“In the Cut”
By Leslie Branton, Revelry Writer
Meg Ryan’s new movie, “In the Cut,” gained national attention earlier this year because of her nude scene and a possible NC-17 rating. The premise of the movie seems interesting, if not cliché – a woman falls in love with a detective who may be a serial killer.
Ryan plays Frannie, a humble English teacher and writer who is unhappy with her humdrum life and has a strange obsession with words. Her half sister, Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh, “Road to Perdition”) is a prostitute who only wants to fall in love and get married. Two different women are bound by blood and unhappiness with their lives. With this beginning, the movie seems to head toward the “Lifetime” television genre, but instead attempts to create a soft-core porn atmosphere.
When a prostitute is murdered and dismembered near Frannie’s apartment, she meets Detective Malloy (Mark Ruffalo, “A View from the Top”). Malloy’s character is vulgar, shady and horribly underdeveloped. Frannie is suspicious of him because she remembers seeing the prostitute servicing a man with the same tattoo as Malloy’s. Nonetheless, they begin an erotic and senseless affair.
Kevin Bacon makes a strange appearance as Frannie’s med-student ex-boyfriend, John. He obsessively stalks her and calls her, but nothing is really done about his character. Frannie is too focused on Malloy to create a true murder mystery in which there are several suspects.
The movie tries to be artsy, instead of just being an artistic work. The camera shakes and focuses on random images, such as flower petals. These images could be symbolic, but they only serve to distract from the abominable dialogue. Ryan and Malloy barely know each other and she suspects him for murder, but still lets him teach her to shoot.
Ryan, at 42, looks her age. To start doing nude scenes at this age seems a bit absurd. Yes, she is an attractive woman, but the manner in which she shed her “girl next-door” image is neither shocking nor exciting. This move appears to be her desperate attempt to grab at the spotlight, which is simply pathetic. She doesn’t want to be a “cute” actress anymore, which is understandable, but apparently she doesn’t want to be a respectable actress either.
Ryan still maintains her helpless and doe-eyed expressions that made her a modern Doris Day. Having brown hair in the movie changes nothing. We are accustomed to stars “redefining their image” with nudity, but Ryan should just put the clothes back on. Meaningful, non-romantic comedy roles are out there for older actresses; just look at Meryl Streep. Nudity does not necessarily take an actress to the next level.
Frontal nudity and graphic sex scenes were not enough save this movie. “The Ring” made more sense than this pitiful, pseudo-artistic film.
F
All-American Rejects “
Too Bad for Hell”
By Angella Semons, Revelry Writer
The All-American Rejects’ “Too Bad For Hell DVD” is pretentious of the band that has been famous for only a year. Because the group only has recorded one album, the DVD lasts an hour and 15 minutes. It’s no Led Zeppelin double disc set.
The nine-song concert features Tyson Ritter singing his heart out and making silly faces. His voice sounds fabulous in concert, unlike tone deaf Stephen Jenkins from Third Eye Blind. The All-American Rejects’ instrumental and vocal talent and vivacious stage presence definitely will inspire audiences to attend the live shows.
Also included on the DVD is a ten and a half minute segment titled “Lost in Stillwater.” Here the band gives viewers a tour of their house in Stillwater, Okla. In MTV Cribs style they give a brief tour of the kitchen, backyard and first tour van. The band also takes a sentimental journey around town starting at the Sonic and ending at the Green Door bar. Audiences get a sneak peek into the band’s personalities, which are energetic and funny.
The “Too Bad For Hell DVD” features the band’s videos for “Swing, Swing” and “The Last Song.”
The DVD focuses on Ritter during the entire hour. He’s the only band member shining in the spotlight for the concert. The drummer gets a flicker of leftover light because he’s positioned behind Ritter. But guitarists Nick Wheeler and Mike Kennerty remain in the dark during the performance. Ritter is also all over the “Lost in Stillwater” segment.
This DVD is a good buy for diehard Tyson fans, and it would be a great DVD to play during a party.
Anyone who enjoys the Rejects will enjoy this DVD, which costs about as much as a regular CD. Although making a DVD is a courageous step for this new band, the boys did a great job of showing the world exactly what they are about.
B
Isobel Campbell
“Amorino”
By Angella Semons, Revelry Writer
Isobel Campbell’s first purely solo album “Amorino” features her gentle, angelic voice but lacks consistency. Her delicate voice, featured on “Is It Wicked Not to Care” by former band Belle and Sebastian, gets lost in a few repetitious instrumentals that don’t go anywhere.
“Amorino” and “This Land Floods with Milk” exemplify long instrumentals with a touch of singing but scant of movement. Even with the flute accompaniment, “Amorino” drags on. And the back-up vocals on “This Land Floods with Milk” don’t offer enough excitement or intensity to make the song interesting.
The opening on “The Breeze Whispered Your Name” sounds great, but then disaster strikes. A trumpet comes in and sounds like it’s being played underwater. The horrible ruckus is distracting and unpleasant.
Clearly there is no theme to the CD with a random twangy song, “Why Does My Head Hurt So?,” and a Vaudeville tune, “The Cat’s Pajamas.” The wide variety of songs works against the album, since Campbell jumps from relaxing songs to show tunes.
But the majority of songs on the album is soothing and continues with the melodious and flirtatious sound of Belle and Sebastian.
Campbell’s album incorporates a touch of smooth jazz. Flutes, horns and back-up singers help the album create a mood of light swing on “October’s Say,” “Poor Butterfly” and “Song for Baby.”
“Love for Tomorrow” will please Belle and Sebastian fans with its similar sound and orchestral accompaniment. This song and “Time is Just the Same” demonstrates her roots and love of the music she made with Belle and Sebastian. Thank goodness she cannot escape that flirtatious sound, because she does it beautifully.
Although bad instrumental choices make this album hard to listen to at times, Isobel Campbell has tremendous potential and immense vocal talent.
C