SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)

Do you have a netflix queue? If you don't you should get one. Anyway I have one (as does your Grandma Ilene, so maybe you should look into one) and it's filled with a gazillion flicks I needed to see like yesterday. I'm pretty good with adding new films because they get advertised on the tele (hmm, first "queue" now "tele" --- the Brits are coming for their language ... I say over the center of my discolored dead body). But films from the past decade which I wanted to see when they first debuted but simply missed and now forgotten about ... well those films are a bit harder to queue up. However they do come on cable tv. Now I should really rent these films from netflix because tv shreds 10+ minutes to squeeze in enough commercials. But then I may simply forget again and let's face it, I can't say no to a good film. Which brings me to this lovely gem:

SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)

Rating: ****1/2 out of 5

This gothic horror mystery simply has it all: a thrillingly entertaining plot, wonderfully creepy sets, superb acting, and a sprinkle of comedy for good measure. New York Constable Ichabod Crane (Depp), who places science before spirits, is called to Sleepy Hollow to investigate murders at the hand of what the townsfolk describe as a Headless Horseman. The direction is outstanding. Tim Burton has a lot going on simply from the plot; he adds an interesting dreamscape backstory and juggles everything splendidly onscreen. The visuals are fantastic, from the mesmerizing still that introduces the titles to the eerie, foggy Hollow that is a character in its own right. The film is more than simply plot as screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker pens several clever, charming, and comedic lines. And the two leads seem to have a majestic time uttering them. Johnny Depp’s idiosyncratic Crane is simply a joy to watch. This one should not be missed.

SKY CAPTAIN ...

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. My apologies to the blog buddies out there. I will definitely try to post more often.

This next review is about a film I wanted to see when it first came out but simply missed it. I'm glad I finally caught up with it. Anyway, on to the review.

SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW (2004)

Star rating: **** out of 5

A charming sci-fi flick with retro flair and gorgeous digital cinematography. The best way I can describe this movie is to say it’s one part aerial Indiana Jones, one part 1950's sci-fi, and one part romantic comedy. That’s right, perhaps the hidden gem of the movie is the funny, sparkling chemistry between the two leads (Jude Law and Gwenyth Paltrow). But this movie is first and foremost a visual spectacle. Virtually the entire film was digitally produced (except for the actors and certain portions of interior settings) and this results in a unique look not really seen before. It is a color noir that is almost congruent with the black and white film noirs of the 1940s and 1950s; the chiaroscuro lighting and the expressive use of shadow are front and center. Beyond the impressive visuals is a charming sci-fi adventure story that need not be taken so seriously, like the matinee serials the movie emulates. Nevertheless, the plot of mysterious robots attacking the globe’s major cities is a lot of fun and simply relax and watch as Sky Captain (Law) and intrepid reporter Polly Perkins (Paltrow) try to save the planet. This is a wonderful, stylish, and old school alternative to the explosion heavy, video game-like sci fi flicks we usually see. And in the end, if this type of movie has your curiosity piqued, I’d be willing to bet it charms you in the end.

Film Rec

So I recently caught two solid films, a classic and a soon to be classic.

First up we have The School of Rock. Now the combination of director Richard Linklater and comedic virtuoso Jack Black means cinema gold in my book. But, I must admit, going into the film I was expecting a dressed up after-school special. And while the uplifting plot won't surprise anyone, the film works deftly in its own feel good, charming way. Anyway, if this sounds hokey and sentimental to you don't worry because the film is still absolutely hilarious and the music (all the child actors are also trained musicians) is quite good. Seriously, you should see the film just for the Jack Black, Joan Cusack scenes.

The classic I was referring to is In the Heat of the Night. This 1967 film stars Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger with Norman Jewison at the helm. This film is definitely a favorite of mine and I like to point at it as proof H-wood made decent films at one time. And this is not to say H-wood simply makes crappola nowadays but how many Lindsay Lohan or Tom Cruise films must the world really need. The major studios no longer care about art, even in the sense of telling a good story. They're mainly interested in bankable stars and their target audience (15 year-olds from Orange County). Anyway, this classic film (based on the John Ball novel) follows the trials of a black, Philly homicide detective (Poitier) who thanks to the racist charms of Mississippi gets stuck helping the local police in a murder investigation. Steiger plays the local police chief who needs Poitier's help but finds himself in trouble navigating the town's racial overtones as this black detective tries to solve the murder. The film is well crafted in every aspect and while it may not be as gritty as a modern telling, the Poitier, Steiger interplay has a lot to say even in the new millennium. Highly recommended.

Film Rec

I'm not the biggest Joss Whedon fan ... I am a fan however. It's just that I never got into the Buffy-verse. A couple years back when Whedon's sci-fi show "Firefly" debuted on FOX I remember wanting to check it out but something might have come up. Anyway, I caught "Firefly" on DVD and the sci-fi channel. The show is an acquired taste but it definitely has a peculiar charm.

The same can be said of the film SERENITY based on the series. However the film has enough kinetic action sequences and stellar visual effects to keep even mild sci-fi fans interested. And the off beat humor works effortlessly well.

I'd still say that this, like much of Whedon's work, is not for everyone and he sure has a thing for teenage girls who can kick ass. At times the script gets a little hokey but all in all it makes for a rockin' adventure in the Firefly-verse with an excellent cast of actors (in my mind the hidden gem of the series and film).

[image from amazon.com]