SandyZ7 Reviews

Sideways (2004)

Sideways, Upside-down, Backwards - NO WAYS

[1/10 · 16 February 2005]

I really wanted to like this movie - but since there was no acting, no script and a story that couldn't make up it's mind as to which way to go - I just couldn't. The potential was there along with the elements of a good movie - but someone forgot to use them.

How can a director who turned out such an excellent movie as "About Schmid" come up with this piece of garbage.

It was so bad that I was tempted to walk out sideways.

How can it be nominated for an Oscar? What were they thinking?

Don't be misled by the ads - Don't bother to see it - Wait for TV - then you don't have to pay and feel cheated.

The Aviator (2004)

"Wake Up Marty" You're Sleeping On The Stick !

[1/10 · 30 January 2005]

Scorsese at one point was an excellent director but he forgot the basic ingredient of making a film – which is emotion. Without emotion there is no film – what we have is a docudrama with very good editing. If the editing had been poor – We would have had to get up and leave. As far as the script goes – there wasn't any - just a series of scenes of Howard Hughes life, which anyone could have read in the old newspaper files. We can't say that we have learned anything new and important in this film at all.

We believe DiCaprio did a fair job but we can't blame him entirely since the script was so poorly written. As far as the other actors – What a waste of time. Cate Blanchett 's over-acting as Katherine Hepburn was pitiful and Kate Beckinsale version of Ava Gardner – all we can say is "What was she thinking". The only acting and emotion in this film was done by Alan Alda – Bravo

We wanted to like this film but the only redeeming quality was the editing.

Scorsese was a brilliant director years ago and we are still waiting for his next great film. If he receives any awards – they will be because of his old work – not the Aviator and seemingly in sympathy because they forgot the first time. Don't waste your money no matter what anyone says!

Melinda and Melinda (2004)

Woody does it again....again....again....again, etc.

[1/10 · 16 January 2005]

Woody Allen should stop making movies - or the same movie again and again. His last good film of this type was Hannah and Her Sister (1986) - at least he (Woody) wasn't in this film - it's one redeeming quality.

He always has the same background with similar characters and for the first time he didn't make one bad film - he made two. It's too bad he can't make a film with a new idea. He should make a film without "Woody Allen" as every character.

I was very surprised to see that this film opened in Europe before the States. If he thinks he's "Taking This Show on the Road" - it's too late. Don't Waste Your Money!

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Save Your Money and Rent the Original

[1/10 · 13 November 2004]

After reading good reviews I was expecting something other than this totally awful movie. The dark menacing atmosphere of the 1962 film with Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey and Angela Lansbury remains

one of the best political thrillers reinforced by superb acting and the use of black and white photography.

The remake has lifeless muddled performances. Streep did not come across as believable and lacked the delightful viciousness portrayed by Lansbury. Washington provides a weak DeMarco versus one of Sinatra's best roles.

The so-called plot is completely unbelievable - Did they think they were doing a "Matrix" or a "Zombie" Film?

There are so many holes it looked like Swiss Cheese. Save your money and rent a DVD of the original.

Modigliani (2004)

A Trip Back in time to the Magical World of The Artist

[8/10 · 6 November 2004]

This film must be considered an "Art" film - not a commercial film and you must watch it with different eyes.

Taking that tone - It was throughly enjoying and the sets, costumes and art direction were done extremely well. The casting and acting was excellent and believable but some scenes

were too drawn out. If the editing was a little better we would have a real winner. However I can recommend this film to anyone who loves art and painting. It really portrays the feelings of the artists and how they lived.

Go See It - You'll enjoy it!