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Reviews
The Perfect Storm (2000)
This movie sunk
Okay, first of all, I am amazed at the posts that either A:complain that people gave away the ending; or B:say they don't want to give away the ending. This was a very famous, very publicized TRUE story that was in every magazine and had a best-selling book written about it. Does everyone not know how it ends to begin with?? That's like being upset when Lou Gehrig dies at the end of his life story. With that off my chest, I can continue. I too read the book, and it was excellent. I watched the HBO First Look special about the movie, and couldn't wait to see it. I was highly disappointed. I realize that with any "based on a true story" film, certain dramatic liscense has to be taken. Every conversation between characters cannot be remembered verbatim. And all the main characters died, so no one knows what went on on the ship. I know the special effects were great, blah blah blah (although my 9-year-old daughter even noticed several times, "Gosh, that looks fake."). But couldn't they have spent more time fleshing out the characters and their relationships, and not have relied so much on the made-up goings-on on the Andrea Gail during the storm? (I totally disagree with Roger Ebert's review in which he says that more character development was not needed). That is what made the book so good--by the end, you really cared about these people and what happened to them--even though you knew in advance that it didn't have a happy ending. Not so in the movie, I thought. Billy Tyne (George Clooney) was portrayed as so gruff and unpleasant (and senseless) that I expected him to break out in an "ARRRRRGH" and perch a parrot on his shoulder any minute. It was difficult to like him--in real life, he didn't have nearly the callous disregard for his crew that this guy in the movie did. The Sully-Murph brouhaha went on and on and was never clearly explained--a mention of Murph's wife was made, but that very thin plot line was never fleshed out. They acted like two silly teenage boys. So write them off too (although I love John C. Reilly; I think he is a wonderful actor and was given no chance to shine in this film). Bobby Shatford (Mark Wahlberg) was little more than a tormented guy pining for his girlfriend (they weren't married, contrary to other posts) and playing yes-man to Billy Tyne. Alfred Pierre and Bugsy were the only ones who were likeable out of the whole crew. (But what was up with Bugsy and the woman he had JUST met before he went out on his doomed voyage? You would've thought they had been together for years. What an odd relationship). Another thing, Chris (Diane Lane)supposedly had lost her kids--why was that not explained? They were so many hanging threads that were never pulled on that could have made a much better movie. All that was cared about here, it seems, was the storm. A storm alone does not a movie make. I thought it was long, slow, and b-o-r-i-n-g. The acting was poor--actually, the lines they were given were poor, since most of them are skilled actors. (Although am I the only woman in the world who thinks George's appeal is overrated?) You could hardly tell that the book and the movie were related. I had heard that one of the families of the crew sued the filmmakers for portraying the character in a poor light--I can't remember who. At first I thought, oh, what a poor sport--supposedly at first the town welcomed the film crew with open arms. Now, I understand. And if I was Sebastian Junger, the author of the book, I'd sue too. If you must rent this, skip ahead to the last third of the movie just to see the storm. BUT--turn it off before the scene where Bobby is floating in the vast, storm-tossed ocean, trying to send telepathic messages to his girlfriend Chris. (And he stayed afloat amazingly easily, considering the elements. He barely had to put forth any effort to tread water, although those churning waves had just sunk the entire SHIP).Then--miraculously, later Chris tells the others at the bar that--gasp--she had had a dream about Bobby talking to her, replete with the SAME words we, the audience, had heard him say before he drowned. Isn't that amazing? I wanted to gag. I mean, there is dramatic liscense, and then there is crap. I was very disappointed by this movie. I give it a 4/10, and the 4 is only for the special effects, and the fact that Mark Wahlberg was in it at all.
The Haunting (1999)
Scary...that they made this pathetic movie!
One would think, with the caliber of actors in this movie, that it would at least be okay. One would be wrong! Liam Neeson and Lili Taylor are both excellent actors, and Catherine Zeta-Jones is fairly good also. (Owen Wilson is the only one I haven't particularly been impressed with in his past endeavors). But in this film, I couldn't believe I was watching the same actors. Especially Lili Taylor! All of the fault is not hers--the dialogue was atrocious--but her acting was so wooden it made me squirm. I actually laughed many times--when I was not supposed to! If she went running thru the house in her flowing white nightgown one more time saying, "Oh no" (like she has just dropped something instead of screaming it in terror about the things that she was seeing) I was going to scream. I couldn't believe at the end when Owen Wilson's character got beheaded--she just said, "oh no" the same way! The special effects were good but I thought there were way too many of them. It got a little ridiculous. I think more could've been gained from some creepy shadows and things like that instead of these over-the-top things like everything in the house coming to life. There is something to be said for being understated! Liam Neeson also sleepwalked thru his performance. Catherine Zeta-Jones had a completely useless role but I guess she did the best she could. The original is so frightening and so much more could've been done with this movie. Jan DeBont needs to stick to action films, definitely. The plot was totally confusing, with Lili Taylor being part of the family that had lived in the house. The dialogue, like I said before, was awful. The acting was pathetic. I was embarrassed for everyone in the movie. I am not one who thinks horror movies have to be full of gore. I just thought this was an incredibly bad movie. I would not recommend this to anyone. I give it a 1/10.
Soul Food (2000)
As good as the movie!
I just finished watching the first episode of "Soul Food" and was blown away. The movie is one of my top 5 favorites and I wondered if the Showtime series could do it justice. Well, I wasn't disappointed. Even though the characters were played by lesser-known actors, they were all excellent. I look forward to the next episode. (Although I am worried about scheduling conflicts when "Oz" comes back on in a few weeks! I guess I will have to put the VCR to use then.)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Interesting premise, but...
Well, tonight I finally watched this much-talked-about film that I have been dying to see, and I am disappointed to say...I was slightly disappointed. I love John Malkovich in anything, and Catherine Keener is one of my favorite character actresses. But the first hour of the movie was sooo ploddingly slow, I was itching to turn it off. I'm glad I didn't because it got much better in the last hour. (I realize a lot of the posts here say the opposite, that the first hour was better, but I beg to differ. To each his own, I guess). I myself enjoyed the in-jokes with Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, etc. John Malkovich himself was great, as usual, and though John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener were good, too, I still don't see the need for Catherine's Oscar nomination. It was an excellent idea and some of the bits were great--the trip Cameron and Catherine took through Malkovich's subconscious (you have to wonder if those were real experiences of his youth!) was suberb, and the flashback that Elijah the chimp had to the jungle and his parents being tied up was very good and touching, as well.
The end could have been tied up a little bit better, i.e., where was the portal to enter Emily's head? All in all it was entertaining but there could have been a little more to hold my attention in the first half. It was thought-provoking, but they could have done more with the concept instead of focusing on that bizarre love triangle.
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Cute little movie
I just saw this movie for the second time with my 8-year-old daughter and I remembered why we liked it the first time. All these people who say it is bad are too uptight and critical! It is simply an entertaining little movie, it's not supposed to change the world. I thought all the actors did a great job with their characters. (Except for Jeremy Jordan as Guy--he was a maggot who looked seriously in need of soap and shampoo. If HE is supposed to be the hot guy in their school, then they've got slim pickins'.) But I digress--Drew Barrymore was delightful, as usual, and David Arquette was even enjoyable, and I usually can't stomach him, if only because of those STUPID AT&T commercials! Molly Shannon is always entertaining, and Leelee Sobieski did a great job as a tortured brain. Some parts were actually painful to watch, reminding me of high school. Even though I thankfully didn't get made fun of, it made my heart ache for those who do. Movies like this are actually good for children to see--my daughter made several observations about the cruelty of some of the students and how wrong it was. This movie is appropriate for anyone and a good way to while away 2 hours. If there's ever a time you want to see a lighthearted little movie with a happy ending where you don't have to think very much, then this is definitely a consideration.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
If you don't like the show, don't see it!
I am a 36-year-old mother of 2 and I love "South Park", the tv show. I had heard and read a lot about how the movie wasn't as funny because the words weren't bleeped like they are in the show. WRONG! I found this movie utterly hilarious. I laughed practically the whole time I was watching it. I became more disbelieving with every scene that Trey and Matt got away with this stuff! (Bravo for them that they did.) I had the captions on my tv because I always have a hard time understanding Cartman on the show, so I got to understand every word to "Kyle's Mom is a Big Fat B****". I couldn't believe all the stars that were poked fun at! (I was about to die during the Winona Ryder ping-pong ball scene until it showed that she had a paddle.)This movie is so clever--you're laughing even when you know you shouldn't be--such as all the scenes in Hell with Satan and Saddam. I couldn't help but wonder, has anyone told Saddam Hussein about this movie? I would think he would find his portrayal a reason for biological warfare against the US, seeing as how he's such a lunatic. Like I said before, if you don't like the show, you will NOT like the movie. Be warned! But I saw it 5 days ago and I am still walking around my house humming "Shut your f****** face, Uncle f*****". What a catchy tune! I really liked the storyline (if you can call it that) with Kenny floating up to heaven at the end. I actually said, "Awww...". If you're a "South Park" fan, by all means, see this movie.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Much better than I expected!
I went into this movie expecting it to just be a way of killing a couple of hours during a rainy day on vacation at the beach. I was very pleasantly surprised! I thought it was very funny and the references to the 80's were hilarious. I graduated from college in '84 so I could really appreciate it. They had the hair, the clothes, the pop-culture references all down pat. The music was great also! Glenn, Julia's fiance, was a perfect parody of guys I knew in the 80's who were bitten by the "Miami Vice" bug. It was hilarious when the door to his car opened and the theme from "Miami Vice" burst out. He was such a pig, you knew she wouldn't end up with him. Christine Taylor's character, Holly, was a dead ringer for some girls I went to college with also. Her wardrobe was perfect! Drew Barrymore was a doll as Julia and I never thought Adam Sandler could play anything besides a numbskull (although he's funny at that too). They made a very cute couple and I am a sucker for happy endings. I am embarrassed to say the little song he sang to her at the end brought tears to my eyes! All in all, a very enjoyable way to pass time. I think this is Adam Sandler's best effort to date. And a bit of trivia--did anyone notice that the girl who played Linda, the one who left Robbie (Adam) at the altar, was the same girl who played Chloe (the hot chick from the Xerox place, as she was referred to), who Ross slept with when he and Rachel "were on a break" on Friends?
Mystery Men (1999)
Pretty disappointing
I was so looking forward to this movie--with such a great cast, how could it miss? I love Ben Stiller, and I think Janeane Garofalo is the funniest person on the planet. (She was still the funniest person in this movie.) I was woefully disappointed after seeing it, however. It was so silly I found myself embarrassed for the actors. I am not some highbrow person who does not like silly humor--I think "Austin Powers 2" was the funniest movie I've seen in a long time! (I can't believe the person who said this was twice as funny as AP!) It was a great idea that could've been hilarious but fell flat on its face. The lines sounded like something my 8-year-old daughter would write. Ben Stiller, of all people, was the least funny of all with his lame dialogue. This is one of those movies where you think, "Did they actually read the script and think, wow, this is funny!?" Geoffrey Rush was horribly miscast. There were several scenes that were supposed to generate laughs and everyone in the theater just sat there. There were a few funny parts but all in all, I must sadly say I can't recommend this movie. If you must see it, wait for video. One recommendation I can give is that it is totally appropriate for children (if you don't mind the Paul Reubens' character farting all the time, which I don't). There was only one profanity near the end of the movie uttered by Hank Azaria's character and with his faux-British accent it is hardly recognizable. I think children would really get a kick out of it. Unfortunately, I didn't.
Titanic (1997)
Most overrated movie since the invention of film
I cannot believe this movie won the Best Picture Oscar. I could've written a better script. The romance between Rose and Jack was totally unbelievable. We were supposed to believe that she was going to give up her spot in the lifeboat for this guy she met the day before? Please. The only redeeming value was the actual footage of the Titanic underwater. When the movie was over I couldn't have cared less about one person on that flippin' boat. Billy Zane's character was so overdone I kept expecting him to twirl a mustache and laugh maniacally. I saw an afternoon tv movie on Lifetime about Titanic that was better than this.
The Apostle (1997)
Stays with you for a long time
This was one of the best movies I have ever seen. Robert Duvall was robbed of an Oscar by Jack Nicholson (playing the same sour character he always plays). I couldn't get Sonny out of my mind for days after I saw this one. Growing up in the south as a Baptist (which I am sometimes embarrassed about--we are not all bigoted idiots who think Baptists are the only ones going to heaven), I can tell you there really are people that are like Sonny--maybe not to that extreme, but like him nonetheless. Robert Duvall gave the finest performance of his career playing a woefully inadequate christian at war with his feelings and desires versus his commitment to God. I can't believe he actually made me feel sorry for him by the end of the movie! All the supporting characters were wonderful too, especially Miranda Richardson as his love interest. At first I was none too interested in seeing this movie, thinking it would be too "religious"--but don't be deterred by that. It's not. You'll be glad you saw it.
Oz (1997)
You can't watch just one!
I have watched "Oz" from the very first episode and I was immediately hooked.I initially watched it because nothing else was on that night and I had seen all the previews, thinking, "I'll never like this prison show"--and I've been back for every episode since. The acting is magnificent.If you explore the "Oz" website, there are interviews and articles from time to time with real prisoners who have said it is an accurate depiction of prison life. The show has a way of making you actually care about and like these awful criminals and want to know what will happen to them next.(Except for Vern Schillinger--I hope he meets a painful, untimely end.) The transformation of Tobias Beecher, an Ivy League-educated lawyer who was incarcerated for killing a little girl while drunk driving, has been gripping and painful to watch. Sure, it has a lot of profanity, violence, and some sex--but these guys are in a maximum security correctional facility, not nursery school. This show would not be nearly as good on a major network because it would take away all the realism. Do you think any hardened criminal doesn't use profanity? The only drawback to this show is that there are only 8 episodes a season!
The Evening Star (1996)
Better than the original...
I truly enjoyed this movie. I thought it was far better than that overrated, boring mess called "Terms of Endearment". It was funny and tragic at the same time. I couldn't have cared less about the people in the first movie but cared about all these characters. I loved the way Aurora mended her relationships with her grandchildren. I disagree with the person who said Miranda Richardson was miscast. I thought she did an excellent job. Her southern accent was a little exaggerated, but I'm from the south and let me tell you, there has never been an authentic southern accent in any film that I can think of. I despised Shirley MacLaine's character in the original but thought she was much more likeable in this one. The relationship between her and Bill Paxton's character was hilarious. There were some parts that were a little too silly (the fight between Patsy and Aurora on the plane, for one) but all in all it was an enjoyable way to pass 2 hours.
Friends (1994)
Maybe the funniest show ever...
First of all, to all the people who say it isn't realistic, IT'S A TV SHOW! Did you think "Seinfeld" (which I also loved) was in any way realistic? Please. By the way, Monica inherited the apt. from her grandmother, that's how they can afford it. You'd know that if you watched it regularly. She told Joey that on the flashback episode when they first met and he took his clothes off while Monica was making lemonade. I don't understand how anyone could not think this is funny. The British person who said the London episode wasn't funny--are you daft? That was the funniest one ever! It is the most consistently enjoyable show I have ever seen, and believe me, I've watched a lot of tv. All the actors are excellent and it is a true ensemble show--they're all equally important to the show. Even Ross and Monica, who both get on my nerves at times. It is a crime that no one has yet been recognized at Emmy time except Lisa Kudrow. She is wonderful but the others richly deserve some recognition also. I for one will be very distressed when "Friends" goes off the air.
Gone Fishin' (1997)
Purely pathetic
This is in serious contention for the worst movie I have ever seen, along with "Lost Highway" and "Your Friends and Neighbors".I rented it because my 7-year-old daughter wanted to see it, and I thought, this has got to be pretty good with Danny Glover and Joe Pesci in it. My daughter loved it, if that tells you anything. Only a child could like this senseless tripe. I just have one question--what in God's name did Danny and Joe need money that badly for? There's no way they could've read the script and said, "Hey, I've gotta do this movie!" I was embarrassed for them. I am amazed that anyone over the age of 12 could find it remotely amusing.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
One of the finest movies ever made!
I've decided that there are two types of people in this world: people who get "Pulp Fiction", and people who don't. I feel very sorry for the people who don't! This is one of the funniest, most enjoyable two hours I've ever spent in a theater. I went into it halfway expecting not to like it, and I came out a rabid fan. Samuel L. Jackson is the finest actor in film today, and this movie is responsible for putting him on the map. Not to mention jump-starting the career of John Travolta! Sure, there's lots of violence and profanity--but that's what makes the movie! I'm not one of those die-hard Tarantino fans either. (I hated "Reservoir Dogs". Ugh!) My other favorite movie, along with this one, is "When Harry Met Sally"! How's that for diversity? I don't understand how anyone could NOT like this movie. It's been imitated many times since, but when it came out it was very different than anything else that had been done. If you find it hard to follow the first time, watch it again. You'll understand the back-and-forth-in-time concept then. Every performance in it was great--and it has many lines that will be quoted for years to come. I could've done without Ving Rhames' rape scene, but other than that, it was perfect. 5 out of 5 stars!
Natural Born Killers (1994)
Thoroughly ridiculous!
Anyone who compares this movie to "Pulp Fiction" should be shot. Oliver Stone was grabbing at straws trying to achieve shock value with this one. It was just stupid! One of the few movies I have ever rented and cut off before the end. Excuse my language, but it sucked.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
It's no Pulp Fiction...
Yuck! I saw this after I had seen (and absolutely LOVED) "Pulp Fiction", thinking I might enjoy this too. God, was I wrong! It was long, boring, and had barely any of the comic touches that made PF so great. Like many other people have said, I can't to this day hear "Stuck in the Middle With You" without thinking of that hideous ear scene. In PF, you were actually on Vincent's and Jules' sides even though they were criminals killing every other person they came across. Not so here for me! I don't like Michael Madsen to this day in anything else I see him in because I can't get Mr. Blonde out of my head. The scene where they got their names was clever, ("Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?") but other than that, I found no redeeming value in this movie.
Sweet Dreams (1985)
One of the greatest movies ever!
My best friend and I are writing this and this is our FAVORITE movie! We cannot picture Patsy Cline without thinking of Jessica Lange. Her Oscar nomination was very well-deserved. Ed Harris and Ann Wedgeworth should've been recognized too. We could never tire of watching this excellent movie.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Did I see the right movie?
First of all, let me say I DID enjoy this movie. It was very clever, well acted, and quite creepy at times. That said, I don't think I have ever looked so forward to a movie and been so disappointed. I can't believe that this was the movie that everyone has said is the scariest movie ever made, they are still having nightmares, can't walk in the woods in broad daylight, etc. I went expecting to be scared out of my wits. I made my husband go with me, I was so scared beforehand. (I am actually scared quite easily.) There was no need--I could've watched this alone, at midnight. Like I said, I did like the movie. I just don't understand what is supposed to be so terrifying about it. It was a really clever concept and was actually quite enjoyable. And mind you, the things in the trees, the bundles of sticks, and the end (although very ambiguous)were really creepy. But people actually think this is scarier than "The Exorcist"? Please. I will recommend it to my friends but I will tell them not to take a change of underwear. They won't need it.
Disturbing Behavior (1998)
Disturbingly bad!
This is one of the worst movies I've seen in a long time. There were so many bad things about it, I don't know where to start. Katie Holmes' character was SO morose and pouty. No explanation was given for why she was this way! And it bugged me to death that she kept saying "razor". How cheesy! U.V. was a horrible character, he was more like a caricature. I was embarrassed for the poor little guy playing him. Did they really think that voice was believable, with all those little rhymes? There were things that were thrown at the viewer, but it's as if they edited out the reasons for them: i.e., why Steve's brother killed himself; and why the janitor acted like he was mentally challenged. And do they really expect us to believe that Rachel and Steve could just traipse into an asylum, mingle with the patients, and slip out unnoticed? That was ridiculous! Also, no explanation for how Gavin survived that plunge over the cliff, and how he went from being a high school student to being a teacher! This movie is so implausibly bad, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It was also ploddingly slow and boring. The only redeeming value is that James Marsden and Katie Holmes are attractive! (which is certainly not enough to sit through this tripe!)
The Truman Show (1998)
Way overrated
I cannot believe all the hype surrounding this movie. After I saw it, I sat there dumbfounded, thinking, this is what everyone thinks is so great? It was a good idea but so slow and boring with such an anticlimactic ending that I almost fell asleep! And of course Jim Carrey took every opportunity to make stupid faces even in a dramatic role. It was totally unbelievable and took forever to get to the end. I thought it was incredibly silly and would not recommend it to anyone.
Your Friends and Neighbors (1998)
A definite feel-bad movie
This movie is so awful, there aren't even enough words to say why it's so awful. I am not a person who doesn't enjoy arty or profane movies ("Pulp Fiction" is one of my favorites), but this was just dreadful. I couldn't have cared less about one character in the whole flippin' movie. Especially Jason Patric as a flaming misogynist. How did he say that locker-room crap with a straight face? I can't believe I wasted $3.69 at Blockbuster on this drivel. Avoid this at all costs...
Breaking the Waves (1996)
Most depressing movie I've ever seen
Oh, my God, where do I start? This movie seemed about 10 hours long. I thought it would never be over. And while Emily Watson did give a great performance, I would not recommend this movie to anyone. It was painful to watch the mentally challenged character played by Emily get repeatedly crapped upon. And her husband was supposed to love her? It made me sick at my stomach and squirm in my seat to watch this. I never figured out if he was suffering from lack of oxygen to his brain, if he was trying to live vicariously through her, or if he was just a sadist! The scene with the children throwing rocks and the scene where they throw her out of the church are both just heart-wrenching. I felt like I'd been beaten or raped when this movie was FINALLY over. I truly wish I hadn't watched it. 3 (or was it 10?) hours of my life I lost, and kept me upset for a couple of days to boot. Very overrated!
When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
If it were any more true-to-life, it'd be a documentary
This happens to be my favorite movie of all time. It is SO realistic. Almost everyone has been in the position of Harry and Sally at one time or another, and it's true--men and women CAN'T be friends. No matter what anyone says, "the sex thing always gets in the way". This movie probably has more quotable lines than any other. It is just delightful and far above all the other romantic comedies that have come out since it debuted. The whole cast is just great. Carrie Fisher is hilarious! I wish I had a dollar for every time my friends and I have said, "You're right, you're right, I know you're right".Billy Crystal is who Meg Ryan has the most chemistry with, not Tom Hanks!
About Last Night... (1986)
Very realistic
I thought this perfectly showed what some couples go through trying to make a relationship work. Anyone who has ever dated a guy who you felt was always keeping his options open for something better, or if you ever had meddlesome friends try to sabotage your relationship, you need to see this movie. I could actually feel exactly what Demi Moore's character felt on New Year's Eve when Rob Lowe told her "I don't...love you." Heartbreaking! And it was so touching when they showed the montage of scenes after they broke up, with Demi crying with her head in Elizabeth Perkins' lap. Great movie, really makes you think.