In theater review: "Cursed"
D+
As even the most casual observer of movie releases could note, January and February are the months when studios clear their shelves and unload their crap unto the world.
Regardless, "Cursed" still seemed like there might be a few threads of hope. First and foremost the holy goddess Christina Ricci was starring in it. No matter how bad the film turned out to be, I could survive it simply by blocking everything out and meditating on her perfection.
The film started off weakly. (What else can one say when it opens with a performance by Bowling for Soup?) I was readying to go into my Ricci goddess trance when it gradually started to improve.
Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg play Ellie and Jimmy, brother and sister living in Los Angeles whose parents have passed away. One night while driving on Mulholland Drive, they hit something and collide with another car. After the accident, a wolf-like creature drags off and kills the driver of the other car and injures Jimmy and Ellie.
Thus they are cursed -- super strength, heightened senses, an aversion to silver, and, in the case of Jimmy, newfound confidence to take on the high school bullies. All the while there are more wolf sightings and slayings in L.A.
For the most part, it's pretty mediocre: lousy, lousy, painful dialogue; weak acting and multiple climaxes that just go on and on. Still, it has its entertaining moments -- mostly when the post-wolf attack high school geek starts to stand up for himself. Kudos also go to screenwriter Kevin Williamson for throwing a few surprises into one of his otherwise weaker scripts.
One final note: Studios need to stop eviscerating R-rated films to make PG-13s in order to widen the audience. Such was the fate of "Cursed." (I'd bet on a director's cut on DVD.) It hurts the film and is insulting to both the filmmaker and the movie fan.
Headline: Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride, for Thompson's sake
"You Must Buy This DVD Right Now" DVD review:
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" Criterion Collection
Of everything in the illustrious DVD series the Criterion Collection, director Terry Gilliam's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is one of the most satisfying.
Released in 1998 to more bad than good reviews, "Fear and Loathing" eventually ascended (or descended) to cult status.
Johnny Depp gives one of his greatest performances as the wild journalist Raoul Duke. Along for the ride is his "attorney" Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro.) The pair dive into their roles headfirst as they bounce from one chaotic, drug-fueled adventure to another in a fairly accurate adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's book.
The packed two-disc set features three commentary tracks: one with Gilliam; one with Del Toro, Depp, and producer Laila Nabulsi; and, best of all, a hilarious track with Thompson and others asking questions about the real-life events.
The second disc is loaded: multiple documentaries, Depp on camera reading his correspondence with Thompson, discussion about the screenplay controversy, the trailer and TV spots, Ralph Steadman illustrations, features Oscar Zeta Acosta -- the inspiration for Dr. Gonzo -- and much more.
In memory of Thompson: buy the ticket, take the ride.
More Hunter S. Thompson: Not Available at a Store Near You
For the Thompson devotee, there exist three much more obscure DVDs.
Having not dropped the $60 to acquire these, I can only report on what they are and where to buy them:
"Where the Buffalo Roam" -- the first Thompson adaptation. Made in 1980 and starring Bill Murray, it's $9.09 at www.amazon.com.
A documentary titled "Breakfast with Hunter" is available at www.breakfastwithhunter.com for a steep $29.95.
The third is "Best of Hunter S. Thompson" which compiles over two hours of interviews and TV appearances. It's available for $20 from 5 Minutes to Live, a rare film company. Purchase at http://www.5minutestolive.com/1D/HUNTERSTHOMPSON1.htm.
Comments or questions? Want to suggest something to be reviewed? E-mail David Swindle at swimminginbrokenglass@gmail.com. And be sure to visit this column's blog at http://swimmingincelluloid.blogspot.com for reviews and exclusive online features.
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