jfrada Reviews

Borat (2006)

infantile comedy at its worst

[1/10 · 8 March 2007]

I rented this film to see what all the fuss and controversy was all about. Well I regretted spending a single dime on this flick. People went gaga over this film because it offended the entire khazakstani nation and in this age of political correctness, someone going against the grain is seen as welcome. Once you look past the controversy and the shock value it is apparent that this film relies entirely on infantile toilet humour. This film is an example of the degradation of western culture. Many artists resort to this tasteless crap simply because they lack any real talent or their minds have become stagnant, probably from all the drug abuse.

I give this film an F minus.

The Shaggy Dog (2006)

A disappointment

[4/10 · 13 August 2006]

I watched this film hoping for a lot of laughs as I assumed that Disney would capture that same magic as the original. I was extremely disappointed , the filmed failed to be entertaining ,was full of cliché's about fatherhood and the villains where weak. Tim Allen is an excellent comic actor but he failed to make his character believable. The potential for laughs where many but the writers or producers or whomever couldn't manage it. Perhaps they should have used the original script at least it was a success. Disney should at least put a greater effort into improving the film when doing a remake. This is not their first failure with remakes however.

Mystery!: Cadfael (1994–1998)

an excellent medieval whodunit

[10/10 · 13 August 2006]

I first watched this show believing it would be another dull British detective story, I was wrong it was an excellent show about a medieval monk who uses deductive reasoning to solve murders. The show also gives you a sense of what life was like in the middle ages. A lot of medieval stories concentrate on brutality of the times while this one shows the day to day affairs of normal people, the culture ,the church, the politics and how it affects the murder of the victims.

I have since read the Ellis Peters novels and quite simply this is one case where the TV show is better than the books it was based on. I highly recommend watching this show if you like murder mysteries.

The Princess Diaries (2001)

old fashioned fairy tail

[10/10 · 30 December 2004]

I liked this movie because it reminded me very much of an old fashioned fairy tale. It was predictable and consistent and could have used a plot twist here and there , there should have been a bit of intrigue after all it is about a princess. The film was however entertaining and typically the kind that Disney has excelled at over the years. I certainly recommend this film for family viewing. Julie Andrews does a fine performance as the Queen and Anne Hathaway does a fantastic job as the princess, I think she has a great career as an actress ahead of her. A typical Disney Fairy tale and I'm glad that Disney is going back to doing these kind of movies.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

just awful

[1/10 · 30 December 2004]

This film consists of an infinite number of mindless clichés of life in the seventies. The jokes are reminiscent of those told by low IQ jock teenagers in the locker room. I feel ripped off, I paid good money to rent this film. A lot of hype was made to sell this film and I found it neither entertaining or amusing, it is apparent that the quality of films coming from Hollywood has gone down hill and continues to slide. The clichés where too much and I thought Christina Applegate was capable of better, then again she didn't have much to go on, she was the only actor in this film who did a decent performance. I nominate this film B movie of the year.

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

a good family film

[8/10 · 9 May 2004]

Finally a film that you can take the whole family to watch. It has the usual feel good quality to it and it was very entertaining, something which too many films nowadays are not. The gag with the meat soaked underwear was hilarious. what I also liked about this family film was that it wasn´t trying to promote a line of toys or video games. If I was to criticize this film then I would say that 12 kids can come up with a lot more mischief than was portrayed and Bonniie Hunt did not look like she gave birth to 12. Quite simply this is a family film like the kind Disney used to produce in the 60´s and 70´s sure it´s a bit mushy and promotes traditional family values. I say there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

an awful B movie

[9 May 2004]

This is a horrible movie. If the intention of the producer of the movie was to provide entertainment for psychopaths, then he did a good job of it. I have seen many action flicks that have gratuitous violence but at least the hero has some redeeming qualities that makes them likable. The hero an assassin is just as evil as the other assassins she is hunting down. This movie is no better than watching an ultra violent video game. Entertaining if you are the one fiddling around with the paddles making the character move on the screen but not if you are watching it. watching 5 minutes of the worst Jackie chan flick is more interesting than watching 1 minute of kill bill. I paid good money to watch this flick and regret it. I want my money back.

Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)

disappointment

[25 May 2003]

I am a trekkie and very disappointed with this film, it has a poorly written script with an implausible story. There was also a lack luster performance by Patrick Stewart and the rest of the cast. Patrick Stewart blamed the poor box office results on franchise fatigue, I blame it on poor performance and a poor script. This movie wouldn´t even qualify as a mediocre episode of the Next Generation series. Perhaps the next movie, if there will be another one should use the cast of the voyager or DS9.

The Kids in the Hall (1988–2021)

love it or hate it

[25 May 2003]

This is a satire as with all other satires you either love it or hate it. I hate it ,the sketches are often so bizarre as to be incomprehensible and done in extremely poor taste. I can appreciate certain satires because even though satires are sometimes bizarre they are comprehensible, I cant say that about the episodes of Kids In The Hall I have had the displeasure of watching.

Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

a horrible, horrible film

[22 May 2003]

This is one of the lousiest films I have ever had the displeasure of seeing. Run for the hills this film is full of poor taste jokes, unbelievable characters and plot. Jim Carrey should consider himself lucky for still being able to land film contracts after the horrible job he did of portraying such an impossible character.

This Hour Has 22 Minutes (1993– )

A funny satirical view of News Headlines

[11 October 2002]

If you like Satire you will like This Hour Has 22 Minutes. However this show is meant for Canadian audiences, If you are an American or a Canadian Politician of any political persuasion you will be offended. The show is pretty well relevant only to Canadians. Non-Canadians wouldn´t know the issues or the personalities that are often lampooned.