Are-Jay Reviews

Trippin' (1999)

FUNNY HILARIOUS TEEN COMEDY

[25 February 2002]

This movie is a funny teen comedy about a high school senior who is your typical loser. He daydreams about what he wants, but what he can't have. Then he mets Cinny, and he falls head over heels with her, but she's way out of his league. So he lies to her and tells her things to flatter himself to get her attracted to him, then she likes him, but finds out later he lied. Then dumps him, and then goes to the prom (major event in this movie) with her ex-boyfriend.

The really sad part in this movie that is really painful is how he ends up going to the prom all alone, and on the bus too, and with no date either! That's gotta hurt! His family is supportive of him, but when he leaves the house for the bus stop, they feel pity on him. This movie may provoke bad memories for some people who had it hard in high school, but the ending is very nice.....like all movies in hollywood!

Two Can Play That Game (2001)

GOOD LESSON FOR STUPID WOMEN WHO PLAY HEADGAMES! WATCH IT!

[15 February 2002]

This movie is a good movie that comically shows the mindgames that go on in everyday romantic relationships. It shows what happens when you fail to communicate properly and begin to read too much into things that may or may not exist.

Vivica A Fox plays an arrogant conceited woman who finds her boyfriend cheating on her (so she thinks). He was just dancing with a co-worker who happens to be an attractive female. There was no sex or kissing, but Vivica read too much into it and wanted to teach him a lesson.

She hosts a series of mean heartless games to play upon his insecurities and emotions for her persoanl kicks. It may be a movie, but it happens in everyday real life with women, and not just African American women either. Instead of trying to talk about what is bothering her, she resorts to trying to get even like a little high school girl would. She plays the part of a professional well off woman who is independent and has it all.....but where is her security and ethics! She spends too much time trying to get even and teaching him a lesson at the point where it consumes all her time.

Vivica is getting sadistic pleasure from torturing her boyfriend until the tables turn on her. He shows up to a party with another woman, and Vivica is livid. She is so jealous and insecure, it will make your head spin. He just went to the party to move on with his life, and this bugs her. Women say they want a mature man who can just move on and leave them alone! BULL! Women want a man who will crawl after them to nourish their badly depleted ego's and restore the self-esteem they are badly lacking in the first place. Vivica is hoping that he will be waiting for her at her place after the party and is so sure of it.....but she is sadly disappointed when her home is empty and he isn't there for her. The story has a happy ending where she sees him in a club and tries to get him back and he feels sorry for her sorry ass and takes her back.....but not so many men are that forgiving.

She talks to the camera in this movie and tells all the "so called rules" of relationships. One was that "The first one to break it off wins the game!" She was the first to break it off, but she is the one who lost the game that she created in the first place. He moved on and found someone else, and she was hurt and bothered by his mature justified actions. Woman can be so selfish and childish when like this.

This movie is a good lesson for women to watch and learn from. If you mistreat your man, he'll move on sooner or later and find someone better than you. Then it is too late and you'll be crying you sorry little eyes out like the baby that you are in the first place. Playing games never wins anything, it just makes a loser out of you! My ex-girlfriend was exactly like that, but I never gave in to any of her mindgames and she lost the best thing that ever happened to her. Then she began stalking me until I put a restraining order on her. She thought she was being too smart by being like this, but the more mature person wins in the end (and finds a better person like I did!) The whole time she wanted me back, it was all a game to nourish her ego in front of her loser friends (much like Vivica in this movie). Playing games is not about love, its about control, and that is mentally unhealthy. If you love someone and want them, tell them and show it! Otherwise you will lose the best person you may ever meet in your life, and will never fill that gap ever again! It may be a comedy for a movie, but it is real! Games do not pay! I am not cutting down all women out there --- because there are lots of nice wonderful loving ones in this world who deserve good men! But the nasty ones who play emotional headgames for pleasure are pure dirt-bags who deserve what comes to them----Unhappiness!

Miss Congeniality (2000)

Non-Sandra Bullock fans.......this is a good movie!!

[12 February 2002]

I am a not a big Sandra Bullock fan, but this movie is an exception to the rule. It is funny, romantic, and action packed.

Her performance is wonderful as the clumsy comical FBI agent Grace Hart. She goes undercover to a beauty pagent in San Antonio to solve some case. There are lots of hillarious scences at the pagent as she is messy and accident prone.

Other great performers in this flick are Benjamin Bratt, Candice Bergen, and Micheal Cane. Great performances to all.

Shaft (2000)

SAMUEL L JACKSON IS THE MAN................SHAFT!!!!!!!

[12 February 2002]

This movie is one of my favorites with Samuel L Jackson.

The whole plot is about John Shaft (Jackson) who plays a frustrated NYPD cop where the system is corrupt and justice is never served for those who need it. A young black man is killed by a rich white college student (Christian Bale) and his rich fathers money can buy his freedom. Shaft is frustrated by this and bends the rules and the law to get his form of street justice. Then along comes Peeples Hernandez, a big drug baron, who crosses Shaft and gets involved in the action.

Jackson plays the role of Shaft beautifully. He is cocky, tough, charming, and flambouyent (sp). He wears all black and is bald, looking more like a mobster than a cop in NY. Shaft is a man of the city as he knows the streets as they were his back yard. He is not afraid of anyone or anything in his quest to make sure that justice is served here. Lots of racial name calling in this movie, but in Hollywood....what else is new?

This movie is pure action, but has it's humerous moments too! Richard Rountree (the original Shaft from 1971) is in the movie too as he plays Shaft's (Jackson's) Uncle Shaft. The music is great as is the action! This one is a must see.

ABCD (1999)

Wow! I can't believe this is an Indian Movie!

[21 January 2002]

I have never been a fan of Indian Movies, and probably never will be (and I am Indian too). But this movie steers us into a different direction that is very daring and new.

I found out about it from 2 Indian girls waiting in a line up with me at a Pasta Bar in Vancouver. BOth were University students who are a part of the Indian-Students-Club...or something like that, and I overheard them gossiping about this movie. Then I asked a few questions, then BAM, I went out and rented it less than 24 hours later to watch with my girlfriend (who loves Hindi Movies!)

ABCD addresses the probelems of many second generation Indians who are American born and think they are too good for their own type. They become assimilated into the American sub-culture at such a young age, that they have no sense of identity, and their proud roots are lost at a very tender age. And the sad thing is that they have no interest in regaining them ever.

This movie stars Sheetal Seth (sp), as she plays the troublesome daughter Meena. She does a great job of playing a complete mean bitch with no manners who is rude and overly defensive to anyone she encounters. She plays a very confused woman who is too afraid to get hurt at the point where she wont' even give anyone a chance. This is so true of girls here (even where I live in Vancouver, Canada.....where we have a large Indian Population.) She sleeps with 3 different men in this movie, which is something that is forbidden in the traditional Indian Cinema....so this movie really departs from the typical Indian movie.

All in All, it is a great film that is worth watching, but don't expect to laugh as it has a few very sad moments in it. It is a serious film for those who can handle it, as Hindi movies are known to be very sad at times. But this one isn't fabricated like the traditional Bollywood movies that have a habit of laying it on too thick! Enjoy.

The Pest (1997)

TOO FUNNY! GOOD CHEAP LAUGHS!!!!!!!!!!

[30 December 2001]

The movie plot is stupid and the cast is too! But it is so funny as is the humor. It is very crude and somewhat annoying...but the guy (PEST) is just too funny! He'll force you to laugh until your abdominals hurt! Worth a watch, but you'll laugh like you've never laughed before. He can do so many impersonations it isn't even funny.

:20 Minute Workout (1983– )

The Best Exercise Show of All Time! THE 20 MINUTE WORKOUT!!

[21 December 2001]

The 20 Minute Workout is the best exercise show to ever hit television as it came out in the early 80's. Reruns are impossible to find on the air now since the show is considered quite obsolete, especially the 80's nostalgia in the show such as the disco pop music, the leg warmers, etc. The instructors on the show show lots of enthusiam to keep you going as the workouts really are quite intense. Even just watching will give you cramps, but it is lots of fun. The music is great, especially if you love the 80's like many do. The one thing about the show that really makes it unique is the white background on the set, as all you see are 3 girls doing the aerobics, and everything else is white. They do the aerobics on a turntable that continuously rotates, so the viewer gets to see the exercises at all angles. All in all, it may be outdated, but it is considered by many to be the best exercise show of all time as it paved the way for many others.

Sidewalks of New York (2001)

Entertaining! Talks about things we are afraid to discuss.

[21 December 2001]

This refreshing movie addresses the stuff we are all afraid to talk about with each other, sexual relationships. This movie is about a few couples who split over various sexual reasons, and how they move on with others. It deals with insecurity, infidelity, adultery, greed, lust, and pure selfishness. But this is all true in real life, but we are afraid to talk about it. It deals with cheating husbands, unsatisfied wives, unfulfileld partners, pregnancy, lack of love, boredom in relationships, and sexual openess. So watch this movie as it discusses the things we are too scared to confront in reality. Watch it!

Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001)

LOUSY show, EXCECPT Nia Peeples!!!

[21 December 2001]

I never liked Chuck Norris or his acting. He is a lousy actor and he is really over the hill. The show is a pathetic lousy attempt for him to prolong his image as the karate goodguy. This show shows all criminals as minorities which is downright racist, but I guess in Texas this is quite realistic.

This show is about rangers in a state with the old west mentality, but martial arts? When do cops / rangers use martial arts? I know it is a show, but it gets quite ridiculous. Then there is Sheree J Wilson, she was good on Dallas, but here she is old, wrinkled, and over the hill like Chuck! The show is a just an ego booster for good ol boy Chuck, but he is a loser. He is no Jackie Chan, and never will be.

The only good thing about the show is its last few seasons with Nia Peeples. She is fast, agile, petite, sexy, feisty, and good with her martial arts. Instead of the sterotypical roles where women depend on men for everything, she shows she can kick the guys butt, and she is good at her martial arts too! She is over 40, but looks damn good that would make any 22 year old woman envious. Just watching her doing her martial arts keeps me glued to the show.

Wall Street (1987)

A CLASSIC! Great movie! One of the best of all time!

[21 December 2001]

This movie is one of my all-time favorites which are: Wall Street, Goodfellas, Casino, Scarface, and Pulp Fiction.

Wall Street has a great cast as Micheal Douglas really steals the whole movie as the villanous Gordon Gekko. He is rich, powerful, corrupt, and gets his own way. He is the New York version of JR Ewing from Dallas!

Along comes Bud (Sheen) who is an aspiring stock broker who isn't going anywhere as he has his ethics. Then he meets Gekko and it all changes as the greed and wealth corrupts him, and he meets his love Darrien Taylor (Daryl Hannah).

This movie shows life in dumps, then catching the train to the better life using non-ethical tactics. But the price may be too great as he crashes in the end. I won't spoil this one since I really love the movie. You don't need to be an accountant or stock broker to appreciate this film, but the terms may confuse you at times. Nonetheless, an all time great film. Don't let the suits and ties fool you, it is about crime and greed, and really reflects what happens on Wall Street in NY, or on Bay Street in Toronto in Canada.

10/10 for this one. Don't rent, buy it! And don't be fooled by the cheap new knock off version called Boiler Room which came out in 2000.

Dream Girl, U.S.A. (1986– )

Entertaining and Fun to Watch! Bring it Back To TV!

[21 December 2001]

I watched a few episodes of this show back in the mid-eighties as it was a half hour show that was really a beauty pagent. I don't remember too much of it except that it featured women from all states in the US and they competed for the title of Dream Girl USA. I remember seeing the talent contests where Miss Minnisota was doing some sort of old folk dancing. But the real show stopper was Miss Oklahoma who was doing karate. She stomped barefooted on glass, broke boards, and did kicks and punches; very talented woman. I only caught a few episodes as I as only 11 years old at the time, but now I really miss it. I wish they would show reruns, but the show is very outdated and that is not likely to happen. Good show though, and real entertainer for a half hour.

Santa Barbara (1984–1993)

BEST SOAP of alltime! A classic! Not the typical show!

[21 December 2001]

Santa Barbara is the best daytime soap to ever hit TV for several reasons. It had the best cast for its entire duration, with quality acting and good scripts. The storylines were realistic and interesting. The show didnt' mock or insult minorities, especially Mexicans, like many other shows do. This soap was more like an action packed one hour show, except the story continued. The woman where beautiful and full of fire; the men were handsome and romantic.

There were a few powerful families, the Lockridges and the Capwells. I only watched the show in its last season of 92-93, but I truly enjoyed it. Bridgette Wilson got her start on SB as Lisa Fenimore, just after she was crowned Miss Teen USA. The part of the show I was fond of was at the end where one of the characters would give a mini-speech of what there thoughts were with regards to their dilemmas on the show.

The action in the show I liked best was in the last season, the Trial of BJ Walker and her romance with Warren Lockridge. It was great as she was being tried for a murder she didn't commit, as her parents (Jodie and Resse Walker, both cops) did all they could to help. Their marriage was falling apart, but they kept strong to help BJ. This was the central theme of the last season as the trial was adrenalizing.

I truly miss this show and hope they show it again on TV one day as many mourn its loss.

Too Close for Comfort (1980–1987)

Great Show! But Deborah Van Valkenburg stole my heart in the 80's!!!

[21 December 2001]

I used to watch this show back in the 80's, then watched all the re-runs, and still to this day watch it on video. The acting was great as Henry (Knight) was the over protective father with the ego who always clashed with clumsy Monroe Ficus (Jim J Bullock). This show dealt with lots of subjects and was very entertaining.

My favorite on the show was the daughters, both Sara (Lydia Cornell) and Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburg). Both are beautiful and would steal any mans heart. Sara the blonde ditz is the one that most men would want, but I was intrigued by Jackie as a kid. She is smarter, more confident, more mature, and honestly prettier. Her black hair, pretty smile, and voice were very alluring. Her character as Jackie Rush was the prototype of the type of woman I dreamed about be married to when I got older. The blonde bimbo act can get dry after a while, but it was only an act as Lydia Cornell is a very bright woman in real life. Both these daughters were alway rebelling with their parent to be independent of them, yet always lived in the basement.

I truly miss this show as it was an all time 80's great in the ranks of Threes Company, Silver Spoons, Diff'rt Strokes, and others. How I miss the good old happy 80's. The show may be outdated, but the story lines are still good even in this day and age. Scary how we haven't really progressed by that much. Cell Phones and Internet don't really make the world go round and round.

Monsoon (1999)

COMPLETE GARBAGE! DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. WHAT AJOKE!!

[19 December 2001]

I was against watching this movie from the very begining, but my girlfriend forced me to watch this awful film. It has no romance in it at all, just a vendictive evil wife and drug dealer trying to destroy people. It is more of a tale of cops and robbers, bad guys vs good guys. This movie has NOTHING to do with the ancient art of Kama Sutra. Plus, for a movie that takes place in India, all the main characters were American! What a Joke! I was very disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I would give it a 1/2 star out of 10. However crappy this movie was, the acting of Gulshan Grover who played the bad guy Morinda, was done very well. If only it was a gangster film, the role would have been more adequate. If you want to get in a romantic mood, this isn't the movie to help you.

Saving Silverman (2001)

Cheap Laughs! Cheap Acting! Cheap Movie!

[5 December 2001]

This movie is so-so with a dumb storyline of a pussywhipped guy who abandons his loser friends for some power hungry bitch of a woman. Totally unrealistic, but there are a few laughs along the way. Don't go out of your way for this one.

Lean on Me (1989)

Morgan Freeman's Best of All Time

[5 December 2001]

This is Morgan Freeman's best movie of all time. He plays the rough tough, obnoxious, powerful principal Joe Clark. Based on a true story about a broken down school in Patterson, NJ; Clark is there to reform it to passing standards before the state of NJ takes over. He is tough and teaches everyone (both staff and students) that discipline isn't the enemy of enthusiasm. He protects his students, educates them, loves them, and disciplines them. He is rough and puts up with alot of crap from politicians, but he is equally hard on his staff and coworkers. No one else could have played this part as good as him, but Samuel L Jackson and Laurence Fishburne may come in a close second. Watch and enjoy this move! Don't waste money renting it, just spend a few bucks more and buy it.

Biloxi Blues (1988)

Great Film to BUY! Funny / Sad / Entertaining / Educational

[5 December 2001]

This is a great movie that wonderfully entertaining. First of all, a great cast with Matthew Broderick and Christopher Walken. Good Scenes are with Sgt Toomy (Walken) torturing and making fun of the platoon as the anally retentive commanding officer. Another great scene is where all the boys are on a weekend leave to Gulfport where they go to a whorehouse. This is where Eugene (Broderick) loses his virginity, and it is a scary scence that reminds us of our first time. Did we know what to do and how to act? This movie also shows how people behaved towards homosexuals back in the 1940's. This is where a soldier named James Hennessy was found in the washroom with another soldier and they both got court martialed. For homosexuality, they spend time in Leavenworth Prison! Then was the part where Eugene met his love Daisy Hannigan, a sweet young Magnolia Mississippi girl. It is based on a true story and is very entertaining. It is not a blood and guts war movie, but a clean simple comedy for all to enjoy.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Great Film! A keeper! Kubrick makes you feel like a soldier!

[5 December 2001]

This is a great movie about a very serious and sad topic, WAR! He makes you feel like you are in the training camp with the rest of the soldiers and the ruthless Seargent training them. It is very explicit in many parts, and not for the weakhearted. This movie shows you that war in nothing to joke about and it is nothing glorious. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who can handle these kind of films. Many people say it is better than Platoon, which is also a great film! The training scenes will make you feel like wanting to workout! My favorite scence was the scence where the misfit soldier Pyle (who gets picked on alot and beaten up) comes out with his rife and kills the Seargent. Enjoy!

The Last Don II (1998)

An Insult to Italians Everywhere

[22 November 2001]

The story is good as is the plot and action. But the actors and actresses are a joke. This movie tries to rival the Godfather, but fails miserably. First of all, Jason Gedrick (a great actor) plays a lousy mobster. He is too soft and frail looking for a mafia tough guy. The characters of Claudia, Georgio, and the undercover FBI female cop --- were all played by lousy actors and actresses. They need real Italians like - Joe Pecshi, Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino, Alyssia Milano, Tony Danza, or others. This movie may have been made for TV, but any solid Italians would laugh at this movie as it doesn't portray alot of Italian culture in it. Italian Culture is important for mob movies. I don't remember any of the characters speaking alot of Italian in the movie. And the character who played Claudia's unfaithful husband--- OH Please! What a loser! As if a Mafia girl would ever get involvoed with a fruitcake loser like that. But Kirsty Alley did a great job acting in the movie. Probably the best person in the movie.

Meet the Parents (2000)

This movie will make you mad!

[20 November 2001]

Poor Ben Stiller is the victim of an overprotective father (DeNiro) in this movie. Everyone picks on him as he is put in a very tight situation to make a good impression, but he just gets the losing end of the stick. It will make you mad as you want him to get justice. Like all Hollywood flicks, there is a happy ending. Nonetheless, I don't think he got the revenge or justice he deserved for all the crap he had to endure. The movie really isn't even that funny as it will just make your blood boil instead. Worth a watch, but not a keeper.

Whiteboyz (1999)

Really Stupid Movie, but it makes a good point at the end!

[12 November 2001]

This movie is about a bunch of white wannabe rappers in rural Iowa. These white boys cannot rap and really are horrible. It is downright pathetic at points where you can't even laugh. However, it gets good at the end where these farm boys get their asses kicked in a Chicago Ghetto and realize that the ghetto is no place to dream about.

Bound by Honor (1993)

ONE OF THE BEST PRISON / GANG MOVIES OF ALL TIME---Buy It!!!

[11 November 2001]

I have watched this movie from front to back over 20 times, and several of the clips at least 50 times. The story, plot, and acting is very powerful and interesting.

It shows how Cruz, Paco, and Miklo started off as one, then drifted off into thier own set of personal problems, but always intertwinded with each other. The gangs in the prison San Quentin were very well acted out. The BGA (Black Guerilla Army), the AV'ers (Aryan Vanguard), and La Onda were acted out very well. It shows how miserable prison life can really be if you don't belong to the RIGHT group.

The characters were great: Big Al, Red Ryder, Pockets, Bonafide, Wallace, Montana, Magic, Miklo, Chuey, Cruz, Juanito, Popeye, Carlos, and the rest. I highly recommend this movie to anyone. And it is not a cheap rip off from American Me. American Me is much more serious and can get you quite sad. This movie is more entertaining, but I'm not knocking American Me.

One thing about this movie, "Is Miklo a virgin in this movie?" He went into jail at age 18, then was only out for a bit till he went back in. There were no scences with him with any women. I found that interesting. I give it 9 1/2 out of 10. Simply because no movie is a perfect 10.

Superior Court (1986–1990)

Good exciting courtroom drama

[7 November 2001]

I used to watch this show in 1987 and 1988 as it was a great court show along with Divorce Court and The Judge. They don't make shows like this anymore as all they have now are lame shows like Judge Judy or the Peoples Court. Superior Court has a sense of seriousness to it and I liked the creepy voice of the narrarator. I remember the two judges: Jill Jakes, and Louis Welsh. The acting was very well done too. Hopefully they will play reruns of it one day.

The Judge (I) (1986–1993)

Great Courtroom show in good taste.

[6 November 2001]

I used to watch this show as a kid and I really enjoyed it. The judge, Robert J Franklin isn't your typical powertripping judge. He is a man that tries to enforce justice with mercy. This show didn't have the sleeze that other shows would have, it was just good stories handled in a very diligent manner. It showed what society should be like; descent, truthful, honest, and courageous. True, they are all fake, but it provided plenty of enjoyment while I was growing up. I truly miss this show and hope that reruns will come back.

Saved by the Bell (1989–1992)

Great show for its time! Dont' listen to the bad feedback.

[17 October 2001]

This show is one show where I have seen each episode at least 3 times. It does have its short comings as the whole show revolves around only 6 students. They all have the same classes and no one else in the show matters. They are all close to the principal, which is rare in reality. Not to forget that the group clashes - jock , prettyboy, cheerleader, scholar, fashoin queen, geek! Not a real mix that would occur in real school, but this show was not meant to address rough issues. It was meant to be entertainment for kids in elemenatary to give them something to look forward to in high school. It is very humorous and they are all a good bunch of kids. What's wrong with that? Just because it doesn't have lots of fights and drug dealing, and gangs, people think it's a bad show. I highly recommend it for anyone to watch as it is a breath of fresh air.