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Reviews
3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
Flawed, but not that bad.
Ok, this movie is a tad bit flawed. It isn't perfect. When I write this review, I want all of you to know, I am a young male. Uh, huh. I love loud noises. It's just me. Maybe that's why I liked this movie. It has awesome photography and editing. But this movie is FAAARRRRR from perfect before you go out and rent this. There is no character development to speak of. Ok, Courtney Cox annoys the living p*ss out of me. That little kid subplot annoyed me too. Some of the characters...Mr. Slater, Mr. Arquette, Mr. Lovitz, and others are barely in the movie. That's too bad. You should have left them in, and left Ms. Cox out a little more. Yeah. This is WAYYY different from anything Costner has ever done before. He is a psycho in this. The movie wraps around a bunch of ex-cons who go on a heist that goes awry. Bummer. This movie is way cool, in terms of wasting time fast. The visuals are cool, and the music is awesome. Franchise Pictures, I hope you can get your act together, you just might make it. I'm done.
Brad
She's All That (1999)
I in court w/ Miramax for the 98 minutes of my life they took!
God this movie sucked. Whoever liked it has issues. Freddie Prinze, Jr. is horrible. The main girl, well, she sucked too. Why do capable actors such as Matthew Lillard and Anna Paquin take these roles? Darn. The bottom line is, a guy makes a bet he can make this loser the hottest s**t around...blah blah blah...he falls in love....blah blah blah...the end. I would have warned for spoilers, but I don't really consider that a spoiler, that's how formulaic this movie is. It's terrible. You wanna know how bad? The following things look appealing compared to this film
1) 100 diamond push-ups
2) oven cleaning
3) being locked in a trunk with a barking chihuahua
4) watching the dirt-cheap auto insurance commercials
Unless you are 12 and a female, this review will most likely be helpful to you.
Brad
Kiss of the Dragon (2001)
Not bad!
Ok, Luc Besson, you should have directed this one. Then this movie would have been god, but it's still not bad. Jet Li kills alot of people. That was cool. This movie had the COOLEST bad guy, Tcheky Karyo, I want to see that dude in some more movies...Hell ya. This movie, was directed by rookie Chris Nahon, it shows...but if he keeps doing his homework, he'll be another good filmmaker...Even if he IS French. I was mildly impressed by this movie....Good way to waste time....by no means any Lethal Weapon(god, I love that movie) but worth a look.
Brad
Bully (2001)
this hurts.
This is a movie that hurts. It's a good flick, it just hurts. Larry Clark likes to make people dizzy and sick to their stomach. He accomplishes that no prob bob in this movie. Nick Stahl and Brad Renfro were pretty good in this movie...David McKenna(Blow,American History X) writes a good, believable script. Watching Stahl rape Renfro's girlfriend while watching gay porn was a little much for me though. Not recommended for people with light stomachs.
Brad
American Beauty (1999)
This movie is like a calzone, all the perfect ingredients wrapped together.
God this movie is terrific, this movie has inspired me with all of the following things:
A) Handling my problems
B) Taking care of myself
C) Not taking s--t from people
D) Wanting to be a better person
The razor-sharp wit, performances(Spacey especially), humor, drama, everything makes this movie just terrific. You should see this movie...I usually hate the movies that go to the Oscars, finding them extremely over-rated and boring(Chocolat). See this movie, it is great, anyone who doesn't like this movie, probably enjoys movies like "Scary Movie 2", or is on serious drugs.
Driven (2001)
Renny, you are god, get some better material
I loved this movie because of Renny's direction alone. He makes the best loud bunch of debris. I payed to see this movie soley because Renny directed it, otherwise I would have stayed away. I hate Stallone, he needs to go to a speech therapist. This movie has a lame plot, but great racing scenes, and lots of good sound effects, hyper-editing, and girls in tight outfits. Estella Warren is so hot, Kip Pardue, you are a wimp, and need to pick roles that suit you better. Awesome direction, Lame plot.
Brad
Sliver (1993)
watch this movie with a chick if you want to get some...., other wise don't bother
This movie is great to watch with a date....but Basic Instinct is better. I watch this when I don't have my favorite bisexual on hand. It looks great, fabulous photography, not very good suspense, Sharon Stone can't really act(Basic Instinct exempt). Otherwise, this is just Joe Eszterhas taking a couple perversions(which he is good at)...and throwing them together. Not a very good movie...maybe a 4, a 5 being nice...just because this film as helped me out in a few situations.=) Otherwise, rent a better movie.
Brad
Heathers (1988)
classic!
This movie is hilarious. No doubt about it. Christian Slater and Wynona Ryder are terrific. This movie is the ultimate movie for people who hate those stupid teen flicks with Freddie Prinze Jr., etc. etc. I mean... it is soooo cynical! I was laughing my head off the whole time.. watch this movie with someone who DOESN'T get offended easily. Trust me there. Oh, and after this movie was made, director Michael Lehmann and writer Daniel Waters collaborated on Hudson Hawk....what happened??
Brad
Wonder Boys (2000)
Terrific!
What a great movie! Curtis Hanson is a great director, this movie really was funny. I love Tobey Maguire and he is my favorite young actor, Michael Douglas was great, as was the rest of the entire cast. Robert Downey, Jr. was a complete crack up as his gay editor. Dante Spinotti's dark apmoshere adds complete surroundings for the picture, and the pacing is nice and enjoyable. Definitely see this movie.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
No words can define the brilliance here.
This movie is brilliant. It is handsomely shot, like a dream. This is not only one of the best movies of the year, but I am a teenager, 15 years of age, and I am glad writer-director Sofia Coppola knows what teenagers are like. I have always had mass distaste for Kristen Dunst's acting abilities, Interview with the Vampire excepted. This movie, shows her talent. I was amazed. Ed Lachman(Erin Brockovich)'s cinematography is like poem, with awesome music by Air, and editor Melissa Kent(The Rainmaker)'s very smart pacing. If a person did not like this movie, they did not understand the point of view, or was never a teenager. I love every little thing about this movie, James Woods and Kathleen Turner are two of the finest actors, and I am glad they chose to show their abilities here. Thought-provoking and brilliant. Another talented filmmaker in the Coppola family.
Meet Joe Black (1998)
looks great.
Well, hell this movie does look great. It has Dante Ferretti(Casino)'s production design, and Emmanuel Lubezki(Sleepy Hollow)'s gorgeous cinematography. But there is one problem that gets in the way of making this a good movie. Martin Brest's case of Kevin Costner-itis(The film runs for 3 hours) and it went through Ron Osborn and Jeff Reno(big mistake, writers of Radioland Murders). It should have just stayed with Kevin Wade(Working Girl) and Bo Goldman(Scent of a Woman). Another thing I would have done if I were Martin Brest is, he used two editors, His editor, Michael Tronick(Scent of a Woman) and Joe Hutshing(Jerry Maguire), to liven up the pace, I would have had the film re-chopped by the best editor on the planet, pace-jumper John Woo-editor Christian Wagner(Face/Off). The story is about Death who goes to take Anthony Hopkins, and oh, yeah, his daughter is one of the best looking things ever displayed on celluloid. So, he chills on earth, with Anthony Hopkins, and he shows him around. This movie is a great movie to look at, and considering Brad Pitt is one of my very favorite actors(I am a 15 year old male, who is heterosexual). This movie is not bad, just needs trimming. Great to look at. Rated PG-13(for thematic elements, language, and a sex-scene that will let you get a good night's sleep, trust me :-)
Last Action Hero (1993)
Why did I like this movie?
I am 15 years old, and a cynical movie-goer. I hate most big-budget crisis films. This one, there is just something about it. It is funny because it makes fun of all the movies, and has a terrific cast(F. Murray Abraham, Robert Prosky). Columbia Pictures was litterally asking for a stinker when they had Shane Black(Lethal Weapon, Last Boy Scout, Long Kiss Goodnight) write the script and not bother with shelling out a couple more thou, which wouldn't have hurt(the film cost $75, which for the time was quite a bit) by having Richard Price(Shaft, Clockers) rewrite the script. But Columbia thought all that matters to audiences is big noisy explosions. Well, I liked this movie, because I want to be a producer-director, and I love all the jokes about the celluloid industry, "Say this word" "No" "Because you can't! This movie's only PG-13" or (talking about F. Murray Abraham) "Jack, he was the bad guy in Amadeus, it won 8 Oscars!" or how about "Where are all the normal girls? They all look like Guess adds!" This movie also has some awesome action sequences. Too bad everyone hated it, I enjoyed it. Look for the part when Jack and Danny go in the video store, and all of John McTiernan's movies are in the background(Hunt for The Red October, Medicine Man, Preditor) or when the kid says "Like in Die Hard(A McTiernan film) when the bad guys hanging off the roof, he's not dead yet!!!" This movie is funny, and has a really cool design by Eugenio Zanetti. See it if you love movies, action, or loud-amusing popcorn fun. If you are looking for romance, drama, or a beautiful filmwork, search elsewere. Although, cinematographer Dean Semler(The Bone Collector) does know his way around a camera.
The Avengers (1998)
What a waste
This was a waste. A giant waste. Waste of time, waste of talent(yes, you read right, there were talented people involved with this film), and a BIG F---ING WASTE OF $60 MILLION BUCKS!!! Well, where do I start? Ralph Finnes is very talented, Uma Thurman(Uma was cloned in the movie, maybe in real life also, because this doesn't seem like the one in the awesome Pulp Fiction), cinematographer Roger Pratt(Batman, 12 Monkies), porduction designer Stuart Craig(Dangerous Liaisons), editor Mick Audsley(High Fidelity, The Grifters), costume designer Anthony Powell(all 3 Indiana Jones, The Ninth Gate), and most of all Jim Broadbent(Topsy Turvy) who was obviously smoking something when he accepted this role. Sean Connery is no villian!! The real villian here is producer Jerry Weintraub, who is the brilliant mind behind such breath-taking(not) films such as Soldier with Kurt Russell, Vegas Vacation with Chevy Chase, and The Specialist with Sylvester Stallone. His apprentices in this is a no one named Don MacPherson who wrote this trash, and director Jeremiah S. Chechik(Diabolique w/ Sharon Stone). This film is a mess. I feel bad for the talents wasted here. Don't see this movie.
A Walk on the Moon (1999)
I ask of you to see this picture.
This movie was so terrific. It was very touching, and poignant. I absolutely loved Anna Paquin, and Diane Lane as the housewife. I am a guy, a young male. And I would take one hundred "Walk on the Moon"s than "Urban Legends:Final Cut" This movie was well directed by Tony Goldwyn. The photography by Anthony Richmond, B.S.C. is very lush and nice to look at. I therefore, recommend this to everyone. Enjoy.
Almost Famous (2000)
One of the best films I have ever seen.
This movie is terrific. Go see it. Everyone in this cast is amazing. I think it is almost impossible not to love Cameron Crowe's big-hearted script and good direction. Go see it. Please. John Toll's cinematography is excellent, Joe Hutshing and Saar Klien's pacing is also very good. I can't praise this film enough.
Falling Down (1993)
Awesome revenge fantasy
This movie was AWESOME. Michael Douglas is terrific. I loved this movie. Robert Duvall is good as always. The plot is extremely realistic and believable. Watch this movie. You won't be dissapointed. It has that feel like, "I had a day when I felt like this." The photography by Bartkowiak is awesome, as usual.
McHale's Navy (1997)
Amazing how bad this movie is.
God! This was bad! It is absoloutley how bad this movie was. Studios threw out $42 million on this, where they out of thier skull? My god.. Avoid this mess at all costs. Please. You will be a smarter person if you avoid. This movie was aired on Comedy Central. I had no intent of actually paying to rent this trash. Buzz Fiethans IV didn't even shoot the movie well. Bryan Spycer's direction is completely listless.
Private Parts (1997)
Terrific!
I lied to my parents and went and saw this movie in the theater and I loved it. It is so funny, and Betty Thomas uses smart direction also. Len Blum's adaptation is very smart. And Ivan Rietman was left to make sure no one f***ed it up. They all succeed. This movie is hilarious, and the only people who would rate this movie a 1, are the angry hypocrites for censorship. This movie is great, and is highly recommended? Oh, yeah, got something controversial to say, anything at all? E-mail me.
Se7en (1995)
One of the best films I have ever seen.
I can't spoil this film for you. It is very rough. It is very violent. It has incredible suspense. The direction is absoloutley amazing. Darius Khondi's photography is amazing. Brad Pitt is terrific, as always. Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow are very good also. This movie is riveting. See it once, see it twice.
Raising Cain (1992)
Bonfire of The Vanities + 1
This movie was not as bad as Bonfire of The Vanities. But, DePalma needs to go to rehab. He is such an awesome director. He is a terrific stylist. He did his homework, and took out the old b**ch next door's trash. Why? Ok, Lithgow gives a pretty good performance. Lolita Davidovich still needs to go to acting school. Steven Bauer is back a la Scarface, but not half as good. Steven Burum, still knows cinematography. Gale Anne Hurd rips off some producing credit...but it should have gone to DePalma. It's not as bad as Bonfire of The Vanities. But. That doesn't say much...it has it's suspenseful moments. But its flaws are very visible.
Where the Heart Is (2000)
minus Portman
I gave this film a 7. It had rather slick direction. It had Joan Cusack in it, who is a terrific actress. Except, one thing, I just can't stand Natalie Portman. I know people say "Oh, she's a teenager's actress." Well, I am a teenager. I am 15. And I think she is so sheltered, and annoying too!I read somewhere when She was dissing Adrian Lyne's adaptation of Lolita. That movie was Ten times better than Star Wars! Come on. Well, this movie is entertainment. If you leave out Portman's acting and some clunky lines. Richard Gratrex,B.S.C.(Shakespeare in Love) shows again he know how to use a camera. It was a fairly faithful adaptation of Billie Letts novel, which I read in 6th grade. Make up your mind. This film is pretty good. That is, minus Portman.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
One of the year's worst.
I must say. I hated this movie. I hate Star Wars. It was so over-hyped. I Can't stand Natalie Portman, and you want to kill Jake Lloyd. Niether can act. Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor were wasted....very sadly. Samuel L. Jackson? Come on! Lucas, can make a movie. This movie is loved to pieces. But for a person who is looking for a movie with tone, characters, plot, development, direction, writing, and acting. Avoid at all costs. Oh yeah, give Darth Maul the Oscar. He showed the most drama depth in this movie.
The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
De Palma, Wolfe, Vilmos, THIS?
De Palma....what the hell were you thinking. This movie, I don't think I liked well, because it was missing tone. The tone of the Wolfe. Let's start with a few positive things...Vilmos Zsigmond's photography looks great...Richard Sylbert designs lavishly....cool titles....NOW the bad things....Tom Hanks? Sherman McCoy? You've got to be kidding, right?...Melanie Griffith? a Southerner named Maria, with an unintentionally hilarious accent....Morgan Freeman, he is Black, and in the novel his character was discribed as a Puney Jewish guy.... John Hancock, three words Oh My God.......Bruce Willis, miscast. If I produced this movie, he would have been replaced by Michael Douglas, he can play and alcoholic(Basic Instinct) and a writer(Wonder Boys). The movie...is a mess..But, Peters probably said, "Hey, it looks good, don't it?".I couldn't really cast a vote for this one, so I had my brother do it... it aint wroth anything above a 3, but 2 and 1 are too kind to recieve such torture....I hope this gave you a good idea about this "movie" or "pretty mess".
Basic Instinct (1992)
Ultra sleek entertainment from Verhoeven.
Very erotic, very well made, and produced film about a bisexual ice queen who likes to play with people's heads. Michael Douglas is very good, as always. And Sharon Stone is terrific, which is strange because I usually don't enjoy her. This movie is ideal, with kinkiness all around that adds up to a true pleasure.
Angela's Ashes (1999)
good film.
I liked it. Michael Sersin's photography is very good, as are the performances. Alan Parker can direct, as he does. I reccomend this film to anyone looking for a well-crafted moving film experience. Emily Watson, Robert Calyle, and all of the children are abosloutley wonderful. I loved the humor, and especially Geoffery Kirkland's design.