182: Akira

Akira (R) - 1988 - Runtime: 124 minutes
Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo

I've always been intrigued by this movie. I've pretty much stayed on the periphery of anime. It's a genre that I think is too spastic and weird. It's probably mostly due to something lost in the translation. But sometimes there are gems (like Spirited Away and Ghost in the Shell) and I think Akira stands above them all as far as story, characters and just plain epicness. It's a unique tale, but doesn't stray too far from a typical sci-fi epic. A live action version is in the works (and has been for at least fifteen years) and I think it would translate well to the big screen with CGI effects galore.

The story is set in the future where World War III has happened and Tokyo has been decimated by a nuclear attack. It's a brutal landscape where the government tries to quell revolutionaries and the police works hard to break up gang warfare. The story centers around Kaneda and Tetsuo, a pair of bikers who are caught up in a gang war between other bikers. During a chase, Tetsuo accidentally runs literally into an escaped prisoner, who happens to be an experimental psychic weapon being tested by the government (trust me, it makes much more sense in the movie!). Tetsuo ends up in the hands of the government and is experimented on as well. The ensuing story takes off as the Tetsuo becomes more and more powerful and tries to take out all of Tokyo and Japan. The movie has a broad stroke, but isn't afraid to take the time and delve into the characters. The best epic movies are not necessarily about the plot or the vast scope of the narrative, but the cast of characters. And Akira has an incredible palette of interesting and very real characters. It's a testament to the writing and the source material that it's based on. It's easy to connect to Kaneda and Tetsuo as they find themselves becoming bitter enemies.

The movie isn't without its flaws, however. Sometimes the movie is too big for its own good. There's just so much going on and so many characters that it's hard at times to follow. It's almost necessary to have a repeat viewing to understand all that's happening (or just use Wikipedia like I did). Of course, as with most anime, sometimes the voice work and dialogue veers towards cheesy when a simple look would do. But these are minor quibbles in a movie that delivers solidly on action and character. I'm actually excited to read the graphic novel it's based on, which is certainly the highest praise a movie can get in my opinion! If you're at all a sci-fi fan, you owe it to yourself to check it out and watch it over and over again!

Rating: Own It!

182: Friday

Friday (R) - 1995 - Runtime: 91 minutes
Starring: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker
Director: F. Gary Gray

I was super excited to see this one, considered to be a cult classic and one of the best stoner movies ever. So when I popped it in and after an hour and a half, I found myself wondering if I needed to be high to really enjoy this movie.

The movie is about Ice Cube and Chris Tucker who have nothing better to do than sit on the front porch, get high and watch what happens in the neighborhood. The plot is irrelevant for the most part - the movie's more about the characters and neighborhood shenanigans. I don't know why this movie is considered a comedy, because I would put this movie in the drama department. Sure, there's some funny moments in the movie, but it's all overshadowed by the Do the Right Thing-vibe throughout. In fact, this movie has more in common with that Spike Lee joint than Cheech & Chong. I mean, the best stoner movies are at least entertaining enough to be watched while not high and this is not the case with Friday.

Maybe I didn't get it, but there were far too few jokes and a lot of them seemed pretty lame (the midget neighbor who finds his wife cheating on him and then goes on his little midget rampage was one of the low points of the movie). Like I said, I think it would be hilarious if I was high, but even then I think I would start getting the munchies and ditch this movie. And as for the pot smoking? One scene! That's it and it's over with in a few minutes. It's pretty lame and I was wondering why everyone thinks this movie is so funny. I guess they've never watched it straight. So I say ditch this movie and watch a much better stoner movie like Dude, Where's My Car? and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle!

Rating: Avoid Like the Plague!

182: Aguirre, the Wrath of God

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (NR) - 1972 - Runtime: 93 minutes
Starring: Klaus Kinski
Director: Werner Herzog

This is one of my cult classics movies that I was looking forward to. First, it has Werner Herzog, who now has claim to being a popular internet meme. But he's also a good director! He's done sooo many movies - of only a couple I've seen (Grizzly Man, Encounters at the End of the World and Rescue Dawn) - and have really enjoyed his unique point of view. Second, I really enjoy movies about expeditions, particularly to find ancient civilizations of untold wealth (read The Lost City of Z and Pandora in the Congo if you haven't!). So even with the unheard of cast, I knew I was in for a treat. And while the movie wasn't particularly awesome, I found it nonetheless captivating.

The movie is based very loosely on a sixteenth century expedition to find El Dorado, the legendary city of gold down the Amazon river. The expedition is lead by Pizarro who, after struggling through the thick jungle, orders a smaller scouting group to go on ahead down the river on rafts to find what lies ahead. He puts Pedro de Ursúa in charge of the group and second-in-command is Lope de Aguirre. Well, of course the mission doesn't go exactly as planned and Aguirre sparks a mutiny and continues down the Amazon, all the while growing madder and losing most of his sanity.

It's a tale about greed and power and also sanity. There's a lot going on despite the minimalist plot and location. The movie takes place mainly on the raft as they drift endlessly through the jungle. It's a bit of Heart of Darkness in that when left to their own devices, these men will stoop to the lowest of the low. Corruption and insanity are the norm. It's a quick movie that is over before you know it and I really enjoyed the performance by Kinski - he's got a bit of madness in his eyes that makes you wonder. I'm torn between recommending this one or not - it's a great movie, but I really don't think it's an absolute must see. You have to like the subject matter and be in for a meandering movie that's more about the men on the raft than the actual journey. So I'd say rent it if you the subject matter at all intrigues you!

Rating: Rent It!

182: Brazil

Brazil (R) - 1985 - Runtime: 132 minutes
Starring: Jonathan Pryce, Katherine Helmond, Robert De Niro
Director: Terry Gilliam

I've only seen a couple Terry Gilliam movies, but I'm a big fan. I think 12 Monkeys is perhaps one of the greatest sci-fi flicks of all time. I even enjoyed the critical and financial bomb, The Brothers Grimm. I've always been meaning to check out his older movies because he's such a creative force in cinema. You really need to watch his movies a couple of times to appreciate all the ideas floating around. With that said, I feel like I'm going to need a second and third viewing of Brazil to fully comprehend and enjoy all the intricacies going on.

Brazil is set in a dystopian future where government bureaucratic red tape rules the land and everyone is obsessed with consumerism. It's a fairly distinct future and one that's offbeat and humorous. There's lots of little gags like a woman holding a picket sign that says "Christians for consumerism" and the cumbersome apartment buildings in which in order to fix any problem you need to fill out twenty or so forms. The movie follows Sam Lowry, a government bureaucrat himself, who has been having some very enlightening dreams in which he tries to save a woman. He gets caught up in a messy situation in which a very literal bug has screwed up two separate lives - one of which is considered a terrorist. The government intervenes and kills an innocent person because of this screw up and Sam delves deeper into the case. He ends up finding the woman in his dreams involved in the case and eventually finds himself an enemy of the state.

That's a lot of info to gather and I think that's why I really love this movie - there's is so much going on it's hard to take it all in during one sit down. I loved the atmosphere - there's lots of dark and noir-ish themes and set pieces, but all with a twisted sense of humor. Robert De Niro plays the terrorist whose identity has been switched with an innocent person - but he's more or less a hero because of his anti-government agenda. Supposedly he's part of the terrorist bombings that keep happening that kill dozens and hurt more.

Despite the heavy plot and dark undertones, the film is still quite funny. Sam's relationship with his overbearing and vain mother is funny. At one point she's seen getting literally a new face - the skin is pulled from her face like putty (a pretty disturbing and hilarious scene). And the absurdness of all the paperwork involved in day-to-day activities is hilarious but full of meaning. I really did enjoy this movie and it's going to take another viewing or two to really appreciate it.

Rating: Own It!

182: When Harry Met Sally

When Harry Met Sally (R) - 1989 - Runtime: 96 minutes
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan
Director: Rob Reiner

I sometimes forget how much I like an actor or actress and then I'm reminded by watching something they did that I've never seen before. Case in point: Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally. Yes! I have never seen this one before! But no doubt Crystal is at the top of his comedic game in this movie. He's perfect as the no-nonsense, open and somewhat honest Harry. Who happens to befriend Sally and thus a beautiful friendship begins and possibly more.

Okay, so I was expecting greatness and this movie pretty much delivered. I mean, it is a cult classic for a reason and it's ultimately a really funny movie about love and friends. I don't think the movie has lost any edge or relevance over the past twenty years, so kudos to Nora Ephron, the writer behind the witty dialogue and wonderful characters. I mean, there's not much to say about this movie except if you haven't seen it - it's definitely one of the pinnacle romantic comedies of all time - a must-see. The diner fake orgasm scene is still hilarious even after I've seen it about a dozen times.

So to those who were like me and have not seen this movie - seek it out! It's worth your time and definitely worthy of repeat viewing!

Rating: Own It!

182: Harold & Maude

Harold and Maude (PG) - 1971 - Runtime: 91 minutes
Starring: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort
Director: Hal Ashby

This is a cult classic that has found its way into many movie lovers' hearts. Maggie absolutely loves this movie (she watched it when she was only, like, 9!) and it's one of the many connections she shares with her two sisters. So I brought it home one day and she was super excited for me to finally see something that she grew up with.

This is a quirky movie. I feel like some people just won't get it and others it will just click. With me, it clicked. I enjoyed the humor and two main characters immensely. Harold is a rich kid who enjoys faking his own suicide because, well, he just doesn't like living. And Maude is a very free spirit, living life to the fullest despite her age. Somehow, they manage to meet and Harold is completely intrigued by her crazy antics and bubbly personality. He falls in love with her and their unusual relationship blossoms. It's a very unique tale about love and relationships. One in the twilight of her years and the other just beginning his best years. It's a fun little movie that only gets better I would think with repeat viewings.

And the soundtrack is spectacular! Cat Stevens does all the songs and, well, he's Cat Stevens, so it's all excellent. I really, really enjoyed this movie - funny and sad and just, well, fun!

Rating: Own It!

182: Fatal Attraction

Fatal Attraction (R) - 1987 - Runtime: 119 minutes
Starring: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close
Director: Adrian Lyne

Yeah, I've never seen this movie. And Maggie was super stoked for me to see this. Although the ending was spoiled when I watched BJD (arrgghh! Damn you Bridget Jones!),  it still was a pretty intense watch. Mainly because Glenn Close can play psycho so well.

Okay, let's just get this out of the way. You really have to suspend disbelief in this movie because Michael Douglas' wife (played by the lovely Anne Archer - who's still hotter than Close, just check out her scene in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. In fact, that's the only scene you should watch in that movie) is smokin' (well, as far as smokin' can go in the 80s) hot! And Glenn Close, well, let's just say I physically shouted YIKES! when they revealed her face. She looked like a circus freak in the first scene. You know, the scene where Michael Douglas (Dan Gallagher) is supposed to cream his pants for her? I mean, there is no way that he could possibly be attracted to this when he goes home to this. I mean, he cheats on her when she's only been gone for one day!

So just go with it because you won't find a better psychopathic movie. Sure there's some fairly good imitations (The Crush) but mostly it's just awful (Obsessed), but nothing will top this R-rated thriller. It's pretty good and Glenn Close most definitely deserved her Oscar nomination. And even though I knew how things were going to turn out, it was still pretty intense and oh man, that poor bunny! Bitch had it comin' after that!

The only really unfortunate thing about this movie is, well, it really hasn't aged that well. It's such an 80s film. It screams 80s, with the bad haircuts, the oversized t-shirts and the general lack of fashion sense. Hell, their kid in the movie looks like a boy. But it's not! It's a girl! But you wouldn't know if they hadn't said girl at some point in the movie - I couldn't tell if they were saying Ellen or Alan. I like to believe that secretly,  the Gallaghers just want to mess with their kid's head. Trying to confuse her gender is dangerous, but it was the 80s, so they have a valid excuse.

All in all - check out the granddaddy of all the bitch-gone-crazy movies if you haven't already. It's worth your time, just don't expect a shred of believability with Dan - he's really not the smartest guy in the world.

Rating: Rent It!

182: Heathers

Heathers (R) - 1989 - Runtime: 103 minutes
Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
Director: Michael Lehmann

Maggie was really excited for me to watch this. So excited, in fact, that I don't think she watched most of the movie because she was so busy looking at me to see my reaction to the movie (and possibly because I'm just so good looking). Well, no fear, this is a great cult movie. It's got so many good lines - "I love my dead, gay son!" (Maggie's favorite) which would alone put it in many top cult classic lists.

At first I thought this movie was going to be like Mean Girls (although Mean Girls definitely drew inspiration from this movie) because it's all about status - Ryder's character, Veronica, is part of the Heathers clique who rule the school. But things suddenly change when Veronica meets Christian Slater, aka J.D. aka drooling teen heart throb. Suddenly, head honcho Heather, Heather Chandler, "accidentally" gets poisoned by J.D. and things take a very twisted and dark turn.

And I loved it.

This movie may not have a whole lot of basis in the real world - but the world that's created is full of cliches and stereotypes, some of which are turned up on their head. I love how girls are not afraid to be like boys in this movie. Dick and fuck are normal slang for these ladies and they have enormous power in the school. It's a great ride - once the head Heather gets axed, she becomes even more popular - no longer is she feared, but envied. They rule her death a suicide and suddenly, it becomes hip to commit suicide as more "accidents" happen and are further ruled as suicide. The message is even more pronounced through the faux song Teenage Suicide (Don't Do It) that everyone loves. The movie definitely hits both notes - funny and dramatic - perfectly. I found J.D. to be a bit too cheesy with his monologueing at the end of the movie, but it doesn't hurt all the great quotes throughout the rest of the movie ("Our love is God, let's go get a Slushie.").

There hasn't been a teen comedy with such a dark tone in a while - it's refreshing. Mean Girls is close - but didn't quite have the bite like this movie (obviously the R rating only helps). But it's a great, fun movie - full of laughs, but not dead behind the eyes when it comes to saying something about teenagers. Even though it's 20 years old - a lot of the stuff is still relevant today. It's a movie that (I think) would be great on repeat viewing.

One more thing that stood out. Sherwood, Ohio. That's where the movie takes place. According to wikipedia, Sherwood is a fictional suburb of Columbus. They mentioned it A LOT in the movie, which seemed kind of absurd (I thought maybe the writer is from Ohio, but no, he's a native Californian). What's weirder is that Sherwood, Ohio is a real town just 20 minutes from where my hometown is. But town is being too generous, it's more like a rest stop. So I was a little weirded out when they kept mentioning Sherwood in the movie because I'm pretty sure no one in Sherwood would be caught dead playing croquet.

Rating: Own It!