Reel Reviews -- O

Oblivion (~) -- This one seems to be a near miss. There’s a lot to like here: Cruise is good (he never isn’t, really), the look of the thing is wonderful, the twist is pretty good as movie twists go, and there’s even some good science that’s important to the movie’s reality (i.e., the presumed effects on Earth if our Moon were destroyed). But there’s one bit of dumbness that cancels out that good science: the story relies on the by-now well-worn clone fallacy (that clones would somehow share memories with the original organism). Probably not a bad rental, now that it’s out of theaters, certainly worth watching for free. But no surprise this wasn’t a big hit at the googolplex. Posted 3/9/13.

O Brother, Where Art Thou (+) -- Homer for the masses...and I don't mean Simpson. Well-crafted retelling of the old tale, with some great music and good performances by Messrs. Clooney, Turturro and Nelson.

Ocean's Eleven (~) -- Watching this movie is like spending a couple of hours in the High Church of Holy Hipness; it's got more smirks than you'd find on Saturday night in a frat house. There are a few amusing moments, but not enough of them. On another note: this is the second big-time movie (directed by Soderbergh, no less) in which George Clooney has played a criminal--should we be worried? Posted 10/17/02.

Ocean's Twelve (+) -- Another celluloid smirk from Soderbergh and company. It's got a flimsy premise and a redundant story; so why didn't I care? Because the pace is good, the performers are all spot on, the dialogue is sharp, and the visuals are particularly rich. And it ends in an orgy of self-satisfaction. Now, what could be more entertaining than that? In this case, nothing. Posted 5/8/06.

October Sky (+) -- You know how this thing's going to play out every minute it's on the screen--and it's still a wonderful movie to watch. Hopeful and high-spirited, it's a good movie to watch when you want a little uplifting (and it even comes with rockets for the task!).

Office Space (+) -- An uneven piece from Beavis & Butt-Head and King of the Hill creator Mike Judge. Occasionally hilarious satire of corporate life that turns dark one or two times too many. But mostly worth it.

127 Hours (+) -- Director Danny Boyle pulls every trick out of the filmmaker's bag in order to give movement and energy to a mostly static tale. In a few places, the holes in that cinematic curtain show through, but for the most part the effort is successful, resulting in an entertaining, impactful, almost riveting movie. Not to be missed. Posted 8/19/11.

One True Thing (+) -- There's that girl again; a young Renée Zellweger plays center stage, this time with veterans Meryl Streep and William Hurt giving very capable support. A bit of a tearjerker, but we won't hold that against it.

Open Range (+) -- A film that's beautiful from the first scene, but not very engaging at the start. That's why it's such a pleasant surprise when the story grows more engrossing and enjoyable as it progresses. The ultimate payoff comes as a satisfying film about realistic, complex characters that never falls prey to being too showy, too heavy-handed, or anything it doesn't need to be. Costner lets his film speak for itself, and you'll like what it has to say. Posted 4/7/09.

The Opposite Of Sex (~) -- A movie with all the hallmarks of the "indie" film: lots o' sex and violence (though relatively tame here), strange, over-the-top characters, even some "meta" filmmaking techniques (an antagonistic voiceover, fake-out scenes, etc.). Of course, "indie" can also mean muddled storytelling, narrowly focused characters who don't "speak" to all in the audience, and other problems. So too with this one. It has some positive traits, but it also runs too long and doesn't do enough to develop any bond between the characters and the audience. See it or not; it probably won't matter either way. Posted 4/25/05.

The Original Kings Of Comedy (~) -- Pretty good "concert" comedy film, though some of the routines are hit and miss. Steve Harvey does the best work, Bernie Mac gives a creditable effort, and D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer have their moments. The language is not for the "wealthy dowager" types. Posted 10/14/02.

Othello (+) -- This version--with Laurence Fishburne in the title role and Kenneth Branagh as Iago--was not particularly well received when it came out, but I've got a soft spot for Shakespeare; it takes some really bad work to screw up the Bard. This is capably done, and there isn't any silly fiddling about with the setting/staging/timeframe here--they play it straight.

The Others (+) -- Moody and stylish, just the way you like 'em. The twist is obvious, but I don't really care about such things, so I don't take points off for that. It's the journey, not the destination, that matters here. Posted 9/7/04.

Out of Sight (~) -- Pretty good. Features Jennifer Lopez, in her a little less sleazy incarnation as straightforward actress, along with George Clooney doing his usual thing. Not spectacular, but it holds your interest.

Outside Providence (+) -- Not the laugh riot you expect from a Farrelly Brothers association (they scripted), but that doesn't mean it's bad, either. Some parts are flat, but most of the film adds up to a low-key but effective coming of age story. The best, most effective stuff lies in the relationship between Shawn Hatosy's lead bonehead teenager and his father, strongly played by Alec Baldwin. There's some touching drama here, making for a nice balance against a nice chunk of sharp humor. This one flew below the radar, but if you happen to catch hold of it, you will not be disappointed. Posted 11/12/06.

Oz the Great and Powerful (~) -- The crux of the matter here lies with the source material, to wit: are we seeing a faithful representation of Baum’s work, or is this a Disneyfied version of the extended world of Oz? Having only read one of the Oz works--that one--I can’t say for sure; maybe the weaknesses are Baum’s and not those of the Disney people or director Sam Raimi. Even with a certain obviousness to the story--it’s a tale that practically wallows in stereotypes--you can still get a good, old-fashioned movie-viewing experience out of this film. It all depends on how high your critical threshold is; demanding types, stay away, but those more open will probably have a decent time. Posted 1/8/14.

Reel Reviews -- K

K-19: The Widowmaker (+) -- It's nice to see a couple of old pros like Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson in their best form, keeping it understated and letting the story do the work. It's also nice to see a military story told from "the other side," one that acknowledges that "they" have their heroes too. As for the movie in toto, there's a good, tense story told with meticulous attention to detail. The focal conflict is resolved a little too conveniently, but that's mostly a quibble. All in all, this movie was unfairly overlooked. Posted 11/30/03.

Kate & Leopold (+) -- Remarkably well done for a sappy chick flick. There's nothing really original here; all of the story elements (time-shifted confusion, romantic longing, etc.) are recycled from other tales. Meg Ryan is beginning to get too old for this sort of thing, but I'm guessing Hugh Jackman (sans Wolverine get-up) must have had them sighing in their seats when this was in the theaters. Plus the supporting cast is small and capable, if not spectacular. But it all works suprisingly well. Overall, a movie that's more than the sum of its parts. Posted 12/19/02.

Keeping The Faith (+) -- A very funny look at religion, relationships, and religious relationships. Most of the credit goes to Edward Norton, who wrote, directed and starred (along with Ben Stiller and Jenna Elfman).

The Kids Are All Right (+) -- A low-key, enjoyable movie experience filled with subtle humor, honest emotion, and plenty of charm. I might have a minor quibble about how it all turns out in the end--the Ruffalo character's treatment seems unduly harsh; it wasn't his action alone--but that doesn't stretch far enough to bring the film as a whole down. Worth a look. Posted 1/5/12.

Kill Bill (Vol. 1) (+) -- Here we have a movie comprised of a slew of scattershot scenes...punctuated by sequences of absolute cinematic brilliance. If Tarantino ever got it all together--cut through the bullshit, tightened everything up, crafted the whole thing perfectly--he might make the greatest movie ever made. This isn't it, but it's still well worth seeing for its filmmaking skill and bravado. NOTE: I recommend it, but Kill Bill is one of the most insanely violent movies anyone has ever imagined; proceed with caution. Posted 10/19/03.

Kill Bill (Vol. 2) (+) -- Ah, Volume 2--the reflective massacre movie. Much quieter than its predecessor, not quite as violent (though it still has its moments), this one has much more in the way of story and character than Volume 1. That tack is helped immensely by the presence of David Carradine--by now almost a talking, walking, animated death mask--as the object of the titular menace. His character fleshes out the tale, brings a depth that makes you care whether or not The Bride gets her vengence. Ultimately, put it all together and you get a worthy, entertaining tale. Posted 5/31/04..

King Kong (2005) (~) -- Insanely long, but then again, I can't say it ever lost my interest. I'm not sure this movie needed to be remade, again, but their hearts were in the right place, if the execution was not. Which is not to say it's bad; the individual elements are top notch, including superb special effects, some fine performances (particulary by Naomi Watts and, believe it or not, The Ape, in the frameworked person of Andy Serkis), and a healthy respect for the previous material. But it takes too long for the star to appear, plenty of the action sequences could have been cut out, and even what's good seems altogether a little flat. If you check it out on a big screen, and don't pay too much to see it, you could have a rewarding 3+ hours. Posted 3/28/07.

Kingdom Of Heaven (+) -- You go into this film expecting a healthy dose of mayhem and spectacle. Be patient--you get it eventually. But you also get a measured--in places almost meditative--movie, a film with a lot on its mind. Some of its allegories are obvious, but subtlety isn't cutting it much these days, so that's to be forgiven. This story could make you think twice the next time someone tells you that "God wills it!" and that certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. Posted 3/28/07.

The King's Speech (+) -- This is almost exactly the movie you expect. Sure, it's Oscar bait; yes, it's so very British; and you know exactly how things are going to play out. And yet, this is an extremely entertaining movie, one that raises George VI--Bertie to his friends--that much higher in the viewer's esteem (assuming the story as depicted here is something near the truth). That such a personal story would have such international consequences adds layers of depth and drama to a well-done but otherwise standard issue historical piece. Altogether, a work worth viewing. Posted 8/19/11.

Knocked Up (+) -- A movie that starts as little more than a collection of good lines and cardboard characters, but the actors start to flesh out their characters, the writing keeps up, and eventually something clicks, until you wind up with a thoroughly enjoyable film. How much staying power it has, I can't say; it may be forgettable as soon as the DVD stops spinning, but for its running time, its fun while it lasts. Posted 4/16/09.

K-PAX (~) -- Another "alien hiding in plain sight" flick. It takes a turn for the serious that almost ruins it, but for the most part it's a pretty decent movie.

A Monumental Failure

In 2008, when Barack Obama was elected President, many members of the populace--who were starving for competence and respectability after eight years of the Shrub disaster--were set to start chiseling the nation's first Black chief executive's features onto Mount Rushmore, before he even took office. No one in my lifetime--including the conservatives' holy man, "Saint Ronnie"--entered the White House with a greater mandate to take action and change the direction in which the nation was heading.

Fast forward to today, and it is clear that there will be no carvings, statues, or any sort of respectful memorial in future days for the nation's 44th President.

We have reached the point where this author can see no choice but to declare this administration, and the man who leads it, a monumental failure. In the wake of the debt ceiling fiasco...which came on the heels of last year's capitulation on the tax cuts for the wealthy...which followed an abysmal showing by his party at the polls...which followed a timid, half-measured effort for meaningful health care reform (which resulted in the inadequate Affordable Care Act)...which came on the heels of the failure to enact an adequate stimulus in the face of the Lesser Depression...A realistic assessment must view the past two and a half years as little more than a series of missteps and outright blundering, almost from the moment Obama took office.

Apologists will undoubtedly point out--as they have continually pointed out, in lock-step with the proceeding litany of stumbles--that Obama has had to work with (or against, depending upon your perspective) a hostile opposition who have only cared about subverting his every initiative, and that he has done the best he could working within that context. But that argument is nonsense. Too often, Obama has greeted the hostility of the Republicans with a timidity bordering on obeisance, if not outright cowardice. It was obvious from the start, to keen observers if not the President himself, that such would be the situation. But Obama bore the opposition's attacks and failed to answer with the required vigor when he needed to respond in kind. All the public got to see from the target of the vitriol was an obsessive concern with "bipartisanship"; Obama fetishized transcending political differences even when such efforts guaranteed doom for policies the nation truly needed.

And, lest we forget, from the start Obama rarely lived up to his own stated platform. He has not ended any of America's wars; in fact, he has expanded them. He has been tepid in his response to the criminal activities of Wall Street; hardly a surprise, in retrospect, seeing as the "banksters" are among his biggest donors. He even wavered on his promises to the gay community on equality issues, taking most of his time in office to end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. All of this and more have accumulated in the minds of the American populace as the actions of a man who is ineffectual, at best, and incompetent and/or a liar at worst.

The upshot of perception--its benefit for his rivals--is the worst part of this fiasco. Obama's lack of performance as President has done more to legitimize his opponents than any acts of their own. Left to their own devices, the 2012 Republican contenders would look wholly inadequate in the eyes of the nation's voters. But Obama's wretched showing, especially the lack of progress on turning around the economy, has left the door open for one of those petty hustlers, including a few would-be Nehemiah Scudders, to walk through, claim the Oval Office, and enact a whole new series of lurid, neo-con disasters. The failures of the present are also dooming the future.

Perhaps most galling, much of this lack of vigor for a true, reforming policy agenda by Obama seems to have been the product of a cold calculation that assumed that liberal and progressive voters, no matter how disgusted they might be with the President's failure to enact a platform to their liking, would never vote for a conservative candidate whose policies and beliefs they abhor.

As it turns out, this political bet will almost certainly prove unwise. While it may be true that voters like myself would never consider positively casting a ballot for the semi-reasonable Romney--let alone nightmares like Palin, Bachmann, or Perry--that does not mean that votes for Obama are assured. At a certain point, even the most zealous leftist will throw up his hands in disgust and simply not vote at all. Eventually, when all you see around you are horrors and the future seems lost regardless, you will choose the quick death over the slow; or, as the aging titlular emperor in I, Claudius declares (upon deciding to let the repugnant Nero succeed him), "Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud, hatch out!" It would appear that we have reached the bitter end, and some of us have no stomach for the long, slow descent into the abyss. It may as well be a plunge into the shadows, rather than an ignominious crawl.

Such, it seems, will be the legacy of Barack Obama.

Wordsmith

Another term for Stephen's Dictionary:

Alameda disease
[noun]
(Medical/Psychiatric) the condition wherein the afflicted stands around in the middle of everything, doing nothing

(usually used with regard to an individual--but the condition can be contagious and will affect groups)

Wordsmith

Another term for Stephen's Dictionary:

redneck wrong
[adjective]
description of a state wherein a speaker, who has made a statement that is demonstrably wrong, doubles down on his assertion and continues to insist that he's right