Mad Max 2 (1981)
Better than the prequel, but only in production value: better sound, stunts, cinematography, etc. But still a weak story... if there is one really.
But again, loved it as a kid. Nostalgia.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Mad Max (1979) - 2/5
Mad Max (1979)
I wd give this movie a 1, but having seen and loved it as a kid, I can't help but give it a mercy point.
More of a horror style movie than action or anything else. The worst soundtrack imaginable... maybe.
This is a typical '70's movie style movie. It was 1979, but it was Australia.
It's bad all around, but I like it b/c of my experience w/ it as a kid.
I wd give this movie a 1, but having seen and loved it as a kid, I can't help but give it a mercy point.
More of a horror style movie than action or anything else. The worst soundtrack imaginable... maybe.
This is a typical '70's movie style movie. It was 1979, but it was Australia.
It's bad all around, but I like it b/c of my experience w/ it as a kid.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001) - 4/5
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)
Good, clean fun. Good story w/ plenty of action to move it along. The personalities and characters are great and it really goes how you'd like it to. Extremely creative w/ great animation.
Some people may not like it so much b/c it's so much of a 'kids' movie, but I liked that aspect too.
Good, clean fun. Good story w/ plenty of action to move it along. The personalities and characters are great and it really goes how you'd like it to. Extremely creative w/ great animation.
Some people may not like it so much b/c it's so much of a 'kids' movie, but I liked that aspect too.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Made (2001) - 2/5
Made (2001)
Slightly entertaining, but quite disappointing given the past success of this duo in "Swingers."
Vince Vaughn spouts his usual excess which is normal art, but this time annoying (though it's clearly suppose to be).
The movie feels like a series of events that the viewer, and characters, doesn't know the goal of. Also, the ending feels forced and a bit trite.
Slightly entertaining, but quite disappointing given the past success of this duo in "Swingers."
Vince Vaughn spouts his usual excess which is normal art, but this time annoying (though it's clearly suppose to be).
The movie feels like a series of events that the viewer, and characters, doesn't know the goal of. Also, the ending feels forced and a bit trite.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Proof (2005) - 3.5/5
Proof (2005)
We saw this play in New York several years ago and really liked it. It's a good story told well.
Somehow I'm not sure it transitioned to the screen as well as the play??? It cd just be whatever you see first is better. Also, the first actors you see do it, seem to be better.
Either way, it was good, but not ground breaking.
What does 'the proof' prove?
SPOILERS:
Her dad's proof proved his insanity and her's her sanity. They both completed at the same time.
We saw this play in New York several years ago and really liked it. It's a good story told well.
Somehow I'm not sure it transitioned to the screen as well as the play??? It cd just be whatever you see first is better. Also, the first actors you see do it, seem to be better.
Either way, it was good, but not ground breaking.
What does 'the proof' prove?
SPOILERS:
Her dad's proof proved his insanity and her's her sanity. They both completed at the same time.
Jing wu men (1972) - 3.5/5
Jing wu men (1972)
Good fighting, comical over-dubbing.
What I was most impressed w/ was the story. The complexity of the 'spy' aspect w/in the school was interesting to me - he kills the spies, but if the other school is mad, they admit they had spies. However, if Chen's school doesn't blame them, they look guilty. He forces their had.
The disguises were good, but a bit goofy, but I assume that was the intent.
The ending was a bit sudden and lacking, but that may be the style???
Bottom line, for 1972 in Hong Kong, it was good and w/ Bruce, it was even better.
Good fighting, comical over-dubbing.
What I was most impressed w/ was the story. The complexity of the 'spy' aspect w/in the school was interesting to me - he kills the spies, but if the other school is mad, they admit they had spies. However, if Chen's school doesn't blame them, they look guilty. He forces their had.
The disguises were good, but a bit goofy, but I assume that was the intent.
The ending was a bit sudden and lacking, but that may be the style???
Bottom line, for 1972 in Hong Kong, it was good and w/ Bruce, it was even better.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Starship Troopers (1997) - 1.5/5
Starship Troopers (1997)
Looking for a way to waste $95M on a bad scifi movie w/ worse acting and a slurry of plot holes? TOO LATE! They beat you too it w/ "Starship Troopers."
Just don't see it.
WARNING: Nudity. (Fortunately) it's not much of a 'lust' temptation.
SPOILERS:
Why don't they nuke the planets? Why don't they have tanks? Why can they master interstellar travel, but still use regular bullets that they have proves 100 times over only kill them slower? Why no tanks? Why not more fly-over bombings? Why did 3 people sign-up at the same time end up in such completely different levels of rank so quickly? Why did I watch this?
Looking for a way to waste $95M on a bad scifi movie w/ worse acting and a slurry of plot holes? TOO LATE! They beat you too it w/ "Starship Troopers."
Just don't see it.
WARNING: Nudity. (Fortunately) it's not much of a 'lust' temptation.
SPOILERS:
Why don't they nuke the planets? Why don't they have tanks? Why can they master interstellar travel, but still use regular bullets that they have proves 100 times over only kill them slower? Why no tanks? Why not more fly-over bombings? Why did 3 people sign-up at the same time end up in such completely different levels of rank so quickly? Why did I watch this?
Friday, September 23, 2005
Closer (2004) - 1.5/5
Closer (2004)
While I feel I can say this movie was 'well done', there's not much here worth seeing.
The time device they use is interesting and the characters and dialogue are very intense.
It seems most of the characters are bent on being honest w/ each other which ironically gets them in more trouble most of the time.
Very vulgar.
SPOILERS:
The time device - it seems they mostly only show scenes revolving around the start or end or both of relationships w/ little signs (sometimes comments) about how much time has past.
Did "Alice Ayres" 'die' to save someone's life? Did Jane Jones give up her life to save Dan or someone else?
Her line was great near the end when she was telling Dan she didn't love him anymore. Something like "I can't lie to you and I can't love you anymore." She cd love him as long as he her lie to him. When he forced the all-important honesty, it was over.
They don't know what they want, they want what they can't have, they want what people tell them they want - no committment, no change, nothing learned. We're animals.
While I feel I can say this movie was 'well done', there's not much here worth seeing.
The time device they use is interesting and the characters and dialogue are very intense.
It seems most of the characters are bent on being honest w/ each other which ironically gets them in more trouble most of the time.
Very vulgar.
SPOILERS:
The time device - it seems they mostly only show scenes revolving around the start or end or both of relationships w/ little signs (sometimes comments) about how much time has past.
Did "Alice Ayres" 'die' to save someone's life? Did Jane Jones give up her life to save Dan or someone else?
Her line was great near the end when she was telling Dan she didn't love him anymore. Something like "I can't lie to you and I can't love you anymore." She cd love him as long as he her lie to him. When he forced the all-important honesty, it was over.
They don't know what they want, they want what they can't have, they want what people tell them they want - no committment, no change, nothing learned. We're animals.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Shaun of the Dead (2004) - 3.5/5
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Good zombie movie. Probably my fav zombie movie. Funny and 'light-hearted' and well made.
Cleverly wrapped drama, love story w/in a zombie story. Shaun is dealing w/ issues w/ his roommates, girlfriend, parents and job all while fighting those returning from the dead.
Good zombie movie. Probably my fav zombie movie. Funny and 'light-hearted' and well made.
Cleverly wrapped drama, love story w/in a zombie story. Shaun is dealing w/ issues w/ his roommates, girlfriend, parents and job all while fighting those returning from the dead.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) - 2/5
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
Woody Allen movies are generally ok, but he isn't a good actor to me. And putting any type of love story in his movies is laughable if not insulting.
I thought the acting was fairly weak all around.
The story was pretty good and fairly classic in the "film noir" style.
The ending felt very forced and rushed. Amateur even. The one-liners felt so setup that you really cd tell they went out of their way for a line or two to get them in.
It all comes together in a decent movie, but nothing great.
Woody Allen movies are generally ok, but he isn't a good actor to me. And putting any type of love story in his movies is laughable if not insulting.
I thought the acting was fairly weak all around.
The story was pretty good and fairly classic in the "film noir" style.
The ending felt very forced and rushed. Amateur even. The one-liners felt so setup that you really cd tell they went out of their way for a line or two to get them in.
It all comes together in a decent movie, but nothing great.
Batman Begins (2005) - 3.5/5
Batman Begins (2005) Good action, good characters and mostly good acting.
Lots of big names.
Mainly I think they did themselves (and us) a favor by not making it a typical "superhero movie."
SPOILERS:
I think the only thing they didn't do well was establish the villian. First it was Chill, then Falcone, then Crane, then Earle, then Ghul.
And I don't mean to get technical, but a microwave emitter strong enough to vaporize the city's water supply wd boil people alive at the same time.
So I guess Dr. Crane was also "The Scarecrow" - maybe that was another Batman villian like The Joker, etc. Not sure??? However, they did a decent job of making *that* villian not too comic-book which fit the movie well. However, it was a bit goofy w/ him and the mask and all. At first, I thought it was a gas-mask of sorts b/c of the drug he sprayed, but I think it was just a sack. The bad part is how he was handled by the female lead. Weak.
Lots of big names.
Mainly I think they did themselves (and us) a favor by not making it a typical "superhero movie."
SPOILERS:
I think the only thing they didn't do well was establish the villian. First it was Chill, then Falcone, then Crane, then Earle, then Ghul.
And I don't mean to get technical, but a microwave emitter strong enough to vaporize the city's water supply wd boil people alive at the same time.
So I guess Dr. Crane was also "The Scarecrow" - maybe that was another Batman villian like The Joker, etc. Not sure??? However, they did a decent job of making *that* villian not too comic-book which fit the movie well. However, it was a bit goofy w/ him and the mask and all. At first, I thought it was a gas-mask of sorts b/c of the drug he sprayed, but I think it was just a sack. The bad part is how he was handled by the female lead. Weak.
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) - 1/5
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Some interesting evidence and views, but all circumstantial. He condemns some (Bush, Republicans, etc.) by association, but doesn't do the same to others (or even the convicted).
Bottom line, it's a video essay - far from a documentary.
Some interesting evidence and views, but all circumstantial. He condemns some (Bush, Republicans, etc.) by association, but doesn't do the same to others (or even the convicted).
Bottom line, it's a video essay - far from a documentary.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Vernon, Florida (1981) - 3/5
Vernon, Florida (1981)
They certainly did their job of making a documentary. They stayed out of the way as far as you can tell. However, if you look hard (maybe too hard), they might be doing something...
They basically establish the town's residents as ignorant and backwards for the most part. I'm not saying they manipulated it, these people are what they are.
But then well into it, they have a pretty long segment on them sharing their religious beliefs - I can't help but think that it is saying "dumb, backwards people are religious." Again, I may be looking too hard.
Either way, I have to say their religious thoughts are pretty good. I especially liked the sermon which I was happy they showed so much of.
It has some comical points, but at the same time you feel guilty thinking it's funny.
SPOILERS:
The "balls of brain" (writing "cat sh**" and "dog sh**" w/ each hand) and the "gopher" were two of the best parts.
They certainly did their job of making a documentary. They stayed out of the way as far as you can tell. However, if you look hard (maybe too hard), they might be doing something...
They basically establish the town's residents as ignorant and backwards for the most part. I'm not saying they manipulated it, these people are what they are.
But then well into it, they have a pretty long segment on them sharing their religious beliefs - I can't help but think that it is saying "dumb, backwards people are religious." Again, I may be looking too hard.
Either way, I have to say their religious thoughts are pretty good. I especially liked the sermon which I was happy they showed so much of.
It has some comical points, but at the same time you feel guilty thinking it's funny.
SPOILERS:
The "balls of brain" (writing "cat sh**" and "dog sh**" w/ each hand) and the "gopher" were two of the best parts.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - 5/5
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
I think this movie is great b/c they didn't have a budget. W/ money, they probably wd have ruined it.
I think this movie is great b/c they didn't have a budget. W/ money, they probably wd have ruined it.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) - 3.5/5
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
Fairy tale. Good imagery. Creative and original. Jim Carrey is spot-on as all characters.
Fairy tale. Good imagery. Creative and original. Jim Carrey is spot-on as all characters.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Lola rennt (Run, Lola, Run) (1998) - 3.5/5
Lola rennt (Run, Lola, Run) (1998)
Cool concept and idea. Is there more to it than there seems? I think so.
How wd you get 100,000 Deutschmarks ($65,000) in 20 minutes?
Notice the use of the color red: her hair, the phone, ambulance the money bag, etc.
"and then..."
SPOILERS:
The first attempt is pleading (mercy) w/ her dad which fails - Manni robs and she helps out of love, but they are caught and Lola gets shot. The father doesn't love her and stops pretending he does.
The first "pause" after failure Lola asks Manni if he loves her and then questions every way possible if it's true. How can you know? Then you just feel? etc.
The second attempt start similarly, but gets forceful and she succeeds, but then Manni is hit by an ambulance.
The "pause" is then about Manni asking what she wd do if he died. She's confident she cd stop it from happening or un-do it somehow if it did happen.
The third try is faith. The means, the happenings, etc. She gets the money and meanwhile Manni "happens" to see (via the blind woman) the man who has his money. He gets it back and hands over his gun to the man.
Lola saves a man's life in the middle of it all by her touch.
Cool concept and idea. Is there more to it than there seems? I think so.
How wd you get 100,000 Deutschmarks ($65,000) in 20 minutes?
Notice the use of the color red: her hair, the phone, ambulance the money bag, etc.
"and then..."
SPOILERS:
The first attempt is pleading (mercy) w/ her dad which fails - Manni robs and she helps out of love, but they are caught and Lola gets shot. The father doesn't love her and stops pretending he does.
The first "pause" after failure Lola asks Manni if he loves her and then questions every way possible if it's true. How can you know? Then you just feel? etc.
The second attempt start similarly, but gets forceful and she succeeds, but then Manni is hit by an ambulance.
The "pause" is then about Manni asking what she wd do if he died. She's confident she cd stop it from happening or un-do it somehow if it did happen.
The third try is faith. The means, the happenings, etc. She gets the money and meanwhile Manni "happens" to see (via the blind woman) the man who has his money. He gets it back and hands over his gun to the man.
Lola saves a man's life in the middle of it all by her touch.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Minority Report (2002) - 3/5
Minority Report (2002)
I like the 'feel' of this movie and the visual 'tone.' The story is a big forced to me: destiny, fate, etc. But the action is pretty good and they do well at setting the mood.
I really like the idea of the story and they do a decent job at it, but it's hard to mix action and philosophy. Something like "Gattaca" does a better job though I don't mean to compare them in too many ways.
Also, they need to settle on the story - what are they trying to say?
SPOILERS:
Was the story about a guy who can't escape his fate? The forced slavery of people w/ special powers? The power to change your fate when you know what it is?
Also, did they ever resolve his son's abduction? Or was that just a side-line issue?
I don't mean to be picky, but, was he a cop before his son was abducted? If so, he wasn't very good in which case he probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy. If he wasn't a cop, he also probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy.
I like the 'feel' of this movie and the visual 'tone.' The story is a big forced to me: destiny, fate, etc. But the action is pretty good and they do well at setting the mood.
I really like the idea of the story and they do a decent job at it, but it's hard to mix action and philosophy. Something like "Gattaca" does a better job though I don't mean to compare them in too many ways.
Also, they need to settle on the story - what are they trying to say?
SPOILERS:
Was the story about a guy who can't escape his fate? The forced slavery of people w/ special powers? The power to change your fate when you know what it is?
Also, did they ever resolve his son's abduction? Or was that just a side-line issue?
I don't mean to be picky, but, was he a cop before his son was abducted? If so, he wasn't very good in which case he probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy. If he wasn't a cop, he also probably wdn't have been the Precrime head guy.
Monday, August 29, 2005
The Hours (2002) - 5/5
The Hours (2002)
This movie broke my heart into a million pieces. I bawled for a while at the end.
This movie was not only clever and original, but truly powerful emotionally. I completely bought into it and went along all the way. It was painful to watch, but so good.
Mo was asking me what it was about and there's no way I cd describe it. I think it might be able 3 women who chose life over death, but only a life they cd bear - not a true life, just not death.
If nothing else, this movie tells a very sad story (or stories) and does it amazingly well which is amazingly hard to do.
SPOILERS:
Showing the son's life and his adult life simultaneously had an incredible effect. Finding out who he was later allowed me to see him for the lost child he was.
This movie broke my heart into a million pieces. I bawled for a while at the end.
This movie was not only clever and original, but truly powerful emotionally. I completely bought into it and went along all the way. It was painful to watch, but so good.
Mo was asking me what it was about and there's no way I cd describe it. I think it might be able 3 women who chose life over death, but only a life they cd bear - not a true life, just not death.
If nothing else, this movie tells a very sad story (or stories) and does it amazingly well which is amazingly hard to do.
SPOILERS:
Showing the son's life and his adult life simultaneously had an incredible effect. Finding out who he was later allowed me to see him for the lost child he was.
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