joesgrille Reviews

The Magicians (2015–2020)

So Disappointing- I wanted to love it!

[3/10 · 3 January 2019]

Concept is like a Harry Potter for entitled, brooding college students. Some cool story ideas like the episode where main character was in the Insane Asylum, but it can't help tripping over itself. The writing is obvious and at many times insultingly cliched. I don't know the books so was judging this entirely on its own. I am giving up after making it painfully through seven episodes. What a waste of magic.

Once (I) (2007)

Simple Film, better as a short.

[5/10 · 13 August 2007]

I went to the theater on a recommendation from a friend with my musician boyfriend. As we were waiting in line to get, the people exiting were smiling and laughing, an indication of a good movie.

The storyline was sweet and simple and the hoover stuff was great, but all in all I wasn't that interested. Could be because I live the life that is was representing. Could be because of all the hype. Could be because I am conditioned to want more than one idea presented in a feature length film.

My boyfriend wanted to leave in the middle, but I wanted to get to the part the made the audience smile and laugh as they were leaving and I knew I could not sit through the first half again to get to the end. After sitting through the movie, it would have been no loss to leave in the middle. This is a nice movie, but should have been capped at 30 minutes.

The only explanation that I can come up with for the success of Once is that people are hungry. They are sick of Ocean's 20 and Spiderman 10 and want something from the heart, even if it is a little drony with OK music.

Equilibrium (2002)

good looking movie, but has many holes in plot

[6/10 · 13 July 2004]

Some spoilers. Concept is flawed. You don't buy that all those macho men with guns don't have feelings from the beginning. there are lots of feelings flying around throughout the movie. Very inconsistent with how long it takes them to discover feelings and how they know about the feelings .how does the underground know what he's feeling and the police people do not. Why doesn't his new partner turn him in. too many holes. little heavy handed. too matrixy with the clothes and christian bale with slicked back hair. Filming/lighting/prod. design all very nice. music annoyed me. too much of the same. heavy handed as well. basically movie tries too hard on screen. They should have spent more time developing concept.

Joe's Rotten World (1995)

Wonderful, intelligent indie film

[8/10 · 9 December 2003]

I saw this at the original slamdance in 1995. It was one of my favorites from the festival. It was intelligent, funny and original. Worth checking out if you can find a copy.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

I want to like it, but no go

[19 November 2003]

I heard some many wonderful things about this movie, but it just didn't hit me. PT Anderson and I see the world through different eyes. This film felt forced, like it was trying too hard to be something unique and quirky. I LOVED the whole pudding thing, but I just couldn't get into the pacing of the film. I also am not fond of the camera work in general, though there are some well thought out and beautiful back lit shots. There were wonderful moments that make it worth watching, but Iwouldn't want to see it again. 6/10

The Last Days (1998)

Important and Powerful Film

[15 November 2003]

My life changed after my visit to Auschwitz . I had been to Dachau in college, but it didn't affect me the way Auschwitz/ Birkenau had. Perhaps because most of it had been leveled or it could have been the 2 American soldiers who kept trying to video tape me (sigh). For anyone who has any interest in the Holocaust, a trip to Auschwitz with the guided tour is essential.

The movie did an excellent job of weaving together five survivors stories. On the DVD that we got from Netflix, the music was uncomfortably loud to the point of not being able to hear what the survivors were saying. Hopefully, this is just a bum copy and in other screenings the music does not overpower the talking.

I applaud the folks who made this film and especially the survivors who were able to share such deep emotion even in front of a film crew.

Thank you.

Ghosts (1996)

great dancing but predictable plot and shots

[3 November 2002]

I am a fan of Thiller even more now than when it originally aired. I stumbled upon this film, Ghosts, on VH1 by accident. I was disappointed. It could have used more of Stephen King's story telling abilities. The direction has created a fairly boring storyline out of what could have been an interesting narrative with

amazing dancing. There were some interesting elements. I too liked the

skeleton, but the over-abundance of pretty much the same "crowd" reaction shot and the lack of interesting directorial ideas take away from the great special effects and the wonderful dancing. A better director would have made this a

piece that could stand on its own merit, rather than just the marquee of Jackson.

The Sweetest Thing (2002)

Horrible Horrible Movie

[1/10 · 26 October 2002]

Was incredibly disappointed. Looks like Cameron Diaz will do anything, no matter how stupid, in an attempt to recreate the runaway, quirky successful of Something About Mary. If you like stupid movies in bad taste with little to no plot, bad dialogue and no need for any acting whatsoever, then this is the movie for you.

The Alternate (2000)

good concept turned into a bad movie

[1/10 · 15 October 2002]

The original concept, the president sanctioning his own kidnapping to help his popularity, is always an intriguing one. Unfortunately, then finding out that the President didn't authorize anything and that it is the Cia and then not really the CIA and that Eric Roberts is some anti gravity, bullet dodging hero ends any

integrity the movie started out with. Find something else to watch or watch the grass grow. It will provide more entertainment.

Nowheresville (1998)

Good try, but didn't make it

[5/10 · 9 October 2002]

There are some good lines and some good scenes, but overall the movie the script is mediocre and the movie doesn't hold interest. The direction tends toward overacting and kind of a flat hysteria. Like a Hal Hartley movie without the depth.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

I loved this movie!

[9/10 · 11 May 2002]

Steven Soderbergh is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite directors. The versatility he shows from Sex, Lies through Traffic is mind blowing; he is able to leap tall building and switch genres in a single bound. Ocean's has tremendous acting, clever dialogue, subtle twists and great pacing. It is brilliant, fun and a film that any filmmaker would be proud to have created.

Stealing Beauty (1996)

a European movie-lovely

[8/10 · 24 March 2002]

While this is not my favorite Bertolucci film, Stealing Beauty left me inspired and contented. Bertolucci's brush strokes are wide, yet meticulously placed, leading us down a sensual and beautiful path of discovery. He packs a lot of plot into a week of story and two hours of film, but it is believable because many extraordinary things can happen in a short time frame when one travels abroad. Liv Tyler did well, reminding me of my teenage years, yearning yet still undecided. This movie has one of the best (sexy!) loss of virginity scenes in recent memory.