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marvin42
Reviews
Mystic River (2003)
Awful, awful movie
Overwrought, pointlessly stylistic, and really really bad. No matter how hard I try I can not think of one positive comment to make about this movie. Penn's acting was sheer scenery chewing, and by the end I couldn't wait for the last ten minutes to be over.
The first half of the movie is nothing but setup, done in a very heavy handed manner. The second hand begins to roll along and promises that maybe something interesting will be revealed, but as the movie hits its climax you realize it has nothing to offer. At best it is a good portrayal of a particular kind of neighborhood and family life that may be fading.
The interesting thing is that very good actors are sunk by the script or the direction. Many talented people, who have done very well in other movies, struggle and fail here. The only actor not completely taken down is Kevin Bacon. It is ironic that he is the only one that did not receive a nomination.
I am not sure what everyone saw in this movie, but beware, don't be taken in by the positive ratings. It is a hollow movie masquerading as a good movie.
Angels in America (2003)
Brilliant film of a good play
Intensely moving, haunting and powerful. The movie is as much about humanity, relationships and dependence as it is about AIDS. The mini-series has its ups and downs, but at its peaks (and there are many) there are true moments of sublime vision and dialogue. You can not appreciate all of it in one (or even two) viewing. At its worse it is better than most things you can watch on TV. The true surprise are the lesser known actors. The big names deliver as expected, but the real surprise are the other actors who match and sometimes exceed them.
Open your mind, watch and feel. It doesn't matter what your politics are.
Alfie (2004)
A movie for grown-ups
Great movie, a character study and of stuff that matters in life. Astounding performance by Jude Law, totally exposed and revelatory. Without giving anything away the ending of the movie (well the penultimate scene) is one of the most powerful character moments I have ever seen.
If you have a certain amount of life experience and are open to a slow, intelligent movie and characters this is a good choice. Otherwise stay away.
P.S. Jude Law is the only person I could see in a role that was once owned by Michael Cane.
Grand Canyon (1991)
Deep thoughts for 12 year olds
Well, hmmm, how do I put this nicely: this movie is significant, insightful, and though provoking if you are about to cross that magic line into your teens. Otherwise skip it. Terribly written, its just a jumble of very shallow ideas that were old a long time ago. You can see the embarrassment in the actors faces during some of the scenes.
And by the way, if the heavy handed hammer of the writing doesn't shatter your head then be sure that the over-the-top score will.
The Gift (2000)
Pretty, but full of cliches
Some of the scenes in the movie are visually very nice. But almost every character, story line and "surprise" is a cliche at this point. So it packs no punch, no real surprises. Its an ok movie if you are stuck on a plane, but despite the good actors and some pretty compelling acting the movie is flat and not very satisfying.
Frailty (2001)
Would have been pretty good if...
<Spoiler Warning, don't read if you haven't seen and don't want to be spoiled>
Would have been good if it had remained ambiguous, rather than driving an interpretation in towards the end. With an ambiguous ending it would have left me thinking, wondering and liking the film. The final scene would have been very difficult and would have been almost haunting. But the way it ended you can only enjoy the movie if you are a person of faith and believe in god, etc...otherwise you will find yourself very annoyed. Its like going to a movie and finding out you ended up in a church instead. And a complex rich story becomes a cardboard simple movie that only has suspense because things are omitted and you are lied to.
It really is a shame.
Cats & Dogs (2001)
So much talent wasted in such a bad movie
Don't bother. It is irritatingly bad. Every "part" is calculated to be
effective and isn't, every joke is designed to be funny, but it isn't.
You can hear the machinery creaking and failing all along. And
worst of all no sense of "fun" can be found anywhere in this move.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
What most movies oday are not
This movie shows off everything that is wrong with most movies today, because it is so imaginative, such a creation of one mans vision, and so different than what is around it.
Don't miss this movie, see it is a theater with good prints and good 7.1 sound system. The visuals, music and sound and first rate and an experience not to be missed.
Makes other movies seem like what they are, the same old tired drivel...
Shrek (2001)
Call me an Ogre
I am not sure I understand why this movie was so well received by critics. It is an ok movie, but there is not an original idea or even a coherent story. It relies almost entirely on references to other stories, movies and even companies (Disney), and the animation, while technically impressive,
lacked any "magic" or true beauty.
Also I was turned off by its blunt attempts at appealing to both kids and adults (with a sledgehammer approach) and the way overblown music.
So call me an Ogre, but please don't make me watch this again...
A Simple Plan (1998)
The Critics saw a different movie
I simply don't get it. This had to be one of the most unbelievable
and pointless movies in a long time. If you are willing to believe
that EVERY character on screen is stupider than the audience (or
the popcorn for that matter) then this movie is for you. Otherwise
don't waste your time, watch Fargo again for a good study of
"banality of evil."
At every turn, when you think the movie could not possibly push
your willingness for "suspension of disbelief" it does. And it gets
even worst at the "climax."
It is however, some of the best shots of snow, crows and trucks if
you like that kind of thing...
The Rainmaker (1997)
Heavy handed and clunky
I have seem this movie twice on cable and have to say it is simply bad. The music does not fit the scenes and in fact overwhelms even the "dramatic" scenes. The story is told in a very heavy handed fashion and the narration just does not work. As much as I agreed with the "message" of the movie I just could not get over the extremely black and white portrayal of characters and situations. Skip this one.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Wonderful failure
It is easy to dismiss the hard work of others. This movie is visually one of (if not) the most stunning films ever made. Imaginative settings and scenery, next generation effects. But sadly there was no story. A good writer would have propped up all the action and amazing visual talent with a story that mattered. Alas there was no such story (if much of any story at all). Only the ending scenes evoked any emotion for me. Even the "dramatic" conclusion of the light saber battle left me hollow and not caring. The actors were very talented, but why did they seem like they were sleep walking? And unfortunately the critics were right: Anakin was badly miscast, almost dragging the whole notion of the prequel into doubt. The one task episodes I-III must do is to portray and dramatize the tragedy of Anakin's transformation to Darth Vader. In order for this to work we must care deeply for Anakin. And with 1/3 of the story gone I have to say I for one could care less.
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Thin Beige Plot
Well, hmmmm, errrrr, it was about....grass. Lots of grass. Waving. In different lighting conditions. Over and over again.
This movie proves that no matter how "beautiful" a movie is, it must begin and end with a script, a story. This movie had none. And what passed for "observation" was so shallow, cliched (and hate to say it, stupid) the audience would have to have read nothing beyond Readers Digest or seen no TV beyond Sesame street to find this engaging or "deep."
A complete waste of time.