo Frost, blech. Scarlett Johansson, now that's nurturing. (April 20)\nThe songwriting competition on "American Idol" -- Finally, I've been saying Fox should do this for years! Now contestants will be separated from those who are just good performers and those who actually know something about music. (Spring)\n"Spider-Man 3" -- The Spider-Man films are the best current superhero flicks hands down. And who can blame Spidey for getting all dark (just what the hell is that black sticky crap?) when he's forced to fight a man made of sand. (May 4)\n"On The Lot" -- Yet another reality show contest, this time giving aspiring filmmakers a chance to break out. Yes, "Project Greenlight" already did this, but "Lot" has Steven Spielberg in charge. (May)\nThe iPhone -- Hmm should I be concerned that this everything-in-one device will guarantee machines enslaving mankind, or should I be a good little American consumer and buy one? Option 2, of course. (June)\n"Ratatouille" -- The latest Disney/Pixar offering doesn't look quite as clever as past hits like "Monsters Inc." and "Finding Nemo." That being said, I thought "The Incredibles" and "Cars" were going to suck. Shows how much I know. (June 29)\nHarry Potter -- Harry has two big events coming up this year with the fifth film, "The Order of the Phoenix," and seventh book, "The Deathly Hallows" (hopefully, no date has been set for the book release). Helena Bonham Carter and Imelda Staunton have been perfectly cast as evil-doers Bellatrix Lestrange and Professor Umbridge. While I've been agonizing over the release of the last book, I'm not sure if I want to live in a world where there's no new Harry Potter to look forward to. (Movie: July 13; Book: TBA)\n"The Simpsons Movie" -- As a loyal fan, it pains me to say that the show is wearing in its old age (now in its 18th season.) But top writers from the series' run have been called in, so I'll try to be optimistic. (July 27)\n"Sweeney Todd" -- Tim Burton directs the film based on the popular Stephen Sondheim musical. Recent musicals like "Dreamgirls" and "Chicago" have been all about the flash, but this one will be much darker, revolving around a psychotic barber who murders his enemies and cooks them into pies at his girlfriend's restaurant. Borat himself, Sacha Baron Cohen, co-stars. (Fall)\n"Fred Claus" -- Vince Vaughn doing what he does best: Playing a slacker. Freeloader Fred lives off his famous brother, Santa Claus. It could have "Elf"potential. (Nov. 4)\nThe Whitney Houston comeback -- It's no secret Whitney's itchin' for a return what with her ditching her bacterial husband and looking all dolled up for nights on the town with Clive Davis. But Whitney, pull a surprise attack. Open the Grammys or some other event with an unannounced performance and remind us all just how stunning that voice is.\nJennifer Hudson -- Speaking of Clive Davis and his divas, the producer recently signed "Dreamgirls'" Jennifer Hudson. Her album doesn't even have to be that great. Any time she belts out, my ears orgasm. (TBA)\nKanye West, "Graduation" -- Most people are sick of Kanye's constant over-the-top antics (when you've won Grammys, who cares about an MTV European video award?) but he's got the talent to back his actions. (TBA)\nThe new Die Hard (with "Rocky Balboa" being surprisingly good, maybe John McClane's got it in him), the actual arrival of Guns n' Roses' "Chinese Democracy, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End" and "Shrek the Third" should make 2007 an entertaining one.
(01/18/07 12:46am)
Ahh January, what a crappy month. All the studios dump movies that weren't good enough to be released last year, and TV has yet to pull stunts for February sweeps. One can't help but fantasize of better things to come. Here's a look at some of the most anticipated entertainment events of 2007:\nThe Sara Silverman Project -- At last the hilarious comedienne finally gets her own TV show on Comedy Central. In the meantime, rent her hilarious concert film, "Jesus is Magic." (Feb. 1)\nPrince at the Superbowl Halftime Show -- The Superbowl has played it so safe in the last two years since the Janet Jackson fiasco (come on, one titty never hurt anyone) it's a wonder they haven't hired The Wiggles for show duties. Sure Prince's Jehovah's Witness beliefs ensure no foul play, but that doesn't mean he still won't funk. (Feb. 4)\n"Zodiac" -- Director David Fincher ("Se7en," "Fight Club") returns with his first film in five years about a journalist following a serial killer over the course of a decade. (March 2)\n"Grindhouse" -- Insane directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino team up to salute violent B movies. Last time Tarantino paid homage to something, the result was the awesome "Kill Bill" series. Did I mention Rose McGowan has a machine gun for a leg? (April 6)\n "Entourage" Season 4 -- For naysayers who felt last season wasn't up to snuff, here are eight words: "Is that something you might be interested in?" It'll be fun to see how Vinny and the boys work (if at all) sans Ari. Plus rumor has it Martin Scorsese has signed up to direct an HBO original movie of "Queens Boulevard." OK, I completely made that up, but how sweet would that be? (April 8)\n"The Nanny Diaries" -- Hollywood hasn't recently provided America with a nanny they'd actually want to take care of them. Getting to tra-la-la around London with Mary Poppins would've rocked, but that was 40 years ago. Newer caretakers have included Fran Drescher and Supernanny Jo Frost, blech. Scarlett Johansson, now that's nurturing. (April 20)\nThe songwriting competition on "American Idol" -- Finally, I've been saying Fox should do this for years! Now contestants will be separated from those who are just good performers and those who actually know something about music. (Spring)\n"Spider-Man 3" -- The Spider-Man films are the best current superhero flicks hands down. And who can blame Spidey for getting all dark (just what the hell is that black sticky crap?) when he's forced to fight a man made of sand. (May 4)\n"On The Lot" -- Yet another reality show contest, this time giving aspiring filmmakers a chance to break out. Yes, "Project Greenlight" already did this, but "Lot" has Steven Spielberg in charge. (May)\nThe iPhone -- Hmm should I be concerned that this everything-in-one device will guarantee machines enslaving mankind, or should I be a good little American consumer and buy one? Option 2, of course. (June)\n"Ratatouille" -- The latest Disney/Pixar offering doesn't look quite as clever as past hits like "Monsters Inc." and "Finding Nemo." That being said, I thought "The Incredibles" and "Cars" were going to suck. Shows how much I know. (June 29)\nHarry Potter -- Harry has two big events coming up this year with the fifth film, "The Order of the Phoenix," and seventh book, "The Deathly Hallows" (hopefully, no date has been set for the book release). Helena Bonham Carter and Imelda Staunton have been perfectly cast as evil-doers Bellatrix Lestrange and Professor Umbridge. While I've been agonizing over the release of the last book, I'm not sure if I want to live in a world where there's no new Harry Potter to look forward to. (Movie: July 13; Book: TBA)\n"The Simpsons Movie" -- As a loyal fan, it pains me to say that the show is wearing in its old age (now in its 18th season.) But top writers from the series' run have been called in, so I'll try to be optimistic. (July 27)\n"Sweeney Todd" -- Tim Burton directs the film based on the popular Stephen Sondheim musical. Recent musicals like "Dreamgirls" and "Chicago" have been all about the flash, but this one will be much darker, revolving around a psychotic barber who murders his enemies and cooks them into pies at his girlfriend's restaurant. Borat himself, Sacha Baron Cohen, co-stars. (Fall)\n"Fred Claus" -- Vince Vaughn doing what he does best: Playing a slacker. Freeloader Fred lives off his famous brother, Santa Claus. It could have "Elf"potential. (Nov. 4)\nThe Whitney Houston comeback -- It's no secret Whitney's itchin' for a return what with her ditching her bacterial husband and looking all dolled up for nights on the town with Clive Davis. But Whitney, pull a surprise attack. Open the Grammys or some other event with an unannounced performance and remind us all just how stunning that voice is.\nJennifer Hudson -- Speaking of Clive Davis and his divas, the producer recently signed "Dreamgirls'" Jennifer Hudson. Her album doesn't even have to be that great. Any time she belts out, my ears orgasm. (TBA)\nKanye West, "Graduation" -- Most people are sick of Kanye's constant over-the-top antics (when you've won Grammys, who cares about an MTV European video award?) but he's got the talent to back his actions. (TBA)\nThe new Die Hard (with "Rocky Balboa" being surprisingly good, maybe John McClane's got it in him), the actual arrival of Guns n' Roses' "Chinese Democracy, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End" and "Shrek the Third" should make 2007 an entertaining one.
(01/18/07 12:35am)
I love Hollywood, I really do, but sometimes the big studios can really piss me off. Example: "Idiocracy." Here's a good comedy (albeit not great, but better compared to most films released these days) that got shelved for more than a year, barely received a theatrical release (only 125 theaters in seven cities) and was left to die on DVD, all because Fox didn't feel it was marketable. Interesting, because if audiences just gave the film a chance, it might actually have been a moderate word-of-mouth hit.\nIn the film, director and writer Mike Judge ("Office Space," "King of the Hill") imagines a future where evolution didn't quite work out the way it's supposed to. A present day Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) is selected by the Army to participate in a "hibernation program." He's frozen (think "Austin Powers") and supposed to re-emerge in a year. Complications arise and Joe wakes up 500 years in the future. The world is very different in 2505. Instead of intellectually and technologically advancing as most films imagine the future, society has actually regressed. Landfills cover the world, a Gatorade-like substance has replaced water, Starbucks now offers handjobs, the restaurant Fuddruckers has changed its name to Buttfuckers. People are unintelligent, overweight and basically the epitome of white trash. Joe discovers that he is now the smartest person in the world. And while first persecuted for his intellect ("you talk like a fag" the yokels tell him), it is eventually up to him to return society to its old ways.\nJudge has conceived a smart concept and critique of our current society. The opening sequence that explains how the world came to such a stage seems creepily plausible. The low-brow jokes (farts, asses, sex, etc.) that make up the culture of the new society are funny but do tire out a bit after 90 minutes. \nThe film is inexcusably absent of special features except for a few measly deleted scenes that barely amount to three minutes. Where's Mike Judge's commentary on why he pictures our world this way? Where's the explanation of why the film got screwed over? What a wasted opportunity. Rent the movie though, it's a good candidate to join comedies like "Old School" and "Super Troopers" on constant dorm room rotation.
(01/17/07 10:45pm)
Somehow I didn't see either of 2006's magician movies ("The Prestige" being the other) in theaters so I can't compare the two. That's a good thing, because "The Illusionist" is a fine film on its own that shouldn't only be weighed against something similar.\nEdward Norton plays Eisenheim, a popular magician in 1900 Vienna. Eisenheim's shows capture the attention of the city's Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), who swears him as an enemy when Eisenheim forms a relationship with his fiancée (Jessica Biel, finally in a role that doesn't require her to just be hot.) Leopold assigns his chief policeman Uhl (Paul Giamatti) to watch over Eisenheim until problems arise and cause Uhl to doubt his loyalties. \nThe film is beautifully photographed, largely thanks to the location (most of which was shot in Prague), the elaborate costumes of the day (done by costumer Ngila Dickinson) and the theatrical sets (designed by Ondrej Nekvasil). Lighting is especially well-used, as electricity didn't exist at the time. Only natural lighting and candles appear to have been used, creating a darkened, entrancing effect that slightly evokes the feel of silent era films. As this is a film about magic there's plenty of eye-candy (eerie spirits arise, objects fly, plants grow at alarming speeds). It's nice to see constant visual effects that don't involve dragons for a change. Norton and Giamatti give calm but always confident performances (traits of musicians and showmen of the time), but then again they rarely ever fail. \nThere's only a few special features including a making-of featurette, which mostly only shows clips from the film and an interview with Jessica Biel (most of which is used in the making-of feature). However, for those who have time to invest a second viewing of the film, director Neil Berger's commentary is fascinating. He discusses many subtleties one wouldn't catch upon first viewing and describes the art of magic. We learn that many of the effects in the film were actually performed rather than using CGI (pretty cool, if you've seen the tricks).
(01/17/07 10:44pm)
After dabbling in Hollywood fare such as "Blade 2" and "Hellboy," Mexican director Guillermo del Toro returns to his native Spanish tongue with the excellent "Pan's Labyrinth." \nSet during the final days of the Spanish Civil War of the 1940s, the film tells the story of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero -- enough about Abigail Breslin in "Little Miss Sunshine," this is the child performance of the year), a young girl who moves to the countryside after her pregnant mother is remarried to a military captain. The captain, a soulless prick of a man, is set on running out hiding rebels. Complications arise with Ofelia's mother's pregnancy, leaving her in constant bedrest. Left to fend for herself, Ofelia copes by imagining herself immersed in a fairy tale world (whether this world is real or not is up to the viewer to decide). A mysterious looking faun named Pan (who could kick "Narnia's" Mr. Tumnus' ass any day) tells her she is the reincarnated soul of a princess from an underground world who must perform three tasks in order to restore glory to her kingdom.\nDel Toro takes a different approach to the fairy tale story aspect of the film. While the story is of basic structure, its execution is much darker. The creative team uses a mix of fantastic makeup, puppetry and CGI to design the gloomy world of the labyrinth and the creatures that inhabit it. Don't expect beautiful castles and glass slippers -- the film's fairies resemble praying mantis', and no words can do justice to just how creepy the character of the Pale-man is (with his skin hanging off and eyes attached to his hands).\nWhile the fairy tale is fun, it is del Toro's narrative that shines, weaving both reality and fantasy to study how a child deals with living in a hopeless world. The story becomes even more engaging when the captain learns of the villagers' involvement with the rebel forces, and he will go to any length to stop them (lots of violence ensues that's not suitable for the squeamish). \n"Labyrinth" is a lock for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay Oscar nominations and hopefully, but not likely, a Best Picture nod. "Pan's Labyrinth" may leave you emotionally distraught, but it's a film not to be missed.
(01/12/07 9:00pm)
It's January and as Hollywood looks toward the upcoming year ahead, we offer some New Year's resolutions.\nBritney Spears: Come on Brit, at least try. You keep complaining about the media misrepresenting your life. I feel for you. If the paparazzi ever were to come down to Kirkwood and see the drunkenness of half our school, we'd be all over the headlines of Us Weekly, too. Try to look alive for the cameras. Regularly wearing underwear might be a good start.\nZach Braff: Don't aspire too high. "The Last Kiss" proved you're not the huge box-office draw people expected after "Garden State." Don't leave "Scrubs" after this season to pursue a movie career. It's been one of the few shows that improves every season and you won't realize how great a job you had until it's gone.\nUgly Betty: It's time to start dressing up. You've repeatedly proved your moral superiority over all those fashionista bitches at Mode Magazine, but that still doesn't mean you can't conform a little and buy something nice. Those second-grade picture-day sweaters look so damn itchy.\nNew Line Cinemas: Quit whining and just hand over the money supposedly owed to Peter Jackson for "The Lord of the Rings" movies. This way, he'll agree to direct "The Hobbit" and both regular and Middle-Earth will be happy.\nMTV: Stop offering sweet-ass magazine internships on reality shows like "The Hills" and "I'm From Rolling Stone." As an aspiring journalist, how the hell are people like me supposed to get our dream jobs when we're forced to compete with hot, insecure, alcoholic "Real World" rejects? \n"Grey's Anatomy": Calm down the insane medical scenarios. For once, it'd be nice to see a regular patient enter Seattle Grace, not conjoined twins or somebody with a tree through his stomach.\nNancy Meyers and Alejandro González Iñárritu: Trade places. Ms. Meyers, your films ("The Holiday") are always so uplifting and happy while Mr. Iñárritu's ("Babel) always leave the audience feeling like rape victims. Try each other's style for a change. Meyers can take on a darker story line, while Iñárritu learns not everything in the world has to be so depressing.\nKate Winslet: Gain some confidence. Stop taking all these ugly duckling roles. \nSuperman: Cheer up! 2006 was supposed to be your comeback year; instead you got schooled at the box office by a flamboyant pirate. It's understandable that with Bond turning vulnerable and Spider-Man about to get all dark, there's pressure for heroes to be deep and meaningful. But you're America's greatest hero. Pop some anti-depressants and stop being so emo. And ditch Lois' kid. Even if it is yours, the last thing you need is a son. Jor-El left you with so many father issues, by being a dad, you'll only overcompensate to the point that the kid will hate you.
(01/12/07 5:00am)
It's January and as Hollywood looks toward the upcoming year ahead, we offer some New Year's resolutions.\nBritney Spears: Come on Brit, at least try. You keep complaining about the media misrepresenting your life. I feel for you. If the paparazzi ever were to come down to Kirkwood and see the drunkenness of half our school, we'd be all over the headlines of Us Weekly, too. Try to look alive for the cameras. Regularly wearing underwear might be a good start.\nZach Braff: Don't aspire too high. "The Last Kiss" proved you're not the huge box-office draw people expected after "Garden State." Don't leave "Scrubs" after this season to pursue a movie career. It's been one of the few shows that improves every season and you won't realize how great a job you had until it's gone.\nUgly Betty: It's time to start dressing up. You've repeatedly proved your moral superiority over all those fashionista bitches at Mode Magazine, but that still doesn't mean you can't conform a little and buy something nice. Those second-grade picture-day sweaters look so damn itchy.\nNew Line Cinemas: Quit whining and just hand over the money supposedly owed to Peter Jackson for "The Lord of the Rings" movies. This way, he'll agree to direct "The Hobbit" and both regular and Middle-Earth will be happy.\nMTV: Stop offering sweet-ass magazine internships on reality shows like "The Hills" and "I'm From Rolling Stone." As an aspiring journalist, how the hell are people like me supposed to get our dream jobs when we're forced to compete with hot, insecure, alcoholic "Real World" rejects? \n"Grey's Anatomy": Calm down the insane medical scenarios. For once, it'd be nice to see a regular patient enter Seattle Grace, not conjoined twins or somebody with a tree through his stomach.\nNancy Meyers and Alejandro González Iñárritu: Trade places. Ms. Meyers, your films ("The Holiday") are always so uplifting and happy while Mr. Iñárritu's ("Babel) always leave the audience feeling like rape victims. Try each other's style for a change. Meyers can take on a darker story line, while Iñárritu learns not everything in the world has to be so depressing.\nKate Winslet: Gain some confidence. Stop taking all these ugly duckling roles. \nSuperman: Cheer up! 2006 was supposed to be your comeback year; instead you got schooled at the box office by a flamboyant pirate. It's understandable that with Bond turning vulnerable and Spider-Man about to get all dark, there's pressure for heroes to be deep and meaningful. But you're America's greatest hero. Pop some anti-depressants and stop being so emo. And ditch Lois' kid. Even if it is yours, the last thing you need is a son. Jor-El left you with so many father issues, by being a dad, you'll only overcompensate to the point that the kid will hate you.
(12/08/06 7:46pm)
I have a confession: I'm a whore for Nancy Meyers' movies. I feel so warm and fuzzy every time I watch "Father of the Bride," I'm practically a human blanket. I laugh just as hard as Diane Keaton cries during "Something's Gotta Give," and it's disgusting how many times I've seen "The Parent Trap" (I can even teach the kick-ass handshake.) Director Meyers is the queen of comfort food movies, and her latest, "The Holiday," is one delectable bowl of chicken noodle soup.\n"The Holiday" would probably better be viewed at home where one has access to a fast-forward button (and pajamas). The beginning drags as it has to deal with the film's awkward premise. Heartbroken by their ruined relationships, Hollywood hot shot Amanda (Cameron Diaz), and British every-girl Iris (Kate Winslet) switch homes to vacation and escape their hectic lives (although if you ask me these houses are way too nice -- fantastically furnished by set decorator Cindy Carr and crew. Also, their jobs, and wardrobes are far too nice to be depressed). But once the film gets going, it becomes charming as hell. While on holiday, Iris befriends Amanda's delightful elderly neighbor, a veteran screenwriter played by veteran actor Eli Wallach, (who did kind of play the same role a few weeks ago on an episode of "Studio 60"), and a love interest played by a surprisingly convincing Jack Black. Amanda on the other hand falls for Iris' brother Graham (Jude Law fresh out of a tanning bed). \nWhile the actors all do a great job, Meyers (who also wrote the screenplay) is clearly the film's star. She's quite the cinematic magician. Not only does she show us how she'll perform her tricks and practice constructive film elements, we still unsuspectingly fall for them. She wonderfully sprinkles the film with 1960s Phil Spector classics, jazz, and Hans Zimmers' flowing score. Meyers obviously wants to keep the romanticized feel of classic Hollywood alive (references to old films are often made), and achieves it with the film's heartening tone and amiable supporting characters. While "The Holiday" takes place in a fantasy world where only love matters, never does it feel as contrived as most romantic comedies. Charming is really the only way to describe the film.\nWhat a coincidence that "The Holiday" comes out during the holiday season. Round up some friends and family and melt in its warm glow together.
(12/08/06 5:00am)
I have a confession: I'm a whore for Nancy Meyers' movies. I feel so warm and fuzzy every time I watch "Father of the Bride," I'm practically a human blanket. I laugh just as hard as Diane Keaton cries during "Something's Gotta Give," and it's disgusting how many times I've seen "The Parent Trap" (I can even teach the kick-ass handshake.) Director Meyers is the queen of comfort food movies, and her latest, "The Holiday," is one delectable bowl of chicken noodle soup.\n"The Holiday" would probably better be viewed at home where one has access to a fast-forward button (and pajamas). The beginning drags as it has to deal with the film's awkward premise. Heartbroken by their ruined relationships, Hollywood hot shot Amanda (Cameron Diaz), and British every-girl Iris (Kate Winslet) switch homes to vacation and escape their hectic lives (although if you ask me these houses are way too nice -- fantastically furnished by set decorator Cindy Carr and crew. Also, their jobs, and wardrobes are far too nice to be depressed). But once the film gets going, it becomes charming as hell. While on holiday, Iris befriends Amanda's delightful elderly neighbor, a veteran screenwriter played by veteran actor Eli Wallach, (who did kind of play the same role a few weeks ago on an episode of "Studio 60"), and a love interest played by a surprisingly convincing Jack Black. Amanda on the other hand falls for Iris' brother Graham (Jude Law fresh out of a tanning bed). \nWhile the actors all do a great job, Meyers (who also wrote the screenplay) is clearly the film's star. She's quite the cinematic magician. Not only does she show us how she'll perform her tricks and practice constructive film elements, we still unsuspectingly fall for them. She wonderfully sprinkles the film with 1960s Phil Spector classics, jazz, and Hans Zimmers' flowing score. Meyers obviously wants to keep the romanticized feel of classic Hollywood alive (references to old films are often made), and achieves it with the film's heartening tone and amiable supporting characters. While "The Holiday" takes place in a fantasy world where only love matters, never does it feel as contrived as most romantic comedies. Charming is really the only way to describe the film.\nWhat a coincidence that "The Holiday" comes out during the holiday season. Round up some friends and family and melt in its warm glow together.
(11/29/06 10:45pm)
Anyone who swore off fast food after seeing "Super Size Me" two years ago is probably hooked on the stuff once again. Now it's up to "Fast Food Nation" to scare the crap out of us all over again.\nAuthor Eric Schlosser and director Richard Linklater ("School of Rock," "Dazed and Confused") have turned Schlosser's non-fiction book into a story line examining the social and health risks on a personal, smaller level by following several characters immersed in the fast food world. Greg Kinnear takes center stage as a marketing exec for Mickey's (the fictional McDonald's of the film), who heads out to Colorado to inspect the company's meat providers after he learns there's feces (yep, you've probably eaten poop-covered food at some time in your life) in the meat. Wilmer Valderrama (wait, since when can he actually act?) and Catalina Sandino Moreno play a married illegal immigrant couple who come to America to work in the slaughterhouse. The likeable Ashley Johnson is Amber, who works the register at Mickey's.\nLinklater wisely practices subtlety instead of turning the film into a whistle-blowing, take down the corporation kind of overblown production. However, this restraint often robs the film from the sharp bite its subject matter provokes. The understated approach thankfully also prevents some revulsion as the health problems are mostly discussed rather than shown. That is until the end when we are introduced to "the killing floor" of the meat plant. This scene will make you want to give up meat altogether, not just fast food. The cow heads are always positioned ever so slightly as to allow eye contact with the animal as the fall into the shredder.\nThe film doesn't offer any easy answers. Everyone pretty much accepts that they're stuck in their crappy situation, and the individual is screwed when facing big business. Not all hope is lost, though, as Ethan Hawke shows up as Amber's nonconformist uncle to preach the importance of self-sufficiency and slam corporate America.
(11/29/06 5:00am)
Anyone who swore off fast food after seeing "Super Size Me" two years ago is probably hooked on the stuff once again. Now it's up to "Fast Food Nation" to scare the crap out of us all over again.\nAuthor Eric Schlosser and director Richard Linklater ("School of Rock," "Dazed and Confused") have turned Schlosser's non-fiction book into a story line examining the social and health risks on a personal, smaller level by following several characters immersed in the fast food world. Greg Kinnear takes center stage as a marketing exec for Mickey's (the fictional McDonald's of the film), who heads out to Colorado to inspect the company's meat providers after he learns there's feces (yep, you've probably eaten poop-covered food at some time in your life) in the meat. Wilmer Valderrama (wait, since when can he actually act?) and Catalina Sandino Moreno play a married illegal immigrant couple who come to America to work in the slaughterhouse. The likeable Ashley Johnson is Amber, who works the register at Mickey's.\nLinklater wisely practices subtlety instead of turning the film into a whistle-blowing, take down the corporation kind of overblown production. However, this restraint often robs the film from the sharp bite its subject matter provokes. The understated approach thankfully also prevents some revulsion as the health problems are mostly discussed rather than shown. That is until the end when we are introduced to "the killing floor" of the meat plant. This scene will make you want to give up meat altogether, not just fast food. The cow heads are always positioned ever so slightly as to allow eye contact with the animal as the fall into the shredder.\nThe film doesn't offer any easy answers. Everyone pretty much accepts that they're stuck in their crappy situation, and the individual is screwed when facing big business. Not all hope is lost, though, as Ethan Hawke shows up as Amber's nonconformist uncle to preach the importance of self-sufficiency and slam corporate America.
(11/16/06 5:00am)
There's something about "Cars" that I just can't put my finger on. It has nowhere near as an original concept as some past Pixar films. The story's nothing new; a hot shot egocentric rookie learns the errors of his ways through small town values and the guidance of a crotchety old wise-man, who used to be a hot shot egocentric rookie himself. The humor isn't quite as razor sharp. Yet "Cars" is so pleasant and at ease with itself, it's just as enjoyable as its Pixar siblings. \nOwen Wilson voices Lightning McQueen, said hot shot race car who is heading to California for a big race against his rival. On the way he gets in trouble with the local law town of Radiator Springs, a boonies sort of town off the highway that Lighting accidentally destroys. Here he encounters Doc the local judge (Paul Newman) who wants nothing to do with McQueen's renegade personality. Sally (Bonnie Hunt), another sports car who escaped the hustle and bustle of city life for the more peaceful country life, decides it'd be better to keep Lightning around for some community service. As Lightning freaks out about the possibility of missing his race, he slowly learns the value of friendship and family.\n"Cars" may take some getting used to as every character is, well, a car. Unlike "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo," the plot doesn't revolve around objects in the (relatively) human world coming to life and speaking. Everything in the world of "Cars" from the bees to the cows is a car; no humans exist. \nUnfortunately some of "Cars"' visual magnificence will be lost when viewed on smaller home systems. Yet the picture is still crystal clear and the animation is magnificent. The film preaches to get out and enjoy the beauty of Route 66 and middle America, but seeing it animated so well defeats the purpose of a week long car trip.\nThe cast, also including Cheech Marin, George Carlin and Tony Shalhoub, does a stellar job as Pixar continues choosing the right voice for the character, not the big names that look best on top of the title. Somehow Larry the Cable Guy as the well-meaning hillbilly Mater (the Dori to Lightning's Nemo) manages to steal the show.\nSpecial features include a new animated short, "Mater and the Ghostlight," and the spectacular short "One Man Band" that played before the film during its theatrical run. Be sure to watch the hilarious end credits where past Pixar films are re-imagined as car movies. Whatever it is that "Cars" has -- charm, spirit, whatever -- it works. Like a finely tuned engine.
(11/16/06 4:24am)
There's something about "Cars" that I just can't put my finger on. It has nowhere near as an original concept as some past Pixar films. The story's nothing new; a hot shot egocentric rookie learns the errors of his ways through small town values and the guidance of a crotchety old wise-man, who used to be a hot shot egocentric rookie himself. The humor isn't quite as razor sharp. Yet "Cars" is so pleasant and at ease with itself, it's just as enjoyable as its Pixar siblings. \nOwen Wilson voices Lightning McQueen, said hot shot race car who is heading to California for a big race against his rival. On the way he gets in trouble with the local law town of Radiator Springs, a boonies sort of town off the highway that Lighting accidentally destroys. Here he encounters Doc the local judge (Paul Newman) who wants nothing to do with McQueen's renegade personality. Sally (Bonnie Hunt), another sports car who escaped the hustle and bustle of city life for the more peaceful country life, decides it'd be better to keep Lightning around for some community service. As Lightning freaks out about the possibility of missing his race, he slowly learns the value of friendship and family.\n"Cars" may take some getting used to as every character is, well, a car. Unlike "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo," the plot doesn't revolve around objects in the (relatively) human world coming to life and speaking. Everything in the world of "Cars" from the bees to the cows is a car; no humans exist. \nUnfortunately some of "Cars"' visual magnificence will be lost when viewed on smaller home systems. Yet the picture is still crystal clear and the animation is magnificent. The film preaches to get out and enjoy the beauty of Route 66 and middle America, but seeing it animated so well defeats the purpose of a week long car trip.\nThe cast, also including Cheech Marin, George Carlin and Tony Shalhoub, does a stellar job as Pixar continues choosing the right voice for the character, not the big names that look best on top of the title. Somehow Larry the Cable Guy as the well-meaning hillbilly Mater (the Dori to Lightning's Nemo) manages to steal the show.\nSpecial features include a new animated short, "Mater and the Ghostlight," and the spectacular short "One Man Band" that played before the film during its theatrical run. Be sure to watch the hilarious end credits where past Pixar films are re-imagined as car movies. Whatever it is that "Cars" has -- charm, spirit, whatever -- it works. Like a finely tuned engine.
(11/03/06 3:53am)
Sitting in front of the TV or participating in any other mind-numbing activity might not be the best way to spend the weekend, especially after seeing artist Dara Engler's active sedation series.\nThe Buskirk-Chumley Theater will feature the works of Engler, a Hope School of Fine Arts graduate student, as part of its monthly artist series in its Textillery Gallery. Engler will answer questions about her work at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the gallery on the second floor of the theater.\nEngler's art focuses on what she calls "active sedation," a process in which people bored with the everyday activities of their lives "relax by entering a zombie-like state of hibernation and turning their brains off."\nEngler believes by numbing their minds, people do not have to acknowledge the monotony that has become their lives.\nThe subjects of Engler's paintings are often portrayed indoors, with minimal lighting. They usually have unhealthy, greenish looking skin, are overweight and seem unaware of their surroundings. In one painting, a woman knits a scarf but doesn't realize it has become abnormally long and continues to knit away.\nEngler, originally from New Hampshire, said she stumbled on capturing this sedative behavior while trying to think of any idea for her new pieces.\n"I was having artists' block and began making a list of easier things I'd rather be doing than painting," she said. "Then this came to me. In this case, my inspiration was not being inspired at all."\nHowever, Engler said she doesn't mean to condemn people in similar situations to her paintings.\n"It's more of a self-criticism than a societal criticism -- to each his own," she said. "If I wasn't an artist, these types of things could easily be my hobbies, and I'd probably be happy and content with that because I wouldn't know anything else. It's healthy to get out of the house, but I understand not wanting to."\nBuskirk gallery coordinator Ashley Robison said she is thrilled to bring Engler's East-coast influence to the gallery.\n"We're generally trying to encompass Midwestern-folk art aspects in Bloomington, yet also bring in all the other diverse influences the University and town offers," Robison said.\nThe theater chose Engler's work nearly a year ago for display.\n"(There is a) striking difference between style and the subjects," Robison said. "The art has such an incredible hypertense energy yet the subject matter is so hypnotic and sedated."\nBarry Gealt, one of Engler's fine arts professors, said he agrees.\n"She is a director of a complex visual mini drama," he said in an e-mail. "Her works show humor, laziness, anger and love and many other essences of daily life. She is a very special young artist."\nEngler's work will be in the gallery through Nov. 30 and is available for sale.
(11/02/06 5:00am)
By the third time around, you're going to know whether you'll like "Saw III," based on your opinions of the previous two. You'll be able to look past the implausibility of a near-death old man (Tobin Bell) and his sole assistant's (Shawnee Smith) miraculous ability to kidnap so many people and create such elaborate torture devices within a horror warehouse. And how this man happens to know everything that has happened to his victims in the past few years... and how he can somehow plan out every action that will unfold over the next weeks... because damnit, who cares -- you just want to see some good old-fashioned torture scenes. You sick bastard, you. \nThe film starts right where the last one left off; with Donnie Wahlberg chained to a sink, getting ready to "play a game." After the gruesome splatter that is him reducing his foot to merely a nub with a giant rock, we return to villain Jigsaw. Now nearly on his deathbed, he's called in (kidnapped) a top-notch doctor (Bahar Soomekh, "Crash") to keep him alive while he tests his latest victim. A little catch, though; if he dies, she dies.\nIt should probably be noted that I wasn't a huge fan of the first two films, but they had their entertaining moments. This one doesn't, though. Unlike the last "Saw," there's no group of people working together. The focus is primarily on a victim-by-victim basis. With the loss of any interaction, the film drags. To have nothing but torture scenes would be too much, even for the most sadistic of audiences. Yet the stories that lie in between, what with their overblown themes of redemption, self-appreciation and forgiveness, are boring and laughable. \nYou've got to hand it to the writers (actually it's kind of disturbing), to keep thinking up various ways to physically torment the victims. There's everything from freezing to death, drowning in pig guts, ripping chains out of body parts... well, you get the picture. All of these are emphasized by lots of flashes and choppy camera work, to create an annoying, dizzying effect. In all fairness, these crappy visual tactics were probably done to avoid an NC-17 rating, rather than artistic merit.\nThe film ends with a twist ending for the sake of having a twist ending. And then another twist... and then another, then another and finally one more. The company that made the film is called Twisted Pictures, but not even the most fitting nom de plume validates this much pointlessness.