Review: Kathryn Bigelow's "Point Break" (1991)

Are there any other surfer flicks than this? I don't immediately recall any films in which take itself serious with surfing as a theme except this one. How many bank robbery films exist? Plenty, but how many good ones? "Dog Day Afternoon" is a solid bank robbery film, and "The Town" was even better. "Heat" was an alright job as well, but "Point Break" gives a unique perspective on how and why a bank can be robbed.

The performances in the film were actually impressive for a early 90's action film in which the actors don't have a trend of greatness in their filmography. So because of that, I am led to believe the director Kathryn Bigelow somehow made whatever happened happen.

Keanu Reeves played his role I think as good as it could have been. He crossed all his "T's" and dotted all his "I's". Outside of "The Matrix" I think this could be his most interesting role for me.

Patrick Swayze, the actor who danced and ghosted his way into the eyes of nearly every women by the 90's played a rugged role only to be enjoyed by men. His character's culture, along with all his mates were the best, most realistic group of surfers I have ever seen on the screen. I don't have a single idea about what a surfing culture would look like in reality, but I felt if one existed, it would look like this, at least during the era of MTV.

Gary Busey shows up enough to give his standard Busey presence, which never really excites you too much, but does please often enough. Don't go looking for Busey to astonish you in anything, after all he plays the same guy in almost everything hes in.

The film isn't epic, it isn't a great movie, but it is solid and very enjoyable to watch over and over. The film should deliver pleasure to anyone who likes an action-drama.

"Point Break"

7.5 / 10

Review: Lone Scherfig's "An Education" (2009)

Lone Scherfig, a no name director with few films under his belt manages to put together a seemingly interesting piece. The cast of the film was pretty unique. I had never really experienced or noticed these individuals before this film, and now have a greater respect for their abilities to carry a scene.

However, I think the story is in the end meaningless. There is no point to the film at the very end. I feel that I received a "school is cool" message, which isn't something I go to the theater for. I want something more profound, but if profound isn't in the story, just entertain me. I felt like the film was trying to convince me of certain importances in life which I disagree with in a great way.

I do want to mention by name the stars, in Peter Sarsgaard and Carey Mulligan, portrayed very interesting characters for the majority of the film. I don't think the flaws of the film hinge too much on the success or failure of director Lone Scherfig, but I think he had a part to play in some of the flaws. For the brunt of the blame, I deliver straight to anyone who held a pen or pencil in regards to the story.

The story isn't going to be as relevant to the current, at least American, generation. The 'stay in school' theme is done now, it isn't the ultimate 'good' here anymore and that absence removes relevance when it tries to carry that theme to the end as the lesson. Words that come to mind regarding this film include: unnecessary, empty, irreverent, boring, and impressive. Impressive is only attributed to the performances.

"An Education"

6.5 / 10

Review: Gary Sinise's "Of Mice and Men" (1992)

Gary Sinise is responsible for just 1 directed film, "Of Mice and Men".

Hollywood portraying mentally disabled individuals is a hard task, and rarely done well. John Malkovich would definitely have the ability to do the task, but so does Sean Penn in "I Am Sam", Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man", Tom Hanks in "Forrest Gump", Leonardo DiCaprio in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", the whole cast in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", and my favorite Billy Bob Thorton in "Sling Blade". These characters were overall portrayed well, but under certain direction, maybe not followed up with good content.

I think this film falls into the category of 'could have been'. I believe it could have been good or better under different direction. This film helps me understand a bit more that not anyone in Hollywood who 'can', should. Sinise does a decent job, perhaps a little better, in his acting role here, but the film focuses too much on things it shouldn't be, at least in the way it was focused on. You really need an artistic eye as a director, to capture things and try to communicate them to the audience correctly. It felt more in this film like Sinise saw some stuff he liked and just rolled film. The film feels like a top notch made for television movie.

I had never been exposed to this story before until I watched this film, and I really felt like the writer probably had more, and better ideas about what they wanted than was given to me visually. Nothing felt raw, but like being in the colorful world of "The Wizard of Oz", everything was too perfect. Perhaps I will adventure over to the older film, and from what I hear its unfortunate I dislike to read because the book is said to be the best.

"Of Mice and Men"

6.5 / 10