Entropy

Seldom is there a movie produced which can incorporate the personal, immediate feeling of a play with the abstract and subtle strokes of cinematic genius; yet here it is.

The script alone is genius, and with a few minor snips here and there, it could have easily been a theatre piece. But the way that the cinematics (camera angles, rate of motion, "intoxication effect", etc) were able to bond with the work is what really elevated the film. I've never had a movie imbue me with a sense of serenity with nothing more than an accelerated frame rate and a minimal sound use, but here it is.

The problem with the whole of the piece is that it's driven towards the writer, not the audience; being a reflective piece, that is understandable. And even admirable, because there's not a doubt in my mind that when this movie was produced, Janou knew it wasn't going to endow him with financial success, only artistic. A blockbuster this is not, but a brilliant work of art it is, proving once again that with just a twist of lemony liberty, life is the best form of art.

Steven Dorff has also reached a pinnacle in my mind with this film, and again, on an artistic level--not financial. The brooding character struggling with his adolescence, once played by the typecast Christian Slater and now by Dorff, has matured. Dorff was able to take the character into an autumnal growth, transplanting the brilliance and detatchment into the shoes of an adult who sees the world for what it is, yet at the same time is able to maintain his edge.

I could go on about the supporting cast, but really, this movie is about the main character, and how he deals with near-success, utter failure, and realistic romance. Definitely not one to miss.

Okay, maybe I just have a sentimental attachment to this movie. It's not the best film ever made, but it's worth the time to watch it. This is a rather quirky movie, and it is quite slow in parts; but Steven Dorff is great as Jake, a film maker who is struggling with his career and his love life. His love interest, Stella, is charming. If for no other reason, watch this movie for the last line. It won't change your life, but if you've ever let THE ONE get away, you will appreciate this parting wisdom.

I don't understand how people can say that this film wasn't good or lacked depth. The main character wrestles with career challenges, prioritizing work and friendship/love, abortion, etc.

And that's not deep how . . . ?

Secondly the directing was brilliant. The editing was more than interesting, very fluid. Great music and movement from scene to scene was always eye catching. I thought the narrator approach was original. Yeah it's been done before. But this was very tasteful and established a relationship between the audience and Jake.

Steven Dorff and and the beautiful Judith Godreche did an excellent and believable job as characters that I think anyone who's ever been in love could identify with. Or at least been in love and lost that love for whatever reason. The last line of the movie says it all.

So to Phil Joanou for this extremely under rated movie . . . Great job! The movie hit close to home and could not have come at a more appropriate time in my life.

A very, very good flick, as a matter of fact. I really enjoy the director's style and the soundtrack was great. The story was well done and it was a perfect movie for a lazy Sunday afternoon. My wife and I talked about it after and to me, that's the sign of a good movie: something that makes you think and want to discuss.

It's refreshing to see a movie like this get made instead of some of the farces we seeing studio heads giving the green light to, today. Kudos to those who both greenlighted it and who made it.

Entropy had it all for me because it was funny, tragic (funny tragic) and dramatic. I felt good throughout the movie and I actually don't know why I didn't know more about it or Phil Joanou. I blame this on the modern day movie machine not being able to properly promote movies that are both creative and eye catching. The scenes from New York's waterfront are in bold and contrasting colors, and it enlivened me further during a recent visit there. Joanou did the right thing film makers are supposed to do, he inspired us to see more into life and art and be entertained in the process. Such is the personal story that is being told in Entropy. After all, I don't think there is a single soul out there that hasn't felt some sort of incident or disaster in our romantic lives, and can't look back at it and laugh at in jest. We are not the most perfect of people, us humans, and all the better we can share the experience!

I give Entropy an "8" just because it was so entertaining and visual, and while there will be many that will call this plainly over-rating, I don't care, I just really enjoyed the movie and could watch it again and again.