thisisaj-2 Reviews

Gas Food Lodging (1992)

Guys ought to stay away from this one.

[29 March 2001]

I watched this with several guy friends and they all hated it after 10 minutes. I liked this film a lot, even if it didn't have a plot. Ione Skye and Fairuza Balk are really good in this film. Give this one a shot, you might be surprised.

One thing that was disconcerting was the way Allison Anders made this film. It almost seems like the incidents of the film go day after day, and you really can't tell that time has passed at all. But otherwise it's pretty good. 3/5 stars.

Mission to Mars (2000)

A mediocre flick with a few good things.

[20 March 2001]

Watched this one with the family. We'd just gotten 5 new dvd's and this was one of them. My dad chose this one (I wanted to see either Sleepy Hollow or Gladiator) and I was not at all excited. I thougth this would rank down there with Armageddon. I was wrong.

The score was horrible, sounded like something that could be played at a baseball game. Gary Sinise was horrible, as was Connie Nielsen.

Not all was lost however. Tim Robbins was really good, I actually cared about what happened to his character. Don Cheadle was good as well and the film was excellent after the first 20 minutes, until *SPOILER* the first team is killed and the second team is dispatched. Much has been made of the ending being horrible. It was a little dragged out and irritating. Overall, a C+ movie, one for the boys of MST3K if they were still around.

Cupid (1998–1999)

I miss this show so much!

[20 March 2001]

I watched this show from its beginning to end! Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall were fabulous! The loss of this show and Sports Night is just criminal!

My favorite episode was the episode one poster on this board was in. I cried my heart out in that episode, not the first time might I add.

This is my 2nd favorite show of all time, right behind Sports Night.

NewsRadio (1995–1999)

ROTTEN DEAL!

[14 March 2001]

NewsRadio, as many others have said, is one of the best shows ever to be on tv. The ensemble works well, however I have one quibble: why was Matthew given so much screen time and Catherine not? Matthew is fine in small doses but when you put too much of him in an episode it kinda ruins it. Anyway, curse NBC!

Dark Angel (2000–2002)

Surprisingly good but uneven

[13 March 2001]

My sister forced me to watch this show. I was leery of it, having disliked James Cameron's last project (the unspeakably horrific Titanic). But it was really good, in a campy way. Yes, Jessica Alba has only one expression and it is pout with her Angelina Jolie lips and the guy who plays Logan is a one note character, but what keeps me watching Dark Angel are the scenes with Max's Jam Pony coworkers and the scenes where she's kicking ass! How often do you see a girl kick ass like that? It's a lot of fun...don't expect to get a deeper message out of it like you do Star Trek or Star Wars. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Fun Fun Fun

[9/10 · 2 March 2001]

The Mask of Zorro is the most fun I've ever had watching a movie. Usually I watch mostly dramatic films and action blockbusters. I don't watch a lot of comedies. The Mask of Zorro was a fine combination of all of them.

The two Zorros play well off each other and for once we get a female protagonist, Elena (Zeta-Jones) who doesn't need rescuing. She can take care of herself. The plot is straight-forward. Great popcorn flick and it ranks up there with The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn. Not one of the best films of all time but one of the most fun.

4/4 stars, 10 on the IMDB scale and an A on my own scale.

Toodles,

A.J.

The Man in the Iron Mask (I) (1998)

Pretty good for a Leo film

[6/10 · 2 March 2001]

As an avid hater of the actor Leonardo DiCaprio, I nearly didn't give this film a chance. Oh, I am so glad my friend dragged me to see it. Gabriel Byrne was amazing and Gerard Depardieu managed to lighten a truly dramatic film. And Leo wasn't half bad either. He managed to even impress me.

Definitely worth seeing for Byrne's performance alone.

3/4 stars, 8 on the IMDB scale and a B+ on my own.

A.J.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Let the Zaniness begin!

[8/10 · 2 March 2001]

The epitome of cool, Ferris Bueller is the kid everyone knows/wanted to be in high school. The film centers on a day when he and his girlfriend and best friend ditch school. Zany, hilarious, slapstick adventures ensue. Many ridiculous things happen but you go with the flow cause ya really do like Ferris.

Plus this film has a lot of things most films don't: BEN STEIN! He is the coolest person alive!

A.J.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

I read the book first then saw the film

[10/10 · 26 February 2001]

Silence of the Lambs is one film that outdoes the source material, in this case the novel by Thomas Harris. What is really interesting are some neat camera tricks. Demme shows us shots from night vision goggles, something I believe was copied by Jurassic Park and The Watcher.. When Starling and Lecter are doing the quid pro quo banter, we are looking at Clarice but we can see Lecter in the glass separating them.

Catherine's POV from the hole is unique, we see what she sees when Jame is staring down at her. Extreme closeups of Lecter and Starling in Tennessee when discussing her childhood and the slaughter of the lambs.

Other things I found different from other suspense/horror films: Usually you don't have 2 villains, and of those that do, usually the 2nd villain doesn't help the good guys... Nothing really jumps out at you, did The Sixth Sense take off from that?

I love this movie and I am truly excited about the sequel, Hannibal. I didn't like the novel but what the hell, I heard they changed the ending some so perhaps it won't be that bad.

4 out of 4 stars, highly recommended.

A.J.

Fierce Creatures (1997)

Funny.

[25 February 2001]

This film reunites the cast of "A Fish Called Wanda." I've never seen it but I have seen "Fierce Creatures" and Kevin Kline is one of my favorite actors.

When I watched this film I laughed as much as I laughed during Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Non stop laughs and a simple plot make this a fun movie for a few kicks on a weekend. Highly recommended!

The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000)

First time I ever walked out of a theater

[19 February 2001]

My best friend and I take turns picking movies to go see. Our first choice, Erin Brockovich (really good film btw), wasn't showing any longer and I wasn't old enough to see R-rated films. So Flinstones was our only choice. My best friend was psyched though, he'd liked the first one (I don't remember it too well). So we sat down and began to watch this inane brain sucking movie. About the time when that guy from Dharma and Greg offers Fred a bet or something in Vegas for Wilma...we got up and left. I have no intention of finishing the movie. In fact I would recommend that you avoid this like the plague!

A.J.

Natural Born Killers (1994)

Oliver Stone Stole my Soul!

[1/10 · 5 February 2001]

(Potential spoilers) GEEZ! I HATED this movie. I was assigned it for a class, and I couldn't wait to watch it since I'd heard so much about it...however a few warned me against it.... Damn I wish I'd listened to them! This movie, in its opening sequence, manages to be more violent, more repulsive than American Psycho, Scream, and Bram Stoker's Dracula COMBINED! The violence is non-stop and incredibly mind-numbing. I had to shut the TV off several times because I was so disturbed by this film. It's incredible that these two (Mickey and Mallory) were able to commit this much violence...I kept wishing that the damn snakes would just kill them... In summary, the film was apparently a satire of the media's obsession with violence...however the film itself o'd on violence and turned this viewer off. Watch Bonnie & Clyde instead. Similar themes, better film.

A.J. says: 1/10 0*/5*, F.

The West Wing (1999–2006)

Sorkin, Presidential Issues, and Real Must-See TV

[19 December 2000]

Aaron Sorkin is amazing. I watched The West Wing from the beginning and I was hooked. I've seen everything he's done, the scripts are the best. I was hoping that NBC would pick up Sports Night. Wednesdays are the night I sit and watch TV, every Wed. at 9 pm, I'm watching Bartlet's White House staff. My personal favorites are Press Secretary C.J. Cregg(Alison Janney, one of my favorite actresses, congrats on that Emmy) and Josh Lymon (Bradley Whitford). Recently, since Josh was shot, I've begun to develop a better appreciation for the gruff Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff). John Spencer is fabulous as Leo McGarry, in fact the entire cast just jells together so well. I will watch this show forever, much as I will watch Sports Night (reruns on Comedy Central Start in January!)

L.R., a true West Wing fan

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Breathtaking, Gets better with every viewing

[10/10 · 11 December 2000]

L.A. Confidential is definitely one of the greatest films of all time. The cast is perfect, the dialogue is amazing, as are the costumes. Even the setting seems perfect. Now, step deeper into the film. I see this film is dependent on media for the film. The media appears to be everywhere you look in L.A. Confidential. Had this film been made at the time of The Maltese Falcon (1942), the media wouldn't have been as omniprescent. It is interesting to note the similarities between the two films, as both are examples of the classical Hollywood narration. I am not going into too much detail on this because my disseration on this thesis will be soon posted on my website. Email me, [e-mail] if you would like to know when it is up.

Oh, the grade for this film, A. Hands down a winner, almost as good as The Shawshank Redemption and A Few Good Men.

---L.R.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Reiner is a Genius

[10/10 · 15 November 2000]

This is a fun film, although it is quite slow in the first few minutes, you feel like the grandson (Fred Savage, surprisingly good) does about Buttercup (Robin Wright, Forrest Gump's girlfriend) and Wesley (Cary Elwes, a comic genius). You're like, "Blecchhhh!" and then Wesley dies and enter the evil Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon), who is the funniest evil prince... Then the kidnappers take the princess Buttercup and the scenes with Inigo Montoya and Fezzik and Vizzini are fabulous...especially when The Dread Pirate Roberts climbs the cliffs with his bare hands... "He didn't fall? Inconceivable!"---Vizzini "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."---Montoya

Anyway...this film is a fun one to watch with the kids or by yourself...not just for chicks either!

10/10, just as good as Reiner's A Few Good Men 4 **** out of 4****

RENT IT TONIGHT!

L.R.

The Truman Show (1998)

As Good As It Gets

[10/10 · 28 October 2000]

Everyone comments on how well Jim Carrey performs in the movie, but they are right on. I never liked any of his slapstick comedies, except his sketches on In Living Color, but I wanted to see this film because it seemed to be similar to the themes in 1984, by George Orwell. It does have that Orwellian style but it does do one thing that 1984 didn't...left the audience with hope. I would proclaim this to be a great American film that ranks up there with The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, and Citizen Kane. 10/10, 5 stars, A +. Jim Carrey Was Robbed.

L.R.

Scream (1996)

Not what I thought it was

[2/10 · 27 October 2000]

I was so hyped on Scream, I couldn't wait to see it. I begged everyone not to tell me who the killer was (they didn't). I watched it one day and said this: "Yawn." The plot was boring, the spoof of horror films was not as impressive as I had never seen any horror films before it. I give this film a 5, as it wasn't entirely bad, Gale Weathers was the best thing about this film...I love Courtney, especially on Friends.

L.R.

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Your Mission: Rent it

[9/10 · 27 October 2000]

Many claimed that this film was confusing. It is . I still don't understand all of it, and I have seen it many times. But I recommend it. It is a thinking action movie. Cruise is amazing as always [see A Few Good Men and M:I 2]. He has an excellent supporting cast and a wonderful director. I give this one an 8.

L.R.

Psycho (1960)

Not all It's Cracked up to be

[4/10 · 27 October 2000]

I watched Psycho for my Perspectives on Popular Culture, and I was not impressed at all by the shower scene. The one thing that was really intriguing was the character of Norman Bates, who would make an interesting study in probably any field. I guess what made me dislike Psycho is that I knew the plot ahead of time. I bet that if I saw this film in 1960 I would have enjoyed it a lot more. It reminded me a little of the Sixth Sense, another psychological thriller.

L.R.

Rabbit of Seville (1950)

Amazing, the best Looney Tunes ever!

[27 October 2000]

I love Bugs Bunny, and this one is just amazing. It cracks me up every time. This is the best, with the Hunting trilogy and the Marvin/Bugs cartoons behind, not close. Number one, just fantastic, 10/10 ***** out of ***** and an emphatic A+++++++!

L.R.

The Wabbit Who Came to Supper (1942)

Bugs and Elmer...how can you go wrong?

[8/10 · 27 October 2000]

Bugs Bunny found his best antagonist in Elmer Fudd and "Wabbit Who Came to Supper" is one of my favorites. This idea was revisited with Yosemite Sam, and it still is quite funny. As with most Looney Tunes, they remain funny no matter how many times you watch them. Since this is not as good as the Barber of Seville one (the name escapes me, although I commented on it earlier), I gave this an 8.

L.R.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Great Music

[17 October 2000]

I love the movie for the music. Under the Sea is a wonderful song, as is Part of That World. I can watch this movie so many times over and over and over again.

The other great thing about this movie is that this Disney film has a woman for a villain. Very sweet and one for the kiddies too....

A Few Good Men (1992)

Another Sorkin Masterpiece

[10/10 · 24 September 2000]

I saw The American President before seeing this one. Mr. Sorkin's work is amazing. His speeches are capable of inspiring anyone, whether it be Michael Douglas's "My name is Andrew Shepherd and I AM the President of the United States!", or if it is Jack Nicholson screaming at Tom Cruise about the truth: "You want the truth?" Kaffee: "I think i'm entitled." Jessup: "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" Now this line has been parodied a lot but when you watch it, it still strikes you as very emotional.

I gave this movie a ten on the imdb ratings, and I gave it an A+ on my own scale. This is definetly a can't miss thriller!

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Tom Cruise and Dougray Scott wear leather and try to kill each other...what more do you want?

[10/10 · 23 September 2000]

Okay...this was awesome! To begin with I am an action film fanatic and this had all the right stuff in that department, car crashes, chases, explosions, gun violence...ect. Then it has the one thing that completely won me over: T.C. with long hair and leather....and a villian (D.S.) who is not as sexy as T.C. but comes damn near close....to relate this in terms of leather wearing guys, Keanu is nothing compared to T.C. Remember to catch this one in theaters so you can see T.C. larger than life....

The Watcher (I) (2000)

Definetly worth it to see Keanu as a bad guy

[7/10 · 8 September 2000]

All right...I wasn't too impressed with the film...it was a by-the-numbers flick...but it was an action flick so it deserves my vote of 10... Keanu plays a villain and he is pretty impressive...although this cannot compare to the Matrix...don't even try to compare the two...