Another week, another edition of “Movies We Watched” the ever-growing database of blurbs on DVDs and rep-screenings of cinema your Row Three contributors have been taking in on their off hours. The full list can be accessed by clicking the graphic on the right-hand sidebar, but here are some of the highlights over the past 10 days:
Femme Fatale (2002) 4/5
I’ve had a fair bit of a change of heart on this one since first viewing it in 2004. It is both mesmerizing in terms of the super-slick visuals and the ridiculous audacity of its plotting. I’m trying to decide if the weak performances are akin to Paul Verhoeven casting Casper Van Dien and Denise Richards in Starship Troopers. Do Antonio Banderas’ pouting and Rebecca Romijn’s vamp-camp add to the stylistic pleasures of the movie or detract? Femme Fatale may just be the most sly parody/homage to the Hitchcock and convoluted-noir sub-genre ever pulled off with such a straight face. Definitely worth a second look. – KURT
Kiss Me, Deadly (1955) 4.5/5
Noir that is boiled right down to the ether and ending not with a whimper, but with a bang (and a whimper). Mike Hammer, badass PI and all around misanthrope, gets way in over his head when he picks up a mysterious woman half-naked on the side of the road. An investigation involving a rogues gallery of characters along with stupidity, greed and hamfisted blunders. Any film which visually inspired such diverse fair as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pulp Fiction, Repo Man and The Lost Highway is all good in my book. And something tells me that on top of all that, David Mamet might just get a charge out of this film. – KURT
Broken Trail (2006) 4/5
Finishing off a trilogy of sorts for Robert Duvall, Broken Trail is a bit of a departure from the usual western fare; with Chinese women as main ingredients to a story. Haden-Church plays the gun wielding work-hand to Duvall’s trail boss. Both are thrust into circumstances they’re unprepared for, but are prepared to make the best of. With the usual, grand vistas of America’s beautiful west and an authenticity that really rings true, I quite enjoyed my newest excursion into the wild frontier as an admitted sucker for the contemporary western genre. – ANDREW
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) 2/5
I expect this kind of crap from Russ Meyers, but I’m shocked that the great Roger Ebert penned this screenplay. Utterly cheesy with over the top melodrama that had me in stitches. Filled with breasts, parties, breasts and parties, it goes ridiculously over the top by the end and was hard to sit through. After “Faster Pussycat!”, I’m unimpressed. – ANDREW
We Own the Night (2007) 3.5/5
Not quite sure how it happened but James Gray’s film starring Wahlberg and Phoenix flew under the radar. The surprising part is that it’s an entertaining look at the Russian mob in late 80′s NY. Strong performances from everyone involved (including Eva Mendes who is usually just cast as eye candy) and though the film does run a bit long, it manages to be entertaining throughout, not to mention that it’s beautifully designed and shot. Unjustly overlooked. – MARINA
Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) (2007) 3/5
The potential for greatness was high but sadly Jason Kohn’s documentary lacks any real punch. We already know that Brazil is full of corruption, this has been shown much better even in feature films, but Kohn’s documentary brings to light a huge scandal that most outside of Brazil are unaware of, and sheds a little more light on the kidnapping epidemic sweeping many of the nation’s large cities. Throw in some colorful interview subjects and great cinematography you have a mediocre documentary which barely manages to entertain. – MARINA
Flying (1986) 2.5/5
They lied. This was marketed as classic Keanu Reeves but in reality, it’s a 80′s version of “Stick It” starring Olivia d’Abo (who later went on to star in “The Wonder Years”) as a gymnast making a comeback while a very, very young Keanu plays the love interest. A fun watch in the way that bad 80′s movies are. – MARINA
Free Enterprise (1998) 3.5/5
Not exactly high-culture but Robert Meyer Burnett’s comedy stars William Shatner as himself (which makes for some very funny moments) but beyond the constant Star Trek talk, there are also realistic, if not really laugh-out-loud, situations and characters which made this that much more fun to watch. Also a good little film for movie lovers who will appreciate spotting the various references to films (both new and old). Better than expected. – MARINA
Kôkaku kidôtai (Ghost in the Shell) (1995) 4.5/5
Nearly 15 years too late but better late than never is right for my first viewing of “Ghost in the Shell”. Though the computer animation dates the film a fair bit, the rest of it, from story to graphics, still stands the test of time. I was amazed at the connections between Shirow’s comic and “The Matrix” and slowly, the more I learn about the influences that went into the Wachowski’s film, the more I love it. As it stands “Ghost in the Shell” is a must watch for sci-fi/anime fans. I look forward to visiting some of the most recent incarnations of the story. – MARINA
Just an FYI regarding the long running series over at DVD Panache entitled “Friday Screen Test.” Back in January, writer Adam Ross started this neat little series of posts each Friday that spotlights a different movie blogger/pundit and focusses on his/her personal interests when it comes to movies and cinema. This past Friday was my screen test and thought I’d make sure it was known more publicly. 
