Cal-5 Reviews

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

A Wonderfully Original and Creative Show

[19 March 1999]

What I like most about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is the show's originality and creativity. I can say with assurance that there is not another like "Buffy" on television. "Buffy" mixes humor, drama, and action perfectly. There are no weak characters or performances. Every cast member has made their part their own. This show has better comic timing than most actual comedy shows on TV. The one weakness is the sometimes corny sentimental moments of the show. My grade for "Buffy" is an A-.

The Simpsons (1989– )

The Best Show on Television

[18 March 1999]

"The Simpsons" is without a doubt the best show on television. No show has ever made me laugh so hard and so loud. This show has continually improved throughout its ten year run. The show's strengths are its unforgettable characters, hilarious and intelligent dialogue, and brilliant satiric moments. My favorite characters are Homer, Bart, Krusty, Mr. Burns, and Principal Skinner.

People who have called the show stupid and immature simply don't understand the show. "The Simpsons" is a show for intelligent people. This show is a wonderful satire of our society. It takes every fault of our society and places them in the town of Springfield. This is where the show is at its best. I particularly love "The Simpsons" very accurate representation of the educational system.

The only thing that has ever bothered about the show is its contradictions. For example, last year in a very funny episode it is revealed that Principal Skinner is a fraud, he is actually Armin Tamzerrean. This episode contradicts everything we have learned to that point about Skinner. Of course this being a cartoon, the show's contradictions are not surprising. However this apparent flaw is funny because the show seems to know of this flaw and continually makes light of this fact. "The Simpsons" is most intelligent and funny show on television. I would give the show an A+.

Another 48 Hrs. (1990)

A good and funny follow-up to the original

[15 August 1998]

Another 48 HRS. is good for one reason and one reason only, Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy's chemistry together. They work off each other perfectly. This film is not interested in telling a story, it is a mere stage for these two actors to showcase their talent. The film only works when these two are on -screen. When Murphy and Nolte are not on-screen, the film is rather boring. This can be credited to the fact that Nolte and Murphy are so fun to watch that you don't care at all about the rest of characters. Fortunately, Nolte and Murphy are on-screen more than 90% of the time.

Annie Hall (1977)

Surprisingly Good

[15 August 1998]

This was the first Woody Allen film that I ever saw. I fully expected to hate Annie Hall, due to the fact my mother told me that his movies are overrated pieces of rubbish. To my surprise I really enjoyed Annie Hall. It is one of the funniest films that I have seen in a long time. The reason I found Annie Hall incredibly funny was because of it's honest portrayal of relationships. One scene I found hysterical was the scene in which Allen and Diane Keaton are having a discussion about photography, while in subtitles we see what they are both thinking. Annie Hall deserved all the awards it won. I look forward to seeing more of Allen's films.

Angels in the Outfield (1994)

Predictable, but, it still is a good and entertaining movie for the entire family

[12 August 1998]

In Angels in the Outfield you know everything that is going to happen before the movie starts. Nevertheless, the film is a very entertaining and enjoyable family film to watch. The movie is funny and heartwarming. This is a movie that will leave the whole family smiling. When Roger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, asks his father when they will be a family again, his father answers,"When the Angels win the pennant."

Roger takes his dad seriously and wishes that the Angels win the pennant. His prayers are answered when real angels are sent to help the hapless Angels win. The only person who can see them is Roger, which means he must help the manager, played fantastically by Danny Glover, to know who to play and what to do. Excellent performances are turned in by the entire cast, including, Tony Danza, Brenda Fricker, Jay O. Sanders, and Milton Davis Jr. as Roger's best friend. Being a family film I expected Angels in the Outfield to incredibly corny. To my surprise it wasn't. This may be your predictable family/sports film, but, it is done so well and with so much heart that you just don't care. Angels in the Outfield is an excellent film for the whole family.

Anaconda (1997)

A direct-to-video action movie that was released in the theaters

[7 August 1998]

After seeing Anaconda, I was amazed that this movie was released in theaters and that so many people paid theater prices to see it. This movie looks like it cost $5 to make. Anaconda does provide some VERY cheap thrills, but that is about all. The major problem is that you can tell the snake is fake, making it hard to believe that any of the characters are in danger. Anaconda does not try to present itself as anything but an action thriller, which is perfectly fine. However they should have spent more money of the effects.

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)

A huge improvement from the first one

[7 August 1998]

I don't know what my reason was for renting this film, since I hated the first one. To my surprise I liked Fievel Goes West quite a bit. I thought the animation was a lot better, as well as the songs. I, also, enjoyed Jimmy Stewart as Wylie Burp, the old law dog of the West. It was too bad that this film was released around the same time as Beauty and the Beast.

An American Tail (1986)

Boring

[7 August 1998]

I have only seen this film once, when I was five years old. I remember almost falling asleep during the film because it was incredibly boring. An American Tail may be 77 minutes long, but it feels twice as long. Parents, only rent this for your child if they have been having trouble going to sleep.

All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)

A great family film

[6 August 1998]

All Dogs Go To Heaven is a heart warming, entertaining, and funny film for the whole family. Burt Reynolds is wonderful as the voice of Charlie the Dog. The songs are all excellent, they range from being very funny to very heart warming. All Dogs Go To Heaven is an unforgettable movie experience. This is a movie that parents and children will love.

Amadeus (1984)

Masterful acting makes Amadeus a classic study in jealousy

[6 August 1998]

F. Murray Abraham deservedly won an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri. Salieri is driven mad by his jealousy of Amadeus. Abraham captures Salieri's anger and jealousy perfectly. Tom Hulce is excellent as the great Amadeus. Milos Forman does a very good job directing, however, he tends to let the story drag along very slowly a couple of times.

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Let's hope this is the last of the Alien series

[5 August 1998]

I would like to warn all of you with weak stomachs, don't even think about watching this movie. This is, perhaps, the most violent movie that I have ever seen. I found it even more violent than Saving Private Ryan. Alien Resurrection is not interested in telling a story, the film seems only interested in grossing you out with unneccesary violence. Resurrection seems to be saying,"You thought that last scene was gross, this next scene is even more violent and gross." Hopefully this is the last Alien film.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

An Excellent Film

[4 August 1998]

Saving Private Ryan is one of this year's best films. Tom Hanks delivers an Oscar-caliber performance as Captain Miller. What I like most about this film is that it shows what war and violence are actually like. For this reason alone this is a film that should be seen by all. While the story is not the films strongest point, it still is very good. I have heard many critics say that the rest of the characters were all cliche, however, I did not see that. Jeremy Davies gives a performance that should win him an Oscar as an interpreter who is going into combat for the first time and the rest of the cast are superb. My only problem with the picture were it's present day scenes, I found them unnecessary.

A League of Their Own (1992)

A good film about the forgotten women's baseball league

[4 August 1998]

Before A League of Their Own I had no idea that there ever was a women's baseball league. Going in to see A League of Their Own I expected a rather boring film about the long forgotten baseball league. To my surprise the film was quite good, in fact, it is one of the better sports films that I have ever seen. The film chronicles the first season of the AAGPBL (I think that is the correct abbreviation), primarily focusing on the Rockford Peaches. Geena Davis is wonderful in performance that should have earned her an Oscar nomination, especially in 1992 when there weren't very good roles for women in film. Tom Hanks is excellent as the recovering alcoholic manager of the Peaches. This was Hanks best performance, at the time, since Big in 1988. Lori Petty and the rest of the cast, including Madonna, are very good.

Alien 3 (1992)

Horrible

[4 August 1998]

Horrible is the word I would use to summarize this film in one word. This is one of the worst movies that I have ever seen. The only reason anyone would see this movie is to keep up with the series. However, you are not missing anything by not watching it. The film is way too dark and, not to mention, it is not entertaining at all. Director David Fincher's style does not fit the Alien series at all.

Aladdin (1992)

Robin Williams' performance saves Aladdin

[4 August 1998]

Robin Williams does a fantastic job as the voice of the Genie in Aladdin. My one problem with Aladdin is how insulting it is to the viewer in the way it plays on stereotypes, something Disney has been getting away with too long. I find it rather strange that the only Arabian characters with Arabian accents were the villains, while the good guys all have American accents. For the most part Aladdin is a very enjoyable movie, due in large part to Williams. Most of the songs are very good and fun to listen to. The animation is beautiful as always.

Play Time (1995)

Very Steamy

[3 August 1998]

Play Time is very good for what it is, a direct-to-video, erotic, B-movie. This one of those movies you rent or watch on television to see beautiful, naked women. Play Time does not disappoint. It provides some of the steamiest and most erotic scenes that I have ever seen. Monique Parent and Jennifer Burton look great in this movie.

Mirror Images II (1993 Video)

Shannon Whirry at her best

[3 August 1998]

Shannon Whirry delivers again in another direct-to-video erotic thriller. This is a don't miss for all of you Shannon Whirry fans. She looks incredible and she has a lot of nude scenes, and that is the whole idea of this movie.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Not Worth Paying to See

[3 August 1998]

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is the film that made Jim Carrey a star. After seeing this movie, it is kind of hard to see why it did. While Ace Ventura does have it's moments, the movie for the most part is not that funny. At times, Carrey does show the comedic brilliance that has made one of the biggest box office stars today. However, the movie was not worth paying to see in the theaters, nor, is it worth renting on home video. This is a movie that you only watch when it is on television and there is nothing else to watch.

A Few Good Men (1992)

Good acting almost makes up for a weak story and bad direction

[3 August 1998]

The only bright spot in A Few Good Men is the acting. The film contains some very fine performances by Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Kevin Pollak, and, yes, Demi Moore. However, the story is your run of the mill Hollywood formula film. Not to mention the film is quite corny. While this movie was not worth paying movie theater prices to see, it is worth paying $.99 plus tax to rent at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video

There's Something About Mary (1998)

The funniest movie of the year

[30 July 1998]

There's Something About Mary is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen and, also, one of the grossest movie that I have ever seen. It is the first movie to come along in years that delights in being politically incorrect, and that is one reason this movie is so funny. Cameron Diaz shines in the role of Mary, a girl who is the object of desire for every guy she meets. The only problem is that they all turn out to be crazy, creepy, and weird. Mary finds humor in places that never have been explored. Ben Stiller along with Matt Dillon and the rest of the cast give great performances. If want to laugh like you have never done before, There's Something About Mary is a don't miss.

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

An incredibly funny and action packed movie

[30 July 1998]

Lethal Weapon 4 is a perfect mix of action and comedy. It is one of the most entertaining films of 1998. This is a movie you go see if you just want to be flat out entertained. Chris Rock helps adds new blood to this series. As usually, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are great together. Joe Pesci does another fantastic job and Jet Li makes amazing American film debut.

As Good as It Gets (1997)

One of the worst films of 1997

[7/10 · 30 July 1998]

As Good As It Gets has on of the most unbelievable endings ever in film. The only funny moment in the film is the beginning. The rest of the film is surprisingly dark. James L. Brooks proves once again that he is the most overrated film maker working today. He wastes yet another one of Jack Nicholson's excellent performances.

Titanic (1997)

An incredibly beautiful film

[9/10 · 29 July 1998]

In Titanic the story is secondary to the film's fantastic photography and incredible visual effects. Titanic is easily one the most beautifully photographed films ever. While the story is rather slow in the beginning, it more than makes up for it in the last half of the film with the sinking of Titanic. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers the best performance in the film, while Kate Winslet does a good job with the little bit her character is given.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

The Best Movie of 1997

[10/10 · 29 July 1998]

The premise of Good Will Hunting is one that has been played out in hundreds of other movies. This movie, however, exceeds all of those other movies with it's brilliant screenplay and fantastic acting. Matt Damon delivers a masterful performance as Will Hunting. He, along with Ben Affleck deservedly won the Academy Award for Original Screenplay. Robin Williams and Minnie Driver shine in their supporting roles as Will's psychiatrist and girlfriend. Good Will Hunting may be just another formulaic movie from Hollywood, but, it is done so well that you just don't care. It is a movie that brings a welcomed smile to your face.

Heat (1995)

A Truly Great Film

[29 July 1998]

Heat is masterful crime drama starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Pacino plays a cop obsessed with always getting his man. De Niro is a lifetime criminal who leads a top notch crew of bank robbers, that includes Val Kilmer, Tome Sizemore, and Danny Trejo. Added to this is an unforgettable scene in a coffee shop between De Niro and Pacino, marking the first time they have appeared on screen together. While it's 164 minute running time may seem long for a film of this genre, there is not one unnecessary scene in this film. To the contrary, Heat leaves you wanting more.