Change Your Image
abe-27
Reviews
The Box (2009)
Very Inetersting
I was a bit surprised by the low overall rating this movie has received. I found the story quite fascinating and could only blame the short attention span of the generation-X and Y for the low rating this movie has received. The plot has been explained many times over so I won't repeat it. I only like to point out that the acting of the main characters was wonderful and believable. The story is meant to develop slowly for character development and full absorption by the audience. It is not meant for the Star War and Harry Potter crowd or worse yet fans of Iron Man and Batman. The style of movie somewhat resembles older mystery movies of the 60's. I was especially surprised by Cameron Diaz's performance as I had not seen her in a serious role before. If you fully get absorbed in the plot, the conclusion is not surprising but leaves you with a pleasant after-taste to ruminate about in long lonely nights.
Shrek 2 (2004)
Very Unfunny
It was with great expectations that me and my son went to see this movie only to be disappointed by its lack of humor and originality. In the entire movie, there are but a handful of punch lines and the story becomes boring in less than half an hour into the the film. Most of the converstaion dwells around whether a pair of ogres are suitable to rule the kingdom that belongs to Fiona's parents. The morale, that is driven to death, is that you don't have to look beautiful to understand love. This line is repeated so many times that one wonders what the screenwriters were thinking of when they wrote the story. I give this movie one star and recommned it to no one to see it.
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
a fake love story
Every character in this self-proclaimed love story is so fake that I do not think any non-adolescent over 14 would believe it. I have always felt both Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are over-rated actors and this movie is a living proof of that. Throughout the movie, I felt sorry for Bill Pullman who seemed to have taken his role somewhat seriously.
The idea that two very good-looking adults falling in love according to a plot from an older movie is absurd. What is more ridiculous is that the wisdom emanates from an 8 year old who can recite long sentences without rehearsal! If that's not enough, working people with middle class life styles, seem to be doing nothing but to worry about their love life at work. I am so glad I saw this movie on TV so I would not have to go and ask for my money back.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Absolutely horrible
"Lilo and Stitch" has my vote as being the worst animation movie I have ever seen. It is violent, tasteless, inappropriate for children, unfunny, uninteresting and terribly disconnected. It is unclear to me what on earth might have been the purpose of making this movie (other than profit ) from a company with past glorious reputation in animated movies. The story line centers around an alien fugitive beast in Hawaii which is being hunted by alien monsters of various kinds. Throughout the entire movie, I could not hear any of the 20 or so children in the theater making any expression of laughter, delight, or joy but were rather perplexed (as I was) that how they were duped into watching such a senseless story. The opening credits site the movie was based on "an idea by Chris Sanders". One may wish Mr. Sanders would keep his ideas to himself in future.
Shrek (2001)
Somewhat over-hyped
I thought the story line was ok in today's standards. Thankfully, the violence scenes were short. The jokes were not very funny for adult audiance except for a few lines by Eddie Murphy. The worst part of the movie, I thought, was when Fiona took on the French Robin Hood. Not a good scene for kids unless you like them to grow violent. Why is there always open season on anything French in Hollywood?
The movie does not carry any particular message or moral value unless you are an adult and analyse it to death. It is still fun to watch this movie though I would not recommend it to folks over 50.
Suspicion (1941)
One of the best Hitchcock movies
They don't make movies like this anymore. It was a delight to watch this classic by Hitchcock. I rank it high alongside North by Northwest, Vertigo, Spellbound and Birds.
The story takes place in British countryside and brings back the memories of colonial gentry. I am not sure if everyone understands how high a position it is to be a General in British army as skillfully portrayed by Cedric Hardwicke. It surely is way above comparable ranks in the US army both from the standpoint of class and money. Cary Grant is a playboy who takes an interest in the General's daughter much to the chagrin of her family. Joan Fontaine is at her best as the General's daughter, though Cary Grant's performance is slightly comic. I never thought of Cary Grant as a great actor (his best performance was probably in North by Northwest). But don't let this slight weakness discourage you from watching this gem. I have watched it over a dozen times and still get excited watching it.
Old Yeller (1957)
An excellent movie for young and old alike
After watching this movie with my son I checked this site expecting a rating closer to 9 or 10 and was a bit disappointed some folks did not enjoy it as much as we did. It's a wonderful movie with a touching and believable story line. Travis and his younger brother Arliss perform flawlessly, though their mother may seem too passive for a frontier woman. The sudden appearance of Chuck Connors (Burn Sanderson) enlightens the story line with a light romantic undertone.
The movie teaches young kids the values of hard work, family love, neighborly support, hospitality and pretty much everything that today's movies seem to overlook as too mundane and banal. I strongly recommend this movie to young and old and give it a rating of 10. In my view the movie should be judged in its genre which is family/kids and not be compared with better adult performances in more serious movies. Surely, Tommy Kirk is not Gregory Peck in "To Kill a Mocking Bird" but his performance is just the same for a kid of his age in a family movie.
Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)
Not worth watching
One of the worst movies I have ever seen. I bought the tape for my 11 year old son but he asked me to stop watching less than half way through the tape. All the actors' performances look rather plastic except for the tarantula.
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)
Somethings never change
The corporate America as presented in this excellent movie has not changed over the last 43 years, neither has the price of a new washing machine ($250 as quoted in the movie). This movie should be listed among the best 100 movies of this century. It's a timeless piece of art, Peck and Jones are great, so are the rest of the cast.