Cool News
Our First Review Of KISS KISS BANG BANG!! Is Shane Black Finally Back'!
Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Man, I hope this film rocks. I hope this film is just great brilliant trashy fun. I would love to see Downey and Kilmer and Shane Black all celebrating a monster hit this year. An early draft I read was promising, and that cast just sounds like a party on wheels...
Greetings AICN crew,
Hope you are on your way to a speedy recovery Harry!
Lethal Weapon had a big impact on me at a young age. Being under 17, I had my mother by me tickets to see this several times at the theater. It's still one of my all time favorite action films. The Last Boy Scout was another one of the early action movies that I found to be a fun ride, especially since it was grittier and more violent than what we had seen before at that time. Well, Shane Black, the writer behind two of my faves has once again made me excited to sit in that darkened theater and watch his vision unfold. In his new film, Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, Black makes his directing debut as well as writing this story based "in part" on Brett Halliday's novel, Bodies Are Where You Find Them.
At the screening in L.A. tonight, we were told we were the first audience to see this. I hope they don't change a thing since it was damn near perfect! The film is first and foremost film noir, but has a lot of great dark comic moments. The same kind of dark humor that was on display in Very Bad Things. During some of the gross gags, I haven't heard an audience laugh/groan like this since There's Something About Mary.
The opening credits are great and really set the tone for the film. They're done in the art style of those posters from the late 50's, early 60's--imagine the artwork from Vertigo animated. Really nicely done.
All the classic noir elements are there--the crook, the dame, the detective, the narration, double crossings, guns, murder, the music, and Michael Barrett's cinematography gives the city of Los Angeles a slick, yet dark and seedy look. The story has so many twists and surprises that I wouldn't really be able to talk about it without giving anything away. So let's talk about the three leads instead!
Robert Downey Jr. is hilarious as Harry Lockhart, a New York petty thief who ends up in L.A. under the guise of an actor. Jake Gittes had his bandaged nose, Lockhart has a bandaged hand, and the cause will have you wincing and laughing at the same time. Downey expertly juggles comedy and drama here. We see the Downey that was so good in films like Less Than Zero, and then the wisecracker from Home For the Holidays. It was a pleasure to sit and watch him perform in this and he carries the picture off flawlessly. In Lethal Weapon there was great chemistry between family man Murtaugh and the reckless Riggs. Here the chemistry isn't quite up to that caliber, but it's still a lot of fun to watch Lockhart interact with private detective Perry Van Shrike, played by Val Kilmer. Nicknamed "Gay Perry", because, well, he's gay. Perry is no nonsense, tough, and damn funny. Kilmer's always had great comic timing, and it was nice to see it on display again. Black has written some very snappy dialogue and to watch these two actors rapidly fire lines back and forth was a joy. There are some great quotes in this and I can't wait to see it again just so I can soak them in and retain them! The lovely Michelle Monaghan is the female lead here and, boy, what a cutie! She's got that sweet, girl next door look about her, so when she sheds her sexy Santa outfit halfway through the film, I feel guilty even looking. Of course, I still look. More than just a pretty face though, she holds her own and fits in nicely as aspiring actress, Harmony Faith Lane. Gotta love those names!
In the prologue, we're shown a cute moment that turns deadly...or does it? From the start, Black is telling the audience, "You have no idea where this is going!" and he never lets up. Ever fool around with a girlfriend? You're wrestling or tickling each other, it's fun, you're laughing, and then her knee accidentally slams or even just brushes your testicles. It's a painful surprise and the laughter suddenly stops. There are several moments like that in this movie. The rug gets pulled out from under you. As a child, Harry Lockhart wanted to be a magician. Magicians use sleight of hand and misdirection. That's what Shane Black does to his audience. Just when I thought we were headed for a car chase it abruptly ends. The big love scene? A direction I wasn't suspecting. One murder may or may not have anything to do with another. Like any good film noir, you never really know who you can trust and my trust kept shifting from one character to another.
What else can I say? I loved it. I'm not one to approach celebrities but when I came out and saw Downey and Kilmer in the lobby, I had to tell them how great it was. Now I'm telling you--go see this!
FudgehammerSounds great, man. Thanks!
"Moriarty" out.
-
+ Expand All
-
Good to hear Shane Black is back in fine form. Downey and Kilmer are two of the most unpredictable actors out there, so it'll be cool to see how they work together.
-
I'd like to say that The Last Boy Scout is one of the all time great action/comedy films. Certainly better than Lethal Weapon, which is painfully dated. Of course, having Tony Scott direct doesn't hurt. "My girl's dead, and the guys that did it are up at Spago's eatin' chicken marsala." Amazing mismatched buddy script, with a nice little commentary on professional athletes in the mix. From the description above, it does sound like this one is going to be a treat, right from those opening titles. Downey's sobriety has not affected his ability to choose great material, and along with The Singing Detective, it's nice to see him starring in films again (although his supporting turns like Wonder Boys were great too).
-
I love Shane Black's films with Long Kiss Goodnight being one of my favs. I can't wait.
-
will kick Quentin Thief Tarantino's ass for good!!!!! Great news!
-
Preach it, brother! Long Kiss Goodnight flat out kicks ass. Let's not forget the awesome Shane Black's acting turn in Predator: "Geez you got a big pussy, geez you got a big pussy!"
-
Feb 02, 2005 6:40:43 AM CST
"You see? ... She wanted a little one... coz her's was... as big
by regicidal_maniac
Right on Doc. I think he's hilarious in "Burn Hollywood Burn", I've only seen the bit with him talking about being rewritten, I must subject myself to the entire film one day.
-
It would be great to see Robert Downey Jr. back in action. The movie sounds like fun. I didn't know that Black was directing this. He can certainly tell a fine action story in a screenplay format and this skill of being able to tell a decent story will lend itself to directing.
-
Feb 02, 2005 7:23:04 AM CST
COmparisons to that shit-spool "Very Bad Things" is, er, a very
by smarkjobber
As far as I'm concerned, unless Black has spent the last 10 or so years snorting away his writing ability, this can only truly fail for me if it is directed poorly. Downey and Kilmer are two of my favorite (and imo, underutilized) comedic performers; I have high hopes for them spitting smart-assed barbs at each other. BTW, "Last Boy Scout" still wipes the floor with 95% of like-minded, R-rated action movies. One-liners to fucking slit for.
-
I hope this movie has 110% less screaming fits than that turd had. I have never cared much for Downey, but I keep hoping Kilmer is going to come out with something that really suits his unique talents. I would love to see him be funny again. Hope this one does it. Oh and my favorite Black movie: The Long Kiss Goodnight. Sure the ending is lame but the rest of the movie is solid, exciting and really fucking funny.
-
Feb 02, 2005 8:17:34 AM CST
"First you're all like "oh phooey, I burned the darned muffins..
by docpazuzu
"...and now you walk into bars and ten minutes later sailors come running out." We need more Mitch Hennessey and Charlene Baltimore on the screen.
-
He was good in "Predator".
-
Shane is back. Big yay, but where is that other action-writing-God, Steven E. de Souza???? Did Die Hard 1 & 2, Commando, 48 Hours, Running Man and re-writes on numerous semi-classics. Is he being punished for Street Fighter? Last time I saw his name was when he was credited with a Story By on Tomb Raider 2. --- But fortunately Shane Black is back in action again. Whatever happened with his AWOL project? Was it ever released????
-
The one-liners are amazing. The first Lethel Weapon has always been overrated. LW 2 is by far the best in the series. I know Moriarty has said it's one of the best action films ever.
-
Feb 02, 2005 9:01:12 AM CST
So watching this film is like being kicked in the bollocks by yo
by jon l. ander
A wierd recommendation even by AICN standards. Still, strangely appealing.....
-
I've got to agree with BigTuna. I still love The Last Boyscout. Willis made an excellent hard-boiled detective. I'm really looking forward to seeing Kiss Kiss.
-
I'm with BigTuna -- LW2 is the best in the series. LW3 is by far the worst.
-
It's funny how films like Boy Scout and Long Kiss were reviled by audiences when first released, and now are considered classics. I saw Boy Scout 4 times in the theatre when it has first released, and introduced my girl to both these flicks a few weeks ago, and watched her laugh her ass off, and then proceed to watch Long Kiss 2 more times.This, mind you, is a woman who thanked me biblically when I bought her Before Sunrise & Sunset on a whim. Black has a way with one liners and BIG silly action that's been sorely missed...I welcome him back, and I hope this rocks. BTW, I thought De Souza's last flick was that Dennis Quaid oddity, SwitchBack...oh wait, that was his partner, Jeb Stuart...another action writer king!! Where's he at?
-
It was an accident, I know you fell and your dick just accidentally slipped into my wife!
HEAD OR GUT?
Leather pants? 650 dollars? Yeah. They don't got like a tv or something in them? Nope.
GFY -
...that's why I smoked a pack of Newport and drank three vodka tonics."
-
"I Believe in Cancer"
-
Ok, here's what all you future plants should know... it's terribly transparent to everyone that you are a plant when you talk up the actors in the film rather than discuss the story. It's like reading a PR release about the actors and it's insulting. Please be more inventive and less formulaic in the future.
-
Did I just get here on an off day? Lethal Weapon 2 was an amazing piece of shit, considering the returning talent. LW1 is still the classic film in that series, 2 is a bloated gas bag that manages to be even boring. and where the first one was sort of trying new territory, you know, the suicidal partner, no real love interest for said suicidal partner, part 2 said fuck it, let's throw in the love interest to kill third act revenge. Oh yeah, and Long Kiss Goodnight is the absolute most.
-
THERE'S SOMETHING LIKE A SILVER POTATO FLOATING OUTSIDE IT'S HUGE!!!! WHAT THE
-
By the 3rd and 4th films Pesci became annoying and was used too much and it felt forced how he was stuck in the plots. LW2 was the perfect mix of action/comedy. The chemistry between Gibson/Glover/Pesci is perfect. That over the edge suicidal partner bit in LW1 was already old by 1987'. I'm glad they dumped it by the next film.
-
anybody else figure shane black's been eating his own gizzard the last ten years watching Tarantino wear the snarky modern-noir crown that should have been Black's? Seriously. Snappy patter, gruesome violence, wicked wit, tall, killer blondes . . . and Samuel L. Jackson calling everyone and everything a motherfucker. That's all Shane Black's schtick, and Tarantino picked it up when no one was looking and took it to the house! Here's hoping Shane Black manages to wriggle back onto the cultural horizon. He's got real goods.
And, yeah, another Charlie Baltimore/Mitch Hennessy adventure could be a stitch. -
Feb 02, 2005 2:57:02 PM CST
I saw the opening credits at a lecture by Kyle Cooper
by user id indeed!
He showed about two dozen credit sequences, and "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" was the only one I didn't like. Hell, I even liked the "Eurotrip" credits. "Bang Bang" just felt like it was ripping off "Catch Me If You Can's" classic opening. Speaking of which, was anyone else as impressed by the end credits of "Lemony Snicket" as I was? I wish the movie was half as cool as its credits...
-
and anyone who thinks otherwise is a fucktard. someone said lethal weapon is painfully dated but then praises the last boy scout? are you fucking kidding? the whole film is basically two characters trying to one-up each other with slams that sound like they were written by a 13-year-old. and don't even get me started on the car that lands in the pool and then, for some reason, fucking explodes. just retarded. at least lethal weapon was only slightly over the top.
-
So what if the car exploded after landing in the pool? It made no sense because the Last Boyscout was a silly, over-the-top, guilty pleasure action film. It's a fucking classic.
-
Feb 02, 2005 4:23:07 PM CST
It makes me genuinely happy to see the long kiss goodnight getti
by tom whitaker
Foul-mouthed, R-rated action films need to come back. Shane Black should be officially sanctioned to lead the charge.
"Life is pain, get used to it." -
"Yes, it was very exciting. Tomorrow we go to the zoo."
-
If they were able to block "Goldmember" (until New Line agreed to attach a Bond trailer to it), they could have blocked this. It's also the title of a song on the "Thunderball" soundtrack.
-
The Monster Squad?! Now seriously THAT was incredible. PS: Love the New Quick TALKBACK FORM. PPS: I'm back!
-
Provided they're not directed by Michael Bay and don't at all resemble that hideous shitfest Bad Boys II. We could do without movies like that. I'm a huge Black fan as he writes sharp smartass dialogue and his scripts are actually reasonably well constructed for the kinds of films they are. They're not merely excuses to blow up hundreds of millions of dollars of property and offend the intelligence and general sensibilities of everyone on the planet, as BB2 seemed to be. If you can find a less redeemable movie that exists, I'll eat my shoe, Herzog-style.
-
I forgot to add a quality filter to my comment. But seeing as 90% of Hollywood action films are utter shit as it stands... I'm just being realistic, that's all...
-
couldn't find a better comparison?
-
Feb 03, 2005 12:53:54 PM CST
"Kilmer's always had great comic timing, and it was nice to see
by earthworm_
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
-
How d'you know it was MY wife?
She said her husband was a big, pimp lookin motherfucker in a hat.
Genius. I often lament the passing of the great action film(I think True lies was its swan song)but with hindsight I think action cinema didnt go away, Shane Black just stopped writing them.
Oh and Val Kilmer had great comic timing....did you see Real Genius!!and the way he kept a straight face all through Batman Returns. -
okay I meant Batman Forever before you all start flaming and using non words like 'fucktard'
-
Love LW2 and Long Kiss Goodnight. I've missed his work over the years. Time to show Bay how to do buddy action right!
-
That's a Bond title. Is nothing sacred? EON should have used this title long ago. They should sue to stop it's use. Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is Bond, James Bond and no one else.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Antepenultimate THRONES!! Lane Pryce Returns To MAD MEN!! Roger Waters On 60 MINUTES!! Plus GIRLS, VEEP, SIMPSONS, BURGERS, KILLING, METALOCALYPSE, SHERLOCK!! THE LAST SUNDAY OF SWEEPS!! -- 102 total posts 95 posts
- Duncan Jones To Tell The Story Of Ian Fleming! -- 64 total posts 64 posts
- SNL Says Goodbye To Kristen Wiig!! -- 56 total posts 56 posts
- Hercules Picks Next Season’s 10 Most Promising New Broadcast Series!! -- 131 total posts 43 posts
- The Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day will traumatize you. -- 37 total posts 37 posts
- "Some Men Are Coming To Kill Us. We're Going To Kill Them First." Teaser To SKYFALL! -- 34 total posts 34 posts
- There Can Be Only One... Ryan Reynolds?! -- 404 total posts 30 posts
- Dan Harmon Done As COMMUNITY Showrunner!! -- 148 total posts 21 posts
- Quint thinks John Hillcoat's prohibition-era flick LAWLESS is violently awesome! Cannes 2012! -- 69 total posts 20 posts
- Adrian Hieatt Gives Us His Second Daily Report From KAPOW! Comic Convention in London! The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN! TOTAL RECALL! DC NEW 52! DAVE GIBBONS! And More! -- 18 total posts 18 posts