Archive for March, 2004

The Prince and Me

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted March 28, 2004 at 2:04 am

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Rating:Rated PG for some sex-related material and language
Starring:Julia Stiles, Luke Mably
Directed By:Martha Coolidge

Final Grade:

I never wanted to be whisked away to a magical castle by a magical prince. But then again I am a guy. Come to think of it, I can’t really say I wanted to be whisked away to a magical castle and live a fairy tale life with a princess either. Being the pessimistic person I am, I would point out all the flaws in the relationship, such as plain and simple I would be outclassed. I know in fairy tales that is forgotten and true love triumphs over all differences. But don’t want that fairy tale ending where I have to worry about which fork to eat my salad with, and having to deal with all those pesky peasant people wanting my life of luxury. I guess the old saying “you can take a girl out of the trailer park, but you can’t take the trailer park out of the girl” kind of comes into play both in my life and (if you replace girl with guy) and in my movie for the week, The Prince and Me.

If you are an avid reader of Box Office Boredom there should be no doubt in your mind that I, Jason King, am an addict. I’m not addicted to alcohol or drugs but instead to films that star an actor and an actress that few others admit to enjoying. Yes it’s true folks; I am addicted to films with Kevin Costner and Julia Stiles. I once also had a strange love for Norm McDonald films, but that has long passed since I have seen “Screwed.” But back on the subject, this film doesn’t star Costner but it does star Julia Stiles, one of Hollywood’s unappreciated actresses.

Stiles stars as Paige Morgan, a girl who has always put her life plans as her top priority, never wanting to take a chance with anything or anyone that might stand in her way. Her Co-star Luke Mably stars as Eddie, the prince of Denmark trying to escape his identity at a College in the USA. Paige lets down her guard and falls for Eddie only to find out that he is a prince. Now forced to choose the life she has always wanted or taking a chance with what could be the man of her dreams, Paige is stuck with the biggest decision of her life.

For once I actually felt that the fairy tale story this film was telling had some substance to it. Paige doesn’t magically fit in with the others right away because of the way she acts. Paige grew up a farm girl, and farm girls just don’t magically become royalty like some films like to suggest. The ending also surprised me; your traditional Happily Ever after ending isn’t quite played out in this film. The writers of this film did a nice job of keeping the story from being a fairy tale and from being a horrible mix of fairy tale and reality and somehow come out with a story that works well.

In the acting department, we have Luke Mably, a young handsome fellow who has the looks and the British Accent to drive the girls wild but he doesn’t really show us any true acting talents during his screen time. In the end, although he may be a great actor I don’t ever see him reaching the level of an A list actor. In the end the most he will amount to is the handsome face that is stuck as the “other guy” in romantic comedies. Only time will tell however. His co-star Julia Stiles was just as she always is. Like her or hate her, the girl has some great acting powers, but they don’t always show because of the films he finds herself in. Of course there are a few things that make you cringe, some of the ways she grins at the camera make you almost laugh every once in a while (but she’s no Kate Hudson, so that’s ok). She also insists in every movie that she can in fact dance, when everyone knows she can’t. Someday I hope that someone will let her in on that little secret. While this is far from Stiles best performance (as an avid Stiles fan, I truly enjoy her work in “O”) this is one that isn’t too bad.

The film however will soon be forgotten about, and banished to video shelves and then to the $5 rack at Wal-Marts across the nation. It doesn’t really do anything to make it stand out from any other boy meets girl romantic story, and that is what puts the nail in the coffin for this film. It’s not directing, it’s not the story and it’s not because half of the lines that are in the movie trailer aren’t in the film either (although that did anger me.) It’s simply because it lacks the originality that will give it staying power for future audiences to enjoy.

While I won’t tell people to rush out and see this film, I will tell you that it is good for what it is. It doesn’t aspire to be great. It’s just another modern day girl’s fairy tale of being whisked away by a handsome prince. If you are a guy like me, don’t try to figure out why the fantasy of being whisked away by a handsome, rich, and inbred royal family appeals to girls. Just be glad that you have a girlfriend who hasn’t been whisked away from you by such a man. And while you’re at it, take her to a film like the Prince and Me. While in the end it’s just and average film, you may be able to trick your girl into thinking you have a heart.

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Filed under: Drama, Family, Movies

The Girl Next Door

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted March 27, 2004 at 11:16 pm

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Rating: R for strong sexual content, language and some drug/alcohol use. 
Starring:Emille Hersch, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy Olyphant 
Directed By:Luke Greenfield 

Final Grade: 

There is no explaining the mind of a teenage boy to another girl. Trying to explain guys to girls is about as pointless as a girl trying to explain another girls thoughts to a guy. They just don’t make sense. Everything becomes a gibberish, you may hear what they are saying to you yet you have no idea what it means. Well today I am going to try to explain the impossible. I am going to explain the whole teenage boy addiction to porn in a nutshell. You can blame in on hormones if you would like but what it boils down to is girls who know what they want. That’s really what it is. Mix that in with sexual experience, which porn stars have and you have what every teenage boy wants. A girl that will have sex with them and make their decisions for them, so they don’t have to. After all, as a teenager, it’s cool to not care (or so the results of my day to day research at the theater tells me)

In “The Girl Next Door” we meet two characters who are completely the opposite. One a former female porn star who moves in next door and a high school nerd who wants to become accepted by his peers but is so afraid of taking a chance that he never will be. Well the two of them of course hook up (amazingly in this film it is not because of any lost bets or anything of the like) and the girl actually starts to fall for the boy. But when an old friend of hers comes into town, a former producer by the name of Kelly (Timothy Olyphant) the girl next door has to choose between the life she left behind and the life she is creating in the present. It should be an easy choice, but old habits are hard to break and it’s up Matthew to take a chance and show her how he really feels about her.

The makers of the girl next door do a wonderful job with the story. Their film doesn’t rely on big named actors or actresses, or even suprisingly with the context a lot of pointless nudity and gross out sexual humor. The film works because of a great story, some good laughs and great acting by a lot of Lesser knowns. Elisha Cuthbert does a nice job in her former porn star role, and really is a gifted actress. The problem is no one knew it. In fact few people even know who she is. Those who do know her as the high school chick that Luke Wilson wakes up with in Old School and ditzy Kim Bauer in the hit TV show, 24. While her filmography is not limited to that, it isn’t filled with any truly recognizable roles either. Her Male co-star Emile Hersch also suffers from the same problem, he isn’t known but he is amazingly good. Mix that in with a wonderful performance by Timothy Olyphant and you have a great little film in the making.

The director does a nice job of keeping this on the borderline of being anything too tasteless, which is a big feat considering it is a movie about a porn star. In fact the pointless nudity is very limited to only a few scenes. The film relies on a fun story that pokes fun at high school kids and their temperaments, and some strong sexual inuendos. In fact this film follows closely in suit with the original American Pie film, a nicely crafted way of looking at sex in a light hearted sometimes comedic way. Many try their hand at this type of film making, (including the makers of American Pie 2 and 3) but the success rate is not too good.

In the end, if you are a fan of the original American Pie and want a movie that takes something like sex and puts it into a somewhat family friendly movie with wholesome characters, then the Girl Next Door might be for you. 

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Filed under: Comedy, Movies, Romance

Jersey Girl

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted at 12:52 am

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Rating: PG-13 on appeal for language and sexual content including frank dialogue.
Starring:Ben Affleck, George Carlin, Liv Tyler, Jason Biggs
Directed By:Kevin Smith

Final Grade:

Putting the past behind you is sometimes the hardest thing to do. And the last few movies I have watched have turned out to be two completely different films but both in a way deal about leaving your past behind. The first is The Girl Next Door, you can click the link in a few minutes, but for now lets talk about leaving your past behind from a Hollywood Standpoint rather than what is in the script.

Director Kevin Smith has been known to be the king in the land of dick and fart jokes. Love him or hate him, the famed Clerks director is either considered a comedic kingpin or a third rate Cheech or Chong, depending on the critic. Smith’s directing style is weak, but has always spiced his films nicely with great dialogue. But after the announcement that his famed Jay and Silent Bob wouldn’t return in his next film, people began to question just how good another film by Kevin Smith could possibly be.

Smith Teamed up once again with the one man he truly believes could play anything, Ben Affleck. Affleck is the epitome of great acting according to Smith, and could successfully play the Shark in Jaws 3 and win an academy award. (It’s funny how the academy and most of the general public doesn’t seem to share Smiths’ vision) Affleck has appeared in nearly all of Smith’s films, But rarely ever as the Central character. Affleck’s personal life propelled him into superstardom, and after his departure from Jenny from the Block many people have found themselves Afflecked-out. In fact, I have heard many people say that they won’t attend Jersey Girl since they are so over-exposed to Ben Affleck. I have a feeling that if anyone wished they could leave their high profile life behind, Ben Affleck has to be doing a lot of wishing.

Jersey Girl is the story of Oliver Trinke. Oliver is a publicist for the biggest stars, and his life is right on track to being perfect. He has a great job, and a great wife, a great house, and a newborn on the way. But when his wife dies during childbirth, Oliver’s life is flipped upside down. Forced to move home to live with his father, Oliver tries his hand at the hardest thing he has ever faced: being a single parent.

Affleck really tugs at your emotions in this film. His acting is never really superior in most of his films, but still he has his shining moments. Although it wasn’t Oscar quality, it was still shining. For those people who suffer from Affleck over-exposure, I could try and tell you that it will be ok, and that Jersey Girl is safe, but the plain and simple truth is that Affleck is the center point of this film. But if you can get over your fears of Affleck you can find out that this film works because he does it with a style that works really well for him. Affleck really does a great job of becoming that character rather than being Ben Affleck, once you see past that you should be just fine.

Writer and Director Kevin Smith announced that this is one his personal pieces and wasn’t going to be for everyone. The statement frightened a lot of his avid fans, and yet I’m not sure why. As a director you grow and it is evident that Smith would really like to grow beyond the Dick and Fart Jokes he is famed for. While this may not be what his die-hard fans wanted to hear, this is the choice he made, whether they like it or not. Luckily as a gifted writer Smith is making the transition with ease. His story is simple and heartfelt, and really does a great job of being “a sweet” little treat. His dialogue seems almost lack luster however, and at many points seems watered down from his previous films. His directing style is still choppy just like before, and it is evident that he really doesn’t have any style at all at times.

In the end though, whether you were a Kevin Smith Fan or not, go check the film out. Smith and Affleck are testing some new waters; there is no harm in that. Sometimes the end result of trying new things turns out to be better. Maybe it is time for Smith to leave his dick and fart jokes behind, and maybe this film will end the Bennifer saga for Affleck. Only time will tell. But unfortunately this film will not stick around in theater for a long time. If you haven’t seen this lighthearted, wholesome, feel good comedy, then I think you are missing out.

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Filed under: Comedy, Movies

The Ladykillers

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted March 26, 2004 at 10:20 pm

A Film Review By The Mike

Rating:RATED R for Hippity-Hop Language
Starring: Tom Hanks, Irma P. Hall, Marlon Wayans
Directed By: Joel & Ethan Coen

Final Grade:

Expectations can ruin many a movie. The Ladykillers is a perfect example of a film that could fall prey to them. Directed by the brothers Coen, the masters of the quirky, and starring Tom Hanks, who shed his comedic talents a decade ago in favor of more “substantial” works; this remake of the 1955 film of the same name was up for scrutinization by many from the first moment its trailers were released. So, deciphering whether or not the film will please most is a hard task for me to undertake.

The Ladykillers is a comic tale centered around Professor Goldthwait Higginson Dorr, PHD, played by Hanks. He’s not a Professor or a Doctor however…he’s a criminal mastermind. No criminal mastermind would be complete without his team, and the Professor has formed a great one. Gawain MacSam (Marlon Wayans) is the “inside man”, Lump (Ryan Hurst) is the ex football player who’s had a few too many concussions, The General (Tzi Ma) is in charge of tunneling, and Garth Pancake (J.K. Simmons) is the explosives “expert”. Unfortunately, they’ve run into a foe unlike any other.

That foe is Miss Marva Munson, played by Irma P. Hall. Dorr and associates rent a room from her, and use her cellar for their “rehearsals.” Of course, Miss Munson, and her cat, Pickles, are soon on to the group’s activities, and a battle of wits ensues.

Hanks and Hall play off each other perfectly, in two great comedic performances. Hanks seems to be playing a combination of Colonel Sanders and Vincent Price, with some extremely memorable moments, mostly coming from his facial expressions. Hall is a perfectly serene presence as Miss Munson, yet we still believe her strength over the men when she exerts it. The other cast members all do their jobs well, with Simmons’ Garth Pancake (You’ll have to excuse me for repeating these character names so much, they’re simply too much fun to let go.) and Ma’s General providing many great laughs. There are many truly great gags that reminded me of one of my favorite comedies, Frank Capra’s Arsenic & Old Lace, at least in their slapstick and obvious nature. Yeah, they’re obvious jokes….but we still laugh at them nonetheless.

The script, though inspired, could have used a little more work. There’s a lot of trouble keeping the tone in the first couple of reels, and a few gags that are overused (particularly Garth Pancakes’ bowels). But, it rights itself in the final act, once the team has committed their crime, and builds to a satisfying and proper finale.

I’ve heard many express surprise that the Coens were involved in this project, after viewing the trailer. Rest assured, the comedy is not as mainstream as the trailer made it seem, and those looking for a normal comedy will be out of luck. This is a Coen brothers film, and that’s evident in the direction, the writing, and even the music. It’s not one of their more ambitious endeavors, but it works all the same.

In the end, The Ladykillers was a comedy that thrilled me in every shot with its quirky nature and Hanks’ hammy showboating. I can’t promise it will have the same effect on all, but if you’re up for a film that’s definitely not in line with your usual multiplex blockbuster comedy, it’ll probably work for you. But if you go in looking for a film with less blatant humor, you will be watching a film that is funny….and yet….not funny.

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Filed under: Comedy, Movies

Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted March 23, 2004 at 2:40 am

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Rating: Rated R for language, some drug and sexual content.
Starring:Jim Carrey, Kate Winslett, David Cross, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkenson
Directed By:Michael Gondry

Final Grade:

The World is full of a lot of what ifs. The other day someone said to me, “What If Paul Walker makes a good movie?” I laughed. Then they said “What if you actually wrote a good review?” I chuckled; fully knowing that was never going to happen. But when someone said, “What if Jim Carrey made a serious movie?” I knew it wasn’t just something to laugh at.

Jim Carrey tries to show us his serious side in his latest film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. His character, Broken hearted on Valentines Day shortly after the love of his life Clementine left him finds out that things are worse than he had thought. Clementine recruited the help of a doctor at Lecuna Inc., a company that specializes in erasing memories from the human mind. Convinced that he can not live with the memory of a person who doesn’t even remember her relationship with him, Joel decides to enlist the help of the same doctor to have Clementine erased from his memory as well. But during the process, Joe starts to wonder if erasing her is really the right thing to do after all.

Jim Carrey does a wonderful job in this role. Carrey continues to show us that there is more to Jim Carrey than a rubber faced comedian. His first “Serious” flick, the Majestic, was not received well by audiences, but this time he teamed up with the ringleader of bizarreness by starring in a film written by Charlie Kauffman. Kaufman’s name is no stranger to the terms “really good, but bizarre” when it comes to screenplays, and now he is becoming a household name, especially after the success of his last screenplay, Adaptation starring Nicolas Cage and Chris Cooper. This time Kaufman’s script gives Carrey plenty of opportunity to show off his talents, by giving him plenty of things such as a rehashed portion of his childhood to the much more serious side of everyday life. Carrey takes every one of these scenes and runs with them, showing us how versatile of an actor he can be, if people would think of him as more than the guy that talks with his butt in Ace Ventura. Carrey definitely has potential; hopefully this time with Kaufman’s script behind him he may have the chances to show audiences how good he really can be in a serious role.

Although Carey leads the way, his supporting cast makes his job look much easier than it probably really is. Kate Winslett, Eilijah Wood and the always-wonderful Tom Wilkenson are all fantastic. I however was not impressed with Kirsten Dunst whose character is just as worthless as she is in real life. Her performance seems way too fake in comparison with the other characters and her character itself got on my nerves so quickly; I didn’t really have any feelings for her at all.

In the end, a solid story and some great performances make Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind a film to take a look at. It may not be the most revolutionary film you will see this year, but it is an enjoyable flick that you won’t want erased from your memory.

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Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Movies
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