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Reviews
Cruel Intentions (1999)
not worth the time
I am shocked that this movie is rated as highly as it is. It was offensive without being titillating, and gave little satisfaction for watching it in the end. Reece Witherspoon's character was never developed in the script so that you care what happens to her. Ryan Philippe's character is filled with bravado, but little else. Sarah Gellar's character is the only interesting one, and she seems to be a caricature. There is a surprising ending, but it is not much of a surprise. The technicals of the film are mostly fine--good lighting, interesting scenery outside and rich appointments inside. The sound was a bit difficult to hear on the VHS copy I saw. All in all, a waste of talent and time.
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008)
not surprised by the widely divergent views
I just finished my first viewing of this film and was not surprised that almost 80% of those who have rated it gave it either a 1 or a 10. This makes the average rating irrelevant and probably is because the topic is so highly controversial and most viewers rate it on the basis of whether or not they agree with its premise, not its quality. That premise is that Intelligent Design is a legitimate scientific theory which has been ruled out of order by academia (and some courts), resulting in some of its adherents losing their jobs or opportunities at academic advancement.
Most people view the film with preconceived conclusions about such matters, so they are unlikely to have their views changed by one film. Further, the film does not attempt (except subtly) to change anyone's views--just to expose what it considers illogic and inequity in academia. There is one point in the film which I considered the highlight-- Stein manages to get Richard Dawkins to admit that all life on this planet may have been "seeded" here by alien life forms which themselves have evolved to such an advance state that they could accomplish that, yet were themselves the fruit of Darwinian evolution whatever worlds they came from. This demonstrates--since we have no clue about any such other worlds--that Dawkins accepts Darwinian theory by faith, not evidence. As Jerry Seinfeld would say, "not that there is anything wrong with that."
By way of disclosure, I should tell that I am a lawyer and not a Darwinist. However, Michael Behe's book "Darwin's Black Box" confirmed for me that Intelligent Design is a reasonable scientific posture. Was surprised that Behe was not featured in the film since his academic credentials are so fine.
Production values and the style of story telling for the film were very good. As a documentary the film only presents one side, but I did not think it was at all dishonest as some have said. Instead, it was seeking to expose hypocrisy (which everyone hates, or should). I thought the cutting of historic film footage was both effective and well done. My main criticism is Stein's foot ware -- lose the sneakers, Ben!
G-Force (2009)
Charming tale for the kiddies
I want to say that G Force was much better than I had anticipated, and I am surprised by the many negative reviews. Clearly aimed at the juvenile portion of the market, this grandfather had a delightful time attending with his 6 year old grandson. The special effects, even in 2-D, were extraordinary. I still am not sure what exactly I saw--was it animation, computer generated effects, live action animals? The effects were that good! The story line was very simple, but what do you expect in a children's story? The climax near the end with the most action was a bit over the top--hint: transformers ripoff--but it was part of a cute and unexpected twist in the story line which went along with the sheer fiction nature of the whole tale. All in all, I don't think this over-60 year old could have enjoyed a film for the elementary set any more.
Up (2009)
Excellent graphics wasted on a mediocre plot line
UP is not what I expected, and that is not good. The production values were excellent and the characters even seem to be well developed. However, when the film was about 2/3 finished I totally lost interest. So did my grandson who I took along to see it! (I allow for the fact that the film was not aimed at retired old men!) Others have pointed out the plot holes and nonsensical features (dogs talking through electronic collars? Why not just give them voices? After all, it is a cartoon!) But I think the thing that lost me was the total absence of purpose. One reviewer philosophized that the movie teaches the importance of dedication to a task, even if it takes your whole life. Well, I suppose it suggests that, but the same point could have been presented with a much more interesting plot. I had thought my 5 year old grandson, at least, would enjoy another PIXAR popcorn-ball of fluff. Instead, I think he really only enjoyed the popcorn I bought for him.
Click (2006)
Bathroom humor for the kiddies!
I walked out of this movie when Adam Sandler jumped up on his boss' desk and farted into his face while he was "frozen" with the pause button on the universal remote. This is the type of "humor" you will find in this lifeless film (at least the part I was able to sit through.) I don't know how it ends and, quite frankly, don't care. The movie is filled with enough foul language and off color depictions (imagine the family dog "boinking" a stuffed yellow duck several times, and you get the feel of the film). I don't know why the director could not make a simple G rated film with the same material, but had to lower the event to something I would never take a child to see. There is not enough verve in the story line to entertain adults, and too much gutter humor for the kids.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Faithful and Inspiring Fantasy Which Brings Out the Kid in All of Us
C.S.Lewis died the same day John F. Kennedy was shot, which partly explains why his passing went unnoticed. Known to the academic world as a literary critic and to the religious world as a defender of traditional Christianity, Lewis nonetheless deserves a high rank among literature's great story tellers. Countless children have thrilled to the story of Lucy and Peter and their siblings discovering the magical land of Narnia where it is "always winter and never Christmas" by passing through a musty wardrobe while visiting a remote English castle. Now that tale has been cast on the big screen, and what a production it is!
The graphics work especially well with the live action stars because any evidence of animation adds to the dream quality of the story. The battle scenes are simply breath-taking and the pending attack by wolves frightening even for adults. This is not a movie for preschoolers but one which ought to be required viewing for every teenager with any interest in literature or the Christian faith.
This movie works on so many levels that it is difficult to highlight its successes. The child actors are exceptional and the make-up for imaginary creatures leaves viewers as believers. The scenery from New Zealand, and Czech Republic, and Guatemala, and Los Angeles (oh, I forgot Poland!) suggest someone had a lot of fun tracking down film locations.
References to the Blitz and Turkish Delight bring a charming English quality to the film, but it transcends all nationalities. The only reservation one might have is the blending of myth and history in the modern day miracle play (Saint Nicholas is real, as are unicorns and fauns and satyrs, which may raise doubts about the symbolic lion or the reality of the White Witch in real life) yet this is a story about human nature. Edmund is Everyman who blunders his way into betraying an innocent friend of his sister for the sake of sweets. We see innocent and credulous Lucy, the "daughter of Eve" in all of us, who hardly doubts for a minute the reality of what her child like faith has revealed to her.
Don't miss this show for gorilla!
The Interpreter (2005)
Excellent thriller in a gorgeous setting
What a refreshing movie! No gratuitous sex, no embarrassing vulgar or profane language, and only enough violence and disturbing action as is necessary to support the plot. If only all movies were made with the degree of maturity and self-confidence which this film displays.
Nicole Kidman is marvelous as a U.N. employee with mystery in her past. We never know until the end what is making this woman go, and when we find out we understand what a complex character she is.
Sean Penn achieves real greatness in his gritty role as a G-man whose soft side meshes well with the apparently fragile Kidman character. The relatively unknown support cast is top notch and their performances make you want to see them in other roles.
As a political conservative I feared that the acknowledged pro-UN slant would turn the film into social commentary. It did not. Sure, at the end of the film we are forced to think about the futility of violence and the crying needs of Africa, but only someone with no heart would rant against an honest survey of the problems which international law would face regardless of the existence of the UN as an organization.
There are questions galore and red herrings aplenty as the movie keeps its quick pace, but no obvious loose ends when all is over. This is not the kind of movie which cries out for a repeat viewing, like "The Sixth Sense," but it is not a cliché either. Even if it is, the human emotion grips you still.
Great directing by Pollock and a lot of Manhattan views which deserve an award for cinematography. The sound is nothing special, in my opinion. In fact, there were a few loud noises which I still don't understand.
See it if you liked Three Days of the Condor, Enemy of the State, and similar movies in the genre. See it if you love Sean Penn's acting or Nicole Kidman's beauty. See it if you want to get an education in what the insides of the UN look like. See it!
Pilgrim's Progress (1978)
Spoils the greatest allegory in English language
Although it was a worthwhile aim to transfer the greatest allegory in the English language to film, this work utterly fails as art because it makes wholesale changes in a book which every student of fine literature should know by heart, and for no good reason. The sets are beautiful and the pace is satisfactory, but making the devil pop up at every turn and ending the movie with him being a "boogey man" rather than one who, as the Bible says, transforms himself into an "angel of light," ruins this seemingly amateur effort at filmography.