UNDERSTATED SURPRISE!

Yes, I admit it, Spike Lee's latest film "The Inside Man" was more than a pleasant little movie filled with morals and beautiful people being possibly and at opposing times, less than beautiful. The first 20 minutes I sat eyes fixed, pupils dilated, transfixed by this new style of filming for an old favorite director of mine. Sadly, 25 minutes in the film took on 3 very distinct and obvious styles, which it flipped in and out of depending on set scene (not correct film lingo) and perspective: NYPD Blues - Cops, James Bond "GOLD FINGER" - Bank robbers, Slick "I Got Rich In A Totally Immoral Way" Rich Bad Guy. Spike Lee does try 2 new things is the film however, with less than successful results: 1. The not-fast-enough not-slow-enough pan overview with lack of focus (meaning everything in frame is completely out of focus) and 2. A scene when Denisel's character reacts to the bank robbers actions (I am trying not to spoil this film for those who haven't seen it) in a extremely raw emotion/instant anger way, by putting him on a track and having him seemingly speed towards them without physically moving...this seriously lacked the smoothness that it needed to pull it off. Now, the really surprising part in all of this is the one person you though couldn't really act their whole life, plays a part so well they steal the show in their almost cameo roll...Jodie Foster...YES I said Jodie Foster. Ultimately though, for all my praise this is at best a rental film you need to borrow your friends projector to view on your living room wall with beer in hand.

LET ME GO SOON

I must be a really good friend...or a mug. If anyone collaborates on a show, paints a landscape or raises one eyebrow towards an audience, I'm there to show my support. I only came to the before mentioned statement this evening when I went to see a colleague in the second run of a 3 man comedy sketch show, performed at Donny's Skybox within the realms of Second City. The acquaintance, Peter Vestinos, is part of the trio 37 Foxtrot (I don't know and am not asking) and this is their second time around with all new giggles and punches at Piper's Alley. I must admit they were hysterical...apart from the new projected video, which had the 3 of them with painted white clown faces playing catch with an exercise ball for the bigger boned...by the lake. This cut the show up into 3 pieces I'm guessing to give the guys a break, but as for amusement, it was lacking and broke the flow of the show. Back to the real rant of the night. The show is a double header with 37 foxtrot coming on second, this is highly unfortunate for anyone who enjoys satire and humor with intelligence, as you are forced to sit through The Fowler Family Radio Hour. There was less than 5 moments of potential humor within the whole show. Enough said.