Change Your Image
christopher-conklin
Reviews
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Sure to Be Just Another Cult Favorite "B" Movie
With terrible acting, a layman simple plot, and mediocre production quality, Napoleon Dynamite seems like a terrible movie. However, occasional spritzes of brilliance by the actors and comical scenes make the film what it is: one really long Saturday Night Live sketch. Definitely worth renting to cure boredom, but save yourself the twenty bucks and steer clear of the DVD. Very easy for everyone to relate to, but the humor in this film is hit or miss. MTV Films has not been known for cinematic excellence and Napoleon Dynamite is no exception, however, it is sure to find its niche as a cult favorite "B" movie in with the likes of Office Space. Jon Heder is perfect in his emotionless, plain john role and there are instances in the movie that are simply hilarious. This is quote-on-quote slapstick humor at it best - or worst.
Ocean's Twelve (2004)
Too much movie for two hours!
Soderberg's second go-round at the sequel of a remake seems to be just a bit much. The ending of "Ocean's Eleven" left the viewer in suspense, alluding to a sequel. Fast forward to the time present and here we are, with a sequel too good to be true. "Ocean's Twelve" takes us throughout Europe in an attempt to outdo the masterpiece heist seen previously. The scenery is amazing and true to life. We see Amsterdam's famous canals and Rome's narrow streets. However, just as the scenes are foreign, as is the viewer's comprehension of this movie.
The problem with this movie is that it's simply too much movie. The plot moves excessively fast for two hours give or take a few minutes, and it does not move along evenly per se. Some parts of "Ocean's Twelve" move too fast for the viewer to grasp, yet other sequences escalate painfully slow.
In all, the superb acting and cinematic effects are overshadowed by the plot. Yes, it's intricate, surpentine, and edge-of-your-seat, but, therein lies the problem. Twist after twist upon twist leaves the average viewer dumbfounded. Only those possessing Einstein like intelligence can grasp such plot specifics. For those fitting this category, it's an excellent movie. For the less fortunate, however, it might be best to watch the first one and leave it at that. In the end, you wonder: "who's taking advantage of who?" Whereas Eleven left us with a clear victor with the spoils, Twelves leaves you in suspense. Not the suspense seen at the end of the former, but a spiteful, incomplete suspense.
Nonetheless, the all-star cast of actors boosts the movie's star quality. Bruce Willis' womanizing cameo is delightful, as is the special double entrendre cameo of Julia Roberts. Clooney and Pitt are excellent, and the rest of the cast hold up their end quite well. In the end, it is unfortunate that the plot and its twists are simply incomprehensible to many on the second, even third and subsequent attempt to understand it.
My advice is to save your money and definitely rent it when it comes out on DVD, or hits the second chance theaters.
Shall we see another sequel? Perhaps an "Ocean's Thirteen?" Even with such success as has been seen, it is doubtful Carl Reiner will live that long. But given the director's talent, and the feel good, high chemistry mood of the actors on set, I wouldn't put it out of the question. In all, 8 out of 10 from me.
3: The Dale Earnhardt Story (2004)
A valid, but mediocre attempt to compress the story of Dale Earnhardt into two hours...
A highly anticipated and long awaited biographical account of the life and times of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story entertains, enthralls, but simply falls short on detail. To the normal viewer who is not a NASCAR fan, the story appears to be complete. However, any fan of the sport knows quite well that the story told in this work is incomplete. Indeed, to expect the director to encompass the life story of a legend into one movie is a monumental task in and of itself, and the director does a barely suitable job at this. Many of the historical nuances in the film are blurred and some casting choices are poor. However, the actors did an impressive job, despite this. Overall, an informative and valiant biography for the casual observer, but true, die-hard fans may find fault with this film.