Showing posts with label Judy Greer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judy Greer. Show all posts

Sunday, 6 July 2014

174 - Jawbreaker

Connection To OFFICE KILLER - Carol Kane.
Maybe I wanted another Heathers, that's probably where my disappointment comes from when I originally saw this back when - I know one positive though for me it introduced me to Judy Greer (this wasn't her first role just the first thing I saw her in).

The film is sort of Heathers meets Mean Girls (though it predates it by some 5 years) it's just not as good as either and watching it now after so long it's a bit better then I remembered, and yes having being released in the late 90's, it feels all... well late 90's to me.

The plot is kicked into gear in a stupid way (thought that then, still think it now), 3 friends accidentally killed their other friend on her birthday when they "kidnap" her but a jawbreaker in their mouth then tape over it before putting her in a boot and she dies in the meantime.

I imagine they did have Heathers on the mind in some ways when they writing and making this creating the 90's version, while both are black teen comedies the former just manages the tone much better.

Character wise Rose McGowan is pretty good as the alpha bitch as is Julie Benz as the basically a lackey to her, the third girl and the one who feels guilt at the incident Rebecca Gayheart is not particularly good though to be honest. To me the film belongs to Judy Greer who manages to play shy and nerdy and bitchy and confident both equally convincing (usually a film fails at transformations this is a rare get it right).

There is some appearences from a number of other familiar faces with Carol Kane, Pam Grier, and very, very small roles for Carrie's P.J. Soles and William Katt (seriously they get in the opening credits and are both on screen for about 5-10 seconds), and it feels like one of the few films I've seen Tatyana Ali in.

There is another Carrie connection, that got established last year, Greer actually makes a pigs blood reference related to the book and film and then went onto play the gym teacher.

Overall, 90's dated and tonally imperfect but there is shining moments in this movie, none more so then Ms. Greer. I'd say watch it if it's on but there's no need to hunt it down.

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

48 - Cursed

Connection To HALLOWEEN H20 - writer Kevin Williamson who was a producer on H20.

The first time director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson where together we got... magic, a film that's reinvigorated a dying genre by making fun of it - of course I'm talking about Scream, and teaming up again for Scream 2 they almost recaptured the same magic, the third Scream movie which also as a credited for co-writing was a misstep with the pair (though the film had it's moments) and then came Cursed, a production that seemed well... cursed.

The film was postponed over a year due issues with the script and production, this mean't a number of cast members (some which had filmed scenes), had to be replaced including Skeet Ulrich, Mandy Moore, Heather Langenkamp, Robert Forster and Corey Feldman and it's fair to say the film limped out on release rather then with a bang.

The film's plot is basically a brother and sister (Jesse Eisenberg and Christina Ricci) gets attacked by a werewolf in the Hollywood Hills and it looks like they are becoming werewolves themselves too.

You know what for a film that was rewritten and re-shot it's not really bad, it's maybe because I heard about the negativity of this production that my exceptions where very low - the film is coherent you wouldn't necessary except with a film like this - it's maybe because it stars some people I really like including Ricci and Judy Greer (which reminds me with Portia de Rossi and Scott Baio there is three Arrested Development alumni in this), while I wouldn't go far as to say this film is ripe for rediscovery because it's a film I'm sure I'll forget about in the months to come fairly easily.

The main negative is common with a lot of horror films, it is always obvious who the next victim is going to be, so much they might as have a sign that reads "eat me" on the back

Overall, I'll say it's an average horror that SPOILER (SORT OF) at least gives us a fight between Ricci and Greer END OF SPOILER that works for what it is in spite of all that was against it.