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[Jack Manfred]

After that tuneful proclamation by Atticus, I feel obligated to review the current releases.

Lost In Translation is a Must See
This is the best film in release right now. Both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanson give terrific, nuanced performances. As in The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola shows that she has already mastered atmosphere in film-making. It's funny, it's sad, it's brilliant. Unlike other posters, I don't lust after Scarlett, but she's got unlimited potential as an actress. Those that have charged Sofia with racism or cultural insensitivity probably haven't seen the film. While she does present Tokyo as as alienating place, she clearly loves the city. Her dad took her their often as a child and teenager, so the comedy isn't mean spirited (except w/r/t the Anna Faris airhead actress character, allegedly inspired by Cameron Diaz).

Kill Bill is a Should See
It's not as good as Pulp Fiction. Let's get that out of the way first. I'm not a big fan of Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, or Darryl Hannah, but they're doing far more fighting than acting. This is a ridiculously violent film. Violent as in someone in the audience will say "Holy Shit" at least a half-dozen times in the film. Ridiculous as in every major character seems to have mastered a fighting technique that allows them to cause blood to spurt in torrents not seen since Monty Python. The action sequences are amazing, and Quentin again picks great soundtrack selections (and gets The RZA to drop a couple of tracks!) Allegedly, Volume Two has more story and character, but don't let that dissuade you.

Intolerable Cruelty is a Should See
It's not as good as The Big Lebowski. Let's get that out of the way first. It is the Coen Brothers most mainstream film, and it should be their biggest hit since Fargo. I am a fan of both Catherine Zeta-Jones and George Clooney, and they are the perfect leads in a romantic comedy. Clooney once again sends up his handsome looks by playing a vain man. Instead of spending all of his free time on hair, he's now obsessed with his pearly whites. Generally, the Coen Brothers do a better job with their setups than with their endings, and this film is no exception. It ends a bit too soon, but not before an over-the-top characterization of a dessicated partner that will spawn countless lame lawyer remarks. Q's soundtrack has the edge over the Coens' this time...too much Simon & Garfunkel.

School of Rock is a Should See
Jack Black in the role his former next-door neighbor thinks he was born to play. Mike White writes. Richard Linklatter directs. Jack Black rocks. Sarah Silverman whines. Everyone is doing what they do best. Joan Cusack has a thankless role as the principal of the Prep School, but she has a perfect film moment when she is harrangued by the parents, runs out of her office, and basically stands in a corner. She doesn't fight 88 ninjas in Kato masks, but Joan acts. Well.

Touchez Pas Au Grisbi is a Should See
This is a re-release of a classic French gangster movie (which translates to "Don't Touch the Loot"). If you don't live near a quality rep theatre, you'll have to wait for the DVD. Stars Jean Gabin as an aging gangster and a young Jeanne Moreau as the chorus girl who gets his partner (and him) into trouble with the Paris underworld. I would recommend seeing Rififi or Bob le Flambeur first, but as this might be your one chance to see this one on the big screen, film lovers should seek it out. If you have no idea why anyone would want to see a 50 year old French gangster movie, you are not a film lover and should just see that movie where Stifler goes to the rainforest.

American Splendor is a Should See
Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis play Harvey Pekar, the file clerk/cartoonist and Joyce Brabner his wife/sharp stick in his eye. The real Harvey and Joyce both also appear in the film as well. This is a quiet film, but not a boring film. It's not a typical documentary, and does tell what would seem to be a flat story with energy and wit.

Swimming Pool can Wait Until Video
Charlotte Rampling plays a British murder mystery author who retreats to her publisher's cottage in the South of France to recharge. Unbeknowst to her, the publisher's slutty French daughter shows up at the cabin to either (a) annoy the writer, (b) inspire the writer, or (c) ceci n'est pas une slutty French daughter. Charlotte Rampling's acting can't be faulted. Ludivine Sagnier can't be faulted for being naked and slutty. So I guess writer-director Francois Ozon is to blame for his film not making the "should see" list.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico can be Avoided
I love e/o, and normally, I would back her up on any subject she cared enough about to post on. But this is not a good film. Moreover, now that Quentin's Kill Bill is in theatres, there's no reason to see Robert Rodriguez's offering. Who thought that you could give RR more money, another hot Latina (Eva Mendes), Johhny Depp, and Mickey Rourke and wind up with a less entertaining film? It's subtraction through addition. Or maybe it's just bad editing. Rodriguez admits as much when his title card says he "chopped" it himself. Did anyone at any production meeting say, "Robert, I know you want a bunch of people to get the Touch of Evil reference, so we have to show Wilem Dafoe wearing enough burnt sienna makeup to spur Crayola sales, and I know you like the idea of having Mickey Rourke talk with an accent and have a cat like Mr. Bigglesworth, and I suppose there's some valid reason for Enrique Iglesias to be in this thing, but could you at least consider sparing five minutes for a love scene with Salma or Eva?" (Salma and Eva would tempt heaven, so one or the other would have been fine.) It's a shame when gratuitous, poorly-edited violence precludes gratuitous nudity. It's not the dreck that TM would have you believe, but there are too many good movies out to even consider this as a matinee.

I haven't seen Mystic River or The Station Agent yet, so I can't help anyone with those.

Here's hoping str8 has a fantastic time at his wedding, and that he's too occupied with matrimonial ardor to read this board until November.