Reign Over Me

You know how I know we're Gay?.... we're two grown men walking side by side on an empty street and looking at each other funny...

How do we deal with loss? Some go through the whole multi-step process: anger, resentment, bargaining, self-pity, acceptance... or whatever the heck ELSE that goes along with it (there are so many steps being added that I'm not sure HOW high the ladder is these days). Now there are SOME people that just don't handle loss all too well. There are those, when faced with loss, teeter on the edge of sanity and can't help but gaze out into the madness beyond. For these individuals who face a loss so great, redemption may be a little hard... and complicated to obtain.

why am I smiling?!? methinks my goofy hair has something to do with it...

Take Charlie Fineman in the movie Reign Over Me... Charlie Fineman (portrayed by a very "Bob Dylan-esque" Adam Sandler) lost his wife and children during the 911 terror attack. Charlie's tragic loss sends him spiralling into a state of grief and despair... which in turn causes him to live in a pale reflection of the almost perfect life he once had with his family. The story gets rolling as a former college roommate, Alan Johnson (played by the always entertaining Don Cheadle) spots Charlie on the street and having heard about Charlie's loss, sets out to re-kindle the friendship between them. This chance encounter did not turn out well for Alan when he discovers that Charlie has been reduced into a gibbering (yep... "Gibbering" IS a word... in MY dictionary at least... HA!), scooter-riding, anti-social, ipod-freak... he makes it his mission to help lift his friend out of the pit of gloom that Charlie has gotten comfortable residing in.

maaan.... I wonder why I cant seem to pick up chicks with my ride?

The cast also includes Jada Pinkett-Smith who plays Cheadle's wife Janeane; Liv Tyler as hottie-shrink Angela Oakhurst and Saffron Burrows as Donna Remar: a gal with issues of the "oral" persuasion who, at different points in the film, develops a fascination with Sandler's character Charlie and Cheadle's Johnson... (Cheadle's Johnson?!?!?! watch the flick... you'll see what I mean... I hope...)

I swear to God Charlie... If you don't take a bath soon, I'm gonna throw you in the Goddamn river!

Reign Over Me is indeed a bold move in attempting to depict what is possibly a very real aftershock of 9-11. Sandler, although not the usual bone-head goof that we are accustomed to seeing on the screen, pulls off a memorable performance. Director Mike Binder manages to paint a deeper image of Adam Sandler as a grieving family man lost in the aftermath of tragedy.

Stardust

hmmm... I've been a very baaaaad girl... (what can you expect from "wicked witches"?)

The best thing about fairy tales is the magical aspect of the story. It has the ability to transport you to places where the possibilities are as endless as your imagination dictates. This is the main reason I am such a fan of Neil Gaiman. His penchant for highly imaginative stories has earned him a cult following all over the world and revived this particular kurly fan's belief in the inspiring powers of an honest-to-goodness fairy tale.

abra-cadabra!!!!

Stardust was originally an illustrated novel that Gaiman did with artist Charles Vess. Although the film is a bit of a "toned-down" version of their original novel, it nevertheless gives us a glimpse of the magical universe that Gaiman has been known for crafting. Targetting family as it's primary audience, Stardust gives us an enchanting journey of discovery for the hero Tristan (as played by newcomer Charlie Cox). The story moves forward as good-natured Tristan tries to win the good graces of the local beauty Victoria (Sienna Miller) by volunteering himself to retrieve a falling star that plummets from the heavens onto the lands bordering their native town of Wall.

Tristan: To prove that I love you... I'm going to get you your own "fallen star"!

Victoria: Did you spike the drinks or somethin? ARE YOU FRIGGIN NUTS? what the heck is in this drink anyway?

Tristan's adventure starts upon crossing the borders of Wall into the magical realm of Stormhold. Upon reaching the "star" and coming to terms that the said heavenly body is in fact a beautiful woman in the person of Yvaine (Claire Danes), Tristan realizes that doing this particular deed for love isn't going to be all that simple. He meets up with various characters, each of whom have their own vested interest in the fallen star. From murderous princes to evil witch queens, Tristan must somehow shed his awkward nature and find the "hero within" (yeah... it's cliche, but believe me... it still works!) in order to make it back to Wall and prove his deed to his so-called "true love" Victoria.

From ZERO...

...to ZERO...

...to ZERO...

...and FINALLY... a HERO...

Good call on casting Michelle Pfieffer as the witch-queen Lamia bent on gaining the secret of the fallen star, although it's Robert De Niro who ends up stealing the show with his suprisingly amusing antics. 'Ol Bobby never ceases to amaze me as he pulls a comedic "fast one" on the audience with his portrayal of Captain Shakespeare, an airship captain who helps young Tristan and Yvaine on their journey back to the town of Wall.

are you talkin' to me??? .....and who are you calling a "whoopsie"?!?!?

The movie provides a good show for the kiddies and the kids-at-heart (that would be me of course... HA!) as well as those people out there who enjoy adventure with a good helping of romantic mush on the side. One particular scene that kurled this humble auteur's ticker (and which I would particularly encourage you to look out for...) would be the one where Yvaine professes her feelings to a currently incapacitated Tristan about their whole adventure together... classic dialogue if I say do so myself... which I do... ummmm.... whatever... just see for yourself, you'll get it... I hope...

watch where you're putting those hands mister!!!!!!

All in all, Stardust a flick for the whole family, and yes... you can even bring your silly relatives (the more the merrier I would think so...).

did I tell you that Michelle Pfieffer was perfectly cast as Lamia the Witch Queen?

I did? well... she IS... I mean perfect... cast that is...

oh dagnabbit!...

aint she a beaut? =)

Now scoot! Go see it already will ya? =)