Sunday, July 23, 2006

Take 4: Mystery Theme Review

It's time for the first official "Mystery Theme" review. But what do they have in common? Take a look, give them a quick read...and tell me: 1) What is the theme that holds these four movies together? 2) What additional movies should I have reviewed if I had decided to open the review to two more films (keeping in mind the theme)? Four winners will be selected, and each will get to pick a single movie for me to review in an upcoming "Mystery Theme Winners" review. Good luck!

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Secondhand Lions
(2003)

What's Going on Here?:
Young Walter is left to stay with his recluse great-uncles in Texas for the summer, who are rumored by relatives and locals to be sitting on a great sum of money of unknown origin. During his stay, he learns of the adventurous nature of his uncles through their everyday activities and the stories of their past, which end up contributing to Walter's own personal growth.

Leading the Line-Up:
The uncles are played by big-screen greats Robert Duvall and Michael Caine, while Walter is played by Haley Joel Osment (of The Sixth Sense). In addition Kyra Sedgwick plays Walter's mom, whose motives for having her son visit the long-lost uncles are dubious at best.

Things to Look Out For:
A great little fight scene between Robert Duvall and some young punks. Don't mess. The only special feature on this DVD is a commentary track by director/writer Tim McCanlies. While I really enjoyed the movie, it isn't the sort that necessarily can have a whole lot added to it by listening to a commentary, so not something you really need to check out. Apparently there's another DVD with more special features on it (the disc I had instructed me to turn it over for other features, but it was just a single-sided DVD).

Random Trivia:
Haley Joel Osment was attacked by a pig during filming. The lion on set, though, had numerous trainers and handlers...but no one thought the pig might be a menace.

And I Quote: Hub [to teenage punk]: "I'm Hub McCann. I've fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks. I've seen the headwaters of the Nile, and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I've won and lost a dozen fortunes, killed many men and loved only one woman with a passion a flea like you could never begin to understand. That's who I am. Now, go home, boy!"

What Did We Learn Today, Class?:
1) There are some things you are just better off believing in, whether they are true or not. 2) Mini-cornfields make good mini-jungles. 3) Don't mess with a veteran who's fought in two World Wars.

Curt's Take:
"Must See" - A very enjoyable film. Very touching at times, quite entertaining, and even laugh-out-loud funny at points. Osment's character goes through so many changes in the couple months he spends with his uncles, and the film easily conjures memories of summers spent with relatives that you don't necessarily see all that often. While definitely a drama, it's got a little something for everybody and was great to watch...even got teary-eyed at a couple points. But I'll deny that if you ask me about it.
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50 First Dates
(2004)

What's Going on Here?:
Henry Roth's social life in Hawaii consists of dating tourists who are temporarily visiting the islands, and cutting things off abruptly as they prepare to leave for the mainland. He then meets Lucy Whitmore, a young woman who has no short-term memory due to an automobile accident the prior year. She wakes up each morning with no memory of yesterday, unable to remember anything following the morning of her car crash. Henry falls for Lucy and proceeds to spend each day attempting to make her fall in love with him...again, and again, and again.

Who's In It That Matters?:
Several memorable folks. Obviously, the two main stars: Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. They're great in this...and you don't get a Billy Madison performance from Adam. His acting is more similar to The Wedding Singer, meaning, it's decent. Also, Sean Astin (aka Sam Gamgee, from Lord of the Rings) plays Lucy's gym-rat brother, Doug...and is damn funny. His lisp is pritheleth. Finally, you'll recognize Rob Schneider, from...er...well let's ignore The Animal and Judge Dredd and just recall his Saturday Night Live days. I didn't find his native Hawaiian character that funny, but the rest of the cast seems to. Almost forgot...Dan Aykroyd also has a small role, as Lucy's doctor. Nothing particular stellar, but always nice to see him in something.

Things to Look Out For:
Again, it's not your typical Sandler screwball comedy. There are many great dramatic moments, as well as scenes you'll laugh out loud at. As for special features, you've got several behind-the-scenes featurettes, including a Comedy Central special. They're okay, but I didn't get much from them...apart from the primer on Hawaii's "Pidgin" language, which was brief, educational, and interesting. There's also a commentary track by Drew Barrymore and director Peter Segal...she's just so entertaining to listen to, that I really enjoyed that. There are also deleted scenes (with commentary) and a blooper reel...nothing riveting, but pretty brief, so check 'em out if you liked the movie. Finally, some music videos, trailers and a promo for Adam Sandler's most recent comedy CD...meh.

Random Trivia: Henry makes a video for Lucy to remind her of the events that have occurred since her accident. One of the items is "Red Sox win the World Series..." followed by "...Just Kidding." During the year of the film's release, the Red Sox actually broke their 86-year drought and won the World Series.

And I Quote:
Dr. Keats: "Tom was in an accident and now he only has a ten-second memory." Ten Second Tom: "I was in an accident? That's terrible." Dr. Keats: "Don't worry, you're totally gonna get over it in about three seconds."

What Did We Learn Today, Class?:
1) Don't mess with Neighborhood Watch. 2) A sick walrus is not something to be trifled with. 3) Waffles make good construction material.

Curt's Take:
"Worth Considering" - Really enjoyed this, but probably not something I'd sit and watch again. Very touching, funny at points. Perhaps my roommate put it best..."the funniest movie I've ever seen on a plane." You might not normally seek this out, especially if you aren't a fan of Adam Sandler films...but consider giving it a shot if what you're looking for isn't on the video store shelf. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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The Fourth Angel
(2001)

What's Going on Here?:
Jack Elgin, European editor of The Economist, changes his family's vacation plans from a leisurely trip around the Mediterranean to a visit to India, where he has a story he "needs" to cover. At an unscheduled maintenance stop along the way, the grounded plane is taken over by terrorists. While most of the passengers escape with their lives, some member of Jack's family aren't so lucky. As he deals with his grief, he discovers that the terrorists were released from custody and secretly deported, which sets off the chain of events that follows...namely, Jack's revenge.

Who's In It That Matters?:
Jeremy Irons plays Jack, while Forest Whitaker plays Jules Bernard, an FBI agent working with Scotland Yard on anti-terrorist activities and investigating the strange deaths of some of these released terrorists. Hmm...who might have done it? Also, there's Jason Priestly, who plays a CIA ageny working at the American Embassy in London.

Things to Look Out For:
Some incomprehensible dialogue. It may have just been the system I was watching it on, but the soundtrack overpowered the speaking voices of the actors...many of whom had British accents, which can be a little difficult to puzzle out sometime. And there are no subtitles to help you out. Also, this is the first DVD I've reviewed in a while that didn't have any special features. Was kind of nice.

Random Trivia:
I watched portions of this movie on "Fast Play," which goes 1.4 times faster than normal speed, and the actors sound like chipmunks. That's the only thing I found entertaining about it.

And I Quote: Jules:
"Life...it happens whether you have meetings or not."

What Did We Learn Today, Class?: 1) Vacations in the Mediterranean are always a better option than, well, almost anywhere. 2) Cover your tracks well if you plan on hunting terrorists. 3) Jason Priestly can't act.

Curt's Take:
"Don't Bother" - A lot of it may have to do with the fact that I couldn't make out about 25% of the dialogue, but I just really wasn't into this. Jeremy Irons is a good actor, sure, and Forest Whitaker, while not necessarily great...well, he's still interesting to watch. But Jason Priestly...the less said the better. Acting has to be PRETTY bad for me to notice the lack of skill. The action sequences were pretty confusing, and the plot was a little contrived...and I still have no idea where the title came from. All in all, it was passable, I guess...but really can't think of any reason I'd recommend anybody see this for any reason.

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The Third Man
(1949)

What's Going on Here?:
Hollie Martins, a struggling author, flies to post-WWII Vienna to meet up with his friend Harry, who has arranged a means of steady employment for him. Upon arrival, he finds that Harry has been killed in a strange hit-and-run accident...or was it murder?

Who's In It That Matters?:
Joseph Cotten plays Hollie Martins, our main character. You also get Alida Valli (or simply "Valli"...like "Cher"), who plays the female lead, Anna Schmidt. Finally, I would definitely be remiss in not mentioning Orson Welles...can't say too much about his character without giving some plot points away, but he's pretty darn good. This, I think, is actually my first Welles movie.

Things to Look Out For:
A great film noir tone in a surprisingly up-to-date and watchable black-and-white movie from the mid-40's. It does not come off as dated at all, which is amazing. Quite a mix of special features: Peter Bogdanovich giving a brief history of the film; a "treatment" audio track by Graham Greene, where the author reads his "prose" version of the movie as the movie plays in the background; an episode of a radio series based on The Third Man; footage of the zither musician (yes, a zither) who plays much of the music in the movie, as well as historical archive footage of the Vienna sewers that are featured in the film; trailers and production history; a before/after demonstration of how the film itself was restored; and, what every great special features section of a DVD needs...COLOR BARS! You know...so you can adjust your TV's tint and brightness, I guess. As always, if you enjoyed the film, check these out...the radio feature is kind of interesting, if you dig the whole "theater of the mind" thing.

Random Trivia: This film tops the "BFI 100", a list of 100 of "the best British films ever" compiled by the British Film Institute in 1999/2000. It's also the only non-American film named as one of the American Film Institute's "100 Greatest American Movies." That still leaves me wondering...is this an American film? Ah, well.

And I Quote:
Orson Welles's Character: "Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. So long, Hollie."

What Did We Learn Today, Class?:
1) Dividing a city into quarters and giving each section's legal jurisdiction to a different country REALLY makes law enforcement difficult. 2) A movie can be over fifty years old and still seem current. 3) Nothing beats a great chase scene through the sewers.

Curt's Take:
"Must See" - I thought Double Indemnity was a classic film noir...er...film. But I think I'd have to put The Third Man right up there with it. I was worried it would be dated, but it wasn't at all. It was a great mystery, and even when the mystery is "solved," the film keeps rolling on. Plus, it's got the great Orson Welles in it. So, would definitely recommend checking out this classic.

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Next Time on
Take 4: Looking for a new place to live? Considering purchasing that new house down the road? You might want to think twice, as we take a look at four films that will make you question how sweet "Home Sweet Home" actually is.

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