More Movies: Pirates of the Caribbean, Grosse Pointe Blank

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June 5, 2006

When I indulge, I over-indulge. After going out to the movies for the first time in a month, and after watching two films yesterday, I put in a couple more DVDs last night.

Grosse Pointe Blank
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Grosse Pointe Blank — John Cusack is a hit man who returns to his high school reunion and reconnects with girlfriend Minnie Driver. I like this offbeat comedy for being so universal in its feelings at the same time it’s so unusual in its plot.

I fear it might not pass the movie rule, though — two women have to talk to each other about something other than men or clothes, and I can’t think of a conversation that doesn’t involve Cusack. Dan Ackroyd is really funny as a competing hit man who’s trying to unionize the field, though, and I always like Jeremy Piven. True friendship is knowing they’ll help you dispose of a body without asking questions.

Pirates of the Caribbean
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Pirates of the Caribbean — The trailer for the sequel coming this summer ran before X-Men, and KC and I looked at each other and said “We should watch that again.” I love the visual imagination of the films, and Captain Jack rocks. Not much else to say except… it’s not just pirates, it’s ZOMBIE pirates!

(Quick poll: do readers like fresh thoughts on films broken up throughout the month or do you prefer the all-in-one monthly roundup?)

10 Responses

Paul O'Brien writes:

June 5, 2006 at 9:03 am

To be fair, I think John Cusack’s on screen for almost the entire running time, so it’s inevitably going to be light on all-female scenes. I love GROSSE POINTE BLANK – it’s one of my favourite films. It’s incredibly rare to see a film do action and romantic comedy simultaneously, and genuinely pull them both off.

Johanna writes:

June 5, 2006 at 11:03 am

Yeah, that’s why it didn’t bother me as much as some others — it’s clearly his story, focused on his growth.

I wish they’d put out an enhanced DVD that includes more behind-the-scenes information, because I like it so much I’d like to know more about the artistic choices made and how it came to be.

craig writes:

June 5, 2006 at 1:00 pm

I like your peppering of reviews as they come to you. The variation keeps it nice and engaging. But whatever you like, really!!
c.

Chris Galdieri writes:

June 5, 2006 at 2:43 pm

I can’t believe it’s been ten years since Grosse Point Blank. Good Lord, the characters could be gearing up for their 20th reunion even as I type…

Johanna writes:

June 5, 2006 at 2:55 pm

Thanks for the feedback!

Johanna writes:

June 5, 2006 at 4:03 pm

Chris, I know… it made me realize that I had a major milestone reunion next year. Sigh.

James Schee writes:

June 5, 2006 at 7:53 pm

I like the smaller ones too, as it makes it easier to reply. Rather than the giant list, where I sometimes don’t post because I have too much to ask about.

GPB follows John’s life, so it kind of has to have him in nearly (if not every) scene I believe. I have to watch this movie again, it has been nearly 10 years since I saw it last.

You know I still haven’t seen the last 15 minutes of Pirates. I have it on DVD, bought it for like $9, but haven’t even taken the plastic wrapper off. I liked it at the theater, but had an emergency call while watching it forcing me to rush out.

Bob writes:

June 6, 2006 at 12:24 am

I think GPB did have a scene with Driver talking to another of the female reunion attendees without Cusack present and not about him. If you count one-sided phone conversations, Joan Cusack also talks about cooking with someone on the phone in a pretty funny scene.

Johanna writes:

June 6, 2006 at 6:36 am

I love Joan! Her bits were terrific. Thanks for the reminder!

yana writes:

March 4, 2008 at 1:48 am

i’m from Ukraine I love this movie so mach! At first this movie is extremaly adventurous, it’s an important thing which attracts a lot of young dreamers at nowadays, especially it consers to me. my favorite acter is Johnny. and i want to be so craizy like he is. i’m an artist, and i drew a big picture 90/120 were hi is a Jack sparrow.A lot of people want to by this picture for 600$ an more, bat i want to present it to him!
also i like his wife she is a really beautiful! and i have dream to drow them famely picture! God bless you and your famely! (i’m praing for you)