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r-provencal
Reviews
The Iron Giant (1999)
a true gem
I've just watched this film for probably the fifth time, and I must say it rates as one of the best animated films of all time. It's truly heart-warming and something you don't often find in animated features: it's REAL. The characters are actually believable. The film boasts rich and vibrant artwork. Its message is simple, yet effective. Warner Bros. should be ashamed it didn't put any effort in promoting The Iron Giant when it came out in '99. This rivals anything Disney has put out -- without the annoying show tunes. Easily 10 out of 10.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Yawn..........
A friend convinced me to check out this movie, although it didn't take a lot. The trailer looked great and I was interested in seeing it. Twenty minutes in, he was apologizing profusely for making me go. What a yawnfest!!!! People slagged Star Wars II AOTC for its poor acting and weak storyline, but at least it had awesome special effects!!!! Nemesis only piqued my interest in the final reel, but by then it was too late: I'd already checked my watch two or three times, a sure sign of a loser. This one barely rates as a good Star Trek TV episode, let alone a feature film.
Stuart Little 2 (2002)
same characters, flat jokes... a typical sequel!!!!
Wouldn't it be nice if a movie studio leave a film as a standalone? Because Stuart Little raked in buckets o' cash, the makers just had to forge ahead with a crappy sequel. My summary says it all: the jokes are flat (my kids weren't even laughing; I didn't even crack a smile the entire 70-odd minutes) and the plot is hackneyed. The only character who is remotely interesting is James Woods as Falcon. Stuart Little 2 is very forgettable. Even though my kids conned me into buying the DVD, I'm hoping they let me sell it for them on ebay when they grow tired of it --- which I am sure will be very soon.
Minority Report (2002)
visually stunning, intriguing characters
Just saw the DVD and really enjoyed it. I had a few questions afterward (what's with the one-eyed scan in the pre-crime station? And why didn't it set off alarms when he used his severed eyeball to get into the nerve centre??) but I certainly wasn't as offended as other IMDB reviewers about the plotholes. Most movies with a fast-moving plot have them too, and some of them become huge fan favorites (Spiderman) or even Oscar winners (Titanic). In Minority Report I found a beautifully filmed thriller with a hint of film noir. The set designs are stunning, and the bleached look gives MR an Orwellian kind of a look. Even better, we meet a host of interesting characters along the way, each who steals the scene in which they're in. Those were the lasting impressions I have from MR. All in all, it ain't perfect, but it's a helluvalot better than most of the pap at the local cineplex.
8/10
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)
fun for all ages!
This fast-moving 'kids' movie has so much going for it. I'm sure I laughed louder than my 6-year-old son. It doesn't waste any time with lousy show tunes, the characters are all fun, and it's highly creative (what kid/adult wouldn't enjoy some of those theme park rides?) It may not be Oscar material, but it's good, clean fun.
Road to Perdition (2002)
Understated performances
An interesting switch for Tom Hanks. Usually he's front and centre in films, but in Road to Perdition, his performance as Michael Sullivan was one of the most subdued I've ever seen. For that, perhaps, he deserves to be applauded. It's one thing for an actor to act; it's another for them to avoid over-acting. In the past, Hanks could be accused of the latter, but not here.
The story is simple: Sullivan is a hitman in 1931, and crime syndicate patriarch John Rooney's (Paul Newman) right-hand man. When Sullivan's wife and son are murdered by Rooney's jealous son, Connor (Daniel Craig), Sullivan sets out to exact revenge -- all the while hoping his eldest son, Michael (Tyler Hoechlin, holding his ground in the company of some heavyweights) doesn't follow in his murderous footsteps.
Don't be surprised to see an Oscar nomination for Newman, who lights up the screen everytime he appears.
I would've liked to see more of two characters: Jennifer Jason Leigh (Sullivan's wife,in a role that doesn't explore the depth of her talents), and Daniel Craig, as Connor.
An all-around fine film, but for the most part the performances are very much understated. If that's what director Sam Mendes was aiming for, he succeeded.