RichardU Reviews

The Hours (2002)

Clinical depression does not make a good movie

[5/10 · 6 January 2003]

The women in this movie are depressed. One of them is mourning a dying friend, an understandable downer. The other two women are obviously suffering from a chemical imbalance. They need help. No amount of talk or soul searching will solve their problems. And watching them is no more instructional than watching someone die of cancer. What does a movie like this teach us? That life without Prozac is a bummer.

Buying the Cow (2002)

Much better than the usual.

[8/10 · 4 January 2003]

What is wrong with Hollywood? They pump up virtually unwatchable action flicks and bury real gems like Buying the Cow. This movie was intelligent, original, insightful (to a point) and funny. I feel sorry for everyone involved in this production -- because some distributor someone dropped the ball. If you liked Office Space, The Castle, Happy Texas, or Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion, watch this movie.

Sunshine State (2002)

I used to be a John Sayles fan.

[5/10 · 2 January 2003]

Lone Star was great. I didn't even mind the ending to Limbo, but Sunshine State has done me in. His all star cast looks like they're in a high-school production. Every line of dialogue rings hollow. When the characters aren't giving speeches, they overact on emotional levels that simply seem contrived. And of course the story goes nowhere. Sorry John, I'm through with you.

Thirteen Days (2000)

Made for TV

[5/10 · 26 August 2001]

This movie reeked of an amateurish quality that began with Costner's accent and was constantly reinforced by a heavy-handed soundtrack. Screenwriting 101 says show, don't tell the drama. "Apollo 13" did a good job of showing the drama even though we already knew the outcome. Regrettably, "Thirteen Days" kept telling us over and over, mostly with reaction shots of Mushmouth (Costner). The footage of him looking concerned, worried, etc. put this film so far beyond two hours, you'll wonder if Thirteen Days is how long it takes to see this film.

The Mexican (2001)

Nothing in this movie is believable.

[5/10 · 11 August 2001]

The dialogue, the plot, the characters, and even the traffic lights in the middle of the Mexican desert are completely not believable. If you like to incessantly mutter "You've got to be kidding," during your movies ... this is the film for you. If you're gullible enough to swallow this load of dreck... you have been dumbed down into the perfect Hollywood customer-drone.

Shanghai Noon (2000)

A huge disappointment.

[13 October 2000]

Shanghai Noon makes Rush Hour look like fine art. Imagine watching Jackie and his buddies standing around in a brightly lit saloon set:

"Okay we need to have another fight now."

"What are we fighting about?"

"Who cares. You just stand here until I get done with these other guys."

This film has no dramatic tension. At all. None. Even Jackie's relationship with his "wife" only serves to provide the solutions to a couple of lame plot dilemmas. Worse, the stunts are not up to par.

The only redeeming point was the landscape cinematography. Except that Nevada does NOT look like western Canada!

I yearn for the subtle nuance of previous Jackie Chan films.