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Reviews
Cats & Dogs (2001)
Wait for it on video.
And then fast forward to the scenes with the evil cats, they are the
most interesting. The humans are sadly wasted, Jeff Goldblum does a riff
on his fun scientist from The Fly, but no one really gets to do much of
anything. A few dogs crack wise, but not very wise or very well, so
you're left watching the animation and marvelling at how they got the
mouths to move. Not worth it.
Musíme si pomáhat (2000)
Divided We Stand or Fall
Whatever the title is, this is a very fine movie. I didn't mind the 'camera shakes' and wiggles, I just took it for granted that it was a low budget film that they were trying to spice up a bit. The acting is really good, and the story is wonderful. I'd see it again in a heartbeat, it's really quite good. The lead actor reminded me of Liam Neeson in "Schindlers List", he's tall and kind of funny looking but in a handsome way, and the woman playing his wife is good too. They all are! I loved it.
You Can Count on Me (2000)
Beautiful film almost ruined by Matthew Broderick.
I'm not kidding, everyone is doing very wonderful realistic acting,
beautifully serving the script, and along comes Ferris Beuller doing his
quasi Jackie Gleason "I'll getta laugh on this line!" schtick.
Thankfully, his role is brief, and soon we get back to the real actors.
Linney and Ruffalo shine and Culkin is wonderful and touching. The
writing is superb, and apparently the writer/director also played the
priest- and steals the scene he's in! This is a wonderful throwback to
the character driven dramas of the early 70's, it's not filmed in a
particularly interesting way, but the script and the actors- well, most
of them- elevate it to heights that few movies achieved last year. Well
worth seeing.
Crazy/Beautiful (2001)
Not very good.
I didn't much like this film I'm afraid, or maybe I expected more having
read all the 'hype' around it. It turns out I've seen this directors
other films- the 'ignored in print' Undercover (1987) as well as
Cheaters (2000), and neither of them impressed me. "Crazy/Beautiful"
didn't either. It plays like a watered down ad against drinking, and yes
I realize how bland that sounds. This is a bland movie. Kirsten Dunst
tries to infuse it with her charm and energy, but really- she plays a
girl with a drinking problem AND WE NEVER SEE HER DRINK! They have sex-
BUT NO NUDITY! It's filled with little odd notes like that that just
don't make sense. I read that there were some censor issues- great. Just
what this country needs. But that's another review. This is just as bad
as all the other teen movies of late, but it thinks it's better for some
reason.
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport (2000)
Terribly beautiful.
This is a film that must be seen by your entire family. True, it's very disturbing, but it's one of the best films ever made about the horrors of war. Beautifully made, touching and moving, this is just a marvel. It should be shown every year on national television, to make sure that people never forget. Technically a marvel, there is not one thing wrong with this film, other than the fact that people haven't seen it.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
Wonderfully awful!
And I mean that as a compliment, this movie must be seen to be believed.
It is out of control in a way that will make you cringe away from the
screen as you're laughing your a** off. It has all the jokes from the
show, but as the title says- they're bigger better and uncut. Not only
is the scatalogical humor intact, but the music is actually pretty good.
It really does hold up as a musical, which is no small feat these days.
How on earth it lost the academy award to that Phil Collins song is
beyond me. You will love this film.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Sensational.
This is a great if odd movie, and one that is definitely worth watching
more than once. Masterfully shot and performed, it's really a calling
card for Pulp Fiction, Tarantinos greatest work so far. Kietel and
Madsen give amazing performances, as does Buscemi, Penn, Tarantino et
al. And the music really helps tell the story in a way that is hard to
define. Pure cinema adrenaline.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Really good.
Really really good film. This is one of the few comedies that turns ugly and is completely understandable. Let me explain- it's about Race. In Brooklyn, on the hottest day of the year. It starts out very funny, this was back when Spike Lee was still kind of charming like Woody Allen, and then it kicks you in the head! It turns really ugly, but by then you already know and love most of the characters. Featuring a star making performance by Rosie Perez, and great work by everybody in it, this is Spike Lee's best work I think. The music is a little heavy handed, but even that worked for me in this film. Rent it!
Into the Night (1985)
It ain't no masterpiece.
But it has it's moments of fun. Clearly made in the 80's (check out the hair and clothes, then the pinacle of hip) this was one of Michell Pfieffers first leads, and she's lovely. True, she looks a little different, but I actually PREFER her older/younger look. Goldblum carries what is essentially After Hours West, filled with every living director in cameos. It doesn't really matter that they can't act, it's kind of fun spotting them. Harmless fun for when you can't sleep.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Beautiful.
I've seen the short version of this, and the long, and believe me, you
must rent the long version. The short one doesn't do it justice. This is
an epic and deserves to be seen as such. It's got great performances by
DeNiro and Woods as childhood best pals, and the women are
extraordinary- Elizabeth McGovern proves again to be an American
treasure, and Jennifer Connely- yes, that's her!- is perfectly cast as
the child Elizabeth McGovern. This film also has one of the best scores
you'll ever hear.
Angel Eyes (2001)
Actually not good at all!
The good thing about the IMDB is that you can read ALL the reviews, see
the votes, and pretty much figure out who is working for a studio and
planting good reviews, and who the real movie fans are. Real movie fans,
listen up; don't waste your time with this movie. The plot I'll leave to
other reviewers with much more time and patience on their hands, I'll
just say this; it doesn't make a lot of sense. But the good thing is,
you don't care, because you're busy doing your laundry and making phone
calls while the movie drones on. There is no chemistry at ALL between
Lopez and Cazivel. Not one bit. There's no good camera work, and the
music is bad too. Don't bother with this one.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Not as good as the first.
It has moments of sublime silliness, sure, but basically it's more!
more! more! of the same, and what made it unique and fun the first time
round is hammered on the head with more money this time. Heather Graham
is not funny and shouldn't try to be, not with Mike Myers around. It is
his film, and the other actors should just stand back and let him do his
magic. He's amazing and funny, I just wish he'd had the guts to make
this movie at the same budget as the first one. The cheapness of it
added to the fun. I say stick with the first, this one is just okay.
Star Wars (1977)
A great movie.
I wouldn't say it's THE great movie, but it's the best sci-fi out there.
When I first saw this on the big screen, it was shocking. Just a jolt of
fun after a decade of heavy handed social dramas that were good
(serpico) but hardly whiz bang! Star Wars is a swashbuckling sword epic
that had the audience cheering and yelling, like a ride at Disneyland.
Say what you will for how it affected the Box Office and how studio
heads now look at summer films- it most likely ruined it for all of us
for a long time, as now they all want HUGE OPENING NUMBERS and saddle us
with bloated "blockbusters" such as PEARL HARBOR, but Star Wars had/has
a spirit and a life to it that is wonderful to behold. Get it on DVD,
you'll have a ball
The Misfits (1961)
Amazing film.
One of the best films to come out of the early sixties, the Misfits was Gables last film, and a beautiful one to go out on. Monroe and Clift are at their damaged best, and Eli Wallach and cast give some of their best work too. Arthur Miller wrote this for his wife, Monroe, and it was filmed as they were in the midst of splitting up. Poignant and brutal, a story of endings. John Huston directed it beautifully, and allegedly Gable did his own stunts. If you've never seen it, get it on DVD, I'm sure the print will be stunning.
The Heiress (1949)
Great classic film.
I know some will say that DeHavilland and Clift are marvelous- and they are- but to me, this is Ralph Richardsons film. To watch a father manipulate a daughter the way he does is jaw dropping, and he does it with such aplomb. Stunning acting, great writing, a beautifully made film, absolutely worth a look. I never saw the remake, but I can't imagine it comes even close to this one. Wow.
Red River (1948)
The best western ever.
I mean it this time. This is the one! John Wayne's best acting in a film, spurred on by the intensity of Montgomery Clift, great supporting actors and directed to perfection. Apparently there were some real fights while making this film, but it seems to have only added to the magic. I've seen it 4 times, and I'll gladly watch it again when and if it comes out on DVD, it's that good. And don't get me wrong, I'm not a big western fan, just a good movie fan, and this is certainly that.
Boston Public (2000)
Fair to middling, with promise.
I've watched this show now twice, and I feel dirty for it. I'm drawn by
the two leads that I think are fine actors- Jessalyn Gilsig and Anthony
Heald. But the others leave me wanting. Every female teacher is
gorgeous! The big black principle runs the school like it's Das Boot,
always in control! And yes, there is indeed a HUUUUUUUGE moral crisis
every fifteen minutes or so. It sensationalizes teachers in an
unrealistic way, and some of the dialogue is a bit cheesy, but as I
said, something about these very good underplaying actors has drawn me
back. Perhaps I'll go back for more, I don't know. It all seems a little
heated and unrealistic, even though it's heart is in the right place.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
One of the worst movies of the decade.
This is Hollywood at it's worst. Lousy acting, terrible script, one or
two BIG EFFECTS! and not much else. Oh, yeah- a lot of hype and
publicity, including shills posting 'rave reviews'- but oddly, these
reviews are only for this movie. Anyway, it's bad. Believe the critics,
they're trying to save your ten bucks. They have taken an historic event
and tried to turn it into a 'thrill ride', mixed with From Here To
Eternity. Do yourself a favor and rent From Here To Eternity, it's a
real movie. There is nothing worth seeing in this movie except for the
bomb dropping on the ship, and that was in the 'coming attraction'. The
people who made Pearl Harbor should be forced to watch this drivel, all
three hours of it, over and over until they have learned their lesson.
Really, what could have been going on in their heads?
Fight Club (1999)
Boys who fight!
Big strong handsome boys take their shirts off and sweat and fight each
other! Oh boy! Oh yeah, there's a girl in here too (Helena Bonham
Carter) but she kind of acts tough like a guy too. Lots of posing and
posturing in this film, it's very 'cool'. I found it hollow and could
care less. Clockwork Orange said it better and was better acted 40 years
ago. Rent that one instead.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
It's a cash cow.
And not very good. Filled with lousy acting, bad dialogue, video game
special effects, and some bizarre racially inappropriate lines- Jar Jar
Binks, I think, will go down as Lucas biggest mistake- this Star Wars is
the least of them all. Hopefully Lucas will get back on track with the
next one, because this one left much to be desired. Even the die hard
fans I went with were let down.
Satisfaction (1988)
A curiosity.
Mainly watched to see Liam Neeson before Schindlers List and Rob Roy, and Julia Roberts before everything she ever did. They're young. They're good, in a mediocre film about a girl band and the trials and tribulations within it. Would I have watched this film without Liam and Julia? No. And neither will you if you don't have an interest in these two fine actors. The movie itself is so-so bordering on bad, but still- I couldn't help watching because of the pre-star stars.
Disappearing Acts (2000)
Snipes is back!
At last, Wesley snipes starts to fulfil the promise he showed us in The
Waterdance. It seems like he stopped acting for a while to become an action
star, and here he proudly reclaims his ground as one of the finest actors on
screen today. Sanaa Lathan is great as well, in a lovely small story of a
relationship. That's all it is, and yet it holds and moves. The supporting
actors are all great too- I particularly liked Regina Hall. The music is
terrific- did she sing it herself? and the direction and script are all
top-notch. Well done!
Disappearing Acts (2000)
Snipes is back!
At last, Wesley snipes starts to fulfil the promise he showed us in The
Waterdance. It seems like he stopped acting for a while to become an action
star, and here he proudly reclaims his ground as one of the finest actors on
screen today. Sanaa Lathan is great as well, in a lovely small story of a
relationship. That's all it is, and yet it holds and moves. The supporting
actors are all great too- I particularly liked Regina Hall. The music is
terrific- did she sing it herself? and the direction and script are all
top-notch. Well done!
The Great Gatsby (2000)
Horribly miscast.
Yes, folks, the story is a classic. But really- Mira Sorvino as the 'light and airy Daisy'? What were they thinking? She's about as light and blonde and airy as a mack truck. Paul Rudd does his usual grin and watch, with nothing behind it, and Marin Donovan is just boring. The adaption is okay, but it's becoming clearer that there are some books that cannot make the transition to films, and this is one of them. But it might have had a shot if the people casting it had actually READ the book!
What Women Want (2000)
Women want a better script than this!
This movie is borderline insulting, and if it wasn't so vacant and
shallow I'd be angry. Try and stay awake through it, I dare you. Mel
Gibson plays a "man's man"- just about the only thing he doesn't do is
beat the women around him. He has an accident- oh, forget it, the plot
is so silly you won't care anyway. You will care about the lack of
decent script, acting, camera work, music, etc. If Mel Gibson and Helen
Hunt each got 20 million dollars for this drek, they should be ashamed
of themselves and personally mail some of it back to those of us who
took the time out of our lives to waste it on them. Shame on the people
who made this!