For all the hype and the wonderful trailers, we were most disappointed with this entry from the Pulp Fiction bandwagon. Another black comedy of bad-guy errors, this one, like Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, lacked sincerity, realism, and rhythm. There is, however, one saving grace: James Spader's change from his usual doe-eyed smarminess to a stylish & gleefully sadistic assassin.

"You have one minute to decide the rest of your life."

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Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway. A few days in the life of an alcoholic street poet - semi-autobiographical screenplay written by Charles Bukowski. Brilliant view of Los Angeles bar life, and bar regulars will enjoy identifying Los Angeles landmark dive bars. This is a must see, but beware - men who see this for the first time tend to adopt Henry's character as their own for several days following.

 

"I can't stand people. I hate them"
"Oh yeah?"
"Do you hate them?"
"No. But I seem to feel better when they're not around."

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A serial rapist ala Neitzsche's "Superman" is pursued by detectives through LA's beat coffee-house scene. The casting director receives kudos from Tim for the following: Jackie Coogan (in drag, no less), Jim Mitchum (yes, Robert's younger brother), Louis Armstrong (with band), Fay Spain (B-girl extraordinare), Vampira (as a beat poetess), Grabowski (a real beatnik), and Charlie Chaplin, Jr.

He works at a liquor store, she's a nurse, and they're just marking time while trying to save up enough money to open their own restaurant. When an chance encounter with a swinger at the wrong address ends in murder, they clean out the victim's wallet, sell his belongings, and begin to lure other victims to their home. Raoul finds out about their plan, and cuts himself in on the action.

"At the store, can you buy a new frying pan? I'm a little squeamish about using the one we use to kill people."

Don't let the cover fool you - this isn't a film. It's a movie, and a very pleasant surprise of one. I looked at the box, and there was Frances McDormand and some other artsy-looking types, there was the "laurelled" award announcements from Sundance, Cannes, etc., and I really didn't want to sit through another film. But I had to, because it was squarely Los Angeles.

Regardless of what the box says, it's basically a coming of age story for a rock & roll record producer/mother, and for her son, who rebels by becoming really uptight, and for his naive fiancee who gets caught up in the "Hollywood Nights" lifestyle.

In this instance, the moviemakers don't shove the morality down our throats, we aren't subjected to whiny angst, and it doesn't get too gratuitous or patronizing. The story unfolds at a friendly pace without any crap. It's a good, and accurate, L.A. story.

reviewed by Tim

DVD

Yes, this is the movie this section of our site is named for. Great self-spoofing flick - if you live in LA, you'll get it. If you don't, it's not nearly as funny. Several layers here: watch it just for fun, or concentrate on the film and literature references that abound.

"I thought that, uh, I'd show you around town a little bit, you know, a few kind of secret places, a kind of a cultural tour of L.A."
"That's the first fifteen minutes. Then what?"
"All right, a cynic. First stop is six blocks from here."
"Why don't we walk?"
"Walk? A walk in L.A.?"

DVD

Another one where if you live in Los Angeles, it's, well, "money, baby!" Not so much the plot but the dialog and L.A. mannerisms. We do, however, hate it for one reason: when it was released, the Derby became almost unbearable on Wednesday nights, and again when the video hit. Worth it just for the driving scene. Pay attention to all the other movie references.

"Hi, how are you ladies doing this evening?"
"What do you drive?"

 

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