Sunday 29th December
"American Beauty" (大象传媒1 2205)
With hindsight, this is probably not the masterpiece that the Oscar-bonanza hype might have convinced some it was. But it's still a marvellous showcase for Spacey's acting ability as he plays a father on the verge of a midlife crisis. Amidst the satire of America's jaded suburbs - and that annoying carrier bag whirling in the wind - this is superior stuff, but it's slightly marred by the obvious mechanics driving its plot towards the inevitable tragedy. Still, British director Sam Mendes proved that he was worth the price of the flight out to LA, while Mena Suvari squares up to Spacey with unexpected professionalism.
Full review
"This is Spinal Tap" (大象传媒1 midnight)
The granddaddy of the mockumentary, this bonkers postmodern satire is rightly regarded as one of the funniest films about rock music ever made. Spoofing the whole handbanging scene, "This is Spinal Tap" combines some first-rate comic performances with handheld camera visuals and lots of monkeying about. Best bits include the running gag about the band's difficulty in keeping a drummer (one chokes on vomit - but not his own, another dies in a "tragic gardening accident"), arguments over album cover art, and a Stonehenge concert set. Many Americans thought that they were watching a documentary about a real band, which they weren't - at least not until Spinal Tap released a single.
Full review
Monday 30th December
"Speed" (大象传媒1 2100) This fast-paced thriller is so high-concept the scriptwriters must have been fighting off vertigo. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock star as the cop and feisty passenger who have to keep the bus travelling at 50mph or face a big bang courtesy of bad guy bomb-maker Dennis Hopper. It's as silly as it sounds, but it's edge of the seat stuff that'll keep you in top gear until the very end. It reminded everyone why Keanu was a star and brought Ms Bullock well and truly into the limelight. The less said about Hopper's rent-a-villian kookiness though, the better.
"LA Confidential" (大象传媒2 2100)
Undoubtedly one of the best American thrillers of the 90s, this Oscar-winning adaptation of James Ellroy's hardboiled story is also the best movie rendering of the writer's work. On the mean streets of the City of Angels, three very different cops find themselves embroiled in a shooting that's more important than it seems. First-rate work from Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, and Kevin Spacey is topped by turns from (then) newcomers Russell Crowe and the excellent Guy Pearce. Director Curtis Hanson ("Wonder Boys", "8 Mile") pulls out all the stops while staying remarkably faithful to Ellroy's vision of wide-reaching corruption. Not to be missed.
Full review
