WELCOME! AGAIN WE WILL BE THRUST INTO THE DOMAIN OF THE loony toon! A STRANGE AND MYSTERIOUS LAST OF THE DODOS! This time, He's taking a look at Kevin Spacey's latest flick... THE BIG KAHUNA... Enjoy..

Well Head Geek...

Time For SXSW scoop number two.

After attending the uber-cool Carpenter/Knowles/Rodriguez panel today, Idecided to mill about the Austin Convention Center until it was time for the Big Kahuna.

I knew nothing about this film, besides the fact that it is Kevin Spacey's next work hot off the tail of American Beauty. I like and Dislike this film for several reasons.

First off let me say that the acting was superb. Spacey (Larry) is a brutally honest marketing rep who pulls no punches. He violently verbally assualts Bob (Peter Facinelli) throughout the entire picture. Bob is the antithesis of Larry. A fundemental Christian, Bob is a man without regret. This is also a wonderful performance. But, Danny devito is pure gold, and steals the show. His performance as Phil, the intermediate character is beautiful. He is the only real person in the film. The other two characters are merely characatures, or exaggerations of what we all are. We all secretly strive to be Phil (DeVito).

Next, the story is beautiful, but not executed well on screen. It is all too obvious that this story was written for the stage, and would be a million times more powerful when performed there. These characters needt to look into the audience in exasperation, and we need to know that we can reach out and touch them. It is too intimate a performance.

The story, with out giving away too much focuses on three marketing reps who need to close a deal with a big time client. Things go awry. Emotions run very very rampant, and there is lots of screaming. All in one hotel room.

The scope of this film hurts it. With such big names and such powerful performances, we can't help but be uncomfortable in this tiny hotel room. My problem is not with the acting or the story, but merely the choice to adapt this film to the big screen. It touches very fundamental human philosophies such as honesty, religion, an selling yourself, for whatever reason. This is not a movie to rush out and see, but you shoud see it eventually. However if you can see the play, I know it would be a more illuminating experience.

Adios Muchachos,

Loony Toon