Against The Grain: Folks that actually liked K-PAX and 13 GHOSTS!!!

Hey folks, Harry here... For the past few weeks we have received fairly non-stop negative reviews about K-PAX and 13 GHOSTS. With K-PAX, I was always surprised as I like Spacey and Bridges quite a bit on film... However, the negative fan reaction has been very consistent. On 13 GHOSTS... well the pedigree of the 4 screenwriters that worked on the film... well they haven't had the best time as screenwriters let's say. However, with the exception of Matthew Lillard, I kinda dig the rest. Those reviews have been brutal. But, I always say that no matter how negative the word is on films, there are fans of those films. I dug BLAIR WITCH 2.... I am in the VAST MINORITY. I dug BIG LEBOWSKI, when most every critic hated it, but then they just didn't get it and the rest of us did. These things happen ALL THE TIME. Ultimately the best way to tell if you'll like a film is to go. Then of course, as Merlin says, it's too late.

Hey Harry, long-time listener first-time caller here. You can call me Psandy.

San Francisco State University showed a wonderful movie last night, going by the odd name of K-PAX. Using various coercive methods learned from my years on the streets of Brasilia, I managed to procure a pair of tickets for myself and my lovely lady (let's call her Nikita). I had read one or two reviews on the site here, but did not allow them to discourage me from my love for Kevin Spacey and my interest in what truly was a delightful trailer. I try to enter all movies with an open mind.

First, I'll highlight the flaws, as a marginal proof that I am not blinded by the ecstasy-invoking smile of the aforementioned Spacey.

1) The begining: A weak opening. I never much liked opening credits, especially when they weren't hovering over some sort of action or at least dialogue. However enchanting the soundtrack is, it didn't take me long to get tired of various flashing lights and blurring images during the extraneous opening credits. This was the first indication to me that perhaps the reviews here had caught on to something. If you can get past the opening credits, this movie is quite a treasure.

2) Mental masturbation: Three or four over-long music/image montages were a little much. They add very little to the movie, and tend to get in the way.

3) Distracting Editing in the beginning: I'd say there were four or five scenes that seemed to be cut prematurely. Normally when a scene ends with a line of dialogue, you expect that line to either be a conclusion or a transition. These few scenes left me wondering what had been cut out, and why, and how this alternative was any better.

4) I don't like Jeff Bridges. But I got over this because I am desperately in love with Kevin Spacey.

These all happen within the first half-hour of the movie. Maybe this is what the other reviewers hated. Maybe they are the type to ignore a video game because "the graphics suck." I'd say the only faults with K-PAX are an over-indulgence in the high-energy soundtrack, a fascination with reflection/image-blurring, and four or five sloppy cuts. They made me worried that the rest of the movie might continue to distract me from the actual story. This is probably where your reviewers quit paying attention and decided to pull out their new pink gameboys.

Now, if you'll allow me to play the salmon, I'll talk about why this movie is actually rather enjoyable, and definitely captivating. I can't wait to read this book.

1) Kevin Spacey: You have to at least like Kevin Spacey to like this movie. He really carries a lot of it. I mean, come on, it's a story about a psychiatric patient who claims to be an alien from the planet K-PAX. The obvious focus in this movie is going to be Prot, the self-proclaimed Visitor. And Spacey does an amazingly convincing job. He gives a complete "out-of-this-world" impression. His interactions with the other patients are touching, and often humorous. His sessions with Jeff Bridges' character are sometimes haunting, sometimes hilariously sarcastic, sometimes wistful. Whenever questions are raised about the authenticity of his story, you are sure to be captivated. I hate spoilers, so I won't spoil anything in this movie. I will, however, mention that K-PAX's power lies in its second half. The first half is just a delightful setup.

2) The story: As I said, I'm rather anxious to start this book. Those of us who are tired of the formulaic drivel Hollywood has been so joyously excreting for several years are sure to appreciate the intricately enthralling plot of K-PAX. It has twists galore, turns (at every corner, too), and a pervasive quality of mystery that gives it a great atmosphere. My girlfriend Nikita was totally wrapped up in the story. People who care more about character than carpentry are sure to get emotionally involved in the story of Prot's background. If you let it, this is a story that will grab you and carry you and, in the end, let you leave the movie with one of those epiphany-inducing moods that make it hard to stop smiling.

3) The supporting cast: Just a quick note- I wish they had spent more time on the other patients in that nut-house. They were all interesting characters that deserved more screen time. "Howie" in particular really helped to flesh out some of the background of this story. Even Jeff Bridges' family (they don't have families on K-PAX) worked well.

I'm sorry this is such a long review. I tend to get long-winded when talking about something I so enjoyed. If people would actually open their eyes and stop comparing the superficial qualities of of every movie they see to the four or five movies that they like, perhaps the world would be a happier place. I know if everyone agreed with me, I wouldn't have to write such damn long reviews. Nikita sends her love, Harry.

-Psandy

And now for 13 GHOSTS