mjmdl Reviews

Man of Steel (2013)

Yes it had Super Casting... A Super Story... and Super Special Effects

[9/10 · 13 June 2013]

My husband and I were very happy we went to see the new movie MAN OF STEEL. The story was fresh and interesting because it was about his home planet, getting sent here, and his role on earth so before he took on the "Clark Kent" identity of hiding under people's noses working at a newspaper like in previous movies. The special effects were many and fantastic and really worth seeing on a big, big screen. I loved Henry Cavill as Superman. He brought something special to the role just as Christopher Reeves did years ago in his version. Cavill was so believable, he was superman. I liked the actor playing the younger Superman. All the casting was right on and added so much to the movie. Russell Crowe as Superman's powerful father from their home world. Michael Shannon and Antje Traue playing it just right as villains who were not over the top weird as sometimes comic villains can be. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as a Kansas farming couple raising Superman and coping with his powers and differences. Amy Adams as a questioning but honorable Lois Lane. Christopher Meloni as tough military.

It had something for everyone so go enjoy it.

The Last Airbender (2010)

Stop comparing and just enjoy this film

[8/10 · 24 January 2011]

Points for the actors, visual effects, storyline,and adventure. I do not understand the bashing of this movie. I liked it enough to watch it twice. M. Night Shyamalan did a good job as far as I am concerned. I went into it not knowing anything about what it was based on if that makes a difference. I didn't mind that it wasn't full of top stars. I liked the portrayed characters and wanted to follow along with how the story would turn out for them. The action was good. The visual effects were done well and looked great. The fantasy story was thoughtful. It seemed like a blend of "Star Wars" meets "The Golden Child" kind of movie to me.

The Mentalist (2008–2015)

Enjoyable Crime Solver

[10/10 · 20 January 2009]

I really like the show and it's actors. It stars a man who had a career acting as a psychic who was just pretending for the money. He made the mistake of catching the attention of a serial killer who retaliated by killing his family. He recovered from a breakdown and now works as a consultant to help the bureau catch the "bad guy" by using those same intuitive, observant skills and really listening to what people do and don't say. Simon Baker plays quite a multifaceted character that goes from playful to serious, whichever is called for and does it very well. The Mentalist has a good blend of being neither too dark like Criminal Minds or too lightweight like Psych, shows which I also watch.

Bangkok Dangerous (2008)

Very Good Action Drama Film

[8/10 · 20 January 2009]

I just saw the movie today on DVD and liked it. If you enjoy action crime dramas somewhat like Mr. Murder, Man On Fire or even Vantage Point ...I think you would like it. It was filmed well with the action scenes good. The movie was well acted by those in it. Nicolas Cage looked worn out but his character was a hit-man who explains in the beginning narrative, "If you even think it may be time to get out, then it's time to get out. I became involved with the characters and wanted to see what would happen to them. As for saying it was predictable, it was a realistic film not an over the top comic book or James Bond character so you watched and waited to see what choices he made. I didn't care for the ending so I am glad I watched the alternate ending which was the way it should have ended, in my opinion.

The Happening (2008)

Don't watch all the previews or You see too much

[5/10 · 17 June 2008]

I'm a fan of his movies. The Sixth Sense was one of my all time favorite films and I liked Unbreakable, greatly liked Signs, The Village was good and the Lady in the Water was watchable but I have to say that The Happening was ruined by my seeing all the previews put out ahead of it. Too much of the film is given away. I like Mark Whalberg in tough guy roles but not cast in this movie. A sensitive family guy type would have been a better choice. Zooey cast as his wife was also wrong for me because I think of her in upbeat comedy and/or romance and not the sorrowful, bewildered wife character that this movie called for. The "Happening" is explained and believable but I think because we are expecting something much more complex... simple gives rise to the other reviewers saying they stopped taking the film seriously.

Next time I'd say get the right actors to portray the right mood and keep the highlights from all the advertising.

An American Haunting (2005)

spooky and well acted

[7/10 · 7 December 2006]

I saw this movie because the trailer made it look like a good mystery ghost story. It isn't a horror movie. I knew nothing of the "Bell Witch" so maybe that is why I really liked it. I was caught up in the family's agony of loosing control of their lives and how they could handle what was happening to them and why.

The story begins with a present day woman writer looking into the writings of a man who went through the ordeal with the family. She even had the heroine's doll (which I felt gave her the tie to her). We learn that after a bad business dealing with a local woman, a spirit began to enter the family's home and torment the heroine of the story and later her father. Others watched helplessly, able to do nothing. They tried finding ways to stop it but the spirit grew worse and worse.

The reason behind the "haunting" is explained and how it came about and why it stopped. We then go back to the present day woman writer and realize her connection to the spirit. I thought it was very well acted and a quality film worth watching.

Alien vs. Predator (2004)

True to the films

[9/10 · 22 August 2004]

I enjoyed the movie greatly as a fan of the earlier Predator and Alien films. Predators have to prove themselves as worthy warriors and what better way than using Aliens to do it. Needing humans to host the aliens, they manage to bring a team of humans there to let the hunt begin. It was good having Lance Hendrickson brought back and the rest of the cast be unknowns. I thought the plot was just fine having today's humans mess things up for the Predators so that it took a combined effort against the Aliens. It could have gotten to the "fighting" a bit sooner and maybe more of it, but other than that, I really liked the movie. I judge a film by it's ability to keep me interested and if I'm still thinking of it days after seeing it. I worked for me.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Arnold Still Has What It Takes

[8/10 · 7 July 2003]

In T3 the machines of the future want to wipe out the future resistance leader and his top people so they send a newer, even better terminator back in time. She was so undefeatable that I didn't know how they would survive the confrontations so it was different from T2 for that reason. I liked the movie and thought it was true to the series. Arnold looked great. Bringing the doctor back was a fun idea and I would have liked seeing Linda Hamilton in her role again. My only complaint was the John Connor character. He was portrayed as a weak hero. 7* out of 10*

The Others (2001)

For Hitchcock Fans

[11 August 2001]

With excellent actors, creepy chills, a dark atmosphere and spooky characters, it was an enjoyable ghost movie. It's not for everyone because it was slow paced without enough "happenings" to keep you distracted so you wouldn't figure out the ending before it plays out. If you are a Hitchcock fan I think you would enjoy the film. 6/10

Bait (2000)

Enjoyable

[8/10 · 17 February 2001]

I liked this movie. When the guy who was in on a bank heist of $40 million in gold dies, his cell mate is used as "Bait" to lead them to the high-tech crazy killer partner (by having a monitoring device implanted in his jaw without his knowledge). It's an action, spy type film with enough comical scenes to keep it light. It reminded me of Enemy Of The State. Well acted and good enough plot.

Sacrifice (2000 TV Movie)

Good Flick

[6/10 · 17 February 2001]

I've always enjoyed the characters portrayed by Michael Madsen; he's a great actor to watch. After being involved in a bank heist gone wrong, he escapes the law to find his daughter's serial killer in a small, corrupt town. With more deaths, they are able to find a connection which leads them to the killer. The plot's been done before but it's a good enough movie to watch.

Convergence (1999)

Is That All There Is ?

[5 January 2001]

This movie was really bad and a complete waste of great actor's talents. The plot was too simple and I couldn't stand how choppy and poorly made the film was. I've seen much better on the Science Fiction television show "Outer Limits".

La Femme Nikita (1997–2001)

Thank You USA Network!

[5 January 2001]

Great Show. I have followed the show from the very start and it remains my favorite (along with Fox's X-Files). It has a great cast, hi-tech toys, suspense, and interesting plots that give more entertainment than some big screen flicks. Year 2000 of the show did give more attention to the main characters finding life inside section being intolerable and less about the life or death missions they were being sent on but I think it's great to have a show wrap itself up instead of being on one week and cancelled the next.

Highlander: Endgame (2000)

Well Enough

[4/10 · 8 September 2000]

I liked Endgame. I would have enjoyed a more upbeat ending. I've seen the previous Highlander movies and the series. You can follow the movie even if you haven't seen the others. The flashbacks in time were not confusing. They were done to show the past relationships of the characters. I'd say more time showing viewers the lives of the immortals (instead of just the conflict between Conner & Duncan against Kell) would have made a better movie for most viewers.