This was a pretty decent movie, albeit a bit boring. But that's where it ends. I'm not sure what all the hype is about - because people also don't like Trump and they didn't like Nixon? Tom Hanks was good, Meryl Streep was far overrated, the movie was pretty predictable, regardless of it you knew what the story was from the 70s.
Reviews
28 Reviews
True Story
(2006)
Wow...
30 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This is a 4 minute movie, so it might be very hard to get 10 spoiler-free lines out of me to meet IMDb.com's minimum, although I will try.
This is a short film about an old lady recalling a traumatic moment from probably 75 or so years ago. It is all narrative, and just thinking back on it now, 2 weeks after I saw it, I get the feeling in my stomach as I did the first time I watched it.
Definitely check this out if you have the means. It will probably be on IFC this month, as I saw it for free on ViOsOnDemand. It's only 4 minutes long, and there is a cool Stella Artois commercial before it.
This is a short film about an old lady recalling a traumatic moment from probably 75 or so years ago. It is all narrative, and just thinking back on it now, 2 weeks after I saw it, I get the feeling in my stomach as I did the first time I watched it.
Definitely check this out if you have the means. It will probably be on IFC this month, as I saw it for free on ViOsOnDemand. It's only 4 minutes long, and there is a cool Stella Artois commercial before it.
The It Factor: Los Angeles
(2003– )
Great reality show...
15 August 2005
This was one of the best reality shows I ever saw.
The premise was simple - 9 wannabe actors are followed through auditions and home life. No vote-offs, no audience calls. Just actors doing their thing.
Some of them might look familiar. Krystal is a singer who used to open for the Backstreet Boys and who I recognized from episodes of Jenny Jones. LisaRaye is an actress who was in "The Players Club" and is now on the UPN sitcom "All of Us." Jeremy Renner was in "SWAT" which he got while the camera's were rolling. D'Angelo was the DJ at the rap battles in "8 Mile." I haven't seen this show since 2003, but I do hope that there is another season of it, although I think Bravo has not included that in their plans since they have "Project Greenlight" and "Celebrity Poker Showdown" now. There was a first season the year before this, but I never saw that either.
As a drama major in college, this show was very interesting. It was fun looking in on auditions (for example, D'Angelo brings Shakespeare material to a commercial and looks like a complete idiot for being prepared). It was also a good look into the life of an actor, like watching the single mom trying to juggle auditions with raising a child.
All in all, a very good show that I'd pick up on DVD if they release it.
The premise was simple - 9 wannabe actors are followed through auditions and home life. No vote-offs, no audience calls. Just actors doing their thing.
Some of them might look familiar. Krystal is a singer who used to open for the Backstreet Boys and who I recognized from episodes of Jenny Jones. LisaRaye is an actress who was in "The Players Club" and is now on the UPN sitcom "All of Us." Jeremy Renner was in "SWAT" which he got while the camera's were rolling. D'Angelo was the DJ at the rap battles in "8 Mile." I haven't seen this show since 2003, but I do hope that there is another season of it, although I think Bravo has not included that in their plans since they have "Project Greenlight" and "Celebrity Poker Showdown" now. There was a first season the year before this, but I never saw that either.
As a drama major in college, this show was very interesting. It was fun looking in on auditions (for example, D'Angelo brings Shakespeare material to a commercial and looks like a complete idiot for being prepared). It was also a good look into the life of an actor, like watching the single mom trying to juggle auditions with raising a child.
All in all, a very good show that I'd pick up on DVD if they release it.
Wicker Park
(2004)
Nothing is a Coincidence...
12 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Nothing is a coincidence and nothing is as it seems in WICKER PARK, the new movie (based on a 1996 French film called 'L'Appartement' starring Monica Belluci), starring Josh Hartnett and featuring Diane Kruger (last seen in 'Troy') and Matthew Lillard, who is slowly becoming the best actor of the generation, due to prime roles in 'Thirteen Ghosts,' 'SLC Punk,' and even 'Scooby Doo.' I'm not claiming it was good, I'm just saying he was its shining star. Give it a few years and he will be the top of the crop.
Now I saw WICKER PARK on Saturday Night, the 11:30 showing with a girl! About 20 other people joined us. I saw it because the trailer looked really good and because 'Open Water' was playing too late.
What I go was not what I expected. Granted, I like what I saw, but it wasn't a thriller like I was picturing based on the previews. While watching the movie, told in present-day and flashbacks, it seems like a lot of it is based on coincidence. At some point, you think it's far fetched. (I'm trying not to give away spoilers so I might sound a little too vague, but it's important I don't give away plot details). But, as the flashbacks give you more information and the present-day events advance (over the course of about 3 days), you realize that there are no coincidences. In the aspect that the flashbacks are used, the way the story is told is actually quite masterful.
However, as I find is the case with a lot of movies that integrate flashback easily (namely, '21 Grams'), I became frustrated and thought to myself, 'Would they just tell me what's going on already!?' It dragged in places as a result, but maybe that frustration is what the makers were going for. Or maybe not everyone gets frustrated easily and enjoys that.
It was a really enjoyable movie although starting out, I wouldn't have guessed. Syd Field once said that the first 10 minutes of a movie are the most important because they let you know if you'll like the next 110 minutes. I DID NOT like the first 10 minutes of this movie. It was basic exposition-gone-wrong, and the movie wasn't very good until Plot Point 1. However, it did get really good.
BASIC PLOT DETAILS, NO SPOILERS Basically the plot is this. Josh Hartnett (Matty), is an investment banker returning to Chicago from a 2 year stay in New York for his job. He was with a girl named Lisa (Kruger) 2 years ago, before he got a job offer in NY and had to leave. But what happened to Lisa? Why did she disappear? And why does another girl named Lisa (Rose Bryne) have the same shoes in her apartment with the same broken heel? Lillard plays Luke, a smooth-talker who is a typical high-school-guy, just removed from high school and in the real world (aka a shoe store). He is Matty's best friend before and after his move.
So Matthew moves away and 2 years later comes back. He runs into Luke (possibly the only coincidence of the entire movie) outside of a restaurant. In the bathroom, he thinks he hears Lisa's voice and goes to find her. He finds a hotel room key and goes to it and finds a ripped up article. Start the cat-and-mouse game.
Part of the movie, especially the last 15, 20 minutes, reminded me of 'Serendipity,' in that it was someone searching for someone with nature (or is it?) holding them apart. It's a very high paced ending, and the very end is ruined by a song from stupid Coldplay.
I realize this review is kind of weird, but I really don't want to give any spoilers at all. The movie unfolds (and is shot) beautifully and purposely, and I don't want to give details away. Go see it, it's worth it.
8/10.
Now I saw WICKER PARK on Saturday Night, the 11:30 showing with a girl! About 20 other people joined us. I saw it because the trailer looked really good and because 'Open Water' was playing too late.
What I go was not what I expected. Granted, I like what I saw, but it wasn't a thriller like I was picturing based on the previews. While watching the movie, told in present-day and flashbacks, it seems like a lot of it is based on coincidence. At some point, you think it's far fetched. (I'm trying not to give away spoilers so I might sound a little too vague, but it's important I don't give away plot details). But, as the flashbacks give you more information and the present-day events advance (over the course of about 3 days), you realize that there are no coincidences. In the aspect that the flashbacks are used, the way the story is told is actually quite masterful.
However, as I find is the case with a lot of movies that integrate flashback easily (namely, '21 Grams'), I became frustrated and thought to myself, 'Would they just tell me what's going on already!?' It dragged in places as a result, but maybe that frustration is what the makers were going for. Or maybe not everyone gets frustrated easily and enjoys that.
It was a really enjoyable movie although starting out, I wouldn't have guessed. Syd Field once said that the first 10 minutes of a movie are the most important because they let you know if you'll like the next 110 minutes. I DID NOT like the first 10 minutes of this movie. It was basic exposition-gone-wrong, and the movie wasn't very good until Plot Point 1. However, it did get really good.
BASIC PLOT DETAILS, NO SPOILERS Basically the plot is this. Josh Hartnett (Matty), is an investment banker returning to Chicago from a 2 year stay in New York for his job. He was with a girl named Lisa (Kruger) 2 years ago, before he got a job offer in NY and had to leave. But what happened to Lisa? Why did she disappear? And why does another girl named Lisa (Rose Bryne) have the same shoes in her apartment with the same broken heel? Lillard plays Luke, a smooth-talker who is a typical high-school-guy, just removed from high school and in the real world (aka a shoe store). He is Matty's best friend before and after his move.
So Matthew moves away and 2 years later comes back. He runs into Luke (possibly the only coincidence of the entire movie) outside of a restaurant. In the bathroom, he thinks he hears Lisa's voice and goes to find her. He finds a hotel room key and goes to it and finds a ripped up article. Start the cat-and-mouse game.
Part of the movie, especially the last 15, 20 minutes, reminded me of 'Serendipity,' in that it was someone searching for someone with nature (or is it?) holding them apart. It's a very high paced ending, and the very end is ruined by a song from stupid Coldplay.
I realize this review is kind of weird, but I really don't want to give any spoilers at all. The movie unfolds (and is shot) beautifully and purposely, and I don't want to give details away. Go see it, it's worth it.
8/10.
The Quick and the Dead
(1995)
Top 5 Westerns of Moderm Time...
8 August 2004
Along with Unforgiven, Tombstone, Young Guns and Young Guns II, THE QUICK AND THE DEAD is one of the top 5 modern Westerns, in my opinion.
It stars Sharon Stone as Lady, the mysterious woman who rides into town to avenge her father's (Gary Sinise, in flashbacks) death at the hands of the ruthless John Herrod (a perfectly cast Gene Hackman), the man who runs the town and ruins it at the same time. Add into the mix a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio (Stone reportedly gave a portion of her salary up so he could be in it) and a pre-Oscars-winning Russell Crowe in his breakout American role, as Herrod's son and the outlaw-turned-preacher who is forced to fight to the death in a gunslinger tournament.
Lots of people don't understand the movie. Some say "Oh, man, he got shot and DAYLIGHT IS GOING THROUGH HIS BODY!" It's a convention Sam Raimi uses. The movie wasn't going for an Oscar. What it was going for was a cool modern Western, and what describes Westerns better than gunslingers, booze, fights at a poker game, and vengeance?
Check this movie out one day. Very cool movie, and is worth renting just to see Crowe's performance.
9/10
It stars Sharon Stone as Lady, the mysterious woman who rides into town to avenge her father's (Gary Sinise, in flashbacks) death at the hands of the ruthless John Herrod (a perfectly cast Gene Hackman), the man who runs the town and ruins it at the same time. Add into the mix a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio (Stone reportedly gave a portion of her salary up so he could be in it) and a pre-Oscars-winning Russell Crowe in his breakout American role, as Herrod's son and the outlaw-turned-preacher who is forced to fight to the death in a gunslinger tournament.
Lots of people don't understand the movie. Some say "Oh, man, he got shot and DAYLIGHT IS GOING THROUGH HIS BODY!" It's a convention Sam Raimi uses. The movie wasn't going for an Oscar. What it was going for was a cool modern Western, and what describes Westerns better than gunslingers, booze, fights at a poker game, and vengeance?
Check this movie out one day. Very cool movie, and is worth renting just to see Crowe's performance.
9/10
Ralphie May: Just Correct
(2004 TV Special)
Last Comic Eating...
18 March 2004
Ralphie May, famous for being the "Really Fat Guy" on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" in the summer of 2003, recently released the album "Just Correct" and he hit a winner.
While he's not the best comic out there (Dane Cook and Dave Attell run circles around this guy, extra-large circles), with some work, he can be one of the top tier-ed comics.
One of the most appealing aspects of Ralphie's comedy act is that he doesn't hold punches. You're Mexican? You're getting made fun of. Black? Oh yeah. Gay? You know it. Fat? Of course. White? Especially. For those who don't know, Ralphie is a fat, white, straight male. But he makes fun of everyone equally. And it's no "the difference between white and black people" jokes that everyone else who plays the race card does. It's true, funny, and classic material.
He has some other very funny bits. "Protesters" is a funny look at anti-war protesters... "Oh, yeah, no war for oil, I was thinking the same thing. Let's go protest! We'll drive my daddy's Expedition!"
On being fat... "I went to the fourth callback for a horrible movie, and they told me I needed to lose weight to play a fat guy. Ain't that a b----!"
On living in LA... "I live in a dangerous part of LA. It's called LA."
On being a white guy in a black neighborhood... "We don't have a Jack in the Box. We have a Jizack in the Bioxxx. And they test you too. 'You want cheese on that?' 'Hell YEAH I want cheese wit dat! And I wanna give a shout out to the fry guy, much love for the fry guy... And a chicken sandwich for my baby's momma!'"
I recommend this CD to add to your comedy collection. I also believe it's available on DVD.
8/10.
While he's not the best comic out there (Dane Cook and Dave Attell run circles around this guy, extra-large circles), with some work, he can be one of the top tier-ed comics.
One of the most appealing aspects of Ralphie's comedy act is that he doesn't hold punches. You're Mexican? You're getting made fun of. Black? Oh yeah. Gay? You know it. Fat? Of course. White? Especially. For those who don't know, Ralphie is a fat, white, straight male. But he makes fun of everyone equally. And it's no "the difference between white and black people" jokes that everyone else who plays the race card does. It's true, funny, and classic material.
He has some other very funny bits. "Protesters" is a funny look at anti-war protesters... "Oh, yeah, no war for oil, I was thinking the same thing. Let's go protest! We'll drive my daddy's Expedition!"
On being fat... "I went to the fourth callback for a horrible movie, and they told me I needed to lose weight to play a fat guy. Ain't that a b----!"
On living in LA... "I live in a dangerous part of LA. It's called LA."
On being a white guy in a black neighborhood... "We don't have a Jack in the Box. We have a Jizack in the Bioxxx. And they test you too. 'You want cheese on that?' 'Hell YEAH I want cheese wit dat! And I wanna give a shout out to the fry guy, much love for the fry guy... And a chicken sandwich for my baby's momma!'"
I recommend this CD to add to your comedy collection. I also believe it's available on DVD.
8/10.
Make Me Laugh
(1997–1998)
Funniest Half Hour on TV...
18 March 2004
Granted, I haven't seen this show in a few years (because it got cancelled in the 90s) but it used to be the funniest half hour on television.
Basically, there were 3 comedians whose job it was to make the contestants laugh. They had 60 seconds to do a stand-up bit right in front of them, and it they laughed they didn't get points.
Lots of comics who are now known names around the circuits were featured on this show. Greg Fitzsimmons, Jonathan Katz, Kevin Meaney, Steve Sanchez and Ralphie May were all on the show at one point.
What's better than 30 minutes of stand-up every day? I know they won't make this on DVD but Comedy Central should think about it, or maybe release a DVD of all the game shows the station has ever run, because most of the game shows last one or two seasons and then die out (except "Win Ben Stein's Money".
Basically, there were 3 comedians whose job it was to make the contestants laugh. They had 60 seconds to do a stand-up bit right in front of them, and it they laughed they didn't get points.
Lots of comics who are now known names around the circuits were featured on this show. Greg Fitzsimmons, Jonathan Katz, Kevin Meaney, Steve Sanchez and Ralphie May were all on the show at one point.
What's better than 30 minutes of stand-up every day? I know they won't make this on DVD but Comedy Central should think about it, or maybe release a DVD of all the game shows the station has ever run, because most of the game shows last one or two seasons and then die out (except "Win Ben Stein's Money".
Real Time with Bill Maher
(2003– )
Completely One-Sided "Show"...
24 December 2003
This show is completely one-sided and would benefit from having more than one viewpoint so it isn't alienating more than half of the audience.
Here is how the Round Table works... Maher is always one of the four. Then there will be two liberal guests (for example, Michael Moore or the guy who writes the "comic" strip The Boondocks). Then there will be a conservative guest, like Larry Miller or Ann Coulter. And the 3 liberals gang up and try to destroy the conservative viewpoint. They do this by interrupting and making false accusations.
Maher tries to play Devil's Advocate and be equal between the two sides, but after about 6 minutes he drops this charade and joins the liberals, gaining much applause from the liberal audience who came out to watch the show for free.
Very biased. Only decent part is the monologue, and half of the jokes miss.
2/10.
Here is how the Round Table works... Maher is always one of the four. Then there will be two liberal guests (for example, Michael Moore or the guy who writes the "comic" strip The Boondocks). Then there will be a conservative guest, like Larry Miller or Ann Coulter. And the 3 liberals gang up and try to destroy the conservative viewpoint. They do this by interrupting and making false accusations.
Maher tries to play Devil's Advocate and be equal between the two sides, but after about 6 minutes he drops this charade and joins the liberals, gaining much applause from the liberal audience who came out to watch the show for free.
Very biased. Only decent part is the monologue, and half of the jokes miss.
2/10.
The Quick and the Dead
(1995)
Pretty Good 90s Western...
22 December 2003
Of the past few decades, there have only been a few good Westerns. "Young Guns I & II" were the best, hands down, but this one did a good job of trying to reinstall the genre as a staple in American cinema. It failed. But it was a good shot.
Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Gene Hackman are at the top of their game. I personally believe this is Crowe's best film. Sharon Stone does some classic overacting, staying with the whole "p*ssed off" vibe throughout the entire movie. Gary Sinise has a cameo as the barely-reckognizable father of Stone (in flashbacks).
Good story, pretty good acting, classic avenging-the-death-of-a-parent-against-the-evil-town-leader plot. Check it out, it's worth it.
7/10.
Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Gene Hackman are at the top of their game. I personally believe this is Crowe's best film. Sharon Stone does some classic overacting, staying with the whole "p*ssed off" vibe throughout the entire movie. Gary Sinise has a cameo as the barely-reckognizable father of Stone (in flashbacks).
Good story, pretty good acting, classic avenging-the-death-of-a-parent-against-the-evil-town-leader plot. Check it out, it's worth it.
7/10.
The Geena Davis Show
(2000–2001)
GREAT SHOW!...
2 December 2003
This show was on ABC on Wednesday nights along with "Drew Carey" and "Spin City," and together they made the best night of TV.
I don't remember everything, but I do know this show was really funny and that Carter kid was a really good singer. It shouldn't have been cancelled so easily. Can't wait for it on DVD, if it comes.
I don't remember everything, but I do know this show was really funny and that Carter kid was a really good singer. It shouldn't have been cancelled so easily. Can't wait for it on DVD, if it comes.
The Cat in the Hat
(2003)
Never seen so many people leave a theatre...
26 November 2003
I saw this at 9:45 on the day before Thanksgiving. About 40, 45, 50 people were in the theatre. 20 of us left when it was over. The rest left mid-movie. If I wasn't cheap and was willing to lose money, I'd have done it also.
I was so mad at everyone who said this movie was made for money, made for sponsors (Burger King, Radio Shack, Hallmark). Then I saw the movie. It was bad. The three papers around me gave it crappy reviews (half a star, one star, no stars). It was worse than that.
There are no words for how bad this movie was. I loved "The Grinch," and thought this could be as good. My, how wrong I was. I really can't remember why this was so bad - I played games on my cell phone while the 2 others I was with slept.
DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE!
2/10.
I was so mad at everyone who said this movie was made for money, made for sponsors (Burger King, Radio Shack, Hallmark). Then I saw the movie. It was bad. The three papers around me gave it crappy reviews (half a star, one star, no stars). It was worse than that.
There are no words for how bad this movie was. I loved "The Grinch," and thought this could be as good. My, how wrong I was. I really can't remember why this was so bad - I played games on my cell phone while the 2 others I was with slept.
DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE!
2/10.
Born Rich
(2003)
Not Intended for Sympathy...
24 November 2003
A lot of people are saying this movie tries to inspire sympathy for the rich - that is not the case.
It is one rich kid interviewing others. The Johnson + Johnson kid interviews the Trump kid, some Luke guy, and a bunch of others who inherited money from grandparents. They will never work a day in their life, unless they want to (one kid makes 50 G a year at his job). But their life isn't totally easy. But this isn't to inspire sympathy.
Overall, I'd say to give this thing a watch. I didn't wanna make this review too long or too dignified like others have done, I'm just saying that it's interesting to watch.
The only flaw is that if you don't catch it from the beginning, you won't know who everyone is because they don't tell you in the middle.
7/10.
It is one rich kid interviewing others. The Johnson + Johnson kid interviews the Trump kid, some Luke guy, and a bunch of others who inherited money from grandparents. They will never work a day in their life, unless they want to (one kid makes 50 G a year at his job). But their life isn't totally easy. But this isn't to inspire sympathy.
Overall, I'd say to give this thing a watch. I didn't wanna make this review too long or too dignified like others have done, I'm just saying that it's interesting to watch.
The only flaw is that if you don't catch it from the beginning, you won't know who everyone is because they don't tell you in the middle.
7/10.
Eight Days a Week
(I) (1997)
What a movie!
13 November 2003
I used to work at a video store, so eventually you get tired of renting the same-old-stuff and take a chance on a lesser-known title. Most of the time, you are disappointed. In the case of "Eight Days a Week," you smile for days.
It's the story of a boy named Peter, in love with Erica (played fantastically by "Felicity"s Keri Russell, I mean she was really good, who'd've thunk?). She has a boyfriend. He's a jerk. So, in order to gain her attention, he basically decides to stay on her front lawn all summer long. Visited by flashbacks of his grandpa Guiseppe (it's Peter in makeup and an Italian accent) and visited by the antics of goofy family and neighbors (including Catherine Hicks, the mom from "7th Heaven," looking sexy as ever), the kid learns about life in those months.
It's written/directed by Michael Davis, the same writer of "100 Girls," and it's basically the same formula as that movie. Very funny. Very clever. Sex-addict best friend. Girl he pines for. Muscleheaded idiot is her boyfriend. Sex jokes, but funny, heartful sex jokes, if they exist.
I recommend this movie to pretty much anyone who wants to laugh. It'll make a fantastic first date movie.
9/10.
It's the story of a boy named Peter, in love with Erica (played fantastically by "Felicity"s Keri Russell, I mean she was really good, who'd've thunk?). She has a boyfriend. He's a jerk. So, in order to gain her attention, he basically decides to stay on her front lawn all summer long. Visited by flashbacks of his grandpa Guiseppe (it's Peter in makeup and an Italian accent) and visited by the antics of goofy family and neighbors (including Catherine Hicks, the mom from "7th Heaven," looking sexy as ever), the kid learns about life in those months.
It's written/directed by Michael Davis, the same writer of "100 Girls," and it's basically the same formula as that movie. Very funny. Very clever. Sex-addict best friend. Girl he pines for. Muscleheaded idiot is her boyfriend. Sex jokes, but funny, heartful sex jokes, if they exist.
I recommend this movie to pretty much anyone who wants to laugh. It'll make a fantastic first date movie.
9/10.
Pretty Baby
(1978)
Absolutely Horrible...
13 November 2003
This movie is famous for one thing and one thing only - Brooke Shield as a naked twelve-year-old. This movie should be famous for nothing.
It's a story that fakes its way throughout the entire movie. The movie wants to have a heart - showing a grown man kissing a naked preteen is not showing heart. Or courage. Or entertainment.
Besides this movie being extremely distubring, it really is bad. Made in 1978 and set in 1917, I hope it is not an accurate description of the time period, or I would have killed myself if I lived then.
Did this film want to show the horrors of the brothels in World War I? Well, if it did, it did not need to show a naked 12 year old whose mother would do anything to get her famous. Even if Brooke Shields wasn't naked, this movie would still be absolutely unbearable.
Shame on HBO for showing this movie more than once in the past week. Shame on me for watching it.
1/10.
It's a story that fakes its way throughout the entire movie. The movie wants to have a heart - showing a grown man kissing a naked preteen is not showing heart. Or courage. Or entertainment.
Besides this movie being extremely distubring, it really is bad. Made in 1978 and set in 1917, I hope it is not an accurate description of the time period, or I would have killed myself if I lived then.
Did this film want to show the horrors of the brothels in World War I? Well, if it did, it did not need to show a naked 12 year old whose mother would do anything to get her famous. Even if Brooke Shields wasn't naked, this movie would still be absolutely unbearable.
Shame on HBO for showing this movie more than once in the past week. Shame on me for watching it.
1/10.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
(2003)
Should be a multiple Oscar winner...
9 November 2003
"Kill Bill" should be a multiple Oscar winner (Director, Original Screenplay, Actress, Picture) and it probably won't be. But don't forget, it should.
It is a tribute to the films QT grew up on while working at a video store and dreaming of making movies. Basically, it is about a woman (Uma Thurman in an amazing performance) seeking revenge on the 5 people who tried to kill her on her wedding day (Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, "Bill," Lucy Lui, and Vivica A. Fox). In this movie, she deals with two of them. Her adventures follow Tarantino-time like we saw in "Pulp Fiction."
It is a movie that reminds you what a movie should feel like. In a time where movies cost 9 bucks and you get such crap as "Under the Tuscan Sun," Intolerable Cruelty," and "Maid in Manhattan," this movie comes as a breath of fresh air. The action is awesome. The tributes are good, although since I have not seen many kung-fu, martial arts movies, some are lost on me. Some of the acting is amazing (Lucy Lui is poor, Vivica A. Fox could easily be replaced). The story is great. The cliffhanger is awesome. Why did they attack her? Who is Bill and why is he so powerful?
Considering that this is known as the bloodiest movie ever, there is only one gunshot. One. The rest is all swordplay and knifefighting.
See this IMMEDIATELY! Even if you wind up paying 18 bucks to see this and "Volume II."
10/10, without a doubt the best movie I have seen in the past few years.
It is a tribute to the films QT grew up on while working at a video store and dreaming of making movies. Basically, it is about a woman (Uma Thurman in an amazing performance) seeking revenge on the 5 people who tried to kill her on her wedding day (Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, "Bill," Lucy Lui, and Vivica A. Fox). In this movie, she deals with two of them. Her adventures follow Tarantino-time like we saw in "Pulp Fiction."
It is a movie that reminds you what a movie should feel like. In a time where movies cost 9 bucks and you get such crap as "Under the Tuscan Sun," Intolerable Cruelty," and "Maid in Manhattan," this movie comes as a breath of fresh air. The action is awesome. The tributes are good, although since I have not seen many kung-fu, martial arts movies, some are lost on me. Some of the acting is amazing (Lucy Lui is poor, Vivica A. Fox could easily be replaced). The story is great. The cliffhanger is awesome. Why did they attack her? Who is Bill and why is he so powerful?
Considering that this is known as the bloodiest movie ever, there is only one gunshot. One. The rest is all swordplay and knifefighting.
See this IMMEDIATELY! Even if you wind up paying 18 bucks to see this and "Volume II."
10/10, without a doubt the best movie I have seen in the past few years.
Elf
(2003)
Finally, a movie that brings back the magic...
7 November 2003
Finally, there is a movie that brings back the magic of going to the movies, not to mention doesn't make me mad that I spent almost 10 bucks to see it. After seeing a string of crappy movies, I was iffy about going back, but the lovability of Will Ferrell brought me to see "Elf."
I don't wanna make this too long, but I must say, it was amazing. No, I didn't cry, but I could see people crying during it. It was funny. It was a great story. It gave me the Christmas spirit - 50 days early.
If you see one movie this year, see "Kill Bill." If you see two, see "Elf." And if you steal one line from a trailer this year, steal that one, like I did, from "Austin Powers." See "Elf" if you want to lose yourself for 90 minutes and laugh uncontrollably.
"Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"
9/10.
I don't wanna make this too long, but I must say, it was amazing. No, I didn't cry, but I could see people crying during it. It was funny. It was a great story. It gave me the Christmas spirit - 50 days early.
If you see one movie this year, see "Kill Bill." If you see two, see "Elf." And if you steal one line from a trailer this year, steal that one, like I did, from "Austin Powers." See "Elf" if you want to lose yourself for 90 minutes and laugh uncontrollably.
"Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"
9/10.
Up Against Amanda
(2000)
So, so bad...
7 November 2003
I got this movie because I worked at a movie store so I got free rentals. It came in, and the cover made it look alright. Hot chick, carrying a weapon, alright, I'll check it out.
Oh man, bad move. This was so horrible, I spent half the movie watching in fast-forward to get to the nudity, which was minimal. I think MAYBE three scenes of partial nudity.
Cheesy dialogue, crappy violence, poor excuses of characters. I feel bad putting this movie down, because I know it was made on a cheap budget, but so was "Clerks" and it became a cult classic and a franchise.
2/10.
Oh man, bad move. This was so horrible, I spent half the movie watching in fast-forward to get to the nudity, which was minimal. I think MAYBE three scenes of partial nudity.
Cheesy dialogue, crappy violence, poor excuses of characters. I feel bad putting this movie down, because I know it was made on a cheap budget, but so was "Clerks" and it became a cult classic and a franchise.
2/10.
Naked World: America Undercover
(2003 TV Movie)
Definitely Not Porn...
4 November 2003
It was 2 in the morning and I couldn't sleep even though I had to wake up in 7 hours. So I put on something called "Naked World" - which my DirecTV described as "An artist asks people to pose nude in the streets." Obviously, I was intrigued.
What I saw was NOT porn at all. Unless you consider 73 year old men standing naked in a field a good turn-on. And then, you have issues.
However, this was actually really good. This artist went around 7 continents (yeah, Antarctica also) and took pictures of random, common people (some good looking, some old, some the anti-supermodel) standing naked, in non-sexual poses.
It wasn't all nudity. It showed culture, reactions, and how everyone is diverse, yet we are all the same. Yeah it kinda had a message. Granted, the 400 people naked in the last scene was a little weird.
If you have time, check it out.
7/10.
What I saw was NOT porn at all. Unless you consider 73 year old men standing naked in a field a good turn-on. And then, you have issues.
However, this was actually really good. This artist went around 7 continents (yeah, Antarctica also) and took pictures of random, common people (some good looking, some old, some the anti-supermodel) standing naked, in non-sexual poses.
It wasn't all nudity. It showed culture, reactions, and how everyone is diverse, yet we are all the same. Yeah it kinda had a message. Granted, the 400 people naked in the last scene was a little weird.
If you have time, check it out.
7/10.
Dangerous Minds
(1995)
Great movie!...
4 November 2003
I'm not about to call this movie a "feel-good movie" or a "coming-of-age-tale." What am I gonna do is call it what it really is - a great movie.
Michelle Pfeiffer is at her best. She is absolutely fantastic in this movie. The actors in the classroom hold their own against her as well.
Basically, the plot is as follows: White teacher enters a mostly-minority "alternative" (read: group of kids that act out) classroom and commands respect. In turn, she changes their lives as they change hers. It's basically the story of Raul, Emilio, and Carrie, and how they cope with life as a result of Ms. Johnson.
The movie has some really good lines (my favorite: "You asked me how I was gonna save your life. This is it. This moment.") and really good drama. Sure, some of it is hokey-it-only-happens-in-the-movies, but the majority of it is good. I'm a guy, and I shed a few tears.
Overall: 9/10.
Michelle Pfeiffer is at her best. She is absolutely fantastic in this movie. The actors in the classroom hold their own against her as well.
Basically, the plot is as follows: White teacher enters a mostly-minority "alternative" (read: group of kids that act out) classroom and commands respect. In turn, she changes their lives as they change hers. It's basically the story of Raul, Emilio, and Carrie, and how they cope with life as a result of Ms. Johnson.
The movie has some really good lines (my favorite: "You asked me how I was gonna save your life. This is it. This moment.") and really good drama. Sure, some of it is hokey-it-only-happens-in-the-movies, but the majority of it is good. I'm a guy, and I shed a few tears.
Overall: 9/10.
Denis Leary: Lock 'N Load
(1997 TV Special)
Stand up - Good. Other - bad.
26 October 2003
Okay, I gotta admit, I haven't seen this. But I do own the CD.
The stand-up is very funny (my favorite joke is about woman controlling interior design - "I've been to Wayne Gretzky's house. The man has 5 MVP trophies. You know where they are? They're in the @#$%ing garage!"). Well, most of the stand-up is good, and if it's not, his random obscenities and creative tweaking of his voice make it enjoyable.
A lot of the in-between stuff, the "fluff" as I call it, is very weak. One song ("The Environment Song") is awesome. Another song ("Life's Gonna Suck When You Get Older") has it's moments. The rest is VERY poor, and just takes up my life.
The highlight of the album/show is the ending rant, where he completely goes off on the Catholic church and the priests (I'm Catholic and still found it funny). It is bitingly funny (whatever that means) and it gets pretty harsh.
Stand-up material - 8/10. Fluff - 4/10 Overall - 7/10
The stand-up is very funny (my favorite joke is about woman controlling interior design - "I've been to Wayne Gretzky's house. The man has 5 MVP trophies. You know where they are? They're in the @#$%ing garage!"). Well, most of the stand-up is good, and if it's not, his random obscenities and creative tweaking of his voice make it enjoyable.
A lot of the in-between stuff, the "fluff" as I call it, is very weak. One song ("The Environment Song") is awesome. Another song ("Life's Gonna Suck When You Get Older") has it's moments. The rest is VERY poor, and just takes up my life.
The highlight of the album/show is the ending rant, where he completely goes off on the Catholic church and the priests (I'm Catholic and still found it funny). It is bitingly funny (whatever that means) and it gets pretty harsh.
Stand-up material - 8/10. Fluff - 4/10 Overall - 7/10
The Boondock Saints
(1999)
simply fantastic...
25 October 2003
I had heard a lot about this movie (friends, online, people's AIM profiles quoting it), but had never rented it or anything. It didn't seem my type.
Then, one day, I go to a friends house to watch it and I am BLOWN AWAY by this masterpiece. Masterpiece - I only use that word sparingly (Pulp Fiction, Braveheart, American Beauty...). This movie deserves it. I immediately bought the movie (for $9.99 at Best Buy) and watched it again the next day.
The plot is simple - two brothers, Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery, go on a killing spree with their friend, David DellaRocco. They vow to take out all the scum in their city (I believe a suburb of Boston or thereabouts, I could be wrong, haven't seen it since I bought it in August 2003). Willem Dafoe plays the homosexual, opera-loving, certifiably-insane, God-loving detective who is trying to track the case.
The movie is intense. The "confessional booth" scene is amazing. When Dafoe "enters" the crime scene, I got chills. The action-sequences are fantastic (don't listen to those who hate the movie, they have nothing better to do). The dialogue isn't brilliant, but it's not fake-brilliance like some movies who want nothing more than to be Tarantino.
The ending of the movie is amazing. One of the 5 best endings I've ever seen in a movie (you liked the ending of The Usual Suspects? that had nothing on Boondock Saints). BUT the very last scene is of a reporter interviewing people to see what they think of "vigilante killings" and it had nothing to do with the movie and it was horrible. I pretend the movie ends in the courtroom scene.
10/10.
Then, one day, I go to a friends house to watch it and I am BLOWN AWAY by this masterpiece. Masterpiece - I only use that word sparingly (Pulp Fiction, Braveheart, American Beauty...). This movie deserves it. I immediately bought the movie (for $9.99 at Best Buy) and watched it again the next day.
The plot is simple - two brothers, Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery, go on a killing spree with their friend, David DellaRocco. They vow to take out all the scum in their city (I believe a suburb of Boston or thereabouts, I could be wrong, haven't seen it since I bought it in August 2003). Willem Dafoe plays the homosexual, opera-loving, certifiably-insane, God-loving detective who is trying to track the case.
The movie is intense. The "confessional booth" scene is amazing. When Dafoe "enters" the crime scene, I got chills. The action-sequences are fantastic (don't listen to those who hate the movie, they have nothing better to do). The dialogue isn't brilliant, but it's not fake-brilliance like some movies who want nothing more than to be Tarantino.
The ending of the movie is amazing. One of the 5 best endings I've ever seen in a movie (you liked the ending of The Usual Suspects? that had nothing on Boondock Saints). BUT the very last scene is of a reporter interviewing people to see what they think of "vigilante killings" and it had nothing to do with the movie and it was horrible. I pretend the movie ends in the courtroom scene.
10/10.
Scary Movie 3
(2003)
WAIT FOR VIDEO!...
24 October 2003
Don't get me wrong, Scary Movie 3 was very funny. In fact, some of the jokes had me laughing out loud (the fact that I can't remember which can't be a good thing, although that may be because it's 1:35am).
That said, I found it a big waste of money. If I rented it, it would have been great. I might even buy it if I find it for under 10 bucks in a year or so. But paying $9.25 (times two people) to see a movie that was literally 75 minutes is not worth it at all (it says "Running Time: 90 minutes" but it lies, it started at 8:15 and by 9:35 I was in my car). Maybe I missed 10 minutes after the credits (like that oh-so-classic "Master of Disguise" ).
Overall... it was a decent movie. Not as good as the original (haven't seen more than half of the 2nd yet). A lot of the parodies were hilarious (making fun of "Signs" with the line "Wait, they can fly spacecrafts here but they can't turn door handles" and the whole "a-truck-is-keeping-my-wife-played-by-Denise-Richards-alive" made my night), but some were just kind of weak (some of the "Ring" ones). And Simon Rex was really funny.
5/10.
That said, I found it a big waste of money. If I rented it, it would have been great. I might even buy it if I find it for under 10 bucks in a year or so. But paying $9.25 (times two people) to see a movie that was literally 75 minutes is not worth it at all (it says "Running Time: 90 minutes" but it lies, it started at 8:15 and by 9:35 I was in my car). Maybe I missed 10 minutes after the credits (like that oh-so-classic "Master of Disguise" ).
Overall... it was a decent movie. Not as good as the original (haven't seen more than half of the 2nd yet). A lot of the parodies were hilarious (making fun of "Signs" with the line "Wait, they can fly spacecrafts here but they can't turn door handles" and the whole "a-truck-is-keeping-my-wife-played-by-Denise-Richards-alive" made my night), but some were just kind of weak (some of the "Ring" ones). And Simon Rex was really funny.
5/10.
One Night at McCool's
(2001)
Well worth a look...
14 October 2003
I'm not gonna lie to you: this movie is good. It's not the best movie ever made, and it's not the funniest, but it had a certain quality about it that made it compelling and interesting. It made me want to keep watching.
I see other reviews that say it's "horrendous" and "not one funny moment." Those people are lying to you. It was a good movie and a very underrated one that is well worth a look or two. Give it a rent on a rainy day or Sunday or something.
John Goodman is amazing. Paul Reiser was neurotic and funny. Michael Douglas was useless. So was Liv Tyler. But even though they are in it, it's worth checking out.
7/10
I see other reviews that say it's "horrendous" and "not one funny moment." Those people are lying to you. It was a good movie and a very underrated one that is well worth a look or two. Give it a rent on a rainy day or Sunday or something.
John Goodman is amazing. Paul Reiser was neurotic and funny. Michael Douglas was useless. So was Liv Tyler. But even though they are in it, it's worth checking out.
7/10
Twisted Desire
(1996 TV Movie)
Not Worth My Time...
4 October 2003
I caught this movie from the murder-scene and watched it from there. Looking back, I miss that hour and a half of my life.
The acting is pretty bad. Melissa Joan Hart (who I really liked in "Clarissa Explains It All" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch") was insanely horrible in this. Turns out, she can't do drama. Or acting, for that matter.
The plot holes were numerous. Watch (if you dare) and you'll see. It was corny. Besides MJH, the rest of the acting was pretty atrocious also (especially by the kid who pulled the trigger, the guy who played Nick). The writing was weak.
The end sequence went from pretty cool to bad and then back to pretty cool again with the last scene. But even the titles explaining what happens to the characters at the end leave you angry.
3/10.
The acting is pretty bad. Melissa Joan Hart (who I really liked in "Clarissa Explains It All" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch") was insanely horrible in this. Turns out, she can't do drama. Or acting, for that matter.
The plot holes were numerous. Watch (if you dare) and you'll see. It was corny. Besides MJH, the rest of the acting was pretty atrocious also (especially by the kid who pulled the trigger, the guy who played Nick). The writing was weak.
The end sequence went from pretty cool to bad and then back to pretty cool again with the last scene. But even the titles explaining what happens to the characters at the end leave you angry.
3/10.
Insomnia
(2002)
A pretty good suspense movie
22 September 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Contains Spoiler Robin Williams and Al Pacino gave classic performances. This movie got great reviews all around the board, and it was pretty much well deserved. It had 3 Academy Award winners (Hilary Swank also, who, by the way, I can't stand) and it was directed by Christopher Nolan ("Memento").
The movie differs from other mysteries because here you know who the killer is - Williams. The story here is about the chase.
It was about a good cop with one small blemish on his reputation, and it was being dug up, when he was sent to Alaska with a partner to find Robin Williams, the murderer. Swank is also a cop, from Alaska.
Really good movie, more of a psychological suspense thriller, but it did deliver the action. I was doubting it at one point, but then it got really good, and the ending was spectacular. It's pretty much how I would have written to ending, so I liked that.
The only complaint I have pretty much (besides the fact that her bag was found near the house...why was her school bag with her on a Friday night after she was drinking?) was that the producers (George Clooney and Steven Sodenbergh) thought that Pacino should've been Spider-Man instead of Tobey MacGuire. For a 60-year-old detective who hadn't slept in over 100 hours, he was amazing.
8.5/10. It's well worth checking out.
The movie differs from other mysteries because here you know who the killer is - Williams. The story here is about the chase.
It was about a good cop with one small blemish on his reputation, and it was being dug up, when he was sent to Alaska with a partner to find Robin Williams, the murderer. Swank is also a cop, from Alaska.
Really good movie, more of a psychological suspense thriller, but it did deliver the action. I was doubting it at one point, but then it got really good, and the ending was spectacular. It's pretty much how I would have written to ending, so I liked that.
The only complaint I have pretty much (besides the fact that her bag was found near the house...why was her school bag with her on a Friday night after she was drinking?) was that the producers (George Clooney and Steven Sodenbergh) thought that Pacino should've been Spider-Man instead of Tobey MacGuire. For a 60-year-old detective who hadn't slept in over 100 hours, he was amazing.
8.5/10. It's well worth checking out.
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