Aislynn Reviews

Unbreakable (2000)

It could have been so great!

[7/10 · 1 December 2000]

The premise for this movie sounded so intriguing. And I was hooked on the quiet suspense and dialogue until about halfway through the film. Then things started getting hokey. Ok, I can understand that there needed to be a reason for Bruce Willis' strange ability to resist illness and injury. But hinting at such a comical purpose made me cringe. I began to lose interest in the movie with each dramatic line. I will not spoil the ending, but my GOD. It seemed to be plucked out of thin air and jammed in at the last minute. It was as if all the positive aspects were wasted. I still gave it a 7, for its depth, cinematography and suspense. But BLAH to the end.

Bounce (2000)

Paltrow amazes me again...but that's it.

[1 December 2000]

This movie received stunning reviews from the critics. But I am halfway on this one. Let me say that Gwyneth Paltrow was absolutely wonderful, yet again. She morphs into whatever character she is playing, and this is no exception. Her vulnerability, awkwardness, AND her strength are played to perfection. I think she carried this movie, in my eyes. Another thing I liked was the realistic nature of this story. The storyline had HUGE potential to fall into a soap opera style, but it didn't. It managed to make the odd ,coincidental situtation seem very real and very fragile. However, something was missing for me. Maybe it seemed like Paltrow and Affleck rushed into something too fast. I'm not sure, but I didn't leave with that satisfied feeling. Perhaps I am too picky, but I gave it an 8.

The Perfect Storm (2000)

Too much.

[1 December 2000]

Maybe I should have seen this in the theater. I'm not sure, but I thought it was a mediocre movie.

Let me say that I like the plot. I like the special effects. I will forever be in AWE of the special effects. But honestly, I was exhausted (or bored) watching this. It was one fight with a wave after another. Splish splash, yelling, twirling, cheering. Then it started all over again. Maybe it was that meteorologist and his overdramatic tone. I think he completely killed the suspense for me, that would otherwise have been created. I mean really; pointing at the screen like a mad scientist, and contemplating out loud about the storm as if he were reading from a John Grisham novel. Yaaaaaaawn. Entertain me people, don't make me cringe.

The final scene of Mark Wahlberg was pretty nifty, and the movie did have a lot of good points, but not enough to make me recommend this to anyone.

Bless the Child (2000)

Overdramatic...this movie has been done before in 1000 different ways.

[6/10 · 14 August 2000]

This movie had potential, but it ended up falling on its face. The storyline is an all right one: 6 year old girl with special powers is hunted to be used for evil purposes. Too bad these special powers are never really shown. All she seems to do is hold slight telekenises and sense when the Devil is at hand. oooh, scary. *slight spoilers ahead*~but anyone with a brain can see them coming halfway through the film.

This is the other thing that was terrible about the movie. The concept of good and evil was entirely too simplistic. God, or the Powers of Good, help this little girl at only one juncture, but seem to be absent during the rest of the film. This emphasized how stereotypical it is. And the Devil is magically defeated at the end, practically without a fight. I kept waiting for the rest to take place, but to no avail. The bright spots were Coleman (the little girl) and a few spare plot twists that managed to keep it interesting. Too bad Christina Ricci didn't have a bigger part, because she was the best actress in the whole rotten production. I gave it a 6, simply for nice imagery.

Boys and Girls (2000)

Sue me, I enjoyed this movie.

[7/10 · 28 July 2000]

Note that I say "movie" and not "film". I was dragged to see this, but I found myself really liking it. The chemistry is wonderful and even though the storyline isn't the most original thing in the world, it has enough spark to keep it going. Definitely more of a rent-able movie, but let down your guard about teen flicks. This one is pretty good. :)

Ready or Not (1993–1997)

Cute and light hearted...last episode actually made me sad.

[25 October 1999]

This show is an excellent series. I began watching it from the beginning and was addicted. Seeing Amanda and Busy go from little 7th graders to high schoolers was an interesting journey, and SOME episodes I'm surprised Disney actually aired. There are a lot of real, poignant moments and issues in this series along with the usual fluff associated with these types of shows. If you happen to catch the reruns, I hope you start watching the first season and go from there. Even I was a little sad when I saw the final episode. 4 years is a long time for a show to be on.

American History X (1998)

Excellent and moving..."flaws" do not interfere.

[15 October 1999]

This movie is wonderful, and many of the flaws others have explained did not take away the power of this film for me. Some have wondered why it took Danny only one night to change all his views his brother taught him. But you have to remember something about Danny. He was doing many of it just to please others. Think of when Seth came over with the video camera and demanded Danny recite everything he was taught, and Danny began regurgitating information in a monotone, as if he truly didn't care. It was only when Seth began harping on him that Danny gave him what he wanted and began spouting racist garbage.

As far as Derek goes, I agree that the change in him was a bit sudden, but we didn't see his three years in prison, 24 hours a day. A lot happens over time and prison is a strange place where one's mind undergoes all SORTS of changes. Perhaps the film makers could have developed it a bit more, but then maybe people would be whining about how the pacing was too slow.

Without revealing the ending, let's say it is perfectly ironic and purely sad. It leaves you feeling as if you were punched in the chest, it's that powerful. The photography is beautiful in the beginning and final scenes, and the montage of black and white versus color is tastefully done. Never have I seen a film that uses flashbacks so wonderfully. Through each scene we receive a little bit more of the puzzle. (The flashback that seemed most essential to me was Derek and his father at the dinner table).

Another film I was almost glad never took off in flying numbers at the box office. Fame almost tends to cheapen certain films. See this movie, it is unique and extremely well made.

Three Kings (1999)

Surprisingly well-done.

[9/10 · 4 October 1999]

I was dragged to the theater to see this by two of my guy friends, and absolutely loved this movie. The humor was clever, fresh, and brilliantly timed. And the drama did not seem out of place when it occurred. In fact, the flashbacks and semi-dream sequences carried this film when the jokes may have gotten tired.

Mark Wahlberg is excellent in this movie. The true sign of a good actor is when they convince you that they're NOT acting, which he definitely succeeded in. George Clooney was all right, perhaps trying to mimic a Bruce Willis persona a bit too much, but he played a fine role.

This movie addressed the questions of "Why ARE we here?" (the Gulf War) with tact and poignant moments along with some of the funniest scenes I've seen in a while. Overall, an 8/10, and one I reccomend seeing...but that's just my opinion :)

The Tempest (1998 TV Movie)

Definitely not big screen material, but satisfying

[27 September 1999]

I had just finished struggling through the Shakespeare play, and found the core idea of the whole thing fascinating. Shipwrecks, magic, hallucinations, a beautiful girl, the evil protaganist. When I saw the ad for a tv movie, I knew I was going to like it and I did.

Katherine Heigl is one of my favorite actresses (Miranda) and she carried the role off just right. The special effects were convincing enough to not interfere with the enjoyment of the movie. My favorite part is Ariel morphing as he returns tot he ground. Plus it helped that Ariel was gorgeous.

Nice work...just glad it was a tv movie or it would have gotten mauled by the critics.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

True Movie Power

[17 September 1999]

My story is like a lot of yours. My brother and father wanted to rent this movie at the video store, and that alone made me wary, plus in my teenage mind I was thinking "What? I've never even heard of this movie!" But after watching it I went to the store the very day it was released for home video and bought it.

Everytime I see this movie, it makes everything inside of me ache. I mean truly ache. From the very first scene I was hooked, and in each line of dialogue I experienced everything from tension, laughter, shock. It has a quiet aura about it, a heavy mood that is not necessarily somber, but instead incredibly profound.

I used the opera scene in my media class to demonstrate the core ideas of this movie and the entire class was transfixed. I think my favorite scene is Red and Andy talking after Andy's extensive time in "the hole". What they discussed: hope, freedom, his wife; it makes me want to cry.

Please don't let anything stop you from seeing this movie. It is for a teenage girl as much as it is for anyone. If it doesn't affect you, I'm not sure what will...

The Haunting (1999)

Hm...was I scared? I can't decide.

[16 September 1999]

The Haunting started off wonderfully. With each bang on a door or sudden movement, I was definitely startled, if not full-blown scared at times.

But then, as some movies do, the last half was disheartening. Without giving away the ending for those who haven't seen it, let's just say Hollywood struck again, leaving a ghostly and terrifying tale flopping around with no plot to stand on. I was nearly cheering when a certain fate befell one of the characters (Luke) and had to close my eyes in embarrassment at Nell's final triumph.

Do yourself a favor and read the book (The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson) It may not be the thundering, twisting freakshow that was the movie, but I guarantee a more psychological scare... and isn't that the more frightening?

Jawbreaker (1999)

All right if you have nothing better to do

[16 September 1999]

This movie never set out to be an Oscar winner. This is obvious from the total teenspeak and the faulty story line.

But ya know what? I liked it. Centered around the totally absurd idea of accidently(?) choking your perfect and pristine friend with a jawbreaker already grabs attention. And with Rose McGowan leading the way as the ideal Queen Bitch, sucking on popsicles and tearing down anyone who gets in her way, it is entertainment at least. I wouldn't have gone to see it in the theaters, but for 2.50 down at the video store I came back satisfied.

Cruel Intentions (1999)

I want my money back.

[16 September 1999]

What made me want to see this horror of a movie in the first place is beyond me. Call it a moment of insanity.

"Cruel Intentions" is over-acted, predictable, and far too dramatic for such an insipid storyline. The characters are stereotypical and the two main characters (Gellar and Phillipe) deliver their lines as though in a soap opera. But what can you expect when both of them started acting there.

The plot involves sex and lots of it. But instead of portraying sex as sensual, carnal, natural, this movie presents it as silly, a game, something to giggle about during your English class. Perhaps the only bright spot is Selma Blair who is the perfect innocent turned naughty. It's too bad she was cast in such an awful role.

If you really want to see this for some odd reason, wait until it appears in the dollar section at the video store. That's a dollar too much, but hey...

Lolita (1997)

Having not seen Kubrick's version, I can only say...

[16 September 1999]

I fell in love with Nabokov's masterpiece. Upon hearing that there was a movie adapted from the novel (I am of a younger generation) I found it hard to believe that anyone could put into visual images and dialogue what had appeared in my mind as flawless. After seeing this remade version, I came away satisfied. Hearing what countless critics had to say has never changed my view. Of course, it can never come even close to the novel, but watching Lyne's version unfold in quiet and somber light brought to mind the exact same feelings I was experiencing reading the book. Certain things did bother me. Lolita's mother in particular. Hearing Melanie Griffith deliver lines as if she were reading to a group of school children set my teeth on edge, although she went down in fine style. And having the sole reason for Humbert's obsession with nymphets wrapped up in one neat reason(Annabel) was also hard to swallow. But Dominique Swain was nearly the perfect picture of the Lolita in my mind. Wistful, vulnerable, and a fierce manipulator all at once, it's hard to believe she'd never had acting experience beforehand. Perhaps a bit too old in certain lights, she still managed to carry off a difficult role and steal every scene she was in, much like Natalie Portman in "Beautiful Girls". Certain expressions were incredibly poignant. (Think of Lo's face when Humbert denied permission to be in the play. Think of her lipstick smeared smile after being caught going out when Humbert went to the market). The essence of this movie is what formed my opinion that this was a good film. The pacing, the comparison to Kubrick didn't matter when the mood of the entire film was left. Maybe the critics are right, and I'm missing something. But when the final scene appeared, that dreamy image of Lolita's face, I was completely satisfied that Lyne did the best job anyone could have.

The Ice Storm (1997)

Excellent.

[16 September 1999]

The Ice Storm got to me. For three reasons. I'll keep it short.

First, was the performance of Christina Ricci, growing out of her days in such movies as "Now and Then" or "Casper". In her open and honest face everything comes through, whether it be raw emotion or calm thought.

Second, the movie was real. It was nice to sit down and view something sans the special effects, the cars chases, the ghosts, the murder, the slapstick comedy.

Third and most importantly, it was quiet, thoughtful and intriguing. During those pauses set in just the right place, I barely breathed, I just watched the characters react.

The film was fresh, honest, cold at times, but incredibly beautiful and real. I strongly reccomend it for anyone with an appreciation for a quality film.

Stealing Beauty (1996)

Great potential...but falls short

[16 September 1999]

The first twenty minutes of this movie had me riveted. The Italian landscape was incredible and upon meeting all the diverse characters, one would think this was the perfect stage for a fine film.

But it wasn't.

Lucy's search for her father is first pushed on the back burner then brought miraculously to life near the end of the movie. Meanwhile the plot involves the entire house buzzing like old maids about the poor girl's virginity, as if the topic were front page news. But then again Jeremy Irons character said it best: "Up here on this hill, the only thing we have to talk about is each other". Hm, maybe so, but the idea quickly becomes dull.

Instead of becoming interested in Lucy, the only scenes I found enjoyable involved Miranda and her dim-witted "boyfriend". Richard made me laugh so much that I nearly forgave the pointless plot. And I would've been very disappointed were it not for Jeremy Irons and his wonderful character of Alex. Alex's musing, thoughts and expressions made me smile and made me think. (" 'The incredible frivolity of the dying' You have to allow me a little frivolity")

As far as what Lucy sees in Nicholo or what made her take the plunge with someone she barely knew, baffles me. Take the beautiful cinemetography, interesting characters and mold them in an entirely different way and you've got yourself a much better movie than what was presented. Such potential..wasted *sigh*