pshukis Reviews

Vanilla Sky (2001)

Not bad...

[24 May 2002]

I thought Mulholland Dr. was better, more clever, more thought-inducing. Cameron really just hands you the key to the film at the end of the movie, so i don't understand why everyone was "discussing" this film long after it was over. Lynch's offering was much more convoluted, and while i think i am similarly comfortable with knowing what actually happened and what was dreamlike or supposition, i had to work harder to figure out Mulholland. So i respect it more.

Looking back, i should have seen Abre first, and maybe i'd have a better respect for the story. But as it stands: i love Crowe and this was a cool movie. But too watered down.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The tide has turned??

[8/10 · 19 December 2001]

Where were all these negative reviews when i bought my ticket?? :) Honestly, it was a fine adaptation, on par or slightly above your average great-book-turned-good-movie-but-not-quite-enough film. Let's be honest-- we expected too much and got suckered juuuuuust a bit. That being said, i enjoyed the movie. Beginning was slow, Bilbo was by far the best actor in the movie, his scenes were the best. The Balrog scene and the proceeding scene were absolutely stunning. The rest was really good. My big gripe?

**** SPOILER ****

i invest 3 hours of my life into this movie, come to terms with its minor flaws, and what line do the three hunters leave me on?? i believe it was aragorn saying... wait for it... "LET'S HUNT SOME ORC!!" I mean JESUS!!! Did they hire the screenwriter from Rambo just for that line?? ruined the movie for me and left the bad taste in my mouth that prompted this negatively leaning review.

**** END SPOILER ****

I still liked the movie. Love John Rhys Davies, love Hugo Weaving, love Cate Blanchette, LOVE Sir Ian McKellen. All in all didn't mind the Arwen thing. I guess that's it... oh, Samwise. Fantastic. that was the one character i was NOT looking forward to. (Mikey from the Goonies?? in LOTR?!?? please...) Sean was really great. I guess that wraps it up.

We've Never Been Licked (1943)

What movie were you watching??

[1/10 · 9 July 2001]

I thought it was horrible and Robert Mitchum fans should avoid it like the plague in order to hold any long-term respect for the man's talent. He was wasted in this movie, but then again, he didn't exactly do anything with his part either.

That being said, it's funny if you're an Aggie. I'd give it a 5 as an Aggie, but i gave it a 1 as a movie afficiana... aficcinad... afficcinna... er... movie buff. ;)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

This year's 3 best...

[9/10 · 31 January 2001]

So far this year, the only thing better than this movie is this movie's soundtrack. I take that back-- the only thing better than the soundtrack would be 30 minutes alone with all 3 sirens. I shall say no more...

Shogun (1980 TV Movie)

Not very good if you've seen the miniseries.

[8/10 · 31 January 2001]

Basically, trying to fit a Clavell epic into a 2-hour movie is like trying to fit the entire Sears catalog into a single 30-second ad. While the miniseries is a masterful adaptation, covering all of the essential plotlines and perhaps even adding to the understanding for Mariko's and Blackthorne's relationship, the 2-hour cut is piece-meal and poorly edited. in short, it doesn't make sense, and it doesn't do justice to Clavel's greatest epic.

It is also a great read, by the way.