"Look up idiot in the dictionary. You know what you'll find?" "A picture of me?" "No! The definition of idiot. Which you are!"
All right, I suppose it’s time for another installment of the movie recommendation of the week, so here we go…
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”
So I went into this movie with low expectations. First time director Shane Black was previously a big time screenwriter responsible for such epic films as “The Last Action Hero” and “The Last Boy Scout”. Now in all fairness he is also responsible for creating the “Lethal Weapon” franchise and wrote the under-rated “Long Kiss Goodnight”, so it’s not like the guy only writes crap films (On a side not, this guy also played Hawkins in “Predator”).
So long story short, the buy burnt out on Hollywood and went AWOL for 5 years before popping back onto the scene with a script for a new movie. Now this flick had been shopped around Hollywood for over a year before it finally got picked up. In fact another studio was ready to go with a big budget production of the film starring Harrison Ford, but Shane Black walked away, insisting that the film be done write. Finally with a tiny $10 million dollar budget, the film was finally unleashed.
Now, what can I say about this movie? I see a ridiculous number of movies every year (probably in the range of 300-350) and I can honestly say this is without a doubt in the top 5 movies I’ve seen in 2005. I LOVE this movie. I’m Serious. I want to buy it flowers and take it to nice restaurants and go on long walks on the beach with it.
The film stars Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer giving some of the best performances they’ve ever given. I’ve always had a love hate relationship with Val Kilmer. When he’s “on” he’s amazing, but sadly he mostly seems to just phone in performances. Robert Downey Jr. on the other hand has never been an actor I’ve been particularly wowed by…until now. In a nutshell, here’s the plot synopsis (thanks to IMDB)…
A petty thief (Downey) posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl and a detective (Kilmer) who's been training him for his upcoming role...
I’ll admit, it doesn’t sound like anything special. But the writing is so crisp and the humor is fantastic you’ll be blown away. You will literally watch this movie and have no idea what is going to happen next. Every twist is so out of left field your head is left spinning. And I can not stress how funny this movie is. Most straight up comedies could never hope to be this funny.
So, before you go see anything else…haul your ass down to the movie theater and see this movie. Screw potter, rent, the Ice Harvest, or anything else you were thinking of seeing and go see this movie. I don’t care if you have to miss out on Thanksgiving dinner…it’ll be worth it. SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”
So I went into this movie with low expectations. First time director Shane Black was previously a big time screenwriter responsible for such epic films as “The Last Action Hero” and “The Last Boy Scout”. Now in all fairness he is also responsible for creating the “Lethal Weapon” franchise and wrote the under-rated “Long Kiss Goodnight”, so it’s not like the guy only writes crap films (On a side not, this guy also played Hawkins in “Predator”).
So long story short, the buy burnt out on Hollywood and went AWOL for 5 years before popping back onto the scene with a script for a new movie. Now this flick had been shopped around Hollywood for over a year before it finally got picked up. In fact another studio was ready to go with a big budget production of the film starring Harrison Ford, but Shane Black walked away, insisting that the film be done write. Finally with a tiny $10 million dollar budget, the film was finally unleashed.
Now, what can I say about this movie? I see a ridiculous number of movies every year (probably in the range of 300-350) and I can honestly say this is without a doubt in the top 5 movies I’ve seen in 2005. I LOVE this movie. I’m Serious. I want to buy it flowers and take it to nice restaurants and go on long walks on the beach with it.
The film stars Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer giving some of the best performances they’ve ever given. I’ve always had a love hate relationship with Val Kilmer. When he’s “on” he’s amazing, but sadly he mostly seems to just phone in performances. Robert Downey Jr. on the other hand has never been an actor I’ve been particularly wowed by…until now. In a nutshell, here’s the plot synopsis (thanks to IMDB)…
A petty thief (Downey) posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl and a detective (Kilmer) who's been training him for his upcoming role...
I’ll admit, it doesn’t sound like anything special. But the writing is so crisp and the humor is fantastic you’ll be blown away. You will literally watch this movie and have no idea what is going to happen next. Every twist is so out of left field your head is left spinning. And I can not stress how funny this movie is. Most straight up comedies could never hope to be this funny.
So, before you go see anything else…haul your ass down to the movie theater and see this movie. Screw potter, rent, the Ice Harvest, or anything else you were thinking of seeing and go see this movie. I don’t care if you have to miss out on Thanksgiving dinner…it’ll be worth it. SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!
posted by Casey at 1:14 PM
5 Comments:
There is a great article on Shane Black in Rolling Stone a couple of issues back. He basically hasn't been able to write much beyond the Lethal Weapon series (which is admittedly ingenius).
I've heard good reviews on the movie. Unfortunately, I'm not going to see it in the theater and wait for the DVD for a few reasons:
1. I'm seeing 'Walk The Line' tomorrow after the Elenbaas Turkey Day feast.
2. Seeing another film before the big day will be pushing it with all of the crap and goings on in the coming days.
3. When I return, the December movies that I'm anticipating and will see during the holiday season include:
-- Syriana (Opening 11.25)
-- The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe (Opening 12.09)
-- King Kong (Opening 12.16)
I can tell you right now...you don't need to see that Narnia crap. That's a movie that can only promise to dissapoint.
I'll second the love/hate relationship with Kilmer...he was officially written off following "First Sight" and "Red Planet", and I suppose that I placed too much faith into the "Salton Sea" as his last redemtion for me w/ what seemed like a fairly interesting story line
That being said, the MCP is usually a good judge of movie-making so I'll take a viewing, probably on DVD, but I'll put it on the list right now...
November cheers for Walk the Line, really good biopic that sheds the right light on a True American Icon, first film that Greasy Spoon hasn't made me physically ill, I'll probably write more on this film later...
November jeers for Potter IV " A new set of Acne"...walked out with same feeling following Chamber of Secret's...after that film didn't think I'd go back to the theater to see another one, and then Potter III surprised me at some depth and darkness, and it appears we're back to were we began...if anybody's seen it I'd like to start a discussion
I also saw "Walk The Line" this past weekend. Great movie. I was going to make a post today about it, but I'll just add my comments here to save space on the main page.
Yes, "Walk The Line" had its flaws... worst wet-blanket girl ever in a movie that I can remember + many more casting mistakes.... but that said, it was very entertaining, extremely well acted, and a unbelievably compelling story of a man (one of my personal favorite people) who showed that character and integrity isn't built on successes or failures. But that character and integrity is built on hard work, love and friendship.
And yes, Reese was very good in it. She nailed the role. Joaquin did well also, and both could be Oscar worthy. I think Joaquin did just as good a job, if not better, than Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Ray Charles in last year's "Ray". Unfortunately, because Foxx won the Best Actor award for "Ray", I think Phoenix will be overlooked in this role. Oh, he'll get nominated, but I believe unfortunately he'll be passed up on the vote because of a complex and still misunderstood man that Johnny Cash was. Some of the voters won't vote for him because of this misunderstanding, and some won't vote for him because of Foxx's win. A cryin' shame.
Well, before I we decide who's winning what...I'd have to see the other role's...it's not a new formula for an actor to be nominated doing a bio type role...Do you think Foxx had difficulty because Crowe won for Beautiful Mind earlier?...I think the musical bio is a tougher role for an actor to accomplish: example Gary Busey peaking w/ the Buddy Holly Story
Musical bio's carry a different weight to them because of the all ready existing relationship of the artist (usually dead) has/had with their fan base...and that is a lot harder to accomplish than a film like Beautiful Mind where the story wasn't publically known by people outside the nerd community...
All that being said...I'd be dissapointed if Phoenix gets shafted because of the films timing in regard to Ray...which didn't have 1/2 the soul ironically of Walk the Line...plus major bonus points for whenever an actor checks into rehab following the filming of a movie, that should give you two furlongs right there...prime example: Martin Sheen's heart attack in Apoco Now, if he would've checked into Betty Ford following the film than boo ya: Oscar Baby!!!
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