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Reviews
Cloverfield (2008)
Inane and silly, with dumb characters and no plot
One of the most silly movies I've ever seen. It's basically just a bunch of inane characters you don't care about running around screaming "Rob!" or "Jason!" The acting is on the level of a high school play. The "love story" is silly and laughable. The special effects are okay, but not on par with those of the great horror and sci-fi movies. Honestly, I can't think of a single thing to recommend this movie, except for the fact that it was very short.
I know a lot of people see movies like this for mindless thrills, but Cloverfield stinks even by the lowered standards of the genre. This is a movie for people with no standards. If you like intelligent movies, don't evenbother with this crud.
Psycho Beach Party (2000)
Not Bad
Gay propaganda? Get real! If you think this film is "propaganda" or an attempt to "rewrite history" you obviously didn't pay attention. It's just a fun, campy film that parodies bad teen movies from the fifties and sixties. And it mostly succeeds. Some of the gags fall flat, but overall the film works. The performances of Lauren Ambrose, Thomas Gibson, and Nicholas Brendon are especially amusing - they really capture the acting style that you see in a lot of those old B-movies. I also enjoyed how the film skewered various cliched movie scenes and hackneyed plot devices. but, as other posters have noted, how much you enjoy this film will probably depend upon how familiar you are with the type of films being parodied.
The Age of Innocence (1993)
An exquisite film
This is one of the greatest films ever made. Each frame aches with repressed passion and longing. It is about a lawyer named Newland Archer (played expertly by Daniel Day-Lewis) who yearns to break free of the rigid, repressive world of upper-class New York in the 1870's. The tragedy is that he cannot quite bring himself to do this, for fear of losing the security and prestige that this world offers him. As Countess Olenska, Newland's forbidden lover, Michelle Pfeiffer has never been better and Winona Ryder is equally strong as Newland's fiancee, May, who hides a controlling, manipulative nature behind a veil of sweetness and naivete. Jay Cocks' screenplay is a true rarity - a script that is stimulating emotionally as well as intellectually. The dialogue shines, just click on the "memorable quotes" section of the sidebar for a sampling of this script's greatness. And how could I forget the master behind this masterpiece, Martin Scorsese? His direction is peerless, as always. His camera is always moving, but the effect is stylish and subtle rather than intrusive. The framing and composition are exquisite as well. One of my favorite things about this film is it's look. The cinematography (Michael Ballhaus), art direction (Dante Ferretti), and costumes (Gabriela Pescucci) magically recreate the visual splendor of the era. This film will hold you spellbound until its last scene, which is one of the most heartbreaking and poignant in cinematic (and literary) history. And to those who say that "nothing happens" in this film - look closer. Unlike most films, the action here is mostly covert, not overt.
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
A hilarious film
This is one of the great underrated gems of the cinema. This film is hilarious, but never too snide - while the characters are undeniably dorky, you can't help but love them (especially the "Lunts of Blaine". Red, White, and Blaine is the funniest play-within-a-movie you will ever see, and all the songs are mini-masterpieces of comedy, especially "Everything is Boring on Mars."
Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
I hated this movie
I don't understand why this film got a decent rating on the imdb, it is just plain awful. The singing and dancing are uninspired, the songs don't fit into the story well, the overabundance of subplots is distracting, and absolutely none of the jokes are funny. If you want to see a good Woody Allen film, rent The Purple Rose of Cairo instead.
Midnight Express (1978)
Not at all a great film
This is not the great film it is made out to be. Pauline Kael, the goddess of film criticism, called it "cinematic yellow journalism," and she was right on target. Except for the affecting supporting performances of Randy Quaid and John Hurt, this movie is worthless, trashy,and exploitative. Not to mention the fact that the score is overemphatic and annoying, and that the film's potrayal of the Turks is blatantly ethnocentric.
Duel in the Sun (1946)
A unique Western
I have to admit that this film is a bit melodramatic and outdated, but I still love it. Despite its semi-long running time, it never fails to be entertaining. And everyone in the cast turns in a great performance - especially Gregory Peck, in a rare departure from his nice-guy on-screen persona. Also, Dmitri Tiomkin's score is fabulous, and I love that early technicolor!
The Patriot (2000)
Egregious - I hated it
This film has absolutely no redeeming qualities. It is terrible in every respect - especially the glorification of violence and vigilante justice and the stereotypically prissy and cruel British villains. Mel is okay, but the much-touted Heath Ledger is terrible - he just looks bored in every scene, as if he's about to wander off the set and go get a beer. And don't even get me started on the cliched, motley band of misfits who fit with Mel and the tv-movie level script.
Gladiator (2000)
Hated it!
This movie's popularity is completely inexplicable. It is basically a pastiche of cliches from every historical epic ever made. The basic premise - a man's loved one's are killed and then he gets revenge on the sneering villain - is reminiscent of everything from Braveheart to Ben-Hur. The only bright spots are the performances of Russell Crowe, Derek Jacobi, and the late, lamented Oliver Reed, but the film is so awful, who could care?
American Beauty (1999)
Overrated
This is such a tiresome, overrated movie. It is about as intellectually stimulating as Pauly Shore film. The dialogue is overwritten, and Annette Bening's performance is laughably over-the-top. I have no idea why this film has a reputation as being intelligent. It is completely facile and shallow - that is why every schmuck and his grandmother likes it.
Titanic (1997)
Unbelievably bad
This film is so egregious, I sometimes wonder if it wasn't constructed to be campy on purpose a la a John Waters film. The dialogue is beyond cheesy, and the scene where Kate Winslet spit on Billy Zane is like something out of a grade-Z soap opera. I didn't believe a second of this film - it is extraordinarily fake in every respect. Even the special effects are bad (even a blind man could tell that the ship is computer generated), which is especially pathetic given the bloated budget. DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM!
Dead Poets Society (1989)
An overrated movie
This movie is pretty much a mess. I'm a huge Peter Weir fan, and I really expected more from him. If you want to see one of his films, rent Gallipoli or Picnic at Hanging Rock, and avoid this at all costs. This is basically one of those tiresome, pseudo-inspirational films wherein a unique, rule-breaking teachers inspires his students to do their own thing. The characters are all cliches - the teacher; the sweet, slightly effeminate boy with the obnoxious father who doesn't understand him; the token girlfriend character, etc. Also, I'm sick of Robin Williams using his films as a forum to show off his impersonations - save those for the stand-up routines.
My Favorite Year (1982)
I enjoyed it
This film isn't a masterpiece, but it is funny and quite entertaining. O'Toole received a lot of praise for his acting in this film, and deservedly so, but all the performances are great. There are a few flaws - some of the jokes fall flat, some of the situations are a bit cliched, but overall this film is a skilled blend of satire and tenderness.
Gallipoli (1981)
One of my favorites
This is one of the great films of all time. The characters are lovingly rendered, the script is subtle and believable, and Peter Weir's direction is carefully crafted and extremely effective. Not a single flaw comes to mind. The film is very sad and poetic, without being maudlin. Unlike most anti-war movies, this film doesn't beat you over the head with its theme - Gallipoli conveys its message in a subtle (yet clear) fashion. I recommend this film to everyone. Also, if you enjoyed this film you will probably enjoy Picnic at Hanging Rock, another early Peter Weir film.
L'histoire d'Adèle H. (1975)
Poetic
A beautiful, haunting film. You will not be able to forget it. The performances (especially Adjani's)are sensitive and moving as is the direction and the script. Definitely the most intelligent movie about obsessive love ever made. If you are a Truffaut fan, or just a film fan in general, rent this film immediately.
Viskningar och rop (1972)
A true masterpiece
This is one of the most affecting films ever made. I saw it about a year ago and I still can't get it out of my mind. It is one of the few films that manages to ponder profound philosophical questions without becoming self-consciously arty and pretentious. Amazingly, Cries and Whispers is poignant and tender, yet also tough minded. If you haven't seen this film yet, I urge you to rent it. If you like this film I recommend Wild Strawberries, which is an earlier Bergman film.