ManOrAstroMan Reviews

O (2001)

Good Flick

[13 May 2003]

I like to see Shakespeare brought to cinema in more modern forms. And this film does so well. Sure, they swear every other word. But Grandma doesn't have to watch with you. Since I'm a Julia Stiles whore, this film gives me my fix of her and the rest is pretty darn good as well. Word to Hollywood: get Julia more serious roles.

Final Grade: a "What light through yonder window breaks, b*tch?" 8 out of 10.

Bleacher Bums (2001 TV Movie)

A Satellite Dish Delight!

[7/10 · 11 May 2003]

Yello, ever-hopeful die-hard Chicago Cubs fan here.

Finally, a movie "loosely-inspired" by my beloved Scrubbies. This made-for-tv flick is a surprising winner in the end. It features some second-rate television celebrities ("Hello, Newman") and great writing. Too bad they couldn't get the blessings of MLB. The "Bruins" sounds funny every time they say it. But otherwise, the characters are developed well and it ends with some imaginative twists. My take: if you see it listed on some movie channel, curl up and enjoy.

Final Grade: a loosely-inspired 7 out of 10.

Down to You (2000)

Not A Flop

[7/10 · 11 May 2003]

I am not a picky man. I will watch just about anything for the right reason. I liked this movie. It didn't help that I'm a hopeless romantic either. Julia Stiles led me to this film on a whim and she kept me watching. But the writing wasn't bad and the acting wasn't bad either. Heck, the story is even captivating at times! Sure, the reviews look dreary. But just ignore the masses for once, especially if you like Julia Stiles movies, sappy love stories or good imaginative writing. Now, if only we could get Julia into a serious role...

Final Grade: a Stiles-fied "very low 7" out of 10.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Best. Insanity. Ever.

[9/10 · 1 May 2003]

This movie, without a shadow of a doubt, is one of the most perplexing, trippiest films I've ever seen and that's a good thing, folks. A damn good thing! Great cinematography, beautiful storyline, well-acted, a score fitting of merit. This movie is definitely a must-see even if you've seen it already.

Final Score: a giant bunny-inspired 9/10.

Daria in 'Is It College Yet?' (2002 TV Movie)

Best. Daria. Ever.

[28 April 2003]

This film, with IIFY preceding it, is by far the best made-for-cable movie I've ever seen. It does not help that I'm a devoted Daria junkie either. This piece really does send off the Daria legacy with all the class, humor, intelligence and respect the series always deserved but sometimes never received. I recommend that all Daria fans buy this on VHS or the expanded DVD form.

Final Score: an eternally-sarcastic 8/10.

How to Make a Monster (2001 TV Movie)

Grade F Horse Meat

[28 April 2003]

This, on paper, has to rank up there as one of the dumbest things I've ever watched. But as I watched it, I found myself unable to stop watching. It is a suspenseful sci-fi with very little production value but intelligent writing and an appropriate cast. I am not going to brag about it to my friends like if I'd seen some blockbuster thriller, but I will admit to having seen it and maybe watch again....and Clea Duvall is still hot...

Final Score: a very made-for-cable 7/10 stars.

BASEketball (1998)

Toddlers, yes toddlers...

[6/10 · 28 April 2003]

I must have the taste of a pothead truck driver, but I liked this movie. As a sports fan, a lot of the humor made sense to me in a movie that otherwise made little sense. It is a fun "hangin' with friends, rentin' a movie" type of film. Not bad, but for the plot it could have been better.

Final Score: a psyched-out 5/10.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

I liked it!

[7/10 · 23 April 2003]

I am not here to defend any plot snags this film might have. I however thought it would be cool to come here and say that I liked this movie. It was quite entertaining. Maybe not always "riveting" but fun action cheese nonetheless. Jolie brought a computer woman to life well and the movie is a good rental, maybe even an unpopular purchase.

I gave it 7/10 stars.

Daria (1997–2002)

One Awesome Show

[8/10 · 12 March 2003]

Daria did not outlive it's welcome on MTV stations across the country. Yet, it's future was cut short and now we are left to be content with reruns. "Daria" was one of the smartest and funniest shows on cable tv while it ran. It still is as smart and funny on Noggin. But the fact that we will never know what happened to the Daria gang after high school still makes me mad. Show Grade: 9/10

Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)

One Good Piece of...

[6/10 · 7 March 2003]

I understand there's some disagreement over this movie. But I'm here to set things straight.

This is one of the dumbest funny movies I've seen. But I liked it because sometimes dumb IS funny. Other dumb movies don't "work out" quite well. I think this movie stands out because of its parody of the two old karate movies. Without the parody, this would be mindless and childish. I gave it a 6 out of 10 here at imdb.com.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

10 Things I Liked About This Movie

[8/10 · 7 March 2003]

I never used to get into the teenager movies, despite being born just as the genre took off. I don't quite fit the mold of the person these films are targeted at either. But I love this movie, sadly, and many more like it now. I offer now 10 Things I Liked About This Movie...

1. Julia Stiles - College Goddess!

2. Cameron's car

3. Kat was so frigging funny at times!

4. Larry Miller (I) as Bianca and Kat's father (his mama didn't raise no fool!)

5. The hilarious rumors people spread about Heath Ledger's character early in the film

6. "quivering member"

7. Ledger's singing in the bleachers

8. Mr. Stratford's pregnancy suit

9. Bianca, um...(trying not to spoil)..."striking" Joey at the dance

10. More Julia Stiles

Overall, I gave it an 8/10.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

One Good Movie

[8/10 · 16 January 2003]

What makes this movie as compelling as it is must be that it's based on a true story. Otherwise, it would just be fiction about some fictional liar...man, was it intelligent. You can see irony, voice, wit and sarcasm splashed throughout this gem of a film. It kept everyone in the theatre entertained, young and old alike. I'm 17 and I thought it was brilliant. This is because the story, at its roots, is the realization of every brief, passing dream of wealth, notoriety and grandeur we have ever had.

That is all we want, all that Frank wanted: the notoriety.

Teenage Caveman (2002 TV Movie)

An Abismal Sham of a Movie

[2/10 · 12 January 2003]

This movie was one of the worst B-movies I've ever seen, and that's saying something. The plot, when stuck to, wasn't THAT bad. It could have been made into something halfway decent and successful with the right writers, actors, and director. But as another person said, most of the film's content is some kind of prolonged orgy, drug & alcohol abuse, and mindless cursing. It has one actor you've heard of...barely. Otherwise, this film doesn't even deserve to be viewed, let alone rented or owned. There are pornos out there with better actors and writing!

Wait...this film might just be a porno...

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)

One Good Movie

[9/10 · 12 January 2003]

I had seen several episodes of MST2K and MST3K before watching this movie, so I knew what to expect. My friends, though, had not seen or heard of the show. So to see this film with them collectively for the first time, it was hard to describe. The concept is so simple. Yet the results are so awesome! You see, there is absolutely NO ARTISTIC CONTENT of any kind in this film and it still one of the 5 funniest films I've ever seen. Sure, now I read that it was indeed cut short through editing, and the humor was changed a bit to show to the general public. So what!?! This is a must see for all MST2K/3K fans and satirical teens.

"Hey! I suddenly have a minty fresh flavor!" "Weenie Man, away!" "Hey! They worship the Everlasting Gobstopper!"

But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)

My Synopsis of This Movie

[7/10 · 3 May 2002]

I just watched the film, "But I'm A Cheerleader" last night, and I must recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys cynical, blatent sexual humor and lesbian scenes. Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne are beautiful young women and pull their respective roles as main character and main antagonist off flawlessly. There are scenes featuring somewhat-crude visual comedy and others with somewhat-objectionable homophobic dialogue. And you can tell that the director hoped to, one day, direct softcore pornography in the ways he presented the material. But in all, this film is well worth renting, if even for the lesbians!