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tom_golik
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NewsRadio (1995)
Frankly, too intelligent for prime time.
With jokes about the Khmer Rouge and the Rosenbergs, this was a show that appealed most to well-educated and well-cultured audiences. The writing was at "Dennis Miller" level and just wasn't as accessible to mass audiences. Like USA's "Duckman," it appealed mostly to niche markets that could keep up with the constant barrage (and riotous skewering) of pop culture. I really can't blame NBC for cancelling it. It just didn't have the broad appeal necessary.
The real tragedy (besides Phil Hartman being struck down in his prime) is that we will likely never have a show as this subversively funny again. Economics dictate "Spider Man 12" is a safer bet than intelligent, witty comedies such as this. RIP, Newsradio. Thank you for what you gave us.
Party Monster (2003)
Rings about 95% true, but just shy of true greatness
First of all, let me say that my review is not based (or properly, biased) by the true story of Michael Alig. The courts have passed on it, and I have nothing worthwhile to add. So, my review is based on Culkin as Alig, not "Aligula" as he has christened himself. And in that regard, Culkin's Alig captures the anarchy, the drug deep fryer they seared their brains in, and most importantly, the tyrannical egomania it takes to bluff your way into being the coolest of the cool (or club) kids.
More than the events themselves, the movie was a wonderful insight into a world that, honestly, I never even knew existed at the time (there were no club kids in the clubs of South Beach in the early 90's, at least none of the really popular ones.) They are hardly sympathetic characters, hedonists that cared little for anyone outside their circle, or those they could cynically manipulate. To its credit, James St. James' book, "Disco Bloodbath," certainly never attempts to do otherwise. But it is perhaps a window into their psyches that the phrase "bloodbath" is used to describe a single murder, or, a murder plus several overdoses at most. Just hawking another bid for attention.
The movie hews fairly close to the source material, and there is its greatest strength: it is a true story, and that knowledge infuses the mania of the actors with a certain greater degree of interest by the audience. And they deliver. Culkin is perfect as the young Alig, a very boyish puck with a streak of evil that is never explored, which is where the movie comes up short, once again, as a weakness of the source material.
The movie barely captures the frantic desperation that would have been part and parcel of Alig's life even without the murder and being fired by his nightclub-owner boss. None of the pressure of being on top in the club world and the pressure to stay there. As an addict, being fired would have meant an end to the drugs, and I doubt the real Alig would have held up so well. In any case, little enough of it is seen in the movie. Nor is there much exploration of the psyche of such a intriguing character as Alig. I know there was a companion documentary to the movie, but I would have preferred to have the story told fully without having to do outside research.
And thus, the movie falls short of greatness. Culkin did a spectacular job, as did Seth Green, but there were moments where I was aware I was watching Seth Green and Macauley Culkin in drag, they had failed to fully sell their characters to me. Given the material, it's to their credit that they nailed it as much as they did. Characters that over-the-top are difficult to sell convincingly. They simply draw *too* much attention. Still, a solid 7 out of 10, which I bumped to 8 simply because I want to watch it again.
Cheaters (2000)
Another home run from HBO
I've been a huge fan of HBO movies going way back to And the Band Played On. Cheaters isn't quite that level, but isn't far off. A compelling story driven by actors who all nail their roles, and a deliciously subversive tale at that all add up to a story pretty well guaranteed to keep you thinking and talking about it for a long time. What more can you ask from a movie?
As great as Daniels and Malone are in this one, I feel the need to point out that I felt all the actors who played the kids in this movie really stole the show. Especially the ones I never heard of before or since. There was talent to spare from this cast, and it's really a damned shame that we haven't seen more of them.
If the movie has any flaws, it would be the lower production values that leave you feeling this movie could have rivalled any theater release that year if only the budget had been a tad higher. The movie makes me think a few scenes would have benefitted from a reshoot or a little more sophisticated editing, but they aren't enough to distract. Serious kudos to Director John Stockwell, he putbout a picture any filmmaker could be proud of. Go ahead and try to only watch it once.
MASH (1970)
Frankly, overrated and quite dated
First of all, I assume everybody who even knows this movie exists knows it's not about Korea, it's about Vietnam. It hardly portrays either well, and certainly not with any relevant commentary. With the end of the Vietnam War, this movie looks really dated and no longer satirical of anything.
For the plusses, the actors really commit fully to their roles, and the non-traditional dramatic plot, while not a first, works well.
For the negatives, the characters are paper-thin and unidentifiable caricatures. You just can't connect to any, mostly because of the outdated attitudes. As for the "comedy," let me just say, don't expect to laugh out loud much. The humour is bitter, cynical, and cringeworthy.
For some reason, this movie is consistently and sycophantically judged to be better than its contemporary, Mike Nichol's Catch-22. You will laugh til you cry with that one, and the satire is universal in a way you don't have to be a soldier to get. (But it helps!) Do yourself a favor and watch that one!
Alpha Dog (2006)
Otherwise just another "California disaffected youth" picture.
See this movie for one thing - Ben Foster. The movie is otherwise just this side of average, though an engaging story. Think of it as "Savages" light. *Really* light!
And then we get to Ben Foster. He captures the psychotic out-of-control life of a meth addict way too close for comfort. It's as scary as it is just painful to watch. He really sells the out-of-control desperation. Zero suspension of disbelief necessary. Enjoy the movie, but don't blame me if you find yourself just waiting for the next scene with Foster's character to come up.
Over the Edge (1979)
Scary how relevant this still is.
I first saw this years ago on cable, and thought it was slightly overdone. Fast forward to today, and the case of Tyler Hadley in Port St. Lucie, FL, who killed his parents so he could throw the best house party ever. (His parents spent the party in their bedroom, dead.) The articles written about it stressed the kids desensitized to violence because of how little there was for kids to do in town except do drugs and commit crimes. Sound familiar? I couldn't help but think of this movie, and how they got it right more than they got it wrong. Do yourself a favor and search this one out. It's well worth it.