Sean Penn

Sean Penn: His Life and Times
$15.00
I just don't see Sean Penn as important, as brilliant or as accomplished, as he, the author and his 'colleagues' would want us to believe. But then again, he and his also well known history rewriting friends and I don't travel in the same conspiracy-theorist circles. I find his later decisions to 'not act' at certain points in his half-life-carrer as some of his most notable performances since such a big biography warranting deal is made of these profound Zen-like decisions. Had he waited until the other half of his life had played there just might be something to hold my interest and possibly allow for a twist with a surprise ending. There have been several notable performances during his 'brilliant' career but, overall, just because your lib club friends gush all over you doesn't a 'brilliant', 'accomplished' (non)actor make. I'm glad the book was formated chronologically offering me the oft-preferred (though sadly not taken) option to skip the chaff. Maybe, when Mr. Penn is in his 70's or 80's, a Part II covering the second half of his life will offer up some reason for the printing of both parts 1 and 2, but only then...maybe.

At Close Range
$14.98
First time Ive ever used Amazon. I will definitely continue to do business with you again. My copy of At Close Range was excellent!!!!

21 Grams
$14.98
Take the stories of three people, etch them on a pane of glass, smash the pane into shards, then rearrange the shards. That's the way this incredible movie is told. A math teacher (Sean Penn), a born again social worker (a haggard-looking Benicio del Toro) and a recently-widowed mom (Naomi Watts) live lives that intersect around a traffic accident and a heart transplant. The story unfolds over the course of the movie, juxtaposing past and present in a display of superb plotting. Aside from the three principals, Melissa Leo (as del Toto's long-suffering wife) and others turn in stunning performances.

The 21 grams of the title refers to an old discredited study that purports that at death, we lose exactly 21 grams of weight, attributable to the soul leaving the body. But the "soul" in question here is less about immortality than about the life force exhibited when people enter each others' lives.

A stunning movie of great art, heart and subtlety.

Bad Boys (Uncut & Uncensored)
$9.98
The Bottom Line:

Prison flicks are almost always interesting and this 1983 Sean Penn thriller is no exception; set in a juvenile detention center with no heros but anti-heros and few concessions to any positive message, it's a film for those who like their movies violent and mean.

3/4