Short Review: The real gift is if this movie came with a complimentary barf bag.


Billy Bob Thornton can’t write.

Let’s be clear, neither can I. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed my atrocious grammar. I understand I am chucking big ol’ cinder blocks at William’s glass house, but I must.

Billy Bob Thornton can’t write.

This film is a drifting, condescending bore. Even with a very talented cast (Cate Blanchett, Greg Kinnear, Giovanni Ribisi, JK Simmons, Gary Cole and Hilary Swank) and one of the best working directors, Sam Raimi, this film is like eating paste dipped in rotten flour. It’s bland and yet leaves an awful taste in your mouth.

Billy Bob is a very talented actor, but I refuse to give him credit for his script work. I need only this film and Sling Blade to buttress my complaint. This guy’s work is first of all BORING. Not just slow, but produces a soul-pounding boredom - listening to Ben Stein reading the collected works of James Joyce boring. Moreover, he hates southerners. Sure, Billy Bob’s name is Billy Bob, but this guy’s writing pokes the South in the eye at every turn. To view his work, you’d think no one below the Mason-Dixon line has any real value. Can we have yet another presentation of a dim eyed, drunken, slacked jawed yokel beating his wife? These guys exist sure, but can we have the other side of the coin every once in a while?

Are there positive sides to this film? No, not really. It’s not a complete loss, but there’s nothing here to recommend either. It’s a bland, lifeless movie waiting for its turn in the bargain bin at your video store. Which is where it belongs.


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Labels: Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett, film, Gary Cole, Giovanni Ribisi, Greg Kinnear, Hilary Swank, JK Simmons, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, Michael Jeter, movie review, Sam Raimi

It must be something to spend a portion of your young life fighting in Iraq, seeing people die, see the horrible things that go down in that part of the world and then come back to America to find Comrade Damon peddling Jason Bourne Goes to Baghdad.

I could be missing the whole point here, I have read the book. But, from what I'm seeing here looks like we have a Hollywood production where the hero goes after OUR SIDE in the middle of the war zone - a war zone we are currently involved in.

Am I wrong? If so, let me know where I messed up.







Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland (Robin Hood)
Director: Paul Greengrass (United 93)
Actors: Matt Damon (The Bourne Supremacy), Jason Issacs (Soldier), Greg Kinnear (We Were Soldiers), Brendan Gleeson (28 Days Later), Amy Ryan (Changling) and Said Faraj

Labels: Amy Ryan, Brendan Gleeson, film, Greg Kinnear, Jason Issacs, Matt Damon, movie trailer, Paul Greengrass

It’s not surprising this film didn’t set the box office on fire. A quiet film outlining the patient claims a man has against the Ford Motor Company over the development of the intermittent windshield wiper isn’t a recipe for cinematic gold. This film should have gotten more attention however. For what it is, an underdog story, it is quite good.

Bob Kearns, an engineering professor, created the intermittent windshield wiper. He, along with his business partners, approached Ford with the concept. Ford loved the idea but didn’t much care for Kearns. The company then broke his patient and produced their own version of the device, shutting the man out. Kearns’ life is then sent into disarray as he spends decades trying to get the company to own up to their deceit. At first glance this may seem like yet another anti-corporation film. I am sensitive to agenda laced films and was on the lookout while viewing this movie. This is not an anti-corporation film. In fact, it is strictly pro-business, but only honest business. Ford is the perfect villain here since they represent what is indeed wrong with modern corporate culture. In this time of companies being “too big to fail” (an oligarchic phrase if there ever was one,) the dismissive attitudes of the Ford executives shown in this film have deeper value. Kearns, an inventor, is what America is made of – individuals looking to improve the world and their place in it. This is proudly shown throughout this film.

The film also has a sturdy performance by Greg Kinnear in the lead. He’s a solid actor but he has trouble getting past his game show host face at times. He hits all the right chords but he’s a tad too handsome for the role. In other words, he’s good but he doesn’t disappear into his character so we’re left watching an actor instead of seeing a character.

The biggest flaw to the film is the handling of the expanse of time. The takes place over the span of a couple of decades and much happens in this time. Representing the rather boring machinations of the United States Court System is always problematic. The legal wrangling is usually uninspiring narrative and the length of time it takes to find any resolution or even interest can kill a story. This is what stifles this story. Kearns’ legal battle is important and has the seeds for an inspiring story. It also is weighed down In typical legal nonsense. Screenwriter Philip Railsback wisely avoids much of the legal business until the final act but he fails to fill in the gaps. Kearns has a nervous breakdown at one point. This whole life shattering event, which has an impact on his marriage, health, employment and legal case, is treated as a diversion from his path to justice. It does not afford the situation the gravity it deserves. This sort of whitewashing drains the film of an extra dimension that could have given this movie the depth that would have made it memorable. Instead we’re left with something that’s merely watchable.




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Labels: Alan Alda, film, Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, movie review

My advice is to watch the first twenty or so minutes of this movie and then walk away if you something else to do. The movie opens with Bertram Pincus D.D.S. (Ricky Gervais) a detestable, anti-social, crank struggling through the frustrations of his life. All he wants is to not be bothered - ever. We follow Pincus as he deals with patients at his dental office and then an incompetent surgery staff at a hospital. Throughout the opening scenes, Gervais shines giving what I believe to be the best comedic performance I've seen in a great long while. He has a talent for sarcasm and he's given prime material to display his skill...for twenty minutes. Gervais' Pincus is a perfectly defined and delivered character but he is drowned out by a clattering plot.

Pincus dies, at least for a while, on the operating table. After his brush with death he discovers he is able to see ghosts. Yes, the story echos of The Sixth Sense. Soon he is being chased around New York as the dead seek to get him to do favors. Fronting the mob of the dead is Frank (Greg Kinnear,) a adulterous lout who wants help breaking up his widow's upcoming marriage. When this plot begins to move it overtakes what is otherwise an enjoyable movie. Writer/Director David Koepp (Spider-Man) is kept so busy managing his story that he has to sacrifice his characters. The issue is that the plot is contrived and has no energy on its own. Koepp is forced to push characters into situations and motivations in order to force things forward. The entire time I kept wanting the story to settle down so I could get more of Pincus reacting to the world. C'mon Dave, stop it! Can't you see your lead is doing something great here?

I know Gervais has been around a while and he's seems to be someone people love or hate. This was my introduction to his work and I am very impressed. He obviously has the goods. I hope he pulls this Bertram Pincus persona out in another production. In the right setting, he could really offer something great.

I do recommend this movie not because its a good movie. Honestly, on a technical level this fails. I recommend the film based on two performances. First Rickey Gervais is in command of his role and given better circumstances could have given a classic performance. The other notable performance comes Saturday Night Live's Kristen Wiig. Wiig has a supporting role as the mousy, insecure surgeon who oversees the operation that temporaily kills Pincus. There's an old saying in acting circles "there's no small roles". She proves the addage. She's only in a couple of scenes and is ultimately incidental to the plot but she is hilarious and makes a great deal from her role. Again, this is not a great movie, its not even a very good one. It is good comfort cinema and I guarantee you will laugh at a few times and that's more than you can say about most comedies these days.



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Labels: comedy, film, Greg Kinnear, Kristen Wiig, movie review, Rickey Gervais, Tea Leoni

Short Review: The title is appropriate. Given the unsatisfying ending you may refer to this film using a term involving a bull.


Pierce Bronson is quite good in this film, we’re talking “Best Supporting Actor nomination” good. Not “Best Supporting Actor winner” good, but worth a nod for a nomination. In a conspicuous move out of type, he plays Julian Noble a professional assassin who finds himself desperate to escape the guilt and loneliness of his profession. The character is a pathetic mess and Bronson gives the role a refreshing vibrancy that commands attention. He is a pitiful sap who is at once burdened by his nihilistic life but also manages enough will to kills for a living.

Julian is at the end of his game. He is screwing up his assassination jobs and suffers from panic attacks. After a life of killing he wants to connect with others but finds that he is unable. While in Mexico City, Julian meets Danny, a meek businessman (Greg Kinnear). The two begin a strained friendship based on Danny’s excitement over Julian’s day job and Julian’s need to be accepted. The scenes between these two are extremely well written and directed. The Mexico City scenes are some of the more interesting and well executed ones I have seen in a while. They make the film.

The problem is that the rest of the film goes flatter than Paris Hilton’s brainwaves. The obvious trajectory occurs. The two men split and Danny goes back to his normal life. Predictably, Julian shows up on Danny’s doorstep and spoils Danny’s day. The first half of the film is light, genuinely funny and a joy to watch. The second half slows down and loses any sense originality. It is as if Writer/Director Richard Shepard just ran out of steam. He has great moments in the first act but still needed to end the movie. Sharp opener, the rest is filler.

This is a character piece without an external, central villain pressing down on the plot. This being the case, the film becomes cumbersome. By the time the utterly incomplete ending arrives the film is almost at a complete stand still. This doesn’t matter however since the jerky ending of the piece will have you wondering why you sat through the film in the first place.

In retrospect the abrupt ending, and I mean the film just slams to a stop, isn’t a terrible surprise. There isn’t a central conflict of any note. The main conflict between Julian and Danny is disposed of in the long before the ending. From the point the main conflict is jettisoned the film goes from brilliant to thoughtless.

Is it worth the rental? The first half is worth watching. The second half is a faded remnant. If you’re intent on watching a movie and nothing great is available, this will do in a pinch.


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Labels: film, Greg Kinnear, movie review, Pierce Bronson

This is a great trailer. It sets up the film perfectly and showcases not only Nicholson's great performance but also the fantastic dialog that really makes this movie so outstanding. It does it's job - it makes me want to watch the movie again.

Labels: Cuba Gooding Jr, film, Greg Kinnear, Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, movie trailer

Do we need to see the fluid on the ground?

Do we need to see her squatting in the sink?

The trailer lays out what the film is about in traditional fashion and what I'm seeing here is that the jokes are telegraphed and are good for smirks and not laughs.

visit videodetective.com for more info

Labels: Amy Poehler, comedy, Dax Shepard, film, Greg Kinnear, Maura Tierney, movie trailer, Sigourney Weaver, Steve Martin, Tina Fey

This looks like it could be good. Rickey Gervais plays Bertram Pincus, an anti-social dentist who briefly dies. Following his near-death experience he is able to see and speak to ghosts. Now he's stuck not only dealing with the living but now the needy dead as well. The basic concept isn't original but the casting is inspired and if this trailer is any indication, it appears to be well written.





Screenwriter: David Koepp (War of the Worlds), and John Kamps (The Borrowers)
Director: David Koepp (Secret Window)
Actors: Tea Leoni (Fun With Dick and Jane), Greg Kinnear (Unknown), and Rickey Gervais

Labels: film, Greg Kinnear, movie trailer, Rickey Gervais, Tea Leoni

Could be good - could be like so many underdog stories, so weighed down by its goal of being poignant that it ends up being heavy handed. Its a good premise and the trailer plays heavy on the right aspects of the story to make it compelling. Greg Kinnear seems right for the role and the story is interesting - hope they don't overplay their hand.






Screenwriter: Philip Railsback
Director: Marc Abraham
Actors: Greg Kinnear (The Matador), Lauren Graham (Evan Almighty), Dermont Mulrony (Young Guns), and Alan Alda (Murder at 1600)

Labels: Alan Alda, Dermont Mulrony, film, Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, movie trailer

This film presents one of the best presentations of the ugly side to sexual addition and pornography. Given its content, it is most definitely not for everyone. Given the abundance of nudity, sexual behavior and rank coarseness, many will do well to avoid the movie. For some however, it is a rough but honest look at low living.

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Labels: biography, film, Greg Kinnear, movie review, Peter Schrader, Willem Dafoe

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Labels: Alan Arkin, film, Greg Kinnear, movie review, Steve Carell, Toni Collette