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Reviews
The Devil's Rejects (2005)
Short And Sweet
I'm not going to waste anyone's time by saying anything other than just go see this movie. Yes, it is ultra violent; yes, it's not always the clearest movie in terms of depth. But, it does have meaning despite all of the wacky violence, and f=words galore. Zombie actually makes a good socially relevant film whether he intended to, or not.
Zombie's wife is sexy, and William Forsythe plays a wonderful opposite to the family's twisted sense of the world. Cinematography is outstanding; music is terrific. This movie only fails at what it intends to fail at, which is to make you hate the family more than the people they encounter.
Look past the violence and give this movie a chance!!!!
PS. For God sakes please do not bring children to watch this movie. I was in the theater last night with a ten year old child right behind me. I wanted to reach back and slap his lazy, overweight mother.
Light It Up (1999)
I was surprised!
I don't normally go into a movie and get surprised because, usually, I'm pretty good at judging the plot of the movie by the trailors. But, "Light It Up" surprised me. I was expecting a home-boy driven, ghetto school, non-stop cursing, lunitical rampage by a bunch of pissed of kids. What I got was a movie filled with smart kids, except for Rodney, looking for a way to get their voices heard, but soon falling into a downward spiral after it all goes wrong. My favorite character of the movie was Ziggy. Robert Ri'chard was great as Ziggy, and I felt that, even though he wasn't as visible, you could feel more connected to him than to the rest. Forest Whitaker was great as Officer Jackson, the real reason behind the school hostage situation. Usher was pretty good as Lester, and I have to say, Lester's destiny in the movie really surprised me. I did not expect the final outcome to end as it did. Fredro Starr played the thug, Rodney. He's normally pretty good at these roles, and this movie was no exception. I really hope anyone that sees this will get past the school violence B.S. and concentrate on the message. The schools are the kid's. They have a right to be heard too. If you see the movie with that type of mentality then you won't come away dissappointed.
Fight Club (1999)
Brutal, Gruesome Fun!!!
Going in to see this, I expected the typical darkness that David Fincher brings to his movies. Coming out of this, I had respect for Brad Pitt, as an actor, I thought Edward Norton was one of the most cunningly funny guys out there, and Fight Club was/is the best movie of '99. Although the movie may be very brutal ( in fact the overall gore is low, it's just how honest the film makers made it), foremost it is a dark comedy. The film had me laughing at times that normally I wouldn't think is proper, but that is the point of this film. The narrator wants you to see how everything means nothing, and nothing is to be taken seriously. One point in this movie either loses you, or totally draws you in. Personally, when the plot got crazier, I drooled for even more.
This movie is made to offend, engross, and enlighten. If it does at least two of those, then it accomplishes what it set out to do. It's a trip you soon won't forget.
warning: seeing this movie repeated times could leave you to believe that Project Mayhem is a good idea.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Worth it for the last line.
This movie sucks. There is no other way to put it. I give one star to Tom Cruise for trying. I give Nicole Kidman one star for trying. And, I give one star for the last line of the movie. I don't want to give anything away, but if this movie would have been half as bold as the last line of it, then Eyes Wide Shut could have been a winner. It's just too bad.
S.F.W. (1994)
Cool!
I'm not trying to say that this movie is the greatest movie ever made, but I feel that it is too bad that more people do not know about S.F.W. It's a bit hard to believe the plot, but since when have movie plots played within the guidelines of normal society. Stephen Dorff gives an amazing performance as Cliff Spab. This was the first movie I ever saw him in, and seeing S.F.W. really made me think he is destined for big things. I liked how the story shifted from past to present constantly. This way, you had to wait until the end of the movie to find out what happened at the beginning. Makes it all the more intriguing. I love this movie, and most people would too if they gave it half a chance.
The Matrix (1999)
"One of the Top 5 Sci-Fi Movies Ever Made!"
What is 'The Matrix'? Well part of that you have to find out for yourself, but the other part I can tell you. 'The Matrix' is, by far, the best Sci-Fi movie in the last 15 years. Do you remember the feeling you had while watching George Lucas's 'Star War'? If you do, then that is the feeling you get when watching 'The Matrix'.
'The Matrix' is a film concept by the Wachowski Bros. Right from the start you are blown away. The special effects immediately grab you. As does the martial arts fighting. But, the exception to this is that 'The Matrix' doesn't take the fighting or effects overboard. Right when you think the battle will never end, the film gos right back into the story of discovery. Even the story, by itself, is enough to keep you watching. And, right when the movie slows down, it speeds right back up again. This movie is contrast used in perfect form.
The stars themselves are an eyeful. Keanu Reeves plays Neo, the chosen. To be honest, I have never really liked Reeves. I never thought he had the talent to be a great actor, and, although his acting isn't perfect, he does play the part perfectly. Laurence Fishburne plays Morpheus, Neo's guide into the world of 'The Matrix'. I have always loved Fishburne. He is smart and plays the knowledgeable leader perfectly. Carrie-Anne Moss plays Trinity. Her character, at first glance, is not that important, but, as the movie goes on, you understand just how vital she is to the story. One more character to point out is Hugo Weaving's Agent Smith. He is as menacing as he is dark, and that is saying a lot.
I won't dwell on this too long, but I must say that this movie is almost revolutionary in a sense. I don't want to tell you the plot, and to go on and on about the effects would be boring. But, what you must know, is that 'The Matrix' is perfect from start to finish. You will not want it to end. You will want to go back for more. What is 'The Matrix', you ask...Well as in the words of Morpheus, "No one can be told what the Matrix is, you have to see it for yourself."
Armageddon (1998)
"A Great Ride"
I could really care less for what Gene Siskel thought of this movie. I could care less what every other critic seems to say about this movie. This movie is great, and if you can't see that then you need to open your eyes. With a creative team of Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer you know this movie will be action packed. But, what I thought was the real selling point of this movie was the emotions that they tried to hit with the audience. When you watch the scene, in which the fallout sirens start, you can see something so human its scary and sad all at the same time, hopelessness. The cast is wonderful, blending old and new. Bruce Willis plays Harry, the world's best oil driller. Ben Affleck plays A.J., Harry's aspiring apprentice. Billy Bob Thorton plays Truman, a NASA operator that relies on Harry to save us all. Then, there always has to be the leading lady, Liv Tyler, who plays Harry's daughter and A.J.'s girlfriend. I can agree that the depth in this movie is not what makes Oscar pay attention. But, to counter that, I don't want to know the story of Harry's life like Roger Eibert may want to. In a slower film I would, and maybe it wouldn't have been bad, but I DIDN'T NEED IT. As with every Jerry Bruckheimer film the cinimatography was excellent. He is the master at moving the camera and slowing the scene down at exactly the right time. In other words, the camera moves beautifully. Now, despite what you have heard, this movie has moments of blunt honesty and deep emotions. The scene in which Grace asks A.J. if he thought that anyone in the world was enjoying a moment such as theirs, and he responds, quote, "I hope so, otherwise what the hell are we trying to save." was one of the truest statements made in a recent movie. Then, there is A.J. screaming I love you as he is lifted from Harry back into the shuttle. The rawness of the emotions are what make them work. This film would have been cheesy if it was these two sitting there on their way back to earth claiming their love and respect for each other. A true unsung hero of this movie is the character played by Will Patton. He was seemingly dark but really was sweet. One other member of the cast that requires mentioning is William Fichtner as Col. Sharp. He plays the scared, "I only do what I am told" fly boy so well. And, then, the character change he undergoes is all summed up by him realizing that not always are your superiors right. It's the little moments in this movie that really make it work. Each of these tiny moments form up to show the own big picture. And isn't that what life's about? Our lives are tiny memories put together to form one incredible life.
Heat (1995)
"Two of the greats=The Greatest"
If you look at the cast of 'Heat' you must think to yourself that you can't go wrong. And, yes, this is very true. But to make a great movie you must, also, have a strong story. This film has it. The film follows two sides to a very gripping story. On one side, you have the on-edge detective, Vincent Hanna (played exceptionally by Al Pacino). You see the drama and heartache he must go through to be so dedicated to his work. On the other side, you have Robert De Niro's Neil McCauley, who, in his own right, is a honest man. The regrets he has and the pain he faces by being a criminal are both well played without exactly making you feel sorry for him. Then, as the two slowly some together through their own destinies, you get to see the bond and similarities they share. This film actually has three climactic points. The first is the meeting in the coffee house. It is there that they both show how much they actually respect each other. The second is the robbery sequence. This is probably one of the greatest action sequences ever to grace film. The final climax is just that, the final sceen. It is the final showdown between Pacino and De Niro.
Now, as I have already said, the film's two main stars could at least make this worth watching. But the directing by Michael Mann and the supporting cast are what really make this movie so attractive. Val Kilmer as Chris Shiherlis gives a unique side story to the film. It's the relationship with his wife, played by Ashley Judd, that we find ourselves being drawn into. Wes Studi and Mykelti Williamson play Vincent Hanna's right hand men. And, Tom Sizemore plays the third out of three crucial parts to the gang. You also can't forget the musical score. Beautifully played, it really accents the happenings of the movie. This is the only movie in my life that I can literally watch over and over again. The reason why, because I can never decide what outcome I want. Do I want Hanna to catch McCauley, or do I want McCauley to keep driving for the airport before he veers off to the hotel. The final, seemingly most important part of this movie, the clasping of hands. When Hanna is holding McCauley's hand you really get a sense of what this movie is about.