Cast: Elizabeth Gillies, Harvey Keitel, Diedrich Bader, Doira Bird, Teri Polo, Keith Walker, Dia Frampton, Bryan Craig, Blake Harrison, Jonah Platt
To make ends meet, an aspiring journalist is forced to take a job at the world’s largest porn magazine-beginning her journey to change her life, and the porn industry, forever.
I will admit I didn’t know what to expect from this film as at first when I saw the trailer I thought it was for a comedic series, not a movie.
The movie does at times feel more like a pilot for a series. As it has a similar foundation to a workplace comedy that mixes in with life. The quirky coworkers, the love interest, the interesting characters that are more comedic that they do business with or come into contact with.
At heart, this is a raunchy sex comedy that luckily exploited and is a bit clean-cut as there is barely any nudity nor that many sex scenes. It’s not as Taudrey as one would expect.
The person who actually got me to watch this is lead actress, Elizabeth Gillies. I have followed her for quite a while, and while this is in her wheelhouse of characters, she is in her element with the wisecracking in one-liners, still endearing, and not to mention charismatic when it is called upon. It’s the first time I’ve seen her play a leading role in a movie. One hopes to see more of you.
It’s the story of an ambitious young woman who finds her niche and helps to build a business. She’s not perfect, but she is identifiable. As well as entrepreneurial.
This is a good film. That’s easy to watch and stays entertaining throughout. It’s simple easy-going and happy-go-lucky. That does offer conflict, but it never seems quite tragic.
There might be a lack of big comedic pieces, but the comedic moments and dialogue are satisfying, and it keeps you engaged and paying attention throughout.
Directed by: Jack Nicholson Written By: Robert Towne Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond Editor: Anne Goursaud
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Harvey Keitel, Meg Tilly, Madeline Stowe, Eli Wallach, Ruben Blades, David Keith, James Hong, Frederic Forrest, Richard Farnsworth, Tracey Walter, Joe Mantell, Perry Lopez, Rebecca Broussard, Van Dyke Parks
The sequel to Chinatown finds J.J. “Jake” Gittes investigating adultery and murder, and the money that comes from oil.
When the film was coming out I remember all the advertisements for the movie as a kid and always being impressed by its poster artwork. At the time I had never seen or heard of CHINATOWN the movie, but knew this was a sequel to something and really only interested because Jack Nicholson was in it and this was right after BATMAN and I remember him from the movie THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK.
This sequel or update of the film classic CHINATOWN tries to continue the look and style. It even has some returning cast members and characters. While employing some great character actors. So by all rights, the film should be noteworthy. As it has some great shows to fill.
Though it falls short very short that barely stands in the shadow of the previous film. It has a similarly twisty and twisted storyline that ends up being easy to figure out. Not to mention not as devastating. As it doesn’t pull the audience in, as much to care. It stays at arm’s distance. Not that the first film was all that warm and cuddly but it kept you on your toes. Especially when it came to the mystery. Here you just wonder how everything fits.
This film also lacks any memorable scenes or revelations. It’s pretty mundane as it seems to try too hard. You want it to be better than it actually is. As the material is there it just feels misrepresented.
Madeline Stowe at first seems like she will be a femme fatale and be more important to the overall story. Though after awhile she seems to be here for no real reason other than as pretty dressing and more of a distraction.
The cast seems to be playing more into the mood of the movie. Which is always gloomy rather than characters. This film has no spirit really it stays flat and simple.
The film tries but it comes up as rather dull and just going through the motions. As it never takes a definite direction or offers any real distinctions.
Knowing this film had a full share of behind-the-scenes dramas between screenwriter Robert towns, Producer Robert Evans and star/director Jack Nicholson, Evans was upset after hoping to play the role of the other Jake Played by Harvey Keitel, but not only not being strong enough an actor but getting bad plastic surgery right before filming began. Then Robert towns dropped out of directing and the film was postponed until Nicholson took the reins of the project. As this was supposed to be the second of a trilogy.
You can see what they were trying to do and attempting before time ran out, but this might have been better off than what could have been.
Directed By: Wes Anderson Written By: Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman Editor: Andrew Weisblum
Cast: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Bob Balaban, Lucas Hedges
Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, as a young boy and girl fall in love they are moved to run away together. Various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down – which might not be such a bad thing.
This film has quite a strange mix as it is more of a children’s tale as they fill out the cast but it also has some rather risqué scenes and material involving them. That fits the rebellious nature of the characters and the film. General, it also as the film has an innocence and wholesomeness that is timeless. You never quite feel that there are any dastardly hidden levels or messages. It is all on the up and up. As the film is full of characters who all have character.
As even the few villains that might be in the film. Aren’t malicious, they are just doing what they are supposed to despite the various facts and factions that might require them to abandon the rules.
As the film tries to be an ensemble it feels like the characters are in a dollhouse of sorts. Where they are all connected and there is melodrama but the film never gets bogged down and stays quite lively. Even if it feels at times mroe that everyone is on a playground and they have a connection. So that they constantly affect one another like dominoes being set up. When one falls it falls into another and changes its trajectory.
So while we have the young adult couple as the leads. We see how running away affects the status quo and the adult characters.
That rebellious nature is through the film as it offers some new wave filmmaking influences, moments, and obsessions. which are radical while it focuses on the first love between the main characters. Especially as two outsiders who find solace in each other at random.
Though luckily for all of the influences on display here. The writer/director manages to make them his own original
The movie is beautifully filmed. Which makes the scenes simple yet effective with constructed shots and angles. With sharp attention to detail and the time period are amazing, but are a few of the things writer/director Wes Anderson’s films are noted for.
As the film feels like a storybook throughout. As we constantly feel like we are in a fantasy or dream of a child. Even as the films show some maturity and a bit of sexuality. Which is dealt with so simply and carefully that thankfully it. Ever feels exploitive.
The film tries to give a view of the disappointments and sometimes tragedy of adulthood. Like you are missing something or have lost a certain perspective and quality of yourself. As the world is still cruel, but you Don’t know how to deal with it. You don’t challenge it or morph it to your sensibilities. It has morphed you and you realize it as you try to rational ways to deal with or distract from that revelation.
The film is filled with whimsical cuteness. From a cast that seems more willing to let the harder edges of their performances that they usually bring and let themselves go and be softer and gentler. Surprisingly Bruce Willis is the most memorable in the supporting cast. One of his last memorable movie performances before returning due to health issues.
The novice performances add to the innocence of the characters and situations. Even as they act older than they are, but are still kids at heart. Which makes their story a little more romantic and the adult ones are messy and sad. Yet can’t totally understand or are more envious and want to break it up. As if they can’t have one, why should they?
The more you watch this film the deeper the appreciation of it begins.
In the end, the film is charming and offbeat as it offers the hope and magic of romance. Dependent and understood only by the two involved. A belief that anything is possible when powered by love. As it is the two of you against the world and how relationships are adventures in of themselves even if just emotionally. Only here it is done more physically
Written & Directed By: Paolo Sorrentino Cinematography By: Luca Bigazzi Editor: Christiano Travaglioli Production Design: Ludovica Ferrario
Cast: Harvey Keitel, Michael Caine, Paul Dano, Rachel Weisz, Jane Fonda, Madelina Diana Ghenea, Chloe Pirrie
Fred and Mick, two old friends, are on vacation in an elegant hotel at the foot of the Alps. Fred, a composer and conductor, is now retired. Mick, a film director, is still working. They look with curiosity and tenderness on their children’s confused lives, Mick’s enthusiastic young writers, and the other hotel guests. While Mick scrambles to finish the screenplay for what he imagines will be his last important film, Fred has no intention of resuming his musical career. But someone wants at all costs to hear him conduct again.
Director: John Badham
Written By: Robert Getchell & Alexandra Seros
Based on the original Screenplay By: Luc Besson
Cinematography: Michael Watkins
Editor: Frank Morriss
Music By: Hans Zimmer
Cast: Bridget Fonda, Gabriel Byrne, Anne Bancroft, Miguel Ferrer, Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Olivia D’Abo, Richard Romanus, Geoffrey Lewis, Lorraine Toussaint, Michael Rapaport
Drug addict Maggie Hayward’s consistent violence, even in police custody, ends in the execution chamber. However, top secret U.S. government Agent “Bob” arranges a staged death, so Maggie can be elaborately trained as a killer. She gets a new cover identity as saleswoman Claudia Anne Doran. She also finds a housemate, building super J.P., a broad-minded, gentle photographer. The two fall in love, and that complicates her government assignments. His influence extends to breeding in her a conscience that supplants her violent tendencies, and desire to continue work for the agency.
Directed By: F. Gary Grey Written By: Peter Steinfeld Based on the novel by: Elmore Leonard Cinematography By: Jeffrey L. Kimball Editor: Sheldon Kahn
Cast: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Harvey Kietel, Christina Milian, Kimberly J. Brown, James Woods, Cedric The Entertainer, Andre Benjamin, Vince Vaughn, Steven Tyler, Danny DeVito, Robert Pastorelli, Dwayne Johnson, Arielle Kebbel, Scott Adsit, Gregory Alan Williams, Paul Adelstein, Debi Mazar
Streetwise mobster-turned-movie producer Chili Palmer is back, but this time Chili has abandoned the fickle movie industry and veered into the music business, tangling with Russian mobsters and gangsta rappers and taking a talented, feisty young singer named Linda Moon under his wing. From the recording studio to an Aerosmith concert to the MTV Music Awards, he manipulates events to watch them play out the Chili way, using his signature blend of wiseguy skills and negotiation tactics. It’s a dangerous business, and everyone’s looking for their next big hit.
Cut To The Chase 