commodusone Reviews

Tommy Boy (1995)

Everlasting Fun

[1 July 2003]

As ever there is a good cross section of people commenting on this film. Comedy is such a subjective thing but I love this film and I do believe if Farley hadnt of died so young then he would have gone onto be one of the greats. His great physical comedy and unique individualy style which cant be imitated. When the garage attendant tells spade hes pick up some sacasm, and spade replies good cos im laying it on pretty thick very funny. I think it has a good mixture of physical comedy, and clever dialougue along with some nice sentimental touches. It is a good film to own and put on when youve had a stressful day. in fact the four films which farley did make in lead roles are all hilarious try beverly hills ninja and almost heroes along with black sheep the bit with the bat is hilaious.

Johnny English (2003)

Disposable Entertainment

[15 April 2003]

Again it all boils down to what you are expecting. Sometimes reading reviews before you see a movie can be a bad idea, but saying that it can sometimes outline what you will be getting. One key point that I read before seeing this movie was that it aims a little younger than say Austin Powers. Now that pre armed me with what to expect and true enough it is aimed at a younger audience but saying that it was very entertaining quite similar to Inspector Clouseau and his reliable Kato. I enjoyed it at times it was a little silly and the jokes are quite predictable but they are well executed and there were a few little surprises that were very funny. People attack Malkovich but this is supposed to be pantomime and the baddy is supposed to be over the top and a little silly the plot is lamentable and just a tool to put people in comedic situations Natalie is absolutely stunning. If your in the mood for some light hearted English fun then go and see it lets face it you know what to expect with Rowan Atkinson this is a sort of a cross between the Thin blue line meets Bean meets Blackadder.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

It never fails to surprise me!

[1/10 · 10 March 2003]

After looking at some of the comments on this movie, I wonder if anyone can explain how a film can so universally be panned and praised at the same time. Absurd, now obviously we all see ourselves as having the correct opinion and everyone else is wrong. Im just pleased that Im not the only person who absolutely loathed this film. I see a lot of films and I am confident in my ability to pick up on subtle dark humour but come on this film is just awful. I really do think that sometimes its a case of emperors new clothes, some highbrow critics star saying how wonderfully clever and dark this film is and then when people start agreeing with them they probably snigger behind our backs. I have never left a film early but my god I wanted to in this one, this and unbreakable two lousy films praised across the board and I have no idea why. Take it from me avoid this film at all costs its dull, pointless, self indulgent, unfunny and so goddam slow you just want to shout at the screen for them to wake up.

I Spy (2002)

The kids and I loved it

[10/10 · 26 January 2003]

To be fair I didnt expect alot and you fully expected that all the best bits were in the trailer. I think owen has a very dry wit and engagingly charming persona and when eddie is on form to be fair he hasnt been since donkey in shrek he is fantastic. The plot lets face it is just a mechanism to get these two interacting with one another and I think it works and famke janssen is just so sexy she is fantastic. I dont think this film would have worked without owen and eddie but I laughed out loud a lot.

Die Another Day (2002)

I blame the Director

[24 January 2003]

What in gods name happened, the world is not enough was truly a fantastic bond movie, time was spent both on the development of the characters and the action along with the occasional quip. After that bond I so egally awaited the new one I KEPT in touch with the website to watch developments. But why they chose this director I have no idea the first half of the film is ok but the second half on the ice is beyond the pale its like they just couldnt be bothered to develop the characters and hurl trendy stylized action sequences at us non stop. The film hurried by without one truelly gripping scene it was if every situation was developed by numbers I mean that cgiD surfing thing in iceland what the hell was all that about. One of the bond trademarks is finding himself in difficult situations challenging us to figure out how the hell he is going to get out of this and then surprising us with something albeit farfetched but believablish enough. As for Halle berry god she got on my nerves "get lost and leave bond alone" The thing with bond it has worked with the same style and same formula year after year and still remains popular to date as soon as you mess around with that it struggles look at the dalton years. all the stylezed visuals and quirky camera tricks dont belong here this is bond we like it the way its been christ its lasted 40 years for a reason. on the whole very disappointing even pierce appeared to be slightly bored with the whole thing which is a shame cos til now I thought he was the best bond especially after the world was not enough. 5/10

Mystery, Alaska (1999)

A film you can watch many times

[21 January 2003]

Its a good sign as to how good this film is in that it makes you envious of a small community living in a desolate Alaskan town. The relationships between the cast are very endearing obviously this film is held together by the strength of the ensemble cast but you have to admit the performance of Russell Crowe is as usual very watchable. Its Rocky on Ice basically and lets face it there is always a place in our hearts for the underdog coming good. Its true this film albeit small in ambition somehow has the lot you laugh and you cry and it gets better with repeat viewing. Sometimes its important for films not to aim high and try to split the atom or solve world hunger sometimes they just need to tell a simple story in a very professional manner and this is what we have here, a nice little film that can be watched and enjoyed over and over again. Well Done.

Without a Clue (1988)

A little known gem

[21 January 2003]

Im pleased to see so many people have come across this little gem of a movie. The premise is fun but without the interaction and talent of Kingsley and Caine this so easily could have been a one dimensional cartoon. This is one of my all time favourites and its little films like this that rebuild your faith in the movie business. Its well directed well acted and very well written I feared it my have been a little too paroquial and our friends across the Atlantic might not have appreciated it but it appears alot of Americans have enjoyed it too. That classic line when Caine comes up with his anagram theory I tell you I was in stitches and it still makes me chuckle. Theres never a dull moment with plenty of laugh out loud bits but also sometimes more importantly there are constant endearing smile to yourself moments which pulls you along the film and you grow very close to the characters which is an acolade of how good the two lead performances are.

The Tuxedo (2002)

disapointing

[4/10 · 14 January 2003]

although both jackie and jennifer do well with this lazy, confused script ultimately this film falls flat. a jackie chan film first and foremost is a vehicle enabling us to see jackies martial arts talents and physical comedy. The premise was childish and at times i found myself cringing with embarrassment which is unheard of im a huge jackie fan and have been since battle creek brawl. Lets face it it doesnt take much to please us rush hour 1 and 2 shanghai noon mr nice guy etc have been fantastic. just put jackie in lots of imaginitive fight scenes with a comedy sidekick or indeed police story just imaginitive fight scenes. But with the tuxedo a lot of the fight scenes have been matrixed up and are cgi'd which we dont expect from jackie. the actual plot was like something from the english school film foundation. Lets hope shanghai knights and highbinders are better.