Citizen Kane (1941)

Reviewed: 07.23.2007

Following the death of newspaper tycoon and philanthropist Charles Foster Kane, news reporters set out to discover the meaning behind his last word... "Rosebud". Kane's life is re-examined through a series of newsreel footage in an attempt to discover the man behind the persona.

Citizen Kane is considered one of Hollywood's classics. Judging this film by today's standards, doesn't do either party justice. To think generations are missing out because of it's age or that it's B&W is sad. Citizen Kane is on top of those lists for a reason. After viewing, you'll see why.

Grandiose and bombastic, Orson Wells embodies Kane from the ambitious 20-something to the disillusioned 60 year old, Wells makes Kane overwhelmingly real. It's a masterful performance. The supporting cast of characters all seem to be operating on another plane, symbolizing periods of time in this man's life.

The visual styling of Citizen Kane is unconventional and stunning. Creating themes through the symbolism, special effects, scoring and detailed cinematography, the film assaults the senses. Combined, the viewer is easily engrossed in the story of a vulnerable man and his Rosebud.

Citizen Kane, again, is essential viewing for film fans. However, the dependence of symbolism may very well impede the best of intentions.

01.24.2010 ~ Although the secret is out, I love this one.  The symbolism is key.  'Grandiose and bombastic' still stand.

I, Robot (2004)

Reviewed 01.10.2005

Whether it's aliens or robots, Will Smith can save the world all the while cracking jokes. I, Robot could be I, Amcreepedout for those of you having read Issac Asimov's book. Other than that, this movie is based VERY loosely on his work. Without giving away, what is sometimes an obvious plot...

• Sonny, the main robot, creeps me out and yet, I find myself rooting for him (not for long).
• Detective Spooner, we discover things are not what they seem.
• Susan Calvin needs a life.
• V.I.K.I is whack.

The film is choppy at best, but not bad for 115 minutes. (Remember, Will Smith movie?!) Before you think I didn't like it, I did. In a 'Will Smith can't play a role without randomly smarta$$ing his way through' kind way. That's what I liked. The rather aimless character development and plot was fine by me. My only disappointment, Smith didn't kick enough robot alloy, including Sonny's.

The Crow (1994)

Reviewed 11.19.2006

People once believed that when you died, a crow took your soul to the land of the dead.....but sometimes, just sometimes, the crow could bring that soul back, to make the wrong things right..."

In this 'Gotham-esque' city, master criminal Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) directs low-life underlings in wanton acts of arson and depravity on what has become known as Devil's Night, the eve of Halloween. On the eve of their wedding, rockster Eric Draven and his fiance Shelly Webster were brutally murdered. On that Devil's Night, Eric (Brandon Lee) comes home to find Shelly (Sofia Shinas) being raped and beaten, only to find himself assaulted, shot and shoved out a five-story window. They leave behind a close young friend Sarah (Rochelle Davis), endless rainy nights in the city, and infinite sorrow on those who knew them. A year later, a Crow brings Draven's tormented soul out of the grave, gifting him with new powers and a world of pain and grief. Guiding Draven, the Crow allows him to take revenge upon his killers and earn eternal rest.

Director Alex Proyas' revenge thriller is just bad. The characters are bad interpretations of bad guys. With fool-hardy names like Skank, Funboy, and T-Bird, who begin each night of depravity with 'Fire it Up', what else do you expect? The mastermind behind them all, with his equally non-sensical name, Top Dollar, carries a sword, has a penchant for eyeballs and calls an Asian woman with weird lips his sister. Still with me? When Top Dollar says "this is already boring the sh!t out of me," the viewer can't help think the same.

As for Brandon Lee, it's a shame we never saw him do more. Beneath the Insane Clown Posse reject make-up is a glimmer of emotion and passion that might be unique. With his skin-tight heroine chic ninja oufit, complete with electric guitar, the audience knows he's out to save Gotham City. Or not. To his credit, Lee, is given some of the worst moments of dialogue and tries for believability. "Suddenly I heard a tapping, as of someone gently rapping...at my chamber door". Raven.. Crow... not the same thing. Nice try. Wait, depressed teenagers wouldn't know the difference.

The Crow complete with its weird, creepy, Gothic atmosphere is visually interesting to watch. While it has reached cult status with depressed teens everywhere, a closer look shows this film doesn't hold water. It's a shame a smart graphic novel can become a mockery of itself so quickly. With characters that barely rise from the grave themselves, stuck in obviously cliched melodramatic moments, The Crow is so bad, it's funny.

01.10.10 ~ Funny, when I went back to retrieve this review, I remembered it being positive.  Wrong.  This is incredibly harsh for what I now view as a guilty pleasure.  Ouch.