MOVIE REVIEWS [Capsules] Lupin III :SPS, Stranger Than Fiction, Creep

by Chris   ⋅   December 5, 2006   ⋅   Comment now   ⋅    RSS

In an effort to catch up, here are a few very brief capsules for some flicks we’ve seen recently.

Lupin III: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy . Very goofy, but undeniably fun, this live action adaptation of Rupan Sansei by the director of Demon Spies sees Lupin stealing and scheming to win the heart of a beautiful, ever so greedy Fujiko. The plot is essentially a chain of comic vignettes, most involving quick-changes, super switches, and inexplicably lost disguises — the ancient statue with Psychokinetic powers referenced in the title is just tacked on for good measure. Although this was Tsuboshima’s last film, he proves as adept at frenetic comedy as he is was with violent spectacles. The actors fit their roles quite well. Yuki Meguro does a great job as Lupin, and Hideko Ezaki proves a shoe in for Fujiko. It may be a little too silly for anyone over the age of 18, but, for the young’uns Lupin III: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy should prove a lot of fun.

Stranger than Fiction . We were going to skip reviewing this one, but since some of you have been asking…Will Farrell’s latest left a lot to be desired. A contrived, awkward, gimmicky, mess of a film, Stranger than Fiction never seems to quite find its rhythm; constantly fluctuating between wacky comedy, superficial meditation on the difference between the world of feelings and the world of numbers, life affirming drama, ham handed romance, Albert Brooks neurosis, and graphic design art project. One can imagine the production cobbled the together the picture from bits and pieces of a million better films. I can only sit and scratch my head at the praise being bestowed on the film. Now, you might ask, “How come you give this film a bad rating, but not that crappy Japanese Hell movie?” Well, the Japanese Hell movie is low budget trashy fun that managed to show a bit of heart. This one is just a big budget stinker. There’s no excuse.

Creep . Franka Potente just never stops running, does she? Creep sees dear old Franka falling asleep in the London Underground (in the ugliest yellow dress known to man) only to awake and find herself locked in for the night with a homicidal, knife wielding retard. Loads of screaming and chasing ensue. Creep features some truly terrible acting, and even worse dialog, but the film does have a genuinely creepy atmosphere to it. And, as Kris said, while the homicidal retard may be a tad farfetched the picture does maintain a “this could very well happen” kind of vibe. Not the greatest picture, but still worth a look. Heck, it sure as hell beats the pants off Turistas.

About the Author

Chris Nelson has been a film fanatic since age six. A former film and English major, he is now a Software Engineer and contract Technical Writer living in the Silicon Valley.

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