Freeway

Rating:
Summary: Utterly suprising!
Review: I didn't expect anything from this movie.
For one thing, I had never heard of it, and secondly it starred a young Reese Witherspoon, an actress I don't particularly care for.
What a shock it was, however, to find this movie both original and hilariously funny! In parts disturbing and morbid, it never took itself too seriously and managed to pull off an all-together entertaining movie. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys over-the-top films with Tarantino-style writing and great one-liners - you'll be quoting this movie for weeks.

Rating:
Summary: Crazy movie with lots of twists
Review: Don't let Legally Blonde get in your way of seeing this movie. It's a lot of fun.

Rating:
Summary: That's not all I did to grandma.
Review: While watching this film I was disgusted, disturbed, and horrified while all the while LOVING THIS FILM. Living in a house where fairy tale literature is commonplace (my wife studies Children's Literature), I was surprised by this film. Seeing it in the value bin at most video stores, I expected poor production, horrible direction, and a pathetic cast. We have all seen these films that boast big names, but somehow never fully follow through. Freeway is nothing of the kind. It is a carefully written and delivered retelling of one of our most beloved fairy tales with a extremely dark twist.

Reece Witherspoon (pre-Legally Blonde) gives a performance that surprised me. I did not realize that she was so capable of bringing this character to life. Her counterpart, the illustrious "Wolf", played by 80s child Keifer Sutherland, is yet another powerful force in this film. The two of them nearly carry this film on their shoulders. This is one of those perfect examples of a film that did not have much publicity after its release, but has since then obtained "cult" status through avid viewer's word of mouth. This is definitely a film for all movie critics, film buffs, and fanatics to gaze at just once. I know there were some poor reviews when it was first released, but I am sure that a second viewing would bring this gem back to life.

I would also like to add that director Matthew Bright is a film genius. He successfully took a very wholesome and good natured story (or that we think) and transforms it into the fearsome dark story that it should be. Our society has the consistency of taking dark elements and transforming them into stories for our children. A wolf eats a grandmother in this story ... how happy and uplifting is that? I applaud Bright for taking this story and transforming it into a modern day fairy tale. It is gripping, fascinating, and downright beautiful.

If you enjoyed Natural Born Killers and was hoping for a nicer twist, this film is your answer. I also suggest that if you couldn't get enough of Freeway that you try to get your hands on the very rare Freeway 2: Confessions of a Trickbaby. See how Bright delicately transforms yet another dark fairy tale (Hansel and Gretel) into a modern masterpiece.

Grade: ***** out of *****

Rating:
Summary: Whose Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?
Review: Certainly not Vanessa Julia Lutz, whose PO'ed at a cold, cruel world that "owes her". This modern day makover of the Little Red Riding Hood story has achieved cult status as an over-the-top, black comedy. Needless to say, I loved it. Reese Witherspoon steals the show as Vanessa, the tough-as-nails teenager who is part trailer-park trash and part avenging angel. On my honor as a serious film buff, I consider her performance the best I've seen from any actress, ever! Its too bad she failed to live up to her potential by choosing safe, boring roles once she attained stardom. Keifer Sutherland nails his role as the psychotic Bob Wolverton, although a number of actors could have played the part just as well. That being said, this film is not for everyone. There are several scenes that are extremely difficult to watch, especially those with Vanessa & her family--"Legally Blond" its not. Despite this, its also surprisingly moral at times. For those free-thinkers who enjoy raw, unconventional films that get the adrenaline pumping, Freeway is a must see.

Rating:
Summary: Who's afraid of big bad Keifer?
Review: Well, if you were ever curious about what a psychotic retelling of the LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD fairy tale would look like, here's your chance to quench your imaginative appetite. I was not exactly sure what I was getting into when I bought this flick but don't worry: you won't know what you're in for, either.

In this case Little Red Riding Hood is played by Reese Witherspoon. Unfortunately, she comes from a Dysfunctional family (with a capital "D"). With no place to go except foster care (gasp!) she decides to go visit grandma.

Along her way she's picked up by the big bad wolf (portrayed by Keifer Sutherland). They have a rather bizarre ride and then things really get interesting. What does all this have to do with the children's story? You'll have to watch to find out!

There is a Brooke Shields sighting as she plays Mrs. Big Bad Wolf. All of the actors in the film seem to have fun with the movie; you could tell in their acting that they had a good time making this macabre, twisted adult fairy tale.

If you're in the mood for something "different" this movie might be for you. A word of caution, however: FREEWAY is not for the squeamish. It does not score very high on the scale of good taste, and it's obvious they meant it to be that way. If, however, you choose to take the next exit and get on the FREEWAY, hang on for the ride of your life!

Rating:
Summary: WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE
Review: Reese Witherspoon may just be our next Jodie Foster. Remember Jodie's breakthrough performance in TAXI DRIVER? Afterwards, she ended up doing fluff roles until she landed her Oscar. So here comes Reese in FREEWAY, giving a blow-away Oscar caliber performance and then she's off to LEGALLY BLONDE and SWEET HOME ALABAMA. Go figure, huh?
Anyway, Witherspoon fans who may remember her wonderful performance in MAN IN THE MOON may be surprised at this star turn. Alternately cute, silly and vacuous, hardhearted, cold and brutal, Reese gives a performance that elevates this film to a level of bizarre excellence. She seems awfully wise for her fifteen years. Witherspoon owns the screen and she is just amazing in the role.
Other cast members are great, too: Bokeem Woodbine as her fiance, whose criminal past interrupts any wedding plans; Michael T. Weiss as her disgusting stepfather who brings pedophilia to a new low; Amanda Plummer as her drug addicted/prostitute mother, who does tricks right outside the motel where they live; Dan Hedaya as the seasoned veteran cop who seems amused with Reese at times; Wolfgang Boddison as his partner, a young and cynical man, who meets his match in Reese; Brittany Murphy as the somewhat retarded lesbian inmate who seems so real you forget she's acting; and, of course, the ubiquitous Kiefer Sutherland, once again playing the kind of sadistic heel he does so well. In this one, Kiefer outdoes himself moving from a polite counselor to the heinous serial killer. Even Brooke Shields as Sutherland's kewpie doll wife gives a good performance.
From the opening titles, you can surmise that this is a takeoff on Little Red Riding Hood, and it's analogy is perfect.
Reese will win an Oscar some day and it will be for a movie like this, and not the empty-headed comedies. She deserves one!