maniclimbo Reviews

Cast Away (2000)

Product Placement.

[4 July 2001]

This movie had a few moments of decency but overall, I'd say that it really wasn't worth the rental fee. I could swear the first half hour of this film was a Fed Ex training film. I'm not really sure this movie goes twenty minutes without the words "Fed Ex" being present somewhere. When he does become stranded, the movie does in fact pick up a bit. I did like the lack of much dialogue or soundtrack during these scenes, that was effective in relaying his feeling of isolation. The fact he does go a little nuts was also appreciated. When he finally gets home however....ugh. I don't think the melodrama was needed, nor well done at that. I also thought Tom Hanks' character took things a little too well, after all, this is a man who earlier risked his life almost drowning trying to save a volleyball. It's hard to believe he'd take the woman he loved marrying another so well. This could have been a lot better. I personally would have wanted something a little darker.

Out of Sight (1998)

Very enjoyable.

[3 June 2001]

I was pleasantly surprised when I finally rented this film and question why this film wasn't a bigger hit at the box office. Great performances all around, especially Don Cheadle as the menacing "Snoop" Miller, and Steve Zahn as Glen Micheals as the stoner who's in way over his head. Having Micheal Keaton as Ray Nicolette in this film was a nice touch as well. Out of all the Elmore Leonard books I've read, I think this may be the best translation into film. In fact, I feel this movie surpasses the novel.

Mallrats (1995)

Not Smith's best but still very enjoyable.

[2 June 2001]

I thought this was an enjoyable movie and I get a kick out of the running jokes that Smith has throughout his movies (i.e. O'Halloran always portraying a character with the last name of 'Hicks', the girl dying in the swimming pool, which I forgot her name, etc). The funniest lines I felt belong to Jason Lee and as always, Jason Mewes. Definitely worth watching if you're at all a fan of "Clerks" (which it's safe to assume if you are, you've already seen this movie).

Natural Born Killers (1994)

This film is grotesque all right...

[2 June 2001]

After watching this film in the movie theater when it first appeared, I was so appalled by it that I couldn't stand watching any of it's lead actors in any other film for quite awhile. Too violent? Perhaps. What made me ill was the horrid acting, lame screenplay, and pathetic attempt to be "shocking." Maybe it's just my tastes by I like either a character I like/can relate to, or someone that is remotely interesting. Too bad, there is quite a bit of talent involved with this picture.

Braindead (1992)

Move over, Evil Dead II..(mild spoilers ahead)

[2 June 2001]

I think I've (finally) watched the funniest horror film ever. From the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" nod at the beginning of the film, the priest in the cemetery, to the notorious lawn mower, my body was wracked with pain from laughing so hard. I had seen Peter Jackson's "The Frighteners" before and was pleasantly surprised by that film. The same can be said here. I am now getting a little excited to see how Jackson handles the Tolkien trilogy. I'm sure it'll be a fun time, regardless.

The Exorcist III (1990)

For only being 'decent,' has possibly one of the scariest scenes i've seen..

[2 June 2001]

**Possible Spoiler**

As a whole, I found this movie a good, 'lazy Saturday afternoon' kind of film. This movie does contain I think one of the top moments in a horror film: the nurse's station. The camera focusing on her from a distance, unmoving, little noise heard....well, I don't want to give it away. Those who've seen it know what part I'm talking about. I loved that scene.

Raising Arizona (1987)

One of my many favorites..(POSSIBLE SPOILERS)

[2 June 2001]

Ah, the Coen Brothers. I don't believe there's many a filmmaking tandem out there that elict such strong responses. Either you love or you...well, no need to be vulgar.

One of my favorite things with all Coen Brothers' films are their use of dialects, such as the machinist's(M. Emmet Walsh)"Northeastern" accent. It doesn't quite fit and adds quite a bit of color to a character who only speaks for about 15 seconds. I feel it adds an oddity to a film that is already quite nutty..and I love it!

I avoided this film for years because Nicholas Cage was the lead actor, REALLY not being a fan of most of his other work. However, he's probably one of the main reasons I love this film. He does in this film exactly the opposite of what I normally don't like about him: overacting. The sideburns almost give him a cool, Elvis-like vibe and yet he's a screw-up. The dull, burnt out look on his face..classic. I'd really like to see him do more comedy.

I also must mention the many outstanding supporting roles. As with most Coen Brothers films, some of the best lines belong to very minor characters.

The old guy running the store and the two FBI agents come to mind.

This is really a great comedy that comes highly recommended from this camp.

Love the bathroom in the gas station, featured when the Snopes brothers escape from prison. I'm assuming, of course, that the P.O.E. written on the bathroom walls is an homage to Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove."

Salem's Lot (1979)

One scene..

[2 June 2001]

It's been a long time since I've watched this film and yet one scene will always stand out in my mind: the Glick (Danny?) boy scratching at Mark Petrie's window. To this day I get the shivers when I think of that scene.