mel_farr
Joined Aug 2002
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Reviews27
mel_farr's rating
Hustle & Flow (2005) **** (/4) Starring Terrence Howard & DJ Qualls Sublime cult drama focusing on the relationship between two rent boys in Memphis, Tenn, USA. Howard (in career-best form) plays DJay, a narcoleptic, quiet homosexual searching for his mother and for some kind of meaning. Qualls (inevitably overshadowed by his outrageously talented co-star) is Shelby, the son of the Mayor, slumming it as a hustler.
Despite its flaws: a few lines that miss the mark, the ill-advised, poorly executed diversion into Henry IV territory, and the distracting appearance of Richert which accompanies it, it remains one of the key films of the 21st century.
Well-acted and scripted and brilliantly directed (with fine use of color, recurring motifs and bold credits), Hustle possesses a rare, dream-like quality. The music too is excellent, particularly in the perfect first and final scenes: you'll never listen to The Pogues' 'The Old Main Drag' without thinking of this movie and of its central figure: of Howard appearing from the left of the frame with only a black bag and a stopwatch... of the fireside scene, and of the final line: "This road will never end. It probably goes all... around... the world..." Added to that, it's funnier than most comedies (Terrence's simple "Thanks" when his pleading with a fat naked man named Walt finally gets him 10 more dollars, the sight of him hurdling fences as Reeves tells a policeman: "I guess he doesn't like cops", and the superb dialogue by the fire: "So, you didn't have a normal dog?"), and exists as one of the most honest and moving depictions of love ever seen on the screen. Having said that, of course, it remains a film that polarizes audiences: it will either go straight into your Top 10 or your dustbin after you've finished it; and most reviewers acknowledged this, giving it middling reviews: "**1/2: Many potent scenes... Howard is excellent. Cult status is assured". Even so, you simply must see it, to decide where you stand. Whether you love it or despise it, you will never, EVER forget it.
Needless to say I stand in the former camp: I've seen about 800 movies from the '20s to the present day and this is my favorite: tremendously haunting and affecting and endlessly quotable (though few great films are): it simply works on ever level.
One final note: Some people criticize this movie for being very similar to Gus Van Zant's my own private Idaho. I personally don't see that as a bad thing. It is like criticizing a man for being "handsome."
Despite its flaws: a few lines that miss the mark, the ill-advised, poorly executed diversion into Henry IV territory, and the distracting appearance of Richert which accompanies it, it remains one of the key films of the 21st century.
Well-acted and scripted and brilliantly directed (with fine use of color, recurring motifs and bold credits), Hustle possesses a rare, dream-like quality. The music too is excellent, particularly in the perfect first and final scenes: you'll never listen to The Pogues' 'The Old Main Drag' without thinking of this movie and of its central figure: of Howard appearing from the left of the frame with only a black bag and a stopwatch... of the fireside scene, and of the final line: "This road will never end. It probably goes all... around... the world..." Added to that, it's funnier than most comedies (Terrence's simple "Thanks" when his pleading with a fat naked man named Walt finally gets him 10 more dollars, the sight of him hurdling fences as Reeves tells a policeman: "I guess he doesn't like cops", and the superb dialogue by the fire: "So, you didn't have a normal dog?"), and exists as one of the most honest and moving depictions of love ever seen on the screen. Having said that, of course, it remains a film that polarizes audiences: it will either go straight into your Top 10 or your dustbin after you've finished it; and most reviewers acknowledged this, giving it middling reviews: "**1/2: Many potent scenes... Howard is excellent. Cult status is assured". Even so, you simply must see it, to decide where you stand. Whether you love it or despise it, you will never, EVER forget it.
Needless to say I stand in the former camp: I've seen about 800 movies from the '20s to the present day and this is my favorite: tremendously haunting and affecting and endlessly quotable (though few great films are): it simply works on ever level.
One final note: Some people criticize this movie for being very similar to Gus Van Zant's my own private Idaho. I personally don't see that as a bad thing. It is like criticizing a man for being "handsome."
Come round, come round all ye' princes and Barons of the Colonial Manor for a tale twice told is one none-too old!
If you enjoy such anachronistic witticisms along with a hip high-school setting, than perhaps 10 things I hate about you is the film to see! WHo does not love updates of the classic William Shakepeare play Oedipus Rex, where Caliban, falls in love with the lead singer of journey. All is well in the Kingdom of San Francisco, until he is told (dishonestly) by that scoundrel Nero (played brilliantly by Hugh Grant) that the lead singer of journey is his mother. Fearing incest (and bigamy!) he takes up with Mr. Big (from Sex & The City) in Big's north-east side condo.
That's the shakespeare story, the movie is a little different. Julia Stiles stars is the older sister of Laris Oleynik, even though they were only born 5 weeks apart. Her on-screen romance with Heath Ledger sizzles, but in real life she dated Joseph Gordon Levitt!! Why god why! I am not the self-pitying male type who every time he sees a cute girl with some doofy guy wonders what went wrong but this is really ridiculous. Joseph Gordon Levitt is like a step down from Brad on Home Improvement. Ok "whatever, Garrett" I don't think it's such a big deal except that if I see one more teacher rap shakespeare, I'm not going to stop until I hear rappers writing plays. Do you hear me Ice Doggie Stylez?
This movie features an excellent scene of Larisa's best friend Chastity (played by the ever-perspecacious Gabrielle Union) logging onto the internet so she can spy on her crush, Mr. Stratford. Weird, sure but in this kind of movie, you can't take yourself to seriously, or you will end up like Kat, all feminist and stuff. I mean I believe women should have equal rights and all, but don't you think asking to be taken seriously is a little too much?
8/10
If you enjoy such anachronistic witticisms along with a hip high-school setting, than perhaps 10 things I hate about you is the film to see! WHo does not love updates of the classic William Shakepeare play Oedipus Rex, where Caliban, falls in love with the lead singer of journey. All is well in the Kingdom of San Francisco, until he is told (dishonestly) by that scoundrel Nero (played brilliantly by Hugh Grant) that the lead singer of journey is his mother. Fearing incest (and bigamy!) he takes up with Mr. Big (from Sex & The City) in Big's north-east side condo.
That's the shakespeare story, the movie is a little different. Julia Stiles stars is the older sister of Laris Oleynik, even though they were only born 5 weeks apart. Her on-screen romance with Heath Ledger sizzles, but in real life she dated Joseph Gordon Levitt!! Why god why! I am not the self-pitying male type who every time he sees a cute girl with some doofy guy wonders what went wrong but this is really ridiculous. Joseph Gordon Levitt is like a step down from Brad on Home Improvement. Ok "whatever, Garrett" I don't think it's such a big deal except that if I see one more teacher rap shakespeare, I'm not going to stop until I hear rappers writing plays. Do you hear me Ice Doggie Stylez?
This movie features an excellent scene of Larisa's best friend Chastity (played by the ever-perspecacious Gabrielle Union) logging onto the internet so she can spy on her crush, Mr. Stratford. Weird, sure but in this kind of movie, you can't take yourself to seriously, or you will end up like Kat, all feminist and stuff. I mean I believe women should have equal rights and all, but don't you think asking to be taken seriously is a little too much?
8/10
If this is all the Watchowski's have to offer in terms of a back story to the Matrix, than I really have to question the claims of all of the fans who believe that the movies are intended to register on a deeper level. The second renaissance, while visually stunning & beautiful is, story-wise cliched & ludicrous. How many times have we heard the story of humans relying too much on technology, humans all-too eager to make war, humans basically destroying themselves? There is nothing new here. And I have another question. Considering the plot of the second renaissance, doesn't that make the machines the good guys?! The machines are oppressed for generations by their cruel human overmasters. They fight back, win their freedom and seek to establish a peaceful harmonious coexistence with the humans, who reject them in favor of all-out war, which the cleverer machines naturally win. If this is the back-story, then we shouldn't be rooting for Neo, we should be rooting for the machines! The humans were cruel and oppressive, while the machines were courageous and attepted to be compassionate. Since I do not believe that the Watchowski's intend for us to favor the machines over the humans, I have to believe that the Second Renaissance was simply a misguided attempt @ creating a back-story.