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Capone gushes about CHARLIE'S ANGELS and YOU CAN COUNT ON ME!!!
Hey folks, Harry here... still fighting the dead computer in my bedroom! Fucking viruses! And the worst part is, I don't know what to do next... sigh... thank god for back up systems. Well, while I deal with this nonsense... seems Capone has been busy checking out flicks... and these are two tthat I'm envious about. I AM DYING to see the Angels... and YOU CAN COUNT ON ME has had wonderful word of mouth. Here ya go....
Hey Harry, Capone in Chicago here with a couple of review of upcoming
releases, both of which I liked for completely opposite reasons. One was
made for the teenager in all of us; they other, for the adult.
CHARLIE’S ANGELS
CHARLIE’S ANGELS is the kind of film that my grandparents might refer to
as
"a hoot.” Hitting all the right notes, the film is the perfect mix of
comedy, action, and overall silliness to make for 90 minutes of high-energy
entertainment. And despite all the high-tech updates that these new Angels
have access to, they still sit around the office listening to the
disembodied voice of Charlie through the exact same white speaker phone
box
from the T.V. show.
The rice-paper-thin story involves the three Angels (Cameron Diaz as
Natalie, Drew Barrymore as Dylan, and Lucy Liu as Alex) being hired to
rescue kidnapped master computer programmer Eric Knox (a great turn by Sam
Rockwell) from the clutches of a supposedly evil programmer (Tim Curry in
full vamp mode). Knox has invented some sort of revolutionary
voice-recognition software that Curry wants. But after the rescue mission
is
completed, the Angels and their immediate overseer Bosley (Bill Murray in
a
largely wasted performance) begin to realize they may have been duped into
setting into motion a chain of events that could lead to the end of privacy
as we know it (unless you don’t happen to own a cell phone, but why bother
with details?)
CHARLIE’S ANGELS barely gives you a chance to breathe. The film is
wall-to-wall, well-choreographed wire-fu battles, chases, and loud music.
It’s dumb, but it knows it’s dumb; but more than that it’s damn fun. Cameron
Diaz is probably the best of the Angels. She embodies the spirit of the
T.V.
show (beautiful women in dangerous situations), but she steps it up a level
by also kicking butt harder than the other ladies. And we discover why she
is the true Dancing Queen, not once but twice. Barrymore is more a
traditional female action hero; her one-liners are as ready to hurl as
bullets and her natural charm makes her Dylan the second-best role she’s
played (second to her performance in THE WEDDING SINGER). Just when you
think Lucy Liu might have been miscast, she gets into a big
MATRIX-style/John Woo over-the-top fight sequence, and all is forgiven.
CHARLIE’S ANGELS also works in the details (like the speaker phone). The
women are constantly changing costumes and wigs, including several tributes
to the T.V. show with wigs that cry out “Farrah” and extra-big tinted
sunglasses. Supporting parts and cameos by the likes of Tom Green (Drew’s
fiancee), Luke Wilson (Drew’s ex-boyfriend), LL Cool J, and Crispin Glover,
who is shockingly good as a martial arts foil for the Angels.
The film works as a reminder as to why movies were invented in the first
place. With film, we can be moved tears, made to think about larger issues
in the world, or have our minds expanded in deep and meaningful ways. But
in
the end, if you’re not entertained, what’s the point. CHARLIE’S ANGELS makes
its point loud and clear. There are plenty of things you could complain
about with this movie, certainly, but you probably won't feel like it after
seeing it. Enjoy the ride, people, that's what it's there for.
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME
No one was more surprised than I was to see that the co-writer of some of
the least grown-up films made recently (ANALYZE THIS and ROCKY AND
BULLWINKLE) was able to put together possibly the most grown-up movie I’ve
seen all year. When I saw grown-up, I’m not talking about a heavy,
oppressive film like THE ICE STORM or MAP OF THE HUMAN HEART; I’m talking
about a film that draws defining performances from a group of mostly
lesser-known actors and puts these characters in situations free from
triviality and gimmicks. These situations and conflicts are small but
significant to the people involved, and they pull you in with their
real-ness.
The film begins with a tragic death, two in fact. Two people are killed
in a
horrible car accident, leaving two young children, Sammy and Terry. Writer
and first-time director Ken Lonergan gives us a gift in the form of the
adult Sammy (THE TRUMAN SHOW’s Laura Linney), a church-going single mother
who maintains a well-ordered but highly limited life. Terry (Mark Ruffalo)
is a drifter, who, lacking any kind of real parental guidance, grew up
aimless and sad. Sammy and Terry are close, but Terry’s drifting has caused
much anxiety in her life and that makes her resentful.
Terry drifts back into the small town they grew up in (and where Sammy still
lives) for money but ends up staying for a prolonged visit. He and Sammy’s
son, Rudy (Rory Culkin, a previously unfilmed Culkin sibling), hit it off,
providing Rudy with his first experience at male bonding (his father split
before he was born). The surprising twist of the film is that by having
a
full-time babysitter in Terry, she’s able to loosen up a little and give
in
to some of her wilder inclinations, including a fling with her new boss
(Matthew Broderick).
But Terry’s recklessness soon rubs off onto Rudy, and things come to a
boiling point, leaving both siblings confronting hard choices about their
futures. Linney’s performance as a woman torn between a desire to help her
brother and her instinct to protect her son from him and from disappointment
is poetry. The film tackles such issues as faith in both God and a fractured
family structure, but this movie couldn’t be less about religion. It’s about
bonds, both strong and crumbling. And it is most definitely about hurt.
Terry and Sammy are close because they had nobody but each other growing
up,
making their “break up” all the more difficult. There are no easy answers
in
YOU CAN COUNT ON ME, and the ending, although far from happy, is hopeful.
This film is opening slowly across the country over the next month; seek
it
out.
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+ Expand All
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For that reason alone I'm going to see Charlie's Angels.
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BTW, I loved the original tune?
Anyone heard the new versioned one? Have they done that modern remix barnish thing with it too? -
Got some news for ya buddy, only 12 year old, lifeless assholes are pleased they can get first in a talkback. All FIRST posters must die.
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Why aren't people even trying to make good movies anymore?
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Someone talking trash about Ferris? Thats Blasphemy. You dont deserve to call yourself American sir.
On to Charlie's Angel. Did we really need this movie? (Its a movie that knows its dumb) ???
I dont want to see a movie that knows its dumb...
Is it just me, or is Wirefu just rediculas (sp?). Not even Bruce Lee could do these moves, much less Cameron Diaz. Ive only seen this type of fight choreography done well in one film, The Matrix. Charlie's Angel is a blatent ripoff....Is that a mask that Cameron Diaz pulls off ala Mission Impossible style? Geesh.
I'll save my 8.00 bucks and pass on this one.
By the way, -
Nov 01, 2000 8:03:19 AM CST
TO the GUY who Says ANGELS sound like CRAP...HONEY YOU SMELL LIK
by geekbasher 3.0
Seriously little boy, go save yer penis, OOps I meant PENNIES and go see this movie this weekend, cuz well Obviusly you were not FIERCE enough to sneak into the MONDAY NIGHT screening and well if yer still using the word CRAP to describe a movie nowadays, YOU ARE NOT WIPING YER ASS WITH ANGEL SOFT TISSUE, FUCKING GO SEE IT WITH YER FRIENDS, DRINK BOONES FARM, (oh how old are you ? cuz I used to guzzle Strawberry Hill when I was nine ) and HAVE A BLAST! but make sure you WIPE YER ASS BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE THEATRE cuz I sure as hell would not want you to STINK IT UP, WHile the ANGELS FUCK IT UP
DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
-
First off simpman76, Bruce Lee never did an wire-fu films and secondly 'The Matrix' although a good film, had vastly inferior wire-fu stunts compared to the Hong Kong films Yuen Woo-Ping has done. Keanu never made a clear landing from a wire-fu jump even half as graceful as Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. But I understand that it was their first time utilizing this technique and i hope with the next two films they'll be better. I'm tired of seeing all of these little talkback bitches giving wire-fu shit. when in capable hands, wire-fu is no less than awe-inspired. just cause a bunch of pussyass American actors can't pull it off doesn't mean it's a crappy form of theatrical art.
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Now women too can join in on making crappy kitschy garbage like Godzilla and Batman and Robin! I hope Harry does not like it. His seal of approval is like the kiss of death, Way of the gun or Blair witch 2 anyone?
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Kinda positive don't you think? I mean, this movie will probably get my 8 bucks, but there's gotta be something to hack on it for...
No disrespect intended Capone, these reviews just seems a bit too studio friendly. "Just when you think Lucy Liu has been miscast..." Sounds like a line out of a focus group. I apologize in advance for my cynicism... -
Macgyver the Movie! get on it now!
-
To all the people who think that the Matrix-like fight scenes and the Mission:Impossible mask thing are rip-offs...you're absolutely right!!! It's obvious the screenwriters put these scenes in as parodies of the other movies that used them...they all fully realize people are gonna recognize the gimmicks from the other flicks.
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When i think of parady i think of Scary Movie or Top Secret. I dont think its trying to be a parody. Over the top, yes. That still doesnt mean it doesnt suck.
cough cough ripoff..... -
I didnt say Bruce Lee used wire fu. I said he couldnt even do those moves. Which in turn i mean these unrealistic moves are nothing but laughable. O and i havent seen alot of Jet Li films but i did see Romeo is Bleeding, and yes i do like Jet LI, but the Wire Fu was VERY VERY unrealistic and laughable at best, and i think Keanu did a much better job in Matrix. But i havent seen other Jet Li films besides Lethal Weapon 4(which he is badass, but notice i believe there is no wire fu). My point is? Why use wire fu? Am i wrong to want to see an actor really do a flip or a cool kick? These moves arent humanly possible...in the matrix it was exceptable because it fit with the story. Its like a bad blue screen job, it just ruins it and you can spot it a mile away.
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I have no problem with Wire Fu in films where the martial arts are meant to be over the top. Matrix is a good example because it takes place in some alternate realty. I also think the Wire Fu in Charlie's Angels looks badass because it really heightens the intensity of the characters. Everyone knows Charlie's Angels isn't supposed to be taken seriously, so why not go over the top with it? I didn't think the effect worked well in Romeo Must Die though because that film was obviously grounded in the present and in our reality, I thought it actually cheapened Jet Li's natural skills because it made him look like he couldn't do martial arts on his own (no way in hell would Jackie Chan ever do the stuff).
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He looks really creepy and cool. I always enjoy this guy on screen.
-
Nov 01, 2000 12:16:16 PM CST
Uhm...SimpMan...Romeo is Bleeding was a Gary Oldman movie. You'
by lenny nero
Just had to get that out. I'm really anticipating the Angels. What's wrong with some good old-fashion entertainment? Capone was right, films are about entertainment. This sounds like a perfect popcorn flick in which all you have to do is sit back, turn off your brain, and have a shitload of fun. Added to that, these Angels are quite the females, so that's an added bonus (although Lucy Liu in comparison to the original choice Thandie Newton seems a bit peculiar, yet still good casting). All y'all, stop bitching and have some fun, alright? Good.
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There was only two wire-fu stunts in the shitfest that is 'Romeo Must Die' the rest were special effects that didn't even need to be done. Jet Li is badass enough with some cheesy effect or even wires. Besides, I wasn't talking about any of Jet Li's hollywood pictures because they all suck ass. What I meant was that if you wanted to see some great wire-fu sequences, you need to check out films like "Tai Chi Master" and "Wing Chun" and stop criticizing wire-fu that's being mishandled in fucking horrible hollywood movies like 'Romeo Must Die'
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Jonathan Lipnicki has earned his place in the Hollywood Hall of Fame. This tiny tot will surely go down in the annals of history as the world's greatest comedic actor. I laughed my ass off every time they showed that ugly little bastard during Jerry Maguire, wondering to myself how come that chimp wasn't in a zoo.
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as bad as crap like Bring it On and Whipped. Screw U hollywood for constantly dissing us. And for all the studiosuit and studioexec guys running arouind and the defenders of trash like this all I have to say is look at ticket sales and we'll see who is laughing last!!! Sales are majorly down and here is why! Lets hope Hollywood will rebound and Unbreakable and Vertical Limit will be event films that don't completely suck.
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"The Man That You Fear", I think. It was the one where they`re in a Mad Max trailer-park and the people stone Manson to death at the end a'la "The Lottery".
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So i made a mistake with a title? That makes me a moron. Sounds to me like I'm not the moron, your the one thats gonna waste their money on Charlies Angels. At least i dont have to resort to name calling or lewd comments to get my point across.
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. . . . .to go away so that hollywood can get on with cannibalizing every other goddamn tv show from the 60's and 70's so that eventually there will be none left for them. then maybe those assholes out there will try writing an original story for a fucking change-although by that point, they'll probably just start remaking them. i'm not interested, whether it's just for fun or not, in mediocre movies starring mediocre actors based on bad tv shows. what's next? feature length versions of fantasy island and charles in fucking charge? also supremely uninterested in yet another bad video/commercial director getting into features-Fincher pulls it off and now every asshole that ever put a reel together thinks hollywood owes him a feature. giving McG (why don't you get a real, adult name, kiddo?) credit for the gap campaign is like giving Bush credit for the Berlin wall coming down--yeah, he was there, but it would have happened anyway no matter who was running the show. there are so many people from an ad agency on a commercial shoot that none but the most powerful commercial directors can barely take a piss without asking permission from the creative director, the copy writer and the account manager--a syndrome which has to be magnified due to the simplistic nature of the gap ads (white cyc bg, no live sound, etc). ps what's up with the chronology of the talkback posts?
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Thank you for the Night On Bald Mountain tribute, the animated sequence that Disney would like to pretend never existed!
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Bring on the pillar of 70's TV, Supertrain!!!
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I manage a video store in NYC and was lucky enough to get passes to see "Charlie's Angels" monday night with a friend. I watched the entire movie with my jaw wide open. It was by far the most fun I have had in the theater all year and I have seen damn near everything.
When we walked out of that movie we were both in shock that Hollywood had not only made a GREAT tv series movie adaption, but that we had just seen the best action movie all year.
It didn't hurt that the girls had great chemistry and are so hot.
I am going to have to take a second job to pay for all of the times I will see this movie.
You are pretty jaded if you don't have a good time watching this movie.
By the way, Crispin Glover is really cool in this. -
Several months ago when that silly teaser came out I said some pretty harsh things about Charlie's Angels, and now I take it all back. Just saw it and it was so good I'll see it again. Everything was so perfect, from Cam's ditz to Billy's blundering Bosley. One problem: not enuf skin from Lucy. But the racetrack scene with Drew was simply... breathtaking. Great work. Hope there's a sequel.
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This is the kind of flick that'll make me think twice about prejudgements from teasers. Oh yeah, the D&D trailer was fucking baaaaaaaaadass.
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In my opinion Charlie's Angels was more or less like he described it. I wasn't expecting to think hard about a plot or to even have to really pay attention to it. I wne to see outlandish fight scenes and escapes. I went to see the vicious outfits and to find out what the plot twist was. I think the girls looked and acted great. I couldn't believe who the bad guy was. When I finally realized who the Thin Man was I couldn't stop saying McFlyyy!!!!!! I also loved how Drew Barrymore called out her moves before she beat the crap out of a few bad guys. Charlie's had the best music too. They mixed the old music from the day of the original show and threw in some rap.
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I LOVED the movie You Can Count On ME, funny and touching.. one of my favorite movies of all-time (perhaps my favorite)
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