janegrey Reviews

Forces of Nature (1999)

It Didn't Happen One Night

[5/10 · 23 February 2003]

The award winning Clark Gable/Claudette Colbert film seems to have been the inspiration for this film. The "Forces" filmakers should have paid more attention. While the movie had its good moments, it leaves the viewer unsatisfied and has a particularly weak ending. Sandra Bullock is particularly engaging, though co-star Ben Affleck gives an uninspired performance. The charismatic Steve Zahn is underused. Final verdict: 5. For Sandra Bullock fans only. "Forces of Nature" is way better than "Hope Floats" but falls far short of the delightful "While You Were Sleeping".

Mansfield Park (1999)

Misguided Adaptation

[2/10 · 3 November 2002]

For anyone who is a true Jane Austen fan, this is a terrible adaptation. It looks good, but the character of Fanny has been totally rewritten to appeal to the modern woman's idea of a good heroine. This film's Fanny is feisty and challenging. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! In Austen's novel, Fanny is true to herself, but is a quiet fearful person who dreads change. While this may not be an interesting focal point for today's audience, the character's immobility is intentional. Fanny represents England at a time of great uncertainty. Internally, the monarchy had been compromised by years of George III's insanity and his sons' frivolity. Externally, the Napoleonic wars were threatening Europe. England, like Fanny, was searching for stability and familiarity in a changing world. This film totally undermines its source.

If you watch this movie, enjoy the costumes and the scenery. Don't be fooled into thinking, however, that this production has anything to do with Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park". There ought to be a disclaimer on the box warning viewers that this is "an adaptation loosely based on 'Mansfield Park'". This version does Jane no credit.

Legion of Fire: Killer Ants! (1998 TV Movie)

Hey GACK, It's Back!

[5 October 2002]

As Matt-183 already mentioned, this one is a stinker. It recently resurfaced on the Sci-Fi channel under its alternate title, "Marabunta". An Ant Movie by any other name still stinks as bad. The dialogue is awful and the plot is preposterous. In the opening scene, a helicopter flies into town passing the new dam construction project, as well as a supposedly inactive volcano. You'd think that this alone would give the town of Burly Pines entry into the disaster movie category. Bypassing the obvious, the good citizens instead opt to import South American killer ants. It just gets dumber and dumber.

If you're looking for a campy bug attack movie, try the William Shatner gem, "Kingdom of the Spiders" instead.

Pride and Prejudice (1980)

By far the best film version!

[10/10 · 12 August 2002]

This 1979 production of "Pride and Prejudice" is perfect in every detail. The casting and settings are flawless and so true to what the author intended. Not only are the main characters wonderful, but every minor character is beautifully depicted as well. Judy Parfitt as Lady Catherine de Bourgh is especially delightful. The movie captured the subtle humour and human touches that make this story a classic. You may never laugh out loud, but you'll find yourself smiling through the whole thing.

For those who groan at the thought of sitting through an English costume drama - give it ten minutes and you'll be hooked. The language is easy to follow and the plot is straightforward. This production of "Pride and Prejudice" is not unlike a 19th century "Sixteen Candles".

Jim Breuer: Hardcore (2002 TV Special)

Keeps getting better as the hour progresses

[8/10 · 27 July 2002]

I remembered Jim Breuer from SNL and figured "Hardcore" was going to be an hour of meandering pothead humour. I'm glad to say I misjudged a very funny man. The routines kept getting better until I was actually laughing out loud. The final AC/DC "Hokey Pokey" number is a hoot! Jim Breuer's imitations are dead-on and the delivery is very natural. "Hardcore" is an hour spent with that friend of yours who's so good he should try stand-up.

A Very Brady Sequel (1996)

Bravo! Johnny Bravo!

[7/10 · 23 May 2002]

Although both Brady movies are entertaining, the sequel is easily the better of the two. The plot works in a lot of things from the old tv show that are fun to spot. It's fun to poke fun at the Bradys, yet there's a sort of sweetness to the family unity thing too. The talented Gary Cole is uncanny as Mike Brady. This is a fun, lightweight film.

A Room with a View (1985)

Favorite Movie, Ever

[10/10 · 23 May 2002]

Everything about this movie is fantastic. The film looks wonderful and captures the feel of the era with its look. Every character is beautifully defined and acted, no matter how small the part. This is a thoroughly enjoyable movie.

Though this is not a laugh-out-loud picture, it had me smiling the whole time. Even a person who does not seek out costume dramas could appreciate this film. For those of us who love costume epics, this one is divine. It is an excellent telling of the E.M. Forster tale and a classic in it's own right.

Frequency (2000)

Suspense, murder, time travel, AND heartwarming drama

[10/10 · 10 May 2002]

How to describe this movie to do it justice and not give away all the details... A disenchanted son talks with his father over the distance of thirty years. Together, they communicate across time to stop a murderer. That sums up the plot, sort of, but there's so much more to this film. The detective and time travel storylines work so well that as a viewer, you're never left with the kind of credibility gap that can take you out of the story. This is a truly satisfying film. Dennis Quaid is particularly engaging. A strong performance from Andre Braugher as well.

Now go rent it!

Chill Factor (1999)

Hoo-Eee! This one's a stinker!

[1/10 · 10 May 2002]

Sure, this is supposed to be an action-packed buddy flick with nifty stunts and jaunty banter. Uh-uh. This movie is soooo bad it's not even fun to watch. The plot is wretchedly implausible and the action scenes are just dopey. If the dialogue were a little better, we could call it trite. One wonders if the original script was substantially better than the finished product. What else could have lured respected actors like David Paymer and Cuba Gooding Jr. to this project? The mind boggles.

All this being said, this flick will always hold a special place in my heart. I saw it on a first date and he and I were united in our mutual disregard for this clunker. Reader, I married him.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Best of the Batmen

[9/10 · 10 May 2002]

Mask of the Phantasm is the best Batman movie yet. The Adam West Batman is fun as pure camp; the 1990s Bat movies are hollow spectacles. This animated Batman has more soul and depth than any of the live action adaptations. The animation is decent and looks like what people of the 1940s imagined their future would be. This must be Batman as Bob Kane intended him.