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myleenjan
Reviews
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Music was weird, script not as witty as the first....
Am I the only one who thought the music really dragged the movie down? Especially the opening theme song. The Oompa Loompas were pretty creepy and the music was totally unfitting of the movie mood... which made it both cheesy and dark at the same time. They were either singing really bad "hip hop" or really seedy 70s glamrock or strangely, a combination of both. One scene in particular where they walk into the place where everything is made of candy, had some really horrible, bizarre sounding instrumentals in the background that didn't make you feel like you were strolling through a fantasy candyland, but rather a really bad haunted house for 5 year olds. Most of the songs you will easily forget after the movie is over, since you won't find any cool or catchy tunes. I am also a firm believer that the music makes the movie seem all the better (loved music from all the HP movies, for example, which had to work!).
I think the jokes, character development, music and script in the first movie was much better done, especially for the other kids in the movie. Everyone except for Charlie, Grandpa Joe and maybe Wonka, had little depth. The other kids were boring and not very realistic. Wonka could have been a little funnier, and he seemed like a combination of Edward Scissorhands and Michael Jackson. Pretty freaky.
The special effects were good, but not used to the full advantage. especially because the music was such a turn off.
I'm a fan of Roald Dahl and the first movie, so I think I had high expectations. I was also not happy about the change in the ending or the cut of one of the side stories. I wouldn't say this was a bad movie but a disappointing one.
Oldeuboi (2003)
Perverse and disturbing, but well-made
*Spoiler Warning* This movie will affect people in many different ways, but most will say that it's the most disturbing movie of the year. Oh Dae-su is the perfect study of turning the life of an ordinary, flawed man into that of a monster through the most horrific psychological and physical torture imaginable. It's as if someone thought of the most immoral, darkest dreams and put them on screen for you to witness. I could barely watch the last part because of the emotions that were torn out of this man. It was like watching the destruction of his soul, especially when he was subjected to listening to his lovemaking and his desperation to keep it a secret. As far as the cinematography, music and color usage, its use of filth, darkness and dank in contrast to the cold, gray, immaculate penthouse of Joo-wijyn (sp?) was brilliant, and the modern soundtrack was well-done. If you enjoy story lines like Memento and Matrix with the sick scenes of the Cell or Happiness, then you probably would find this movie fascinating. I give this movie 9 out of 10 only because it isn't the type of film I'd like to watch over and over again.
Spanglish (2004)
Really wanted to like it but...
... this movie was lacking a great script and the touch of realism. The dialogue was muddled & confusing, and trying really hard to be philosophical and touching, but unfortunately, missed it completely. I often got frustrated and screamed, "what?!"... it was quirky and unrealistic. Sometimes the quirkiness adds to the charm of the movie (like Being John Malkovich), here it felt really fake. Like it was trying to match Sideways from a Mexican American point of view.
Here's my other problem with it. The realism of having a tall, skinny, light-skinned Mexican woman with no boyfriend and a wonderfully behaved kid working as a live-in housekeeper just seems like a male fantasy trying to play reality. I mean, how realistic is that? The acting was average at best, but a really poor performance by the daughter of Adam Sandler's character (sometimes you can see her trying to cover up a smile while getting angry).
While I tried to like this movie and the story definitely had a lot of potential, there were major problems and this one had a snore factor. Some things could have been explored more, like the dad's relationship with the kids (you rarely saw how they bonded) and the stupid dog thing could have been cut. Well, it could be worth a look/see if it's on cable, but save your rental fee or $20.
Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Charmless...
If you want to see a real romantic movie, see Notting Hill, Shadowlands or
Sleepless in Seattle... this movie is without any charm or romance
really...
not what I consider truly romantic. My question is, why do people sleep
with
each other and THEN find out how each other really are? It's all too
predictable without much mystery and the story didn't allow the "real
feelings" develop between characters. I felt that the relationship aspect
of
their "love" hadn't had much time to really develop. The focus of the
movie
seemed a lot to be on J. Lo's onscreen son. It was an okay film, but i'd
definitely wait to rent it.
Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Charmless...
If you want to see a real romantic movie, see Notting Hill, Shadowlands or
Sleepless in Seattle... this movie is without any charm or romance
really...
not what I consider truly romantic. My question is, why do people sleep
with
each other and THEN find out how each other really are? It's all too
predictable without much mystery and the story didn't allow the "real
feelings" develop between characters. I felt that the relationship aspect
of
their "love" hadn't had much time to really develop. The focus of the
movie
seemed a lot to be on J. Lo's onscreen son. It was an okay film, but i'd
definitely wait to rent it.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
a tremendously good time!
This is a clever story with many twists and a surprisingly complex story line... i'm amazed how J.K. Rowling pulled off making something so interesting for both children and adults! The adventure keeps you on right there flying with them in their magical car and the emotional story of Harry keeps emotionally bonded with him. It's a long movie, but keeps your attention. These HP movies will be classics!