dewey22 Reviews

Monster (2003)

ACTING AT ITS BEST

[9/10 · 19 December 2004]

There are many reasons to watch a movie, entertainment being primary. One might also merely appreciate the art of acting in much the same way that one might appreciate a painting, beautiful but one wouldn't call that entertaining. "Monster" is this kind of art as it displays flawless acting, directing, and editing. Its two hours always retains the viewer's interest. Most notable of all is the portrayal of Aileen Wuonos, the notorious serial-killer of Florida. This demanding role was performed by Charlize Theron, and was done to perfection. Not since Crissy Rock's performance in "Ladybird Ladybird" have I seen anyone portray so well a personality type that (thank goodness) is foreign to most of us.

House of Sand and Fog (2003)

EXCELLENT ACTING AND DIRECTING

[9/10 · 10 October 2004]

It is surprising that this movie didn't win at least one academy award for Ben Kingsley who played a very persuasive role of an exiled Iranian shortly after the 1979 Iranian revolution when the Ayatollah Khomeini came to power after overthrowing the Shah. Ben Kingsley, an officer in the Shah's army, fled to the U.S. with his wife and son.There,the family bought a home that was being auctioned by the city after a woman failed to pay her property taxes. This house,the one in the title, evolves into a curse to all that want to own it. The script is well edited and the characters well developed. The movie evolves unexpectedly, very much the way life does.This is definitely one of the best movies of 2003, and one of the best acted ever.

Gods and Generals (2003)

A BIG LET DOWN

[6/10 · 14 February 2004]

Anyone that expects Gods and Generals to be of the same quality as the 1993 production of "Gettysburg", will be disappointed. The first thing to object to is the very poor sub-titling throughout the movie. The letters are much to small, and there isn't enough time to read the small print before its taken off of the screen. Also, there is far too much effort to put various messages into the dialog. Perhaps Ted Turner wanted to make a movie that delivered a message to the viewer. If so, the attempt is far too obvious and clumsy. The only saving graces to the movie are its battle scenes and close conformity to historic accuracy.

Gods and Generals (2003)

A BIG LET DOWN

[6/10 · 14 February 2004]

Anyone that expects Gods and Generals to be of the same quality as the 1993 production of "Gettysburg", will be disappointed. The first thing to object to is the very poor titling throughout the movie. The letters are much to small, and there isn't enough time to read the small print before its taken off of the screen. Also, there is far too much effort to put various messages into the dialog. Perhaps Ted Turner wanted to make a movie that delivered a message to the viewer. If so, the attempt is far too obvious and clumsy. The only saving graces to the movie are its battle scenes and close conformity to historic accuracy.

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

WOW! WHAT A PERFORMANCE

[9/10 · 26 June 2003]

This is a movie that should not be overlooked by anyone that wants to see great acting. The main role is performed by Iceland's Bjork. Her performance is as excellent as will ever be seen. There are many excellent actors and actresses that aren't recognized because they aren't cast into demanding roles. This role of a girl, that is going blind, is very demanding,and Bjork fills the need to over flowing. The movie is done with great sensitivity and should evoke all the emotions that a viewer should want. Great acting throughout and obviously great directing.The movie is very disturbing, and should not be watched just before trying to go to sleep.

Hysterical Blindness (2002 TV Movie)

OUTSTANDING ACTING

[8/10 · 26 August 2002]

One of 2002's best acting performances is in this movie about two young women pursuing their dreams but only finding emptiness. One will never be disappointed by the always great acting of Gena Rowlands and Juliette Lewis. The surprise is in the acting of Uma Thurman. Her character has to be one of the most difficult roles I've ever seen, and she is so convincing that it's hard to believe that she doesn't live a life off-stage as she did here. The movie is excellently directed and edited. The subject is somewhat discomforting, as is much of today's culture.

Path to War (2002 TV Movie)

A must see for those who are interested in the War in Vietnam.

[10/10 · 19 May 2002]

This movie is as well done as is possible. Casting, directing, acting,editing, and script (for what it dealt with),could not be improved upon. Though the movie is long, it doesn't seem that way because of the excellent editing. If there is a fault with the movie, since it is supposed to follow America's path into that war, it would be in ignoring the "Gulf of Tonkin Incident" that was a major factor in getting public support for our initial entry into to Vietnam with combat troops. Since there is much suspicion as to whether this was a trumped-up event, it should have been explored in some depth instead of making only casual mention of it, even if it meant making this movie into a mini-series.

Heavy (1995)

Pruitt Taylor Vince should have got an Academy Award nomination

[8/10 · 26 January 2002]

This is a movie that I almost didn't watch because it was to be about a fat pizza cook. After watching for thirty minutes, it was obvious that the movie was about the very sensitive feelings of someone who is over weight. The performance by Pruitt Taylor Vince was very impressive, and I felt if not winning an Academy Award, should have at least been nominated. Few actors can express as much without saying a word, as he did in this very powerful and touching movie.

Men of Honor (2000)

Worth seeing if only to understand or racist heritage.

[8/10 · 14 November 2001]

This movie is worth seeing if only for the purpose of understanding the mind-set of those who have greatly suffered from prejudice. Robert DiNiro is a red-neck who is transformed into a semi-rational individual by the character of the role played by Cuba Gooding. The movie's greatest weakness is by DiNiro who over-acts as he has been doing in recent movies. It is as though the directors are over-awed by his excellent early performances, and choose to not rein-in his exaggerated and unbelievable portrayals.

The War Zone (1999)

A film directing masterpiece

[8/10 · 13 November 2001]

This movie deals with the incestual relationship between a father and his daughter, and how it impacts the son when he discovers this. I could not find the slightest fault with the movie. Casting, acting, editing, film-sets, photography, and costumes were all perfect. The portrayal of the daughter by Lara Belmont should have received some award for such an excellent acting job in a very difficult role. I wish that Tim Roth would put his acting and directing talent in more movies.

Victoria & Albert (2001)

A flawless A&E production

[10/10 · 25 October 2001]

Few movies are made that are so flawless. Perfect in: casting, directing, editing, content, costumes, and background music. All performances are believable and the diction is as clear as if it were an American made movie. The main character "Victoria" is played by Victoria Hamilton whose ability to express feelings without speaking is Oscar winning quality plus.

Joe the King (1999)

I was almost "Joe the king"

[8/10 · 17 June 2001]

At the first of this movie I was almost ready to watch something else. After fifteen minutes, I began to see myself in "Joe" My childhood was remarkably like Joe's and if it hadn't been for my father being killed in a car accident in 1937, I would have been another Joe or worse. Thankfully, unlike Joe, I was brought up in my grandmother's home and had a successful life. It is amazing to me that Whaley could direct this picture with such insight without having the experiences of Joe. Great acting, directing, casting, and editing with some innovative ideas that worked. Such as at the very end having Joe just look back into the camera as though wondering how society let him disintegrate to his present condition of going into detention.

61* (2001 TV Movie)

Even baseball haters will like this movie.

[9/10 · 30 April 2001]

Billy Crystal should direct more movies like this one. Even those who are neutral or negative about baseball will like this movie. The casting, editing, performances, and directing were perfect. My wife and I care nothing about baseball (especially todays version), but found this one of the best movies of the year. The movie goes into personalities and relationships sufficiently to make the movie interesting even if it were about checkers.

August (1996)

Anthony Hopkins should stick to acting.

[5/10 · 26 March 2001]

What a shame to see the excellent actor, Anthony Hopkins, make such an inept effort at directing. This movie is about a group of miserable Welsh gentry who have nothing better to do than make each other as unhappy as they know how. This is a sort of childish attempt to imitate "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe" with a larger cast. There is no character that seems like a real person (other than in an institution) and will bore most anyone to sleep. I watched to the end just to see if Hopkins would improve with experience. He didn't.

Haven (2001 TV Movie)

Great portrayal of courage which was ruined by cliches.

[4/10 · 27 February 2001]

This is the story of a woman of great courage and compassion. The acting was excellent. I, however, felt clubbed to death by every anti-Jewish cliche known. I lived in the mid-west during the time of this movie's setting and had several Jewish friends. I rarely ever saw the unkind responses shown in this movie. In fact the only times that I ever heard negative comments about Jews were in a few adults who were prejudiced about equally between all the groups different than their own. In this regard, the movie is little different than many "black" movies that go to extremes to show victimizing of their class.

The Thin Blue Lie (2000 TV Movie)

The end never justified these means.

[9/10 · 14 August 2000]

One of the best made for TV movies ever. The story revolves around a new reporter (Rob Morrow) for The Philadelphia Examiner who senses police corruption. He put his life at risk in the investigation along with Randy Quaid's. Excellent performances throughout and well edited and directed. It is a movie which should be watched, especially those who think that a safe city should be sought by any means.

Nuremberg (2000)

One of the best made for TV movies.

[9/10 · 19 July 2000]

I hope that this movie represents the kind of TV movies that we can expect from the Turner-Time Warner merger. Acting couldn't be better and the editing was perfect. Many items in the movie were brought out that were generally unknown to me. One thing that was especially compelling was in not demonizing of all Nazis. Even Goering was appealing for his unflappable attitude in what he regarded as certain death. Some Nazis were guilty of seemingly minor crimes, while most were certainly deserving of the execution awaiting them. I hope everyone who believes that The Holocaust was a fabrication, watches this.

Rockabye (1986 TV Movie)

Oscar quality performance by Valerie Bertinelli

[8/10 · 5 June 2000]

There is an Oscar quality performance by Valerie Bertinelli as the mother of a sub 3 year old child. While outside Macey's department store in Manhattan, she is maced and her child stolen. The remainder of the movie revolves around her effort to find her child in conjunction with a reporter of a newspaper. All performances are excellent and the plot is believable with only a slight stretch of probabilities. Definitely worth watching for Valerie's performance.

George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire (2000)

Clearly-power corrupts

[8/10 · 5 May 2000]

Whether you love George Wallace or hate him, this documentary shows how power or its pursuit, corrupts. The movie shows Henry Wallace's change from his humanistic early state to his inhuman segregationist being and then back again. When he sought power, he said whatever the people of Alabama wanted to hear. When the ability to gain power no longer existed, he reverted back to the sympathetic being that he was early in life. Very worth seeing.

Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble (2000 TV Movie)

A true story of courage but flawed in directing.

[8/10 · 24 April 2000]

This is the courageous true story of an English actress who marries an American southerner who owns slaves. He promises her freedom before marriage but after marriage she becomes just another slave, although with many more privileges. The movie has so many improbable and therefore distracting events, that I found myself feeling that the characters were entirely fictional.For instance-early on, the groom (this is pre-civil war) says that he "called" someone last week and got some information. Was Alexander Graham Bell the inventor of the telephone, or was it some mysterious southerner?

The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000 TV Movie)

Great performance by Jennifer Love Hewitt!!!!!

[8/10 · 5 April 2000]

I am surprised to read a IMDb comment where Jennifer Love Hewitt is proclaimed to have inadequate talent and the wrong body to play Audrey Hepburn. My wife and I thought her performance extraordinary in capturing the image of Audrey. This is a very difficult role to perform if for no other reason that most viewers would still have an accurate recollection of her. However once Audrey was portrayed as an adult, I had trouble remembering how the original looked. To those who might criticize Jennifer Love Hewitt, I'd be interested in who they would cast that could do better or for that matter as well.

Sling Blade (1996)

Should have been nominated for an Academy Award

[10/10 · 29 March 2000]

If anyone wants to see great acting, directing,editing, and casting,they should see this movie. Faultless acting throughout but especially brilliant performance by Billy Bob Thornton. Had this movie had a bigger box office, then he would have gotten at least a nomination, as well as the movie getting a "Best Picture" nomination. The movie starts out in low key where many might stop watching. But the movie has a kind of addictive quality as familiarization with the characters takes hold. Great example of the quality of movie that Hollywood can make when box office isn't the prime goal.

The Color of Love: Jacey's Story (2000 TV Movie)

Beautifully performed and directed story of individuals changing of attitudes..

[8/10 · 23 March 2000]

Gina Rowlands continues to improve her acting. This is her best performance and would warrant viewing for her alone. Lou Gossett gives his usual fine performance along with the rest of the cast. The director had many opportunities to "ham it" but didn't. Instead he kept the prejudicial responses of all individuals within the realm reason.

The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence (2000 TV Movie)

Unlike most sequels, this one is equal to its predecessor

[8/10 · 13 March 2000]

Most sequels try to capitalize on an earlier success by "slapping together" a production. Not this one. I hope that number two is the second of a series of equal quality. Gossett and Silverman make a good team and give excellent performances. The story revolves a con man who is using stolen mail to get credit cards issued in someone else's name. He kills a bank teller to cover his tracks and comes close to killing another. Excellent editing and directing.

Return to Paradise (1998)

See this movie if you're going abroad.

[9/10 · 3 March 2000]

This is a very well performed,directed, and edited movie. Outstanding performances by Vince Vaughn, Joaquin Phoenix, and Anne Hecht make this a movie to see even if you never leave home. If you plan to visit other countries and you don't know their laws, then you could be betting your life without knowing it. This is especially true when visiting a different culture with religious fundamentalism as a basis for law. Don't expect much help from our embassy and whatever you do, don't get your case publicized unless you are a masochist.