KEA Productions: DVD Movie Reviews
from the archives of NuReel.com, The Berkeley Daily Planet, and Alameda Sun- written by Kamala Appel
ratings: Plus (highest)-Neutral (okay)-Negatives (pass & omitted from archive)
L: Legally Blonde, Life as a House, Lisa Picard is Famous, Little Voice, Little Nicky. LOTR
LEGALLY BLONDE (neutral/plus)
As I sat in the theater waiting for "Legally Blonde" to start, I must
admit that I had somewhat low expectations. I thought the film would be
host to a few stereotypical cheap shots and a lot of stupid grammar
school level jokes. To my surprise, I found "Legally Blonde" quite
entertaining and rather clever at times.
I would describe the film as "Clueless" meets "Forrest Gump" because
the story revolves around a somewhat dippy, superficial, "blonde with
big boobs" (as the character describes herself) sorority princess who
manages to swing acceptance into Harvard Law School. I must admit that
I found her motivation and the reason for her admission somewhat
disturbing because on one level it promoted the helpless female
stereotype, however the overall film supports the idea of self-worth
and a positive attitude towards female independence. Although the main
character, Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, does spend much of
her time trying to win back her boyfriend so he will marry her, she
also spends a lot of time befriending a middle-aged woman and helping
her to realize that she is attractive too, even though she is
overweight and over forty. I have not seen a lot of movies out of
Hollywood that support the notion that women over forty being
desirable, so I found this element of the story and character
development refreshing . Unfortunately, the film does resort to a
cliche happily ever after ending that lessens the underlying feminist
tone, but I suppose the liberation from twenty minutes into the film
until the final five minutes makes up for the sell-out ending.
"Legally Blonde" possesses the clever self-reflexive humor that made
"Clueless" a smash hit. Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods portrays the
simple innocent whose dumb luck makes audiences cheer for and laugh
with her, in a manner reminiscent of Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump. There
are a few funny but overtly sexual lines that some parents may not want
children under fourteen to see. "Legally Blonde" opens wide July 13th.
This film would be equally enjoyable on video because its strength is
the witty script and Reese Witherspoon's comic performance.
LIFE AS A HOUSE (NEUTRAL/PLUS)
The race for the Academy Award begins with LIFE AS A HOUSE, however, I
doubt that this film will finish in the top five. The creative forces
in front and behind the camera just scream out Oscar, unfortunately,
the effort does not match the accomplishment. Irwin Winkler, the
director and/or producer behind so many award winning and box office
success stories including ROCKY, RAGING BULL, THE RIGHT STUFF and
GOODFELLAS, directs a cast of some of today's most talented actors and
rising stars.
The cast includes Kevin Kline (A FISH CALLED WANDA, IN AND OUT,
SOPHIE'S CHOICE, THE BIG CHILL, and THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY), Kristin
Scott Thomas (THE ENGLISH PATIENT, THE HORSE WHISPERER, ANGELS &
INSECTS, RICHARD III, and FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL), Hayden
Christensen (VIRGIN SUICIDES and upcoming STAR WARS EPISODE II), Jena
Malone (STEPMOM, CONTACT and upcoming DONNIE DARKO), Mary Steenburgen
(WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE, PHILADELPHIA, NIXON, RAGTIME, and
PARENTHOOD), Jamey Sheridan (A STRANGER AMONG US and television's
CHICAGO HOPE), Sam Robards (A.I.: ArtificialIntelligence, AMERICAN
BEAUTY, and television's SPIN CITY), and Scott Bakula (LORD OF
ILLUSIONS, MI FAMILIA, and television's QUANTUM LEAP, MURPHY BROWN, and
ENTERPRISE). As one would expect, the entire cast proves worthy of
their reputation by giving strong performances all around, especially
Kevin Kline and Hayden Christensen. Kevin Kline plays a man who
attempts to make amends for disappointments in his own life and in the
lives of those he loves. His character, George, renovates his crumbling
house and in doing so, he rebuilds his life and restores the moral of
those around him. His house becomes a metaphor that represents his
emotional well-being and the inverse of his current physical state.
Kline and Christensen generate believable and moving father-son
tension.
Unfortunately, the script (by Mark Andrus, co-writer of AS GOOD AS IT
GETS) creates a story that places the characters in one overly
melodramatic scene after another, making the film predictable and
reducing the potential impact the acting. LIFE AS A HOUSE is a true
melodrama in the purest sense since mood music plays throughout the
entire film. The constant music, often the same piece, lessens the
impact that the melody may have had, if the work only played during
climatic moments.
Although a lot of talent and effort went into the creation of this
film, and the acting is superb, LIFE AS A HOUSE is a disappointment.
Just a word of warning for those who associate Kline with humor more
than drama, this film is very serious and tragic. LIFE AS A HOUSE will
start a platform release pattern starting on October 26th.
LISA PICARD IS FAMOUS (PLUS)
Bravo's "Inside the Actor's Studio" meets BEST IN SHOW in this
mockumentary about the plight of an actor. LISA PICARD IS FAMOUS takes
a wry and poignant look at fame through the eyes of a hopeful actress
as she struggles to become a star in the Big Apple. Director/Actor,
Griffin Dunne (Actor: AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON and AFTER HOURS,
Producer: AFTER HOURS, RUNNING ON EMPTY; Director: ADDICTED TO LOVE and
PRACTICAL MAGIC) plays a documentarian named Andrew who believes that
Lisa Picard is someone to watch, so he does 24/7. Hoping to gain
insight into what drives Lisa Picard and other actors, he follows Lisa
Picard to auditions, agency visits, parties, plays, and from room to
room in her New York apartment, in hopes of gaining a better
understanding of the life of a thespian on the rise. He and the
audience also become familiar with her support network which includes
her doting boyfriend played by Daniel London and her jealous best
friend, played by Nat DeWolf, who hopes that his one-man play will be
his break-out film (out as in out of the closet). Throughout the film,
the characters and the audience wonder: are they wannabes or future
somebodies? One thing is for sure, it is a tough business to be in and
even tougher to break into show business.
The filmmakers explore what it means to be famous as they follow the
characters in their pursuit of fame. However, the film not only looks
at America's obsession with fame, but also at how ambition and tunnel
vision can often lead one to lose sight of what really matters like
love and friendship. Even though the surface subject matter is about
actors, the underlying emotion and human interaction will appeal to non
actors.
Well-written and perfectly cast, LISA PICARD IS FAMOUS promises to
please people inside and outside of the Biz. The majority of the humor
stems from the film's look at humanity more than Hollywood (broader
sense of the word to encompass the motion picture and television
industry at large). Nat DeWolf and Laura Kirk, co-writers and co-stars,
worked diligently with their friend Mira Sorvino (MIGHTY APHRODITE, AT
FIRST SIGHT, ROMY & MICHELLE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, BARCELONA and
SUMMER OF SAM), who makes her producer debut with this feature, to
produce an insiders' film that will also make outsiders laugh. The film
also hosts a number of cameos by some prominent figures in the New York
film scene including: Mira Sorvino, Buck Henry, Charlie Sheen, Spike
Lee, Sandra Bullock, Carrie Fisher, Melissa Gilbert, and Penelope Ann
Miller.
If you like movies with a cast who can laugh at themselves, then you will laugh and thoroughly enjoy LISA PICARD IS FAMOUS.
*This movie became a sleeper solely because it ended up in the shadow of the Terrorist Attacks of 9/11. It is worth seeing!
Little Voice (Plus)
"Little Voice" is about a mouse who roared. I wanted to post a review
for this film even though it has been out on video for over two years
now (a 1998 release) because I do not feel that it received the
financial recognition that it deserved. "Little Voice" exemplifies the
influence a marketing campaign can have over a film's box office
success and appeal to audiences or lack there of...
Jane Horrocks plays a shy young woman with a tremendous talent. "Little
Voice", the character, receives her nickname from her overbearing
mother due to her soft speaking voice. "Little Voice" the story is
about Horrocks' character's ability to escape her mother and other
everyday stresses in the real world, by imitating the singing voices of
various singers such as Judy Garland and Ethal Merman. When she sings,
she is also able to see her dead father, added incentive for her escape
from reality to fantasyland. Horrocks gives a stellar performance both
as Little Voice and even more so as the incredible performer singing on
stage. (I could not believe that she was actually singing. I would
almost recommend the film just for people to hear her sing like some of
the greatest singers of modern time.) Her mother is played by the same
woman who played the birth mother in "Secret and Lies" (another film I
would recommend to anyone who enjoys British humor and kitchen
sink/working class films). Ewan McGregor plays Little Voice's awkward
and equally shy love interest. The entire cast gives convincing and
sympathetic performances.
The story is sweet and touching. Audiences will appreciate a tale of
the ugly ducking, so to speak, who transforms into a graceful swan on
stage. The writer and director (Mark Herman) do a good job of
developing the characters and harvesting on-screen chemistry between
the characters. The tension between the mother and daughter is very
real and identifiable. Herman, the director, works well with his editor
to edit a tight film that flows well without any unnecessary scenes.
"Little Voice" is available on video and definitely worth a rental for
the acting, especially the remarkable on stage singing impressions done
by Jane Horrocks. The story is touching and overall the film flows
well. In a nutshell, "Little Voice" exemplifies quaint. I think this
film flopped at the box office not for lack of merit, but rather for
the challenge it presented to the marketing department at Sony: no
action, no big stars, and a story that is difficult to summarize in a 4
minute trailer or 30 second teaser. However, it is an ideal video
rental because those who have seen it will give it positive word of
mouth. If you have not seen "Little Voice", I definitely recommend
renting it. Its selling points (performances and story) are equally
enjoyable on tape.
Little Nicky (neutral)
Many may wonder why Adam Sandler makes so much money. Well, I think it
is because he meets audience expectations. Apparently, there is a large
audience who likes silly antics and screaming comedians, and if you do,
you will love "Little Nicky". Adam Sandler plays "Little Nicky", the
hunchback from Hell who is mixed up due to his mixed moral heritage
(since his mother is an angel and his father is a devil). Sandler also
plays the role of co-executive producer, along with Robert Engleman
(Executive Producer on "Mystery Men", "Blade", "Kazaam", and "Mortal
Kombat"). Furthering his credits, Sandler co-wrote "Little Nicky" with
Tim Herlihy who has worked with Sandler before on "Big Daddy", "The
Waterboy", "The Wedding Singer", "Billy Madison", "Happy Gilmore" and
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
For those who are very religious, some of the humor in "Little Nicky"
may be offensively blasphemous similar to last year's "Dogma". However,
there are some very funny moments when the various characters have very
realistic reactions to some supernatural encounters. I personally found
the satanic snoring, the brain child bulldog, and the hell-worshipping
head bangers, quite humorous.
"Little Nicky" hosts an all-star cast, who star and make cameo
appearances including: Patricia Arquette as Valerie, Nicky first and
only love; Harvey Keitel as the Devil and Nicky's father; Rhys Ifans as
Adrian, one of Nicky's diabolical brothers; Tommy "Tiny" Lister as
Cassius, Nicky's other diabolical brother; Allen Covert as Todd,
Nicky's NY City roommate; Reese Witherspoon as Holly, Nicky's angelic
mother; Dana Carvey as a corrupt basketball referee; Jon Lovitz as a
perverted peeping tom; Michael McKean as the NY City Police Chief;
Quentin Tarantino as the blind man who sees evil; Rob Schneider as the
"you can do it" Townie; and John Witherspoon as the swindling street
vendor. The ensemble of characters assist and challenge Nicky as he
tries to save his dad and the residents of New York city from his
brothers' scheme to disturb the existing balance of good versus evil by
raising a little Hell on earth. As one may expect, they play
over-the-top character-types who transform Little Nicky's tour of New
York city into an Alice in Wonderland adventure.
"Little Nicky" does have its moments, but they could be easily enjoyed
on video. For those who are major fans of Sandler and the rest of the
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE cast from his days on NBC, you will enjoy this
film. If you are a big fan of heavy metal music, you will probably have
a blast viewing the film more in a theater with a good sound system.
"Little Nicky" opens wide in theaters on Friday, November 10th.
LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (PLUS/NEUTRAL)
I suspect that LORD OF THE RINGS is one of the most anticipated films
of the year due to the popularity of the books; if not the first, then
the second only to Harry Potter, and the second place would probably
only be due to the fact that the Harry Potter books are the current
craze as compared to the older J.R.R. Tolkien books that were popular
in the 1970s. The film certainly lives up to the epic quality of the
series of books.
However, I think that the writer, Frances Walsh, may have been a little
too true to the book; the film would have been stronger if the
adaptation focused on what would make a strong movie instead of
preserving the accuracy of the book. Readers usually do not expect the
same level of closure as movie-goers. Readers can put the book down
whenever they want without missing a beat; movie-goers will have to
have a very unique digestive system to endure the full three hours
without a single bio break. People who have or have not read any of the
books will appreciate the pace, acting, special effects, and costumes.
Even those who have not read the book will find the action somewhat
predictable since the film basically consists of a chase scene followed
by a battle, once the characters encounter the bad guys; and then the
cycle repeats throughout the entire film, until the abrupt ending.
Although some may find the number of fight sequences to be a bit too
plentiful, bordering formulaic, I commend the filmmakers for not
stooping to the level of excessive gratuitous, graphic violence.
The filmmakers prove that an action fantasy film can have a lot of
special effects that do not revolve around blood and guts. This is not
to say that no one gets hurt, because many characters, both good and
bad, do. However, the film maintains a fantasy tone, that makes the
deaths and injuries a little more bearable. LORD OF THE RINGS stands up
and even surpasses a lot of other action films that lack the
imagination of a fantasy based story. The special effects (Sound
Department headed by Christopher Boyes, Special Effects headed by Gino
Acevedo, and Visual Effects headed by Holly Acton) both visual and
audio, heighten the epic quality of the film. The set design by (Set
Decoration by Tanea Chapman Costume Design by Ngila Dickson) also
contributes to the drama and leaves just enough up to the imagination
to increase the suspense and tension.
The cast could not be stronger. The long list of consummate actors
includes Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Viggo Mortensen, and
cameos by Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchett. This film, like the books,
targets males and does not give much depth or importance to the female
characters. To a degree the appearances by A-list caliber actresses
like Tyler and Blanchett seem to be for mere aesthetic reasons.
Although they certainly demonstrate their on-screen presence in terms
of beauty, neither has the opportunity to flex her acting muscles (this
is true to the book).
LORD OF THE RINGS is a must-see on the big screen and will hit theaters
on December 19th. My only criticism would be the abrupt ending. I think
many people will feel cheated after sitting through a three-hour race
without a finish line. However, purist fans of the book probably will
not care.
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