Like Rent, only better

The Movie: Reality Bites, directed by Ben Stiller
Recommendation: Broomie.
Reason: Broomie identifies with Gen-X. Evidently, I don't, even though it seems I'm part of it.

I think the only time I ever really find Winona Ryder charming is when she's in a Tim Burton movie. I know she was the Hollywood Darling for Generation X, she just doesn't appeal to me as a leading lady. Reality Bites sort of revolves around her, so I found it a little boring. I know that's supposedly sacrelige, but I've never gotten on well with coming of age movies that are as blatant as Reality Bites and St. Elmo's Fire. Clerks 2 is the movie that's spoken to me the most, and it's a comedy with a donkey show at the end.

I was a little surprised by how saturated in the 90's this movie is, and how many 'hits' it made in regards to the soundtrack and the cast. It popped a few minor stars into the Hollywood Pantheon and the music that was used was really excellent. Most of it has sustained its popularity into today, no mean feat for the whiny 90's.

This movie didn't drive me wild with nostalgia, but it didn't utterly suck. There were some technically interesting shots that I wouldn't mind seeing the camera placement on. There were some really nice moments and some very genuine acting from Janeane Garafolo and Steve Zahn in particular. I suppose if you long for the days of grunge and Winona Ryder before the criminal charges, this would probably be the movie for you.

-127/365 down, 248/365 to go

May-December couples are bad at mortality

Movie: Autumn in New York, directed by Joan Chen
Reccomendation: B-Dawg
Reason: "It's a very sad movie, but it's also beautiful."

I'm not sure what B-Dawg has going on with Twin Peaks, but there's a definite connection here. Joan Chen was apparently a series regular, and Moira Kelly (from The Cutting Edge, one review back) was in Fire Walk With Me. Now that I have that observation out of the way, on with the show.

Autumn in New York was nominated for a Razzie the year it came out for worst onscreen couple. Given what else came out that year (especially in that category, Blair Witch 2 I'm looking at you), Autumn in New York was certainly an underdog. I think that this movie sort of died on the lack of connection between the leads. Fond as I am of Richard Gere and some of Winona Ryder's work, Will and Charlotte can't compare to Izzy and Tom, Theo and Julian or even Julien and Sophie. The performers didn't sell me enough on the characters' relationship to make such a straightforward story spectacular.

To contrast with the story and the acting, this is a very visually nice movie. The use of color and framing really brought Autumn in New York out of the realm of 'forgettable' and into the realm of 'watchable'. Nothing too daring or incredible, but attractive enough. Better than Blood Creature, but still lagging behind The Cutting Edge.

-11/365 down, 354/365 to go