Reviews

I remember seeing this film in the summer of 1999, "The summer of horror" where "the sixth sense," "The Blair Witch Project," and also "The Cell" (if I'm not mistaken) were released. Many people compare it to "The Sixth Sense" but if I were to have a device, let's call it the "Scare o' meter" "the Sixth Sense" would be a 4 and this, a 9. Not since "The Exorcist" has there been a movie where there's a point where I want to stop watching because I'm afraid of what's going to happen next. However, at the same time I am so enthralled that I'm cemented in my chair. It's a story of a regular Chicago, blue collar guy becoming involved in something beyond this world--sounds cliché but it's my bag. I don't want to give away anything and I want the reader to rush out and soak up this film like I did. But later on in the film, look for Kevin Bacon to kick a bucket (literally) this moment alone will amuse even the guy who wrote the comment before me.

The guy a before me is a fool. I saw this at some sort of free screening, it was great. Some of it maybe a bit too absurdist (or lynchian) at times--but all-in-all it has a good sense of humor. I think Maddin did a great job and the fact that it was done (for the most part) in the technology of the day adds more to it. The music used in the film is great and I especially like the choreography on-stage, cleverly showing when one group is being overwhelmed by the other. It's a rather straight-forward plot line, and while it does have flash backs it doesn't hop on the non-linear bandwagon. The two commentators remind me of those from "Best in Show," especially when explaining the Mexican competitors' song. Mark McKinney is great in the picture and I really hope that be will be used again. It may be a little confusing at first but you quickly settle into it. I'm not going to write an entire essay here, but I think this is one of the best films of 2004, and I highly recommend it.

When I was a very young lad I used to watch this movie again, and again, and again. I don't why but this, innerspace, ghostbusters (1 and later 2) and beetlejuice were the crown jewels of my video library. It may be campy, but it has a pretty good storyline and a slew of hilarious moments. Let's face it it's still betetr than 90% of the movies that came out this year--and most of the late nineties--UNder the tuscan Sun, I"m looking in your direction. Anyway Phoebe Cates and the model angel chick are wicked hot--and really random thigns like a singing love-o-gram dressed as a beetle pop-up in the flick. For a late eighties romantic comedy, the plot is actually somewhat interesting and doesn't involve shenanigans with a dead boss, a secret party island, or either of the corey;s. It's good times.