melissa.ricks Reviews

Clay Pigeons (1998)

A Gem

[10/10 · 8 June 2003]

As most viewers who write comments on IMDb, I watch a lot of movies. I'm always looking for one that is a bit off-beat with stand-out characters and stay-on-my-mind quality. This is one of those films; primarily due to Vince Vaughn's engaging performance. What a thrilling portrayl of an intoxicating, infectious character!

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Get over your Tolkein sentiments. This is not Best Picture material.

[8/10 · 10 March 2002]

All of us who love Tolkein were excited to see this film, but be honest. This is not Best Picture material. It is little more than The Mummy or The Mummy returns. Endless chase scenes and special effects. No real acting. No real character development. No real complex and engaging story line. The film never drew me in and made me part of the action nor endeared me to any of the characters. A good fantasy... a good movie of any genre, pulls you in, makes you feel like you could be there, allows you to feel empathy. The Wizard of Oz does this. Star Wars did this. Lord of the Rings does not.

My breath was taken away at how beautiful the Hobbit Shire was portrayed. It was outstanding, but the rest of the movie gave way to one horrible chase scene after another. Worse than a big screen video game because you couldn't interact with it and you couldn't turn it off.

I was also horrified that adults took their small children to see this. A little girl who was sitting behind me was terrified through the entire movie. Ugly, scary, drippy creatures... endless computer generation. Three hours of "I wish this would end" stress. No the kind of creative "what's going to happen next" scene creation. More like a slasher movie gone computerized.

I was keenly disappointed.

The Delivery (1999)

Complete Disappointment

[1/10 · 29 June 2001]

I was looking forward to this movie. I like road trip thrillers. I like sex, drugs, youth, action and a great sound track. And I was especially interested in taking the movie trip across Europe to see if I recognized any of my own travel spots.

From the first scene, however, this movie was unwatchable. What was Guy doing driving on the wrong side of the road? What could possibly have blown up the van that rolled gracefully down a shallow grassy incline? If they're such bad drivers, why would they take a delivery job? And that's just the first scene! Not even bad enough to be campy or silly. Just Horrible! Horrible! Horrible! Waste of time. Move on to something... anything else!

The Love Letter (1999)

Could have been much better

[5/10 · 28 June 2001]

Nice cast, lovely setting, nice story, but poor writing. Most disappointing is that the heart of the movie, The Letter, is not that compelling. I would also have appreciated a bit more character development particularly Ellen DeGeneres' and Tom Everett Scott's. And why was Kate Capshaw's character so repressed? Did Tom Selleck ever love the wife who bore his children? A promising story that left me feeling flat. It seems like this story has been told better before....

Kill the Man (1999)

Funny, sophmorish, independent film

[6/10 · 28 June 2001]

I really enjoyed the fresh young actors in this film. The writing is not very sophisticated, nor is it intended to be. This film reminds me a bit of Clerks and Slackers, not because of its storyline, but the direction and the crazy characters portrayed by lesser know but talented young semi-slacker actors.

Anywhere But Here (1999)

Perfect Performances - Don't be so hard on this movie

[8/10 · 28 June 2001]

Chick Flick? Of course.... Been done before? Many times.... Predictable? Yes..... Worth watching? You bet! I was delighted with Sarandon and Portman's portrayals of otherwise stock characters in a familiar story line. I am a great fan of mother/daughter stories. What makes the difference between the good ones and the weak ones ARE the performances and the character development. Although this is not the BEST of its genre, I will buy it and watch it again. I felt the characters were believable and the acting was superior.

Smoke Signals (1998)

I expected to love this movie

[5/10 · 28 June 2001]

I was disappointed in the film. I saw Sherman Alexie interviewed on a television news magazine program and was excited to see his film. However, I didn't find it funny and found the characters to be rather cliche'. I will give Sherman's books a try, however, because I expect that his stories are better digested as vignettes rather than pieced together into a full feature film.

Home Fries (1998)

Painfully unwatchable

[1/10 · 28 June 2001]

There is not a sympathetic character in this movie. The story is worse than terrible. I couldn't finish it. I believe I made it through 3/4 of the movie, forcing myself to see it through, but I just couldn't. Drew Barrymore is sickening and I normally find something to enjoy in her performances and the movies she is in. Total waste of time.

Cold Comfort Farm (1995 TV Movie)

Tries a little too hard

[6/10 · 28 June 2001]

Cold Comfort Farm is indeed a Jane Austen/Bronte Sisters look alike film, intentionally mimicking Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Wuthering Heights. Nice cast of characters, but they all seemed so pleased with themselves that I couldn't rate this movie higher than a '6'. It was almost too charming and oh so tidy.

The Mystery of Picasso (1956)

Fascinating! A must see for artists and art lovers.

[9/10 · 28 June 2001]

I received a VHS copy of this film from a friend who was going to trash it. My mother weaned me on trips to art galleries, spoon fed me stories of the personal lives of classic and modern masters, I worked in an art gallery liaisoning with the artists we represented and studied the psychology of creativity in college. This film had me riveted! I felt as though I was invited to eavesdrop, peek in on a great master at work. Every brush stroke was fascinating. I enjoyed the trip Picasso took me on as he started out painting one image and changed it into something else along the way. I enjoyed watching what appeared to be random brush strokes turn into a completed thought. This film helped me feel what it must be like to know when to stop... to know when you have finished a work... when you may have overworked it, when you may not have quite completed. It made me want to paint, not for others but for the simple pleasure one gets from the act of putting pigment on paper. It allowed me to feel free to create without fear of criticism. A must see for all artist and art lovers.

Billy Elliot (2000)

Fabulous Casting! Wonderful Script!

[10/10 · 30 May 2001]

My favorite movie of 2000! Jamie Bell pulls the entire cast together. What a tremendous find in casting him as Billy Elliot. He is completely fresh and believable as the awkward 11 year old dancer wanna-be. The ensemble cast who support him couldn't have been better.

And the writing couldn't have been better. Many well thought out scenes and strong direction enhanced a beautifully written story which contained dialogue subtle and appropriate for each character and scene. I don't give out 10s easily. This is a winner!

Miss Congeniality (2000)

I'm so bored with Sandra Bullock

[5/10 · 30 May 2001]

Average fare once again for Sandra Bullock. Not funny, not interesting, just average. I do give Sandra credit for an exceptionally strong physical comedic performance. Although the writing was weak, her performance was the best one could ask for to express the material she was given. But I'm bored with her.

The Temp (1993)

This had promise... destroys itself in the end.

[5/10 · 3 April 2001]

I really enjoyed this movie and the possible plot twists, but they don't really happen. And the wrap it up quick ending was more than irritating.

However, I was glued to the screen.... I enjoyed Tim Hutton's performance. Boyle was superb as the ambitious, ruthless fem fatale. But when did Faye Dunaway become a caricature of herself? I guess ever since Mommy Dearest. I rate the movie a 4 out of 10. It was a 6 until the ending. But it does have the qualities of a Cult Classic. I'll be interested to see how it ages. The writing won't improve with age, but the camp might.

Boxing Helena (1993)

Instant Cult Classic

[7/10 · 3 April 2001]

I agree with other viewers that the contrived ending is weak. The entire movie is swiss cheese, but it has all the elements of a cult classic: The twisted concept, The Box, the blatant symbolism, Julian Sands and Twin Peaks' Sherilyn Fenn.... PLUS David Lynch's daughter directing? What more could you want?

Frankly, I was fascinated with Sherilyn's character. She retains her superiority and strength under the absolute worst conditions. She is a role model for readers of "Women Who Love Too Much" and other such drivel. And the campy camera shots of Venus De Milo were great!

If you like cult films, add this one to your list. I believe it will even get better with time. I give it a 7 out of 10 on my Cult Classics scale.

Dead Man (1995)

I can't get enough of this movie!

[10/10 · 2 April 2001]

I love Jim Jarmusch films and the roles Johnny Depp plays. This has both and both are done beautifully. Dead Man is my new favorite Jarmusch film, but Mystery Train runs a close second. I'd like to see these two pair up again for a film.

Chocolat (2000)

Delightful characters. Great casting. Beautifully filmed.

[9/10 · 22 March 2001]

Dench is perfect, as always. Juliette Binoche is the most sensual woman in film today. Caron is precious in her supporting role. However, I would have liked to have seen more of Johnny Depp in this movie.

A lovely film, beautifully filmed and perfectly cast. The fairy tale opening of the film had me scanning the sky for Mary Poppins and looking over the hill for Edward Scissorhands. It sets the tone for the mystical magical simplicity of the story. And I love the concept of a lovely humanist pagan woman opening a chocolate shop in across from the town's morale stranglehold, The Catholic Church, during Lent. Now that's temptation!

The Wedding Planner (2001)

Great chemistry between McConaughey and Lopez.

[8/10 · 22 March 2001]

A guilty pleasure. Yes, it is a chick-flick but it is a real pleasure. McConaughey is as sexy as I've ever seen him and Lopez is really funny, handling the bumbling pratfall humor very well.

This is a cute story. But what really makes a good romantic comedy in my eyes is the chemistry between the lead actors and these two have it in spades! I'd like to see them together again. Better chemistry than Roberts and Gere or Roberts and Pitt.

Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

Watching DeFoe play The Vampire had me giggling with delight!

[9/10 · 22 March 2001]

DeFoe appeared to be having a ball playing this part! I can't imagine anyone else under that make-up.

The movie on the whole was a bit of a disappointment, but I believe that is because I had such great expectations give the cleverness of the concept. Malkovich was Malkovich playing Malkovich - no stretch, here. But watching Willem play this silly, aging vampire in need of Viagra had me smiling with glee every time he was on screen.

When is John Malkovich going to do something wonderful again? I really like him but haven't seen him reach for anything lately.

Quills (2000)

I could almost feel Geoffrey Rush drool. He nails the character of the Marquis!

[9/10 · 22 March 2001]

I don't see what people see in Phoenix and Winslet, and in retrospect I hardly remember Caine being in this movie, but Geoffrey Rush became the Marquis de Sade! What can't he do? In my opinion he is by far the most superior actor on the screen today. None of the other nominees' performances hold a candle to Rush's portrayal of this role. He gets my vote hands down.