druryd Reviews

The Terminator (1984)

One Of The Best Sci-Fi Films Ever.

[9/10 · 3 October 2003]

The Terminator is one of the best Science Fiction films ever made. Although the plot is somewhat simplistic, the non-stop action and excellent performances more than make up for the thin plot. One of Arnold's best performances (due to the lack of dialogue). Highly recommended for Sci-Fi fans. My rating 8.8 on a scale of 10.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

One of The Top Ten Overrated Movies Of All Time

[6/10 · 2 October 2003]

Silence Of The Lambs is an average movie that has been hyped to classic status. The superb performance by Anthony Hopkins is the only saving grace of this film. Jodie Foster is terrible as usual, she has to be one of the worst actress of our time. The biggest problem with the film is the absurd premise that a FBI student (She is not an agent) would be left alone to handle an investigation of this magnitude. Sorry but that just isn't going to happen. This movie is worth one viewing for Hopkins performance and that's it. It shouldn't even rate in the top 500 movies of all time. 5.4 on a scale of 10.

The French Connection (1971)

Highly Over-rated

[6/10 · 30 September 2003]

This film was an average crime drama, how it rates in the top 250 is beyond me. It does have great performances by Hackman and Schieder, but the plot is much to simple and the ending anti-climatic. The much vaunted car chase can't hold a candle to the car chase in Bullit. Worth seeing, but not one of the top 250 films of all time.

Road to Perdition (2002)

So So Gangster Film

[8/10 · 16 March 2003]

I continue to be amazed at the movies that are in the IMBD top 250. It would be difficult for me to put this movie in the top 500. It is not a bad movie, just not great. Very slow pace and I found it difficult to connect with or care for any of the characters. Nice cinematography and the performances were good, but there is nothing that demands multiple viewings of this movie and that is not the mark of a true classic. Check this one out only if you have nothing better to do.

Traffic (2000)

Very Over-rated!

[7/10 · 4 March 2003]

How this movie makes it into the top 250 of all time is beyond me. I rate movies by two simple criteria 1. Does it entertain, emotional move or affect me in anyway? 2. Does it demand multiple viewings (i.e. can I watch it say once a year and still enjoy it) Traffic fails on both of these, I don't care about any of the characters in the movie, it doesn't entertain me or move me and I have viewed it twice now and don't care if I ever see it again. Don't waste your time on this one, unless you have nothing better to do. 4/10

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Excellent Movie!!

[9/10 · 3 March 2003]

In the Heat of the Night is an excellent movie. The performances by Stieger and Poitier are outstanding. I see several reviewers complain about the mystery being weak and it is somewhat, but it is not the focus of this film. The relationship that develops between Tibbs(Poitier) and Gillespie(Stieger) is the true focus of this film. Their brilliant performances are what make this movie a classic, not the murder mystery plot. I highly recommend this film, just don't go into it expecting some wonderful who-done-it type of plot. Enjoy the wonderful dialogue and banter that is bounced back and forth between Poitier and Stieger.

Ben-Hur (1959)

Spectacular!!

[10/10 · 28 February 2003]

Well they certainly don't make movies like this anymore(unfortunately) Great performances all around. Great Action sequences and a moving story all add up to a classic. There are a few slow parts and it may be a bit too long, but you know its a great movie when you have to nitpick to find something wrong. Why can't hollywood produce movies like this anymore? Instead we get pure trash, 98% of what comes out of hollywood today is junk. Do yourself a favor and check this film out, I highly recommend it.

Hard Times (1975)

Excellent Depression Era Movie

[9/10 · 10 February 2003]

I don't know why this movie is rated 6.6, this is a fantastic movie. Superb performances from Bronson, Coburn and Martin. Great setting and fantastic action scenes. The only low in this movie is the relationship of Bronson's character and Ireland's. It just never really seems to click or catch my interest, it certainly could have been left out and probably made the film even better. If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. 9 out of 10.

Breakdown (I) (1997)

Great Action-Thriller!

[8/10 · 5 February 2003]

I'm a little disappointed to see this film has a 6.4 rating. I gave this film an 8. The film has great performances by all actors and does a great job of building suspense and tension throughout the film. I disagree with a previous reviewer who said the stunts were to over-the-top. I found them exactly the opposite, all every realistic and actions that I could perform myself if the situation called for it(yes including the semi stunt). Breakdown sets itself apart from other action movies of this time period, because Kurt Russell's character is an average Joe, not some one-man-army. He is nervous, distraught and scared throughout the movie. Some of the weaker points of the movie are when his wife accepts the ride alone (I would never separate from my wife in that situation, but I'm sure there are some people that wouldn't give it a second thought). The other weakness is the ending, here is where the movie does fall into the same mold as most action movies. It would have been much better to resolve the conflict at the farm and left out the chase and bridge scenes. Still Breakdown is a very good movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Jurassic Park (1993)

A Very Good Movie, That Could Have Been Even Better!

[8/10 · 12 December 2002]

Jurassic Park is a very good movie, but it could have been even better. Very Good performances, amazing special effects and a decent plot. So how do I think this movie could have been better, First I believe the addition of the grandchildren characters hurts rather than helps the film, but the real let down for me is the ending. For the T-Rex to save the day at the end is absolutely ridiculous. The T-Rex shows up at just the right time how convenient, why would it even be there or enter the building? Where was the opening for it to get in? Why would it attack the raptors instead of the people? Why would the second raptor attack the T-Rex instead of fleeing? All very unlikely and really brings the whole movie down a notch for me. It would have been much better ending if the Game Warden had survived and came in and blasted the raptors. I'm sure Spielberg just wanted to give us one more scene with the T-rex but it would have been better to have it either chase the vehicle as they are driving the to the heli-pad or actually try and grab the helicopter. With that all said, it is still a very good movie which I highly recommened.

The Sound of Music (1965)

A Classic Masterpiece

[9/10 · 30 November 2002]

The Sound of Music is one of the best movies of all time. Great music, great performances, spectacular scenery (The scenery is reason enough to watch this movie). They don't make them like this anymore. Highly recommended for the whole family.

The Santa Clause (1994)

Best Holiday Movie in Years

[8/10 · 29 November 2002]

The Santa Clause is one of the best holiday movies to be made in years, perhaps even decades. Funny, Touching and heart warming, outstanding performances by Tim Allen and Judge Reinhold. Highly recommended family holiday viewing.

Batman Returns (1992)

Worse Than I Remembered

[5/10 · 27 November 2002]

I bought this movie on DVD recently and this is the first time I have viewed it since originally seeing it in the theater. All I can say is it is much worse than I remembered. Once again as in the original Batman movie, the villains are the star and not Batman. We get no new character development of Batman, no look into his motivations, psyche or past. The character of the Penguin is bad enough, but the origin of Catwoman is absolutely absurd. Let's see if you are pushed out of a window and fall to what surely would be your death and then a mob of cats gathers around you, you will wake up a world class gymnast, an expert at martial arts and a master with a whip. You can also survive being shot 3 or 4 times at point blank range and survive and electric shock strong enough to fry someone else, heck if you get all this, push me out the window right now! Save your money and your time and avoid this turkey and the following installments of the series, because it only gets worse. One tip to Warner Brothers, whom I still assume own the rights to Batman. How about a Batman movie, about Batman

Batman (1989)

Best Of the Batman Movies.

[7/10 · 27 November 2002]

This is by far the best of the Batman movies. Good Performances by Keaton and Nicholson. Keaton is great as Batman, but I'm sorry he just doesn't fit the role of Bruce Wayne. Unfortunately this movie begins to fall apart about half way through and suffers from what I believe is the downfall of all the other Batman movies, that is the movie is more about the villain than Batman. All the Batman movies became a showcase for big name stars to strut their stuff as the villain and we never really get any character development of Bruce Wayne/Batman or to delve into his psyche, motivation and past. If Warner Brothers had handle this right they could have had an ongoing series of Batman movies, like the James Bond series.

Reign of Fire (2002)

Excellent Fantasy/Sci-Fi movie

[7/10 · 23 November 2002]

Reign of Fire is an excellent movie, with great performances and special effects and none of the plot holes previous reviewers are complaining about. A previous reviewer posed multiple questions all of which are answered in the movie. Some of his questions I'll answer here ***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***. Where do the Americans get their weapons, vehicles and ammunition, but mostly the fuel for their engines? The Americans were a National Guard Unit from Kentucky which explains the weapons, vehicles and ammunition and Van Zan explains they also had fuel, but lost most of it. Why did they leave America? Because of their theory of the single male dragon and they knew the appearance of the dragons began in London. How did they get here? Van Zan explains they repaired a National Guard transport plane and flew to Europe. What do they live on? Same as any military force K-rations. Why do they want to go to London? Again to kill the male dragon. Why do they and the dragon come back to the castle? This is also explained in the movie, Quinn tells Van Zan the last group that attacked the male dragon was destroyed and the dragon tracked/traced them back to their base and destroyed it also. When Van Zan army is wiped out, he realizes the dragon will continue on to the castle and he heads back to help. I highly recommend this movie despite all the negative reviews, but you must pay close attention or view it a second time.

Old Yeller (1957)

A Disney Classic

[8/10 · 20 November 2002]

Old Yeller is one of Disney's Best. Superb performances all around, a very touching (especially for dog lovers, it might even be to painful for some i.e. my wife) with a very heart-wrenching ending. They don't make them like this any more. If you enjoyed Old Yeller, may I recommend you give The Yearling a try. Which is even better (if possible) than Old Yeller.

The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Vastly Under-rated Disney Classic

[7/10 · 20 October 2002]

This is without a doubt one of Disney's most under appreciated classics. Great animation, fantastic voice acting and lovable characters and before all the PC nonsense that bogs down most newer Disney productions. This is Disney at its best, much better than the likes of Hunchback, Tarzan, Pochonatas, Hercules, Aladdin etc. If you haven't seen this one, give it a try, you'll be in for a pleasant surprise!

Mr. Deeds (2002)

Few Laughs

[7/10 · 5 August 2002]

More typical Adam Sandler fare, there are a few laughs, but not many. Sandler's lack of acting skills are really apparent in this movie. The dramatic scenes are bad. Do yourself a favor and watch the original "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town". Not meant to be as much of a comedy as this, but a much, much better movie. See what a real actor does with this role, Gary Cooper gives a fantastic performance as Longfellow Deeds.

The Godfather (1972)

Decent movie, but greatly overrated

[7/10 · 10 March 2002]

I just recently viewed the Godfather and while I find it an enjoyable movie, there is no way it deserves the #1 rank in the top 250 movies of all time. The plot is not that involved and the movie is a bit to long and drags in several scenes. I found myself wondering when it was going to end and that is not the sign of a great movie.