SUNDANCE: Memento Man: UNITED STATES OF LELAND, THE MUDGE BOY and DOT THE I which he says is this year's MEMENTO -- Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND (Matthew Ryan Hoge) * * * *

Easily one of the strongest films at this year's festival, I'm hoping it wins either the Grand Prize or the Audience Award on Saturday night. Ryan Gosling (whose breathtaking performance two years ago in THE BELIEVER deserved even more recognition than it received [and who also turned in a pretty tight act in last year's THE SLAUGHTER RULE]) with THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND is sure to cement his standing as one of the premiere new talents of the last few years. He is aided by equally strong performances by Don Cheadle and Kevin Spacey. Gosling plays Leland Fitzgerald, a well-educated, well-traveled 16-year-old who murders a young mentally challenged kid. Why did he do it? THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND is about the frustration of trying to understand whys in a world that has none. The real power of this film comes from its provocative, yet thoughtful script that resonates locally while pondering globally. Newcomer writer/director Matthew Ryan Hoge [even though he didn't show up for the Q&A today... what's with that?] is going to be a name to watch in the coming years.
ALL THE REAL GIRLS (David Gordon Green) * ?

One of the clunkers of today's screenings; even Ebert dashed out early. David Gordon Green (who did George Washington) stumbles during his second feature while trying to achieve a new sense of realism in a relationship film. Instead, we're left with banal writing and performances that have all the energy of end tables.
THE MUDGE BOY (Michael Burke) * * * ?

Workshopped at the Sundance Institute, and guided with the help of executive producer Stanley Tucci, THE MUDGE BOY becomes a powerful emotional journey not only for its protagonist, but for anyone who's ever felt like an outsider. Emile Hirsch (in a startlingly different role than either the soggy EMPEROR'S CLUB or even the innovative but unfortunately-named DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS) is Duncan Mudge, a sensitive boy desperate for acceptance in a world where males must conform to ready-made gender scripts of cruelty in order to become a "man" and gain admission into the group. Yet, Duncan is, as he is told, "different." After the death of his mother, he tries to regain maternal plentitude by wearing her hat or coat, riding her bike, or caring for her favorite chicken. Be ready to hear audience gasps accompanying several harsh moments. Nevertheless, THE MUDGE BOY is an emotionally wrenching triumph.
dot the i (Matthew Parkhill) * * * *

This year's MEMENTO: a mind-bending journey into the space between film and life, or reality and illusion. By the end of the film, you won't believe there's a difference. Gael Garcia Bernal (AMORES PERROS, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, THE CRIME OF FATHER AMARO) plays Kit, a man in a restaurant who is kissed by Carmen (Natalia Verbeke), in, we are told, a French tradition for intended brides on a night out with their girlfriends. But the kiss continues long after it should, constructing a troubling situation for them, Carmen's fiancÃ© Barnaby (James d'Arcy), and a mysterious stalker. Rich with references from such popular movies as THE GRADUATE, dot the i is a film lover's dream. Or reality.
Until next time... this is Memento Man, signing off!

First,OH YEAH by patgarretjr	Jan 20th, 2003 08:47:17 AM
First,OH YEAH by patgarretjr	Jan 20th, 2003 08:47:27 AM
Clarification on Reviews by Memento Man	Jan 20th, 2003 09:00:31 AM
Memento-Dot the I by DannyOcean01	Jan 20th, 2003 09:03:39 AM
dot the i by Memento Man	Jan 20th, 2003 09:06:29 AM
My congratulations to patgarretjr by numberface	Jan 20th, 2003 09:55:36 AM
Question for Memento Man by DonnaDarko	Jan 20th, 2003 02:19:46 PM
On Another Front, Don't Cheadle's NFL Ads Suck? by The Stutter_Man	Jan 20th, 2003 02:27:13 PM
AICN soft porn brings you topless Natalia Verbeke by supertoyslast	Jan 20th, 2003 03:50:39 PM
Supertoyslast by Glawen	Jan 20th, 2003 04:00:40 PM
What the fuck are these movies ABOUT, for fuck's sake? by Mister Pink	Jan 20th, 2003 06:18:26 PM
dot the i by SK1	Jan 20th, 2003 07:56:15 PM
Don't worry everybody Memento man won't be praising these films by Rogue_Leader	Jan 21st, 2003 12:31:02 AM
You're funny when yer pissed! by slaterc3	Jan 21st, 2003 03:17:21 AM
I'll add one more thing by SK1	Jan 21st, 2003 04:42:05 AM
re: Ebert's "Early Departure" by Encopresis	Jan 21st, 2003 10:05:29 AM
you gotta give us more to go on than that.. by Silver Shamrock	Jan 21st, 2003 11:47:53 AM

SUNDANCE: Memento Man: UNITED STATES OF LELAND, THE MUDGE BOY and DOT THE I which he says is this year's MEMENTO

THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND (Matthew Ryan Hoge) * * * *

**ALL THE REAL GIRLS (David Gordon Green) * ?**

**THE MUDGE BOY (Michael Burke) * * * ?**

dot the i (Matthew Parkhill) * * * *

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