Z/Web

Author: Judith Roberts (II) and Elisabeth Robinson

Director: Mark Tarlov

Film classes now have a new film to use as the ultimate example of bad filmmaking. Like all really bad movies, this is tragic: almost all the jokes fall flat, the editing is listless, and there’s a strange sitcom feel to the directing and sets. The plot is illogical and bizarrely paced — events jump around chaotically, and many mysteries are never explained. Even the special effects, usually a given in today’s film market, are feeble (even by TV standards). I wanted to like this: Sarah Michelle Geller is a favorite, and I liked the concept of magical foods that act as a love potion, but just about nothing in this film works. Truly a hideous mishmash. Worth watching only for the movie-making educational aspects.

Author: Matthew Bright

Director: Matthew Bright

I saw this a few years ago, but wanted to see it again after seeing lead Reese Witherspoon so recently in Pleasantville. She’s really a terrific actress, and this role gives her plenty of opportunity to show off her range. She does a great job making us like her loser teen character. The film’s a loose (very loose) adaptation of “Little Red Riding Hood” going off to Grandma’s. In this story Reese’s parents are hauled off to jail, and rather than be put back into foster care, she runs off to find her Grandma. On the way she’s picked up by a serial killer (a wonderfully evil Kiefer Sutherland). This film is not a children’s tale: it’s ultra-realistic, with hardcore violence, prison fights, gunshots, and plenty of blood. (Don’t watch it if seeing Brooke Shields’ brains splattered on a bathroom wall squicks you). Still, it’s funny in a twisted fashion, and the characters are realistic and believable.

Author: Shana Larsen

Director: Risa Bramon Garcia

One of the better episodic films I’ve seen, but still a bit choppy and non-linear. The “plot” is about a number of unrelated people all gathering for a New Year’s Eve party in 1981. Parts were quite funny, others tragic. Ultimately we don’t really care for most of the (unlikable) characters so the whole thing’s kind of a wash. Some of the irony was sweet, though, and there were a few legitimately classic moments.