Change Your Image
GeDan
Reviews
Fainaru fantajî IV (1991)
Classic RPG and Classic Final Fantasy
Once again, the Final Fantasy series holds true to form and comes out with an astounding video game focusing on Magic and Hit Points and discovering weapons and hidden treasure. This game does a fabulous job of making the player understand Cecil's internal conflicts, and how all of the other characters relate to him. The various characters rotating in and out of the main plot is very well done. The return of familiar spells and effects is embraced as well. All in all, this is a worth-your-time game. Plus, it is here that Cid makes his debut (at least for the American series...).
Point of No Return (1993)
Bullet in the brain or cooperate...
This movie is obviously an American translation of the French film "La Femme Nikita", and upon first viewing, the movie was just "okay" at best. However, a second viewing changed that opinion and makes one realize that there is more to this movie than just trying to duplicate an older version. The way in which the actual story of the film is concluded is fine, but so many other aspects are left open creates a stunning contrast. The music is also very well done, mainly due to the lovely vocals of Nina Simone. Another aspect that I enjoyed was the shift in conflict from Maggie vs. herself to Maggie vs. everyone, and then Claudia vs. the system. It is easily said that the rehab and training program did too good of a job in the movie and gave her morals she didn't have previously, but it was this fabulous job that created the second half of the film. All in all, this movie deserves more credit than it is usually given, and if one can get away from the comparisons to "La Femme Nikita" then I think appreciated better.
PNYC: Portishead - Roseland New York (1997)
A moving experience through the use of many different types of sound.
This recorded concert brings forth angles of Portishead that cannot be found in just listening to their music. They provide the viewer/listener with an ambush of the senses, and watching how their incredible music is made makes it even more amazing. The ability to tie into one the numerous different sources of their sound proves that Portishead is not just one of the most ground-breaking musical acts of the 1990's, but also one of the most talented. Beth Gibbons shows off her beautiful voice and the rest of the musicians follow suit. There is so much one can say about how simply awesome this concert is, but the best thing to do is buy it and watch it over and over!
Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill (1998)
An amazing sequence of discussion covering everything from Star Wars to European conquest.
This fabulously entertaining standup presentation delivers on multiple levels. Izzard is great at keeping the audience interested and not only entertains them at times, but also jokes with them. At first, the viewer is not quite sure where he is coming from as he starts off by declaring that he is an 'executive transvestite' instead of just a 'weirdo transvestite', but then continues to explore a great many different aspects of human nature and history. Highly recommended for multiple viewings, this will brighten almost anyone's day.
Pecker (1998)
Not the greatest film, but most likely worth watching on a rainy day...
Interesting in its own way. It's almost as if it's a really bad sitcom, which should be negative, but somehow turns this predicament into an ally. Not the greatest film, but most likely worth watching on a rainy day...
Deep Rising (1998)
Small group of people, limited environment, evil unknown creature...
Haven't we all seen this one before? Here's the formula: take a small group of people who are somewhat equipped for the forthcoming task, put them in an environment where running or contacting others for help is not an option, and then introduce an extremely violent and dangerous something that is generally unidentified in all aspects except as the enemy. I think this was called Alien if I'm not mistaken, or Event Horizon, or even Jurassic Park if you will. I know that there's been gazillions of movies like this, but the other ones were just so much better (say, Jurassic Park for its effects). All they did with this was think of something that won't happen and decide to pretend that it could. On the positive side (if you're really looking for one, for it is a stretch), I thought that Femke did an entertaining job in the movie, and the conflict between the groups of people in the small boat in the beginning was interesting. However, these two things could not save this doomed flick. A fellow movie goer stood up at the end of film and ostentatiously (yet accurately) asked the crowd, "was this not the worst movie you've ever seen?" Too bad the crowd consisted of about our group of people and maybe 8 others...
The Avengers (1998)
Uma Thurman in a catsuit, lots of color, and nothing more.
Remember how, in "I Know What You Did Last Summer," a pact was made never to speak of what happened that fateful night? Well, moments after viewing this sorry excuse for a film, a similar pact was made amongst my fellow moviegoers. We were never to speak of this film for it could hardly be considered a movie. No one knew what was happening, the plot that was understood was very elementary and stupid, and the visuals were confusing as well. Aside from the lovely displays of color that I enjoyed, along with seeing Uma Thurman on the screen, there was nothing to be happy about. Being so ashamed of the movie that we had just seen, we went home and watched a rented movie just so we could say that we had seen a movie that night.
Avoid at all costs.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Hope leads everyone in life
The difference between this story about prison in the middle of the 20th Century and any other movie is just about everything. From the great acting of Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman to the outstanding directing, this movie just makes the viewer feel as if they spent their time doing something worthwhile. The ending of the movie makes the movie, but without all of the other parts leading up to the finale, there would be nothing as well. Almost every scene in this has a point and a reason. Watching others view this movie for the first time, I've noticed that the interest is usual only at an average level during the first third of the film, but as the viewer is drawn in, they soon can't take their eyes off of it. Only the best of movies will have all of these qualities, and with it being a happy, successful story in the end, few can deny its greatness.
Caddyshack (1980)
Golf, entertainment, and gophers
This movie produces one of the funniest and most entertaining golf stories ever. With a rowdy real estate investor coming in to explore the possibility of buying out a snobby country club, the problems are bound to arrive. Throwing in Chevy Chase as the best golfer in the area and Bill Murray to do the grounds-keeping, laughs are inevitable. Any golfer will truly appreciate this fine piece of work!