scorpiowriter Reviews

The Lovely Bones (2009)

LOVED IT--Beautiful CGI. And I hate CGI!

[9/10 · 8 January 2018]

Really powerful, beautiful film. Yes, the underlying theme is frightening, but this is in no way a 'horror' film. It's a story about life, death, the Afterlife, vengeance, love, and ultimately, hope for justice.

I decided to watch this movie because my father died today and I wanted to think about what it's like to be dead and 'in between' worlds. This movie really touched me and even inspired a few tears.

The acting is overall, great. I feel that Rachel Weiss looked FAR too young in this film to be Susie's mother...she looked like an older sister. All of the characters are interesting in their own right. Susie's sister is a great character, as well. I thought Stanley Tucci's character looked so much like Javier Bardem I couldn't recognize him until I read the credits!

Really enjoyed the music.

And the CGI...I normally HATE CGI because I grew up in the 70's and 80's so I'm used to people in costumes, etc...those seem more 'real' than all the CGI 'monsters' they use nowadays. In this movie, CGI is used in a wonderful, beautiful and touching manner.

Loved it, and recommend it highly.

The Godfather (1972)

Wow. Just wow. Possibly the best film of all time.

[10/10 · 5 January 2018]

I grew up seeing occasional glimpses of this movie on tv. I thought it seemed interesting. I loved the opening wedding scene and I strongly remember the scene where Apollonia is killed.

Sat through it tonight since it' son Netflix and it's AMAZING. It has everything. Romance, drama, terror, suspense, and even the occasional slight sense of humor. This is a powerful film.

Most people strongly respect the Corleone family. Their values are very simple. Family over everything. Loyalty is the number one value. Avenge those of your family who were unfairly murdered.

If only the real Mafia kept to these real values. It would be a better world today.

The Chipmunk Adventure (1987)

REALLY fun and amusing...for both kids and adults!

[10/10 · 3 January 2018]

I remember when this came out, I was enthralled with it and watched it over and over again with my siblings. It's a VERY fun and creative movie. Remember that 80's classic, "Romancing The Stone"? It's sort of like a kid's version of that. It has mystery, intrigue, danger, humor, and GREAT MUSIC. Really great, original and creative animation. Humor for both adults and kids. I'll never forget how much I loved the Chipettes, though per some other reviewers, I do think they were a bit too 'Sexy-fied' in this movie. Still great. Buy a copy on DVD or an online copy and watch with your own kids. The soundtrack is original and terrific...your kids will be bopping to all the songs!

The Pest (1997)

LOVE this movie! A modern classic!

[10/10 · 26 March 2017]

Yes. All you movie snobs, this movie is slapstick, stupid, juvenile humor. And it's INCREDIBLY funny. Full of puns and play on language. John Leguizamo is hilariously obnoxious as The Pest. Love this movie. Literally has me laughing out loud even after watching it several times over the past couple of decades.

Whore (1991)

This Movie Is a Piece of Garbage

[1/10 · 12 December 2016]

Absolute garbage. Totally irredeemable. No humor. Disgusting, stupid, pointless. Clunky acting and directing! It seems like a film student's junior year thesis. Rubbish.

The movie opens with a prostitute, remarkable pretty for a street hooker, standing by the roadway with lots of 'honks,' looking for customers. Some dude pulls up and they discuss what she is willing to do for what price.

The man bluntly says, "I want to f--k you up the a-s!" and she says, "Why don't you stick it up our own ass hole, creep" and he replies, "I would if I could!"

This is the only humor in the entire film. Seriously. They allude to a brutal gang rape of the prostitute, then show her with bruises, stockings trashed, etc. It was pretty upsetting to watch because it seemed realistic.

This movie is totally irredeemable. I had to turn it off after about 30 minutes of pure drek. It's VERY BORING and choppy. The movie does not flow well at all. The prostitute directly addressing the camera and 'breaking the fourth wall' just seems like a gimmick after about 20 minutes. This is no Ferris Bueller. This is trash, exploitation and a horrible script all together. Shows LA for the Urban wasteland that it truly is!

The Painted Veil (2006)

Exquisite Scenery, well acted. Has slow moments, but definitely worth the 'End of the British Empire' moods

[8/10 · 30 October 2016]

Watched this last night on Netflix. At first, was annoyed by Naomi Watt's heavy Australian accent bleeding through her British character's, along with Ed Norton's very weak accent.

Once they went to China, everything changed. The scenery (filmed in Guilin, Guangxi

province) is MAGNIFICENT. Interesting to watch the characters go from

loathing one another to a sort of reunion. Definitely worth a watch.

Love the scenery, costumes, music, and melancholy lighting. Would have

liked to see more of Waddington.

Jeez, I have to add more lines to my review. Most people have the attention span of a goldfish, IMDb! What else is there to say...wish I saw more from the Chinese character's points of view, so they weren't just stereotypes , i.e. Chinese Peasant #1. Would have liked to known more about the experiences of the French nuns--what gives them pleasure? How about seeing the local foods? There was a humorous scene where Dr. Fane meets up with a Chinese warlord--reminded me of the Supreme Leader of North Korea. Good movie, definitely if you can get though the dreary English scenes--where I wish more character development had occurred--you will love it. And Lieve Schreiber makes an excellent DOUCHEBAG character!

Hot Rods to Hell (1966)

Hilarious B Movie

[9/10 · 21 October 2016]

I remember watching this as a tween on television way back in the 80's. It really made an impression on me. It's very entertaining and the script is so bad, it's good. Definitely worth a watch!

I'll never forget the hilarious scenes with the 'good girl' daughter who is 'seduced' by the bad boy hot rod enthusiast. Would probably be great to watch this with friends, maybe make a double feature with another very cheesy B movie.

There was one called 'Mission:Mars' where the 'monster' stalking people on planet Mars was a giant ball of rolling aluminum foil. Check this one out!

Real Rob (2015–2017)

Very entertaining. Literally Laugh Out Loud moments, so rare in TV nowadays...

[10/10 · 6 July 2016]

I came to the show having liked Rob from back in his SNL days and some of his previous movies from the 90's. Wasn't sure what to expect. Well...the pilot was funny but I still felt kind of 'hmmm' not sure if it was really going to be good. I gave it a few more episodes and I was HOOKED. I hardly EVER laugh at most comedy today...it's mostly gross-out humor, very trashy sexual jokes. While Real Rob has SOME racy elements, overall the show is just plain funny. Rob's beautiful real-life wife and daughter give the show an element of reality that really adds to the authenticity. All of the characters are funny...and likable. The show pokes fun at the dark side of Hollywood...traffic...insincere 'Industry' types...lazy workers at the health food store, etc. Even a few great cameos including George Lopez. The show is great...EAGERLY awaiting Season 2!

The Golden Child (1986)

Great 80's Classic. I've Watched Again and Again

[10/10 · 17 January 2016]

A Classic 80's film. I was born in the late 70's and grew up in the 80's, and they just don't make movies like they did back then. The lightheadedness, silly sense of humor, adventure, magic, fantasy...from moves like Legend with Tom Cruise to Willow, Labyrynth, Krull, The Beast Master, The Dragonslayer, all the Conan movies with Schwarzenegger....they just don't make these awesome, majestic, escapist films anymore. Movies where you are taken to another world and time and magic is real.

This is a great movie. It has everything from humor to adventure, romance, suspense, supernatural horror. It's just a great movie, very entertaining and an upbeat and uplifting ending. Watch with your kids, then watch the others or better yet, buy on DVD. I personally love having a physical copy of a movie with the cover art more than downloads which seem 'unsubstantial.'

Top Gun (1986)

Surprisingly Well Done, Classic 80's film

[8/10 · 16 January 2016]

FINALLY saw this movie on Netflix. It's just been a legend for about 30 years!

Extremely well done movie. I have absolutely zero interest in fighter jets so the movie really kept my attention with the story line, pacing, acting, script, great music.

Tom Cruise was amazingly handsome in this film. Val Kilmer as well. In fact, all of the stars of the film are surprisingly gorgeous on screen.

The only thing I disliked is that it is basically propaganda for the military. I can't even imagine how many young men watched this movie as young boys and dreamed of becoming fighter pilots (a dream many boys share, apparently, but very hard to do. I was horrified at the very thought of trying to fly over obstacles (mountains in Nevada in the film) while trying to evade another aircraft, all while being subjected to extreme G force at over 800 miles an hour) so I must say this film did increase my respect of the men (and a couple of women) who are able to accomplish this feat.

Definitely worth a watch or two.