cromagnet Reviews

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Actors Vs. Movie Stars

[8/10 · 15 August 2008]

Actors act and that is what I like about a good movie. I like to watch a person get into character and play the role. Not the same role they always do. (Show us you can act without reminding us of your last movie roles)

RDJ did this exceptionally well. Even beyond! His acting chops were flying high and I enjoyed every line and concept. Belly laughs all the way!

Jack Black also was in character, playing a role that was over the top, believable and funny. He seems to have that ability to change over different movies but remain Jack Black. He was excellent in this role and rounded out the others well. I'm sure he'll give even better 'acting' performances as he grows.

Stiller was pretty much acting as Stiller.

RDJ Actor/Movie Star --- JB Actor in the making/Movie Star --- Stiller Movie Star/Director

Tom Cruise was over the top, one dimensional and I think the character did a lot of good to break some of his recent typecasting. Though, I think his character did more for him than he did for his character.

Kudos to the writers and director and all the actors.

This is one of the better comedies to come out in many years and has made my top 100 list of all time fave movies.

Anacardium (2001)

Riviting performance, suspenseful drama

[10/10 · 17 December 2005]

I really enjoyed this movie. As I reflected back on it I realized that it really kept my attention and interest. It evoked empathy as I was involved in trying to guess what the characters where going to do next and who would get the upper hand. Not bad for a movie that basically takes place in the living room of a house with only two characters. They really worked well together and the director pulled together their large swings in emotion with great skill.

The plot starts out with this gritty guy who puts an ad out to get a new roommate, preferable female. However, much to the his surprise and annoyance a guy comes to check the place out for a co-worker girlfriend but seems to be overly interested in the place for himself. The tension builds and moves throughout the whole film as the characters slowly reveal their story.

It reminds me of Dead Calm only because that movie also took place on a small boat with only three character to carry the whole film. Deranged pulls out more masterful acting performances.

If you decide to get it, don't read the back cover of the DVD, just watch and enjoy.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

B-movie to-B

[1/10 · 28 February 2003]

Just finished watching this flick. What a waste of 2 hours! There were moments when I thought we were watching a terrible b movie but I let it go because I thought they were kidding. tongue in cheek I thought. The few scenes that had a chance to become excellent did not follow through with a completed great performance. I would give the movie 1/2 a star for that but they dont allow anything less than 1 star so that's what I give it. And the Lez stuff way short and seemed like an obligatory twist for twist sake. Just crap! don't waste your time. See Memento or something else if you want a mystery.

1/2 star :(

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Not up to my expectations

[5/10 · 5 December 2002]

I like Peter Sellers in some of his movies. He looks like he really loves to act. This movie was boring and dated to me. I don't remember laughing once. Maybe I'm used to the hype of newer movies but then again I just watched Vertigo and loved it. The Dr. Strangelove character though very dated was played over-the-top in the end. This didn't come across as comedy anymore but rather goofy. I give it a 6 out of 10 for a movie and 4 for a comedy because I didn't laugh.

The entertainment value was low for me. I wish I was in the mood to articulate why but it just doesn't inspire much right now. A wacky general takes over his own base and decides to launch a nuclear attack on Russia. The President is almost powerless to stop it. A british foreign exchange officer tries to talk the general out of it. He has to overcome this fact in the end which could have been funnier. Different over-the-top characters in government departments advise the President who is trying to keep things calm. Blah... like I said... could have been better. Just my opinion.

5 out of ten (because I feel generous)

Consenting Adults (1992)

My all time fave

[10/10 · 11 July 2000]

This movie is my all time favorite movie. It is diabolical and I didn't guess what was going to happen next. It went on just a little too long near the end but still well worth a look. Great characters and twisting plot.