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CrossworldsThespis
Reviews
Someone Like You... (2001)
Excellent viewing *and* thinking - and not a chick flick
I was a skeptic coming into the theater and I couldn't love this movie more. Aside from being funny and touching, the movie does give something to think about, not in the theory of animal husbandry (which is treated seriously, not as a joke), but in the response to that. As a woman, I was slapped in the face by the comments made by Hugh Jackman's Eddie to Ashley Judd in one particular scene late in the film. And don't let the trailer and press fool you - Eddie's not the typical womanizer, in fact he's not one at all. He was a pleasantly complex character that I fell in love with partly because he made me re-examine myself, and because of the strong acting of the absolutely darling Hugh Jackman, who was the principal reason I went to this movie in the first place. His excellent acting and the writing makes Eddie the most in-depth character, and believe me Hugh Jackman is very impressive, a great, human departure from Wolverine which only affirmed that I will be standing in line when "Swordfish" comes out in June, and probably when any other movie with this stellar favorite actor of mine comes out.
Go see this movie - if not for the thinking, then at least to have a great time, and come out feeling good. It's not a chick flick as you'd think; it's a learning experience and a fun time!
Miss Congeniality (2000)
Quality entertainment if you're looking for laughs
I've seen this movie twice and liked it so much I'm going back for a third time. I wouldn't call it best of 2000 (X-Men is), but it is a good comedy. I will definitely be purchasing this once it hits video. And coming into the theater I was skeptical. I wasn't staying away with a cross and holy water but the only thing I remember thinking when I saw the trailer was "Hey, there's Benjamin Bratt from Law and Order" and "If it's a Sandra Bullock film I suppose it's OK." My friend took me and I loved it so much I brought friends to a second time. It's not one of the best movies I've ever seen, maybe in the top 25. But the movie is memorable simply because it's funny.
Michael Caine is great in this movie. I especially enjoyed the way that he and Benjamin Bratt interacted especially when it became obvious what Vic's preferences were. Watching the horror on Ben Bratt's face and then watching him flee the scene was one of my favorite moments. I enjoyed Bratt as Eric Matthews here. He had never done anything much for me on Law and Order - no one out-Noths Chris Noth after all - but here he makes a surprisingly good action hero (like Rob Lowe in Atomic Train, the WORST movie ever). He has a good sense of humor. I loved watching him play off Sandra Bullock. And strangely I thought he was cute in this movie although I have never thought so before.
That was not the only change. Sandra Bullock shot up my list of favorite actresses with this movie from about average to in my Top 10. She is a good comedienne here. I gained respect for Michael Caine as a comedic actor. It was great to see Candice Bergen outside of Murphy Brown. And William Shatner, who irritates me to death with his Priceline commercials, Captain Kirk acting and even his voice, actually made me laugh here. The music was good, especially "One in a Million" by Bosson which is one of my favorite movie songs. This movie was full of pleasant surprises.
The strangest thing was I took a bunch of loud, rowdy people and a guy friend of mine - and my friends actually managed to shut up except when they were laughing so hard. And my macho-guy friend actually enjoyed the flick and is coming back with me this weekend to see it again. That's how pleasant a present (excuse the rhyme) Miss Congeniality is. Definitely worth a look for a good comedy. 3.75 stars out of 4, losing .25 for some predictable subplots.
Crossworlds (1996)
Entertaining and well acted - good, not great
I was very, very anxious to see CrossWorlds. I'm a huge fan of Josh Charles, a huge sci-fi fan and I had seen the trailer from this site, which absolutely blew me away. After looking at my local mall, video store, and two more video stores I finally found a copy. I rushed home and put it in my VCR that night.
"CrossWorlds" is a good movie. I wouldn't compare it to "Glory" or other Josh Charles classics like "Sports Night" but it's one of those movies that you can come away from feeling like you made a good choice. It's a movie you'll want to watch again, the kind of movie you'd buy just to pull out once in a while. In particular, the acting performances and the abstract way of looking at things made this movie.
The plot was a little diffuse - the first time I watched it, I got to about halfway through and then lost my mind. I had to watch a second time to understand it. Josh Charles makes a surprisingly good action hero with his skill and sarcasm; Rutger Hauer makes a fine mentor. Andrea Roth and Stuart Wilson could have been better, the ending could have been better too (way obvious). CrossWorlds leaves a lot of things up to the viewer which is great. It packs cool action and fun. If you want a movie you can enjoy without having to be thrown a moral or emotional appeal, this is it.
Just be sure to skip the tedious, unexplained, worthless sequence of the opening credits.