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gaiusknight
Reviews
Blades of Glory (2007)
Absolute Disaster of a Movie
To put it blunty: There are few movies on the planet I would consider worse than Blades of Glory. Visualize with me an absolutely inane and tired plot with terrible dialogue tied up with lame actors. You might have something close to Blades of Glory.
The plot plods along predictably, following a very familiar sports movie plot line. An unlikely duo is pitted against snobby rivals who try to cheat but are ultimately foiled by the forces of good. Adding Will Ferrell and Jon Heder and calling it a comedy does little to remedy this train wreck of a setup, or its cardboard romance subplot.
The jokes are flat-out dull, especially for the bizarrely-underused craziness of Will Ferrell. If you think incestuous figure skaters and routine references to Jon Heder's testicles are comedy gold, you may have a job on the staff of (Heaven forbid) Blades of Glory 2.
The ask-a-Ninja once made an advertisement for Blades of Glory, but I have this to say to the interested. There is no glory in Blades of Glory.
300 (2006)
Beautiful Mythologized Version of Thermopolyae
This highly-anticipated movie turned out to fulfill all my greatest expectations. The special effects were amazing, the acting was enjoyable, and the story was of course based on one of the most inspiring war stories in the history of the world.
I grew up on stories of the 300 Spartans and the Battle of Thermopolyae, and had already seen the 1962 movie "The 300 Spartans." I waited to see "300" on DVD instead of watching it in the theater, but enjoyed it nevertheless. It was a wild ride, and the battle scenes blew me away.
As to criticisms of the historical accuracy of the film, I believe the movie portrayed the battle "sufficently" for the type of film it was. Sure, many of elements of the battle were greatly exaggerated (such as the monster-ish Immortals), but the movie is primarily action-mythology. And while the battle should be portrayed accurately, as it was, it is in mythology that ancient stories really come to life, just as the ancients have done countless times in their own legends, and probably would've intended for us to do as well, for the sake of giving this amazing story a modern spin.
300 - A fun ride, and a worthy adaption of a great moment of heroism. 10/10
Aquamarine (2006)
Sweet and Funny Movie
I think this movie is irresistible.
The movie has an excellent moral. The ending was heartwarming and there were many hilarious scenes.
I just wish the ending had the girls got their wish and Hailey didn't have to go to Australia. But at least they get to visit each other. The mermaid was funny and sweet, and a little naive, the whole movie.
I enjoyed all four characters (the girls, the mermaid and Raymond the lifeguard) all the way through.
10/10 for fun, heartfelt entertainment.
- brought to you by gaiusknight's sister
The Great Raid (2005)
A refreshing change from this lame summer of movies
This is an excellent movie showing the daring rescue of POWs from the brutality of the Japanese POW camp of Cabanatuan.
I have not read the book, Ghost Soldiers, so I cannot tell whether it is an accurate representation of the book. But I know what I like, and this is a great movie. The actual footage at beginning and end greatly enhance the emotion and realism. The story of the bravery of the soldiers and the resistance, and the spectacular battle scenes make this movie a gem in a sea of summer flops.
The characters, particularly the Japanese commander, were well-cast. You really feel for the prisoners and the brave Americans and Phillipinos.
The role of the Phillipinos was not underdone, and it was good they accurately showed how not only Americans suffered because of Axis cruelty. The battle scenes were well-done and intense.
Overall, the movie was THE best movie of the year.
The Weekenders (2000)
A 13-year-old's opinion: Good and Fun!
This is, in my opinion, the best cartoon show on the air today. As you watch the show you really feel for the characters, all of which are creative and fun. Watching their antics is a real pleasure. All of the characters are different and have unique personalities. Tino, Tish, Carver, and Lor are average kids who deal with common issues such as popularity and support for other friends' interests. The plots are relative to real kids and their situations. This is especially true with the show's view on "the cool kids". Though all the other kids desperately want to be among them, the cool kids really aren't that cool. This moral, along with others, makes the show morally educational while remaining fun and refraining from being preachy. I think this makes it superior to its main competitor Recess, whose moral lessons are mediocre at best.
5 out of 5