nickcosto Reviews

Hoodwinked! (2005)

Great for adults and kids alike

[9/10 · 14 December 2006]

I was shopping for DVD's for my kids lately and my eye caught the cover of Hoodwinked. I thought it strange that I missed this at the cinema because with my preteen kids I have seen just about all the animation movies.

It turns out that this movie was never played at the cinemas in this country (Greece) and it came out straight on DVD . All I can say is what a shame because this is one great animation movie and all it was missing was cutting edge cgi (big deal when the story is so good) and a major studio to promote the heck out of it.

I left the kids at home to watch it while I was away and when I returned they were jumping from excitement demanding that I sit right then to watch it myself. This is how good this movie was, the kids saw it twice in a row and the father had a blast.

Bottom line, you can have a technically top cgi movie which is average, even mundane and on the other hand you can have one with average cgi with a top story and direction which at the end of the day is far better. This is a classic.

Casino Royale (2006)

A new kind of Bond movie

[6/10 · 4 December 2006]

I write this the day after I saw the movie and without reading any other comments to avoid being biased and yes I checked the "contains spoiler" box although it is more of a warning to the type of movie this is.

First of all the best part of it: The leading man Daniel Craig. This is how I imagine a sophisticated character of an international secret agent would be. Tough and intense one moment but polished and seductive when needed.

Certainly more believable than previous characters running in the countryside in their three piece suits. But then again when did reality figured in the Bond movies?

If I think about it as a movie not from the Bond series, I would say it is good example of the spy-action genre. Therefore not the kind of movie I usually pay to see myself. But James Bond? I always go to see 007, the habit started way back and is now a ritual.

So my point is: If you want to see a usual Bond movie this is not it.

Moneypenny and Q are not in - and this is the least of it. Gadgets are -mostly- not in. Bond humor is not in (although the "Do I look like I give a damn" is priceless). Just when I though "at last a car chase" it lasted less than a minute. They filmed in Venice and there wasn't even a power boat chase! (Remember Roger Moore and the hovercraft gondola?) And even if the palazzo was magnificently sunk underwater, it does not compare with the usual utter destruction of the evil genius' lair.

Above all it is the violence that didn't work in the stylized way of the Bond movies. Here is close and "dirty", not the exploding boat - dead in the water - painted gold kind of killings.

As for the torture scene... too realistic. I still shift in my chair when I think about it. So parents keep that in mind before you allow your teens to see it.

To be honest Bond movies where a bit repetitious in the past few years. All I described missing were done so many times already. And I certainly don't miss the creased pants, impeccable tie, combed hair in the thick of the action kind of hero. I just wish the changes were one step at a time.

So there you have it: Action movie, less vintage Bond in the recipe. I thought is was good overall, but not the movie I expected.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

What a pity

[4/10 · 30 May 2003]

*Spoiler Alert*

Another movie in the time honored tradition of screwing it up at the sequel.

The characters are now cardboard two-dimensional, Zion is like it came out of a 50's B movie, the fights are almost without a reason, it ends suddenly without closure (OK so there is the third Matrix coming, but this is no excuse).

On the positive side it has one of the greatest chase/fight scenes and it introduces the interesting concept of renegade programs running around the Matrix. Other than that it rides on the popularity of the original, in my opinion.

And finally, releasing it almost at the same date worldwide is a pretty cool move. (Too bad, it didn't make the movie any better)

Weekend at Bernie's (1989)

Classic comedy A+

[9/10 · 27 October 2002]

For those (few) whom haven't seen this classic comedy don't waist any time: Rent the video, catch it on cable whatever. Slapstick comedy at its best. Be prepared for bursted guts from laughing too hard!

What Planet Are You From? (2000)

Great fun

[16 December 2001]

This was a really funny movie. I am not especially into romantic comedies but this one was a cut above the rest.

Gerry Shandling is not known around here but he should be. He was just excellent in this role and I can't wait to see him in another movie too.

Planet of the Apes (2001)

Entertaining but with some weak points

[6/10 · 23 November 2001]

I believe that if it was even less related to the original it would be better. In addition there would be less comparisons with a movie considered a classic.

The effects and make up were simply outstanding, the apes the most interesting and complex than the humans. It is worth to watch it just for that.

On the other hand the script was weak and the surprise ending does nothing to the story other than an obvious nod to a sequel.

Regardless I had a pleasant evening.

Gave it a 6

See Spot Run (2001)

The kids will enjoy it

[9 August 2001]

Hardly breaking any new ground and the direction/cinematography were below average. The characters likeable though and it had its moments for the grownups too.

Take your kids (ages 5-12)to see it and they will like the classic gags like the bad guys falling all over the place and getting bitten by dogs. But kids are more sophisticated today and they will outgrow it fast.

I wish the dog(s) would be more involved in the movie. It was used more like a prop.

You won't miss out if you catch it on cable or video after all.

Three stars for some good acting from the co-stars and the likeable face of David Arquette.

15 Minutes (2001)

Entertaining action movie

[24 May 2001]

I wasn't disappointed by this movie.

True, the plot was not very original (if you exclude an unusual twist in the middle which I shouldn't reveal) and somewhat superficial but it was an action movie after all and this is what I went to see.

Perhaps if the plot didn't leave too many dead ends and it focused a bit more on what makes each character tick, would be better.

For example: When one of the bad guys Emil was arrested, all effort to convict him was focused on the murder of Eddie (De Niro). But they already had that girl Daphne as a witness of a double murder and they didn't use her at all. Hmm.

Believe it or not, the most memorable character for me was of Oleg, the aspiring director criminal more interested in filming than killing, whom seemed to be witnessing violence indifferently as a normal part of his life (see what I mean that the characters needed just a *bit* more depth?). Oh yea, considering all the examination I have to go through to get a visa for the United States, how come two convicted felons are allowed in? OK this isn't terribly important, just wondering.

As a Greek, I was amused by De Niro's attempts to speak the language on account of his girlfriend being presumably of Greek decent. Pretty good I might add except when he said "good luck" and we were looking at each other at the theatre. I suppose the director wouldn't redo the scene for something only a few people would understand.

So it isn't a very memorable movie but I didn't think my money was wasted and I had a pleasant time and a few laughs too. Not to be compared with Natural Born Killers. In 15 minutes you do not have to come in the theatre with your own barf bag. (Sorry, spoiler but for another movie)

Nickos

Judge Dredd (1995)

Sadly, very bad

[24 May 2001]

I was just sorting some old magazines when I fount the ones with judge Dredd that I was religiously reading when I was a teenager. Then I remembered the movie I saw years later and I thought I would comment on it.

If you have seen the X-Men and like myself believe they did a good job bringing a comic series to the big screen, Judge Dredd the movie was quite the opposite.

The plot and characters are a mishmash from many different stories from the comic series that were unrelated. Like putting together a movie with scenes stolen from many other movies.

It just doesn't work. Perhaps in ten years there will be a good Judge Dredd movie but at the meantime read the comic. It is a excellent example of the 70's vintage.

The only good thing I can think of are the excellent props like the robot, the villainous family etc. that were so well reproduced from the comic pages to the screen.

Nickos

Office Space (1999)

Worth seeing it

[3 November 2000]

I could have very well completely missed this movie not only because no one I know had seen it but I am not sure that it hit the movie screens at all here in Greece. (I just saw it on cable) And that would have been a pity because it was a pleasant and funny movie. Even though I do not myself completely relate with the workplace shown with the cubicicles (sp?) and all, I can understand the situations and the jokes. Ron Livingston's performance was great. Just a little slow at times but there are hilarious moments. Well worth seeing it.

X-Men (2000)

Very good, best adaptation of a comic to the movie screen

[8/10 · 3 November 2000]

Even though I was not a huge fan of action comics, I liked to read the X-Men when it came to Greece in the late seventies. Of course there were the original X-Men and I see that several characters were added over the years. So even though I had some X-men background, I was like many who went to see the movie without a deep knowledge of the complex plots the had evolved in the printed comic over the years.

Of course, like many people I wasn't sure what I would see because earlier adaptations of comics to the movies were horrible.

The result was a very good movie, that I believe will entertain both fans and plain folks. I certainly enjoyed it.

The special effects were just right and did not overwhelm. I believe that the less noticed the better they are, right?

The action scenes were great, the characters developed (except perhaps Rogue), a plot that promises a good sequel.. What more could I ask?

I gave it an 8 but I have changed my mind, I should have given it a 9.

Three Kings (1999)

Movie of the year

[10/10 · 27 March 2000]

I thought I was getting old and grouchy. I just couldn't get to really enjoy a movie lately. Or were the movies getting so superficial and predictable?

Not this one.

There were a lot of stories about the Gulf War, but this was the best. Action, comedy, drama, thought provoking.

Not the kind of movie that gets nominated for Oscar but No.1 as far as I am concerned.

As you might have guessed, I gave it 10 out of 10

Pleasantville (1998)

A good movie albeit predictable

[26 March 2000]

If you take every culture in the world -no matter how old- there is usually a myth about a time when man, before his fall, was living in Eden. The 50's USA is something similar in the minds of many people. Of course we are not talking about a myth or Eden here, but any period seen through the prism of nostalgia can look like utopia.

I must confess that I am a sucker for this nostalgia. I understand that it wasn't in reality all roses but I like the Hollywood version which takes cues from the period TV shows.

I could watch Pleasantville just for the polished 50's urban scenes. But there is a twist of course. They are characters of a show and trapped in their preset routines - a parallel for the roles a society is sometimes enforcing on people.

The message of the movie is that, when there are no free choices then there is trouble in Paradise. I must admit that the approach was somewhat simplistic and the two 90's kids are predictably bringing chaos in such a society. The changes could come by more subtle means rather than basically sex.

Get in the right frame of mind and it will be a very enjoyable movie.

Lost in Space (1998)

Danger-Danger mind numbing movie

[1/10 · 17 March 2000]

So the original TV series was playing here when I was a kid and I thought it was great. Well, we had two channels back then, transmitting a total of 12 hours a day together. I hadn't seen any other sci fi series or movie to compare it with.

Actually if they could send this movie back in time to the late sixties-early seventies, it would get some good reviews. But only a few.

What can I say that hasn't been said here already. I can't think of anything positive to say about this film. Even the special effects, to my opinion, were tacky. I mean why must EVERYTHING must be computer generated? Why can't they make some nice real gadgets instead of those cartoonish accessories growing around the actors heads out of thin air?

I'm giving it 1 out of 10 only for the cool looking robot. Hold it, I just remembered the flight through the planet. I take it back, 0 out of 10.

In & Out (1997)

Worth watching

[27 February 2000]

You will have a good time watching this movie. It touches the ever popular (in the movies) subject of homosexuality with good humor played by an actor of Kline's quality. Undoubtedly people are going to complain about stereotypes but it is all done in good taste

I must say that the scene of Kline listening and acting that self-help tape on being a man, is one of the funniest ever made in the history of movies.

I only have one question unanswered: How did his former student know he was gay, when he didn't even know it himself??

Event Horizon (1997)

Not quite there

[2 February 2000]

Two of my favorite actors (Lawrence Fishburne and Sam Neill) in a sci-fi movie? I had to watch that.

First impression: a good plot that could lead to a good climax. -It didn't.

Second impression:A horror movie set in space. -I was scared in some scenes but mostly because of the cheap "horror creeping behind actor when not paying attention" gimmick. I will not be scared the second time watching the movie.

Third impression: Trying to get some feel from Alien2 with the tough soldiers etc. -Doesn't make it.

Fourth impression: Gore. -Mundane. I mean Dante imagined such Hell hundreds of years ago.

Finally if we exclude the excellent room of the space drive, the rest of the sets looked a little on the cheap side.

Not one of my favorite movies despite the high expectations from Fishburne and Neill.

Wishful Thinking (1997)

Not Bad

[29 January 2000]

I just saw the movie on cable and I had a pleasant time. No it is not a movie I would go out of my way to watch again, but definitely not the worst in my list. True, the plot was very common and only the narration was short of inventive, but all in all not a bad movie. It is just that labeling it "romantic comedy" is misleading, it might be light but not a comedy. What prompted me to write about it was Jennifer Beals whom I think stole the show. I hadn't seen her since Flashdance (yuck) and I think she matured nicely. I might look for other recent movies that she played in.