Review of Permanent Midnight (1998) by Nickels K — 01 Jan 2007

[size=3][font=Franklin Gothic Medium]Another entry... here we go!

Gods and Monsters, a film based on the novel about the last days of James Whale (the director who is most famous for being the director of Frankenstein and also for being gay). Whale (Ian Mckellen) has a stroke which makes his mind slowly detiriorate, and also makes him remember his past. His new gardener (Brenden Fraser) also makes him think of his past when Whale asks him to pose for him for a painting. An unlikely friendship result even though the gardener is a major homophob. Both Ian and Brenden act very well in this film espcially Ian in which the character hits close to home, thus making a very realistic performance. The script is witty and never really bores you. There is a couple of flaws like how the film seems less of a film and more of a play since there arn't very many locations. It is a very good film that I enjoyed.

Permanent Midnight is the true story of a TV writer who falls into the pitfall known as substance abuse. And guess who's plays this heroin addicted writer and very well in fact. I'll give you a clue. He's now spending a night at a museum. Yep Ben Stiller in one of his more dramatic, yet still witty chracters. I thought it truly showed Stiller's range, and I think he should do more of these roles (as should Fraser for that matter). The script is funny and realistic, and the style screams out 90's independent film, which I like so there ya go. Yet with all these things there's one problem (isn't there always Nickels?). It's only 88 minutes long. That's 1 hour and 28 min. plus credits. Now it ends fine and all, but when you get to the last 20 min. or so it seems a little rushed. All and all a very well done film, and also a well done performance by Ben Stiller (and the funny thing is Owen Wilson is in it too, go figure).

The Good Sheperd is not a study on the CIA, but a character study of a secretive and unemotional man. So there's some dull parts. After 2 hours and 40 minutes, I'm sure you'll find a lot of them. Now some of the history (and totally wrong theories on events like the Bay of PIgs) are interesting, and there are some interesting scenes, but the characters are so secretive that their poker face get's a little dull. Even the emotional characters arn't interesting (Maybe it's Jolie's acting). The directing is great however the problem lies in the script. The dialouge and dramtic scenes don't really add up to much when they are supposed to hit it's speak. Give us some emotion, I can understand letting the audeince think for themselves what the character is thinking, but come on. I mean for what the chracter was Damon did it perfectly. The film just didn't give the resonance a film like this should have. Not even a big message to speak for either. Anyways I doubt this will win any major awards so don't be rushed to see it.

I also saw The Good German, but decided not to review it. Sorry Soderbergh, but I'm gonna say don't waste your time on this one.

Krause out.

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