Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 2nd, 2004
Let’s face it… when it comes to boxing movies, there’s Raging Bull, and then there’s everything else. Rocky (and the subsequent cash driven vehicles) is a great film, but not really a great film about boxing. Even Daniel Day-Lewis’ The Boxer is more about the man than the sport. It’s hard to make a great boxing film. Not only is it extremely difficult to capture the action authentically, but very few actors have the physical ability to pull off such a role.
Well, I don’t know how easily...it was done, but John Leguizamo has made quite a valiant effort at conquering this challenge in this film, his directorial debut. The story is just what you would expect, chronicling the rise of a young poor kid from the streets as he wins fame and fortune, and loses himself along the way. The good news is, this predictable plot is peppered with some truly fantastic boxing segments. The viewer feels the momentum shifts in the matches, and is not just subjected to a highlight reel of punches, which seems to be the norm in so many of the movies of this genre.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on April 1st, 2004
Oh, where to begin? I guess I should start with the directors. That’s right, DIRECTORS. Plural. There are three of them. Apparently, the first two didn’t suck enough, so they had to bring in a third to fill out the talentless triumvirate. Any film directed by three people who are not related should make moviegoers instantly suspicious.
You know what else makes me suspicious? Any movie that stars both Meadow Soprano and Buster Poindexter. My suspicions grew when I realized that they were only in a small port...on of the film. If these are your biggest actors, and you can only afford them for a few days of shooting, it is possible that something may be amiss with your production.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 1st, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on April 1st, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 31st, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 30th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 30th, 2004
JULES - "That's what I've been sitting here contemplating. First, I'm gonna’ deliver this case to Marsellus. Then, basically, I'm gonna’ walk the earth."
VINCENT - "What do you mean, walk the earth?"
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 30th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 30th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 29th, 2004
The 100 Mile Rule, as a corny salesman puts it, means that when you are more than 100 miles from your wife, cheating doesn’t count. It is some kind of moral loophole used by salesmen who travel frequently, allowing them to be unfaithful to their wives. While the phrase is quite original, the film is made up of parts belonging to other movies, a kind of Frankenstein if you will. Not to say that 100 Mile Rule resembles that monster, because it is actually quite enjoyable. However, you will need to get past the m...ny references and duplications of other movies to enjoy it.
Bobby (Jake Weber) is a married salesman who is attending a sales convention in Los Angeles with colleagues Jerry (David Thornton) and Howard (Michael McKean). Jerry and Howard are oversexed and desperate older men while Bobby loves his wife and kids and misses them while he is away. However, when Monica (Maria Bello), a beautiful cocktail waitress and struggling actress starts pursuing him, Bobby can’t fight the attraction. After a one night stand, Bobby finds himself in a blackmail plot, needing to come up with 60,000 dollars to prevent a tape of the affair from being sent home to his wife.
