Review of Jackpot (2001) by Jim D — 13 Feb 2004

[b][size=1]***PLEASE SCROLL TO THE NEXT POST TO READ MY REVIEW ON [i]THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT[/i][/size][/b].

Megster went home for the weekend to work (yeah, I know it is Valentine's Day tomorrow...) and my bro decided not to come to visit this weekend. Jeff went to Canada to see his girlfriend Yvonne, and Nick is at work until 6 p.m.

So the outstanding rental list is as follows:

- Michael Polish's [i]Jackpot [/i](2001).

- David Lynch's [i]Blue Velvet[/i] (1986).

- George Roy Hill's [i]Slap Shot[/i] (1977).

I have already seen [i]Blue Velvet [/i]and [i]Slap Shot[/i], but [i]Jackpot[/i] was a first-time viewing for me...

[b]Jackpot (Polish, 2001) - **[/b].

The Polish Brothers have been given criticism ever since their first feature film, [i]Twin Falls Idaho,[/i] in 1999. I have yet to see that film but intend to greatly. Critics and audiences alike feel the brothers overindulge in the tone of their films. In other words, people feel as if they forget about the story and focus too greatly on the style. [i]Jackpot[/i] does this.

The main character, Sunny, leaves his wife and child to become a full-time karaoke singer across the country...

But oh the style...

Film Lesson 101 - SOUND IN COUNTERPOINT.

Sound in Counterpoint is when the background music or pretty much any type of sound in the film goes against the mood of what is going on. My favorite example of this is in [i]Clockwork Orange[/i] - "Singin' in the Rain" while beating the shit out of a woman!

[i]Jackpot[/i] is directed in counterpoint. The direction of the film doesn't always match up to what is actually going on. I liked it, but I couldn't recommend it. The Polish Brothers are talented, and I feel that this one was just more miss than hit. But I do sincerely hope that they continue to make more films in the future. They are a unique voice (example of pluralization to a singular phrase).

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH.

[b][size=1]***PLEASE SCROLL TO THE NEXT POST TO READ MY REVIEW ON [i]THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT[/i][/size][/b].