Whipped Cream Difficulties

An impassioned review of Escape From LA, written in anger shortly after Lawrence and I returned from a free screening.

I’m slightly ashamed to admit that I remember Escape From New York fondly. It was a stupid, cheesy action flick, but it wasn’t without style or wit.
Then I saw the trailer for Escape From L.A., and was amused: I admit, I was looking forward to this movie. When I managed to score tickets to a free sneak preview, well…I went.
And I suffered for your sins.

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Commvault Bryan and I have been involved in an ongoing discussion of Inglourious Basterds during our breaks and lunch hour at work. I thought I’d throw this open to the masses and see what you guys have to say. Big, huge, giving away the entire movie spoilers after the break…

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1. Overall, it was a pleasant way to spend a 100+ degree summer afternoon.
2. However, Inglourious Basterds suffers from much the same problem I think Death Proof had. Quentin Tarantino is too much in love with the sound of his own voice as a writer. Sure, he’s somewhat entitled to be; when he’s on, he’s very good at it. But apparently no one around him is willing to edit him; there’s no one to say, “Q, the basement scene goes on a little too long,” or “Q, less talk, more Nazi killing.”
3. Mélanie Laurent is something special.
4. I was glad to see Zoe Bell, even if it was just stunt credit; she was the best thing in Death Proof, and I hope Tarantino or someone puts her in a real movie sometime soon.
5. Edited to add: I should have linked to Jesse Walker’s essay on Reason‘s web site when I was composing this last night. Sorry.