mysterio80 Reviews

The Robert Rodriguez Ten Minute Film School (1998 Video)

Film School for those who can't afford film school

[10/10 · 8 August 2003]

I watched this on the El Mariachi/Desperado DVD and I must say this is a very good video. Rodriguez takes you through the filmmaking process very quickly, skipping the extra stuff that doesn't matter. He tells you how to shoot, where to shoot, and how to cut scenes together to pull off effects. After viewing this in college, friends and I tried to make a movie, although it isn't done yet. It is possible to do everything dirt cheap if you have family and friends who don't mind lending you stuff to use. All in all, if you want to make movies the Hollywood way, but don't have the X-men (2000) budget, this will tell you how.

P.S. For more details on filmmaking, watch the El Mariachi DVD with director's commentary and watch Anatomy of a Shootout: 10 More Minutes.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Superman + Star Trek + Ghostbusters + Tomb Raider VG = Matrix Reloaded

[10/10 · 15 May 2003]

I just viewed this film and I must say, it was exciting, yet the filmmakers needed more time to think all of it through. The first film had lots of action (gunfire, kung fu, etc.) and a simple story that kept you thinking but not debating during the film. Reloaded was too confusing to make since of all the action.

The film had elements of Superman films, Star Trek films, the first Ghostbusters, and the Tomb Raider video games. Neo had to do this in order to open that, which would allow him to enter this and find out that, all the while "up, up and awaying" when a fight gets too tough. The space ships were like watching the Enterprise and Voyager take on Klingon Bird of Preys. Where were all these ships in the first one when Morpheus first found Neo? You think that the prophecy would mean as much to them as it means to Morpheus.

The effects were nice but everything looked like CGI so it was hard to tell when the acting ended and the special effects began. To many camera angles and slow-mo's made me dizzy at times.

All in all, Revolutions better have a lot of answers or this will be remembered as the most expensive "Wrath Of Khan" ever. After this, Joel Silver will need another teaming of Riggs and Murtaugh to keep his fans interested. 2 1/2 stars out of 4.

Showgirls (1995)

A Comedy If Anything Else

[29 March 2003]

I've seen Showgirls 5 times, the first time was the NC-17 version, and I have to say, it is more funny than compelling. This is the type of movie you just let go and watch. Don't look for any answers to the universe or a Rocky scenario with Elizabeth Berkley struggling to be somebody. Just watch it for the funny movie it is. The characters are hilarious and after going to Vegas many times, it is believable that the life of a showgirl is a dog eat dog world. So everyone who wants to complain that they wasted two hours of their life watching this film, realize you could have just let all biases go and just enjoy a funny film about people we run into everyday.