The Woof Reviews

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

The story is not the best, but the style and look make it a must see...

[7/10 · 20 November 1999]

I am a fan of Tim Burton. His new film, Sleepy Hollow, is another in a line of quirky, and eerie, worlds that this director is fond of creating.

Using equally quirky and talented actors, Johnny Depp, and Christina Ricci, he creates another beautifully dark, yet rich textured landscape upon which to tell his tale.

Though not adhering to the tale by Washington Irivng strictly, he uses the elements from that story to weave a more dark and sinister story of our famous "Headless Horseman". Depp plays Icabod Crane, and Ricci plays the love interest, Katrina Van Tassle.

I thought that Burton smartly created a very moody and very effective canvas on which to paint. The story, or the actors aren't necessarily the stars here. What you "see" on screen is the star. No house seems to have a right angle, no sunlight seems to ever shine, in the town you feel dread, outside of town, it looks like a painting. Rich texture and some neatly made computer graphics create quite a world.

If you are a fan of Burton, see the movie, it is worth it. If you are not, I still think it is worth a look. You might be surprised by what you see.

The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)

This is a very emotional, and action packed story...

[7/10 · 20 November 1999]

One thing about this movie....the battle scenes are awesome. They are done so effectively that you feel like you are there screaming with the rest of them as you charge against the enemy. Part of this is the Director, Luc Besson's magic of vision, but most of it can be attributed to the explosion of emotion that comes from Mila Jovovich, who plays the lead.

With these two forces it produces a very emotional film that takes us to a place we have seldom seen in popular movie releases in the past few years.

This is the oft told story of Joan of Arc and her life during a very turbulent time and how she led the French to defeating the English when a woman of this time would never have done such a thing.

My only one detraction is some of the structure. Namely the movie races along for 2 hours, then it stops cold. This is when she has been captured and now faces death, and this is where Dustin Hoffman comes in to the act portraying her Conscience. I don't have anything wrong with Hoffman's performance, but it is notable that this is when the the whole movie screeches to a halt and that is what I remember feeling at the time.

Somehow, since Besson uses many instances of flashbacks through her eyes, I would have been happier perhaps, if he had taken some moments to let Hoffman's character infect her soul in more instances throughout the movie. I find it a bit hard to believe that this woman who so struggles with her every being and emotion doesn't have her conscience there constantly making her doubt what is driving her in the first place. Especially since her conscience takes such an active role in the final 30 minutes.

That aside, I haven't felt this much intensity rise to the level it does from a character in a movie the way Jovovich's performance has evoked me. She is so taken in with her character that you find yourself engrossed and going through every feeling she gives off on screen. It's as if you could feel how much her heart was racing, as her eyes bulge out of their sockets when she screams for support from her army. Or even when she sprouts tears from being so burdened with all that she is carrying, they seem to flow with no way for her to stop them. It was something.

If you get a chance, this is well worth a look.

Anywhere But Here (1999)

Good movie takes you on journey of discovery for a mother and daughter...

[7/10 · 20 November 1999]

This film was a new direction for Natalie Portman. A much more adult role, though she comes to it from the traces of a child in the movie itself. Ann,(Portman) and Susan Sarandon, who plays her newly divorced mother, Adele, travel from a small town in the middle of nowhere to Beverly Hills. There these tortured souls try to come to terms with their new life and their new relationship as Portman's character grows up. Unknowingly at first to Adele, she grows up and becomes a better mother for it.

Ann sees her mother telling her she wants to be an actress, or so she thinks. Adele uses that crutch every time there are problems in their lives. We see their struggle as mother and daughter come to terms between themselves and with being alone, having left their old lives behind.

The acting is top notch from both of them. They seemingly become mother and daughter before your eyes. You can almost feel there is a bond there beyond the actual movie.

Though this movie really doesn't take us to any new ground in these types of films, the fact that the acting is well done, and the story isn't too flawed, let's me recommend it.

I will say however, it will probably go away soon, I don't believe it can have the staying power needed for a huge Christmas season of movies starting in a week or so. See it now before this happens if you like either of these actresses.

Dogma (1999)

Dogma pushes the boundaries for those who can't take a joke

[8/10 · 20 November 1999]

This new movie from Kevin Smith proves once again what a powerhouse of talent this man has. He has created a tremendously funny movie that has the religious sector up in arms. Trouble is, if you are bothered by this type of movie, you simply don't go. You exercise your right to choose what you wish to view. Same as you would choose not to see a Rated R film perhaps.

Anyhow, the movie itself is a kaleidoscope of images that takes you on a journey to a church in New Jersey where there is to be a potential clash of of two Angels who have been kicked out of heaven, and a hodge podge of heroes to try to stop them. The "heroes" are a Rufus the 13th Apostle, The Muse, an unknowing descendant of Christ, and two prophets played by our favorite characters - Jay and Silent Bob. The two Angels are trying to use a loop hole to get back into Heaven and this is the thrust of the movie. The the actual clash at the end got a bit grandiose, though the movie succeeds on almost every other level.

There are laughs all through this film which provokes one to also think a bit on some of the aspects of religion itself. Don't think too hard though or you'll miss some very funny stuff.

The film stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, George Carlin, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, and a host of others, including many favorites from other Smith films.

Reserve judgment until you see the movie. If you are a fan of film you will like this movie for what it does despite what religious critics say. Take a chance and see one of the best comedies this year. I don't think you'll be sorry.

American Beauty (1999)

One of my faves of the year...simply great.

[10/10 · 5 November 1999]

This movie was a joy to watch. I didn't know what to expect when I came into it. I had heard the buzz of the acting and the story, etc...but we've all heard that before and had been disappointed, but not so with this one.

Kevin Spacey plays this part to a "T". He is strong when it requires and meek when it is needed. His emotional rollercoaster ride is a trip to partake in. Annette Bening is marvelous as well. I think they both should be nominated.

The support cast is also spectacular. Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, and Mena Suvari all give great performances as the troubled "Teenagers" in the film. Of particular mention is Wes Bentley's performance, worthy of a supporting nomination as well.

This is a dramatic and funny tale of a man and his life in a state of turmoil and transition. When he happens to see a beautiful friend of his daughter's at a cheerleading exhibition, he is completely infatuated with her beauty. Using this as his inspiration, he attempts to change all aspects of his life. He confronts his marriage, his job, his ego, and his libido.

The music in this film is also very well chosen. There are moments when the music fits so perfectly with the scene that they meld together as one to present a perfect emotion.

The plot can get rather involved, but you will follow it endlessly to see where you go. I was simply involved, hook, line and sinker.

See this movie more than once, and skip some of the other movies out now that are dare I say, trash.

This should be on the top of many critic's lists this year and it is certainly on top of mine.

My Rating (1 - 10): 10

The Bone Collector (1999)

Lame movie, useless acting, boring plot, need I say more...

[4/10 · 5 November 1999]

This movie is standard fare. It follows the usual conflicts of all cop movies. It has a hungry rookie cop played by Angelina Jolie, and the sly veteran cop played by Denzel Washington (who is paralyzed from the neck down, except for one finger). It has the funny underlings, played by Luis Guzman, and Ed O'Neill and of course the hard nosed and unlikeable Captain, played by Michael Rooker. Now throw in the big murder spree, with carefully left clues for the cops to follow, and you have this movie all wrapped up in a bow.

Even the end of the movie ties things up nicely. There is nothing left for us to ponder, nothing to wonder about, and no thinking is involved. Boring.

There are much better movies like this, for instance, Seven, that will at least capture your interest, rent that and skip this one.....

My Rating: (1 - 10): 3

Bringing Out the Dead (1999)

Not the best Scorsese's films, but certainly up there...

[26 October 1999]

This is a movie where we get to see the world through the eyes of a paramedic named Frank Pierce (Nicolas Cage). He rides in an ambulance heading from emergency to emergency throughout the New York City neighborhood where he grew up. He is burned out on in his job and it shows.

He has to work with some pretty odd co-workers of the likes of Larry (John Goodman), Marcus (Ving Rhames), and Tom (Tom Sizemore). He has a quiet, yet touching bond with a woman (Played by his wife, Patricia Arquette)who is the daughter of a heart attack victim he has rescued.

This is not scorsese's best film, nor his worst. I think it is better than most, but will not be remembered as one of his more memorable undertakings. I believe the weakest point of the movie is the fact that the plot and characters don't grab hold of you the way his classic films have. On it's own, however, it stacks up against almost any movie released by "Scorsese" wannabees.

I enjoyed the many comical moments in the film, which I won't spoil you by telling you them. It has heart, and is well acted. The Soundtrack is typically great. The music fits right where it should, and makes the movie in some spots. It runs about 2 hours and when you're done, you feel for this guy and the lightning pace with which he lives.

This one's a keeper in the end.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Shot on a small budget, this movie proves you don't need the big bucks to work...

[23 October 1999]

This movie, recently released on VHS and DVD was a great thrill to see in a theater. The fact that it was shot with so little money didn't detract from the effect that this flick had. I too, was caught up in the "dread" of what is going to happen next. It was nice to see a "horror" genre film go for a bloodless bath.

Shot with different types of cameras, and using black and white and color sequences spliced throughout, the director presented us with a feel for an "on the spot" documentary look. The Actors, also caught up in the effect, provided very real and intense emotions throughout the whole experience.

Many people have either loved or hated this film based only the "jiggling" effects of the Video portions of the movie, but I think that added to the "documentary" style with which they tried to present this affair. Once one was accustomed to how they were presenting the film this should not have caused a problem.

It was nice to feel scared in a Cinema again, and it only took a budget of about 25,000 dollars plus my 6 dollar matinee ticket to do it. So much for those big budgeted events.....

Now that this movie has been out and has been seen by a swarm of people, I am sure this release on Video will provide it with still more astonishing feats.

For all of you DVD Fans out there. I highly recommend it. The look, and the sound are intense. The added features on the DVD also make this a plus.