jerzeygrl Reviews

Head Over Heels (2001)

Good solid comedy

[7/10 · 31 January 2001]

Freddie Prinze Jr. & Monica Potter play "normal" people falling in love, amidst NYC's fashion scene. He's a fashion consultant & her new roommates are 4 up-and-coming models. Yes it's definitely a chick flick, but the movie is actually VERY funny. The models: Shalom, Sara, Ivana, & Tomiko play it way over the top and it works. I laughed out loud so many times, the people behind me kicked my seat... Freddie Prinze Jr. redeems himself, you don't catch him acting in this. I'd see it again in a minute!!

Whipped (2000)

!!!laugh it up!!!!

[31 August 2000]

WARNING - this is a chick-flick The setting is NYC. Four friends; 3 self-proclaimed, lady-killers and 1 married slob gather for brunch every Sunday to trade sexual exploits. Their "perfect little world" begins to unravel when they all separately meet and fall for the same woman, Mia (Amanda Peet). This is definitely a B movie - the plot is thin, but the one-liners and sexual banter are a hoot. Amanda Peet has great comic timing (if you haven't seen The Whole Nine Yards, do it) and Brian Van Holt, Amanda's real-life boyfriend, is a total hottie (what a great ass). Remember the last 8 mins of "Something about Mary"...don't get up till the lights come on.

The Patriot (2000)

Hatchet job

[10/10 · 30 June 2000]

Family, war, honor, love, revenge, hope; equals a shoe-in for a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Fans of Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, Last of the Mohicans and Gladiator will appreciate the blood, sweat and tears poured into this solid, anti-war epic. This is the story of a fictional man, set during the American Revolution, NOT a purely fact-based, historical account. FACT: the majority of atrocities committed during the American Revolutionary War were by the Hessians not the Brits.

Yes, the music is emotionally manipulative and there are holes in the plot, but it's moving nonetheless. Mel is his usual self: handsome, droll, psychotic, honorable. Heath Ledger is HOT, HOT, HOT (did I forget to mention talented as well) Jason Isaacs is the perfect villain - you uncontrollably hiss whenever he's on screen. Well worth paying full-price admission.

The Perfect Storm (2000)

Visually & emotionally gut-wrenching

[10/10 · 28 June 2000]

Wolfgang Petersen does a fantastic job translating Sebastian Junger's book to the big screen. Kudos to all the actors for imbuing their characters with Glouchester's salt-of-the-earth warmth & humility. George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Diane Lane, William Fichtner, John C. Reilly, Allen Payne, and John Hawkes give the audience a realistic peek into the lives of the fisherman & their families. The special effects are heart stopping...this is a must-see!

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

It's all about the Special Effects...

[8/10 · 22 May 2000]

They should rename this movie "Mission Implausible" and flog the script writer. The premise of the movie is based on a woman (Thandie Newton) willing to risk her life & reconnect with her bad-boy, ex-boyfriend (Dougray Scott) for a man she falls into bed with (Tom Cruise) after meeting him just 24 hrs prior. The dialogue between the Newton & Cruise is elementary school level at best and they don't spark. See "Thomas Crowne Affair" for an example of great chemistry. You feel your eyes rolling every time the lovers make cows eyes at each other before speaking. Look for Thandie Newton's wonderbra - it only makes one appearance. Director John Woo uses his magic wand on Tom Cruise and tries to turn him into an American Chow Yun-Fat. Although Dougray Scott fairs well as the progressively greedy, besotted terrorist, it's Anthony Hopkins who steals the movie with only 6 minutes of screen time. Ving Rhames & John Polson (Cruise's IMF team) have little dialogue - shame. The best throw-away lines are by Scott... The magnificent performance by Tom Cruise in "Magnolia" is not repeated here.

BUT if you're a special effects, action genre junkie, this will hold you over till X-Men is released July 14.

Gladiator (2000)

spectacular

[9/10 · 1 May 2000]

The movie's frenetic fight scenes are balanced by Russell Crowe's intense performance as Maximus and Ridley Scott's rich direction. Although, Joaquin Phoenix doesn't have Malcolm McDowell's mad edge as Commodus it doesn't matter. Connie Nielsen is regally sexy as Lucilla and Oliver Reed (who is almost unrecognizable as Proximo) is PHENOMENAL and his presence will be sorely missed. Character actor, Tommy Flanagan, makes another memorable impression...

American Psycho (2000)

Oscar performance

[8/10 · 13 April 2000]

Forget anything you've heard about the book - this movie is an Oscar calibre, acting showcase for Christian Bale. And if you're old enough to remember the excess of the 80's, you'll giggle gleefully at all the references you've tried so hard to forget. The extreme gore in the book is insinuated. Any B-movie, teen slasher film has more violence. Definitely worth full price admission!

Where the Money Is (2000)

Newman still has it

[7/10 · 12 April 2000]

This little movie is all about Paul Newman - it's a heist flick, not of the same caliber of The Sting, but good fun nonetheless. Ole Blue Eyes at 75 yrs old still has more charisma than the current, top 5 highest earning movie stars combined. Linda Fiorentino has great chemistry with both her co-stars - no surprise there. She's so good, it's a shame she's not given more dialogue to chew on. Dermot Mulroney is every woman's complete package - OOFA! Catherine Keener (his real-life wife) is a one happy woman. This is worth seeing on the big screen!!

Here on Earth (2000)

Droolfest

[2/10 · 24 March 2000]

I'm very disheartened to report that the ONLY reason anyone should see the teeny-booper love triangle, chick-flick "Here On Earth" are studmuffins Chris Klein and Josh Hartnett. Hartnett makes the most of this lousy script - I bet he'll make Ben Affleck look bad in Micheal Bay's upcoming remake of "Pearl Harbor." I ADORE Chris Klein, but it's obvious he spent time & effort sculpting his body (it's absolutely perfect...sigh) and didn't break a sweat practising his terribly written lines. Leelee Sobieski is good & nice to look at, but seems painfully out-of-place. I was cringing, as the rest of the audience laughed during the "serious moments."

High Fidelity (2000)

Best Comedy of the Year!

[10/10 · 23 March 2000]

Based on the novel by Nick Hornby.

RUN to see this movie and pre-order the soundtrack online today!! This is the first time since Sundance 2000 that I applauded after movie.

Cusack is a record store owner, dealing with his long-term girlfriend moving out on him through his love of music. It's very easy to recognize friends, lovers, relatives and even yourself in the hilarious, intelligently written characters.

I must see this at least 2 more times because of dialogue missed -- my fellow movie-goers & I were laughing too loudly throughout...

Erin Brockovich (2000)

Julia busts out...

[10/10 · 3 March 2000]

She calls it like she sees it and uses her physical attributes to provoke confrontation. Julia Roberts IS Erin Brockovich, the high school educated, single mother of three, who uncovers a great injustice, and goes up against a billion-dollar, corporation to win the largest settlement in a direct-action law suit in U.S. history.

She is an unconventional heroine; speaks her mind, swears like a truck driver, dresses like a tart, is passionate, sexy, warm, funny and irrepressible. There hasn't been this much cleavage since "Show Girls" and there's anti-freeze running through your veins if she doesn't completely win you over.

Erin Brockovich is in the same category as "Silkwood" though not as heavy. Julia Roberts is no Meryl Streep, but hey, she's very good, quite funny, and smartass one-liners are her forte.

This is a Danny DeVito, Jersey Films production, Steven Soderburg director = GREAT JOB!!, Albert Finney = Fantastically subtle, perfect, Aaron Eckhart = SUPER as the hunky, biker boyfriend, Cherry Jones = intense, Peter Coyote = great, Erin Brockovich = look for her in a cameo as the blonde waitress in the first 5 mins of the movie

Waking the Dead (2000)

Nice job by Keith Gordon

[9/10 · 2 March 2000]

The movie is about how falling in love for the first time irrevocably affects the lives of not only the couple, but everyone around them.

It hurts to watch handsome Billy Crudup & beautiful Jennifer Connolly fall in love. It reminds oneself of the first time it happened and makes you wonder if that emotionally delirious feeling can ever be recaptured.

LOVED it!

Tour of Duty (1987–1990)

Stephen Caffrey - WOW!

[28 February 2000]

Accidently caught this show, working out in front of the tv. It's PHENOMENAL! And Stephen Caffrey, the director and star, is a total babe!! Why he hasn't been in more movies besides "Longtime Companion" is beyond me. The series is very well done - worth a look-see. Check it out on TNT.

Songcatcher (2000)

Standing Ovation!

[10/10 · 8 February 2000]

At Sundance 2000, I watched this film at 9:45am - severely hung-over and with only 1 hour of sleep. I fully expected & wanted to fall asleep. I did not, however, and after watching this film I was so invigorated that I spent the rest of the day running up and down Main Street, attending various Net events and raving about it to everyone I met. Janet McTeer, Aidan Quinn and the rest of the unknown cast is phenomenal. A must-see movie. I wouldn't be surprised if McTeer receives numerous critics awards for this movie next year, AND steals this year's Oscar away from Annette Bening for American Beauty...

Committed (I) (2000)

See this for the ensemble...

[9/10 · 8 February 2000]

Don't hate Heather Graham because she's beautiful, hate her because she's fun to watch in this movie. Like the hip clothing and funky surroundings, the actors in this flick work well together. Casey Affleck is hysterical and Heather Graham literally lights up the screen. The minor characters - Goran Visnjic {sigh} and Patricia Velazquez are as TALENTED as they are gorgeous. Congratulations Miramax & Director Lisa Krueger!

Magnolia (1999)

PHENOMENAL!

[30 December 1999]

Picture this -- you're in a movie theatre, the lights go dim, your wrists and ankles are strapped down, suddenly you're on a roller coaster, careening through a scary, fun house. after 3 hours, it finally comes to a screeching halt.

That was my experience watching Magnolia. Paul Thomas Anderson, who also wrote & directed "Boogie Nights" & "Hard Eight" he has a wonderfully weird yet immensely appealing directorial style.

Magnolia is an oddly connected set of of epiphanies - love & death are the catalysts. Tom Cruise redeems himself after the Kubrick debacle "Eyes Wide Shut" and almost all the wonderful, character actors from Boogie Nights are involved & do a fabulous job. This is not the kind of movie where it's easy to guess the plot or punchlines --what a relief!!

Galaxy Quest (1999)

Good characters...

[23 December 1999]

Did you like Spock, Captain Kirk, McCoy, Checkov, Ohura, and Scotty in Star Trek? Then you'll love --Galaxy Quest-- It's a funny Star Trek send up, that rewards us "in the know" Star Trek fans with hysterical bits by Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shaloub, and Sam Rockwell. Character actor Sam Rockwell takes the honors for G.Q. studmuffin. Plus it's good for kids without being sappy, unlike Bicentennial Man

Cradle Will Rock (1999)

A great job by Tim Robbins

[22 December 1999]

This is Tim Robbins third time directing an outstanding cast. The "based on real events" movie should net him at least one Oscar nomination. Kudos all around --- Emily Watson literally glows, Angus MacFadyen is a total Studmuffin and my favorite as Orson Welles (he was Robert the Bruce in Braveheart). Vanessa Redgrave, Carey Elwes, and Bill Murray are over-the-top and hysterical! Susan Sarandon, Rueben Blades, John Cusack, Joan Cusack, John Turturro, and Hank Azaria are all great -no surprises here.

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)

Chick flick

[5/10 · 9 December 1999]

I know it may not look it but trust me, Deuce Bigalow is a chick flick.

Girls, the only reason to pay for Deuce Bigalow is you get to see the smokin hot Oded Fehr. He plays the real gigolo Antoine. That man is the reason cloning should be legalized - WOW - he is the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. You may have noticed his brief appearance in "The Mummy" as Ardeth Bey. The good news is he's got a bigger part in "The Mummy 2" and a role in Texas Rangers. Hopefully, Sherry Lansing and all the other female producers/directors will tailor many more films specifically for Oded. I'm going to see this movie again just for another glimpse of him...

The Hurricane (1999)

You must see this incredible movie!!

[10/10 · 30 November 1999]

Denzel Washington gives another Oscar caliber performance as Rubin -Hurricane- Carter. "Hurricane" is a tribute to the indomitable power of the human spirit. It's the true story of a boxer unjustly imprisoned for murders he did not commit.

My money is on Denzel to win the Oscar for Best Actor edging out Spacey (American Beauty), Crowe (The Insider), Hanks (The Green Mile) and Pacino (Any Given Sunday). It should also receive Oscar nominations for Director Norman Jewison & Best Adapted Screenplay.

Check out the official movie site http://www.the-hurricane.com/ and buy Rubin Carter's memoir --The 16th Round-- at www.Amazon.com

YOU may not need to bring your hankie, but it did make me cry.

End of Days (1999)

Nobody does action like Ah-nold!

[5/10 · 23 November 1999]

You'll be surprised by how many previous occult films you'll recognize in this one. Regardless, this is an entertaining action movie. It doesn't stimulate your cerebral cortex, but that's not what a good Schwarzenegger movie does. Over the top pyrotechnics mixed with good ole fashioned CGI. Kevin Pollack and Robin Tunney do well in their minor roles.

As Satan, Gabriel Byrne is to die for and everyone does. The man is smokin' hot, presence oozes out of every pore, and he has "the gift," so why doesn't he make more romantic movies dammit!!! Every woman should see this movie just for Gabriel Byrne -sigh-

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

All in all, a solid Bond film!

[8/10 · 19 November 1999]

A phenomenal opening sequence --don't even blink, great gadgets and gorgeous eye-candy (Sophie Marceau, Maria Grazia Cucinotta & Denise Richards). No surprises there.

Poor Denise Richards, every time she was onscreen the audience snickered. Thankfully, they didn't give her much to say - she's absolutely awful. On the other hand, Sophie Marceau more than makes up for Denise in the acting department. But it's a shame the femme fatale, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, (the Italian babe from "Il Postino") doesn't have a bigger part...

Pierce Brosnan looked great, was funny & he seemed more comfortable as Bond in this one. I don't see how they can replace him when he decides to call it quits.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Gothic horror with a twist...

[7/10 · 18 November 1999]

I have two words for you - Johnny Depp - That is the main reason to see this film. His Icabod Crane shows that he is an actor of the highest caliber, not a "star"

I loved Tim Burton's lighting, you can feel the cold, damp chill in the air. The gore factor was horrific and nicely done, but the editing was a bit choppy.

Ray Parks surpasses his "Darth Maul" appearance in Star Wars-Phantom Menace with the phenomenal stunt work as the headless horseman. Enjoy!!

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Phenomenal

[10/10 · 12 November 1999]

This movie ranks in my top 5 favorites.

Director George Roy Hill and his gorgeous cast: Robert Redford, Paul Newman and Katherine Ross turn out a funny, sad, touching story of the real outlaws -Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.

How could you not grin like a fool, when Paul takes Katharine out for a turn on his bike with "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" playing in the background...{sigh}

Dogma (1999)

phenomenal

[10/10 · 11 November 1999]

You must RUN not walk to see "Dogma" an intelligently irreverent, laugh riot of a movie. The only problem -- you'll have to see it AT LEAST THREE TIMES, because you'll miss 1/2 of the movie due to your own gut-wrenching laughter.

Director/Writer Kevin Smith assembles an eclectic cast: George Carlin, Chris Rock, Alan Rickman, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek, Alanis Morrisette, Jason Lee, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. There's even a soccer reference!! (yeah, I'm a soccer fanatic)

In a perfect world, Dogma wins the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Let's all hope my wish is prophetic...

The website is: http://www.dogma-movie.com ---check it out and spread the good word---