Parker-Posey Movie Reviews

This is a brilliant version of the book "Evidence of Love," a true story about small-town repressions that lead to horrific circumstances. Brian Dennehy, Hal Holbrook, John Terry, and Lee Garlington are letter-perfect as the supporting cast. But you will never forget Barbara Hershey as the protagonist. Her performance is completely devastating, and it takes a subsequent viewing to appreciate just how flawless she is (she gets so deep into this character that you forget you're watching an actress). She won the Emmy and had this been a theatrical release (shoulda been, IMHO) she would have trotted home Oscar. One of the most exquisite performances ever filmed. She really delivers the goods, especially in the bone-rattling murder sequence.

I have never seen a made-for-television movie as riveting and powerful as this. Not only is the story, (based on real events) absolutely astounding, but the film offers a marvelous depiction of small town America in the bible belt and how very ordinary people can be led to do terrible things. Barbara Hershey's performance is one of the best I've ever seen by any actor anywhere. So finely nuanced and real. I will never, ever forget this film.

Yes, the videos are expensive...but they're worth every penny!! First of all, note the length: it's over 5 hours of entertainment...this isn't a 90 minute cheap flick. Second of all, the quality is out of this world. And by quality, I don't mean high quality multimillion dollar action scenes; I mean PLOT...the PLOT is of very high quality. This is a movie based on a book. I've not yet read the book (but after seeing this movie, I'm going to read every book by this author), but I suspect that this is one of the rare occasions when the movie is better than the book. The reason for this is that the story has advanced levels of character and plot depth and development, with multiple plots being advanced at once through an ensemble of meaty characters played by extremely skilled actors, it might be difficult to follow if you didn't have faces and scenery bringing the story to life for you...enabling you to sit back and watch one of the most remarkable creative stories ever told unfold right before your eyes.

I have watched these movies more times than I can count. I never grow tired of the stories. Olympia Dukakis (as well as the entire cast) is/are amazing. If you have never seen this RUN to your video store and rent them....better yet....just buy them cause you'll watch them more than once.

This is a funny movie that will also get you thinking. It's about some post-high school losers who have nothing better to do than get drunk and hang outside a convenience store. That may sound kind of lame, but it picks up when 'Pony' (Jayce Bartok), a high school acquaintance of theirs who has made it as a rock star pays a visit, along with his attractive publicist Erika (Parker Posy), creating tension between some of the characters. The main character Jeff (Giovanni Ribisi) is constantly questioning everything, and helps to move the plot along by provoking reactions from the others. There is also tension building up between the convenience store owner (Ajay Naidu) and the group, and it all crescendos into a fantastic finale.

I'm giving this 4 stars because the first half hour or so is pretty dumb; there isn't many laughs, and not too much happens before Pony shows up. But since this movie is two hours long, it has plenty of time to redeem itself and succeeds in doing so.

For all you Giovanni lovers out there, you have to see this! He gets neggie in this movie! It's not really an adult movie, it's more for teenagers cause they are the only ones who understand. I guess I just liked it cause I'm obsessed with Giovanni Ribisi.

This movie was really great. It's by far my favorite movie...I've seen it more than five or ten times, and it isn't at all old. It's about a group of kids (just under 20 years old) trying to figure out life and trying to deal with it at the same time. The brief nudity part that helped give this movie it's R rating is because Giovanni Ribisi (really hot) decides to take off his clothes. But anyways...great movie that I definatly recommend.

Here's the trademark Hartley quirkiness that fuses bullets with uncertainty, a fried-brain accountant and two sexy women, semi-stagey dialogue and neatly dressed corporate hit men. Here's Parker Posey in a small role, Michael Imperioli (of The Sopranos) in a smaller one, and Martin Donovan as the amnesiac lead male who gets involved with Isabelle Huppert's character, an ex-nun who's turned to writing porno fiction--unfortunately, bad enough to make her publisher reject her work.

And here's Elina Lowensohn as well as a porno actress who wants out of her tawdry (though well-paying) life, whose sad eyes and possible death wish clash with her overly sensuous demeanor. How can all these disparate elements, you ask, ever possibly blend into a whole?

An excellent question. In Hartley's film, they do and they don't. Nobody really knows anything for sure; everyone here is an amateur at life, trying to figure out what to do next--or not knowing how to do anything next. Thomas (Martin Donovan's character) can't remember his name or what he did in the past. Isabelle (Huppert's character) knows intuitively she's linked to Sofia (Elina Lowensohn's role) but she doesn't know how. The accountant, Edward (Damian Young) seems self-assured until he has his brains fried and then he's completely unpredictable.

There's shooting and torture and a little love making. There's uncertainty or puzzlement around every corner. We never really know a whole lot, Hartley's saying, and because of that, you could, in fact, meet a porno-loving ex-nun. You could be an accountant whose neat orderly life is scrambled into violent outbursts and uncontrollable behavior. You could wind up becoming a man who doesn't remember his name and makes some effort to find out what it is, but not enough to discover it.

So is this a coherent film? Hartley is interested more in character than coherence. Structure is not as important as how people actually impact each other, how they impinge on each other's lives. It is, he says, this random colliding of personalities that determines what will happen; people are so complex and so full of possibilities that things just...happen as a result of them being brought together.

Once the viewer accepts this perspective, everything falls into place. Or randomly shifts into place--falling here, rising there, making a jagged turn when you least expect it.

This is less satisfying than Hartley's masterpiece Henry Fool, but it is nevertheless a very intriguing film and definitely worth seeing.

Another overlooked Hal Hartley gem with Martin Donovan playing an amnesia victim who is nursed to health by a nymphomaniacal virgin nun played by French actress Isabelle Huppert. Huppert is superb as the contradictory runaway nun who is trying to adapt to life outside the convent. Donovan, with amnesia and all, is confused anyhow, but also cannot understand how a nun can be a self-professed nymphomaniac without ever having had sexual relations. Huppert's nun is anxious to shed herself of her virginity and many times wants to do so with Donovan, but circumstances keep preventing them. I have not seen this movie in quite some time, but I recall that it is classic Hal Hartley, with a cast of wicked and crazy characters in unbelievable situations. Donovan's amnesia patient begins to learn that he was not such a nice guy in his pre-amnesia days as more characters come into focus and more things happen. Huppert stands by him nevertheless. Donovan pays for whatever is coming to him in the end, but not before Huppert manages to declare her love for him.

I was channel-surfing when I landed on IFC showing a "comedy-drama" called Amateur. It was nearly an hour in, and there was this scene of these two geeky accountant types arguing about the merits of various cell-phones while using the wires from a floorlamp to electrocute a Christopher Lloyd look-alike. High-concept, but decidedly "B", I thought. But as the movie progressed, I began to notice the deliberation that led to the quirky stagger of the film. The style itself was saying things that the action couldn't begin to convey. This was high art! And it was funny in an intentionally-unintentional way.
The plot, about an ex-nun who now writes bad pornography, a porn queen with a grudge, and an ex-pornongrapher with amnesia, each searching for their identity, is interesting, but it doesn't begin to tell of the impressive stylishness of this movie. Amateur sucks you in like Beckett mixed with "letters to Penthouse", and leaves you satisfied on both accounts. If this sounds good to you, you should check it out. It shows on IFC quite frequently. Oh also, this movie turned me into a freak for Elina Lowensohn.

I'm a big fan of Josh Hamilton, but hes not my favorite, hes done movies like The House Of Yes, The Bourne Identity, Urbania and the powerful 1993 Alive, and this part for him is good. it was a pleasure to see some good actors in here and it kicked with its funny moments and charm. Eric Stolz has never been better, Parker Posey is adorable, Olivia d'ABo is awesome, Chris Eigleman is hilarious and Carlos Jacott is uproarous, hes the guy the group asked him if he was wearing masscara and then he said no and then right after he said yes. a keeper

And thank God. I can't add much more to what others have already said. It's a great film. Warm, funny, touching. Great performances, great writing. I particularly like the scene with Chris Eigeman in the bar, saying, "Look at these [bleeping] people." And the ending is a masterstroke. Heartbreaking, but perhaps that's the point: youth will go and in the end the best you may have is a wonderful, nostalgic memory.

They tried to make a film addressing post-graduate angst when I was in college. It was called "St. Elmo's Fire" and it was truly one of the worst things ever put on screen. Max, look at Demi Moore, Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez and ponder how such dark forces could gather together and create such a pretentious, self indulgent mess of a movie and get people to see it. There were actually a couple of people I went to school with that took that movie quite seriously; formed dialogues over it, etc. The way to handle them was to nod as if you took them seriously and get them to continue to embarrass themselves.

The point is, while the theme or idea may not be anything new, what matters is the writing, the performances and the presentation. "Kicking and Screaming" is honest and human while "St. Elmo's" was (at that time) star-studded, cynical and pandering and ultimately very stupid.

I recommend people buy a copy of "Kicking and Screaming". Because it is one of the great films of the 90's that hardly anyone saw and it will probably be difficult to find it stocked in video stores after 2004.

OK, don't be fooled, everything in this movie has been done before-the witty remarks, the artful flashbacks, the after college crisis, the inclusion of Stolz and Posey-but what sets this film apart is the *dialogue.* Pure heaven, this is my favorite film of all time and it has inspired me to start writing again. I think older people will love the genuine sincerness of Grover and Jane (or just the inclusion of Eliot Gould), younger audiences will love the sharp critiques Max gives Oscar (or just the countless breastshots) but above all this movie is like peeking in on "smart" scholars who are just as confused as the rest of us.

I'm a big fan of Josh Hamilton, but hes not my favorite, hes done movies like The House Of Yes, The Bourne Identity, Urbania and the powerful 1993 Alive, and this part for him is good. it was a pleasure to see some good actors in here and it kicked with its funny moments and charm. Eric Stolz has never been better, Parker Posey is adorable, Olivia d'ABo is awesome, Chris Eigleman is hilarious and Carlos Jacott is uproarous, hes the guy the group asked him if he was wearing masscara and then he said no and then right after he said yes. a keeper

And thank God. I can't add much more to what others have already said. It's a great film. Warm, funny, touching. Great performances, great writing. I particularly like the scene with Chris Eigeman in the bar, saying, "Look at these [bleeping] people." And the ending is a masterstroke. Heartbreaking, but perhaps that's the point: youth will go and in the end the best you may have is a wonderful, nostalgic memory.

They tried to make a film addressing post-graduate angst when I was in college. It was called "St. Elmo's Fire" and it was truly one of the worst things ever put on screen. Max, look at Demi Moore, Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez and ponder how such dark forces could gather together and create such a pretentious, self indulgent mess of a movie and get people to see it. There were actually a couple of people I went to school with that took that movie quite seriously; formed dialogues over it, etc. The way to handle them was to nod as if you took them seriously and get them to continue to embarrass themselves.

The point is, while the theme or idea may not be anything new, what matters is the writing, the performances and the presentation. "Kicking and Screaming" is honest and human while "St. Elmo's" was (at that time) star-studded, cynical and pandering and ultimately very stupid.

I recommend people buy a copy of "Kicking and Screaming". Because it is one of the great films of the 90's that hardly anyone saw and it will probably be difficult to find it stocked in video stores after 2004.

OK, don't be fooled, everything in this movie has been done before-the witty remarks, the artful flashbacks, the after college crisis, the inclusion of Stolz and Posey-but what sets this film apart is the *dialogue.* Pure heaven, this is my favorite film of all time and it has inspired me to start writing again. I think older people will love the genuine sincerness of Grover and Jane (or just the inclusion of Eliot Gould), younger audiences will love the sharp critiques Max gives Oscar (or just the countless breastshots) but above all this movie is like peeking in on "smart" scholars who are just as confused as the rest of us.

Christopher Guest is Corky St. Clair, small town Blaine ("The Stool capitol of the world"), Missouri's resident community theater director. With plans of getting back to Broadway, he has created a musical extravaganza "Red, White and Blaine" to celebrate the town's 150th anniversary.

This sly, often hilarious, mock documentary features Guest's resident troupe of improvisational actors -- Eugene Levy (co-writer), Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Fred Willard and Bob Balaban as the stage-struck locals who pin their amateur hopes on being discovered when Corky hints that legendary talent scout Mort Guffman will be in the audience.

If you appreciated "Best In Show," than check out its predecessor. Over 80 hours of film were shot in Super 16mm and edited down to a brisk 84 minutes. The widescreen print is especially sharp and the sound is clear. Co-writers and stars Guest and Levy share a loose and funny commentary and there's at least 30 minutes of whimsical and surprisingly poignant deleted scenes with optional commentary. Recommended.

Waiting for Guffman is another wonderful mockumentary from actor/director Christopher Guest (Spinal Tap, Best in Show) and cowriter/partner in crime Eugene Levy. The film highlights the big dreams and raw (very raw) talent of the five stars of 'Red, White and Blaine,' the celebratory musical commemorating Blaine, Missouri's 150th anniversary.

The humor in Guffman is of the cut-above variety, founded on relationships and underlined by the characters' hopes. Guest plays Corky St. Clair, a refugee from Broadway who has found a niche for his special abilities as the de facto King of Theater in Blaine. Levy plays the town dentist who is auditioning for the very first time. Parker Posey is the perky, poignant and perhaps pathetic ingenue who works at the Dairy Queen. Catherine O'Hara and Fred Willard prove the maxim that matching sweatsuits betray an unhappy marriage. Bob Balaban plays Lloyd Miller the music director who is grounded in reality, although his suggestion that the cast might spend some of the rehearsal time actually practicing the songs and dances is met with hostility. As an ex-theater major from Hays, Kansas I found the characters 100% real even while laughing at the absurdity of their belief in the possibility that they might take their show to Broadway.

The musical itself would make a great cult movie in the vein of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The events commemorated include the settling of Blaine (in which a wagon train leader manages to convince an entire group of people that they've already reached California), the famous UFO sighting and alien encounter, and the founding of the stool-making business which drove Blaine's economy for generations.

The DVD is worth seeing just for the extra features. The commentary by Guest and Levy is more informative than funny. I got the impression that they were distracted from the commentary by the brilliance of certain scenes in the movie. The extra scenes, however, were hilarious. Waiting for Guffman was shot from a bare-bones script and the actors were encouraged to improvise most of the dialogue. From over 60 hours of footage the best scenes were selected: three of the original scenes that didn't get into the musical, an alternate ending for O'Hara and Willard, scenes with characters that never made it into the movie, and an explanation for why the dentist's wife has a Wisconsin accent.

but I can tell you that this is one mockumentary you should not miss. Having been in local productions I immediately picked up on situations that happen - the ongoing clash between the musical director and the director, the director having a meltdown and leaving only to come back at the urging of the loyal cast, things getting out of hand with the budget, etc. (with director having meltdown with the powers that be over not getting any more money). The UFO stuff is a great added attraction ("I was probed"). What makes this movie a tour de force, though, is the fine cast and their ability to ad lib and become these quirky hilarious people - especailly the ALWAYS hilarious Fred Willard. No matter how many times you see him in one of these films, it is NEVER enough and Katherine Ohara perfectly compliments him in the husband and wife duo. The movie gradually pulls you in and just when you think "Well maybe this one isn't so great" the auditions scene comes along and you are hooked - Fred and Katherine's song and dance routine is priceless (Midnight at the Oasis). Guest and Levy are at their best and the always reliable Parker Posey is wonderful. I can't say for sure if this one is my favorite of the mockumentaries - I love them all - but this one is really great, especially if you have participated in local theater or just enjoy going to the productions.

You don't need to be an office temp to relate with Clockwatchers. Anyone who has ever worked will understand it. I can relate to everything Iris (Colette) goes through in the film. When someone starts a job, it begins as fun. Then, something comes along to turn it into just another job. That's what makes Clockwatchers a spot on interpretation of our lives. The performances are also great: Colette as the shy one; Kudrow as the man wanting, actress; Posey as the fiesty, outspoken one; and Ubach as a pampered, unknowing bride-to-be. I'm usually not a fan of independant films, but once in a while, one comes along to grab my attention and never let's go until the very end. This one did that. This movie also makes it's point without using excessive language, violence, or sex. After the last indy film I watched (Happiness), I needed a cleansing. This was a nice change of pace. lately, people have been writing discouraging remarks about this film. OK, then, why don't you rent some box office moneymaker for the 10,000th time? That's really original.

Reading the other reviews here, I felt compelled to submit my own. Clockwatchers is one of my favorite movies of 1998, perfectly capturing the aimlessness and degradation of being a temporary worker. I can't figure out the current trend of completely inaccurate movie synopses on video boxes (Muriel's Wedding, another Toni Collette favorite, is definitely not the madcap adventure the box would have you believe)... True, there are some truly great comic elements here, but THIS MOVIE IS NOT A COMEDY. i guess some of the other people expected a laff riot--this is definitely not it. Toni Collete's understated performance as sweet-but-shy iris is perfect. Parker Posey is hilarious as usual, playing the bitchy temp veteran. This movie is subtle, complex, well-developed, there is tons of foreshadowing and symbolism, the muzak-y score is perfect... again, this is definitely not a comedy, but it is one of the best and most thoughtful movies I've seen in some time.

As someone who has been both a "perm" and a "temp," I find much in "Clockwatchers" to be completely truthful. Where "Office Space" (a movie I also loved) offered a cathartic revenge fantasy, "Clockwatchers" dares to tell it like it is -- that dead-end jobs really have no way out or up -- even if it is dreary and depressing.

There is humor, but rather than the cartoonish humor of "Office Space," "Clockwatchers" shows the ridiculous in little everyday workplace happenings: playing with the adjustment mechanisms on your chair, popping sheets of bubble wrap, or using Liquid Paper as nail polish.

The weird combination of emotions that these temps go through -- hopelessness and ambition, despair and frivolity, anger mixed with s**t-eating grins -- are extremely realistic and something that those in a similar work situation can probably easily relate to. The performances are outstanding, especially Toni Collette and Parker Posey.

Highly recommended!

I have never reviewed a movie on Amazon, and rarely see a movie which compels me to badmouth it, but THIS MOVIE IS TRULY AWFUL. There is nothing worthwhile in it, and I'm surprised it didn't ruin Parker Posey's career. No drama, comedy, suspense, character development, coherence, integrity, thought, or purpose. I cannot believe it has such a high customer approval rating on Amazon. I'd advise you to rent it before buying.

This is a cult devour and detour from the normal Hollywood formula but that does not mean it is free from melodramas and other histrionics. This movie is actually extremely watch-able - but for some selected audience only. First of all if you are not American then you will not understand the love between American population and the Kennedy family and backdrop or the canvas of the movie is that fatal attraction. If you have liked "blue velvet" then you will enjoy this movie. Actually it is very difficult for any non-American to enjoy this movie like it is very difficult for Americans to enjoy Kawabata. Parker Posey and Josh Hamilton has done an excellent job in the characterizing a family disaster. The movie revolves around this painful mistake. Definitely Mark Waters had to do this movie with a very limited budget and limited resources so taking that into account I will say it is extremely well made. Waters has treated a subject like incest very bravely and never looses the flow of the story line. My recommendation will be to rent the movie but please do not look in Blockbuster look in some local Indy store

I have loved black comedies all of my excistance. Not since the cult classic "Heathers", have I been so fascinated. Parker Posey will always be the It Girl in my indie world. Her portrayal as Jackie-O, the neurotic and possesive twin sibling of Marty, played by Josh Hamilton, is fabulous. Even though Jackie-O is disturbed, I found myself hoping, in some twisted way that Marty would come to his senses and stay with her, and not the dough-nut princess Lesly, played by Tori Spelling. I also must agree that Tori Spelling also did a fabu job. "The House Of Yes" has become my fav movie. Wishing in some psychotic way that I could be Jackie-O. Don't miss it.