tnhelliott Reviews

Just Friends (I) (2005)

Interesting cookie cutter with a touch of humanity

[6/10 · 16 June 2006]

It's been out for a while but I finally got down to the business of watching it. This was an enjoyable film that touched on all the right heartstrings. This is a film about the average American males high-school fantasy. Almost everyone feels in high-school that they are picked upon and they are awkward. They develop a crush on someone and they believe that they will prove everyone wrong. This movie, while sappy and a little bit predictable, is exactly that fantasy come to life. I found this movie to be funny and it hit all the right moments. Kudos to the film makers and to Ryan Reynolds for doing a comedy with heart.

Crash (I) (2004)

Soap-boxy and self important.

[5/10 · 15 May 2006]

I like to think I have an open mind. I enjoy a movie that makes me think. This is not one of those movies. What really burns me is that it could have been great. The cast is fantastic and the editing and cinematography are amazing. The idea behind the movie is great, A 36 hour period in which many diverse lives are brought together and mixed up with one another, the problem is that everyone is a stereotype, and all the choices are clichéd. I truly had hope for this movie. I had heard that it was unique and mind-opening. However, not one of the characters is likable and I can't care about people that have no redeeming qualities. Like I said I enjoy a movie that makes me think, a stereotypical soapbox movie that says nothing new is not one of those.

Tristan + Isolde (2006)

So much potential... So much waste.

[3/10 · 12 May 2006]

I had high hopes for this film...I really did. I love the actors and I have loved the story since I first read a translation in 1999. This film unfortunately really let me down. The action that is promised in the previews is weak and poorly choreographed. The emotions seem forced and untrue. The only thing that this movie has is a brilliant performance by Rufus Sewell. He is the reason that I do not rate lower than I do. Mr. Sewell's performance is perfect. That of the conflicted leader and passionate sage to Tristan. There are way too many clichés in this film to name or even to pretend that there is an original moment throughout. If I wanted to watch a farce made of tradition and epic poetry, I would have watched a Knights Tale. At least then I would have been entertained.

The Legend of Zorro (2005)

Anger and sadness mixed with feelings of more sadness

[2/10 · 30 March 2006]

Zorro. The story of a freedom fighter who is on the side of the common man and against all tyranny has become a campy melodrama which ignores history for the sake of ease of story and political correctness. The Mask of Zorro was not a brilliant film, but it was fun and it stayed true to the myth of Zorro. This film on the other hand was terrible. The Legend of Zorro begins ten years after "Mask" ends, California is becoming a free state and all seems well, right up until Elena ask Don Diego for a divorce. That's right, a divorce. Divorce happens in todays world, that's true, but in 1850, in a Catholic Culture a woman could not ask for a divorce. That is only the beginning my friends, even though it is only 1850 A man refers to the Confederate States and the civil war. What?!? There is more to be angry about than just the anachronisms, in this movie Zorro has a son that plays a significant part in the politics of the film and the fights are terribly choreographed with lots of silly moves and terrible thinking. On the other hand I always liked Rufus Sewel and he does not disappoint in this film and the music is very nice and fits the picture wonderfully.

The Emperor's New Clothes (2001)

A story of whimsy and the betrayal of fate.

[8/10 · 21 March 2006]

First off I need to say that Ian Hom is amazing. To be able to play two different characters of two different persuasions and bearings is mind-blowing. This film is whimsical and fun and a very good "what if" of history. Parts of it are sad and parts are humorous and all of it is good. A human element is given to characters whom are known to history solely for their deeds and every character in the film has depth of field and a real personality. Many of the scenes are played out in textbook fashion with a beginning a middle and an end with rising and falling action and yet each scene propels the story line further and is a driving force to the film as a whole. My personal favorite moment in the film is the melon scene where Naploean as an exile in his own country still becomes a general of a an army of melon merchants. Sheer brilliance and very beautiful in its humanity. This film shows that although a person can't change whop they are, everyone can change direction and find love.

The Quiet Man (1952)

Truly brilliant in both colour and story

[10/10 · 17 March 2006]

There are not a lot of John Wayne fans in the world today, and that is a crying shame. It is my belief that if the nay-sayers of the world would give this film an honest viewing it would quickly change their minds. In this film Wayne plays not the angry cowboy who is quick with his iron, but instead plays a quiet retired man trying to make a peaceful life for himself in his mothers county in Ireland.

This film shows the brilliance, of not only Wayne in choosing roles that could show his versatility, but also John Ford and his choices for location, colour, actors and story and how he weaves them together in a film that is sweeping in both its scope and its emotional grounds. I highly recommend this film to those who are fans of John Wayne and Ireland, or those that are discovering them for the first time.

Ark (2005)

Interesting, but strange

[5/10 · 16 March 2006]

I watched this film specifically because I saw that James Woods was in it. I was not aware that it was an animated feature before hand. The art and design of the film is quite good. The animation is reminiscent of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. The character design is like watching a cinematic on a really good video game. The problem with this film is the story. The story is silly and doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. There is enough action to keep me engaged while watching, but the story lacks originality and coherence. I also found that I didn't care about the characters. They all seemed thin and lacking humanity. I would have liked to see this film as a live action piece. I think that that might have improved it.

Blackbeard: Terror at Sea (2006 TV Movie)

Exciting if a little clunky

[6/10 · 12 March 2006]

When the show started I have to say that it wasn't at all what I expected it to be. I thought there would be documentary and explanation, however it was produced in story form. After I got over the initial shock of changed expectation, the film was quite good. I felt the narrative was a little clunky and jilted, however, the action was exciting and the acting was superb. The Art direction for the film was well researched and the special effects were very believable. It was refreshing to see the beauty and majesty of the ships at sail balanced with the hardship and disease. After the romanticism of Pirates of the Caribean, the reality of this film was nice. I would have liked to have more back story of the men and the reasons for their piracy than was given, but over all I will say that I enjoyed this program.

Platoon (1986)

Jesus as a soldier

[7/10 · 11 March 2006]

This is a stirring character piece set in the Vietnam war. It is clearly more than just a War picture. The film seems to be more about religion and free will as a conflict than it does a war film. Throughout the film the characters are forced to make choices based on circumstances that most of us will never have to contend with. There are influences in the daily lives of these men that would bend the mind of a sane person. So much seems to happen to them that they almost lose themselves to the heart of darkness. On another note, it is great to see Willem Dafoe playing a Jesus like character before he went on to play Christ in "The Last Temptation of Christ." For anyone who has not seen this film, I highly recommend it for a night when you want to have your perspective of good guys and bad guys and what war does to a man adjusted. Upon watching this film, you may never view the Vietnam conflict the same again.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Sweeping and epic.

[9/10 · 9 March 2006]

A masterpiece of sound and vision. The use of shadow and music in this film to heighten emotion and character is sheer brilliance. The limited dialogue only adds to the tension of this picture. More is said with action and sound then with words. I still get goose-pimples during Chuck Bronson's first scene. The slow shots of peoples faces and their reactions to events is a nice touch. The genius of the writing is shown during the scene in the bar, where gunfighting is compared to music. Do not be mistaken, this movie is more than an ordinary western. This is movie is about the fundamental difference in good versus evil, in hate versus love, or survival versus revenge. There is more than meets the eye and this film shows that a western, or an action film, does not need to be gruesome and gory to be interesting and exciting. And it proves that an exciting film can pluck the heart-strings just as any story of star crossed lovers can. The Writing and directing and the music are all there, not too mention the action. Henry Fonda plays the darkest meanest character in his career and Charles Bronson, as his foil and opposite, is stunning to watch. It is my belief that Charles Bronson is a very underrated actor and Sergio Leone simply did not make enough Films. If you are a fan of the western and of movies that require an active part from their audience, check this one out...you won't be disappointed.