Running With Scissors

Bizarre adaptation of Augusten Burroughs' memoir of the same name, "Running With Scissors" records the life of a teenage boy growing up in two wildly dysfunctional families in the 70's. Augusten (skillfully portrayed by Joseph Cross) starts out as a a smart, unusual kid who lives with his self-absorbed, bipolar mother Deirdre (Annette Bening,) an unstable middle aged woman who is too busy trying to publish her poetry to care for her son. She keeps him home from school so he can fix her hair and insists on reading her lengthy poems to him. His father Norman (Alec Baldwin) is violent alcoholic, and Deirdre and his father argue often, leaving young Augusten in the middle. Despite this, he is close to his mom, and is happy to stay home and spend time with her.

Several years later, Augusten's a teenager and Deirdre and Norman's arguments have escalated into out-and-out physical abuse. Deirdre starts seeing a highly unorthodox psychiatrist, Dr. Finch (Brian Cox,) who tries to rekindle her 'creative spirit.' Eventually, Norman leaves, and Augusten is left with his mom. But things don't end there. Shortly afterward, Deirdre sends Augusten to live with Dr. Finch, and later relinquishes her parenting rights to him.

Once there, he realizes that calling Dr. Finch unorthodox is a great understatement. The doctor, who pops Valium nonstop and believes that bowel movements are a sign from God, leaves Augusten in the 'care' of his seriously deranged family. This includes Agnes, Dr. Finch's good-natured but unstable wife, who watches TV and eats dog food, Natalie, his rebellious teenage daughter, and Hope, his other child, a doting young woman who sincerely believes that 'Daddy's a genius.' Later, he meets Neil Bookman, Dr. Finch's 30-something year old schizophrenic foster son, who becomes Augusten's first lover.

Squeamish yet? If so, do not watch this film. If however, you enjoy Burroughs's books and don't mind watching something off-kilter, I think you might enjoy it. I know I'm in the minority here, but I actually liked both the book and the movie. It was too long, and some of the good details from the book were removed, but the acting was very good and it has a sort of voyeuristic fascination as you watch Augusten try to survive. Also, Augusten's brother (who is not included here,) John Elder Robison, wrote one of my favorite books, 'Look Me in the Eye- My Life with Asperger's.' I would only recommend this movie to certain people because I don't think it would appeal to general audiences (Rated R.)

Movie Recommendation- For another blackly comic (though not as outlandish) tale of family dysfunction told from the point of view of a teenage boy, watch Igby Goes Down

Snow Cake

One winter day Alex (Alan Rickman,) a troubled middle-aged man, reluctantly picks up a loquacious young hitchhiker named Vivenne, agreeing to drive her to Winnipeg, Canada. Although he is somewhat standoffish and doesn't much care for 'chatty people,' he starts to enjoy the company of the eccentric young woman. Unfortunately, they haven't gone far when they are hit by a truck driver. Alex gets out unhurt, but Vivienne is killed instantly.

Wracked with guilt, Alex goes to the house of Vivienne's mother, Linda (Sigourney Weaver,) and apologizes for what happened. As soon as he meets her, he can tell that Linda isn't quite normal. A socially challenged neat freak, she refuses to let him come in her kitchen and seems more interested in the "sparklies" Vivienne got her from a gas station then her death. He learns from a next-door neighbor that Linda has high-functioning autism.

Linda tries to convince Alex to stay until the funeral, hoping that he will take out the trash, Vivenne's old job. He agrees, mostly because he needs his clothes, which she insisted on washing. Alex soon meets Maggie (Carrie-Anne Moss,) a woman who lives nearby. She and him soon begin a relationship. It is Linda and Maggie who help him face his past and learn to move on.

This slow, well-acted movie has some flaws, chiefly the fact that the premise is unlikely. If you get past these, it's actually a good film. All the characters are very interesting (except Maggie, who seems to be there just to ease Alex's pain,) and it's quite moving at times. It's plot is not really mostly about Autism, so people who aren't interested in developmental disabilities might enjoy it. It's not perfect, but it's probably one of the better movies I've reviewed so far. (Rated NR)

Wild Tigers I Have Known

A very strange, nearly plotless film, 'Wild Tigers I Have Known" is the story of Logan, an introverted teenage boy who has hardly any friends and spends most of his time alone. His life changes when he starts spending time with Rodeo Walker, a more popular student.

Logan, who was enamored with Rodeo even before they became friends, is attracted to him, but Rodeo doesn't return his affections. Still obsessed with him, he creates a female alter ego, Leah, and calls Rodeo up. However, Logan gets in too deep when he agrees to meet Rodeo as Leah in a cave to have sex. Meanwhile, word is getting around at school that Logan is a 'fag' and he is harassed by his peers.

This movie as very nice cinematography, and Logan is an interesting protagonist. The problem is, it is terribly slow and at times rambles with confusing, unnecessary fantasy sequences. At some points it's just everyday, with Logan interacting with others, and all of a sudden weird music starts playing and a giant digital spider starts crawling on Rodeo's face!

Some of the symbolism (For instance the literal and figurative 'tigers' of the title) is understandable and provocative, but some imagery leaves you wondering if Cam Archer, the director, in fact put it there to fill up screen time.

I would not recommend this to a viewer unless they enjoy artsy, unusual films. It is not a good film for people who like fast-paced, mainstream type movies that actually have plots. I compared it to a less depressing "The Living and the Dead" with a gay teenage boy as the protagonist instead of a twitchy, overprotected schizophrenic man. It was definitely interesting, but I am unlikely to be in a rush to see it again. (Rated NR)

Waitress

Jenna (Keri Russell) is a young woman who works at a diner and loves making delicious pies to escape her problems. Problems, namely her controlling, abusive pig of a husband, Earl (Jeremy Sisto.) Earl refuses to let her keep her money, coerces her into sex, and is forever sniping about how she doesn't appreciate all the work he does for her. She waits for the day when she can earn enough money to enter into a pie contest and use the winnings to start a new life. That's why she's less than happy when she discovers she's pregnant.

Although she's not thrilled about carrying Earl's baby, she doesn't want abortion, and tells Earl what happened. He agrees to have the baby, but first makes her promise not to love it more than she loves him. She promises, disheartened that her chances for escape have been narrowed.

When she goes to the doctors office for a checkup, she discovers that her usual doctor isn't there. Instead she finds Jim Pomatter (Nathan Fillion,) a quirky married man who she's initially unhappy with. Finally, however, they are attracted to each other, and the two begin an feverish affair. Jenna is ecstatic to be in a relationship with someone who actually treats her well, and although she has no sympathy for Earl, she feels bad for Dr. Pomatter's wife. As her due date approaches, she finds it increasingly difficult to sort through all of her problems.

"Waitress" is a comedy and a drama, and works as both. Jenna is an appealing heroine, and the film has a satisfying, feel-good finale. Eddie Jemison is hilarious as Ogie, a psychotic, poetry-reciting man enamored with Jenna's co-worker Dawn (Adrienne Shelley, who also directed.) I liked this movie, and I would watch it again some time. (Rated PG-13)

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Shaun of the Dead

Clever, gory zombie flick stars Simon Pegg as Shaun, a British man living with his stoner best friend Ed (Nick Frost) and their roommate, Pete. Shaun, who is content spending his days at the Winchester pub, has relationship problems with his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield,) who wants to go and 'do more.' Also, Pete wants Ed out and Shaun can't find time for his mum and much-disliked step dad. In fact, he is so wrapped up in his troubles that for a time he is completely oblivious to the fact that the walking dead have invaded his city.

When finally Shaun figures out what's going on, he sets out with Ed to rescue Liz and his mum. His step dad, Philip, who has been bitten, and Liz's two best friends David and Diane come along, and they arm themselves with weapons and head for the only place they know to go- the Winchester. On the way, they use their ingenuity and whatever weapons they can (Shaun and Ed throw music records at the zombies) against their enemies. And in the spirit of classic zombie movies, the heroes (or heroines) begin to be picked off one by one.

This fast-moving horror/comedy is quite amusing, though rarely laugh-out-loud funny, and Simon Pegg is good as Shaun. The characters are also interesting enough that you don't want to see them get offed (with the exception of one,) a rarity in many horror films. I would recommend it to anyone who likes zombie movies or dark humor. I think that parents should use discretion before letting their kids see it; it contains a lot of sex stuff and several gruesome parts.

For a similar movie, watch "Fido," a satire about a 50's style society where the deceased have a special role in the community. (Rated R)

Smart People

Dennis Quaid stars as self-absorbed English professor Lawrence Wetherhold in "Smart People," a unfulfilling indie comedy/drama. Lawrence, who is still mourning over his late wife, lives with his college-age son James (Ashton Holmes) and bright, overachiever daughter Vanessa (Ellen Page.) One day he his immature, pothead adopted brother Chuck (Thomas Haden Church) moves in. Adding to his troubles is a head injury he suffers while trying to climb a fence to get to his car, which had been impounded.

When he wakes up in a hospital, he is greeted by Janet (Sarah Jessica Parker), a former student of his. Janet has been attracted to Lawrence since she was in college, and the two go out together when he leaves the hospital. However, Janet is annoyed by his self-absorbtion as well as his fear of getting close to people (he talks about English throughout their entire date.) Lawrence, who likes Janet despite his bad social skills, starts questioning the path he and Vanessa's lives are taking.

The most interesting aspect of this film are the interactions between Vanessa and Chuck, two very different people living in the same house (Ellen Page is excellent as usual.) Unfortunately, Lawrence and Janet's relationship, which is the focus of the movie, leaves a lot to be desired. Also, the characters are hard to like and the movie itself is kind of dull. I thought "Smart People" was worth seeing, but I'm not in a rush to watch it again. (Rated R)

Mean Creek

When Sam (Rory Culkin) is beat up by the class bully, George (Josh Peck), Sam's older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) and his friends decide to enact some revenge. Their plan: to invite George to a boating trip for Sam's 'birthday', strip him naked, and leave him to walk home on his own.

Sam is not very keen on the plan, but he goes along, and he, Rocky, George, Rocky's friends Clyde (Ryan Kelley) and Marty (Scott Mechlowicz,) and Sam's crush, Milly (Carly Schroeder) set out to a local creek. On the way, we learn that George is dyslexic and loves to videotape things in his life.

Milly, who wasn't part of the plan, doesn't want to follow through, and Sam takes Rocky aside and tells him he's decided not to pull the prank. Rocky, in turn, tells Clyde, who refuses. "He's a spoiled punk who beat up your brother," he says. So they get into the boat and continue their trip, unaware of the disaster that is to follow. This disturbing movie is effective, despite a somewhat inevitable sequence of events. Although George is kind of obnoxious, he is not a bad person, and what happens to him is sad. "Mean Creek" is borderline manipulative, shoving George's emotions in your face, especially in the final sequence, but is worth your time, especially if you like psychological thrillers .

The movie is hoisted considerably by the talent of the young actors, and characterizations are also very good. Like The Living and the Dead, I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is looking for a fun Saturday-night flick. (Rated R)