JerBear-2 Reviews

The Shining (1980)

Kubrick's a genius

[8/10 · 7 June 1999]

Hated the book! Hated King's recent film based on his book! But this movie is amazing. It has so many great scenes- The "all work and no play" typing scene, Danny's big wheel rolling through the halls scenes, the "here's Johnny" scene, Jack's bad dream scene, the "lady" in the room scene, the "redrum" scene- and plenty more. The skills of Kubrick along with 2 amazing performances by Nicholson and Duvall (now this woman knows how to convey fear to an audience) make this an amazingly scary film. No moving bushes, no hero dad, no trying to pack complex relationship info into a 90 minute film, no contrived excuses for a character's motivations, -just great scenes- each one meant to effect the audience more than the one before. Mr. Kubrick took a corny, overwrought vehicle and turned it into a masterpiece.

Scream 2 (1997)

Not as silly as the original

[30 May 1999]

A few real actors and a few cute ladies are the only highlights to this movie, except that the resolution to the "mystery" (I think Scooby Doo could have solved this one) at least made sense this time, even if it was absurd. There are a few good, though unintentional, laughs. The fact that you don't need to pay attention to this movie (it's geared toward the brainless), along with the "scaryness" of it, make it a great first date movie, otherwise it's a waste of money.

Scream (1996)

Did anyone buy the resolution to this "plot"?

[1/10 · 30 May 1999]

The motives were lame and the bloodshed senseless. Two obvious idiots running around unnoticed in bizarre getups as if they had some sort of paranormal ability, killing at will, and never getting seen or caught, who, in the end, not only have to explain the whole plot to the last victim (actually more cliche than cliche -it requires a whole new word) but stab each other (this is their "alibi") before killing her!!!! C'mon, even my six year old was scared until the end when she pronounced the whole thing "stupid". I realize this movie was geared toward teenagers struggling with attention deficit disorder or a crack addiction, but even they must have some standards. This movie is on a par in the horror genre that the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies are in the comedy genre.

Scream 2 was funny enough to be almost enjoyable. Plus, they hired a couple of professional actors.

Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave (1995)

Nick Park is an Artist

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

These short films remain clever and fast paced. Viewers of every age will enjoy them and they aren't subject to "sequel syndrome". I figured the ones that followed "Trousers" would diminish in plot, creativity, and character development. Well, I was wrong. The characters are increasingly multidimensional and the story lines remain original.

Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993)

Clever, innovative and funny.

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

What more can you ask of from a short film- or any film? It can be enjoyed on many levels by anyone and everyone. One of the few Oscars that made sense.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

At least it was better than the book.

[2/10 · 30 May 1999]

Academy Awards are rarely the sign of a great movie. The children of the Academy members, who do the actual voting, have notoriously pedestrian tastes. This movie does add some dramatic scenes and character development to improve on a poorly written novel. This movie's big draws, it would appear, were cannibalism, masogeny, and over-acting. Really great acting is transparent. If you're marvelling at the fantastic acting during the movie, then what you're enjoying is watching someone "ham it up" on the screen, not fine acting. The important thing is that the villain didn't have sex with the women, he just murdered them and skinned them, thus avoiding an x rating. And the females that we were aware of that did have sex were properly tortured for their sins. What I really find offensive is that Hannibal the Cannibal is portrayed as a likable monster, even after cutting off the face of an innocent guard in order facilitate his escape. Hannibal's a winner and American's love a winner, regardless of the atrocities he commits in order to achieve his goals. This movie sends the message that if we are clever and have no moral limits as to what we are willing to do, we'll succeed -which Hannibal does! This movie is truly a bottom feeder in the cesspool of American cinema.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Funny, funnier, funniest

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

It's funny and then it gets funnier. And then it gets still funnier. The music is amazing! I howled. Dry, dead pan, not played for the big laugh, and so plausible. Great idea, great actors, great movie.

Life of Brian (1979)

One of the top 10 of all time

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

True, my tastes are eclectic. This movie is so incredibly clever and thought provoking that it's not surprising that it raised so many hackles. Plus, it's as fast paced and funny as a Marx Brothers movie without the musical breaks. You can watch it 20 times and you'll still sing at the end. Undoubtedly one of the top 10!!

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Undoubtedly one of the best 10 movies ever made

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

This movie is not an attempt at a "realistic" depiction of the Viet Nam war. This movie was made for a movie audience, not for of bunch of Vets, who still wear their fatigues and army jackets (which had to have been purchased from an Army surplus store, since the army won't let you keep the ones they loaned you) and want to relive the "horror" that they claim to be trying to get over. (There are several lesser quality movies that attempt to do that.) This film is a dense and dark cinematic triumph highlighted by remarkable acting, sets, dialogue, music, atmosphere, directing and cinematography. It does require several viewings, however to truly appreciate it and if it ever shows in a theatre near you--run, don't walk- go see it in the format in which it was intended to be seen. And stay though the ending credits!!! They cut out the originals for some reason on the movie channels.

Halloween (1978)

This one set the standards

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

Almost every suspense film (not just slashers) has imitated or has outright stolen the techniques used by Carpenter in this film. Some of it seem cliche? It wasn't when the film was made! Hard to believe that, like the Exorcist, the sequels were so truly, truly awful.

Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)

One of the top 10 of all time

[30 May 1999]

How wonderful to have a movie remain so faithful to a book that I absolutely love. There are some other Vonnegut novels I'd like to see receive this kind of treatment. If you read Vonnegut, then you know that the idea of turning his words into a visual format must be a daunting task.

This is a wonderful movie and if the movement of the plot is too confusing for some, then it would probably be better if they stuck to the Lion King, which is driven by a single, easy to follow plot. The fact that Billy Pilgrim is unhinged in time is integral to the plot as well as the concept. Valerie Perrine's nudity is merely a plus.

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

A movie that does justice to the book.

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

Another masterpiece by a bona fide genius. Kubrick leads us down the garden path (a dark and foreboding futuristic one)with our feelings and emotions about the main character. Is he funny? Is he cute? Is he sad? Or is he a sadistic sociopath that deserves far worse than what happens to him? And more importantly, is that the point of the movie? If you don't find this film disturbing, you've been watching too many "Itchy and Scratchy" cartoons.

As far as the film making, one of the things that has always amazed me is that the film creates a world of it's own with very few outrageous set designs or special effects. We never even see the car they drive.

This movie is like "Brazil", you have to watch it more than once to truly appreciate it.

Little Big Man (1970)

A standard that the entire film industry should strive for

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

Great story telling! First and foremost this is a great story. It is entertaining. It's educational. There's great acting, great direction, realistic sets, wonderful cinematography and creative editing.

It runs you through an amazing gamut of emotions. In the course of one's life, most movies are really pretty much a waste of time, but it really would be a loss to miss this one.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Genius

[10/10 · 30 May 1999]

There are only a handful of film makers that can be labeled as geniuses without the word having about as much meaning as the word "superstar", and Stanley Kubrick is definitely one of them. Every one of his movies listed in IMDb's top 200 is totally original in both concept and creative inspiration. All are films that can be watched again and again.

Nosferatu (1922)

Required for any student of cinematography

[30 May 1999]

I showed this one to my daughters (ages 6 and 9) and they watched it six more times before it went back to the library- the 9 year old reading the captions to the younger one. Then they checked it out again a few weeks later. It says a lot when children that have been jaded by the high tech movies of the nineties can enjoy a silent film this much. Better not say say "Nosferatu" out loud around my house.

Men in Black (1997)

Aliens are among us and the men in black keep it secret

[8/10 · 18 November 1998]

As usual, Will Smith is decidedly likable, Tommy Lee Jones is decidedly craggy, and Linda Fiorintino is decidedly hot. The movie would have improved, however, with less effects and a little more plot. Even with a plot that is a little weak, the movie's fun because it exploits and satirizes so many UFO stories and urban myths. Will Smith pretty much plays the same character he always plays, but it still works. He pretty much saved..well almost...well, not really.. that awful Independence Day. Talk about needing a plot- one that made sense. But then, that's for another set of comments. MIB may not be the block buster it was hyped as, but it is an enjoyable movie worth watching a couple of times.

Empire of the Sun (1987)

One of the truly great films

[10/10 · 18 November 1998]

A story of evolution and change- of a child, of his parents, of a society and of a Nation. The story of adults refusing to acknowledge reality and a child having to come to grips with it. The plot even overwhelms Spielberg's obvious and clumsily executed symbolism. In fact, I actually liked some of it. He toned down the music and visual effects that he normally uses to elicit unearned emotion from his audience because the plot of this movie earned every emotion it drew from its audience. Superb acting, writing and cinematography make this, without a doubt, one of my (as if that mattered to anyone) top ten movies of all time. So far.

Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)

Very amusing

[6/10 · 26 October 1998]

Though this movie has some very amusing scenes, what makes it worth watching is the acting talent of Sam Huntington, the adorable little jungle boy, Mimi, as well as Jo Beth Williams and Lolita Davidavich. Even Martin Short's over acting and camera-camping works in one scene. Oh well, Martin seems be having fun even if most of us just find him annoying. This movie is worth maybe a couple of free viewings on the Disney Channel.

Dutch (1991)

Subsequent viewings

[5/10 · 26 October 1998]

The first time that I saw this movie I thought it was kind of cute and pleasant, had some funny lines, and the plot devices weren't too contrived and there was plausible character growth, but I usually can tell a lot more about a movie the 2nd time I see it because there are always things that I missed the first time. Unfortunately, I didn't miss anything the first time I watched this and got nothing new out of a subsequent viewing. If you've just got to watch the tube, then watch this when it's on TV.

The Big Chill (1983)

All time great films

[10/10 · 26 October 1998]

Of course, it would be hard to fail with the writing, acting and directing talent assembled here. Even still, throw in some of the greatest tunes of all time and you've got a film that never grows old. I've seen it a dozen times and I'm sure that I'll see it a dozen more. I knew someone would use Mary Kay Place to her full potential someday, maybe it will happen again.

Poltergeist (1982)

Scary without being gory or stupid

[8/10 · 26 October 1998]

This movie uses some ingenious special effects and plot devices to scare you silly. The foreshadowing is so concrete that you're sure that you'll be ready for whatever happens next...and you're wrong! There are some classic scenes like Heather O'roark in front of the TV and Jo Beth Williams up on the bedroom wall. Whooee! Now that's entertainment. The stacked chairs in the kitchen and, of course, my all time favorite is the swimming pool scene. I never felt insulted or manipulated by this film. It was scary without being gory or stupid.

I Love Trouble (1994)

It's all in the name

[7/10 · 23 October 1998]

I think this is a perfect example of how important the title of a movie is to its box office success. This film sounded so dumb I really don't know how I ended up watching it. Maybe I thought it was a Nick and Nora Charles reprise. It was actually kinda fun, though. Which is really saying something because I'd normally rather have a root canal than sit through one of Julia Roberts' robotic performances.

Clean Slate (1994)

Dana's one of the funniest people alive...

[5/10 · 23 October 1998]

But he's been stinking up the movie theater's for years and it is a relief to see him in something that actually has some laughs. There are a lot of talented people who are box office poison or just can't find the right vehicle to showcase their talent, and sure, the writing can be blamed for probably the majority of the problem....but why then, as in Dana's case, do they agree to be in such awful films? This one is passable. I've watched it three times now, which is probably one time too many.

Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993)

This is clay?

[10/10 · 23 October 1998]

A fast pace, fully rounded characters, and one of the most remarkable chase seens of any movie I've ever seen are the reasons that my children and I watch this (as well the other Nick Park films) endlessly. The attention to detail keeps us constantly finding something new every time that we watch it. The plot is clever, even the bad guy is lovable, and watch out for Wallace's British smile.

I also recommend 'A Grand Day Out' and 'A Close Shave'.

Cop & ½ (1993)

I just have one question.

[1/10 · 23 October 1998]

WHY?? Why would anyone read this script and then agree to make this film. Did it look good on paper? OK, so that's another question, but if someone needed a tax write off, just think of all the charities that could have used that money for the betterment of mankind.