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Sudden Manhattan, a review by goodguy

Sudden Manhattan (1997) Written & Directed by: Adrienne Shelly Starring: Adrienne Shelly, Tim Guinee, Roger Rees DVD: R1-US Vanguard (2002) My rating:

Cover blurb: SUDDEN MANHATTAN is an off-beat, black comedy about a New York girl in trouble. Donna, a 20-something, is jobless, single and broke. On a fateful day, reality turns itself upside down and she is suddenly faced with one absurdity after another. Men start stalking her and murders take place all around her. Full of deliciously funny moments, SUDDEN MANHATTAN weaves an intricate and engaging storyline including lovers, admirers and fortune tellers that may just hold the key to the puzzle that her life has become.

"The song of love is a shriek."

I only knew Adrienne Shelly for her work as an actress with Hal Hartley. That she also was a writer and director, I didn't learn before hearing of her senseless death, shortly before the premiere of her film Waitress (with Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion) in early 2007. That one was her last, Sudden Manhattan was her first.

The movie is a charming and quirky romantic comedy set in, well, Manhattan. It is a little neurotic, but not as grating as Woody Allen's stuff to which it has been compared. There is an overall playfulness and a surreal creativity that comes to full force towards the completely whacko finale. Highly enjoyable, with great performances throughout.

DVD Notes

Unfortunately, I can't recommend the DVD, but AFAIK it is the only one available. Full screen, washed out colors. I had high hopes for Shelly's audio commentary, but she basically says that she hasn't watched the movie for years, doesn't know what the hell she was thinking when making it, and not much more. Bummer.


(From goodguy's Watch Log on September 26th, 2009)

Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical, a review by Tom

Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2005/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia VCL Communications (Germany) Director: Andy Fickman Writing: Kevin Murphy (Screenwriter), Dan Studney (Screenwriter), Kevin Murphy (Original Material By), Dan Studney (Original Material By) Length: 104 min. Video: Widescreen 1.78 Audio: German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Subtitles: English, German

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Stars:
Kristen Bell as Mary Lane
Christian Campbell as Jimmy Harper
Neve Campbell as Miss Poppy
Alan Cumming as Lecturer/Goat-Man/FDR
Ana Gasteyer as Mae Coleman

Plot:
Inspired by the legendary 1936 film of the same name, Reefer Madness is a tongue-in-cheek raucous musical comedy about clean-cut kids who fall into a twisted, hilarious downward spiral of reefer, sex and mayhem! A straight-laced high school lecturer (Alan Cumming) seeks to impart his wisdom to frightened parents about the "demon weed" by telling them the frightful tale of two innocent teens. Mary Lane (Kristen Bell) and Jimmy Harper (Christian Campbell), who fall under the spell of the public's enemy #1 and quickly find themselves in a world of evil jazz music, dance and madness. Filled with outrageously funny and musical performances by Neve Campbell, Christian Campbell, Kristen Bell and Steven Weber, Reefer Madness is the feel good event of the year that should not be missed!

Extras:

• Featurettes
• Reefer Madness Orig. Film 1936
• Scene Access
• Trailers

A nice musical which I can see myself watch again. But so far (after first time viewing) there are no songs which really stood out for me. Mostly the movie seemed like wanting to be another Rocky Horror. Like the first song with Kirsten Bell and Christian Campbell reminded me of the song "Dammit Janet" from Rocky Horror, only not nearly as catching. The story in both is about a nice, innocent, All-American couple who gets seduced to be bad.
Matthias stated a few times that he prefers this over "Repo! The Genetic Opera". I can see that. I also bought that one recently, but I couldn't get into the movie in the first few minutes, so I haven't really watched it yet. With this one I didn't have a problem, even if the songs seemed more like standard musical fare. But who knows. Sometimes musicals need more viewing to really catch on with me.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Reviews on April 24th, 2011)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

05. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date (1997-03-31)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Rob Des Hotel (Writer), Dean Batali (Writer)
Director: David Semel
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Mark Metcalf (The Master), David Boreanaz (Angel), Christopher Wiehl (Owen), Geoff Meed (Andrew), Paul-Felix Montez (Mysterious Guy), Robert Mont (Van Driver), Andrew J. Ferchland (Boy)

This is an example of an episode, where the story itself is so-so, but it is nonetheless fun to watch because of the fun dialogs and great delivery of these.



06. The Pack (1997-04-07)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Matt Kiene (Writer), Joe Reinkemeyer (Writer)
Director: Bruce Seth Green
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Ken Lerner (Principal Flutie), Eion Bailey (Kyle), Michael McRaine (Rhonda), Brian Gross (Tor), Jennifer Sky (Heidi), Jeff Maynard (Lance), James Stephens (Dr. Wierick), David Brisbin (Mr. Anderson), Barbara K. Whinnery (Mrs. Anderson), Gregory White (Coach Herrold), Justin Jon Ross (Joey), Jeffrey Steven Smith (Adam), Patrese Borem (Young Woman)

Another episode I never really cared for. I didn't like the story and again, nothing really funny which could save the episode.



07. Angel (1997-04-14)
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), David Greenwalt (Writer)
Director: Scott Brazil
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Mark Metcalf (The Master), David Boreanaz (Angel), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Julie Benz (Darla), Andrew J. Ferchland (Collin), Charles Wesley (Meanest Vamp)

This is the first real highlight of the series. We are told what it is about Angel. Darla dies. We got good jokes even though it is a more dramatic episode, which is the strong suit about the series. The only bad thing is, that the annoying one's role is too big. I don't like it how the Master is listening to the pep talk of this small brat.

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on November 24th, 2008)