Change Your Image
Slaw-2
Reviews
Joan of Arc (1999)
Great Film
Wonderful movie. I had a little higher expectations for Luc Besson but this film doesn't reflect badly apon his efforts. Fantastic score, great acting and a wonderful vision of one of the most interesting stories in world history.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Project : Overly Hyped Bad Movie
If you thought that the hype surrounding Star Wars ruined the film for you well then don't go see this piece of trash. When I first saw the trailer for this film I thought to myself a great story and it looks freaky as hell. Well it turns out there are only a few really good parts and they aren't even scary. The ending is terrible and the film turns into a terrible campside story instead of possibly a urban legend. Great idea, bad execution. There is about 10 -15 minutes of scenes that are worth watching. The film just like it's characters just keeps going in circles. I applaud the efforts but they still failed no matter how much money this makes. Unfortunately since this movie will most probably be a success it will have a sequel and have a ton of horrible indie movies being shoved at movie theaters. Yuck!
Three Kings (1999)
Different
After seeing the commercials/trailers for this film and hearing the buzz (rumors of Oscar talk) , this movie had become a must see. I wasn't sure where the Oscar talk fit in to a film that looked like a buddy action flick set during the Gulf War. However, the cast does a wonderful job. Spike Jones was wrong, he does deserve to be among this cast. He steals the show in most scenes and is extremely entertaining. The comedy factor in this movie is high but so is the creativity and drama. Anyone expecting nonstop action, well wait for Universal Soldier 3. This movie touches on an element that is left out of most pictures made today and that is the human element . Each character is, well, human. They don't think alike, they don't act alike, they don't act as one. The movie makes use of some interesting "perspective shots" which sometimes amaze and at the same time repulse the crowd (that is what it is used for, so it isn't a bad thing). David Russel and company did a wonderful job on not only making this movie believeable but kept it entertaining. That is what movies are all about.
American Beauty (1999)
THIS IS FILM MAKING
Wow is a one word review of this film. This year has brought many beautiful surprises but none shine as bright as American Beauty. The story however tragic, is uplifting at the same time. Kevin Spacey is magnificent and plays his role perfectly. I would imagine this role will earn him an Oscar nomination because frankly it is the best performance I've seen lately. To give a basic run down of the movie think, Falling Down without the hostility. Kevin Spacey is awakened from his monotonous daily life where the only thing he looks forward to is jacking off in the shower every morning. Suddenly, he is a new man. Doing what he wants when he wants. Risks aren't risks, they just become decisions. No worries, no problems. He lives life like everyone wants to but at the same time, aren't willing to take the risk to do it. At the same time, Spacey's daughter hates her parents. She thinks her dad is a complete idiot and has no interest in her (which couldn't be further from the truth). Her mom is a Martha Stewart in the making , minus the compassion and patience needed in raising a child. All the while, the new neighbors move in. Their son is a voyeur (a s***ty label but what else do you call someone who videotapes everything) who has taken an interest in the daughter and silently watches from afar. That's about all I wanna say so you can experience this movie. Like the director says, it sounds like a messed up sitcom but believe me when you see it you won't feel that way.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
wow
Well let me say after seeing "The Jackel" and "Mercury Rising" I was almost giving up on our old friend Bruce. He was good in "The Siege" but that was Mr. Washington's movie. But after seeing "6th Sense" let me be one of the first to say......BRUCE IS BACK, BRUCE IS BACK. As Peter Travers from Rolling Stone said, we finally get to see Bruce Willis the actor for a change. To talk about the plot/story of the film is to begin to taint it for those who have not seen it. Don't read reviews, don't listen to people talk about it, just go see it. With all the supernatural thrillers, I was the most excited for The Blair Witch Project. After seeing that terrible film I was happy to see a movie that could scare me or at least creep me out. For everyone who makes a big deal about the unseen terror well wait til you see what you can't in 6th Sense ( if that confuses you don't worry). Hopefully upcoming thrillers like "Stigmata" and "End Of Days" are as clever and well-crafted as this film was. I am happy for Bruce and most of all happy to see such a good film to come out this summer to keep this summer's trend of excellent movies (for the most part)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
A Smarter Film, than it looks
Lemme just say, I under-estimated this film. I expected a total James Bondish type feel (which in some ways it was) but I got more than that. The movie has good twists and turns that keep the story moving. There are a few plot holes that loom over the movie but they are soon forgotten. Plenty of skin is shown between Pierce and Rene (who looks like her face is aging but her breasts aren't)as they form a pretty far fetched rommance. But then again it is a movie and you can't always be realistic. Enjoy this fun film for what it is worth. A good time.
Mystery Men (1999)
Good Idea, Bad Delivery
I thought this movie was gonna be a great comedy filled with jokes making fun of the cliches of comic books and superheroes. Well almost not quite. The movie isn't really funny. It is more like amusing. The jokes, for the most part, aren't too funny. Don't get me wrong there are a few parts that are just plain great but most of the time I almost had to force myself to laugh at some jokes. Being a reader of comics I hoped for the best but only got 1/3 of what I expected. I got the over-the-top characters and costumes but didn't get any jokes or even a decent story. Sometimes it did feel like Batman and Robin because there weren't any jokes and the characters were just that pathetic at times. Basically, wait for HBO or rent it when it comes out on video. In the meantime go see "The Sixth Sense" or "Deep Blue Sea"
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Project : Overly Hyped Bad Movie
If you thought that the hype surrounding Star Wars ruined the film for you well then don't go see this piece of trash. When I first saw the trailer for this film I thought to myself a great story and it looks freaky as hell. Well it turns out there are only a few really good parts and they aren't even scary. The ending is terrible and the film turns into a terrible campside story instead of possibly a urban legend. Great idea, bad execution. There is about 10 -15 minutes of scenes that are worth watching. The film just like it's characters just keeps going in circles. I applaud the efforts but they still failed no matter how much money this makes. Unfortunately since this movie will most probably be a success it will have a sequel and have a ton of horrible indie movies being shoved at movie theaters. Yuck!
Arlington Road (1999)
Average at Best
Anyone who sees the trailer for this film has had most of the film ruined for them. The acting was great and Tim Robins was exceptional. Too much stuff was a bit too extreme and set up, I.E. Robins being linked to another bomber mentioned in the class, Bridges falling asleep in his backyard with the yearbook, some other things that I won't mention for reason of them being major spoilers. Fortunately, the script is written well enough that little details like I mentioned are either sufficently tied up or written over with a plot twist. Basically, I really wanted to hate this movie coming into it after seeing what I thought was going to be everything in the movie. Turns out it wasn't. Maybe if they had a better marketing staff I would've loved this movie instead of only thinking of it as average.
The Replacement Killers (1998)
Good not great
Being a fan of Chow Yun Fat I saw every showing of this movie for a day and a half when it first came out (i worked at a movie theater at the time), so it gave me time to reflect on it being able to see it a few times (8 actually). This movie is really strange. I dunno but to me it seems almost surreal. It just never really feels like I am watching a movie, more like one of the director's music videos. Don't get me wrong I liked this film, but for Chow's first American release I was hoping for something more. An average action flick with some grade A actors.
Species II (1998)
Piece of Garbage
If I could've given this movie a 0 when I voted, I would be a much happier man. Usually sequels are worse than the first one and with the first Species movie being the junk pile it was, this had tons of room for improvement. The only redeeming quality in here is a few memorable one liners but they are only memorable because they are so terrible (listen for the classic "Maternity Ward from Hell" line). Acting? Well there isn't any. I have no idea why James Cromwell would be in this pile of space garbage. Terrible acting, terrible script, simply put, just plain terrible. Whatever you do, stay away from this terrible attempt at film making.
One Crazy Summer (1986)
The 80's Rock!
80's comedies (especially ones with John Cusak) are awesome. Almost all are hillarious and instant classics and this film is no exception. Plenty of nods to other films (i.e. Godzilla and Jaws) through out the movie that are so hillarious you'll be laughing for hours. Some may complain that the movie is a little corny at times but hey it was the 80's and things were always a little cheesy. Throw in a young Demi Moore and an even louder Bob Cat and you have a laughfest on your fans. If you haven't seen this, you better soon!!!!!!
The Dark Crystal (1982)
A forgotten genre
Fantasy is one element that we, as filmgoers, are lacking. The 80's were blessed with movies like "Legend" and "Labyrinth". Movies that went beyond normal thinking and delighted not only younger audiences but older ones as well. "The Dark Crystal" was another such masterpiece that not only enchanted me when I was a child but still does as I move on into adulthood (not a word but hey it works). To see a movie of complete puppets that move and seem so real is a marvel in itself. Jim Henson and Frank Oz were a wonderful pair of filmmakers and this film not only pays tribute to the legend that was (and always will be) Jim Henson, but to Frank Oz and his incredible talents. I can't wait to see how beautiful the DVD version will be when it is released.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
The Beginning of one of the greatest stories ever told
I'll keep this short and sweet. Unlike some of the negative reviews this movie has gotten, it is Star Wars. From start to finish this movie lived up to my expectations. I loved it and have seen it 7 times in 4 days. It is an excellent addition and probably the third best in the series (Empire being the best followed by Star Wars), which is not a bad thing when it is the greatest trilogy to grace the silver screen.