DVD Review: Spun (B+)

Spun (2002)
Directed by Jonas Akerlund
Starring Jason Schwartzman, Brittany Murphy, Mickey Rourke, John Leguizamo, Mena Suvari, Debbie Harry, Ron Jeremy and Eric Roberts
MPAA: R
Grade: B+

Review by Scott Standish

I love drug movies. Always have and probably always will. I couldn't really figure out why until my wife remarked that "They give you all of the escapism of doing the drug without the pesky hangover and ensuing habit that goes with it". Makes sense to me.

The drug movie genre has really come into it's own in recent years, with films like Trainspotting, Requiem for A Dream, Drugstore Cowboy, Naked Lunch and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas doing a great job of realistically showing the effects of of drug use (and abuse). In fact, if you line all of those up, you've got a rather nice set of films for a festival. Spun, the new film from music video director Jonas Akerlund would be my pick to start the whole fest off.

Ross (Jason Schwartzman) is a speed addict and by stroke of luck one day he actually gets to meet "The Cook" (played wonderfully by the insanely underrated actor Mickey Rourke). The Cook makes huge batches of crystal meth in motel rooms and sells them to smaller dealers like Spider Mike (John Leguizamo). The Cook takes a liking to Ross so he adopts him to be his driver, having him drive his drugged up girlfriend Nikki (Murphy) around.

The characters of Spun are so colorful and wonderfully quirky that at times they are hilarious and at other times, quite sad. Akerlund does a great job of mixing the absurd with the real, just in case people take this film too seriously. Requiem For A Dream this is not (although it certainly has a similar style). Cartoonish characters often hallucinate in cartoon style or dress like cartoons while they play cartoon-like video games. Combine this visual style with Akerlund's distinct music video tendencies (he directed Madonna's "Ray of Light" video) and you've got a perfect look for a film about speed freaks.

Brittany Murphy and Mickey Rourke absolutely steal the show in Spun as their romantic chemistry is off the charts. Jason Schwartzman is a very good actor (loved him in Rushmore) but he seems a little miscast for the part of Ross. He's just too likable and smart for the role of a perverted meth freak. Bit parts by Debbie Harry and Eric Roberts add humor and a nice touch of weirdness.

Spun is a fantastic addition to the growing drug film genre. For fans of Mickey Rourke or Brittany Murphy, this is a must see.

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DVD Review: City of Ghosts (C+)

City of Ghosts (2002)
Directed by Matt Dillon
Starring Matt Dillon, James Caan, Gérard Depardieu, Stellan Skarsgård
MPAA: R
Grade: C+

Review by Scott Standish

An interesting gangster flick that is saved by the inimitable James Caan, City of Ghosts marks the feature film directorial debut of Matt Dillon. Full of interesting ideas that slowly disintegrate as the story meanders, this is never the less a decent movie, worthy of a rental on a rainy day.

Here's the set up: Matt Dillon plays a crook that needs to take it on the lamb. He decides to head to Cambodia where his mentor and sometime partner in crime is working on some new scores. Unfortunately, the deeper he digs into the underworld of Cambodia, the more trouble he finds himself in.

Gérard Depardieu plays a bartender/hotel keeper that knows too much about everyone and Stellan Skarsgard plays a weasel that can't be trusted. But stealing the show is the incredible James Caan who plays Dillon's crime boss, mentor and father figure. Caan is one of those grizzled old actors that can take over an entire scene now with just the raising of an eyebrow or a slight change of expression.

The problem with City of Ghosts is it's pace. It seems to lose steam as the story progresses and by act three, you might start looking at your watch. However, this remains a decent first time effort from one of our favorite actors, Matt Dillon.

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DVD Review: Roger Dodger (B-)

Roger Dodger (2002)
Directed by Dylan Kidd
Starring Campbell Scott, Isabella Rossellini, Jesse Eisenberg, Elizabeth Berkley and Jennifer Beals
MPAA: R
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

Roger Swanson is a fast talking, sarcastic copywriter living in the heart of Manhattan. He feels he can talk girls into anything, and because of his sharp on his feet style, he's earned himself the nickname Roger Dodger. His boss Joyce (Isabella Rossellini) was also his girlfriend, but she's just dumped him and in a cold hearted matter of fact manner. This won't do, especially for a man of his talents so he decides to try and win her back through (what else?) his relentless wit and salesmanship.

While this is happening, Roger gets a visit from his run away nephew Nick (Jesse Eisenberg), a virgin hoping to learn the singles ropes in the big city. Roger takes the young lad under his wing and soon they are off on a mission: Jesse needs to lose his virginity by nights end.

Roger shows Jesse how to lie to girls, how to take advantage of passed out women, and at one point, where to find hookers. Throughout the search Roger pontificates on the philosophy of love and life, Roger Dodger style ("Sex is everywhere!). Nick picks up on the confidence and the "stay sharp mentally" advice that Roger constantly espouses, but will he cross over completely to Roger's self centered, rather evil side?

The changes in Roger's character (and Nick's) at the end are noticeable, but frankly I wanted to see them a little more pronounced. The shallowness of the characters is a sticking point for me, I just didn't find myself being drawn deep enough into the minds of Roger and Nick. Campbell Scott does a fantastic job of bringing this sarcastic sleazeball to life, but I was just hoping to see this character written with a little more sensitivity.

The camerawork of director of photography Joaquin Baca-Asay has been hailed by some but I actually found it distracting. At times the camera work calls attention to itself needlessly (remember those Dockers ads where the camera kept moving all around while it was simply showing some guy's pants?). Several scenes have that style and its a little too much. Why call attention away from the actors here?

Roger Dodger has a few faults but I still found it to be a entertaining comedy/drama. Fans of this indie feature might also like the "young man in Manhattan" tale of Igby Goes Down, a similar tale with a little more depth to the story.

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