slowly

Bang The Drum Slowly
$9.98
A lot of people love this movie, so I'm preparing myself for a verbal beating, but really; I've yet to find a film as manipulative and generally unfulfilling as `Bang the Drum Slowly'. I say `yet to find' and I know that's rather harsh. There are far worse films, but for the genre, this is certainly at the bottom.

It's like `Brian's Song' without the spark.

Bruce Pearson and Henry Wiggen are teammates. When Bruce gets diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease they form a close bond as Henry looks out for Bruce, covering up his illness and sticking up for him, making sure he stays on the team and can play out his `last season'. There is growing suspicion as Bruce has to make plenty of doctor's appointments, and their coach Dutch Schnell roots around trying to find answers to his many questions, which makes it harder and harder for Bruce to keep his condition a secret.

Sooner or later, it all has to come out.

I know that many will not agree with me, but I felt that `Bang the Drum Slowly' lacked a lot of heart and soul. It just seemed very textbook and came off like an overly manipulative `Lifetime' movie. It had all the elements to create a satisfying tear jerker, but it couldn't quite construct them properly. The film wasn't as touching as it could have been because it lacked a natural spark, a life that made it feel a part of the audience. I think that De Niro is to blame for some (not all) of that. I actually found this to be a very weak performance given by one of the best actors to have ever worked in the business. I was shocked to see him sift through each scene rather lazily. Some will balk at that accusation, but hear me out. He gave a very clich���d and expected portrayal of a sick under educated man. Technically it was proficient, but it lacked any real emotion. He seemed almost bored half the time. There is a way to project the feeling of being weight down by your own anxiety without stripping the character of his appeal, and apparently De Niro didn't know how to do that yet.

But like I said, he's only partially to blame. The script was very heavy handed and the films director didn't quite know how to use that to his advantage. It had no real flow.

I will say that both Michael Moriarty and the Oscar nominated Vincent Gardenia do fine jobs with the material and actually turn in very good performances. I actually agree with Gardenia's nomination; for he brought a comedic flare and sincere concern to Dutch. Sadly, his performance is not enough to get me to recommend this movie. So, disagree all you like, but I'm not going to lie to you; this didn't work for me.

Love Kills Slowly Art Poster Print by Ed Hardy, 24x36
$10.00
Love it! It was actually of a much higher quality than I was expecting and looks awesome in a poster frame on my wall!!

Ed Hardy Love Kills Slowly Litter Storage Trash Bag
$8.98
Officially licensed Ed Hardy Love Kills Slowly litter bag that is black in color. It holds trash and litter and is made of durable materials with a moisture resistant liner and is easy to clean. It has a strap and can either attach around the headrest, hung on knobs or with the self-adhesive strip, it can attach to any smooth surface. It has a large capacity and holds up to six 12 oz cans and helps keep your vehicle clean. It fits any vehicle, boat or even can be used in a diaper bag.

Ed Hardy ED-36073 Love Kills Slowly SnapOn Faceplate for Blackberry 8900 / Javelin (Pink)
$39.99
With 40 years of tattooing and legendary status among the tattoo community, Don Ed Hardy is known as "the godfather of modern tattoo", for his sophistication, depth and sense of experimentation. California native Don Ed Hardy is recognized around the world for his technical brilliance and mesmerizing imagery. Don Ed Hardy pulls from life experience to meld American, Japanese, Cholo, tattoo, surf and hotrod iconography. This broad spectrum of taste and experience, coupled with an ongoing investigation of various art histories and a mastery of technique, give his work a unique range and depth. Don Ed Hardy is a painter, printmaker and tattoo artist. Fascinated by tattoos since childhood, Hardy has become a master of his craft while continuing his work in the more traditional mediums of painting and drawing. Considered one of the most meteoric rises in fashion history, Christian Audigier has parlayed his design experience and business acumen to become a true fashion icon and entrepreneurial sensation in less than four years. Through his collection of international companies, he has launched nine popular brands with over sixty licenses. He oversees an international conglomerate of his designer brands, including Ed Hardy. Show off your style with one of these creative pieces of art, style & fashion!