Discfreak Reviews

Multiplicity (1996)

Underrated and highly enjoyable

[7/10 · 1 May 2006]

I have to say when I saw the IMDb rating for this movie I was surprised. I was tempted to vote it a ten just to raise the average, but I gave it what I honestly think it deserves- a solid 7. Don't expect too much from this flick. The "deeper meanings" are mildly interesting and there is some worthwhile messages, but I like it just to relax and enjoy. If you just go into it looking for a few laughs you will be rewarded. It's not fall down funny but I get some very good chuckles throughout this movie. I'm a Michael Keaton fan, and I thin he does screwball comedy very well. His performance in this role as he portrays the distinctive sides of his personality in individual clones is impressive as he is spot on with each one. Andie MacDowell is always a joy to watch.

Worth a look, and I enjoy it every time it come on cable!

16 Blocks (2006)

Pleasantly Surprissing

[7/10 · 29 March 2006]

I am a fan of Bruce Willis and I have greatly enjoyed Mos Def in the Italian Job and Hitchhiker's Guide. Even so I went into this movie with pretty low expectations. The previews didn't really grab me and the preliminary reviews were very mixed. I decided to give it a shot anyway and I'm glad I did.

The two leads create believable performances in a pretty outlandish scenario. Bruce Willis' character is a washed up desk jockey who is drowning himself in booze. Mos Def is a street rat with dreams of better things for himself. His constant optimism is at first very irritating to Willis' morbidly cynical character, but eventually begins to rub off on him in subtle ways.

David Morse gives an understated performance that makes his sinister motives that much more interesting.

Overall this is not an instant classic but very watchable and entertaining with quality performances from Mos Def, Willis and Morse that make it very worthwhile.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Good enough movie, but all action, no intrigue

[6/10 · 18 November 2005]

First off, I will say I enjoyed goblet of fire. If I wasn't a fan of the books I'd probably give this and easy 8 or nine as the movie moves along nicely, the plot is fun and entertaining, the special effects are exciting and splendid in a few places, all in all an exciting and enjoyable film.

What really disappointed me was that in the process of paring down a nearly 800 page novel into a manageable film the director and screenwriter left us with all plot and no intrigue. No suspense. No mystery. These aspects are what make Harry Potter special, and especially in this book as we are constantly wondering -who is the culprit?

This movie never gives us time to stop and wonder, just keeps shoving the plot along, full speed ahead. The movie opens with Harry and Ron asleep in their beds at the Weasly's, groggy and disoriented as Hermione wakes them. They are rushed out of bed to go who knows where to do who knows what. That is exactly how this movie left me feeling. The audience is grabbed by the scruff of the neck and thrust head first through a portkey. While the navel-jerking, head spinning ride through space-time that magic allows can be exhilarating, it leaves one breathless and at a loss for one's surroundings. Not exactly the mark of good film making, in my opinion.

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

anachronisms

[6/10 · 10 May 2005]

They were a small and perhaps easily missed, but the inconsistencies inthis movie kept me from enjoying it. The scene which was the worst for me in this regard was when Balian first meets the king of Jerusalem. He enters in silence, the King is seated and speaks first and informally. Balian never makes any acts of obeisance and even after sitting with the king over the chessboard he stands abruptly without so much as a by your leave. I realize this is an informal meeting behind closed doors and this is an unusual king but this behavior was very odd to me.

Also the very beginning of the movie was quite jarring to me. We are introduced to an interesting group of characters in the party who come to France with Liam Neeson. In the clash with the Bishop's guards the German and the Moor are both killed and Liam is mortally wounded. I get that this movie is obsessively focused on Balian, but I found myself wondering about the stories of these other men. I was more interested in Liam and his supporting cast than Balian and his adventures.

I think the lack of supporting cast made Balian harder to identify with for me. Jeremy Irons was great as Tiberius, but he didn't add anything to the Hero story. As far as Balian's men at arms go we never even learn any of their names and they have no moments of their own. I realize the movie is already 2hrs 25 mins, but I sorely missed the element of at least ONE fellow with a story.

Overall not bad, but not worthy of the hype it's getting.