Black Snake Moan (Brewer, 2006)
Liked this alot. The unique "Southern roots" flavor and Indie feel had me chomping at the bit to see this, and although it isn't quite what I expected, I loved what it did for me. The characters and the music seem to work in tandem to supercharge this movie not just with soul, but with heart. My only regret is that Sam Jackson isn't a better singer -- his bits would have been so much more haunting -- but there's a freshness and sincerity here that you don't really find anymore.
Best Lines: I remember my first time, it was out behind my uncle's barn with my second cousin. She was two tons if she weighed a pound, I could have done better for myself.
The Ref (Demme, 1994)
Some hilarious dialogue and surprisingly good dramatic stuff among troubled family (it actually rose out of "silly in-laws" guff and into something serious), but by the end, the resolution felt forced and faked. Also, Denis Leary's character slowly tended to lose his significance for even being there, so much so that his departure was more a formality than anything else.
Best Lines: Grandma is starting to chew through the tape.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Verbinski, 2007)
Honestly, I don't feel right reviewing this because I only paid moderate attention to it. The production value was high, but everything else seemed cluttered, stale, forced, obtuse, or any combination of the four. I'm just never impressed when I feel like a film is trying desperately to wow me, or make me guffaw at some kind of "inside joke" I've heard before in previous installments. But hey, at least maybe we're done with the
Pirates sequels.
Best Lines: I have no sympathy for any of you feculent maggots and no more patience to pretend otherwise. Gentlemen, I wash my hand of this weirdness.