Another Day In Paradise
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Movie Reviews of Another Day In Paradise
Movie Review: The Best Larry Clark Film
Summary: 5 Stars
Larry Clark is probably best known for the film "Kids". Clark has only directed four films. "Kids", this film, "Bully", and "Ken Park" the latter was banned in America. This is probably his least known film, odd because it has the most recognizable actors of any of his previous movies. Also, I've seen
"Kids" & "Bully" and this is easily my favorite of those. "Kids" had a really good message; "Bully" was entertaining and informative. This movie is really a mixture of "Kids" and "Bonnie & Clyde" and happens to be extremely entertaining. The movie is about two lovers named Bobbie & Rosie (Vincent Kartheiser & Natasha Gregson Wagner) who are each about 15 or 16 years old. They live in a run down apartment with a few other people and manage to survive because Bobbie robs vending machines. But then, a couple of crooks named Mel & Sid (James Woods & Melanie Griffith) take them under their wing and take them to the big time. Well, their version of the big time. Which means stealing speed from a doctor and then selling it. Meanwhile, Rosie is pregnant and still smoking/drinking/using. This movie, like kids, is really a raw no-holds-barred look at the life of these people. Clark has never been a director who's worried about what's socially acceptable. Which is why his films have such an impact and are all so good.
This movie held my attention completely and was never dull. It's also a movie you can watch more times after, which I don't really feel "Kids" was. James Woods (who also co-produced the movie) is absolutely spectacular. I think his performance (for which he recieved almost no attention or awards for) was better than the Oscar winner for 1998 Roberto Benigni was. Woods litereally keeps you watching. Griffith was good, but not standout. Kartheiser & Wagner were believable in their roles as the two young lovers Bobbie & Rosie, but these kind of performances aren't just about being believable but also about being able to get sympathy from the viewer which both of them do. All of the characters are well written, the dialouge is great. "The Flinstones" joke (and delivery) was hilarious. This movie is truly an experience and really an important movie that you shouldn't pass up.
GRADE: A-
Movie Review: James Woods is Spectacular
Summary: 5 Stars
Good evening. Or is that buenos noches? I spent the
last 120 minutes watching the 1998 flick "Another Day
in Paradise". This one came highly recommended as a
Bonnie & Clyde type crime drama. Let me tell you the
truth.
This one captures James Woods at his best. When I
heard several years ago that James was abusive in "real life", I felt there could be a thread
to his motion picture roles. Guess what? There is.
While I thoroughly enjoy crime dramas, "Another Day In
Paradise" is not for everyone. Here's why.
It's loaded with crude profanity, an abundance of
blood, extreme violence, heavy smoking and drinking,
streamlined drugs, death, murder, emotional and
physical abuse to the point of insanity, raunchy sex,
lots of bullets flying, and gross dialogue and camera
pans that definitely make this a...a...a (let's say)
unique film.
Woods gets a 10. His girlfriend (Melanie Griffith)
gets a 9.5. Their sidekicks Vincent Kartheiser and
Natasha Gregson Wagner get 8's. It is billed as a
Bonnie and Clyde for the '90s. It plays out as a
deranged journey into merciless crime...moral
decadence and a heartless joy ride. That's why I give
it a "10"!!!
A 10, you say? Yes! Simply because if you like this
type of film, it is a solid 10. If you don't, I
strongly recommend you not view it, nor give yourself
an opportunity to rate it. It is not as extreme as
"Natural Born Killers" by any means, but Woods'
satanic role is one worth watching. The only other
person that could have played his role would have been
Jack Nicholson (that says a lot).
Trust me...this one is either a 10 or a 0...nothing
inbetween.
The DVD version contains both the Theatrical and
Director's Cut. I watched the theatrical (which this
review is based upon). I'm assuming the other side is
even more...??? (think about it).
Movie Review: Loveable
Summary: 5 Stars
I discovered this wonderful movie a few years after it was made.
The music took me back to my youth when I would travel the 30 miles from Texas to louisiana, where the drinking age toget into clubs was 18. Even
though I was only 15 at the time I would try to dress older to get in and listen to the bands. Somehow this movie and Larry Clarks explanations
helped me to understand my own crazy youth. I fell in love with all the characters and cried when Bobby found Rosie dead. Who could ever forget Mel and Bobby's scene in the Country with the fingers in the forehead?
Sid became such an endearing character with her love for Bobby and Rosie. I definetly prefer the European Version of the movie. I thought all the four principal actors were absolutely wonderful. Even though this movie is a socalled Independent film, in my mind it ranks right up there with my favorites of all time. Vincent Kartheisr is the best
trained young actor I have seen since James Dean. His eye and facial movements are the best. I have begun to follow all four actors to see what is next.
Sincere,
Barker D. Chunn, Jr.
Movie Review: A ONE HORSE PONY?
Summary: 5 Stars
This film along with his KIDS may indicate that Mr. Clark may be a one horse pony director, i.e., how many times can he make these films over again and get away with it. The acting performances of the four main principals are what carry this film. James Woods and Melanie Griffith make a great team and I'd like to see them together again (A Day in Paradise II, or Son of a Day in Paradise?).Mr. Clark's commentary on the DVD is one of the worst I have ever heard. He seems to have a hard time articulating and there are long stretches in which he says nothing at all; I thought he had left the room and the commentary was finished at one point. He struck me as bored with it all. Apparently he was fascinated by some of the lighting effects he achived (and they are good), since he spends a fair amount of time on this point. Also, during one of the most touching scenes in the movie... he comments on the musicians in the soundtrack and remembers the kind of jazz he grew up with.
Despite what one of the reviwers said below, I like scene by scene, even shot by shot comments. They serve as a cpourse in movie making.
Movie Review: Dark antidote to upbeat drug movies
Summary: 5 Stars
A dark, heavy look into '70s drug culture. Unlike other films I've seen set in the same era or otherwise dealing with drug use, this one leaves me with a clear sense of not only revulsion but also of pity. These people are pathetic, and their life is DEPRESSING. I thought that was the point. It reminded me of Aeschylus' Oresteia and Sophocles' Oedipus cycle, in that it -- like them -- seems a good example of Aristotle's observation that tragic drama functions by allowing the audience to experience pity and fear, providing them a form of catharsis while (perhaps this is partly my interpretation of Aristotle's intent) making them glad they're not in the characters' shoes. As heavy-duty drama goes, this film is excellent, and superbly acted all around. Elements such as violence and language make the film unsuitable for children and highly conservative adults, but realism/believability demands that burned-out junkie thieves not try cursing like Yosemite Sam.