Honey honey. She’s got a big mouth but she’s not kidding. I’m gonna whip you silly and I’m gonna fuck you stupid. You wanna do the man dance? First dance is yours.
I’ll start with the plot summary: Two criminals (Benicio Del Toro and Ryan Philippe) looking for a quick buck kidnap a pregnant surrogate mother (Julliette Lewis), who is being paid to carry a gangster’s baby (James Caan). Mischief, mayhem, and bloody hijinks ensue. At least that is what the back of the DVD box claims. I watched this movie for over 30 mins and felt like nothing had happened. Sure there were some shoot-outs, a few clever one-liners and Benicio Del Toro doing his thing (which, I grant you, is always cool). But, I still feel like nothing was happening. I am willing to invest time in a movie, even if it has a gingerly paced opening (see 2001: A Space Odyssey, etc), but I really felt like The Way of the Gun wasn’t going anywhere, and where ever it wasn’t going, I didn’t want to go with it.
I remember being so pumped up for this movie when it first was released. I am a huge fan of The Usual Suspects, but Christopher McQuarrie (the writer of that film and writer/director of this film) just really didn’t make something that appealed to me. I am not saying it is a bad film, just not one that appeals to what I like in films (“sex or guns or car chases, you know… or characters, you know, learning profound life lessons or growing or coming to like each other or overcoming obstacles to succeed in the end.”)
The one thing I did take away from this viewing was a much greater appreciation of Kill Bill Vol II. I really feel that Tarantino was able to make the the film that McQuarrie was aiming for (in style, look, substance and dialogue). I am sticking with my initial choice and DISCARDing this DVD.
Editors Note: I was only able to make it about 35 mins into this movie before I turned it off. Also, Nicky Katt is such an awesome actor (go rent The Limey). Why hasn’t he worked since The Dark Knight?
Coconut Curried Tofu with Green Beans and Coconut Rice
I needed an excuse to get the Double Down off the top of my blog, so I figured I would mention this great recipe I made last night. I substituted low-fat coconut milk and it still tasted great. I highly recommend if you are looking for a nice, fresh, recipe to use up some Tofu on!
amandalynferri:
I’ve been a vegetarian for 16 years, but this just seems too retarded not to eat.
I have only been meat free for a 3 years or so, but I have to admit this does seem pretty out there.
And for those not in the know, the Double Down is a new sandwich at KFC that uses two pieces of Fried Chicken as the ‘Buns,’ and cheese and bacon as the filling.
As I previously mentioned, here is the list of DVDs I am considering purging and links to what I have reviewed so far:
- Storytelling (d. Todd Solondz) DISCARD
- Good Night, and Good Luck (d. George Clooney) DISCARD
- Punch-Drunk Love (d. Paul Thomas Anderson) DISCARD
- Timecode (d. Mike Figgis) DISCARD
- The Fountain (d. Darren Aronofsky) DISCARD
- American Splendor (d. Robert Pulcini & Shari Springer Berman) KEEP
- Your Friends & Neighbors (d. Neil LaBute) DISCARD
- Wonder Boys (d. Curtis Hanson) DISCARD
- Way of the Gun (d. Christopher McQuarrie)
- American Beauty (d. Sam Mendes)
- The Princess and the Warrior (d. Tom Tykwer)
- Amores Perros (d. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)
Random thoughts from a Jonathan Reeve.
