Movie Rental Recommendations -- L
L.A. Confidential
I first saw this one in the theater and recently rented it and have added it to my list of "seen twice, would rent again as a weekend feature." Stylish, smart, great characters, awesome writing and an intricate story with a moment in the middle where the movie simply turns completely around. Set in Hollywood after World War II, it presumably is about an investigation into a heinous murder, but really it's about how Los Angeles "grew up" into a town in which no one has control. Not only an excellent weekend feature, but a must-see movie.
IMDb | Other Reviews Parker Hodges
Seen it twice, and wouldn't mind seeing it again. Great performances abound in this tale of police corruption in the heyday of Hollywood. It's smartly written and fun to watch (especially for those familiar with L.A. scenery and hotspots). Though it drags out a bit and has a few too many characters to keep track of, it will hold your attention and keep you guessing until its surprising conclusion.
Erik Nelson
Last Days Of Disco
I know I'm not supposed to like any of the characters in this microcosm of the late 1970s Yuppie culture, but the writers, actors, et al. did too good of a job of making these people absolutely obnoxious and barely tolerable. What's worse, is most of the story revolves around the rise and fall of a faux Studio 54 modeled so closely to the real New York nightspot, the film should have been called "Studio 53." Instead, I can't even give the filmmakers credit for coming up with an original storyline, and they get no respect for not securing the rights to mirror the real Studio 54. You can't even take solace in the film's ending, thanks to one characters overwrought soliloquy summing up the true meaning of disco. Even an ending dance number couldn't save this one. All around, this film perpetually teeters between contrived and annoying.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
The Limey
Before easing back into the mainstream with "Erin Brockovich," director Steven Soderbergh kicked out his experimental jams with this dazzlingly skewed crime drama. Terence Stamp displays his full iconic presence as a shady Brit who comes to America to avenge crimes wreaked against his family. The plot may be simple; the execution is anything but. An exquisitely fractured slice of revenge served deceptively cold, with a dizzying array of flashbacks, flashforwards and alternate timelines. Sometimes, style
is content.
IMDb | Other Reviews
Andrew Wright
Little Voice
Loved this story of a quiet woman who uses her love for great female vocalists to drown out her overbearing mother and reconnect with her beloved deceased father. Michael Caine is great as the showbiz huckster who convinces L.V. to take the stage for one night only. The idea for the play the movie is based on came about because Jane Horrocks, best known as Bubbles on "Absolutely Fabulous," has an eerie talent for mimicking the singing voices of Judy Garland, Shirley Bassie, Billie Holiday and Marilyn Monroe.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
Living Out Loud
Yes, this is a chick flick. But it's far more cerebral and a bit more offbeat than the norm. Holly Hunter plays a New York doctor's wife whose husband leaves her for a younger woman, taking her life plans, dignity and identity with him. With the help of unconventional friendships with doorman Danny Devito and jazz singer Queen Latifah, Hunter's character doesn't discover who she is, rather what she wants. The direction of the film is a bit confusing because the audience is never sure what's actually happening and what's fantasy. Other than that, I strongly recommend this one.
IMDb | Other Reviews
Denise Felder
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels
"Lock, Stock" is a British "Pulp Fiction" wannabe (i.e. there is no shortage of inept criminals an comic violence) that actually doesn't disappoint. It's no "Pulp," to be sure, but it has a clever, knotty plot that may, actually, depend a tad too heavily upon coincidence, so you have suspend some disbelief, and plenty of surprises. You'll have to wait through the rather tediously "clever" beginning bits to get to the violent coming together of the various criminal elements. Best touch: a tall, stoic thug-for-hire who brings his nine-year-old son everywhere and proves to be smarter and more humane than the dozen other main characters put together.
IMDb | Other Reviews Ed Dykhuizen
Lone Star
John Sayles is one of the best storytellers of our time. Here, he uses flashbacks and the mystery of a controversial sheriff's unsolved death to tell the history of a small Texas border town. In doing so, he puts a microscope up to black, white and Hispanic race relations in this country today. A thinking-man's western.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
Lord Love A Duck
One of the greatest cult films of all time. Roddy Mcdowall plays a disjointed high school genius named Alan "Mollymauk" Musgrave. He and Barbara Ann Greene (Tuesday Weld) will both be attending brand new Consolidated High. Alan appears to have all the answers for Barbara, who wants to be popular. No one could have played the role as well as Mcdowall. This 1966 California beach satire has a great cast, including Ruth Gordon and Harvey Corman. The dark humor and social commentary are a reflection of a generation that was just about to explode. The writers were right on target with the coming social climate of the time. Certain scenes would be considered "politically incorrect" today, but so what! How the "cashmere" scene got beyond the censors is a wonder. This fun masterpiece is a must for any cult film collection.
IMDb | Other Reviews Jon Stone
Lost In Space
This highly-stylized remake started out on a very boring note. Then it got a bit confusing. Then the story finally became a bit interesting, but took a sudden turn toward the creepy. And finally, it came to a hokey, contrived ending that was obviously written to leave the possibilities wide open for a sequel. Let's hope that idea gets lost in space.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
Lost In Yonkers
The first time I saw this, I cried for Mercedes Ruehl's sweet-hearted developmentally challenged Aunt Bella. The second time I saw it, I cried for Irene Worth's portrayal of the hard-ass mother. The third time, I just marveled at Neil Simon's great writing and laughed at all his witticisms. A definite must rent.
IMDb | Other Reviews Denise Felder
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