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Reviews
Open Water (2003)
Very low-budget, but very real
This movie will not win any awards. At least not for the categories which we've come to know. What it will do is awaken your senses to just how easily a good situation can turn bad. They should create a motion picture award for most realistic storyline. This movie would then be the winner.
I found this story disturbing. In such a manner that it raises some of the basic fears we carry around with us. The fact that the movie was shot without a huge budget and relative unknown celebrities, puts it at the level of the everyday person. Many times throughout the story, you could easily place yourself in the shoes of these people. Everyday people, busy with their jobs, looking for a little relaxation in a tropical paradise....sound familiar? As disturbing as this movie is, you must remember that much of it is based on speculation. If you do some research on the real life event, you will find that we really don't know what took place. Regardless, this is one of those pictures for which you should reset your expectations. No glitz or glamour, but a strong dose of reality.
Blade Runner (1982)
20 years later, it still delivers !
Bravo Ridley Scott !
This movie has a pulse which hasn't skipped a beat since 1982.
I can still remember my first time seeing this production in the theatre. Long before big screens, Dolby Digital sound and large cushy cinema seating existed.
At it's conclusion, I walked out thinking, "Wow, that was really different.". Different in that it was ahead of it's time.
This is a love/hate movie. Either you're fascinated by it's style, or you find it boring. If you have any sort of imagination, then you'll definitely be amazed by this picture.
I proceeded to watch this movie multiple times, on VHS, television, DVD. Each time picking out something new I admired.
Sure, the music is a little dated and the 1980's advertisements for such names as Atari show up in scenes, making you chuckle. But the story and it's characters are pure genius.
Each character was unique and identifiable. Actor/Actress selection was perfect. Harrison Ford, Joe Turkel, Joanna Cassidy, Rutger Hauer etc, etc, etc....
The movie has an obvious "dark" atmosphere about it and if you don't like Sci-Fi, best you not watch this flic. But to me, this is true Sci-Fi. If you stretch your imagination into the future, perhaps almost believable in some respects.
Today's Sci-fi movies tend to rely heavily on visual effects to draw it's following. In contrast, Blade Runner is a well thought-out story.
I heard a rumor once, that a sequel was being considered. That makes me a little nervous. Sequels can have such a way of diminishing the original production if you don't get it right. If someone does decide to do so, please, be careful and call me first !
Looking to add to your movie collection ? This is definitely an item that should be on your list.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
Indiana Jones meets Batman
I'm not going to say I disliked this movie, but it was predictable.
Throughout the picture, I kept reminding myself that it was based on a game. But couldn't they have slipped just a little more plot in there for us older folk ?
Having said this, the movie was what I expected. Ninety minutes of explosions and gunfights by the bungee jumping, sunglass wearing, gun slinging, snobby rich girl, who could audition for the next Indiana Jones or Batman flic.
Pick an in the now star, have her portray a character from a popular video game, dress her up in revealing attire, make your quick million and run from the box office. Man, I'm in the wrong line of work.
Regarding the revealing attire, my girlfriend and I remarked that while trekking through the arctic, Miss Croft was the only one we could confirm was wearing a T-shirt !
Anyway, if you're into action and fictional stunts, then you'll find this movie entertaining. But that's all you get.
A film obviously geared for the younger box office dollar.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Pearl Har"bore"
This film was parked in Battleship Row and bombed !
I feel for all the historians out there who had to put up with this 3 hour distortion of history ! If you're going to make a history film, then don't change history, tell the real story. If you're going to make a love story, don't call it Pearl Harbor.
Perhaps, as some have stated, this was another attempt at Titanic. But the content was as shallow as the Harbor itself. At least James Cameron's production delivers the factual accounts with accuracy.
I am a realist. Historical events should not be changed. History is a mentor and if you start telling the story in a different light, history is lost.
Alec Baldwin is a decent actor and I enjoy his movies, but I must say my girlfriend and I broke out in laughter as he gave his "...we're gonna win this dawgone war" speech, before the Doolittle air attack. If you're going to steal monumental war speeches, from older movies, at least have the courtesy to show the film in black and white !
The only thing that kept me in my seat was the attack itself. The visual effects were entertaining. But, I have a question.....did the real Zeros, that attacked Pearl, swarm like flies ?
Needless to say, I was let down. To restore my faith, I went out and purchased Tora! Tora! Tora!, on DVD, to ease the pain. A 31 year old movie, but a more enjoyable 3 hours.
If you must, wait for the rental.