I'd give Gridlock'd a 7/10 actually. After my viewing, it's really stuck with me. They don't make gritty drug movies like that anymore. Everything is this music video bullshit -- Rectum for a Dream and Spun (and, don't get me wrong, I like Spun just fine, but it's completely ridiculous). Most High is, of course, my favorite drug movie of all time.. maybe Liquid Sky comes close (since everyone is
clearly on heroin).
Speaking of drugs..
ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE - 7/10
As you all know, I hate Larry Clark. Shakey cameras, boring ass movies about troubled kids (mainly boys) getting naked, constant use (misuse) of shitty background music.. yada yada yada. ANYWAY, this movie doesn't right his usual wrongs -- but there's a difference between this and his other weakass films. While his other films had me wanting to shut them off 20 minutes in, this one kept me compelled until the end (and I'd even seen it before, years ago). Why? Simple: JAMES FUCKING WOODS. Now anyone who is a fan of "Videodrome", "vampires", "the Boost", or any of the other miriad of films with amazing James Woods performances, knows what I'm talking about. But what they may not know is that this is probably James Wood at his most unhinged, scenery-chewing, classical BEST! I mean, the whole film is him screaming, doing drugs, breaking shit, punching people (for real), and saying FUCK. It's insane. Completely insane -- and compelling! While the story itself is a bit tired, cliche, and silly... James Woods makes a simple 5/10 movie into a great 7/10 timewaster. Shame about the awful soundtrack.