A Bug's Life -- [B]
Happiness -- [A]
Instead of focusing on just one outcast as he did in Welcome to the Dollhouse, Todd Solondz focuses on almost a dozen of them in the Cannes-winning Happiness. He uses the same kind of unadulterated shock and humor through interwoven plots which include an array of characters: a newly dumped songwriter trying to find meaning in life, her family-oriented sister who's husband secretly molests children, and a third sister, an attractive sex-obsessed poet who's nervous and unattractive neighbor has a crush on. Happiness is hilarious and disturbing at the same time and is the best independent film so far this year.
Next Stop Wonderland -- [B]
Although romantic comedies are often cheesy and duplicates of one another, Next Stop Wonderland's smart plot and dialogue help it to stand out. Erin (Hope Davis) is dumped at the beginning of the film and her mother secretly places an ad in the personals for her. Desperate, she evenually uses the service and meets a wide variety of men in various bars. Meanwhile, a series of missed encounters occurs between Erin and Alan (Alan Gelfant), a plumber who the film implies she is destined to be with. Next Stop Wonderland's cynicism succeeds in preventing you from rolling your eyes.
Pecker -- [B]
John Waters is the kind of guy that you like or you hate. For anyone who appreciates the purposeful cheesiness of Pink Flamingos and Hairspray, Pecker is one you shouldn't miss. Of course, most people who watch John Waters are cult fanantics anyway so most of you already plan to see it. If you haven't seen a film by him, Pecker represents what he is all about. Either way, Pecker stands as just another John Waters film, whether that's good or bad.. i don't know.
Permanent Midnight -- [B-]
Ben Stiller plays Jerry Stahl in an autobiogaphical story of a heroin addict who has been clean for about 3 months. With ex-druggie/vixen Kitty (Maria Bello) he tells the story of his addiction and how he got to where he is now. His recollections involve a marriage (with Elizabeth Hurley), a baby, and his failure as a writer. Between flashbacks Jerry and Kitty laugh, talk, and get busy. Stiller is believeable in a role that has been seen many time before. His performance overrides its unfresh story line.
Pleasantville -- [A-]
Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon find themselves stuck in the perfect world of a popular 50's television show. Much like this summer's The Truman Show, the film uses television to cause us to evaluate the values of our society. It also changes our perception of the perfect world that we strive for and the reality of family values toward the middle of the century. Among other things, Pleasantville is about expression. Solid performances especially by last year's Ice Storm co-stars, Tobey Maguire and Joan Allen.
Psycho -- [B]
Rounders -- [B-]
John Dahl directs this stylish and, at times, intense drama about baby-faced poker hustler Mike (Matt Damon) who's obsession and skill for the game cause him to lose all that he has, including his law school tuition. Edward Norton plays Worm, a high school buddy and fellow card lover. His debts to loan sharks and repeated cheating put both of them in more trouble. Of course, the plot boils down when Damon is forced to play a final match, with the intimating and hilariously-played role by John Malkovich. Despite a boring romantic side story with Gretchen Mol and slightly drawn out plot, many scenes in Rounders will make the clueless card player completely involved.
Soldier -- [D+]
Your Friends and Neighbors -- [B+]
From Neil LaBute, the cynical mind behind last year's In the Company of Men, is the equally unheartwarming Your Friends and Neighbors, the story of six of the coldest and most selfish people on earth. This time LaBute's focus is on sex, with characters who are only concerned with and determined on getting a good f--k. Even the characters who are married or in serious relationships don't seem to be movitated by anything but pleasing themselves. Again, he succeeds in creating people who disgust you but that you can't help rooting for.