The Darwin Awards (2006)

The Darwin Awards (2006) -* * *

Directed By: Finn Taylor

Starring: Winona Ryder, Joseph Fiennes, Juilette Lewis, Chris Penn, and David Arquette










The Darwin Awards is a funny dark comedy.

Michael Burrows (Fiennes) is obsessed with "The Darwin Awards" which is about people who kill themselves in the stupidest way possible. After he's fired from his detective job, he goes on a quest with Siri (Ryder) to figure why this happens.



Fiennes and Ryder have decent chemistry and the all-star cameos are fun to watch. Arquette's bit is interesting about the guy who puts a rocket on his car. It's also nice to see one of Penn's last performances. The ending involving Metallica was a little lame though. They don't need to act.




Once again, it's odd that such a big film goes straight-to-video, but it's better than the movie staying on some shelf somewhere collecting dust.

Overall, The Darwin Awards is worth seeing for the acting and the crazy stunts.


Comeuppance Review by: Ty

Aurora Borealis (2005)

Aurora Borealis (2005) -* * *

Directed By: James Burke

Starring: Joshua Jackson, Juliette Lewis, and Donald Sutherland












Aurora Borealis is a well-written film, but slightly cliched.

Duncan (Jackson) is always getting in trouble and is always unemployed. His new job is to take care of his grandfather, Ronald (Sutherland) who has Parkinson's. While he's helping him, Ronald's caretaker Kate (Lewis) meets him. They fall in love and she wants to leave to go to San Diego. But Duncan doesn't want to leave his family.




The main draw of the movie is the excellent acting by all. Lewis and Jackson have some great chemistry. You feel for him and his situation. Sutherland is also good as the grandfather. The problem with the movie is that the director wants to tie up ALL the loose ends. Every scene that didn't have a payoff, it does in the end, if that makes sense. Because of that, it feels cliched.



But overall, Aurora Borealis is worth watching for the acting.



Comeuppance Review by: Ty

Blueberry (2004)

Blueberry (2004) -* * *

Directed By: Jan Kounen

Starring: Vincent Cassel, Michael Madsen, Juilette Lewis, Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Izzard, and Colm Meaney










Blueberry or "Renegade" (U.S. DVD title) is an interesting movie but it will give you a headache. Vincent Cassel plays Mike Blueberry, who is the Marshal for a old western town. Michael Madsen co-stars as his nemesis Wallace. Juliette Lewis plays Maria, who falls in love with Mike.



Also appearing in Blueberry: Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Izzard, and Djimon Hounsou. They all do a good job, with Madsen standing out as the bad guy. Lewis sings (poorly) but does get nude towards the end. The movie is overshadowed by almost non-stop CGI effects. The climax between Wallace and Mike is one the weirdest things ever. They both drink peyote and have hallucinations. All these hallucinations will give you a headache.

There is also some unintentionally funny dialogue like "Animals are beasts, but men are monsters"



It's a different type of movie and it's worth seeing once.


Comeuppance Review by: Ty

Grilled (2005)

Grilled (2005)-* * *

Directed By: Jason Ensler

Starring: Ray Romano, Kevin James, Jon Polito, Kim Coates, Michael Rapaport, Juliette Lewis, and Burt Reynolds










Grilled was a pretty funny and suspenseful dark comedy. Ray Romano and Kevin James play meat salesman who are in a slump. If they don't make at least two sales, they're going to be fired.



Ray Romano was really good in this. He doesn't have to wait for a laugh track this time. Kevin James is his usual bumbling self, but he showed that he can be serious also and he pulled it off. You care about their problems. Jon Polito, Juilette Lewis and Michael Rapaport put in funny performances. The two stand-outs are Burt Reynolds and Kim Coates. They take one-dimensional characters and make them interesting.



"Grilled" doesn't deserve a quick death. It's worth watching.

Comeuppance Review by: Ty