JakeStevens Blog

Under discussion:

RV  (2006)

Personally, I think Barry Sonnenfeld's films are the damned funniest things out there today, and this one is no exception. I don't know why his films are critically reviled, but they make me laugh out loud...and often. Most certainly, there is the infamous "shit shower" scene that could most definitely be categorized as purile (which normally I despise), but here...I don't know why, but it's funny. Perhaps it's Robin Williams, whose work at the turn of the millennium turned less manic and more acerbic, and here he's spouting a few rapid fire one-liners and zingers. The only thing I didn't care for was the song and dance number at the end...it's bad. REAL bad. But anytime I watch this film, I'll just turn it off before that part...and voila! Jeff Daniels has a few good lines in here, and (to me, at least) Cheryl Hines and Will Arnett are some newcomers who prove to have very malleable faces. If you've seen "The Addams Family", "Addams Family Values" or "For Love Or Money", "Get Shorty" or the "Men In Black" series, you know what to expect from Barry Sonnenfeld. In my opinion, that equates to "A Good Time".

Under discussion:

Hard Candy  (2006)

I found myself squirming through the majority of this film, and that's a GOOD thing, considering the suject matter at hand. Number one reason this film is worth watching - THE ACTING. Ellen Page and Patrick Wilson are FANTASTIC actors, and with the cinematography consisting of nearly all close ups of the two actor's faces, it's crucial that they both hit the right notes with the dialogue, and indeed, they do not disappoint. There are moments of EXTREME discomfort for the viewer, so anyone who can't handle psychological tension might want to skip this film. For those of you who can, and those of you who appreciate two actors doing what they do best, check this film out.

Under discussion:

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull  (2008)

OK. I went into this film KNOWING what impossibilities the Indiana Jones creators are capable of cooking up (see "Temple of Doom" for the series' lowpoint), and this film completely lived up to those expectations. The action sequences nearly ruined the film for me, and even the company I viewed the film with, who are HUGE Indie fans, were "tsking" through the "Tarzan" sequence (you'll know what I mean...). I had already forgiven the "refridgerator" scene, but the "climbing ants" were almost too much to bear, followed immediately by the "dipping tree" scene - I had almost given up hope. I'm being vague here as to not give away too much. The script is shoddy and plods along, but for some reason, all is forgiven, because truth be told, it's nice to see Indie up on the big screen again, regardless of the many, many flaws inherent in this outing. Definitely for Indie fans, and those who go in hoping it'll elevate the series to a new level will be disappointed.