Coffee & Donuts

Clips from a flick this good are exactly what you'll see when the "E! True Hollywood Story" is eventually made about its maker. While not exactly Spielberg's "Duel," Green's "Coffee and Donuts" firmly establishes itself as a stepping stone to greater things. It's not the best picture ever made (for $400 with borrowed equipment, apparently), but it's certainly my favorite. Having stumbled upon this dramatic comedy by luck (a friend of a friend of a friend had a copy of a copy ...), I found it to have an original story, given that it's autobiographical, although the lovelorn hero is analogous to Favreau's Mikey. Still, this is a great and uniquely moving film because its primary focus is the main character's internal conflicts rather than the arguably lesser end game: how Adam and Steve can become radio's next Opie and Anthony. Adam's personal struggle with a lost beloved is indeed universal, and that's part of the movie's genius. Coupled with a great soundtrack and almost intentional over-the-top acting, it reflects all that is innocent and unadulterated about independent films. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Who wants to see another boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, happy joy tra-la-la. Who gives a crap?!?

How about boy obsesses over girl to the point of physical illness and drug induced escapism, girl comes back to boy, boy seems human again, girl eats boy's heart in front of him and laughs demoniacally? Sounds more like my speed. We've all been there; unrequited love rotting our insides, delusional thoughts, smart-ass friends, retarded cats... OK no cat. But we all know how living through pain can make life hell. Green digs into the very heart of pain in this film, pouring his personal demons out on-screen in an attempt to connect with us in a mere 90 minutes.

Nightmarish dating scenarios and unsympathetic friends give us a feel of realistic human relationships lost in most on-screen interactions; much of it confidently declared. Not an easy feat to impress upon a group of strangers sitting in a dark room watching you in 2-D.

Lots of subtle, dark humor may be lost on audiences viewing for the first time. Context is tantamount, and if you're not intent on the high-speed banter, you'll miss a lot. If you can keep up, however, the brazen wordplay between Adam and Steve is classic. See it twice.

W. Axl Rose the cat absolutely steals every scene he's in, tremendous acting. The retarded cat truly brings back memories of the real Axl up on stage freaking out and such. The cat is up to no good, attacking any bystander with fury. Axl Rose would be proud of this cats performance, whether it's licking it's paws or going to the kitty liter it's just an amazing all around performance. The rest of the movie isn't great but W. Axl Rose the cat's performance lifts this film out of the gutter and up to a level where it will be remembered for years to come. It was so tragic to see the cat pass on just one year after it's breakthrough performance, before it could reap the Hollywood riches and fame it so much deserved. It was also a shame Axl Rosed didn't perform a memorial concert for this talented cat. W. Axl Rose the Cat has everything legends are made of.

I found this film to be a joy to watch. It had so many elements in it that reminded me of my life right after school, and before I had a steady job; The dating nightmares, the friends that cruised through my life and turned potential victories into disasters, The Roommate who watched me self destruct and still managed to find something redeeming about me to still consider me a friend, And of course the old flame that would bounce in and out of my life just long enough to rip my heart out, and leave me licking my wounds. This film may not have all the belly laughs of American Pie, but it has the heart and soul to make up for it.

This is a great first film for Mr. Adam Green and I expect to see great things from him in the future. If nothing else I know his heart is in the right place.

Blade

C&D is a no holds-barred comedy fueled by male angst, the music you grew up on, the girl that got away (or ran away), the dream of the little guys trying to make it big, and dialogue and gags that redefine how to cross the line (i.e. the developmentally disabled cat), and lastly a true story. It's a familiar model (except for the cat). But C&D is smart and fresh. Hi-Fidelity came out during the same year and they definitely share a point of view...C&D has more edge. Each scene pushes the limits. Some, like the extended guy-getting-over-girlfriend crying scene (think Ben Stiller here), are both funny and painful to watch because most of us can relate. And that's the hook in C&D. As outrageous as it is, you can really relate to it. Looking forward to more from Green.