mmunies Reviews

Chicago (2002)

This received how many Oscar nominations??????

[6/10 · 16 February 2003]

I went to see this movie based on the number of nominations it received. Usually, when I see a movie that is pretty well critically acclaimed, has noted stars, and comes in an interesting package I'm pleasantly surprised.

No such luck here. I kept checking my watch after 45 minutes into it. I initially liked the feel and tempo of the movie. I really liked sensing that I was seeing a real "broadway" show. This feeling ran out fast though and I became quickly bored with the overdone story, unsympathetic characters, etc.

Movies sure must have stunk this year.

Nora (2000)

Wonderful concept and good effort but could have been more

[7/10 · 4 June 2002]

I was so excited when I finally saw this film available in video. I had heard about it when it opened in the UK two years ago and was disappointed that it never opened in theaters that were close to me.

After seeing it, I'm not sure I'm as impressed with it as I would have liked.

It started out well enough but seemed to have several missing pieces as the film went on. My biggest problem is that I could not get a sense of what Nora saw in James, how much of a genius James was, and the complete picture of themselves as a couple in their times.

The pacing was also a little off - I wouldn't call it slow but it seemed slow because it focused so much on this one aspect of this couple but never really expanded beyond that.

I disagree with several of the critics who originally trashed this film. I don't think it was a bad film - it had lots of interesting things in it. While I enjoyed both of the characters, it was hard for me to feel much empathy for them. Joyce was portrayed as kind of a jealous, small minded, petty, and selfish bastard while Nora could be really awful herself and you never could figure out what they saw in each other beyond sex.

I'm glad I saw it but I think the story could have been a lot better if it was more tightly told, better paced and the viewer had a chance to see what the story was really trying to convey.

K-PAX (2001)

cool movie that maintains a sense of fun and creativity

[8/10 · 11 November 2001]

I really liked this movie. It wasn't the sort that just completely blows you away but it's one that stays with you afterwards. Spacey and Bridges were the key elements on why this film worked as well as it did.

While some of the parts were a little bit too smooth (if only mental hospitals were so pleasant and doctors so dedicated), I really enjoyed the overall story. I also liked the way it allowed the viewer to make up his/her own mind.

Glad that the fall/winter season has finally arrived.

Jurassic Park III (2001)

Brings back some of the wonder

[6/10 · 11 August 2001]

While not as good as the original Jurassic Park, I have to agree that it was better than the second. Jurassic Park II was just a monster movie while this one actually had dinosaurs doing neat things and had more of the original sense of wonder with it.

The story wasn't great and had some plot holes but still stood up pretty well. The action, the dinos were just brilliant. I loved looking at the intelligent raptors and the pterosaurs were the best!

One thing though - I wish they had less cheesy human parts (particularly at the end) and more dinos!!!

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Imaginative movie with great imagery and acting

[7/10 · 14 July 2001]

A.I. so far is one of the better movies I've seen this summer. It's wonderfully imaginative and has a story that seems familiar but also contains much depth.

It also is a movie that will make movie-goers think about a variety of ethical and societal issues in a way that most movies don't. These issues are presented in a kind of naive, simplistic way but at least they're brought up.

I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the movie but I must admit the last third fell a bit flat. It's like they painted themselves in a corner that they couldn't get out of without creating an absurd, cheap ending that just didn't seem very plausible on any level.

The acting by the principles was wonderful all around although I'm getting a little weary of Hurt's tired intellectual character. I loved Gigolo Joe played by Jude Law and just wish they had used his character in a more meaningful way. In many ways, he seemed just an extra character on the peripheral of the story.

The special effects were wonderful (what else?) but I'm glad it wasn't the entire focus of the movie. I could really, really see the Kubrick touches and was delighted by that. It made me yearn to see 2001 again.

While A.I. is no ET, it certainly is a movie that will be remembered and will hold its own.

Shrek (2001)

Good, silly fun

[9/10 · 20 June 2001]

So far the best movie of the summer in my opinion. I really enjoyed Shrek since it was fun for both kids and adults. Not too many animated movies can be really good for both kids and adults. Shrek was an excellent parody on Disney, had lots of gross stuff for kids (and twisted adults like me), cool references (the best one was the reference to Bogart/Bacall film - if you need me, whistle), and just a wonderful story where everyone lives happily ever after in the end.

HOORAY!

Finding Forrester (2000)

Connery was simply brilliant!

[8/10 · 15 June 2001]

I am so happy this movie wasn't a basic remake of "Good Will Hunting". In many ways, this film exceeded that film by seeming more real and genuine.

The acting was just great. Particularly from Sean Connery in a role I've never seen him in before.

My one complaint was the appearance of Matt Damon at the end. I thought that was cheesy.

Otherwise, cool film.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Silly, campy fun that could have been a lot better

[6/10 · 8 June 2001]

Well, I definitely didn't hate Moulin Rouge like I feared but there were times I felt like hiding my head with a blanket. In all honesty, if you get through the first 15 or so minutes and see what they are doing, you find yourself getting into this rather silly but still fun flick.

I had a few complaints though - the frenetic camera movement (particularly in the beginning scenes), the really absurd added touches such as a fake moon smiling and others, and the inability to slow down to see the characters create the story rather than have to narrate what is going on.

This is absolutely not a film for everyone. I can see where the novelty of the film is a real positive and the special effects were amazing. Sure, the story has been done a billion times but it's a good story if a little saccharine. I don't mind mush as long as it's honest mush - this film struck me as being honest mush.

I liked the acting overall but this is the sort of film that didn't really call for heavy acting from the leads which was a little disappointing. Jim Broadbent has been one of my favorites for a while and I thought he did a great job. I've always found myself impartial to Ewan McGregor and I just enjoy watching him on screen period. I thought both he and Nicole Kidman had "okay" voices but I think if you took away some of the echoing and effects, they would have sounded a bit flat. It almost looked like Kidman was lip-synching in a few scenes which I'm sure she was.

I give it an "A" for effort and I loved the originality - parts of the film were quite memorable and good. But it just wasn't enough to sustain an entire film and it sort of missed it with the frenetic editing, the over simplified story, and too silly, cringeable touches.

Memento (2000)

Really neat flick - don't let it get away!

[9/10 · 31 May 2001]

This was a very intriguing, original movie. I loved the way they put together the story once I could see what they were doing - it was like solving a jigsaw puzzle!

The acting was uniformly very very good. Guy Pierce really played his very complex character very well. I also enjoyed Carrie Ann Moss.

This movie is one of those rare movies that make you think about all of the pieces and the story after it's done.

I'm really glad I saw it.

The Mummy Returns (2001)

Silly, campy, over the top but still fun

[6/10 · 20 May 2001]

I really enjoyed the original Mummy a few years ago which was the main reason I came back for the sequel. While I'm not sorry I saw the sequel, I was disappointed in that it wasn't nearly as clever or as well done as the first.

The producers of "The Mummy Returns" didn't even bother to fill in all of those tiny little plot holes. **POSSIBLE SPOILER** Like, how did the Maji character manage to make it to the temple and escape the little pygmie creatures that nailed everyone else? They also never really explained the full Scorpion story very well in the very beginning.

I wasn't expecting to think very deeply about this movie since it's just pure, silly entertainment at its most mindless. Mummy Returns still retains its old fashioned action film appeal and I still enjoyed it enormously. I even liked the campy one liners that I might have found annoying in another movie. Brendan Fraser helped a great deal in making "The Mummy Returns" a fun experience.

The special effects are great and the movie still scares. I was surprised to see so many young kids in the audience with a PG-13 rating.

I'd recommend it but I hope it won't be the best of this summer. I'm betting on either Shrek or AI for that honor.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Total Classic

[9/10 · 10 April 2001]

This is about the third time I've seen this movie and after all of these years it still wears really well.

Yeah, the acting is cheesy (especially in the beginning), the special effects primitive by today standards but it's a brilliant story and just great by any standard.

I hope the new one comes somewhat close to the original.

The Contender (2000)

Great political drama if not a bit naive

[8/10 · 28 March 2001]

I had hoped that "The Contender" was a truly adult film and it didn't disappoint. I loved the cast, thought the message the film was trying to convey very relevant ( a tad manipulative perhaps but it worked), and the movie had lots of smarts and wild twists of plot.

Nevertheless, the film is really naive - if ONLY things would really end like that in real life! The "good guys" win in the end. Closer to the truth is that there really are no "good guys" and that both parties are busy trying to mess with the other.

I also was glad this film did bring the message that someone's personal sexual activities is no one's business. Maybe people will eventually work this one out and actually pay attention to issues that really matter.

I really wished that Gary Oldman received more recognition in this film. I know he played yet another villain but he was just so totally transformed from his usual self that it was hard to believe it was actually him. He's a brilliant actor who is very under recognized.

I don't understand the folks who criticized this film as a "Pro Democratic party" film - I think they're missing the point. It was a thinking film for sure - not without it's flaws - but well worth the time for everyone.

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

Neither Hated or Loved it

[8/10 · 27 March 2001]

I guess I can say I liked this film but not as much as I hoped. Too much of it was pretentious - the jerky camera motion and the over acting of Bjork. I thought she was great and very intense in this film but I'm wondering if she has the range or talent to continue in films as different people. I couldn't help shake the feeling that she was very much a part of the character she played.

Disturbing film without question but the story was very simple and almost elegant. I thought the film production overall was quite good and the film itself was more creative than most we get to see.

I felt depressed afterwards and had to have a couple of beers to cheer me back up.

This movie is for those who like art movies, don't mind some pretentiousness, and aren't disturbed easily by a very harsh cold reality and things not ending happily ever after - they don't.

The Perfect Storm (2000)

Fun ride but with flaws

[6/10 · 1 March 2001]

This turned out to be a fun summer pic but it definitely wasn't extraordinary. See this movie if you love suspense and cool special effects.

The story is very trite and the human interest element got on my nerves. I thought the acting overall was fine but this movie had no surprises. We knew how it was going to end and i knew how they were building up the beginning so that we could see what was going to happen. I did not like the female characters since they seemed so one dimensional and a little absurd at times.

I gave it a six - good summer fare but not much else....

Bagdad Cafe (1987)

Neat movie from out of the blue.

[8/10 · 20 February 2001]

I thought this movie was very, very strange at first and I wasn't sure exactly what I had gotten myself into as I looked at the clock. As it went on though, I really got into the pacing of the film and started to understand the story as it unfolded. This movie is a triumph in storytelling and it leaves you with a great feeling afterwards without being one of those typical "feel-good" movies.

Highly recommended as one you would not normally see but are glad you did afterwards.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Starting the year off right

[9/10 · 14 February 2001]

I'm so glad I finally got a chance to see this film before it got away. It was a movie that was lots of fun and greatly entertaining. Not a movie to take seriously but you can still see the parallels between it and Homer's Odyssey.

It's a pretty broad parody on southern life and the 1930's. The actors even act like they are 1930 type parodies. Clooney was just great - totally unlike I've seen him before.

There were a few plot holes but not anything that you would count against this film. The movie really drew me in and I kept wondering what was happening next.

All in all, a lot of fun. I hope they make more movies like this one.

Love's Labour's Lost (2000)

Clever idea that gets stuck in its own muck

[6/10 · 31 January 2001]

I honestly did want to like this film - I mean, you have to give credit to an idea that combines a 30's musical with Shakespeare. And, I really like Kenneth Branaugh, one of the few classy actors out there.

But... it just didn't work. I lost my attention throughout half of it. It's not that the performances were bad it's just that the story didn't make a bit of sense and I stopped caring about what happened. I mean, I think it tried to be too creative and they really didn't think about those necessary things - called a plot.

Well, good try anyway. I gave it a "6" for an effort to be creative or original which is not an easy thing sometimes.

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Not as good as the first one

[5/10 · 31 January 2001]

While this was not a painful movie to watch, it certainly disappointed. It also had some extremely annoying aspects such as trying to be stylish or artsy by slowing a scene way down for no apparent reason. The result was cheesy and cliched.

Actually, the whole movie could be described as cheesy and cliched. Sure, there were lots of COOL explosions, Sydney looked gorgeous and Tom Cruise was Tom Cruise. It could be called mildly entertaining but it missed in so many ways. The dialogue was insipid, Thandie Newton carried this love struck cow look on her face throughout most of the film, there were a lot of unbelievable parts (how convenient that the bad guys happened to have a land cruiser on hand to chase Cruise with)and it wasn't nearly as clever as it tried to be.

I hope they don't go for MI III in this vein. Hopefully, it will be more creative next time.

Chuck & Buck (2000)

Weird and sometimes hard to enjoy but in the end worth it

[7/10 · 3 January 2001]

Like a lot of users, I wasn't too sure about this film at first. The film made me feel completely creeped out at first. It's focused completely on Buck, this seriously developmentally retarded individual that is living in his own world but somehow can seem a little menacing at the same time he is innocent.

If you give this movie a chance and try to see it as a story about two young men growing up and coming to terms with themselves, it's a good story. The actor who plays Buck is brilliantly dead on as a 10 year old caught in arrested development. The director of his play was also wonderful.

I had a hard time following how Chuck, as a supposed "normal" person, could end up giving into Buck but I guess that was the way the film makers were showing Chuck coming to terms with himself. I had a hard time buying into it though.

Not the best movie but an interesting quirky film that is worthwhile to see.

All About My Mother (1999)

They need more films like this!

[8/10 · 3 January 2001]

This was a very moving, touching film about a woman's life and the loss of her son.

I could see why it was never a mainstream movie (too many sensitive subjects - prostitution, drug abuse, transvestite, homosexuality) but that is a lot of people's loss.

Kind of sad in many ways but with enough sense of humor and intelligence to not making seeing this film a drag.

I enjoyed it.

The Harvey Girls (1946)

Dated and flat out bad and silly

[4/10 · 17 December 2000]

I watched this knowing full well it would be corny and kind of silly. But I didn't expect it to be BAD. There are some films that do become dated but if they were genuinely good at the time, I can still enjoy them.

Not so with this film. I'd be curious to see what the original reviews were like (without the nostalgia of today's viewers).

I loved Judy Garland - I've liked her in almost all of her films - Meet Me in St. Louis, Wizard of Oz and yes, even those silly Mickey Rooney films.

But the dialogue, cheesy situations, and generally ridiculous story (not entirely historically accurate of course) could not allow me to enjoy this film as much as I wanted.

And only two decent songs! The rest were horrible!

The lead guy was creepy looking! And Angela Lansbury (who turned into a fine actor) made my bowels clench every time I had to look at her sour face - I'm glad people can get better.

Anyway, sorry sentimentalists - this one is not all that great.

Stigmata (1999)

Pretty darned silly

[5/10 · 10 November 2000]

I picked up this movie under the mistaken impression that it would be a suspenseful, even scary, thriller. It was no where near this. In fact, it often came across as silly and confusing throughout most of the picture.

The acting was okay (Byrne and Pryce particularly)and the story came together at the end but at that point I ceased caring.

It seemed mostly to be religious hocus pocus without much to it. It also was just ridiculous - a more subtle approach would have been more believable for lack of a better word.

A bit disappointing - my vote is a five.

Best in Show (2000)

Clever and funny

[7/10 · 4 November 2000]

I liked this movie - I also didn't think it was outright hilarious but it had some real genuinely funny moments and kept me giggling throughout it.

I couldn't believe those owners! YARG! Several of those people would have sent me screaming! They were simply awful but I could honestly believe that there are people like this in all walks of life.

The dialogue was really wonderful - particularly in scenes with the announcer. I really loved the characterization of the owners (each in their own unique, awful, batty way) and of course, the dogs. The dogs were brilliant and the only sane ones in the movie.

For both dog lovers and non-dog lovers!

Billy Elliot (2000)

Passionate, engrossing story overcomes cliches

[8/10 · 29 October 2000]

I'm not sure why this film is being compared to the Full Monty other than the fact that it involves folks from Northern England. The films are quite different.

Billy Elliot is a movie just chock full of cliches but instead of being a bore, it's a wonderful film. The main reason is that the passion and sincerity behind this film is amazing. The acting by Jamie Bell is outstanding and is one of the main reasons to see this movie.

I was completely engrossed in this film even though I knew how it would turn out and the characters are pretty stereotypical in many ways.

Just goes to show you how long you can go with a fundamentally good story, great acting, good direction, and actually caring more about the film than making money.

Almost Famous (2000)

Okay, I can agree with the critics on this one

[8/10 · 23 October 2000]

I'm so glad I got a chance to see this film. No, it's not the absolutely BEST film I'd ever seen but it's easily close to the best I've seen all year (what a HORRID summer)and it's a wonderful film. The cast, the story, the music, and the whole feel to the film was fantastic. You really could get the feeling of being a band groupie in the 70's.

Everyone was brilliant and played their parts well. It's hard for me to pick out any stand outs since I pretty much enjoyed everyone. The story was unique and seemed, for lack of better words, REAL.

I just wish this film had been better marketed. Not nearly the number of people who would have seen this film saw it since it was put on such limited release its first few weeks. The first couple of weeks it was released it had the highest audience ration per theatre. After the distributors released it wide, other movies had opened and people unfortunately forgot the favorable reviews this film had received. Big mistake since this film should have done so much better. Not that it should matter - still a great film.

Highly recommended.