aussiejane_ Reviews

Michael (1996)

Worth seeing for Travolta's performance

[7/10 · 7 April 2005]

As an earlier reviewer said, Travolta stole every scene he was in. Recognize the character? It was Vinnie Barberino, all grown up and still a bit sleazy, but still likable, oh yes!

Disappointing were William Hurt and Bob Hoskins, perhaps because their characters were badly written, or they just didn't care. I kept seeing one of the Baldwins (never can remember which) in the Hurt role so Hurt's incredible talents weren't wasted.

Andie McDowell is a sweetie, but not very believable; partly the writing. Character development just wasn't a big thing in this film. Just watch it for Travolta, sit back and enjoy.

Trial by Media (2000 TV Movie)

Remember next time this happens

[8/10 · 7 October 2003]

The writer was quite kind to the media; they are usually much, much worse. The film did portray well the horrid things that can happen when the media go to work. Excellent acting by nearly all involved. It's a morality play -- about the nasty media, not about the poor nominee who lost her jury duty notice!

Chicago (2002)

Incredible tribute to Bob Fosse et al

[10/10 · 1 March 2003]

Sterling cast, incredible choreography. The directing was

amazing; this cast was as perfect as you could get. John C Reilly

deserves special mention -- "Cellophane Man" was wonderful. I

had just rented the god-awful "Mr T & the Women" and had nearly

given up on my favorite Richard Gere; no more -- he was his old

wonderful self. Welcome back, Mr Gere! Once again Z-J proved

she could act. Hope Zellwegger gets that Oscar, altho down here

everything thinks it will go to Kidman. Loved the segues in and out

of the performing and actual scenes. Fosse would have loved it

all.

Undercover Blues (1993)

Stanley Tucci, scene stealer!

[9/10 · 24 February 2001]

Much as I love Quaid and Turner, I rented this movie because of

Tucci. I first saw him as evil personified in "Murder One" on TV,

and thought he was a great actor. Even then, you knew he had a

sense of humor, but till Undercover Blues, you didn't know how

funny he was. I've not laughed this hard since "Blazing Saddles".

This movie was such fun; the chemistry among the Blues, the

cops and especially Tucci was so great. Only he could have

carried off the "shoot myself in the foot" cliche -- and many others --

and make it, well, not believable, but fun to accept. Deserves

much higher than 5.3. Give me this type of movie any day over

Terminator, etc.

I'll Do Anything (1994)

Nick Nolte and THAT KID are terrific!

[8/10 · 1 November 2000]

Although I found the movie a bit frenetic, it seemed to have a ring of truth about how things work in Hollywood (especially the "Would you sleep with him?" scene). Nick Nolte keeps everything going, as usual, with his marvelous acting. Is there any other "big guy" actor who can cry believably (well, maybe Harrison Ford)? He was just terrific, so believable as the father who didn't know what to do with his spoiled brat daughter. And wasn't Whittni Wright amazing? I can only hope that was acting, as I've seen plenty of kids just like her. The supporting cast was terrific. It was hard to pinpoint what there was about this movie that made it not quite so good as it could have been. Perhaps it was that it really was an "in-house" film, one that anyone who has been through what the various characters have could identify with, but perhaps not us out in the hinterlands (coming from Wyoming to Australia, I'm definitely hinterland!). Kudos to actors and director for keeping this film together. With lesser talent, it could have fallen flat on its face.

Independence Day (1996)

Was this a satire of SFs?

[7/10 · 7 August 2000]

The thing I liked best about this film was that the actors seemed to be having such a great time. Jeff Goldblum was much too intelligent to take himself seriously, although I was delighted if he was indeed using a Mac to get the bad guys. Bill Pullman seemed to have a tiny smile throughout the film that said, "Don't take me seriously folks; I'm having a ball!" And Will Smith was just being himself. If you don't take the movie any more seriously than the actors (most of whom are very good at what they've done in the past), you could indeed leave your brain at the door and still enjoy it. I like to think of this as satire of SF; then all the silly, unbelievable stuff comes together.

Hope Floats (1998)

Watch other Sandra Bullock movies; this isn't her best.

[2/10 · 31 May 2000]

As a Bullock/Connuck/Rowlands fan, I felt let down. There were some scenes that were legitimate with the daughter -- especially if you'd been in the same situation. Bernice obviously idolized her father; in a divorce situation, the last scene with her father could have happened. But the tantrum is for kids younger than her. Mae Whitman was a bit irritating, but at her age, is this her fault? Seems to me the directing must be blamed. They needed Jonathan Kellerman as a technical consultant for the film.

Part of the problem was the delightful Travis; I'm not sure what he was supposed to be doing -- didn't matter, he simply stole every scene he was in, and only Connuck didn't seem to mind.

Hope Floats' primary fault, however, was the editing: choppy and very difficult to follow. It was as if they'd taken the clips left on the cutting room floor from the really good Bullock movies and made a new film of them. We were left shaking our heads; we'll avoid this one in the future, and re-watch other Bullock movies. Strange to say, I preferred Connuck in Copycat. He was just a bit TOO pleasant and corny, even for a small town. It was a relief to know that the three major actors in this film are very talented, and have proven it in the past.