Big Night

Directed by:  Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott
Starring:  Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, Tony Shalhoub
Running Time:  1h 47min

This movie is fun to watch, with bits of humour tossed about two brothers from Italy and their failing restaurant.  Minnie Driver has never looked so beautiful, holding her own opposite screen legend Rossellini.  However, it seems like this movie could have been a short film.  The content doesn't warrant feature length, as it's proven throughout the film with what seems like unnecessary scenes or simple scenes dragged on or just overdone.  The most convincing argument for this are the silent, from speech that is, scenes.  These scenes say so much more, especially the last five minutes.  Those last few minutes seem to say so much more than the rest of the film.  The beauty of the food preparation and the silent interaction.  A contrast of countries?

Grade: B

Blue Velvet

Directed by:  David Lynch
Starring:  Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern
Running Time:  2h 00min

An often times hilarious, often times frightening experience, Lynch's film paints two different pictures of small town America.  Paints, being the key verb, as the actors are his canvas and do well in bringing his odd commentary alive.  Performances drive the film in a setting that alters from their actions.  The uneasy humour that derives from the greatest fears is counterbalanced with the sickening feeling that all's too well.  the best way to describe this film is to use a line from the film itself:  "I don't know if you're a detective or a pervert."  This film asks the audience what they are, and if we should expose and explore the two feelings.  Lynch weaves magic images and performances, the perverted detective that he is.

Grade: B