Criterion Review — 3 Women (1977)

[Reviewed by: Alex Miller]

1977 was a year in which many cinematic classics were released – Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Annie Hall, The Goodbye Girl, & The Spy Who Loved Me just to name a few. Yet when Roger Ebert made his list of the 10 best films from 1977 his top pick was a film most haven’t even heard of, much less seen – 3 Women. I recently saw the Criterion edition DVD sitting in my local library and knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. I wasn’t disappointed.

Action Stars — Milla Jovovich

 

[Posted by: Martin Keller]

Profile: When I first started writing this column, I did so knowing that I would have to watch many films. I had a head start with the first three (Schwarzeneggar, Willis and Stallone), but with Jason Statham and now Milla Jovovich, and other profiles in the future, I have created a task bigger than I expected. A process consisting of sifting through films, choosing the ones that were must-sees and ones that would be good supplements, queue-ing them up, and waiting impatiently at the mailbox. Then to strengthen the blow, I sat through films that no one should ever have to watch, films with little to no redeeming qualities. This is an action star column, and I am aware of the odious amounts of cinematic fluff that would come my way, but I always expected decent action at the very least. Something that provoked me on at least a visceral level, that made whoop and holler, and instilled me with the confidence to crush my enemies under my boot heel. Alas, I have been thwarted, and after doing my research on Milla Jovovich, I have come away with very few positive things to say.

Trailer of the Day — It’s Kind of a Funny Story

Trailer Review:
[Author: Alex Miller]

Focus features has released some very good films, and at this point I’m at least curious about anything they put out.  This new trailer for “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” makes me expect one of those awkward teenager coming-of-age movies. You know the one.  The new guy in school (or in this case a mental clinic) meets everyone, tries to fit in, and gets the hott girl he has no business getting.  Personally, I have no problem with these types of movies.  Not every film has to be the next Citizen Kane to be enjoyable.  This reminds me of like an artsy-teenage comedy version of  “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”.  Zach Galifianakis is a pretty funny guy and I’m glad to see he’s branching out (at least a little).  I think this looks like a great movie to go see on a date.  It seems enjoyable, predictable, and hopefully it’s funny.  It is also (loosely) based on a book by the same name.  So that at least seems promising to me.  I’m interested, but not that interested.  I’ll put this one in the solid-rental category until I find out more about it.

Let us know what YOU think in the comments!