Reviews
Sliders (1995)
my favorite show, next to the x-files.
as a long-time fan of sliders (since it first premiered back in 1995), i have seen its ups & downs, constant cast changes, and the fight to save it from being cancelled year after year.
now in the fourth season and moved to the sci-fi channel, i believe this show is not the same one we watched friday nights on fox. everything has changed -- the characters (jerry o'connell's quinn is not the same sweet wonderer from the previous seasons -- he's mechanical and almost emotionless), the storyline (quinn not from earth prime and having a brother from another earth, an ongoing war with the kromaggs and the quest to find a so-called "superweapon" to destroy them, and to find quinn's "real" earth and parents???), and the overall feel of the show. it's not "what if...?" anymore... it's "we've gotta kill the kromaggs." not to mention jerry o'connell leaving... don't even get me started on that. i'll still watch the show of course, but i'll miss seeing him play quinn every week. i'm happy cleavant derricks is staying (and supposedly for the remainder of the series), as he is definitely a very talented actor and i love his character, rembrandt. i'm disappointed that charlie o'connell (colin) is leaving also, as he seemed to have a lot of potential and one season is not nearly enough to fully develop a character. as for kari wuhrer staying... don't get me started on that one either. what i think the show really needs, to finish off the series and tie up loose ends is one last, 2 hour episode with the entire cast (jerry o'connell, sabrina lloyd and john rhys-davies would be pivotal for this episode) and complete this story arc the writers have going on -- the kromaggs, wade's dissapearance, quinn not from earth prime & his supposed "real" family, and the *real* professor (the one that i, and many other fans, believe was left on that earth in the ep. 'post traumatic slide syndrome') -- and give the fans who have fought season after season to save our show what they want and deserve.
while i have always and will forever love this show, it's not the same anymore. it doesn't have that intrigue, or the thought-provoking storylines.
i'm looking forward to future episodes and seasons, but not as much as i used to.
U.S. Marshals (1998)
good movie...but compared to the original, it's only a shadow
"u.s. marshals" was a very good movie -- great performances by wesley snipes and especially tommy lee jones (when *hasn't* he given an impressive performance???), cool fx, and semi-suspenseful action -- but it's been done before, and better, in the form of "the fugitive" (1993). i am a big fan of the harrison ford flick and compared to that, this film is trailing far behind. i particularly liked the cemetery scene, and the chase scene in the senior's home, but i didn't feel there was nearly enough suspense and intense action as there could have been, like in the film before it. i liked this film a lot, but i wasn't blown away like i was when i saw the previous. maybe it's because harrison is absent, i don't know. it just didn't live up to my expectations. don't get me wrong, it's a good film -- much better than some of the slop that came out this year ("godzilla" comes to mind -- haven't seen it but i haven't heard one positive word about it) -- but i think it could have been much more suspenseful and also better writing would have helped.
i give "u.s. marshals" 7 out of 10 for great performances (particularly tommy lee jones's) and cool fx/chase scenes.
mswelles
Always (1989)
one of my favorite films
"Always" follows the story of pilot Pete Sandich, a good guy with a goofy sense of humor and a heart of gold. He's in love with Dorinda Durston, and they want to get married.
Everything falls apart when Pete is killed in a plane crash (while fighting a raging forest fire) while attempting to save his best friend Al, whose plane's engine caught on fire. Pete saves his friend, but soon discovers *he's* the one who needs to be saved now -- his left propeller has caught on fire, and it's about to reach the fuel tank. Pete takes one last look at his best friend as his plane blows up.
He then finds himself walking in the barren forest, not yet knowing he is dead until he meets an "angel" who explains to him what has happened -- six months earlier, he was killed when his plane blew up, and is now in the form of a ghost. No one can hear him or see him. And now Dorinda has a new man in her life, Ted, a somewhat clueless wannabe-pilot who is in love with her.
Pete now has to say goodbye to the one he loves, even though he never confessed those three little words to her -- but in his heart, he loved her more than anything in the world.
"Always" is a touching, charming, funny, and feel-good film that will capture your heart. With terrific performances, a brilliant script, and beautiful cinematography, this is one film you can watch and laugh & cry at the same time.
I give "Always" 9.5 out of 10.
mswelles
Will & Grace (1998)
Genuinely charming & funny
I love this show. From the first episode, I was hooked.
It centers on two best friends, Will & Grace. They're soul mates, and perfect for each other. The thing is -- Will's gay.
This series is charming, hilarious, and touching without being overly sentimental or trying to hard to tug your heartstrings. Talented actors & great writing isn't so bad either. :)
Finally, NBC has a show really worth watching (besides "Friends" and "Caroline in the City"). now if only they'd get rid of "Just Shoot Me"...
The X Files (1998)
Suspenseful, intense, intriguing!
For several months, I'd been waiting to see "the x-files" film. as I am an avid x-phile, naturally I had high hopes for the long-awaited movie.
When it finally came out on June 19th, I was in line at the local theater.
It exceeded all my expectations and more!
It had great acting and writing, blow-you-out-of-your-seat special effects, intense, suspenseful scenes, and an intriguing plotline that will capture you and keep you glued to your seat. the acting is very believable, and the on-screen chemistry of David & Gillian contribute to that. There's Mulder's wry humor, and Scully's usual skepticism, but a lot more added to it. The hallway scene was genuinely touching. Will they *ever* kiss though? it's obvious Mulder & Scully love each other... just maybe in more of a "respect and trust" kind of way.
I've seen this film 3 times already (twice at the movies, once on video) and plan to buy it. If you want a great film with a little bit of everything -- suspense, scares, special effects, drama, a little bit of romance and laughs, and fun -- I suggest renting "the x-files: fight the future," especially if you're a fan of the series.
My rating: 9 out of 10.
mswelles
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
great movie!
I saw "Halloween h20: 20 years later" a week after it opened. This is the best sequel since #2.
My mother and I went together, and we got lucky -- we were the only souls in the theater that night.
I was very shocked when my mother, who can't stand horror movies, loved it. I did too.
There are a few of the "cheap scares" -- someone jumping out of nowhere accompanied by a loud burst of music -- but even those get a little scare out of ya. There are a lot of very suspenseful scenes in the last half or so of the film, and I guarantee you will be on the edge of your seat. The scene where Laurie (Jamie Lee) stares into Michael's eyes through the small window on the door sent chills up my spine. It was very effective, I'll say that much.
The acting is top-notch, considering the actors are only given about 85 minutes to do their job. Jamie Lee is fantastic (as usual) and plays the role of Laurie Strode with emotion, style, and of course, attitude (you've gotta have one to battle a psychopathic murderer). The supporting cast also delivers, particularly Adam Arkin (Laurie's sensitive boyfriend), ll cool J (the laid-back security guard with marriage problems), Michelle Williams (Laurie's son's girlfriend), and Josh Hartnett (Laurie's son).
The score adds just the right touch wherever it is needed, and it doesn't remind me of "Scream" at all, like some have said. The original "Halloween" theme is played in bits throughout the film, but it is probably most remembered in the opening credits, which are very impressively done, by the way. There's also about 5 seconds of the song "Mr. Sandman" (played in the 1st "halloween") heard.
All in all... "H20" is a very, very well done film, even with John Carpenter absent. It has impressive acting, style, a great score (and impressive opening credits), a few laughs, a little bit of drama, and of course, *a lot* of suspense, scares, and fun.
I give "h20" 9 out of 10. great fun! (hoping it will be re-released for this Halloween so i can see it again...)
mswelles -- horror_chick@hotmail.com
Ever After (1998)
classy, old-fashioned, romantic, & surprisingly funny
i thought "ever after" was one of the best films i have ever seen, and out of the ones i've seen this year, this i enjoyed the most. the cast was just excellent -- drew barrymore was perfect as danielle ("cinderella"'s real name in this story), and this is undoubtedly one of her best performances ever. dougray scott was very impressive as prince henry, and anjelica huston couldn't have played the "wicked stepmother" better. the scenery is absolutely gorgeous, as are the costumes.
"ever after" is a very, very well done film, and i guarantee you will be surprised, as this is no ordinary fairy tale. there are a lot of laughs, and you can't help but cheer danielle on in a certain part involving her, her stepmother, and one of her stepsisters. this is a film for anyone, of all ages. it has everything - action, laughs, drama, and of course, the love story, which isn't as rosy as it is depicted in other "cinderella" stories, particularly disney's version.
i give "ever after" 9 out of 10 -- a must see film for anyone. :)
Titanic (1997)
fantastic, mesmerizing, capturing.
those are the only words to describe this truly unforgettable film. i saw this film first back in December and have not forgotten it. masterfully directed, written, and the actors are near perfect. the combination of a compelling love story and the background of the titanic and her tragedy has made a masterpiece. thank you to Mr. Cameron for making such a wonderful film. i cannot wait to purchase it in September.