I Know What You Did Last Summer

Tags

1990's, Anne Heche, Freddie Prinze Jr., Horror, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jim Gillespie, Johnny Galecki, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar

Film Title

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Director

Jim Gillespie

Starring

• Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James
• Sarah Michelle Gellar as Helen Shivers
• Ryan Phillippe as Barry
• Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray
• Anne Heche as Missy Egan
• Johnny Galecki as Max

Although penned by the same guy who wrote the game changing Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer doesn’t quite fall into the category of classic. And despise that, it’s actually quire a good horror movie. Not really newfangled or unexpected but extremely serviceable and entertaining in what it presents.

In their hometown of Southport, North Carolina, Julie James, her boyfriend Ray, best friend Helen Shivers and her beau Barry are taking part in celebrating the end of high school and the Fourth of July. After Helen is crowned beauty queen, the group continues to celebrate by visiting the beach. After a round of ghost stories and intimate moments, the popular kids hop into Larry’s prized car. As Barry is too drunk and disorderly to drive, sensible Ray takes the wheel. Yet things take a dramatic and drastic turn as their enthusiasm is brought crashing down when they accidentally hit a stranger while driving. Thinking he is dead, the group goes into meltdown. Filled with severe panic over what this could cause them and their future plans, the group agree to dump the body in the river. Julie reluctantly takes part, but feels immensely guilty about her part in it. As they are dumping the body, the man they thought was dead briefly stirs in his dying grasps, causing Barry to push him in the river. This seems to kill him and now the four friends know they are now accountable for murder. As each vows to remain silent about their involvement, this secret will soon weigh heavy on them. A year later and the group have been driven apart by their respective guilt. Julie returns home a shell of her original bubbly self, and things are about to get a lot worse. Receiving an anonymous note in the post that spouts the eponymous title, her fear escalates as she is forced to come into contact with her disparate group of friends once more. Someone obviously is aware of their actions and wants them to pay for it, but just who could it be? The very person makes his presence felt, armed with a fish-hook that he hacks victims with, leaving a growing trail behind him. All the while, he is heading for the terrified quartet who he has an axe to grind with. Investigating, the teens believe all of this terror relates to a specific person, but discover it’s a lot more complicated than it is straightforward. Before more bodies hit the floor, can Julie and her estranged friends uncover who the killer is?

As I previously referenced, I Know What You Did Last Summer is no Scream, and yet this is sometimes why there is unfair dissent us aimed at the film. Sure it’s not the hip, self-referential classic, but even though its traditional, it gets the job done handsomely. Jim Gillespie has a nice handle on things and manages some immensely good scares and jolts of nerve jangling. As a movie, it has a good sense of mystery to it which for me is a plus in a horror movie. It doesn’t take a genius to work out some of it, but it can be surprising when it wants to be. Not that it’s without plot contrivances and a little bit too much complexity, but by and large keeps you watching. The movie comes apart in the last act, where it attempts to be overly smart but ends up getting a bit ahead of itself. But for the main duration, thanks to a good script from Kevin Williamson, I Know What You Did Last Summer still has a lot of atmosphere and effective use of foreshadowing. There is also something very eerie about the fishing town setting, added to this is the moody colour palette. A shivering and strangely melodic score further brings tension to the piece.

A cast of largely 90’s idols play their parts well, even if the characters are somewhat lacking in quarters. Jennifer Love Hewitt is our main focal point; the good and largely pure girl who genuinely feels guilty about her part in the previous summer’s events. A nice vulnerability is clear in her work and it suits the role of Julie, benefiting from a quiet determination too. Out of all the characters, Julie is the one that you have the most sympathy for. Sarah Michelle Gellar, while not kicking ass in style as she did in Buffy, is very well used as the confused beauty who might be somewhat shallow, but is far from a bad person. Playing the part of resident jerk, Ryan Phillippe does a credible job of really making us despise the spoiled little brat that is Barry. You do feel genuine resentment towards the character because of his selfish actions and lack of concern for anyone but himself. Freddie Prinze Jr is the main person who is given a serious lack of things to do. And no amount of enthusiasm can perk his part up. Anne Heche provides unusual support as someone who may be linked to the case and has the off-kilter vibe to set you on edge. Johnny Galecki briefly but memorably has a role as the rather unfortunate first victim of the killer.

No classic of horror but the provider of some good scares and attractive cast, I Know What You Did Last Summer deserves a bit more recognition than its received.

White Squall

Tags

1990's, Adventure, Balthazar Getty, Based on a true story, Caroline Goodall, Coming-of-Age, Eric Michael Cole, Jeff Bridges, Jeremy Sisto, John Savage, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Ridley Scott, Ryan Phillippe, Scott Wolf

Film Title

White Squall

Director

Ridley Scott

Starring

• Jeff Bridges as Captain Christopher “Skipper” Sheldon
• Scott Wolf as Chuck Gieg
• Jeremy Sisto as Frank Beaumont
• Ryan Phillippe as Gil Martin
• Eric Michael Cole as Dean Preston
• Balthazar Getty as Tod Johnstone
• Caroline Goodall as Alice Sheldon
• John Savage as McCrea
• Julio Oscar Mechoso as Girard

Inspired by true events of a ship that acted as a school and learning ground in seafaring, plus the storm they ran into along the way, Ridley Scott’s White Squall is an underrated adventure/coming of age film that while a tad formulaic, is riveting entertainment and spectacle throughout.

It is the early 60’s and a group of teenagers sign up to sail on a ship known as the Albatross for several months. The curriculum is both a mixture of scholarly work and more importantly the practical seafaring variety. The ship is commanded by experienced and tough Captain Christopher Sheldon, who is referred to throughout as Skipper. He is a take no prisoners captain who doesn’t tolerate slacking or idleness. The ship also has Skipper’s wife and medic Alice, English teacher McCrea and cook Girard on board. The main boys comprise of personable and searching Chuck Gieg(who also functions as narrator), the much abused and insecure rich kid Frank Beaumont, timid and vulnerable Gil Martin, misbehaving show off Dean Preston and wise-cracking Tod Johnstone . Their voyage will take them through the South Pacific and the Caribbean, and be a rites of passage for all. At first, the ragtag group of recruits is at odds with Skipper’s methods and continually rebel. His rigorous training takes flight as he expects them to learn discipline, respect and teamwork while aboard. Not that this will be easy as the boys test him with all they’ve got in various ways. He however is not above this challenge and enforces his authority with his tests and  Gradually, a newfound respect and sense of teamwork is discovered among them all. They all manage to bond together to form a skilled set of young men, with Skipper growing quietly fond and protective of them. Experiencing misadventures and mishaps binds them as a group and the training from Skipper more than pays off. Yet just as everyone is coming together, disaster lurks in the distance. They find themselves coming into the view of a ferocious storm, which will test each and every one of them as danger approaches.

Within Ridley Scott at the helm, you know the direction isn’t going to disappoint. And Scott brings his trademark eye for visuals to this exciting story, while still getting to the human heart of the themes of survival and camaraderie. Scott has this tale under his command and allows us time to learn about the crew before disaster hits later on. Spectacle is something Ridley Scott does superbly, but his equally excellent building of emotion and heart is also worthy of praise, particularly in White Squall. Gorgeous vistas and sights are glimpsed, presenting life at sea as something ripping but just as easily challenging and not for the weak of heart. The coming of age aspects of White Squall are far from original but we’ll plated and envisioned. It helps that you buy into the initially green boys growing up and after scrapping and disagreements in the beginning, can be there for each other and pull their weight in times that it is needed. The movie isn’t perfect however, with some of it really going too slow. I believe that because you know imminent tragedy will come you are waiting for it to happen, and it can make you impatient. This presents both a slight flaw and a positive; the build up at least establishes quite a few of the characters to us and let’s us observe their changes under the tutelage of the Skipper, while it can get to be a chore when you’re anticipating the big set piece to flower. Any in pace is however made up when the storm hits and we are dealt an exciting and emotion driven wallop. Using fast cuts, slow motion and stirring yet tense music, the scene is an extended action piece that is mightily impressive in almost every aspect. This intense and ferocious scene where we see the boys go beyond everything they’ve learned can to survive and face danger head on is one of considerable impact and vision. I can’t wax lyrical enough about this scene and what it accomplishes, both on an action level and on emotional clarity. The ending chapter feels a tad tacked on, but can be forgiven for what has come before. A dramatic score is just the ticket for this movie, finding both beauty and danger in its rhythms.

Jeff Bridges exudes a tough, compelling yet fair persona as the captain, mostly referred to as Skipper. He’s the kind of man to keep you in line but reward you if you comply and be part of the team. Bridges boasts a dignity and wry wisdom that inspires both admiration and trepidation among the boys. For me, Jeff Bridges has always been a fine actor when he quietly and subtly gets into part, which is what he does in White Squall. A sea-captain often allows the opportunity to overact and be loud, but Bridges has a more disciplined and nuanced angle that is largely more effective than over dramatic antics. You believe him as this leader because if the commanding energy and the fact that he doesn’t care whether his crew likes him, as long as they pull together even needed. A finely tuned and thoughtfully played performance from the great Jeff Bridges is what we get. Scott Wolf is the main eyes and ears of the film, providing the narration and likable attitude of the movie. He has a certain wonder in his eyes as he observes the events on the ship and he makes a really great lead character. Jeremy Sisto is very impressive, digging into the troubled mind of a spoiled kid, constantly berated by his father and singled out. If this kid could only get a break, he might be able to flourish. Ryan Phillippe is appropriately scared and in a muddle, mainly down to the character feeling he is so weak in all of this, when he’s actually pretty smart. The classic bully comes in the form of Eric Michael Cole, who reveals that he’s really a shy person with no self-esteem that is complimented by Balthazar Getty as the know it all joker. Though these characters feel rather archetypal in the scope of things, they are acted with sincerity. While the previously mentioned actors get parts that they can work with, the rest are awash in a sea of white T-shirts and suntan. As the main woman in the film, Caroline Goodall isn’t given a whole lot to do, but still shows her mettle when the occasion calls for it. John Savage provides some comic relief as the ship’s sonnet quoting teacher along with Julio Oscar Mechoso.

While it’s nothing particularly new, White Squall succeeds in the strength of its story, acting and command under Scott’s stylish yet emotive and exciting direction. For my money, this is a pretty undervalued movie in Scott’s filmography that deserves a watch.

Playing by Heart

Tags

1990's, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Edwards, Comedy, Dennis Quaid, Drama, Ellen Burstyn, Gena Rowlands, Gillian Anderson, Jay Mohr, Jon Stewart, Madeleine Stowe, Playing by Heart, Ryan Phillippe, Sean Connery, Willard Carroll

Film Title

Playing by Heart

Director

Willard Carroll

Starring

• Sean Connery as Paul
• Gena Rowlands as Hannah
• Angelina Jolie as Joan
• Ryan Phillippe as Keenan
• Gillian Anderson as Meredith
• Jon Stewart as Trent
• Ellen Burstyn as Mildred
• Jay Mohr as Mark
• Madeleine Stowe as Gracie
• Anthony Edwards as Roger
• Dennis Quaid as Hugh

A drama of relationships peppered with comedy, excellent writing and an all-star cast, Playing by Heart brims with emotional clarity, great dialogue and touching but witty insights into the various facets of love.

Playing by Heart focuses on the various kinds of loves, heart breaks and relationships of a seemingly disparate group of people living in Los Angeles. There is older married couple Paul and Hannah, who are approaching forty years of marriage and renewing their vows. There is the matter of Paul being diagnosed with a brain tumor, but this doesn’t dampen his spirit though it worries his wife. They must also deal with a present from the past as Hannah finds evidence that suggests that Paul may have been unfaithful during their marriage. Wildly dressed extrovert and wannabe actress Joan is found in the land of night clubs, living life to the absolute maximum. One night after dumping her boyfriend, she meets handsome but standoffish loner Keenan. Joan likes the guy, but he is cold and distant from her, which puzzles her. Sure enough, she begins to break through the barriers he has put up with her charisma and exuberance. Theatre director Meredith has all but given up on love after being hurt do many times and chooses to remain single. Yet this doesn’t stop affable architect Trent from pursuing her in a genuinely romantic way. Organised Mildred is forced to come to terms with the fact that her gay son Mark is dying of AIDS and attempts to mend their fractured relationship before it is too late by being honest with him for once in her life. Gracie, a married woman who is bored, is having an affair with Roger, who wants more out of the relationship than just sex. And finally there is the mournful Hugh, who travels from bar to bar, reeling off his tragic stories to women that will listen. Yet, his tales seem to change rapidly from night to night. Little by little, we begin to see the way that each seemingly separate story is connected in some way or another.

Writer/director Willard Carroll fashions a multi-stranded mosaic on the topic of love and the different ways it is expressed between people. Love is a subject that is more than well covered on films, but Carroll manages to give something to it with the multiple stories and characters. His script mixes tragedy, comic moments and blossoming romance with excellent results. It’s great to listen to his witty dialogue that captures the changing fortunes of the very different characters going through various kinds of love. Playing by Heart may not offer much in the way of being the most original movie, but that doesn’t make it any less good or accomplished. With a nice visual style of night-time Los Angeles, we feel the longings, passions and losses of these people. This is further given strength by a minimal but impactful score of trickling piano, tinged with jazz from the legendary John Barry. Playing by Heart is a well paced movie where something is always happening. Some of the middle half drags due to one uninvolving story thread, but the breadth of the other tales brings it back to greatness. There is something so natural about the way this movie explores relationships, I can’t explain it but it just feels so well done. I really liked watching how all the stories eventually connected, it was really orchestrated well through little things.

The marvellous ensemble cast is a real treat and adds significant amounts of talent to their respective parts. Sean Connery and Gena Rowlands have a winning chemistry as an older couple overcoming the hurdles that present themselves. These two actors are such pros and you see the twinkling in the eye of Connery and the warmth of Rowlands in every scene. Stealing the show throughout the movie is Angelina Jolie as the energetic and wild Joan. Imbuing the character with chatty verve, unusual dress sense and a quick, over the top humour, she is utterly delightful in the part that could have become annoying, but becomes instead lovable due to the presence of Jolie. Ryan Phillippe contributes some of his best work as the emotionally shut off Keenan, who gradually comes out of his shell because his attracted to Joan. There is Gillian Anderson who marvellously conveys the feelings of distrust in relationship that begin to wither when someone genuine takes an interest. Jon Stewart is that someone and he has a real madcap sense of humour to add to the mix. The always talented Ellen Burstyn is an emotional marvel as the mother trying to reconnect with her son and her scenes with Jay Mohr are really emotional highlights of the film as they are both able to be frank with one another. The one story that I didn’t find that involving was the one featuring Madeleine Stowe and Anthony Edwards having an affair. This isn’t the fault of the actors who are both well cast, it’s just that their story is a bit stale. Thankfully, Dennis Quaid makes up for that with his strange turn as the drunken Hugh, who switches his stories every night. It is a great showcase for Dennis Quaid as an actor.

Warm-hearted, funny and moving at many times, Playing by Heart brings a talented cast, colorfully drawn characters and exceptional dialogue together with care and sense of depth.

Cruel Intentions

Tags

1990's, Cruel Intentions, Drama, Reese Witherspoon, Roger Kumble, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair

Film Title

Cruel Intentions

Director

Roger Kumble

Starring

• Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil
• Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont
• Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove
• Selma Blair as Cecile Caldwell

A 90’s retelling of Dangerous Liaisons, Cruel Intentions may be not as good as the 80’s movie but still has enough energy, sex appeal and darkness to enjoy with some good performances from a photogenic cast.

Kathryn Merteuil is a wealthy and popular girl who resides in New York’s Upper East Side. Despite her seemingly sunny personality around others, she is in fact a ruthlessly scheming bitch who thrives on the misery of others. Her stepbrother Sebastian Valmont is equally as devious and is prone to seducing girls for enjoyment. The two manipulative step siblings conspire to ruin the reputations of those they don’t like. Kathryn has a new conquest for Sebastian, the naive Cecile Caldwell. She wants to ruin Cecile because her former boyfriend dumped her for the impressionable girl. Initially bored with this, Kathryn then makes a wager with Sebastian that he can’t refuse. If he can seduce the virginal headmaster’s daughter Annette Hargrove, Kathryn will offer herself to him. If he loses, she will get her dirty hands on his prized Jaguar. At first, Sebastian relishes the chance to spoil the virtue of Annette, who is the epitome of chastity and goodness. But as time goes on and he gets to know her, he starts to fall deeply in love with her. This hitch in the plan leads to a glossy tale of jealousy and sex.

As I mentioned earlier I prefer Dangerous Liaisons to Cruel Intentions. Saying that, Cruel Intentions has many positives to it. The visual style and direction of Roger Kumble is amazing in showing the shallow lifestyle of wealth and how it leads to boredom and worse. The script although melodramatic at times, does have some very dark undertones and you can feel the perverse sexuality come through as the movie goes on as Sebastian struggles with his feelings for Annette, whilst Kathryn manipulates from the sidelines. A well-chosen soundtrack gives the film an edge, especially the use of “Bittersweet Symphony” at a key moment of the story.

While subtlety and restraint isn’t the film’s strong suit, it’s capable cast gloss over these flaws with their performances. Shedding her All American Girl image, Sarah Michelle Gellar is splendidly seductive, manipulative and twisted as Kathryn. Whether saucily kissing Cecile, flaunting her body for Sebastian or putting on her fake smile, Gellar is riveting to say the least. Ryan Phillippe is devilishly charming as the resident Lothario Sebastian, who doesn’t realise that he will finally experience love for the first time when trying to seduce Annette. He has great chemistry with Gellar that gives the film a twisted sexuality as we watch them try to get one up on the other in the machinations they devise. Reese Witherspoon injects intelligence and virtue into the character of Annette, who reluctantly falls for Sebastian despite her vow of chastity. Annette’s role is pivotal in changing Sebastian and Reese Witherspoon has enough sweetness and quiet strength to bring this role to life. In a supporting role, Selma Blair is suitably childlike and impressionable as a victim in the game of seduction.

Twisted, sexy and frothy, Cruel Intentions is not exactly a restrained examination of deceit and jealousy. But the cast and some excellent direction make it an interesting teenage version of Dangerous Liaisons.