| Published 10/01/04

Graphic by: Doni Neel

Jim Jarmusch has got to be one of the most interesting directors working today. He has a distinctive style: his movies are often in black and white with a deadpan since of humor. However, you never know what to expect from him. His films range from low-budget talk fests (like "Stranger Than Paradise" and "Down By Law") to high-concept experiments (like the western parody "Dead Man" and the kung-fu movie "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai," which hardly contained any kung-fu or action at all).

His latest flick "Coffee and Cigarettes, falls into the low-budget talk fest category. It basically consists of a bunch of people sitting around drinking coffee and smoking, talking about various subjects, at times not doing much talking at all.

There are about 11 or 12 of these little scenes. Each scene is about 10 minutes long and each involving different actors, many of whom play themselves. Musicians Tom Waites and Iggy Pop have a funny bit in which Waites starts off explaining matter-of-factly that in addition to his music career, he's also a doctor and he just finished performing surgery. Actress Cate Blanchett has two roles in her scene, playing both herself and her jealous, grungy, goth-like cousin.

Probably the most notable moment comes when Bill Murray appears, playing himself posing as a waiter, talking to RZA and GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan about "alternative medicine" and how to clear up his cold by drinking oven cleaner. Other stars who show up include Roberto Begnini, Jack and Meg White of the White Stripes, Steve Buscemi, Steven Wright and British actors Alfred Molina and Steve Coogan (who star in probably the most clever scene of the whole movie).

If you are someone who likes movies with a lot of plot and a lot of action, this probably isn't the film for you. However, if you're drawn to movies that are offbeat and have a more experimental fare, this is definitely one to check out. It's currently playing at the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke, Va., and was released on video and DVD on Sept. 21.

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