3.5 Razors

A Nation Mourns

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Queen
  • IMDB: link

the-queen-posterAfter the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, a country mourns.  Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) struggles with dealing with the personal loss of her family with the grieving country that wants solace and comfort from their sovereign.

The new Prime Minister, Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), tries to counsel the Queen to fight her nature and stoic resolve and allow the country to take part in the mourning of Diana’s death.

Stephen Frears gives us a behind the scenes looks at a power struggle between a modern man and a woman who’s refinement seems to be preventing her from what her country needs.  The film is shot in a way to allow real footage to be mixed into the film, including images and interviews with Diana herself.

Frears understands the delicacy of the issue involved and at no point does he try to trivialise or sensationalize the events.  He shows both a nation and family dealing with death in their own way.

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Dysfunction Junction

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Running with Scissors
  • IMDb: link

Running with Scissors

It’s not Little Miss Sunshine, (read that review here), it doesn’t have its heart, but Running with Scissors does present wildly entertaining moments about a collection of some of the most screwed-up people you’re likely to view together in a film.  It’s a journey of one sane individual who finds himself trapped in an increasingly insane world. 

Augusten Burroughs (Joseph Cross) is surrounded by insanity.  His father (Alec Baldwin) lives at the bottom of a bottle distraught over his wife’s insanity, and his mother (Annete Bening) believes herself to be America’s next great poet – except she can’t seem to get published by even the smallest journals.

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Game of Love

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Wimbledon
  • IMDB: link

wimbledon-posterIf you are a fan of tennis, love stories, romantic comedies, and good acting and writing then I’ve got a film for you.  And if you aren’t, well if everyone had good taste we wouldn’t need critics, would we?  Wimbledon wasn’t a big success at the box office, but it scores big on screen, and here on DVD.

Peter Colt (Paul Bettany) is at the end of his career.  Once ranked as high as eleventh in the world, the professional tennis player has fallen to 119 in the world and has picked Wimbledon for his swan song.  A hotel mix-up creates a chance meeting with up-and-comer American Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst).

The two enjoy spending time together, and Lizzie’s presence seems to bolster Peter’s game to the point that this British wildcard has a chance to win Wimbledon.  The relationship however is hurting Lizzie’s game, which doesn’t go unnoticed by her over-protective father (Sam Neil) who warns Peter to stay away from his little girl.

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Football for Felons

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Gridiron Gang
  • IMDb: link

gridiron-gang-posterCamp Kilpatrick is a juvenile detention facility in sunny California, but there’s little sunny on the inside.  The facility is losing the battle against gangs.  Those sent here are overwhelmingly likely, after their release, to end up either dead on the street or spending their lives in prison.

Sean Porter (The Rock) and Malcolm Moore (Xzibit) are two counselors fighting to find a way to save more of these kids.  Porter believes creating a football program could make a difference.  As you can imagine such a program isn’t popular with his bosses (Leon Rippy, Kevin Dunn) or with the local high school coaches who are the only avaiable competition, but Porter is determined and the fighting Mustangs are born.

Those chosen for the team include gangbanger and killer Willie Weathers (Jade Yorker) whose cousin (Michael J. Pagan) was killed by a rival gang, white trash Kenny Bates (Trever O’Brien), super-sized lifetime screw-up Junior Palaita (Setu Taase), and mouthy thief Bug Wendal (Brandon Smith).

One of the strengths of the film is despite giving these kids the chance to shine and look good it never forgets that they are criminals.  The slate isn’t immediately wiped clean, but this is a first step to a better life.

The football moments of the film are well staged and shot, looking a little too perfect for high school games at times, but that’s just the nitpicker in me.  As impressive as those scenes are the real moments of the film are the quiet ones where these characters actually grow and change over the course of the film.  A movie with The Rock that includes character development?  Who would of thought!

There are a few subplots sprinkled through the film; some work better than others.  There’s Willie’s girlfriend (Jurnee Smollett) who loves him but hates his violent side and whose father (Dan Martin) wants her to stay away from gangbangers.  There’s Kenny’s relationship with his mother (Mary Mara) who has given up on him.  There’s the poor health of Porter’s mother (L. Scott Campbell).  And there’s the cheerleader program of a girls juvenlie facility (which is just too Hollywood “cute” for me).  None of these subplots are strong enough to carry the film, but the add a little flavor to the different characters and, perhaps most importantly, don’t drag the film down.

A cautionary note for parents.  Despite the film’s marketing as a feel good family friendly film, there are some elements including gang violence that would be inappropriate for younger children.  The film deserves its PG-13 rating.

There’s plenty to see here and not only enjoy but discuss with teenagers.  The film takes a serious look at the damage and effect that gangs have on our youth.  Wrapped up in a cute football package, the film is surprisingly well informed and informative, and so we get more than we expected.

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Looking for Kitty

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Looking for Kitty
  • IMDb: link

After his wife leaves him without explanation, a high school baseball coach from upstate New York makes his way into the city.

Looking for KittyUnable to find her on his own Abe Fiannico (David Krumhotlz) hires private detective Jack Stanton (Edward Burns).  Together the two comb the city for Abe’s wife Kitty (Avi Meyers).  The only clue the pair have is a newspaper photograph of Kitty with rock star Ron Stewart (Max Baker).

As the two search we learn Jack is also suffering from the loss of his own wife; unable to do anything about his own situation, and despite his gruff stand-offish nature, Jack begins to think of Abe as a friend and becomes emotionally involved with the case.

Looking For Kitty is what you want a small independent film to be.  It’s well written with a small but effective cast.  Krumholtz and Burns carry 85% of the film, but there are a couple of nice supporting performances to mention.

Connie Britton works well in the small role as Jack’s new mysterious neighbor.  The awkwardness of the two around each other comes off as so realistic you almost forget you are watching a film.

And let us not forget the two comedic flashes of the film.  Kevin Kash finds just the right balance of neediness and humor in the role of Jack’s super, and Chris Parnell as the greasy, self-important, rock manager who insists everyone call him “Cougar,” despite the fact he is as un-cat-like as any man ever born.

There are some flaws here.  The two stories never completely merge and the epilogue of the film seems a little redundant.  There also Rachel Dratch as a obnoxious boozehound, who seems very close to a crazy drunk person you would meet in a real hotel bar, but her recurring role in the film never amounts to much and started to grate on my nerves.

For fans of Burns, the director or actor, I think you will enjoy yourselves.  It’s not a great film, but it is a very good one.  It won’t wow you, but if you sit back and relax you’ll find quite an enjoyable little film.  Even with the problems I have with the film it’s an easy one to recommend.  Looking for Kitty is currently showing in select cities; check you local listings to see if it’s playing near you.

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