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Reviews
25th Hour (2002)
Just Amazing, one of my favorites!
I found this film to be amazing. It deals with a lengthy jail sentencing as though it is the diagnosis of a fast moving terminal disease out to alter and end one' life. The film has such complex, deep characters with so many contradictions that make this movie so compelling. While Lee usually focuses on the issue of Black and White in America, a world of people whose likability and character are in the gray are captured wonderfully.
Technically the film is superb. The score, the cinematography, the editing are all spot on. The cast is perfect, particularly great performances by Norton and Pepper. Rosario Dawson is so eye-catching in the film. Lee and the script do a great job touching on the subjects of misplaced rage, race, and distrust.
This is the only movie that I've seen that doesn't over-look the anxiety and impending sense of doom for those affected by a conviction-the convicted, and his/her friends or family. Hollywood only seems interested in the show of the trial or the fear and savagery of the prison film.
This is just a wonderful drama, that is so moving, and leaves you thinking about it days later. It hits everything right, and mixes the right amount of suspense (who is the Judas?), a perfect touch of humor, and it illustrates the complexity of human relationships among friends, lovers, and family. It just might motivate some to analyze their life choices and consequences, who are those that are true to them, and what matters to them.
Only in our society do we find it inhumane for having the state ends someone's life for crimes they've been convicted of, but find it completely humane to have their life end or be taken in a small cell out of the society's view, or to rob them of hope with long sentences and hiring practices regarding convicted felons.
Fresh (1994)
The Best Crime/Chess Film of All-Time!
This film was excellent. The score well-used. It's well-acted, greatly written and executed, and it manages to capture a lot of nuances of childhood and children's behavior.
The movie follows Fresh, a drug runner for two different major pushers in his hood. After a series of events he makes the decision to play the pushers as he would an opponent in chess. As the game of chess plays out over the last 15 minutes, the suspense grips you.
The film guest stars Samuel L. Jackson as the absentee, alcoholic father of Fresh who is a great source for chess strategy, but not for compassion or love.
The star of the film is the 12 year old (at the time) Sean Nelson, who does a fabulous job in the title role as Fresh.
This movie makes Boys in the Hood, and Menace II Society look low-rate.
The Break-Up (2006)
The movie was good, not the ending...
The ending didn't match what the characters did the whole movie. I don't want to say anything else along those lines and spoil it. However, although the movie didn't do a good enough job selling the films resolution, leaving you feeling cheated and unsatisfied, the rest of the movie is very good.
It's an extremely funny film, and the main characters are perfectly developed. The first scene with John F. and Vince V. match, correspond perfectly with their scene towards the end with the serious conversation. The main characters you can relate to- particularly the couple and their arguments. Again it is very funny. Which I think is the part that is largely overlooked by a lot of critics, is how it worked as a comedy. The ending does leave a bad taste in your mouth.
The moments, the emotion are all natural and you believe in and can relate to with exception to Aniston's decision in the end, which contrasts all she says and the way she behaves beforehand. An unconventional end is usually a good thing, but not in this movie.
I think this movie has been poorly reviewed by critics across the nation, by that I mean, more than any other movie that I've read reviews on, I've never seen so many critics completely misjudge the movie. The pauses, and words not spoken, and the lost chances shown in movies with their beloved noted dramatic actors- they praise, but when Aniston and Vaughn, actors more noted for comedy do it, they largely panned it. Also the saying it's unbelievability they claim, is also wrong as they cite it for the wrong reasons or completely irrelevant stuff- like how nice the condo is (plus it seems they/particularly her, make a nice salary). A friend had an ending nearly duplicate to this movie happen to him in a relationship, the unbelievability is that Aniston's character before that shows no sign of going the path she eventually takes.
Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004)
Well...
One of History's most amazing stories. One couldn't make this up because the facts of this man's life is unbelievable. Just amazingly pieced together documentary that flows seamlessly and doesn't have any dead wait despite length, although more boxing footage would be appreciated.
Jack Johnson's words narrated by Samuel Jackson is just truly amazing and moving, a self-educated (extremely) articulate son of a slave that just happens to box, and not get murdered by a white mob, despite spiting in the eye of societies standards and the status-quo. One of histories truly amazing characters. Not to mention, one of the best fighters of all-time, if not the best. Far ahead of his time in every instance, a much more articulate and socially important version of Terrell Owens of his day, or even Ali. This is a must see with a great subject, filmmakers, and a dream team of narrators, although more James Earl Jones would have been fantastic.
Undercover Brother (2002)
Great Parody of black exploitation era
The film Undercover Brother is a smart, clever, and hilarious comedy/parody. Everyone hits their marks, even Denise (pay attention to my boobs, not my acting) Richards. This movie is clever from the opening credits and the narration detailing the climax of black "soul" and pride in the 1970s to the early 1990s where Steve Erkal symbolizes the decline of black pride & soul. I really liked this film. The direction is strong, Eddie Griffin is perfect for the role, Dave C(one of the funniest men on the planet)reprises his usual role in movies as the pot head, and Denise Richards give a great performance as a ditzy damsel in distress, although I'm not sure it will make up for her work in "The World is Not Enough". This is a funny , funny movie, for all ages, it doesn't even resort to sex scenes or scenarios although it does have a funny, sensual cat fight scene in the shower. I give it 3 1/2 out of 4 stars. Go See It.
Big Trouble (2002)
Only Dave Barry could write such a wonderful, querky comedy
This movie is a true comic gem, meant to be laughed at and to entertain in the likeness of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World, not to be taken seriously. It's unfortunate that the sad events of 9-11 not only delayed the release by seven months, but also is causing it to fail at the box office because half of the money budgeted for the marketing of this film was spent seven months ago. It's also unfortunate that comedies such as the Sweetest Thing, and other lame, unwitty comedies are faring so much better.
The cast in this crazy comedy is full of top notch and well known actors. It would be way to long and confusing to describe the plot even though it's easy to follow in the theaters. But I will say the story gets tangled throughout the whole film and then everything is untangled and works out in the end. It was left in perfect hands with Barry Sonnefield the very capable director that did Get Shorty, another film that has a witty, off beat type of comedy.
John Q (2002)
great movie, but could have used tinkering
People complain about this movie being too preachy, which it is, but it is in a good way. It's unfortunate people have misunderstood the reason for this movie's theme being over-the-top, we need it. People need this problem spelled out to them to compel people to action. This is not a movie directed towards winning oscars or accolade, but to motivate people to do something about the health-care situation. The film definitely achieves it desired effect, as it had many people in the theater clapping, crying and praising it. The movie is also careful not to overdose on it's political message by adding comedic scenes. I've also heard a lot about it being cliche and predictable. Now someone please alert me if I am incorrect, but I don't think there has ever been a big budget movie devoted to the cause of nation-wide health-care, and for that matter how many film are devoted to a cause other than money. I disagree with the statement that this is a typical hostage movie. The closest thing I've seen to this was Mad City, but the ending are opposites. I will, however say, that I would have enjoyed the film more and would have been more impressed if the last minute message was too late. It would have been more inventive and ironic.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
A well done recreation doesn't mean it's a great movie
The Lord of the Rings is a good movie, especially for this year, but it is in no way above classics such as Citizen Kane or Shawshank Redemption or even Momento. Just because Jackson did a good job at capturing the book's character's appearance and personalities, doesn't qualify it to be the second best movie of all time. It has no message, it's just a very well told fantasy story. So stop giving it praise it doesn't deserve. It's an 8 not a 9 or a 10.
The Truman Show (1998)
Weir's masterpiece
Peter Weir is a wonderfully talented director, who differs from most with his wonderful use of symbolism, but with the Truman Show he steps up and delivers. I could go on and on about the performances and the directoral talent and the intelligent symbols and the strong (none preachy)message, but I'll just say this WHAT A WONDERFUL FILM. It's a gem.