Stray Dog (The Criterion Collection) (1949) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am not a Japanese film historian, so others can elaborate on that aspect. When it started, I wasn't sure I would take to this film, but it draws you in inexorably. Shot on location in Tokyo, remarkably just 3 or 4 years after the end of WWII, it most reminds me of a Japanese Naked City, with echoes and moments reminiscent of other American gangster films all the way back to Public Enemy and The Roaring Twenties of the 30's.
The location photography alone is fascinating in depicting the Japan of 1948 or 49. And the story progresses as a very young Toshiro Mifune wanders through various levels of that postwar society in search of the thief who stole his Colt. On hand also, is that wonderful actor in Kurosawa's repertory company that was the leader of the 7 Samurai, and here too, is the older & wiser mentor to Mifune.
Finally, the movie wins you over for its own reasons. Though early, Kurosawa's composition, framing, and directorial skill is evident. The performances are fine. The atmosphere and location photography ground the film in reality. And it is a more complex film and story than it first appears. And, like early Ford, there is poetry amid the restrictions of budget and resources. And like early Ford, it presages what was to come. Good stuff if you've a mind for it. 5 stars for those folks.

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A detective whose revolver is stolen goes undercover to locate the thief, sinking to such depths that even his colleagues don't recognize the difference between him and the thief.Genre: Foreign Film - JapaneseRating: UNRelease Date: 25-MAY-2004Media Type: DVD

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Bounce (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)While waiting in an airport, Buddy Amarol (Ben Affleck) meets Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn) a writer. The two men get to talking, and it becomes clear, Greg, wants to get home to see his wife, and kids. Buddy, scheming to have a one-night-stand with Mimi (Natasha Henstridge), also hanging around the airport, decides to be a "nice" guy, and give his plane ticket to Greg.
Buddy is stirred out of sleep by sirens, he quickly turns on the television to find out the plane he was supposed to be on has crashed, killing all the passengers.
Tormented by what has happened, Buddy turns to booze, eventually landing him in rehab. Once sober, Buddy sets out to meet Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow), the wife of Greg. After a brief stalking period, the two actually talk and begin falling in love. But all is not so perfect for this couple, as a videotape of Buddy and Greg at the airport surfaces, throwing Abby into a state of wonder, and confusion.
"Bounce" is not the cute movie the trailer's depicted, but actually a dark love story, that is somewhat creepy. Affleck, and Paltrow are likable in their roles, and they do work well together, but it isn't enough to carry the whole movie.
If there is nothing else to watch, "Bounce" will pass the time, but many will come away from the film disappointed.
Nick Gonnella

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Buddy Amaral (Ben Affleck), a cocky, self-absorbed ad executive who--in desiring a tryst with the gorgeous Mimi (Natasha Henstridge), a woman he meets at the airport--gives up his plane ticket back to Los Angeles to writer Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn). The plane crashes, and Buddy begins a downward spiral of alcoholism and self-loathing until he undergoes rehab. Once out, he decides to pay a visit to the dead man's widow. Abby Janello (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a struggling real estate agent with two young sons. She slowly befriends Buddy and falls in love with him while Buddy struggles with the guilty secret of his connection to her husband's untimely death which could destroy their relationship.

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