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justinbrett
Reviews
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Not as bad as you think
I first saw Pearl Harbour two years ago when it was at the cinemas. I now own a copy on DVD and have seen it many times since.
The main problem with this movie is that it tries too hard to be a "blockbuster" and tries to include all demographics.
About half of the film is a war film, which in itself is brilliant. If this was the movie alone, it would be getting very good reviews. The 30 minute attack on Pearl Harbour is some of the best pieces of film ever made.
The problem lies with the other half. While us guys are satisfied watching things blow up, the movie tries to offer a love story for the female audience. However, the whole love triangle plot is corny and unnecessary. This part of the movie really sinks it.
Having said all that, it is still well worth putting up with the love story to watch a great war film. It's nothing like Saving Private Ryan, but it's still good.
The casting of Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale was great; but Ben Affleck, well, need I say more.
Swimming Upstream (2003)
Another great Aussie movie
Despite the title and setting this is not a movie about swimming.
At times the movie can be dark and downright depressing, and the quality of the acting really brings you into the story. Brilliant performances by Judy Davis, Geoffrey Rush and Jesse Spencer (from Neighbours).
Set in Brisbane, this movie accurately captures life in Brisbane in the 50s. Unfortunately for us Brisbanites, there's not many obvious landmarks (except for the very obvious Sydney Harbour Bridge when they are in Sydney). However, the Fingleton home is a true Queenslander home and is very familiar.
Unfortunately, this movie did not do very well in Australia, though it is good to see that it will be released in New Zealand next month. Hopefuly it will also be released in the UK.
It is very probable that in 6 months time the DVD release of this might do a little better than the cinema release in Australia. That is of course if they make a DVD, which I guess cannot be guaranteed, given the lack of interest thus far.
Although I'm not usually a fan of Dramas, I try to see most Australian movies and this one is up there with the best of them.
The Time Machine (2002)
I can't believe how much it sucked!
I saw this move with some friends without seeing the previews or hearing anything about it.
I honestly can't believe how much this movie sucked. If you thought AI or Planet of the Apes was bad, this movie takes the cake. It's about 4 separate movies virtually unrelated, with the most unbelievable plot and really bad acting. Everything is so overdone.
To be honest, I can't think of a movie that is worse than this one. I see a lot of movies, and I have never came out thinking as less about a movie as I did with this one.
This movie wouldn't even be worth seeing on TV.