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Reviews
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
I don't get what all the fuss is about.
As an Englishman who has moved to the US, I first saw and became aware of the Grinch during the Christmas of 2001.
Ever since then my wife insists that we watch it every Christmas, especially now that we have children. This cartoon, it would seem, is a national obsession in the US. Perhaps it has some sentimental value for Americans who were raised on it (like my wife), but for this 30 something, coming to it fresh, I just can not see what all the fuss is about.
The story revolves around The Grinch (some sort of green animal) who plans to destroy Christmas for the people of Whoville. The Who's of Whoville meanwhile continue with Christmas and during which The Grinch himself discovers the joy of Christmas.
Whilst it may be a nice little tale, it is only a cartoon and now one which is quite outdated. I'll admit that I have warmed to it over the years, but the bottom line is that I just don't get what all the fuss is about with these old TV specials.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Appalling Film
I honestly can say that I can not remember the last time I saw a film this bad.
The film tries to do a Titanic by introducing the Pearl Harbor story through the eyes of two friends (Affleck and Hartnett) who go off to war and a love triangle with nurse (Beckinsale) they both meet.
The love story is predictable and corny. Over half the film is devoted on the two friends and their relationships to the nurse trying to give a back story to the characters so that you will feel for them come the impending attack. It does not work. It is pure cheese and is boring as well. I kept looking at my watch, wondering if anything would happen. During the film you feel nothing for the characters, seeing them as nothing more than the "pretty faces" of Hollywood, rather than character actors who would add to a convincing (I wish it only was) storyline. If this film wants to replicate Titanic, then it should sink with out a trace.....
The attack sequence on Pearl Harbor does liven things up a bit. But being already over an hour and a half into the film, it seems somewhat late to pick up the tempo after so much boredom.
During the attack sequence there were many shots that reminded me of the open sequence of Saving Private Ryan and of the sinking in Titanic. I guess that this is unavoidable given the nature of the film. However in both cases I was given the impression that the film makers (Michael Bay) were coping the techniques, and were not improving on them. Bay's typical use of slow motion in the effects was also overly used to the point of yawning with each successive slow shot. This was a shame as the special effects were otherwise excellent and the only saving point of the film.
Finally the retaliatory strike on Tokyo was again a master of special effects, but this whole section of the movie seemed like another film and seemed out of place. That as least was consistent with the poor pacing in the rest of the film.
I rented the film on DVD. I am glad that I only wasted 4 bucks. The DVD transfer is very good and the sound (DTS) was masterful.
Score: Sound (DTS): 10/10 Effects: 7/10 (let down by too much slow mo) Story: 1/10 Overall: 4/10
Knight Rider: Knight Rider (2008)
Total and absolute drivel
I watched the pilot episode downloaded from iTunes and this was some of the most excruciating rubbish that I have ever seen.
I could write about how it is totally devoid of any type of reality or even modicum of common sense, that would exist in our universe or even the warped - anything goes - universe that exists in Hollywood these days; but I would be wasting my time.
I watched only 25 or so minutes out of the show and that was 25 minutes too long.
Do yourself a favor and run, run away from this show. If you have it recorded on a DVR delete it instantly. The sad thing is, is that if you were hoping for "it so bad, it funny", the show will disappoint you here as well. Its just bad.