Change Your Image
Geoff_A
Reviews
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Better than the original
Like all the other commentators, I agree that this is better than the original. Moving, exciting, and thoroughly captivating. At one point, I looked at my watch and noticed we were an hour and a half into the film, and we still had two large problems to resolve (involving both Woody and Buzz). Amazingly, the plots were resolved without any "hokey" gimmicks.
Everyone in my family (Me 35; Mom 34; Son 10; Son 7; Son 5; and Daughter 3) loved the movie and thought it was better than Toy Story. How's that for broad demographic appeal?
Muppets from Space (1999)
Muppet fan likes it
After reading numerous lukewarm (at best) reviews, I was a bit concerned about seeing this movie, but I'm a die-hard Muppet fan, so I went.
The basic idea is that Gonzo feels alone, because while the other Muppets have families and know where they came from, Gonzo is alone. Rizzo is a rat; Kermit is a frog; but Gonzo is a "whatever." Through a series a misadventures (of course), Gonzo learns who (and what) he really is.
The movie is better than the reviewers say, at least if you're a Muppet fan. It does help if you're familiar with the other Muppet movies, "The Muppet Show," and "Muppets Tonight." Some of the humor is based on the characters, and requires knowledge a casual observer won't know. There is the usual Muppet zaniness, which I'll admit you've got to be a bit weird to appreciate.
On the downside, the plot is, well, at times agonizingly slow-moving, and there's not quite enough zaniness, but it's still a fun movie.
My take: See it if you're a die-hard Muppet fan. If not, wait for it on your favorite home video format.
The Princess Bride (1987)
What can I say about this masterpiece?
A fabulous movie! The book is slightly better, but that hardly detracts from a great movie. And a soundtrack by Mark Knopfler, too!
It's one of those movies that many people can quote many lines from. Thoroughly enjoyable, and stands up to repeated viewings.
Mass Appeal (1984)
Great study of coming to grips with your values
Jack Lemmon shines as Father Farley, a spineless priest who'll say anything to anyone if it makes his life easier. Through a series of circumstances, he has to face himself as a result of being "assigned" Mark Dolson as a deacon.
When I first watched this movie, I was disappointed by the ending, because it didn't seem to resolve the main issue (which concerns Mark Dolson). But eventually I realized that it issue was Father Farley, and his spinelessness, and Mark Dolson was merely the means by which Farley is brought to terms with himself.
My second favorite movie of all time.