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Moika
Reviews
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Interesting, but Crowe doesn't live up to his potential.
I don't want to give anything away, because this film certainly is thought provoking. There were parts I really enjoyed and parts, I felt, left something to be desired.
Cameron Crowe proved that he was a worthy film maker with "Jerry Maguire" and that he was an exceptional film maker with the astonishingly good "Almost Famous". That said, "Vanilla Sky" just didn't measure up. At times I felt the acting was sub-par (with the exception of Cameron Diaz, who is always good), and that the film didn't know what it wanted to be. Is it a romance, a mystery, or a science fiction film?
I think part of the problem stems from the fact that this was not really Cameron Crowe's movie, unlike "Say Anything", "Jerry Maguire" and "Almost Famous". Instead it was a remake of a 1997 film, which I haven't seen but understand to be quite good (why would a film maker want to remake a film which is only four years old?). His earlier projects were films about people. That is what is so wonderful about them. With the release of "Almost Famous" it seemed that no one was better a putting real life on the screen than Cameron Crowe. "Vanilla Sky" however, is not about people, and this is most likely where it falls short. There was no Cameron Crowe within the film, unlike "Almost Famous", which is all Cameron Crowe. All of the world's best art comes from within the artist, this film came from within the guy who directed "The Others".
With all of that in mind (and I realize it is a lot), "Vanilla Sky" is not a bad movie. As a Crowe fan, my expectations were naturally quite high, and the film didn't live up to them. However, I certainly suggest that you go see it, and draw your own conclusions. I gave it a 7 out of 10. The film is visually beautiful (not to mention the cast) and it will serve as a good conversational piece, if nothing else.
The Bernie Mac Show (2001)
So Gaw-Dawn Funny!
What is it about Bernie Mac that is so fun to watch? I can't put my finger on it either, but I do know that whatever it is, it works.
I could watch this show all day long, every day. I guess I'll just have to wait for syndication. I can't imagine that this show won't turn out to be a huge success. The cast is wonderful, and Bernie Mac finally has a medium to display his talent. He is a brilliantly funny man.
Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (2001)
Total Propaganda
This show made me want to puke. Are we really supposed to believe that the entire cast of "Gilligan's Island" are saints (with the exception of Tina, who never comes back for reunions)? I think Mrs. Howell should have taken her shirt off more than just that once.
Blah
Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Don't believe the hype. Bad movie!!!
I read some good things about this movie before seeing it. And, I'll admit that the opening couple of sequences are pretty scary. But as happens with many horror movies, when the plot is advanced the movie gets worse and worse. Classic horror movie mistakes, I thought, were a thing of the past, with the help of Wes Craven's "Scream". This is obviously not the case. Cliches run wild in this movie. People in the audience were literally saying "just drive away" which resulted in a laugh in the audience.
Finally, some movies don't have a beginning, middle and end. Some are designed simply to make sequels. It's like a multi-million dollar franchise. Why on earth would McDonald's only open one restaurant? They wouldn't. So, I'm sure we can expect "Jeepers Creepers 2" within the next year or so. And I'm sure it will be worse than the first, which means I would shoot myself in the foot if it meant I didn't have to watch.
Don't bother with this one. Rent "A Nightmare on Elm Street" or "Halloween" or "Psycho". I gave "Jeepers Creepers" 4 stars out of 10.
Planet of the Apes (2001)
Nothing compared to the original!
They clearly had a good idea to work with. It was also called Planet of the Apes. Why they chose to take a perfectly good idea and change into a bad idea is beyond me. This movie was designed to please thirteen year olds. Lots of monkeys jumping around and some cool special effects. Those of us who have seen the original and know that it was an intellectually effective movie, should generally be disappointed with this sad re-make. Don't get me wrong, the apes were cool looking and the special effects were decent. In fact, take the monkeys of today and put them in the Charleton Heston film 34 years ago and you'd really have something. I don't want to spoil the film for anyone so I won't, but what is the deal with the end? Those of you who have seen it know what I'm talking about. This is a perfect example of poor story telling, from completely undeveloped characters who suddenly play a somewhat surprisingly important role in the protagonists actions, to scenes which have even the most intelligent of critics at a loss (in reference to the end).
I gave this movie 6 out of 10 because as I said, the monkeys are cool. I love Tim Roth and they obviously spent a great deal of time teaching the actors to act as apes. However, this is never enough to make up for a bad story (those apes evolved awfully fast).
See it if you wish, but if you wish to see an updated Charleton Heston picture, don't bother. Just watch the original.
Jurassic Park III (2001)
Easily the Best of the Three
The major downfall of Jurassic Park & The Lost World were that they focused far too much on a story that was weak at best. Let's face it, when people go to a dinosaur movie, what do they want to see? Dinosaurs fighting people & eachother. The first one seemed to have little of that element compared to the second, which incidently had the worst story of all.
Simply put, Jurassic Park III is a dinosaur movie. Lots of action, lots of dinosaurs, special effects which are top of the line, and just plain fun to watch. In fact, Jurassic Park III only had enough story to put the people on the island. This is to its credit.
I give Jurassic Park III, 9 out of 10 stars. What can I say, I just had a darn good time while I was watching it.
Remember the Titans (2000)
Not Good, Not Bad... Definitely Not Good
If you enjoy movies where you can guess exactly what is going to happen next, then this one is for you. There are no surprises, it follows a formula which Hollywood has successfully used over and over again.
Having said that, I assure you it isn't a horrible movie. In fact, at times it is entertaining. It just isn't a movie we can expect to be remembered, and it doesn't deserve to be remembered. When you don't want to think and you want reassurance that the world is a perfect place after all, then rent this movie. If you're looking for something more complex and centered (even if just a little bit) in reality, then this picture is not for you.
A final note: Denzel Washington has confirmed that he can play that character. He has confirmed it several times... recently, in fact. Now it is time for him to convince us he can pull off other roles. Not to take anything away from him. Although the movie was hardly worthy of praise, his performance in "The Hurricane" was. I would just like to see him challenge himself with a role new to him and his audience.
Anyway, "Remember the Titans" is a simple person's movie, I gave it 6 out of 10.
A Civil Action (1998)
The movie Erin Brockovich tried and failed to be!!
I saw this movie when it came out in the theatre. I'll admit, I didn't really care for it. Where was the big Grisham moment? But that question right there is the key to the charm and subtlety of this wonderful film. Last night I rented it on DVD and fell in love with with it. Any given scene in this film is more meaningful, more powerful and more convincing than any given scene in Erin Brockovich. Don't get me wrong, Erin Brockovich was a decent movie, but when you compare it to this (which is hard not to do), it just doesn't seem to hold a candle.
It's unfortunate that this film didn't get the recognition it deserves and that Erin Brockovich is getting recognition that it would never deserve, not in a million years. There is a pattern that we want our movies to follow, and if they stray from that pattern, it baffles us as audience members, and we write the movie off as "mediocre". Erin Brockovich followed that pattern to the "T" and for that reason everyone involved is now wealthy beyond their means and America has fallen in love with a movie they've seen a hundred times before. Meanwhile, there is A Civil Action, a movie that was brave enough to break the rules, and it is almost forgotten three years after it was released.
Please, go rent this movie. If you've seen it before, give it another shot. Let yourself see why those of us who love it insist it is a fantastic movie.
Finally, although John Travolta's choice of role's lately hasn't been without flaws, it is hard to ignore him as a fantastic actor who, simply put, is a joy to watch. I'd watch him over Julia Roberts' boobs any day of the week.
Unbreakable (2000)
Pathetic!!! Horrible, Horrible Film!!!
This movie is extraordinary for one reason! It has inspired me to try and come up with the top ten worst movies I've ever seen. I'm sure this one will make the list with no problems. Please spare yourself the agony that I went through! Do not, I repeat, do not see this film!!!
I think M. Knight Shyamalan should be banned from film making for the rest of his days on earth! Sixth Sense was okay, but I have a feeling (if this movie is at all representative of him as a director/writer) we can expect nothing from him except a nice long piece of film with which to wipe ourselves.
One last note! This is the worst writing I've seen in five years! Why does everyone speak in the same tone of voice throughout the film?
Shyamalan! You've done it! You've made me and almost the entire audience in the theatre I was at hate you with a passion so strong, it is unbreakable!
1 out of 10. Don't See this movie!!!
A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)
If you grew up watching these movies, you'd love them too.
I love watching this movie. I'm the first to acknowledge how cheesy it is. In fact, I can pick out cheesy ridiculous parts better than most people I know. Even those who aren't fans of the series.
Granted, it's not scary like the first one, and doesn't really take itself seriously like the third one, but it has a personality of its own. My favorite line from this movie and possibly from the whole series is "You shouldn't have buried me, I'm not dead."
Listen, if it's Halloween or a dark rainy night and you and your friends are looking for something fun to watch... why not?
Pay It Forward (2000)
They should take Kevin Spacey's Oscar back!!!!
Apparently some people love to see the same miserable story over and over again. Why must they try so hard to make the audience cry, and in doing so, compromise the story.
I thought the movie made Kevin Spacey (whom I love) look absolutely horrible! [watch for one of the worst lines in movie history "I couldn't figure out why that water smelled so bad!"] Helen Hunt managed to play the same role she plays in every movie! The audience actually laughed out loud when Jon Bon Jovi's name appeared on the screen, and his menacing character as an abusive husband is just as laughable as his reputation.
Why the heck did Thomas Newman practically use the same score as he did with American Beauty? Can you say 'MARKETING?'
At the end, I expected one person to start clapping slowly and then another and then the whole crowd. It is that bad. I've seen half the scenes in other movies.
One scene actually is remarkably close to a scene in Oliver Stone's Platoon (believe it or not)!!!
In summation... DON'T SEE THIS MOVIE!!! PLEASE!!!
2 out of 10 (i'm thinking about changing that to one... the more i think about it, the more i hate the movie.)
Lake Placid (1999)
Bad script, bad idea, bad direction, bad movie, but hey... the special effects were...okay...
Why were these people so mean to eachother? All of this movie's humor relied on the insults from one character to another. The only laughs it achieved were cheap and were the result of foul language from an old lady or a character falling down. I felt like I was holding my breath for an hour and a half, and when the credits began to roll, I could finally breathe once again. This has got to be one of the worst scripts of all time! With the exception of a few funny moments the script lacked everything from character development to originality. This movie was so predictable it wasn't even necessary to sit through the whole film. I could have told you how it was going to end five minutes into the movie.
But the trip to the theatre wasn't a complete loss. The $3.00 soda I bought tasted pretty darn good. Now I'll wish for that hour an a half back for the rest of my life. I could have spent that time having teeth pulled or getting shots or something.
In short, please, for god's sake, do not, i repeat, do not see this horrible excuse for a film. I beg of you.
Summer of Sam (1999)
Remember those Nike commercials? At least those were short!
Spike Lee's latest film, simply put, is painfully long. I couldn't help but notice that those who didn't walk out on the film, kept expecting it to end. And when it didn't end, I heard a collective sigh of boredom. Obviously the length isn't the entire reason why this movie was hardly anything to crow about.
The story telling was all over the place. Lee repeatedly tried to develop certain characters, but then it seemed that he (or the writers) simply forgot about these characters. There was no one in the film that you cared about. Were we supposed to feel sorry (or anything for that matter) for Vinnie? I certainly didn't. The scenes that were supposed to be powerfully dramatic seemed to just tack on minutes to this painfully long movie.
I couldn't help but feel Lee was aiming for the same effect that the ground breaking film, "Boogie Nights" accomplished. In a way, they were both period pieces. Both told the story of separate characters brought together into one group, and showed their demise. However, Lee's film left characters undeveloped and tried to make up for it with one confusing and seemingly pointless montage.
All in all, Spike Lee should make some more documentaries. I really enjoyed "4 Little Girls". Summer of Sam is most definitely on my list of films to forget.
Instinct (1999)
Action packed it's not... a psychological look at human nature, it is!
I was told before seeing this movie that it was boring. However, I found the film to be exactly the opposite. I thought it was well done and held my interest fine.
Anthony Hopkins does a fabulous job (as always) as a Doctor whom fled from civilization to the African jungles, and lived with a family of apes. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr's character is there to learn from the former Doctor's experiences. He ends up learning much more than expected, he learns about life.
Although I thought some parts of the film were a bit under-developed, I still think it was a success. At the start of the film, Hopkins acts just like an animal, his only connection to humans being his family which he happens to spot in a wild rage. The transition from animal to an incredibly intelligent human seemed too abrupt. Maybe if the things including the other inmates were left out, Hopkins and Gooding's relationship could have been better developed. Although, I did enjoy the interactions with the other "psychotics."
Over all, I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a 'smart' movie. Don't expect too much action. You saw most of it in the teasers.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Fantastic movie!!! If you can get past the first half hour!
When the words "Star Wars" popped up on the screen at the beginning of the movie, I got chills down my spine. I could feel that I was in the presence greatness. However, I thought I was going to hate this movie once it got into it. It just didn't feel like a Star Wars movie. Once it really got into it, though, after they met young Skywalker, the film really started to feel like the others. I was extremely pleased. I think that Lucas may have got carried away with the special effects, but I was pleased to see that Yoda was still a puppet. I left the movie theatre with an extreme feeling of joy and I felt like I was let in on some big secret. It was a great feeling! If you're a real Star Wars fan (as I'm sure most of you are) please go see this film. I had a blast!
Sleeper (1973)
Hilarious isn't a strong enough word!
Woody Allen tries his talents at a futuristic world and succeeds. I think I may have laughed this hard for Take The Money And Run as well, but not for any other Woody movie. This was absolutely hysterical. Woody's writing and directing talents really shine in this futuristic spoof. I think even non-Woody fans can enjoy this one. I recommend it for all.
The Changeling (1980)
One of the scariest movies I've seen!
The Changeling is one of the scariest haunted house movies ever made. If you were going to rent movies that were comparable to it, I would suggest poltergeist and possibly Amityville. George C. Scott moves into a giant house he is leasing from a historical society. It turns out the house is haunted by a spirit not at rest. The climax of the movie will have you gripping your partner's arm! I live for horror movies, and almost thought I was beyond being scared. This great horror flick put me back in my place. A must for all horror fans!