AltWeeklies Wire
Ghost in the Machinistnew
Cadaverous industrial worker Trevor Reznik is prone to temper tantrums, brooding, inhabiting colorless environments, and staying awake all night as
he operates heavy equipment that may, among other things, be used to drive nine-inch nails into solid objects.
East Bay Express |
Luke Y. Thompson |
11-30-2004 |
Reviews
Diva Downnew
The joy of Callas Forever is watching Fanny Ardant and Jeremy Irons bitch at each other as only a prima donna and a full-blown queen could.
East Bay Express |
Gregory Weinkauf |
11-30-2004 |
Reviews
But What About Patty?new
The film used to be known as Neverland: The
Rise and Fall of the Symbionese Liberation Army. That is the more accurate title because the director doesn't pay enough attention to the group's captive, Patty Hearst.
East Bay Express |
Melissa Levine |
11-30-2004 |
Reviews
Bridget's Betrayed by a Dumb, Dull sequelnew
This inevitable offering has all the charm of a canceled CBS sitcom. With its nutty doings and zany antics, all it lacks are commercial breaks and a laugh track -- the latter being sorely missed, since this is a comedy that doesn't seem interested in being funny.
East Bay Express |
Robert Wilonsky |
11-16-2004 |
Reviews
Hail to the Drama Queennew
Annette Bening brings down the house as an aging star unwilling to fade.
East Bay Express |
Bill Gallo |
10-25-2004 |
Reviews
Opera Litenew
This paranoid, semicomic portrait of a man who has sold his soul to Big Business is pretty weak stuff in light of what Ken Lay and Company have wrought.
East Bay Express |
Bill Gallo |
10-25-2004 |
Reviews
Gender Pretendernew
Beneath its historical leanings and classic veneer, this new film is utterly gaga for girls who love boys who love boys. However, it's also marvelous entertainment: witty, wry, insightful, and universal -- like Shakespeare in Love, with more vogueing and buttocks-clenching.
East Bay Express |
Gregory Weinkauf |
10-20-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Richard Eyre, Stage Beauty
Paint It Blacknew
A documentary that trails the underground band Brian Jonestown Massacre takes its leader Anton Newcombe as its antihero, the boy who would be great -- if only he could stand to let other people help him.
East Bay Express |
Melissa Levine |
10-12-2004 |
Reviews
Imperfect Unionsnew
Though this documentary exposing the discrimination suffered by same-sex couples includes interviews with activists and footage of Pride parades, protests, and legislative debate, it's the personal narratives that pack the punch.
East Bay Express |
Melissa Levine |
10-05-2004 |
Reviews
Political Pranksters Invent the Art of 'Identity Correction'new
The Yes Men, Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, developed Web sites like GWBush.com that people thought were real, then masqueraded as influential men to satirize the goals they despised.
East Bay Express |
Melissa Levine |
10-05-2004 |
Reviews
Finding a Waynew
In this Czech drama, war creates the atmosphere in which an unlikely love flourishes, then overwhelms that love.
East Bay Express |
Bill Gallo |
10-05-2004 |
Reviews
Siamese Villagers Blast Burmese Oppressorsnew
Veteran Thai director Thanit Jitnukul arranges his version of this classic national tale in two stacks: humanity and warfare. Then he gradually topples them into one another. Those sensitive to graphic violence should note that he doesn't skimp on putting it all on the screen.
East Bay Express |
Gregory Weinkauf |
09-28-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Bang Rajan, Tanit Jitnukul
Activist Meets Hedonist in Romantic Wartime Dramanew
Despite some carnage, this isn't really a war film. It's a John Duigan film -- a brilliantly conceived and delivered extension of the obsessions that have driven one of our finest directors to create excellent cinema for years.
East Bay Express |
Gregory Weinkauf |
09-28-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Head in the Clouds, John Duigan
Heaven Can Waitnew
Expect wire-fu, recognizable Hong Kong stars, or even a plot that makes you think, and you'll be both disappointed and bored with Warriors. But hang in there until the second half, and the payoff arrives.
East Bay Express |
Luke Y. Thompson |
09-14-2004 |
Reviews
The Phantom Menacenew
The film is a little bit eerie, completely disjointed, and sporadically amusing — kind of like Lost in Translation, but with wanton slaughter. Do not expect more.
East Bay Express |
Gregory Weinkauf |
09-14-2004 |
Reviews
