"Lonesome Dove" (1989) (mini) - 5/5

"Lonesome Dove" (1989) (mini) I really can't do this justice. It's great and I'm so hapy they made it a mini-series and not a movie.

Snakes on a Plane (2006) - 3.5/5

Snakes on a Plane (2006) It's a great B movie. Since that's all it's trying to be, it gets a fairly high rating.

Good action and thriller-like shocks.

WARNING: Nudity - you'll know when it's coming.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) - 4/5

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) Very funny. Classic Ferrell and that might be the only drawback: expectations. I always like his performances and I liked this one. And though I cd watch his style forever, the lack of newness cd be a drawback for some.

All That Jazz (1979) - 3/5

All That Jazz (1979) I think maybe this movie may be dated (for me) somehow. I think when it came out, it was probably ripe for the time period and lifestyle. However, now it feels more like a commentary on the seventies.

I thought it was well acted, but I had problems w/ the production feeling dated and the musical numbers felt strange: is it a drama or a musical? Maybe both which cd be cool, but I'd say they didn't pull that off.

Also, the message felt a little trite, but again, in 1979 it might have been a bigger deal.

I did like the ending since it wasn't typical - that's all I'll say. Though I think they cd have played up the affect on others more.

I have to say I think this movie is probably better technically than I can appreciate: the music and dancing and time period lose something in my eye as I'm not trained.

So while I feel like this movie is probably very 'good', I can't give it too high of a rating for me.

WARNING: Nudity.

Hook (1991) - 3.5/5

Hook (1991) I think I liked this movie the first time. I think I'm burned out on Robin Williams so that might be part of it??? Also, I felt the romantic aspect btwn Tinkerbell and Peter was a negative.

One thing that always bothered me about this movie was Julia Roberts' performance. She just seems distant and sad. I seem to remember her going thru a lot at the time. The trivia section on IMDB for this mentions something about her going into a hospital for 'exhaustion.'

Anyway, it's a good, clever, imaginative movie. It's a little dated, but otherwise still quite good.

Bowling for Columbine (2002) - 2/5

Bowling for Columbine (2002) A ton has been written on this movie and done better than I cd do, but I'll make a few points.

Michael Moore continues to show himself to be an opinionated 'essay' filmer. Documentary is far from what he does.

He makes thin, one sided arguments leading the viewer to his conclusions. He proposes the ridiculous to make a point and, IMO, ruins his own argument and point. I can help but think of him as egotistical and arrogant thinking he's not only better and smarter than those he's against, but also hypocritical given the money he's made exploiting those he claims to be one of.

2 things I think that this movie does well in a sense:

1. Shine a light on the sensationalism of the 'nightly news.'
2. Question the common explinations about why the U.S. is so violent (compared to other countries)

He uses cheap trick and tactics to make his points and ruins them in the process. He blames others for problems but doesn't consider what their excuse might be (who's to blame for making the bad people bad which makes other people bad?).

I've read a few things about his movies including this one that show how awful he is in his tactics so I won't waste time on that. The above is my feelings, impressions and thoughts.

Update 8.3.06:
I thought recently about how MM seems to put a lot of the blame on news media for causing us to live in fear, but is quick to give Marilyn Mason the oppurtunity to refute that music (media) doesn't have the same effect. Similarly he writes off the video games cd influence people/kids to violence. I disagree.

She's the Man (2006) - 3.5/5

She's the Man (2006) A somewhat predictable story (based on "Twelfth Night" by Wm. Shakespeare) and situated like a teeny bopper movie, this movie sets itself apart by one thing: Amanda Bynes.

She is so animated and energetic, I wanted to just watch her imitate a stereotypical boy the whole time. The rest of the movie holds on barely at times, but she makes those parts seem better.

The story is fine, the characters (some) are good, but Amanda is so much fun to watch I gave this movie a higher rating than I otherwise might.

I don't think I'd recommend this movie, but if there was a highlight reel, it wd be awesome.

The Matador (2005) - 3.5/5

The Matador (2005) A good story though it doesn't quite fit most criteria for an acion, spy or drama movie. The characters are rich and well defined. The interaction is powerful and intense.

I think this movie doesn't have too much to appeal to a lot of people: it's not a 'girlie drama' nor a 'manly action'... it's somewhat both and therefore not appealing to most.

It doesn't try to be more than it is, which is a strength. It's a good look into two very different lives and how they might clash. Parts are unbelievable, but it's the ride that counts in this case.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) - 3.5/5

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

I felt it was a good movie overall. Good action, but a bit disjointed: it
was hard to tell why they were doing what they were doing at times. The overall
goal of the story was obscured by little tasks here and there that may have
taken away from the whole. Also, I didn't think the acting was as good as in
the first one.

My expectations were low having heard several people say they didn't care for
it. I like having low expectations so that was fine and may have helped.

Home Movie (2001) - 3/5

A documentary about 5 people/couples living in unusual homes and locations.

Somewhat interesting and fortunately short. I think they do a good job of finding interesting cases to document, but ultimately I think they stay too shallow and not get into the core of these interesting people.

These people are living in places I wd love to live in if it were practical (well, may all except the cat people). I wd love a gadget house, a tree house, a house boat or a missle silo house! So cool.

These people are doing that and it takes very unique people to do it. However, I felt like the film didn't get deeply enough into them to really take advantage of the oppurtunity.

Hidalgo (2004) - 2.5/5

An unfortunately poorly told good story. Also, it was marketed as more of an action movie (so it seemed to me). It has some powerful parts, but has too shallow of a feel most of the time. It winds up being neither a good drama or action movie.

You, Me and Dupree (2006) - 3.5/5

You, Me and Dupree (2006)

Good, funny, clever and (somewhat) unique. I think the subplots and characters made this story (guest overstaying his welcome) feel new.

The acting is really good in this for what I expected. Owen Wilson is always good, but the others were well cast into the characters.

Superman Returns (2006) - 4/5

Superman Returns (2006) Good action and good drama. I think this is as much or more of a drama than an action movie though it does well at both.

It's long, but to me it needed to be and I enjoyed the ride.

It's nice to see a good, moral movie out there. I half feared they were make a more modern, harsh Superman, but the nature of him is so 'good' that it wd stink if they changed that.

Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) - 2.5/5

Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) - 2.5/5

This movie was cute, but may have suffered some b/c I saw it on a plane which isn't the best setting. I felt it was a little thin - the melt down and related threats didn't seem to present enough motivation for me. I guess I sdn't be worrying about that too much for a kids movie.

Speaking of it being a kids movie, I think there were a few too many and too bad 'adult' aimed jokes in it.

The Village (2004) - 4/5

The Village (2004) - 3.5/5

Very good and suspenseful. Good acting, setting, editing and directing.

There's not much you can say w/o spoiling things. Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius Hunt was great as was Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Walker. M. Night is great at this as in all of his others that I've seen.

SPOILERS



There's a few questions about this movie that I have which can probably best be answered w/ "Well, it made the movie work." like why pick those years and language to emulate? Why use monsters to scare them? Why red or any color at all?

The basis of it all is: Can you hide from tragedy? No. Pain finds you.

Take the Lead (2006) - 1.5/5

Take the Lead (2006) - 2/5

Weak story and pretty much everything else. Thin and uninspiring. A story that's been told 1000 times before and 1000 times better before.

The Year of the Yao (2004) 2.5/5

The Year of the Yao (2004) - interesting, but nothing great.

I can't say this is a very good documentary, but it is an interesting subject. For someone that didn't really know anything about him/his career, it was interesting.

Face/Off (1997) - 3/5

Face/Off (1997) - good action, interesting premise.

Nothing great, but a good action movie.

Nacho Libre (2006) - 3.5/5

Nacho Libre (2006)

I had high expectations for this movie w/ Jack Black and Jared Hess (from "Napoleon Dynamite"). It was slow at times w/ for this type of humor/slapstick, you lose some oppurtunities, but then again you weren't overloaded w/ silliness for the sake of silliness.

Jack Black usually pretty much plays himself in movies so this prevented him from doing that 100% which was a pro and con - but good overall, I'd say.

Good, light, escape comedy.

Cars (2006) - 4/5

Cars (2006)

Cute, fun and no heavy handed liberal messages.

I liked this movie. It's pretty funny, fairly clever, has a good message and doesn't taint it w/ heavy handed messages.

The animation is top notch and the voice acting is really good.

It's fun and funny.