Change Your Image
sarah_se1
Reviews
Henry & June (1990)
I just wanted it to end but it never would
I suppose that the IDEA of the film Henry & June is alright; you know, find yourself, discover who you are, etc., etc. ... but does it really have to involve so much prolonged sex scenes? And really, what WAS the point?
I kept on waiting for this film to actually, I don't know... begin, I suppose. It just seemed to go in circles. And just when you think that you can't take it anymore, they throw in another half an hour. I kept on thinking to myself, For God's sake, this is almost bordering on porn. All sex, and minimal pointless plot (and what good plot there was, they sure didn't focus on it as much as trying to create arousing scenes) Why don't I just leave? --- I didn't leave, although now I wish I had. I just kept on hoping that it was going to get better. But it didn't. I stayed in the end because I figured that I might as well if I had made it through the rest of it.
I thought that the actors were ok though, considering what they had to work with. But in the end presentation will never add up to substance, and substance there was not. Again, I beg of the director, What the hay was the actual point? I give Henry & June a 3 out of 10. See it if you so desire, but I REALLY don't recommend it.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Wow, absolutely fantastic
I was lucky enough to win a pair of tickets to see a premiere showing of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers". Needless to say I was pretty excited because for as long as I can remember I've been a great admirer of Tolkien and huge fan of the first Lord of the Rings film. I wasn't disappointed with 'The Two Towers'. Peter Jackson draws you into the film with the opening score, and leaves you breathless until the very end. The story line picks up where Jackson left off - a continuation of the first rather than another movie altogether. (I'm going to reveal the starting plot so please don't read ahead if you don't want to know.)
Merry and Pippin have managed to escape from the Orks that have held them capture, only to run into even more interesting creatures in the woods: Ents, trees that can move and speak.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are trying to rescue Merry and Pippin when they run into someone they didn't expect, Gandalf - back and now a white wizard, the highest a wizard can go. After being assured of the two young hobbits' safety, they travel to the kingdom of Rohan where Saruman holds the King in an evil spell. After freeing the king they must prepare for Saruman's army, which sole purpose is to destroy the world of men. The Battle of Helm's Deep (which can be quite disturbing at points, not for the very young or those who can't handle that kind of thing) decides the winner. (Peter Jackson spent over a month filming this scene and all that time was not wasted - it was a fantastic scene, well thought out and captivating.)
Frodo and Sam are trying to reach Mordor but find themselves lost. After an encounter with the creature Gollum, who at one point possessed the ring and maddingly wants it back, Frodo (who is beginning to feel the true weight of the ring) decides to let Gollum guide them. Gollum wasn't much different from a hobbit before he possessed the ring, and was called Smeagol. In the movie 'The Two Towers' you are able to see the struggle that takes place within Gollum. Smeagol represents the good left inside of him, and Gollum the bad. These scenes were some of my favourites - they were wonderfully shot and really took the film to another level.
And of course we can't forget the lovely elvish and thus immortal Arwen, who is faced with the choice of staying with her beloved Aragorn or leaving forever with her people; there's the nephew of King Theoden, the strong and noble Eomer who will do anything for Rohan, and his equally strong and lovely sister Eowyn who develops feelings for Aragorn; and lastly Faramir, the brother of the late Boromir, now Captain to Gondor.
This movie didn't feel like a movie. I honestly felt as though I had been pulled into the screen in the theatre. It was fantasticly shot, preformed, and directed. 'The Two Towers' is the classic tale of good against evil. It is perfectly carried through. There was not a moment I didn't savour - I didn't want this film to end and will be seeing it again in theatres the next chance I get. If anything, I think I enjoyed this film more than the first. And although I understand this movie isn't for everyone, I still highly recommend it to all. I give it a 9 out of 10.
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
An ok film, the musical sequences make up for the rest
Sister Act 2 wasn't as charming as the first, but if you're bored and you have nothing else to do this film will do just fine. Whoopi Goldberg's character Dolores agrees to go back undercover as a nun while she teaches a class with the rest of the sisters at an inner city school that is about to be closed. But of course, "Sister Mary Clarence" is able to whip the kids into shape and form a kick-ass choir. Although this film is not the most profound thing out there, I found it bearable. The scenes where the kids sing are really good, especially the one at the end. Overall, I'd give this film a 6 out of 10.
Black Knight (2001)
You can only watch this movie once
The first time I saw 'Black Knight' it was a new release in theatres. I went with a group of friends. I was laughing so hard I nearly cried. So of course, I eagerly waited 'Black Knight's' release to home video so I could watch my parents laugh as well. Let's just say the second time I saw this film I was bitterly disappointed. My dad, who usually enjoys these kinds of films, only smiled at various scenes. So, as much as I enjoyed seeing Martin Lawerence as a 'with-it' black brother in a medieval court (that didn't seem to notice things that if he had really been in a real medieval court would have gotten him beheaded) in theatres, I have come to the conclusion that you can only see this movie once - and in theatres preferably. Watching with movie at home, I give it a rating of */*****.
A Walk to Remember (2002)
A sweet, romantic love story (beware guys)
'A Walk to Remember' is a sweet, romantic love story about a young girl who knows who she is and is labelled as a nerd for it, Jamie West played by Mandy Moore, and a troubled young man who finds his way because of her, Landen Carter played by Shane West. During the movie, you watch Landen transform into the good person he always was deep inside, but was too "cool" to show it. This movie can be corny, but not as often as you'd think, and plus, corny is good at times. Besides, most of the time the girls are too busy imagining what it'd be like to have this handsome and kind young Landen as their perfect boyfriend to notice. Guys, you just might want to watch this movie to take notes. You can't really say much more about this movie without giving away the plot, but I agree with Roger Ebert: 3 stars out of 4. I'll definately be buying this movie when it becomes available.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
'Moulin Rouge' is either a you love it or you hate it movie; I personally loved it!
When I was first to see 'Moulin Rouge', many people strongly warned me to not to waste my time. However, the trailers had enticed me and so, I sat down to watch now one of my favourite all time films. 'Moulin Rouge' is a fantastic love story, musically enhanced and set in the early 1900s. Nicole Kidman did a wonderful job portraying Satine, and Ewan McGregor's voice is absolutely fantastic. I rewatched the movie just to hear him sing again. I admit however that some scenes where a little bit, um, unusual. For example, when Satine is trying to seduce Christian (whom at the time she thinks is the Duke ), I was a little bit thrown off. You can't help but groaning, "Nicole! How could you?" However, you do have to remember that Satine was a prostitute. All in all, I'd say that 'Moulin Rouge' is an excellant film with fantastic musical numbers ('Come What May' and 'Roxanne'). But then again, I can't guarantee that you are going to enjoy this movie. I suppose it all depends on how open you are.