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Reviews
The Legend of Zorro (2005)
Riddled with errors
Why was Abraham Lincoln at the ceremony admitting California as a state? In 1850, he was a lawyer in Illinois. He wasn't elected President for another 10 years.
When Zorro is hunting through Armand's library, looking for clues, why is there a map with (at least) 48 states on it? In 1850, there were only 30 states! The map even shows California in it's current state. THE PLOT OF THE MOVIE WAS ABOUT California BEING ADMITTED FOR STATEHOOD!!!
Also, if I recall, at the end of "Mask of Zorro", they had a baby GIRL...
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
My eyes hurt
My eyes hurt. I don't think I blinked for about two hours.
I am a notoriously tough grade when I vote on movies here, only about 15 movies have I ever given a 10 ranking to. The first two LOTRs only ranked as 9's.
This received a 10.
Cube 2: Hypercube (2002)
They lost something.
When making this sequel, many things have been lost from the original.
*First: In Cube, there was the thought, that, however implausible, there was a remote chance that this could be real. In Cube, you dealt with physical maladies, things that you could see. In Hypercube, they were Supernatural.
*Second: In Cube, there was a sense of hopelessness amongst the characters. In Hypercube, they accepted their situation too readily, and too quickly were able to cope.
*Third: In Cube, there was a mystery, an aura, a question of WHY? In Hypercube, all is too readily explained.
All of this is a pity, as Cube was one of the more unique sci-fi movies ever done. I shudder to think how good Cube could have been if it had the budget of Hypercube. But, in reality, its simplicity may have been its strongest asset.
Hypercube could have been great, and could still be good as a "Stand-Alone", but tied in with Cube, it falls a little flat. 5/10.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (1999)
See 'em live
For those unfamiliar with the works of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, this video will give merely a glimpse into their musical genius. This band evolved from a heavy-metal band from the mid-80's called Savatage. As they grew musically, they began to incorporate classical music into their work, ranging from Mozart to Mussgorsky to Beethoven. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra was a side project conceived originally to perform Christmas music, blending traditional and new compositions with a group of highly talented musicians.
This video is just a touch of what they are. Many "guest" performers, such as Michael Crawford and Jewel appear in the video. Watching this video will hopefully give one a desire to look further into the band. These wonderful artists have woven 3 albums together (2 Christmas, and one not) of intricate story-telling, poetry, and, of course, wonderful music.
If you do enjoy what you see and hear, do yourself a favor. Next Christmas, look for their live performance to come to a city near you, and buy a ticket. It is a musical spectacle you will thank yourself for. I have been a Savatage fan for many years, and have now seen TSO play live 3 years in a row. WOW. The collection of musicians, mostly unknowns, is unrivaled. The compositions are wonderful, the performances even more so. Worth every penny.
As a side note, TSO's single non-Christmas release, "Beethoven's Last Night", is one of the best albums I have ever heard. Released nearly 2 years ago, I rarely go as much as a week without listening to it.
Almost Famous (2000)
Almost Perfect
This movie was almost perfect, especially for a fan of early 70's rock and roll music. I gave it a rating of 10 out of 10. (I am tough with my ratings. I currently have voted for 909 titles, and have only given out 25 10's.)
If you get the opportunity to see the directors cut of this movie, do yourself a great favor and do so. It adds incredible depth to the characters. When I saw this originally, I found Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) to be one of the least interesting characters in it, however the directors cut gives her character much needed depth. She comes across as someone who truly wants to escape her "persona" of Penny, and just return to a normal life. She is unable to do so, as the pulls of peer pressure and love keep her going.
Many of the other performances in this movie are as good as they get. Patrick Fugit has a breakout performance as William, the lead character. It is interesting to watch his evolution from a little boy to a man. Watch for the transformation in his character's mood after the scene, about halfway through the movie, where he loses his virginity. Wonderfully performed, as was his conflict to do the right thing, while still learning.
Frances McDormand pulls off a near-perfect performance as Williams over-protective and over-bearing mother, who goes through the turmoil of realizing that her children have grown beyond her care. Don't overlook Jason Lee, whose turn as lead singer Jeff Bebe is well played as well.
Cameron Crowe, the director, controls the mood of this movie in such a way that you are always interested. Humor and drama are well-woven. For every valley, there is an accompanying peak that pulls you along.
This movie is poignant, funny, heart-warming, and lets us all re-live the turmoil of youth conflict. I will continue to recommend this movie to everyone I see, and will watch it over and over for the nuances I may have missed.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
You aren't George Lucas
I saw Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones last night. I thought it was fantastic! However, this morning, I logged onto the IMDB, and started reading the comments the other users have posted. I was a bit troubled.
After reading through these comments, I have a few of my own.
First of all, the critique of the acting is acceptable. I don't agree with most of the points made, but that's a matter for personal translation.
Second, the people who are deriding the effects...were you watching the same movie I was? The effects in this movie far outshine anything else I have seen...including the Matrix and LOTR, and definately Spiderman. Maybe that is simply because it the newest, but if you didn't like it, watch the battle scenes again. Wow.
Third, the "Attack of the title". Leave the title AOTC alone. You don't get it, do you? Yes, the clones fought with the good guys in this movie. DUH! All part of Palpatines master plan! He hasn't revealed himself as evil, yet....he's getting the good guys to do his dirty work for him! DUH!
Fourth, and most importantly, the critique of the plot and the love story. I have a question: CAN I SEE YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE? DOES IT SAY "GEORGE LUCAS"? NO? THEN WHO ARE YOU TO CRITIQUE ANOTHER MAN'S VISION. IF THIS IS WHAT LUCAS BELEIVES HAPPENS IN ***HIS*** STORY, THEN THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS! SO SHUT UP! The love story is necessary. Otherwise, how would Luke and Leia ever be born. The sub-plot involving the cloning facility is necessary. The clone wars are an integral part of the Star Wars universe history! Even the much derided Jar-Jar Binks has his purpose in the whole storyline revealed. Amidala would never have done what he did while acting on her behalf. Jar-Jar has a purpose. Still annoying, but he has a purpose.
In conclusion, I'd just like to say that those who hated it so much should just shut up and go watch "A Boy's Life"...obviously more your speed.
George Lucas in Love (1999)
fun, but....
"George Lucas In Love" was a fun little short. I think it was probably the most creative Star Wars themed parody to come out since "Hardware Wars" came out over 25 years ago.
It's only flaw was that it was TOO short! The problem with this type of humor is that it wears out quickly, but in this case, 9 minutes made it feel forced, and if it had been stretched out to about 15 minutes, it could have been even better. Any longer, then it would wear you down.
The Simpsons (1989)
Still a great show
I had no intention on putting in a comment on "The Simpsons", but after reading through the comments others have put in, I feel obligated to get my two cent's worth.
This is one of the greatest television shows ever produced; subversive, funny, deep. It takes great advantage of it's animated format to get away with things other shows can not. Continuity is not a concern. As far as the creators are concerned, each episode is entirely self-contained, with no connection from one to another (except when they feel like it. That's the beauty). They can be more creative that way. Watch the show. Tape it and watch it again. I guarantee that you will see something you missed....jokes that are on-screen for a split second, you will miss them the first time, but later catch them and laugh. Watch the back-ground. The true genius of any TV show or movie comedy is in the depth of the comedy. The Simpsons layers it. A joke can occur in the foreground or the background. A punchline in season 9 can often times refer to something that happened in season 3, put in as a treat to the true hardcore fan. That is the genius of this show.
Those who say that the show has slipped, frankly, they are correct. But to slip from such a peak, it is still a fantastic satire, and I would hope it continues for many more years.
And to those of you who wish the show to be taken off the air, I leave you with this: CHANGE THE CHANNEL AND LET THE REST OF US ENJOY THIS SHOW!!!
Lady in the Box (2001)
An entertaining 2 hours
Being from Milwaukee, I was interested in seeing this film. Since the bar that the main character works at in the film, "Barnacle Buds", is owned by a friend of mine, I was doubly curious, and rushed out on opening night to see it. I mean, how often are movies filmed in good old Milwaukee, WI. (And how often will I have a friend make a cameo? Hasn't happened since "Major League"!)
I had no idea what to expect. I really didn't even know what kind of a movie it is until I saw it. What I got was a wonderful little film noir, a whodunnit type murder mystery filled with little twists and turns, and just a few laughs. I was surprised how riveted I was in wondering, "how will they get through THIS situation?"
On the negative side, there were some very predictable moments, and the movie was obviously filmed on a low budget. When you see a police car appear while they have evidence in the car, of course they will be getting pulled over for something...but this does lead to the movies funniest moment, so it is forgivable.
I have given "Lady in the Box" 7 out of 10 stars....(I am a very tough with giving out my votes. 7 is considered in the "Very Good, but with some problems" range). Go see it, it is an entertaining 2 hours.
The Mummy Returns (2001)
Not Sure If I Liked It
OK, as an action film, it was enjoyable. Yes it suffers from "Sequel-itis". It was fun to watch. Enjoyable characters, great effects (most of the time-Scorpion King was poorly done).
My big problem with the movie was the "bad guys". The film-makers decided to go with excess. In other words, there were a lot of different bad guys, each with their own agenda. Of course, this made the task our heros face very daunting. They were successful in this. However, if you look at each of the characters one by one, and you consider that each one is supposed to be the epitome of all evil, each was far too easily vanquished. Imhotep, the title character, himself turns into a cowardly, sniveling weasel, therefore making him one of the least significant of the baddies!
Plot holes galore, but that is to be expected in any film of this type. Just a celebration of excess that could have been done better with some restraint. Still enjoyable to watch, but try not to think of it as a great movie, and you will be better off. Give it a try.
Highlander: Endgame (2000)
There can be only two?
The Highlander series seems to get more convoluted with each movie. In the first, Christopher Lambert won "The Prize". But since then, for the sake of sequals...there just seem to be other immortals crawling out of the woodwork. There have been some lame excuses in the past for why they were still around...as in the atrocious third movie. This time around, they quit trying to fake it and they just pretend that the "present day" events from the first movie don't exist. Don't get yourself caught up in trying to make sense of it. I won't say anymore, lest I be a "spoiler".
As a stand-alone movie...it was very good. Obviously done for the same reasons as "Star Trek: Generations", as a crossover movie to pass the torch to the younger stars. Lambert shows his age, and Paul is still young enough to carry a movie series. The action was excellent, the plot was ok.
It was nice to see some cameos from the TV series, as well as from the original movie. (Including a quick shot of the building the climax of the first movie took place...PRICELESS!)
In summary, go see the movie, and enjoy it, just don't try to see it as a sequal to the original "Highlander".
Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)
Hilarious
If you can find it....check it out. This is hilarious....it proves that sometimes movie-makers try too hard to be funny. This is as simple as it gets. A great comedy all wrapped up in a tiny package!
(I was rooting for Bambi!)
Titanic (1997)
Those of you who are bagging this movie just don't get it
As a long time Titanic buff, I have spent a lot of time reading up on the events that occurred that night (or that whole week for that matter). I went in pessimistic, but was impressed with how accurate it was. This movie deserves 7/10 stars simply based upon its historical accuracy. It earns the rest for cinematograpy.
The problem Cameron had to face is that the story of a sinking ship itself is not enough to give a movie a plot to follow. Jack and Rose and Cal were placed on Cameron's Titanic merely to give Cameron an excuse to show you the ship end to end, top to bottom, without boring you completely. Sure, the acting could have been better from the principles, but they were not the point of this movie...merely a subplot, as I see it. (By the way, I felt the supporting cast was wonderful...they played their real-life counterparts with accuracy.)
If you didn't like this movie, try reading about Titanic a little bit, and then watch it again...
PS-I AM a Star Wars fan, and I liked this movie...go figure.
Baseball (1994)
Just Incredible
I was always curious about this series...I had heard a lot of great things about it, and as a lifelong baseball fan (ok, I'm only 29), I finally got around to checking it out. I was awed by it. Normally I don't care much for documentaries, but I was drawn in. If I didn't have a life, I would have watched the entire series from beginning to end with no breaks.
The detail, the stories, the old photographs and videos, all of it masterfully done, make this an intriguing series for any baseball fan, and even for those who don't get into baseball as much.
The greatest comment I can make about this series is this: I brought home the 1st 3 "innings" from the library, and put in the first. My wife, who is NOT a sports fan, looked up with interest at the old photographs. (She is a photography buff.) She soon put down her book and started watching. By the second tape, she was sitting next to me asking questions. After the 3rd tape, she couldn't wait for me to go check out the next batch. By the end...SHE was suggesting a vacation to Cooperstown.
I recommend these videos to anyone, sports fan or not, as you will not only learn about the history of baseball, but of America and the world as well. And maybe a little about yourself.
Ed Wood (1994)
Enjoyable, but not terribly accurate
As a big fan of Ed Wood's work, (more specifically: as a BAD movie buff), I must say it is great to see Edward D Wood, Jr. get some recognition for his hard (bad) work.
The movie has many inaccuracies, things such as the sequence of Wood's films, and other details of the movies. But in my mind the real life of Wood would not have made for a very good movie, so Tim Burton took some liberties. For a change this does not destroy a historical representation, but rather makes it easier to follow.
Last of all, the cast was excellent. Johnny Depp is one of the finest character actors in Hollywood today, and he managed to bring a warmth to a man who was, in real life, deeply, deeply disturbed. Depp was surrounded by many other fine actors, and the cameos by some of Wood's real life friends were a delight!
The Avengers (1998)
Ouch
With a cast that includes Connery and Thurman, how could you possibly go wrong? Watch this movie and you will find out. Painful to watch...it's a shame that one of the greatest of all time, Connery, got himself involved in such a disaster.
Bachelor Party (1984)
Underrated
OK...so the content is sophomoric, and essentially aimed at the teenage party crowd. And it has Adrian Zmed in it. But despite these shortcomings, the humor in this movie is actually quite good, and in the right frame of mind one would consider this a very funny movie. It's no surprise that Hanks didn't get an Oscar for this one, but it's still worth a look.
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
One of the Best
This was a great movie from start to finish. From the opening teaser sequence to the conclusion, the action and intrigue were nonstop.
TWINE had all of the elements that make the Bond series great...a great storyline, beautiful locales, beautiful women, and a lot of action at a pace so you don't notice the anomalies in the plot. This one also was the first Bond movie in a long time to add an air of mystery and true espionage to the plot (is Elektra a badguy or not?). And the revenge factor, with M's personal vendetta made it very intriguing, given her line in Goldeneye to not make it personal.
The teaser scene, as long as it was, was so packed with action that you actually forget that the credits haven't run yet, and that is just a prelude to the action to come. For my money, this was the best pre-credit teaser in the entire Bond series.
Sure Denise Richards is a stretch as a nuclear scientist, but you must remember that this is the Bond universe, where women in powerful positions actually look this good. Sophie Marceau was stunning as Elektra, and the other women gave us our fill of eye candy.
And if this is Q's swan song, a solid replacement has been found. Cleese and Llewellen have both said Q will be back, but at the age of 85, they had to prepare for the inevitable. His departure was full of class.
Overall a fantastic addition to the series. I'd say one of the 5 best, but let it sink in first. I'm likely to end up thinking so regardless...