Ferrick Reviews

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Haven't I seen this before

[5/10 · 9 August 2000]

The plot seems to be a reworking of many different movies and I had a sense of Deja Vu all the way through it. Some of the movies I felt like I was watching were Jaws (of course), Jurassic Park, Alien, and Extreme Measures. There were others lurking in the back of my mind but I can't put a name to them.

I didn't find it very compelling, I didn't care for the characters much, and the effects were not very convincing. Also, I didn't feel that it was as scary as it could have been with this type of movie.

This was the first movie I watched on my DVD player so I did feel like it had good movie sound.

Arlington Road (1999)

Lost some points upon reflection

[6/10 · 28 July 2000]

I liked Arlington Road, but I didn't love it. It never really grabbed me and pulled me into its web like I hoped. I think the cinematography may have been a part of that. I appreciated what the director was trying to do, but it often forced me out instead of bringing me into the emotions on screen.

Also, the plot seemed to be pretty smooth when watching it, but, when forced to reflect on it, as it requires you to do, I discovered some flaws that made it less believable. Overall, an enjoyable movie, but you can take it or leave it.

The Road to El Dorado (2000)

Should have caught up on my sleep

[4/10 · 1 May 2000]

I won't go into the problems that I had with this movie. Most of them have been touched on, from sexuality, to mild swearing, to stereotypes. I had a hard time staying interested after the first 30-45 minutes. I was bored and looking at my watch a lot, especially after they found the city. The animation was nice but the story was not.

The Bachelor (1999)

I gave it a chance...

[2/10 · 26 April 2000]

I didn't want to see this movie because it looked bad and Chris O. and Rene Z. are very overrated. When my wife brought it home from the video store, I groaned but decided to give it a fair chance. From the start, I knew I was right about this movie. The basic premise is interesting, albeit, not very realistic. I chuckled in a few places but had to grit my teeth and bite my tongue through the rest of it. The acting was forced, very stiff, and the lines were delivered with poor timing. I didn't believe either of the main characters because they seemed to be reading straight from the script. I won't even bother mentioning all the timeline impossibilities. Basically, this was a bummer of a movie. 'Nuff said. Now, where can I get a hold of the Buster Keaton version? That sounds good.

Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way (1997 TV Movie)

Easily the worst baseball movie ever

[2/10 · 27 March 2000]

There might be a baseball movie out there that can rival how bad this one is, but I doubt it. For such great actors cast in some of the parts, I was sorely disappointed by the performances. The cinematography was poor, going from shots during a game that were obviously on a sound stage to crowd shots from any baseball broadcast. They would purposely do close up shots so you wouldn't see that nobody was actually there. Just not believable at all. I couldn't suspend my disbelief at all. Blech!

What Dreams May Come (1998)

Another weak story covered by visual beauty

[5/10 · 19 April 1999]

I am tired of directors taking poor stories that they feel can be covered up and ignored because of slick packaging. The worlds that were created in this film bring an imagery and imagination to the screen that is rarely seen but I felt the plot was too muddled in its attempts to please all faiths. I didn't care for the characters, never was drawn in except by the effects and came out feeling like I wasted my time. This was something I could see in an art gallery or on my computer. Give me a worthwhile story and I can do without so many bells and whistles. See it if you like visual feasts for the eye, not for a thinking movie.

Snake Eyes (1998)

Snake Eyes leaves a bitter aftertaste

[3/10 · 19 April 1999]

I admit it, I was warned. I had read the reviews for Snake Eyes and nobody I knew who saw it had much good to say about it. Yet I still rented it.

This movie was like a drink that tastes good when it first hits your mouth but quickly becomes bitter and leaves a nasty aftertaste. This was not an action movie, it tried to be a suspense-like thriller but it failed.

The first 15 minutes, you are drawn in by the uncut shot and the frenetic pace as everything is set up. Almost as soon as it is over, though, the plot falls apart. Almost everything is revealed and all of the schemes that are set up in the first scene are thrown out the window. Soon you are not wondering who the murderer is, but rather, are they going to even try and make me figure anything out on my own. Finally, the ending puts the whole stinking mess out of its misery but not without tormenting us with some more inane, headscratching, unnecessary moments. Don't bother with this movie because it is not even worth a rental just to see a lot of "unique" camera angles that are only redundant, at best.

P.S. Is anyone else tired of seeing the politician/military guy play the "I am doing this for the good of the people and you wouldn't stop me if you were a true patriot/friend" role. It is pretty stupid and insulting, especially when they are always in it for the power/money. Don't worry, I didn't just spoil the ending, you learn that in the first half of the movie.

Pleasantville (1998)

Visually sweet to cover the overall blandness

[6/10 · 19 April 1999]

It is interesting to read and hear reviews of this film. It is either loved or hated, it seems. I recommend seeing it for the visual aspect, to see great effects. Otherwise, the story seems to go from deep thoughts to over the top preaching. I almost feel that it would have been better as a short that raises a bunch of questions without answering any of them instead of a full length feature that answers some questions that don't seem important while ignoring obvious flaws. The acting is above average, for the most part and there are some funny moments but I just felt unfulfilled by this movie. Some movies do well to leave us with questions to ponder, but not when they make us question the use of the movie.

Home Fries (1998)

Mis-marketed, yet enjoyable movie

[7/10 · 19 April 1999]

I am lucky that I saw this movie. The way they marketed it in the previews and commercials when it was in theatrical release made it seem like another typical "romantic comedy." That is an understatement, to say the least. This movie, while not groundbreaking, was definitely fun. I loved that it was different, unusual, and quirky. The humor was definitely dark (kind of like Heathers) and this will turn a lot of people off, especially since it was purported to be light.

Although I was reluctant to rent this movie (the first 10 minutes made me think it was going to be really dumb, like it was trying to do more than it should for this type of movie), I was soon swayed by the quirks, the smart dialogue and the interwoven plot. This movie is not an award winner and I wouldn't recommend it to a lot of people, but not because it is bad but because it is a matter style. Some will laugh, some will cry.

Armageddon (1998)

Redundant overkill

[2/10 · 22 March 1999]

Maybe this story did not intend to be Citizen Kane, but, I barely made it through it. I don't expect these movies to always deliver stellar performances or rock solid plots. I was disappointed with The Rock, really enjoyed Con Air, had fun with Enemy of the State and was ready to turn off Armageddon. It wasn't funny, smart, emotional or original. With half an hour to go in the movie, I didn't care what happened to any of the characters (except maybe Steve Buscemi) and I couldn't concentrate on much because of the visual and aural overload. I don't care how closely you pay attention, it is impossible to follow anything with all the noise and explosions. I don't mind mindless movies sometimes but I can never see myself being in the right mood for this.

The Rock (1996)

Great Actors, not much else

[5/10 · 22 March 1999]

I went into this movie expecting a fun thrill ride adventure movie. I left feeling underwhelmed. In a nutshell, I had seen it all before and I felt that a good part of the movie was useless, such as the car chase through the city. How many times can I see cars crash and/or blow up? And the ending was stolen straight from the unrealistic Total Recall ending, or, the Hero always has extra time to save himself when others don't.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Fun movie but nothing Spectacular

[6/10 · 18 March 1999]

This is, by no means a bad movie. I felt that the football scenes are some of the most realistic I have seen come out of Hollywood. However, after one viewing, I have no desire to see it again. It just didn't grab me in the way it seemed to grab so many others. I felt that the love story and sports story were average even though I enjoyed the look at the life of an agent. Maybe that is it...the part I enjoyed really doesn't interest me.

Clear and Present Danger (1994)

Decent movie, poor adaptation

[5/10 · 17 March 1999]

Although you should never get too caught up in comparing a movie to the book it is based on, this is hard to avoid with this film. Of all the Clancy books, this remains my favorite and I was highly disappointed with how it was handled, mostly because it made future sequels all but impossible to make without increasing the chasm between the two mediums. Great characters from this book and future stories are either changed completely or killed off. That is tough to ignore.

As for the movie as a standalone vehicle, it was decent. Nothing really new to be found in it. Things just seem a little too predictable (even the original material that wasn't in the book) and cliche Hollywood.

Swingers (1996)

Accurate portrayal of the quirks of "guys"

[8/10 · 9 March 1999]

Although you may not be able to relate to the situations in this movie (either you are not in Hollywood/LA or you are a female), the script incorporates many of the common features of your typical 90's guy. Right on, dry humor and sly wit. The scene of them playing the Hockey video game is me in College. People who don't like it probably don't get it. That is OK, it is pretty specific humor in a different vein.