nyugrd Reviews

Surviving Christmas (2004)

Hilarious! Home run comedy folks!

[27 October 2004]

Don't listen to the critics - this film is truly hilarious and, more to the point, touching.

I am not a real fan of Ben Affleck - I am somewhat ambivalent about hi - but he knocks the comedy ball out of the park in this film. Gandolfini is also excellent, as always.

Is this a holiday classic? Perhaps not, but in the tradition of Bad Santa, this is going to become part of my DVD collection as soon as possible.

Do yourself a favor - go see this truly funny movie! The only downside is your sides will hurt from all the laughs!

Merry Christmas!

Team America: World Police (2004)

Boring.

[27 October 2004]

This was truly one of the worst films I've ever seen. These guys are so played out, so 1999, they need to find a new outlet for their lame attempt at humor.

Lame movie, don't waste time or money on this garbage. What was the goal of this movie? To cure insomnia? If so, well done and I apologize. If the goal was to entertain, well, the south park one trick wonders failed miserably.

Please someone somewhere stop financing these clowns before they film again.

Do not waste more precious dollars on such lame attempts at humor, if indeed this was intended as a comedy (it is so hard to tell, given the absence of laughs here).

Jesus of Montreal (1989)

Moving and Entertaining

[8 October 2004]

You do not need to be Catholic or, much less, Quebecois to understand and appreciate this work of art.

Jesus of Montreal is an act of sublime spiritual discovery and should be required viewing of all who call themselves Christian. In this film, we see how the Spirit of Christ is born and grows in one man (Lothaire Bluteau), and how the evildoers around him react.

We see the evil pharisees who judge and condemn Lothaire (Jesus). These are the people like the American President bush who proclaim loudly to one and all how "holy" and "Christian" they are, all the while killing babies with his bombs and bullets and sanctions.

Go see this film with an open mind, and you will see and hear the real message of Jesus Christ!

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Brilliant! Exciting! BLOCKBUSTER BABY!

[25 May 2004]

I am stunned. Not only is this movie visually amazing, and a lot more scientifically accurate than the rush limbaugh fans would have you believe, this is a story which grips you by the throat. If you see one "blockbuster" this summer, see this one! The performances are virtually flawless, the sense of horror and astonishment are palpable, and you are drawn into the film in exactly the way the director wants you to be.

This movie is being attacked by right wing nutjobs who think "evolution" is junk science, and that women shouldn't be entitled to vote. Do NOT listen to the them - the film is AWESOME!!! Highly recommended that you see this one on opening weekend, to share the sense of wonder with the rest of the audience.

I predict this film will gross 200 million in the US.

Open Range (2003)

Horrific.

[24 February 2004]

This movie was one of the worst I have ever seen. It is completely deriviative and a waste of time - it is hard to believe this was actually funded by anyone.

Kevin Costner is a great actor, but this film was horrific. We have seen this all before, except better - much better. Do yourself a favor - watch Unforgiven again rather than rent this garbage.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Solid but no Surprises

[23 November 2003]

Solid movie, Crowe is brilliant as usual. Would have been nice to see more than 15 seconds of the French crew, but given the current racist climate of America where latins such as the French are despised and marginalized, I suppose this was to be expected.

4 stars of 5. Recommended.

Hulk (2003)

Message to Marvel: Have a FAN Direct

[24 June 2003]

Ang Lee wasn't a real big fan, or perhaps even familiar, with the Hulk before being tapped to direct, and this is what we get. Thanks for ruining one of the best creations in American pop culture. Spider-Man worked because you had someone who grew up with the character directing and respecting the subject matter. What a waste of money and concept. Maybe someone can save this "franchise" but if they ever let Ang Lee direct anything without subtitles again they deserve what they get.

Savage Messiah (2002)

Excellent Film

[20 June 2003]

An excellent, thought provoking film. Well acted throughout, disturbing at times, you feel for the characters. The theme of spousal/partner abuse is primary here, and I do not believe I have ever seen a better description of the "battered spouse" syndrome on film.

While this movie obviously didn't have a 50 million dollar budget, the results do not suffer. Brilliant and highly recommended.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Brilliant

[19 May 2003]

Don't listen to the countless lamers who said Reloaded sucked. "Reloaded" was excellent from start to finish. This movie will win numerous Oscars for technical achievement, but should also be nominated for writing and directing.

10 out of 10 stars for Reloaded.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Absolutely Brilliant!

[18 October 2002]

This film was brilliant from frame one. The camera work, the dialog, the plot, the acting - pure, 100% entertainment. Easily one of the best ten films of all time - I wish Ritchie would make a sequel. If you haven't seen it, see it. If you have seen it, buy in on DVD and treasure it for the work of pure genius that it is.

Movies like this make cinema important - the only people who don't like this are the freaks that think Moulin Rouge is brilliant because of the pretty colors.

Lionheart (1990)

Wonderful movie

[6 August 2002]

This movie is a great movie. It is entertaining, and its subtle commentary on the America of George Bush the First is very insightful. The homeless suffer while the corrupt rich laugh at their agony - sometimes we don't want to acknowledge what this country has become but that doesn't make it less true.

Jean-Claude and the rest of the cast do one helluva job at telling a great story, a good morality tale.

Gladiator (2000)

AWESOME MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!

[19 May 2000]

Gladiator is a truly awesome movie. This is better than Braveheart (and Braveheart was a "10"). Crowe is absolutely convincing as Maximus, and the supporting cast are uniformly excellent. The opening battle scene is worth ten times the price of admission.

GO SEE THIS MOVIE NOW! You will not be disappointed - Gladiator is THE movie to see in 2000. A truly wonderful epic, and accomplishes all its goals, and then some.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Excellent Movie!

[5 November 1999]

I wanted to hate this movie, due to all the hype, but this was one of the best films I have ever seen. Is it scary? Yes, if you are willing to play along and suspend disbelief.

The moviemakers and actors are brilliant. This movie shows that plot and acting and filming can make a movie that is a huge hit. I have to believe that the people who don't like the movie were not paying attention to the plot - and the ending is absolutely EXCELLENT and scary as HELL!