DVD Review: Kill Bill Volume One (A-)

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Michael Madsen and Sonny Chiba
MPAA: R
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish There is no doubt about it: Quentin Tarantino is probably the best American director working today, with the possible exception of Martin Scorsese and David Lynch. And while Scorsese and Lynch may provide better art house sensibilities, for sheer entertainment value, let's call it "punch", there is no doubt who is king, and that's Tarantino.

By now everyone knows the story behind the film: Kill Bill was originally intended to be one film, but was expanded to two in order to completely tell the story. I have yet to see part two, but if it's half as good as part one, I will be truly amazed. Kill Bill Volume One is undoubtedly the most entertaining film I have seen in a long, long time.

The premise behind Kill Bill is simple. The Bride (Uma Thurman) is a hired assassin that is attacked on her wedding day and left for dead. She recovers and seeks out her revenge against the perpetrators, one at a time. The story is unveiled in chapter form, almost like a book (Pulp Fiction?) and it is very effective. Thurman battles nemesis after nemesis with extreme martial arts techniques and dazzling camera work that leaves the viewer completely blown away.

The dialogue, the style, the trademarks of Quentin Taratino's earlier films (Reservoir Dogs especially) are all intact, but the pacing of Kill Bill has been turned up a notch. Full of action, wit and style, Kill Bill is a fantastic film. I can't wait to go see Kill Bill Volume Two!

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DVD Review: Party Monster (B-)

Party Monster (2003)
Directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
Starring Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, Diana
Scarwid, Marilyn Manson, Chlo‘ Sevigny, Wilmer
Valderrama, and Dylan McDermott
MPAA: R
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

The true story of Michael Alig, king of the club kids, has finally made it onto the big screen. Based on the book Disco Bloodbath by Alig side kick James St. James, Party Monster chronicles Alig's life, from misunderstood youngster in the midwest, to heroin fiend murderer in the big apple. Obviously, this is not a film that will be on most people's short list, but it does have it's moments.

Alig took club promotion in the New York club land to the extreme by throwing insane, costume filled, drug fueled parties that made Studio 54 seem like a bible study group. Were talking people dressed up like chickens, brides covered in blood, and kids dressed like trolls. Hey, when you are on Special K (their drug of choice) it all probably made sense and there was no doubt that Alig's parties were always the best (as long as the cops
didn't show up).

The casting of Culkin in the role of Alig (reportedly he was their first and only choice) dooms what would have otherwise been a very, very good film. Culkin just does not come across as evil enough for Party Monster, no matter how much the role screams for it. Seth Green does a passable James St. James, indie queen Chloe Sevigny is very good as Alig's gal pal Gitsie and Wilmer Valderrama (Fez from That 70's Show!) is actually pretty
decent as the vacant DJ Keoki. Marilyn Manson is completely wasted in a bit part as Christina, Alig's first "superstar". If only Alig would have been played by someone else with a darker edge (sigh).

Party Monster has a great visual style, excellent music and the directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato do a great job of keeping the story moving along. Bailey and Barbato also directed the excellent Eyes of Tammy Faye, a documentary about the life of Tammy Faye Bakker.

Curious about the whole "club kid" thing of the 80's? Party Monster is certainly worth a rental. Bailey and Barbato also directed a 57 minute documentary on Alig back in 98.

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DVD Review: Trekkies 2 (D)

 

Trekkies 2 (2004)
Directed by Roger Nygard
Starring Denise Crosby
MPAA: PG
Grade: D

Review by Bobby Nashville

This worthless film tries to expand on the success of the first Trekkies documentary but instead winds up boring you to death. The first Trekkies film focused on Americans that are completely obsessed with the television show Star Trek and its countless spinoffs. Intelligent, interesting and at time, hilarious, the first documentary was a surprise hit.

Trekkies 2 basically takes the formula one step further by exploring Trekkies outside of the US. Unfortunately, the thrill is gone, the joke has been told and this followup breaks new ground. Making the film unbearable is the constant presence of host Denise Crosby. Denise seems intent on making this documentary more about herself than anything else.

I was bored and a little bit annoyed with Trekkies 2 about half way through, so I decided to go get myself a cheeseburger from White Castle instead. Maybe something interesting happened, but I doubt it. I would highly recommend the sliders, but I can't give this ripoff sequel the thumbs up.

DVD Review: That Obscure Object of Desire (A)

That Obscure Object of Desire (1977)
Directed by Luis Bunuel
Starring Fernando Rey, Carol Bouquet and Angela Molina
MPAA: R
Grade: A

Review by Scott Standish

Luis Bunuel is one of my favorite directors and for my money, That Obscure Object of Desire ranks right up there with his best. A simple story of sexual frustration set against a background of rampant terrorism this film holds up extremely well today.

Fernando Rey (Don Rafael from Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie) stars as Mathieu, a wealthy man who falls deeply in love with a beautiful young girl named Conchita. Bunuel cleverly has two different actress play the role of Conchita (Carol Bouquet and Angela Molina), simply swapping them out at random to show the two faced nature of this character. Conchita is a user. She constantly promises to give herself to him, only to deny him at the very height of passion. It is strongly hinted that she is using the money he gives her to fund terrorism. It's obvious that Conchita enjoys torturing the poor old Mathieu and if the truth were to be told, he probably enjoys the pain she inflicts on him in some way (or why would he keep coming back for more?)

A clever film that does exactly what it sets out to do (fantastic ending, by the way) That Obscure Object of Desire is a classic that is required viewing for all lovers of foreign cinema. That Obscure Object of Desire was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1978 Academy Awards, and it won the Best Foreign Film award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards and National Board of Review.

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DVD Review: Fast Times At Ridgemont High (A-)

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
Directed by Amy Heckerling
Starring Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, Forest Whitaker and Ray Walston
MPAA: R
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

Aloha, Mr. Hand.

It's amazing how many people of my age relate to this film, often remarking that their teen years were just like the characters of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. My years were a lot like Fast Times (I worked at a mall) and like everyone in the movie, was preoccupied with sex. But hey, isn't that what every teenager is preoccupied with?

"Fast Times" was based on writer Cameron Crowe's book detailing his year undercover as a Los Angeles High School student. He documented the dress, the slang, the hip places to hang and really got all the nuances right. Director Amy Heckerling (Clueless) has a knack for honing right in on teenager's mindsets. They like being goofy (the surfer scenes with Jeff Spicoli are hilarious) and yet at times they take themselves way too seriously (Judge Reinhold rehearsing a break up speech in front of the All American Burger bathroom mirror). Almost every scene in this comedy is a classic.

The stars cast in the major roles of Fast Times were all virtually unknown (except Ray Walston, who was known for his role in My Favorite Martian). Of course all of them have gone on to become stars, especially Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Phoebe Cates. Eric Stoltz, Anthony Edwards and Nicolas Cage (then Nicolas Coppola) have very tiny roles in this one, keep your eyes peeled for them.

The beauty to Fast Times At Ridgemont High is in the manner in which the kids are framed. They are really adults but they are trapped in teenage bodies and still trying to figure out the rules of being adults. Dating, love, responsibility all need to be managed in perspective at some time. But for now, why not continue to enjoy the fast times at Ridgemont High?

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