Take 4: Cusack Quartet

In this edition of Take 4, we look at four films from Hollywood leading man, John Cusack. Stay tuned for the next edition, when we make a return to our Viewer's Choice mailbag.

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Identity (2003)

In the Beginning: A group of strangers all become stranded at a remote motel in the Nevada desert during a flash flood.

The Plot Thickens: One of the group is found murdered. Fear and distrust soon turn into panic, and John Cusack tries to puzzle out just what the heck is going on. Picture Ten Little Indians meets Psycho.

Cusack Casting 101: Ed Dakota, tough and hardened limo driver who (for the most part) can keep his cool while those around him are losing theirs

And I Quote...: Paris: "You're a limo driver. So I'll ask again, what are you doing? Are you looking to win some "beyond the call of duty" limo driver merit badge?"

Favorite Non-Cusack Character: Paris, played by Amanda Peet. Not your run-of-the-mill prostitute, looking to change her life. You kind of get the feeling that she did "one last trick," then got stuck at this motel when things began to hit the fan.

Random Trivia: Several endings were filmed in order to shroud the real conclusion in secrecy.

Curt's Take: One of the few movies in my Netflix list that I'd seen before, and added because I wanted to see it again. Normally, that almost automatically makes it a "Must See." But this is definitely one of those "twist" movies, that, like The Sixth Sense, gives you a different perspective on it if you've already seen it once. I know that some friends of mine figured out what was going on pretty early on, and having gone back through, I don't see how I could have missed it...but on repeat viewing, this was still a "Must See" for me. Very creepy and well thought out. Just wish the "multiple endings" were shown on the DVD.

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Better Off Dead (1985)

In the Beginning: Lane Meyers, who is completely infatuated with his girlfriend, gets dumped for the captain of his high school ski team.

The Plot Thickens: While Lane is trying to deal with the loss of his girlfriend, the taunts of her jackass new boyfriend, and the pursuit of a homicidal paperboy, he almost completely overlooks the new French foreign exchange student next door.

Cusack Casting 101: Lane Meyers, goofy and romantic high school student with an overactive imaginaton.

And I Quote...: Tree Trimmer (seeing Lane ride by in the back of a garbage truck): "Now that's a real shame when folks be throwin' away a perfectly good white boy like that."

Favorite Non-Cusack Character: Ricky Smith (played by Dan Schneider, who also played Dennis Blunden, on TV's Head of the Class), the nerdy next-door neighbor with whom Monique, the French foreign exchange student is staying. His dance moves aren't quite up to Napoleon Dynamite's, though.

Random Trivia: People protested the film's original tagline, "Sometimes...you're Better Off Dead," so it was changed to "Relax...you're never Better Off Dead."

Curt's Take: A classic "Must See." Always kind of funny 1) watching a young John Cusack act and 2) any movie set during high school in the 80's. There aren't really any "normal" characters in these types of films, but that's part of the fun. Everyone has a quirk...from the mom who can't cook a damn thing to the little brother who doesn't talk but is building a space shuttle out of common household appliances. Definitely a good time watching this one.

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Pushing Tin (1999)

In the Beginning: Nick Falzone is the hotshot air traffic controller at TRACON, the facility that handles all flights in the combined airspace of JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.

The Plot Thickens: Enter Russell Bell, new guy, who turns Falzone's seemingly under control life upside-down. With him comes his beautiful wife, Mary, played by Angelina Jolie, who also distracts Falzone quite a bit. But air traffic control isn't really a job that is conducive to inter-worker conflict.

Cusack Casting 101: Nick Falzone, cool, calm and collected air traffic controller who everyone looks up to.

And I Quote...: Russell Bell: "I used to bowl, when I was an alcoholic."

Favorite Non-Cusack Character: Russell Bell, Cusack's rival in the film, played by Billy Bob Thornton. Part Cree Indian, part cowboy, he's the new guy in New York Air Traffic Control, and his co-workers don't know whether he's crazy, a loner, extremely normal, or some combination of the three.

Random Trivia: Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie first met on the set of this movie. They fell in love and were briefly married.

Curt's Take: For a comedy, it was a bit dry and uninteresting. The dialogue didn't really engage me, and the conflict between Falzone and King grew a little tedious at times. On a good note, it does give you an engaging look inside the world of air traffic control. Talk about thrill a minute. Anyway, it didn't royally suck, so it gets a "Not a Priority."

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Max (2002)

In the Beginning: Max Rothman, Jewish art dealer/teacher living in Germany during the final days of World War One, meets up with a young soldier who is passionate about art. That young artist's name? Adolf Hitler.

The Plot Thickens: In the turmoil surrounding the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler faces a crossroads...does he pursue his love of art, and give it a political bent, or does he pursue his love of politics, approaching it as an artist might? Rothman plays a vital role at this juncture in Hitler's life.

Cusack Casting 101: Max Rothman, former artist (having lost his right arm in the war) and man-about-town, as much as one can be in post-Great War Germany.

And I Quote...: Max Rothman: "Hitler, come on, I'll buy you a glass of lemonade."

Favorite Non-Cusack Character: Hitler, played by Noah Taylor. Most people going into this know that Hitler is a main character, but I had either not been aware of this or had forgotten. Regardless, when I found out who he was, I was, like...wow. I can see how this movie could get interesting. You definitely see the fervor and strong emotion that Taylor brings to the role.

Random Trivia: To help get this controversial movie financed, producer/star John Cusack took no salary for acting in the lead role.

Curt's Take: This is a great film, if only for the fact that you know what Hitler grows up to become. Great lines permeate the film...if only because you can't imagine someone saying them to the Hitler we all know from our history classes. It really was gripping, watching him struggle internally...which side of the fence (art or politics) would he fall on? There is one great scene where Hitler is discussing with a superior officer how he is thinking of walking away from politics and staying with art. The officer points to the young soldiers that Hitler is about to get riled up and says "They are your canvas," then points to his head, saying, "This is your paint." Brilliant. He is also critiqued by Rothman for only painting reality and what is seen, rather than what is felt and conveying the emotions of the battlefield (the subject of many of his sketches). There is one scene where Hitler gets WAY mad...and goes to town on a canvas...but then destroys it out of anger. The fact that I was SO hoping to see what he finally painted when using emotion as a wellspring is just one reason I give this a "Must See."

Take 4: Documented on Film

Some very good documentaries and mockumentaries make up this edition of Take 4. Some serious. Some light-hearted. Some interwoven with subtle humor that hits a home run. Some filled to the brim with in-your-face gags that strike out. Plus...our very first rating that surpasses the "Must See" mark. And in the next edition of Take 4, we visit four films starring one of Hollywoods favorite good guys. Stay tuned.

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Incident at Loch Ness (2004)

What's Being Documented?: The myth of the Loch Ness Monster. Well, actually, the documenting of the myth is what's being documented. A film crew filming a film crew. Where things go wrong...or do they?

We're Not in Kansas Anymore: If I have to tell you we're at Loch Ness in Scotland, then I give up...I really do.

The Starting Line-Up: Werner Herzog (director of many German films) plays filmmaker Werner Herzog and Zak Penn (screenwriter of such films as PCU and X-Men 2 and 3) plays screenwriter turned producer, Zak Penn. The sound guy is a real sound guy. The director of photography is a real director of photography.

Scenes to Look Out For: Look out for the underlying, subtle humor that pervades the entire film...it sometimes comes out of nowhere and surprises you. In a good way. A very good way. The tension between Herzog and Zak is great.

Random Trivia: When asked by an audience member after a viewing at the Edinburgh Film Festival 2004, whether any Nessies were harmed during the making of the film, director Zak Penn indicated that he could not guarantee that they were not.

Incident at Loch Ness in a Nutshell: Zak Penn: "When I look back, and I hear people talk about what suffering, I say to myself, "Who suffered more than I did"? I mean, other than the people who died. I mean, obviously, they suffered more because, well, they're dead. But, you could make the argument that they're dead, so they're not really dealing with it, whereas I live with the guilt, and I live with the sadness."

Curt's Take: I was SO pleasantly surprised by this, I don't want to give too much away. So, basically...a documentary is being filmed about the life of filmmaker Werner Herzog, who is traveling to Loch Ness to explore the role myth plays in culture. We get to see the crew of the film get brought on board the project, and watch the producer try to take over some creative elements of the project. If you don't like subtle humor...you may not "get" this. But it was very, very cleverly done...and one of the few DVDs I've viewed since I started Take 4 where I started to watch it a second time with commentary by Zak and Werner, which was great from the part I listened to. Plus, it's double-sided with more extras on Side 2 that I didn't get a chance to hit before returning it in the mail. So...yes folks...we have it. Our very first rating on Take 4 of "Buy. Watch. Repeat." Woo hoo! Rejoice! But...if you aren't a fan of understated humor...file this under "Must See."

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Spellbound (2002)

What's Being Documented?: The National Spelling Bee, and eight young contestants from across the country that are preparing for it.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore: We're in Washington, DC, the site of the spelling bee...but also at the contestants home towns across the country. I don't think any were in Kansas, though.

The Starting Line-Up: The eight kids and their parents. And the guy who reads the words. Hell, the words themselves almost take up the guise of a complicated and persitant protagonist against whom there can be only one victor.

Scenes to Look Out For: All of the "at home" scenes, which open up the film. They really set the stage for the different personalities and motivations that follow each kid to Washington from their home town.

Random Trivia: Although it lost to "Bowling for Columbine" as best Documentary Feature of 2002, it did garner many awards elsewhere, including best documentary at the SXSW Film Festival, the Santa Barbara Film Festival, the Woodstock Film Festival, the Hawaii International Film Festival, the Portland International Film Festival, and the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, to name but a few.

Spellbound in a Nutshell: Ashley White (one of the eight featured spellers): "My life is like a movie...there are trials and tribulations, and then I triumph."

Curt's Take: Another "Must See." I watched most of this on a flight from Detroit to Dallas, so can't imagine what those around me were thinking. But I was just so drawn in. You really begin to connect with these kids as people, and get a gut-wrenching feeling whenever any of them step up to the microphone to spell anything. The kids and their families range from the quite loner whose parents just are glad he's doing this instead of getting in trouble, to the brainy athlete whose parents set him up with strict studying lessons and coach after coach to make sure he nails each word. Really powerful and heartwarming film...you gotta check it out.

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Bowling for Columbine (2002)

What's Being Documented?: Gun violence in America, with a focus on Columbine High School, and other locations where school shootings took place.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore: We're all over the map, including Canada, as Michael Moore crosses the country to investigate America's obsession with firearms and The Second Amendment.

The Starting Line-Up: Michael Moore, documentarian of Fahrenheit 9/11, The Big One, and Roger & Me...along with the television programs The Awful Truth and TV Nation. He specializes in making corprorate bigwigs uncomfortable through sometimes over-the-top media stunts, which can be both entertaining and uncomfortable to watch.

Scenes to Look Out For: There are a lot...but when two kids who were shot at Columbine (and survived) go to K-Mart HQ to try to convince them to remove the bullets that shot them from their store shelves...it's pretty powerful.

Random Trivia: After two years of trying to get an interview with Charlton Heston, Moore was going to give up. Showing up at Heston's house toward the end of the film for an interview was totally spontaneous - on the way to the airport, a staff member suggested that they find his house using a star map. And it worked.

Bowling for Columbine in a Nutshell: Michael Moore: "If you were to talk directly to the kids at Columbine or the people in that community, what would you say to them if they were here right now?" Marilyn Manson: "I wouldn't say a single word to them, I would listen to what they have to say and that's what no one did."

Curt's Take: This one is definitely a "Must See" in my book, but not because of my stance on gun control. It's a very powerful documentary that contains plenty of info you likely weren't aware of, and at the very least will get you thinking about things from some different perspectives. I'm not sure what Moore set out to accomplish with this, though...he seems to be trying to bash the NRA throughout the film, but then goes on to make the point that other countries have high levels of gun ownership, but with much fewer gun-related deaths. You kind of come out of this asking yourself, "So what IS different about America that makes us so trigger-happy?" The most valid direction he steers us in, but then walks away from to go back to bashing the NRA, seems to be the culture of fear that our news media surround us with. Anyway, watch it.

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Fear of a Black Hat (1994)

What's Being Documented?: A year in the life of the rap group, NWH (Niggaz With Hats)...and to be fair, it's a mockumentary, not a documentary. Picture Spinal Tap meets Boyz n the Hood. Except...not funny.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore: I guess we're in LA. I stopped caring after the first 20 minutes.

The Starting Line-Up: Let's check out the filmography of the three main actors, shall we? Mark Christopher Lawrence (as "Tone Def") was in Sprung (as "Brotha #3"), Child's Play 3 and Go With the Fro; Larry B. Scoot (as "Tasty Taste") was in Revenge of the Nerds II - IV and The Cheapest Movie Ever Made ('nuff said). Rusty Cundieff (as "Ice Cold") was in Tales from the Hood and Sprung...and not much else. So, yeah...nobody I'd heard of. Well, not completely true: I WAS surprised to see Penny Johnson play a small role as Re-Re, the mother of Ice's son. For those of you not in the know, Penny plays Sherry Palmer, the president's wife in the GREAT series 24.

Scenes to Look Out For: The ones that were on while I was asleep...probably about a 15-20 minute chunk that starts 45 minutes before the end of the film. Or maybe I just zoned out. Don't know. Don't care.

Random Trivia: Okay, this little tidbit makes me want to gag...when the film was screened at Cannes, the only slot it was allowed was a single midnight showing. Unexpectedly, it became the first film to sell out the slot. It was then extended to several other midnight showings, all of which sold out.

Fear of a Black Hat in a Nutshell: Guy Friesch: "Take away the pornography. Take away, you know, the, you know, women-bashing. Take away the "Kill Whitey" stuff. Take it all away, and you've got the kids next door, you really do." Nina Blackburn: "Next door to you?" Guy Friesch: "Not me."

Curt's Take: I was so tempted to turn it off and just give up...but I didn't. Even though I had lost all hope that the movie would provide me some value...any value...I just still had to see it through. Again, my mantra is "I watch bad movies so others don't have to." Really...it was quite bad, apart from a few humorous lines. But apparently it was well-received in Cannes. So while I give it a hearty "Run in Fear" and hope you heed my advice, if hip-hop and old-school rap is REALLY your scene...I mean...like...you live and breathe it...I guess I have to give this a "Worth Considering."

Take 4: OCDetective

Once again, we're at the point where I go through a television series that comprises four discs and takes a good week to get through. Stay tuned to the next issue of Take 4 when we're back to four separate reviews...each covering a different documentary (of sorts).

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Monk (2002)

In the Beginning: Following the unsolved murder of his wife, police detective Adrian Monk develops a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, along with a nice little assortment of quirks and phobias. When these personality dysfunctions get in the way of his duties, he is forced to leave the force.

The Plot Thickens: With the help of his friend and nurse, Sharona, Monk tries to get well again. In addition, he acts as a consultant to his former police comrades on a wide variety of difficult cases, from figuring out why a billionaire would mug someone in a dark alley to why an accidental death during an earthquake might not be so accidental.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore: We're in San Francisco. I noticed there were a lot of references to local landmarks thrown in...I really liked that when Six Feet Under did that with Los Angeles, too. Gave it a nice sense of reality.

The Starting Line-Up: Tony Shalhoub plays Monk...but you probably remember him as Antonio the cab driver from TV's Wings. He has an amazing eye for detail and picking up on the most obscure things and behaviors...almost a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, but neurotic. Also, Bitty Schram plays Sharona and Ted Levine plays Capt. Stottlemeyer, the police chief who frequently turns to Monk for help on cases.

Episodes to Look Out For: "Mr. Monk Goes to the Asylum" - Great cameo by Kevin Nealon as a pathological liar who, as Monk's roommate, assists him in solving a many-years-old murder.

Random Trivia: Monk's irrational fears in order of severity from most to least are as follows: germs, needles, milk, death, snakes, mushrooms, heights, crowds, elevators.

Monk in a Nutshell: Capt. Stottmeyer: "Monk, everything doesn't always have to add up." Adrian Monk: (Pause) "It kinda does."

Curt's Take: Like most TV series, I wouldn't recommend sitting through the entire thing in one swoop. For any given episode, have to give it a "Worth Considering." The nice thing is, you can catch any one of the shows, and jump right in...not a lot of back story or continuing plot. However, if it was a serial drama/comedy...it might get bumped up to a "Must See," just for the intrigue factor. Guess I'd recommend catching a few episodes on USA Network, rather than necessarily renting the entire first season.