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Reviews
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
What a disappointment
I saw this a couple of days before my finals started and really needed a break from work and an escape into another world. What better escape than over 2 hours of Star Wars, an integral part of my childhood.
Before I go into its many failings, let's look at the good points. 1) Yoda & Count Dooku fight. Classic inspired Star Wars action. 2) Ummm.....
You got me there. 2 hours and 20 of film and only 2 minutes of memorable, commendable screen time. The scene is also very late in the film so the ghastly drudgery that is the first 2 hours has numbified you to this little piece of cinema magic.
The negatives are too too many to list but a couple need to be mentioned.
A) The romance scenes. The whole cinema laughed at the sheer embarrassment of it all (one woman uncontrollably so). The acting was flat and the dialogue reached new depths of despair. I expected it to be cheesy but at least with Han and Leia you get some chemistry and a sense of attraction.
B) The special effects. Too many unrealistic CGI characters and computer game scenery. One scene in particular, the assembly line, was like watching sci-fi version of Prince of Persia. Everything seemed 2 dimensional (like much of the film) with no depth. You just can't believe in the Star Wars world. It seemed so much more believable when locations, sets + make-up were used. No set piece made me sit back and go 'Wow'. The Clone battle at the end was a pale reflection of the Snow battle from Empire. Also, to use on old critic's cliche, the special effects should support the story not drive it. All in all, it was like watching an extended edition of Babylon %.
What this film (as well as Phantom Menace) is missing most is Han Solo type character. A cynic with some attitude, a bit of spunk. Basically, someone with character who doesn't speak in robotic "I must explain story + my emotion without engaging in conversation" monotone. It's sad to say that R2's beeps shows more life than any of the script written talk.
Once again they kill off one of the better characters. In Phantom it was Darth Maul, in this one it's Jango Fett. The brief glimpses we see of him and his son are one of the few decent but of acting and scripting.
I think I've more or less run out of faith. The new trilogy thus far is missing all the magic of the original trilogy. The third film can be saved but it needs major changes, namely, get a decent scriptwriter and someone who actually directs.
I gave the film a 4 and that's only because of the Yoda, Jango Fett, + R2. Not much to write home about is it?
Inventing the Abbotts (1997)
Likeable but frustrating
There are a lot of good things about this film. 1) The pretty young ones all act well. 2)It's well shot, full of lush scenery. 3) The pace swims along gently but doesn't become lethargic. 4) The three sisters are all stunning. 5) It is a very involving film which also is the source of the frustrations. The story just seems too unfair. I won't try and give the story away but I felt really sorry for Joaquin's character and really p***ed off at Liv Tyler's character who keeps toying with his emotions, even unconsciously. His brother isn't much better either. If he did it to me I'd want to kill him. And the predictable happy ending for me is just unsatisfying.
Credit where credit's due, the film has provoked a reaction and not a wholly undesirable either. Nevertheless it's left me feeling a little angry and I'm not quite sure why. Maybe bittersweet is the best word to sum it up.
Anyway, it's worth watching if it's on TV anytime though I wouldn't recommend paying for a rental.
P.S. I'm sure this review must seem very confusing and incoherent. Next time I'll stop to gather my thoughts before I start writing.
Mighty Aphrodite (1995)
Warm & Fuzzy
I liked this film a lot. It's a charming little comedy. Woody Allen is his usual mumbling self, coming out with some great lines. But the real star is Mira Sorvino. She stole every scene she's in. It's no surprise that the film picked up from her first scene onwards. Although she had to play the stereotypical 'tart with the heart' which we all love to hate, she was effortlessly pleasant and likeable. I think she deserved her Oscar. The Greek Chorus was also a nice original touch.
Phantoms (1998)
Do not watch this trite
I can't believe that some losers have given this film a 10 out of 10. Are you all mad? This film was so poor.
Now don't get me wrong. I kind of like cheap horror/sci-fi films. Some of them are nice little gems and can really play on your mind (In the Mouth of Madness or Night of the Living Dead for instance). This, however, was just a waste of time (I'm finding it very difficult here not to write expletives). It might have been a good book but it sure doesn't make a good film. I'm just amazed that it managed to get Ben Afflek and Peter O'Toole involved. What were they thinking?!? I'm sure they now would like this film to be quickly forgotten.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
It live up to the hype. What more can you say?
I've been obsessing about this film for two years, checking out for news on the net on a weekly basis. I had incredibly high expectations and I'm relieved to say that it didn't disappoint. Every time I start thinking about this movie I want to go back and see it again. I've only seen it twice thus far and, if possible, it was even better the second time (the audience nearly spoiled it the first time). I cried like an 8 year old when Boromir died and the Hobbits were taken away (I was also on the verge when Gandalf fell).
I was also relieved to discover that my friends and family loved it too. I was worried that only Tolkien fans would enjoy it but at least three of them who haven't a clue about the story thought that it was better than Star Wars (no idle boast for my generation who grew up with Luke and co.). I was also happy to discover that a lot of the girls I know thought it was very good. Even my Mum liked it (but that could have a lot to do with the presence of Aragorn). It's going to be a long and agonising wait until Christmas 2002.
I've read several reviews and there seems to be hardly any mention of the brilliance of Viggo Mortensen's portrayal of Aragorn. The subtlety of his performance made you forget that this was an actor acting (an accusation that could be charged against Sean Bean at some points). In some ways I think Aragorn will become like Han Solo: the kids and the blokes will think he's cool, while the women will fancy him like mad.
As for the other characters, I didn't have a problem with any of them (even Arwen, who I thought could have been a potential weak point). Special mention should be given to Ian McKellen. He just was Gandalf (and to think they were going to give it to Sean Connery at one point). He should get an Oscar nomination at least. Sam and Pippin (great comic relief) were great and the rest of the Fellowship did a good job with relatively little screen time. As for Elijah, he was rock solid, but I think greater performances will come in the next two instalments.
The greatest praise of all should be levelled at Peter Jackson. A masterful display of direction which used real emotion rather than the usual cheap Hollywood sentiment. Lucas should go and see this movie and take some notes.
I just hope that the Academy will acknowledge this film in March (it should get at least 5 including Best Picture and Best Director).
P.S. I'll also just mention that the Uruk-hai were cool.
Spy Game (2001)
No more than average thriller
OK, there was nothing inherently wrong with this picture. It had all Tony Scott's trademarks: rich visual style, dazzling cinematography and beautiful production designs; making it very pretty to look at. It also has two big stars in it who are good actors (even if Pitt seems to be in auto-pilot for this one). It even had Catherine McCormack in it as some reasonably good eye candy.
However, it doesn't really rise above the average, run-of-the-mill-post-cold-war-international-espionage-blowing-up-things-all- over-the-world-and-doing-clever-things-with-gadgets. It's even got the stereotypical old spy saying "We used to be able to tell who the good guys and the bad guys were." Although Scott never allows it to get corny or unrealistic, you still get the feeling that it's just a glorified Bond film that's given a bit more thought to its set pieces.
In a few years time this film will be largely forgotten. You'll be having a chat with your mates in the pub: 'Yeah, what was that film called? Something to do with spies. It had Brad Pitt and that old guy with the face that had more lines than a detention class. Yeah, what was that film called'
Being an average film, I've given it a very average 5 out of 10
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Girl werewolf chick flick
I was recently forced to watch this by a friend who absolutely loves it. Although I thought the film was OK, it didn't deserve the rave reviews my friend gave it. I do admire the fact that it's a distinct take on the distinct werewolf story, cleverly tying the lunar cycle in with a girl's period cycle, but to be honest, it was a bit boring. The scares were unscary, the special effects were a little on the cheap side, and some of the secondary actors were just poor (the guy who played Jason came from the Porky's school of acting). Amongst the plusses was the lead who was convincingly wacko and threatening and Mimi Rogers was wonderfully weird in it.
Although I wouldn't watch this film again by choice I am glad my mate forced me to watch it. It made me realise how lucky I am that I don't have to go through periods.
House on Haunted Hill (1999)
A bad film that got worse
'A rollercoaster ride in terror, full of thrills and spills'. Ummm, not quite. More like a 'Milk float ride where the biggest scare come when Mrs Jones from no. 42 answers the door without her dentures in!'.
I absolutely adore the cathartic process of being scared witless by films. This one, like the Haunting, failed to deliver. The writers and director failed to take advantage of a wonderful set piece (a rotting labyrinth mental asylum basement), providing only one genuinely frightening moment throughout the 90 minutes (the bit where the woman with the digital camera gets killed).
I saw this on DVD with it's extra features, including some deleted scenes which makes the scenes that actually made it seem ethereal. It also showed a trailer of the director's previous film 'Creature', a dire, cheap version of Alien. It does make you wonder how such an obviously untalented director like William Malone got given the job of directing an Oscar winner like Geoffrey Rush. One of life's little mysteries I guess.
Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
A good anime story that could make a great film
This was one of those late night Channel 4 type films which, though obscure and a bit weird, is ultimately rewarding and will stay locked up in your imagination for years to come.
Although I'm prone to appreciate fiction about vampires (I absolutely adore Bram Stoker's Dracula, the film not the novel) a lot of modern material deals with them in a comic, "ironic" manner, i.e Buffy. It's great to see that serious, horror vampires who are decidedly un-camp (like 'Hammer' ones) are still around.
It's uncomplex, stylish, atmospheric and like all great stories, it reveals information little by little. It could make a great little film (that is, if it avoids the Hollywood Blockbuster treatment).
The Dish (2000)
Lovely little film
I got this out on video largely due to some favourable reviews and the fact that I'm a big fan of Sam Neill. It didn't disappoint. It's one of those warm, fuzzy movies that gently pulls at your heartstrings, rather than drowning you with sentimental treacle.
Although the humour is a strong feature, the film's greatest achievement is conveying the sense of excitment felt as a result of the Moon walk. It kinda made me wish that I was around then to share in that excitment.
Hopefully the success of this film will allow writer/director Rob Sitch the chance to create future well-crafted films.
Note: Those of you who've watched "Neighbours" will spot the girl who used to play Dani Stark looking very fit.