Screenscenes

“A Guy Thing” Starring Jason Lee, Julia
Stiles, Selma Blair Directed by Chris Koch

Like a train wreck happening in slow motion, “A Guy
Thing” is another one of those drawn-out movies where the
conclusion is painfully predictable, yet the filmmakers decided to
take their sweet time getting there. In the film, Jason Lee plays
an engaged twenty-something who accidentally sleeps with a bachelor
party hula girl (Julia Stiles) who ““ surprise, surprise
““ has familial relations with his fiance (Selma Blair). Like
other romantic comedies, the movie relies heavily on unbelievable
coincidences to move its linear plot along ever so slowly. If not
for Jason Lee’s talented, comedic timing and physical humor,
many of the film’s already too few laughs would have been
lost While Lee may have gathered a large following from Kevin Smith
films (“Chasing Amy” and “Mallrats”), his
role in “A Guy Thing” will likely leave his fans
largely disappointed. The movie lacks enough substance to let its
actors really do much of anything besides wait along with the
audience for it to end. The only memorable scene from the film
involves a gravy boat that’s been laced with a massive amount
of marijuana, a stunt that’s become so cliched that it
should’ve been expected in a film as unoriginal as this one.
-CJ Yu

“City of God” Starring Alexandre Rodriguez,
Leandro Firmino da Hora Directed by Kátia Lund, Fernando
Meirelles

“If you run, the Animal catches you. If you stay, the
Animal eats you.” So reads the tag line for this stunning,
intricate tale of poverty, brotherhood and corruption. The Animal
is the “City of God,” the titular favela
(shantytown) of Rio de Janiero. This film is set amidst the
thriving gang culture of the ’60s and ’70s, and
much of the film is based on real-life events. Rocket, the
protagonist, recounts growing up in The City of God as he
introduces a host of larger-than-life characters: the notorious
ringleader Lil Ze, Portuguese playboy Benny, and the honorable
Knockout Ned, among countless others. The intricate web of
personalities creates a heightened world, like a Brazilian
“Goodfellas,” where these people collide to form
legends and parables. While the movie abounds with electrifying
action and smart visual effects, it is a well-crafted coming-of-age
picture at its core. It riffs effectively on the classic themes of
young adulthood through Rocket and his peers: lifelong friends,
first crushes, and the burning desire to get out of town ““
only in this case, the characters’ very lives depend on it.
The biggest setback lies in its worldly intentions. “City of
God” tries to shed light on the harsh conditions of the
favelas that persist to this day, but its alluring production
values and emphasis on youth violence may encourage audiences to
check their social conscience at the door. Still, this Animal is a
wonder to behold, a real thrill from beginning to end. Co-directors
Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund have crafted an action film that
doesn’t numb you with violence, but rather enlivens with its
distinct samba beat. -Paul Mendoza