miss_sugarpuss Reviews

Freaky Friday (2003)

When do you become an adult? Ever?

[3/10 · 25 April 2005]

Although this movie had the potential to show both the beauties of youth and age, and demonstrate the struggle every person has making the transition from child to adult, it ended up completely missing the point.

Basically the movie centered around Mom (Jamie Lee Curtis) not understanding daughter (Lindsay Lohan). There is a scene where daughter tells Mom something to the affect "You could never be a teenager, you could never be me," when in reality every mother has done that. Every mother was once a teenager. Just try finding a Mom who never suffered from the pressures caused by test-taking, boyfriends, or catty girls.

The movie would have been much more interesting had it focused on the daughter taking on her Mother's responsibilities and becoming more adult in the process. Instead she goofed off in her Mother's body, enjoying the freedom of age with out the responsibility, which made for some jokes but not any real quality.

This movie is fine for laughs, but the over all message was not one worth remembering.

Van Helsing (2004)

All stunts

[5/10 · 25 April 2005]

This is an enjoyable film, and an interesting tribute to classic horror films, although the special effects go a little too far.

Hugh Jackmann is his typical comic-book-self (Van Helsing bears many resemblances to Xmen's Wolverine); Kate Beckinsale is extremely annoying as a self-confident and yet unsuccessful vampire slayer; but David Wenham is hilarious as the scientist/friar, reminiscent of James Bond's Q.

The movie is fun to watch, and the outrageous stunts and effects are quite funny, but there's no real substance to the plot or characters and it relies solely on the effects to carry it.

Mean Girls (2004)

Go Girls!

[8/10 · 25 April 2005]

I put off watching this movie because it looked like just another teen chick flick, and after "Freaky Friday" I couldn't stand Lindsay Lohan.

How wrong I was! Lindsay plays Cady, a homeschooler from Africa who's suddenly forced to cope with life in an American public highschool. The movie completely captures a homeschooler's reactions to school; where for some strange reason you have to get a pass just to leave the room, adults don't trust you, and you have to choose between being a nerd and getting good grades or failing with friends.

In the manner of all classic chick flicks (like "Clueless", "Legally Blonde", and "Romey & Michelle's Highschool Reunion") this movie is fun and uplifting, with a "be happy with who you are" message. Because, let's face it, deep down we're all Spring-Fling Queens!

Sledge Hammer! (1986–1988)

Trust Me!!!

[25 April 2005]

Terrific 80s TV show. Rasche plays Sledge, a cop who shoots first and asks questions later. He talks to his gun, ignores procedure, and loves violence. But he always knows what he's doing. A hilarious show, that only aired two seasons. Fortunately for us Hammerheads both seasons are now available on DVD, so we can keep enjoying one the best TV shows of all time!

"Now, your stereotypical donut is nothing but dough and sugar fried in fat, am I right? Now that fat gums up your arteries and goes to your brain, and you turn liberal. And the next thing you know, Barry Manilow is on the turn-table and you're not going to work and you're voting for gun control. You see what I'm saying? You see the connection? That's why I eat granola." - Sledge Hammer

The Ladykillers (2004)

New, but not improved.

[27 September 2004]

A group of thieves disguised as musicians hiding out in a sweet old lady's house sounds like a pretty hysterical premise for a movie, and Alec Guiness proved it was in the original film.

The new version, however, only demonstrates how you can start out with a great premise and completely destroy it.

While Hank's performance was funny, it certainly didn't out way all the foul language and meaningless interludes that were supposed to "modernize" the movie. The director and/or writers obviously missed the point and charm of the other movie.

If you like the sound of the plot, don't see this movie, stick with the classic. Let's not change a good thing.