In Theaters
The Butterfly Effect
The Butterfly Effect (2004) - What do you get when you take anMTV generation television star, inexperienced directors and thegirl from "Road Trip," and try to put them together to make a 21stcentury psychological thriller? Somehow, you get a mostly enjoyablemovie.
My tongue must confess: The time-travel geek in me enjoyed thisflick. The dialogue is terrible, some of the minor supporting rolesare atrociously acted and the film panders to a younger crowd.Nonetheless, the movie manages to stay on its feet.
What "The Butterfly Effect" has going for it is genuine, brutal,unglorified violence. The film has a real sense of consequence,which is a common failure in other films of the genre. It also hasa pretty compelling back-story. The real shame is that it couldn'thave been helmed by an experienced director like Spike Jonze orDavid Fincher.
"The Butterfly Effect" doesn't reach its potential, but I giveit more credit than the critics do. It's worth a look.
On Rental
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) - In Robert Rodriguez's finalinstallment of the "El Mariachi" trilogy, El Mariachi (AntonioBanderas) is hired out to assassinate a military general who wasresponsible for the death of El Mariachi's wife. CIA, FBI andMexican revolution conspiracies make things a bit complicated.
Nobody will tell you that plot is Rodriguez's strong point, andthis movie stays the trend. However, the cast is so colorful, theediting and pacing so slick, and the action sequences so fun thatyou won't care. Johnny Depp only spent nine days shooting for thisfilm and he delivers what might be the best supporting performanceof the year.
As far as shameless fun goes, Robert Rodriguez can't be beat. Igive it my highest recommendation.
American Wedding
American Wedding (2003) - The third and final installment of the"American Pie" series details the wedding of the loveable goof Jim(Jason Biggs) and his geeky-hot companion, Michelle (AlysonHannigan). In a shocking change of pace for the series, all of thecomplications involve awkward sexual situations.
Where the original "American Pie" film was a well-crafted comedywith solid characters and a moral backbone, this third attempt is acaricature of itself riddled with motivation-less performances andshameless juvenile sex jokes. The characters are either strippeddown to their most basic stereotypes or entirely absent withoutexplanation.
The original "American Pie" was brilliant in its own right andspawned the modern teen sex-comedy genre. God willing, "AmericanWedding" brings the fad to its logical conclusion. Would I watchthis movie again? I'd rather eat the pie.
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