Christina Ricci

The Opposite of Sex
$24.96
I'm a long-time fan of this film and I finally took the time to read all the reviews and comments already here at Amazon to find out what others thought. Usually I don't add reviews to a film with an existing body of comments, feeling I have little to add to what others have already said, but in this case I'm making an exception.

One actor commented in another review that the performances come across as a cold read. While I agree with that opinion of some of the performances, acting is not my forte. I'm a writer and my appreciation of this film is for the wonderful script. If you like your comedy dark and uncompromising, (think Heathers) then you will enjoy some of the crackling and sarcastic dialogue waiting for you in this story.

The plot itself isn't designed to bring compelling comparisons to Citizen Kane. The characters are ignorant, easily manipulated, individuals. Contented and in some cases arrogantly complacent people have their lives turned upside down by the arrival of a trailer-trash backwater tramp. It's a common enough contrivance to twist the "fish out of water" plot, but Ricci plays her part as one who is better prepared for her new environment than those that already call it home. Her performance is a tour de force and this film was the exact transitional point in her career that allowed her to move from the "goth child" whimsy of her early films into the sexier and more adult fare she tends to favor today. Her acting is actually a cut above what she delivers in films like Monster, where she at times seemed almost in awe of her costar. Here she takes center stage and the only real competitor in sight is Lisa Kudrow, who gives an uneven but wickedly sharp-tongued turn.

An example of the dialogue I referenced earlier is provided by Kudrow in fact. Early in the film, Ricci announces she has become pregnant by her brother's gay lover. Kudrow turns to the brother and says, "I thought you were gay!" He informs her that he is bisexual and without missing a beat Kudrow retorts, "Oh PLEASE! I went to a Bar Mitzvah once and it didn't make me Jewish!" Her delivery of this line is full of such venom that half of the audience I saw it with was deeply offended while the other half, myself included, burst out in loud and approving laughter.

Such is the nature of black comedy. It walks the fine line between offense and hysteria. When it misses the mark, as is often the case in lesser scripts, the entire film suffers. When it finds the balance it delights as many people as it offends. Such is the case with The Opposite of Sex. The majority of reviewers here have adored the crisp dialogue, and a vocal minority found themselves offended or lost.

Amazon recently dropped the price of this movie and while the older $20 price tag may have made it a risky choice for someone who hasn't already seen the film, at the new lower cost it's worth every penny to give this movie the chance it deserves. If nothing else, it's a chance to watch a young talent make the successful transition into adult-flavored roles that have eluded so many other child actors and actresses.

The Gathering
$12.95
Storytelling has come up short of late, but that's not the case here. An interesting story that weaves along building up suspense with many unexpected twists and turns that will engage the viewer. If you're tired of the mindless special effects rush based on very thin plots, give this film a shot. I think you'll be glad you did. I'd never heard of this movie before, so I didn't know what to expect. It was a pleasant viewing surprise.

The Addams Family / Addams Family Values
$14.98
Seeing as how every time that other horror family is mentioned in one of my Addams reviews, I promise not to even mention their names.

The Addams Family- I remember seeing this one when I was very young. Before I even saw the original series, I was hooked, including the animated version, which was being rerun on Cartoon Network at the time and the TV remake The New Addams Family (which is good in its own right, but not as good as the original of course). I couldn't have imagined anyone else playing these characters for the big screen (if they had made a movie of the original show in the 60s I'm sure I'd prefer that but that's a rant for another day). Anjelica Huston and the late, great Raul Julia have so much chemistry together, I can't help but be reminded of that same chemistry seen between Carolyn Jones and John Astin. Though due to a higher budget, Gomez can do more amazing feats than he could from the show. Not much is added to Morticia however but she's just as beautiful as ever (and great at her deadpan wit). A lot of my favorite bits from the film come from their scenes, especially when they reminisce about their first meeting at a funeral. Christoher Lloyd does a good job as Fester but I must say I do prefer Jackie Coogan's version. He was more offbeat and funny than Lloyd even after Fester recovers his memory. Christina Ricci is the only other person besides Lisa Loring to play Wednesday. I'm pretty sure she had a hard time keeping a straight face during the entire production. She and Jimmy Workman have a decent chemistry together but I wish they hadn't made Pugsley such an idiot, especially in the show when he was capable of mixing various chemicals. The plot is good but my main problem with the story in this and the sequel is that the main focus isn't the family but Uncle Fester. They make it seem that without him, the family can't function (how Gomez and the family survived for 25 years without him is a mystery). The music was excellent. My favorite music sequence is the party; first when Morticia and Gomez waltz, then reveal the entire party and the Mamushka sequence. Shaiman's version of the original theme is good but I wish it was used more. The only real bother I have is the Hammer songs used, especially the Addams Groove. 5 stars.

Addams Family Values- This one is more in the vein of the original comic strips. A new baby is introduced into the house, causing sibling rivalry. A new nanny tries to kill Fester for his fortune (I liked it better when he was Morticia's brother because now everything revolves around him) and Wednesday and Pugsely are sent to summer camp and meet that guy from NUMB3RS. I have mixed feelings about the sequel. Its not a rehash of the first, except for the whole Fester/fortune gimmick. I like the idea of the children causing havoc in the camp and Fester having a love interest. But I just don't like it as much as the first for some odd reason. The original cast is good, though I don't know why they didn't get the same woman to play Grandmama. Peter MacNicol and Christine Baranski are just plain annoying as the camp counselors (good thing they got roasted but Baranski is one of my favorite actors). Joan Cusack is a delight as the deranged Debbie and I especially like the part when she tells them why she kills people. The original Addams theme is used more in this, especially during my favorite sequence (the Tango in the restaurant). More hip-hop songs are used in this and, like the Hammer songs of the first film, are not that memorable. Not that much to say about this one except its creepier, kookier and ookier. 4 stars.

Casper (Widescreen Special Edition)
$9.99
I have grown up with this movie. It is an all time favorite of mine and I recommend this to absolutely everyone! Christina Ricci is adorable in this and Devon Sawas cameo as real life Casper is sweet!