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Reviews
Battlestar Galactica: Bastille Day (2004)
Links to Terrorism
This episode had a lot of links to terrorism. A lot of people in America think that just because its not perfect here, and they don't get everything they want, that our entire system is corrupt. Therefore, they surmise, we are no "better" than the terrorists. This is just like the leader of the prisoners in this episode. Right now, the whole fleet is facing a water shortage that could threaten everyone's life. But all the prison leader cares about it how the current president was chosen. This is symbolic of the way this country is now. A lot of Americans would rather focus on the side issues than the big ones that affect us all. This episode did an amazing job of dramatizing this issue. What role do prisoners play in our society? Where does democracy fit in during a state of emergency? Thesse questions and more are here in this volatile and exciting episode.
Strangers with Candy (2005)
Worst Movie I Ever Saw!
This movie failed for me on a major level. I love the TV show, and was looking forward to seeing this flick. But it was no good. If you are going to have a crazy character like Gerri, the REST of the characters in the school need to be very normal! The reason why Gerri is funny on the TV show is because she's acting like a lunatic while the rest of society are being mostly normal. The writers and directors made the unfortunate choice of having every single actor ham it up, and instead of having believable scenes, I felt stuck in a burdensome, long SNL skit that refused to end. Comedy is mixing the real with the strange. None of the things that took place in that high school looked remotely like anything anybody has experienced in a school. I'll repeat - for something like that to be funny, the rest has to be played straight. The plot is completely absurd and unfunny - yet the movie spends a maddeningly long amount of time nursing and building it. Everyone associated with this movie should be ashamed of this product.
Beer League (2006)
Attack of the Million Plot lines
I'm a huge Howard Stern fan, and I've been excited to see this movie since I first heard Artie talking about it on the Stern show. I was not expecting much out of this movie - just a stupid movie with some good laughs. But this film fell far short of my already very low expectations. There were plot lines within plot lines within plot lines - each one slowing down any kind of flow the movie tried to catch. When the softball part started to get somewhat interesting, the love story would bog it down. Artie tried to do a John Candy and be the farcical yet believable character - but he just did a bunch of Artie-shtick. He really was not able to carry this movie. It was kind of a fun movie, but even the fun scenes such as the bachelor party felt like a drag - clumsily staged and just awkward. Ralph Maccio rocked. Hopefully he will get in more movies from doing this one. The enemy antagonist was good at his role, but it was just too unbelievable. This guy has the best softball team, owns the best gym, AND is running for mayor? All of these different plot lines began to give me a headache and made me look at my watch waiting for the end. There are some good laughs, but we get mostly one liners here. In fairness, I should add that my friend who saw it with me has never listened to the Stern show and liked the movie a lot better than I did. This is a good TV movie or Netflix movie, but I wouldn't recommend seeing it in the theaters.
The Princess Diaries (2001)
Royally Lousy
I knew this movie wasn't going to be spectacular, but it was even worse than I thought it would be. It had the potential of being a really funny fish-out-of-water movie, but instead it is very bland and contains both shoddy directing and editing. It didn't really feel like there was that much of a stretch from the protagonist being a nerdy student and then being a princess. So basically what we're watching is not a movie - but just an extremely long and drawn out makeover movie. It's very predictable - even for a predictable movie. And Julie Andrews, as the queen, can't seem to figure out whether to overact or underact. I mean for God's sake, she talks to the main character in an office, not even from a throne. Whoever made these weird decisions really dropped the ball. Even if you have very low expectations for this movie, which I had, you still will be disappointed.
In the Face of Evil: Reagan's War in Word and Deed (2004)
A Masterpiece
This is an extremely well-made movie that shows the truth about both Ronald Reagan and Communism. I grew up in a liberal area, and practically the only thing that I heard about Reagan was that he was the reason why AIDS spread. I also grew up learning in public school that the entire fight against Communism was based on American paranoia. This movie shows the evils and horrors that Communism has wrought against this world. It also shows how many people have demonized people throughout history who have tried to stop "the beast." Other than the great message this movie exudes, it is extremely well-edited and visually spectacular. Cuts of Reagan in black and white film traverse seamlessly with color shots of him in the press. This documentary doesn't just parlay information. It also tells a full and comprehensive story about an escalated conflict that put society on the brink of nuclear war. This movie shows the courage of a man who didn't listen to his critics on the left or the right and just stuck with his principles to do what he believed. A person of any political persuasion will find something they like in this movie. All in all - a great history lesson, a great portrait, and a great film.
Gentleman's Agreement (1947)
Relevant Film
This is an interesting movie about a man who goes undercover as a jew in the 1940s. His entire life is disrupted, and so are the lives of his family. Some reviewers have called this movie outdated and preachy. I can understand the outdated charge. Since the 1940s, Jews have in many ways managed to assimilate into the caucasion population, and many of the past prejudices are not as relevant today. But its possible to consider that movies like this that force people to look at themselves and society played a role in changing Jews' status in the US. The preachy charge is also interesting. I believe that the "preachy" aspect is negated by the fact that other characters in this movie also accuse the main character of being too preachy. But people who say that its preachy aren't entirely wrong. With each scene, the viewer wonders how anti-semitism will come into play. The most interesting and auspicious aspect of this movie is the revelation that many people who are Anti-semetic are nice people, and many don't even realize they are being anti-semetic.
Spellbound (2002)
Only in America
I love this movie. I am actually a teacher, and sometimes I get very teary eyed when I watch the DVD of this movie. We spend a lot of time talking about all of the bad things that kids can do, and we sometimes don't recognize the outstanding achievements that many young people can make. The idea for this movie is amazing. The editing and storytelling is done remarkably. Each child's thought processes, their life in school, and their families are portrayed delicately, and with a healthy dose of humor. My favorite part is when the Indian student's father said that in America, you can lose at something, then still recover and be a success. I feel that this is a part of the American dream that many Americans take for granted. With all of the great aspects of this movie, you also end up learning many things. That being said, I wish that the DVD did a better job with updates of the participants. It would have been nice to see how being in the contest and the film changed these kids' lives.
King Kong (2005)
Way too long
This movie was way too long. They stayed on Skull Mountain for too long a duration. I was very excited to see this movie, but it was too cute and way too long. I fell asleep twice during the movie, and I wasn't tired at all before. The special effects were really nice, though. Other than the too-human facial expressions of Kong, the animation was too amazingly with Kong and the dinosaurs. Jack Black and Naomi Watts did good jobs in the movie. Black provided good comic relief, and he was definitely a believable character. Watts was pretty and energetic. Her vaudeville thing was even interesting. This brings me to another positive of the movie. I loved how this was a period piece. The viewer gets a great lesson about life in the 1930s in American cities. And Jack Black's characters cinematic aspirations also tell about both the history of American life and the history of American film making. Movies rose in popularity during the 1930s because of advances in the technology and people seeking to escape the trials of the depression. Even the type of equipment they use in this movie is interesting. All in all, this movie started out great, but went way too long to stay great.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Socialism and Sagging Story
There were some very funny moments in this movie - but it was ultimately a one-trick pony. The fact that everyone is taking dodgeball so seriously is THE joke of the movie, and it wears thin. I also don't like the blatantly socialist message of this movie. The good guys are the ones who have a crappy gym, and who don't even charge their members to use the gym. The bad guys are the ones from Ben Stiller's gym. Stiller's character says that he built his gym from the ground up - starting from nothing. He built a successful gym with nice facilities. So what is so bad about that, and why does that make him the bad guy? I laughed out loud several times, but I could not ignore the overriding socialist sentiment that pollutes this movie.
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
A Rad Movie
I saw this movie in the theater about 5 times! I love the whole thing, and I don't think it gets the cult-status it deserves. I think at the time it was a mistake to market the movie as the female "Dumb and Dumber." The story was a lot more rich and deep. It's also an experience that almost anyone can relate to - wanting to be a success, and to have people think that you're a success. Romy and Michelle touches on the fears and joys of childhood and becoming an adult. Romy is played by Mira Sorvino, who takes on a character completely different from her others, including her Oscar-winning Mighty Aphrodite. Lisa Kudrow is in what I think is her best movie. Actually this movie made me get into "Friends" instead of the other way around. Even the little lines in this movie are amazing. And the dance sequence? A classic! This movie is the perfect comedy - it has the laughs and a believable pulse.