cryofry Reviews

Yes Man (2008)

An absolute borefest of a movie

[3/10 · 14 December 2008]

Having just seen this, I can say that this is Jim Carrey at his worst. How he sank to such a low level is beyond me. "Copper Mountain" looks like a masterpiece compared to this travesty of a film.

I was lucky I got to see this film for free. I was actually dragged along to it by a friend of mine after he scored some free tickets. I really had no intention of seeing it. I kept thinking, what can possibly be fun about a guy who says "YES" to everything for a whole year? My suspicions came true at the conclusion of the film. It is obvious that Carrey is struggling in his career (he hasn't had a solid hit for quite some time) and to me, it seems that he sincerely felt that this film would lift him out of "Washed Up Beach". I will admit, there was a few funny lines and moments in this film, but they are few and far between.

As per usual, Carrey uses his rubber-face and physical comedy for laughs, but it has just the opposite effect. It's sad to see a man pushing 50 prancing around with a big grin slapped on his face.

Wait for the DVD - or better yet, wait until it's screened on TV.

Back to the Future (1985)

BTTF is excellent entertainment

[10/10 · 20 March 2008]

BTTF is a magical film that can be watched again and again and never tires. I first saw it when I was about 10 years old and it became an instant personal favourite, somewhat due to the fact that the "future" coincided with my own year of birth.

Conceived by the highly talented duo of Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis (the two Bob's), it tells the story of a 1980s teenager who is accidentally transported back in time to the 1950s in a plutonium-powered DeLorean created by an oddball scientist. His brief trip back in time turns into a nightmare after he inadvertently prevents his parents from meeting and subsequently jeopardises his own existence. Working with the 1950s counterpart of the scientist who created the time-machine, he must find a way to make his parents fall in love and get back to the future.

On the surface, the story seems rather simple and straightforward, but if you look deeper, you will find that this film has many complex layers, which make it an utterly brilliant piece of work.

It is also full of coincidences. For instance, our time-travelling hero, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travels from 1985 to 1955, with the latter been exactly 30 years in the past. There are countless other coincidences that are scattered throughout the film, many of which can be picked up after repeat viewings. Picking up and identifying new things can be quite fun.

Get lost in time and enjoy the film!

Horton Hears a Who! (2008)

I do like, Sam I am

[9/10 · 14 March 2008]

So far, this is the best possible example of bringing a Dr. Seuss book to life. The animation is top notch and the design of the characters stay true to Dr. Seuss' vision. Overall, a splendid effort from 20th Century Fox.

"Horton" tells the story of an eccentric elephant named Horton (voice of Jim Carrey) who stumbles upon a floating speck that is actually an infinitesimal world that is home to thousands of tiny little creatures called Whos. Though microscopic, the world known as Whoville is a land of technological achievement. The Whos are intelligent little creatures who are strange in appearance.

The Major of Whoville (voice of Steve Carell) is the first person to come into contact with Horton after he hears his voice in a drainpipe. Like Horton, he has a somewhat bizarre personality, so no one believes him when he claims that the world is going to end. Likewise, no one believes Horton when he claims that a race of people are living on the diminutive speck.

After he is somewhat shunned by his friends and society, Horton sets off on the misadventure of his lifetime to relocate the speck to a safe location so that the citizens of Whoville can live in peace once more.

Again, this is a great film for all ages. Kids will lap up the lush animation while parents can have a chuckle at the adult jokes that are scattered throughout. Dr. Seuss would be proud.

M*A*S*H (1972–1983)

One of the greatest shows of all time

[10/10 · 15 December 2007]

I discovered "M*A*S*H" about 5 years ago, when I was 17. My local library had the first season on DVD, and recalling that my mother liked the show, I decided to hire it out for her. It sat at home gathering dust for about a week, so I decided to pop it into the player and take a look - and I was instantly hooked.

After watching only a few episodes, I found myself becoming immersed in the characters and the surroundings of the show. Even though I had never seen it before, I felt as if I had been watching it my entire life. The show had this kind of "classic" feel to it, which I really dug.

What I liked most about "M*A*S*H" is that, while most of the episodes were episodic in nature, the overall storyline and atmosphere of the show progressed along a realistic track. I came to know each character inside and out, like they were part of my own family. I have never experienced that in any other show.

I've read a lot of comments from people saying that the show got worse over the years, as it became overly sentimental. The show did become a lot more emotional during its final years, but I think it was for the better. The slapstick and hijinks of the first three seasons is classic, but I find myself partial to the latter seasons, as they really showed what the horrors of war was like and the impact it had upon everyone's lives.

If for some reason you have never watched "M*A*S*H", I urge you to. It is a brilliant show that will endure for all time.

Heaven Can Wait (1978)

A wonderful film

[8/10 · 18 September 2006]

Warren Beatty stars in this funny, bittersweet film about life after death. Beatty plays Joe Pendleton, a Los Angeles Rams quarterback who is accidentally summoned to heaven by an overly zealous angel fifty years before he is supposed to die.

Desperate to return to the life he left behind, Joe and Heaven go on a quest to find a replacement body that Joe's soul can be deposited into. Joe wants a young, healthy body so that he can return to his career as a promising football star, but Heaven begs to differ and places him in the body of a Mr. Farnsworth, a fabulously wealthy and infamous corporate giant who was recently murdered by his cheating wife Julia (Dyan Cannon) and lowlife partner Tony Abbott (Charles Grodin, in a scene-stealing performance).

At first, Joe requests that his time in Farnsworth's body be temporary, but consequently discovers that he must undo many of Farnsworth's past mistakes. More importantly, he comes into contact with Betty Logan (Julie Christie) and falls in love with her, thus complicating things much more than he first anticipated.

This little gem from the '70s is a wonderful movie and will touch all those who take the time to watch it.

Superman Returns (2006)

Routh is no Reeve

[5/10 · 30 June 2006]

Having just returned from seeing "Superman Returns", I feel the urge to pen this comment while the details of the film are still fresh in my mind.

First off, I'd just like to say that I was disappointed. Actually, that's an understatement. I was REALLY disappointed. I'm a Superman fan. I have been ever since I was a little kid. I'd be running around with my little brother, our hair styled into the famous "Superman curl". But alas, my dreams have been shattered. It seems that a big Hollywood budget and fantastic special effects can't save a sloppy script. Sure, "Superman 3" and "Superman 4: The Quest For Peace" were stinkers, but Christopher Reeve made them bearable. That brings me to my second point.

Brandon Routh is no Christopher Reeve. He doesn't even compare. Now I know that Chris Reeve was not the first person to portray "The Man Of Steel", it was George Reeves, but the point I'm making here is that Chris Reeve IS Superman. There is just something about him. Something mystical, something magical that makes you believe: "Hey, this guy can really fly. He's Superman". I guess Reeve just had the right look, build and voice for Superman. He had a certain sincerity about him, accompanied by his beautiful blue eyes. I miss him.

Brandon Routh does not even come close. I don't mean to bag him here, I'm sure he gave the role his all. But he's no Superman. I know that he is older than Chris Reeve was when he made the first Superman movie, but he still looks like a college kid. He facial structure resembles a "pretty boy". Also, I'm pretty sure he has brown eyes, which were digitally enhanced in the movie to make them blue. Watch it, and you can tell that they are not his natural eye colour. And another thing, I find Routh to be too tanned. It's weird, but it's just something that I noticed.

The other key cast members were mediocre at best. Kate Bosworth did an okay job as Lois Lane, but Margot Kidder again did it better. I will take my hat off to Sam Huntington, who played Jimmy Olsen. He does a fantastic job, much better than Marc McClure. Also, Kevin Spacey is a great Lex Luthor. He's cold and cruel, but you just gotta love him.

And so, I come to the conclusion of my review. "Superman Returns" is a mediocre movie at best. It will keep you entertained but it is not a great movie. Brian Singer is no Richard Donner, and Brandon Routh is no Christopher Reeve. I'm sure there are those of you whole will praise this movie, but most of you will find that it will in no way compare to the original 1978 classic.

A Kiss Before Dying (1956)

Set the pace for modern thrillers

[8/10 · 3 June 2006]

Set against the backdrop of the shiny 1950s, "A Kiss Before Dying" is a taunt thriller that can arguably be voted the predecessor of many modern thrillers.

When the film starts, it looks like a glamorous, teenybopper flick. The opening song compliments this heavily, as does the numerous logos and neon colours used in the opening credits. Thinking back on it now, I find it to be a very unusual, brilliant style of film-making that isn't seen very often. It tricks the viewer into something it is not. It is not a 1950s college comedy, but a relentless thriller with lots of unexpected twists and turns. I thought this movie was going to be tame, being a 1950s film and all, but I was pleasantly surprised in how raw the plot was in some places.

A young Robert Wagner portrays Bud Corliss, a darkly handsome college student with an obsessive taste for riches and fine dining. Bud is a trouble 25 year-old man who still lives at home with his aging widowed mother (Mary Astor). He feels unfulfilled in his life and a little uncertain about his future. Dorothy Kingship (Joanne Woodward), a girl with whom he is having a secret relationship with, may be the only glimmer of hope that will lift him up out of his bland, disappointing life. Dorothy's father is incredibly wealthy, and Bud knows this. However, Dorie falls pregnant and Bud is threatened with disinheritance and the inevitable prospect of working as a gas station attendant in order to pay the bills for his wife a baby. This is where the film really takes off and we get to see how dark, desperate and evil Bud really is.

Bud devises a plan: stage his girlfriends suicide. The plan seems simple enough and actually works in Bud's favour. He is free of Dorie and the prospect of disinheritance, and is now able to court Dorie's older sister, Ellen (Virginia Leith), who is totally oblivious of the fact that Bud is Dorie's old flame (and murderer). Enter rookie detective Gordon Grant (Jeffrey Hunter), an intelligent young man who questions the circumstances surrounding Dorie's death, as well as the integrity of Ellen's new lover, Bud. He just has to put the gruesome pieces together to solve the complex puzzle of deceit and murder.

I recommend this movie to fans of the thriller genre, as well as those who want to take a trip down memory lane. Great film with top performance by all. Kudos to Jeffrey Hunter.

Young Adam (2003)

Haunting film noir

[10/10 · 7 April 2006]

Deviating from the mainstream films, "Young Adam" is something of a rarity. It is poignant, erotic and lifelike in it's viewing.

Adapted from the novel by Alexander Trocchi, "Young Adam" chronicles the life of Joe Taylor (Ewan McGregor), a nomadic drifter working on a barge. The film is narrated from Joe's personal perspective, which works quite admirably. At points, you feel like you are actually Joe, seeing the world as he sees it.

As mentioned, Joe is a drifter, a man with a past whose sexual drive constantly lands him in bed with the numerous women that he meets, in-particularly Ella Gault (Tilda Swinton), the wife of his current boss (Peter Mullan). Joe's "conquests" are shown in vivid detail, something that is not seen in many of today's films. This in itself makes for compelling viewing.

If you have not read the book, you will find yourself asking, "who is Joe?". It's a good question as his initial identity remains shrouded in a thin veil of mystery. The discovery of a dead woman named Cathie Dimly (Emily Mortimer) floating in the murky Scottish waters adds to the enigma that is Joe. Does he know more about her than he is letting on? Did he kill her?

By the end of the film, the character of Joe Taylor is as enigmatic as he was at the start. Maybe even more so. David Mackenzie has succeeded in making a truly riveting, haunting film.

The Omega Man (1971)

"The Family" is one

[10/10 · 6 April 2006]

Set in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, "The Omega Man" is uniquely entertaining.

Germ warfare has ravaged the world, eliminating all life on earth. Parked cars litter the streets, shops remain eternally open, and human corpses bake on the cities sidewalks.

However, not all life was eliminated. A scientist named Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) has survived the deadly virus via the experimental vaccine he created. He spends his days driving his convertible through the deserted, sunlit streets of Los Angeles searching for "The Family" - bizarre albino survivors afflicted by the disease, although not entirely dead.

Daytime is Neville's time. LA belongs to him, and him alone. He is able to try on new clothes for free, trade cars as often as he pleases and get drunk when the time calls for it. However, come sundown, he must retreat to his fortress as "The Family" awakens at sundown and they outnumber Neville hundreds to one.

Led by the brutally intelligent and slightly warped Matthias (Anthony Zerbe), "The Family" don their dark robes and prowl the streets, setting things on fire and trying to kill Neville in the process. In the eyes of Matthias, Neville is a "user of the wheel", "the last of scientists, bankers and doctors" who brought about the end of the world. In Matthias's eyes, he is evil and must be discarded.

Sure, this movie may be dated in some ways, but it still a great film. It is very engaging. Nostalgic, even. Don't take it too seriously and you will enjoy it.

BTW, watch for the scenes of Charlton Heston talking to himself and playing chess with himself - it really is quite mesmerizing and brilliant.

A History of Violence (2005)

An Intelligent, Realistic Thriller

[10/10 · 18 March 2006]

David Cronenberg directs one of the finest pictures of his career with "A History Of Violence", an intelligent, suspenseful, and brutal thriller that stays etched in your mind for a long time after viewing.

The story centres around a seemly normal man, Tom Stall, (Viggo Moretneson) who lives in a small American town with his wife (Maria Bello) and two children.

Tom owns and manages a diner (aptly named "Stall's Diner") which, most of the time, is pretty darn quite. However, late one night, two brutal gunmen enter, demanding money, among other things. In a brilliantly executed scene, Tom kills them both and becomes a town hero. Suddenly, everyone is coming to "Stall's Diner", even an old "friend" of Tom's (Ed Harris) who has come to seek vengeance. For you see, Tom has a hidden past. A sinister past. And it has come back to haunt him and his family.

Don't miss this film. It has great suspense, action and gore for the horror fans. Catch it if you can and feel the rush.

The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

A wonderful film

[10/10 · 3 February 2006]

Although fairly unknown, this is a classic film - period. I watched it for the first time the other night and it has jumped right to my "Top 10" movies of all time. That in itself is saying something.

The plot of the film involves a sports salesman named Lenny (played by Charles Grodin, in arguably his finest performance) who rushes into marriage to the first girl he meets in a singles bar. From there, the pair whisk off to Miami Beach for their honeymoon. During the long trip from their native New York, it becomes apparent to Lenny that he has made a monumental mistake.

On the newlyweds first day in Miami, Lenny's wife, Lila, ignores his plights for her to put on some sunscreen. In turn, she develops a severe cash of sunburn which forces her to stay inside the hotel room, while a joyous Lenny is free to pursue other things - like courting the beautiful and seductive Kelly (played by Cybill Shepard).

This is a poignant, bittersweet film that will have you laughing, crying, and even squirming.

The soundtrack is a plus, too.

The Time Machine (1960)

Superb Film

[10/10 · 30 September 2005]

Made some 25 years before my birth, this magical favourite is sure to entertain and enlighten people for years to come.

It is the first (and best) adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel of the same name. It tells the story of a successful inventor named George (Australian, Rod Taylor) living in the year 1900. He is an intelligent young man whose curiosity is piqued by the trappings of time-travel. Thus, he builds a whirly-gig machine that allows him to travel freely through time. Eventually, he ends ups in the year 800,000 where the world is a very different place. A green paradise that masks a terrible affliction - the human race (over the many years) has evolved into two different species: the peaceful Eloi, and the savage Morlock. Our hero time-traveller must intervene to stop this monstrosity. The travelling sequences through time are quite amazing to put it simply. Full of rich colours and nostalgic, dazzling effects. The Morlock costumes have the same, nostalgic feel. The acting is top-notch. Rod Taylor is especially great.

See this film!

The Glass House (1972 TV Movie)

A must-see masterpiece

[10/10 · 17 June 2005]

I just saw this movie for the first time last night and think that it is absolutely BRILLIANT! It should have been given a theatrical release, as it is so far above par than most movies that I have seen.

Alan Alda gives a fantastic performance as Jonathan Page, a college professor convicted of manslaughter. Alda has amazing on-screen presence in this film, and his acting is top-notch. The ensemble cast is equally as good.

You can buy this movie on a budget DVD for around $3.00 and it is worth it! The picture quality is adequate, too.

Rent it, buy it, watch it!

Body Double (1984)

De Palma's best film

[10/10 · 3 June 2005]

"Body Double" is a masterpiece from the master of suspense, Brian De Palma. It was made in 1984, and stars some fairly unknown actors (besides Melanine Griffith),that hold their weight very well. Craig Wasson does especially well in the title role of Jake Scully. Gregg Henry is equally brilliant in "duel roles".

Unemployed actor Jake Scully (Craig Wasson) finds his long-time girlfriend in bed with another man, and is out on his ass without a place to stay. He is approached by another down-on-his-luck actor named Sam (Gregg Henry), who asks him to house sit at a luxury penthouse-style apartment while he is away on business.

While house sitting, Jake spies a woman doing an arousing striptease across the valley. He watches her, via telescope for a couple of nights and discovers that another man is peeping on her, too. However, this man is also a savage stalker, who murders the woman, while Jake looks on in horror, helplessly.

Feeling responsible, Jake decides to find out who the killer is, and what his true motives are.

This is top-class adult entertainment, that's best watched on DVD on a dark night.

Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)

Covers so many genres

[10/10 · 6 May 2005]

This is my favourite movie of all time. Sure, the plot is pretty simplistic, but so what? It's still a great film with enormous entertainment value. It covers so many different genres: comedy, drama, romance, action, adventure, sci-fi. It is also a very good thriller. Chevy Chase is perfect in the role of invisible man, Nick Halloway. I don't think anyone could have done it as good as he did. He does his usual comedic routine and it works impeccably. He is also very good at drama in this movie. A truly great actor. Daryl Hannah is brilliant and beautiful as Nick's love interest, Alice. The two of them have such great chemistry in this film. Lastly, Sam Neill is the perfect bad guy: Intelligent, arrogant and brutal.

Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

Strange, weird, bizarre, brilliant

[10/10 · 24 April 2005]

This movie came out when I was 5 years old. I remember the movie posters in the streets and the wacky preview for it on TV. I'm now 20 years old, and this is still one of my most favourite movies of all time. It's even better than the original, I believe. The reason I love it so much is because it is so damn strange. It really, really is! It's like a live action "Looney Tunes" episode. The gremlins are wacky, Gizmo is cute and mysterious, the human actors are all brilliant in their roles and the New York building setting is well, neat.

The basic premise for this movie picks up a few years after the first "Gremlins" movie. This time however, it takes place in the busiest city on the planet, New York.

The movie opens with the death of Gizmo's frail Chinese owner. In accordance with the owners death, the place where Gizmo is kept is demolished by a bulldozer and recking ball. Terrified, Gizmo flees from the building and into an alley where he is plucked up by a scientist and brought to the "Clamp Cable Network" building. The building belongs to media mogul Daniel Clamp and contains a vast variety of shops including: coffee houses, restaurants, dental clinics and science laboratories.

Coincidentally, Billy and Kate are both working in the same building. Billy is in the art department and Kate gives guided tours of the building. It is here that they stumble upon Gizmo and the inevitable happens.

I won't give anymore of the story line away. If you haven't seen this movie yet, I urge you to. It may not be brilliant in the eyes of the "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences", but it is in my eyes. 10 stars!

Metropolis (2001)

Fresh & Original

[9/10 · 6 April 2005]

As soon as I saw the trailer for this movie, I knew in my mind that I had to see it as soon as possible. So, after a bit of searching, I came across it in a city store. I bought it without any hesitation, even though I had never even seen it. I watched it as soon as I got home and fell in love with it. It is so beautiful and sweet. A true masterpiece that is fresh, original and different. It is unlike any other anime I have ever seen before. Until I saw this movie, I thought that all anime (movies) were like "Cowboy Bebop", "Ghost In The Shell" or "Akira".

I must admit that I was a little shocked when I first saw the characters. They are very different, cartoonish. But as the movie got going, I fell in love with them. I saw them as real people, not cartoon characters.

I have watched it a few times since I bought it and now love the character design. It represents a bygone era, which is neat. The backgrounds, the music, the entire scope of the movie is brilliant! It may not be for all tastes, but I sure as hell love it.

The Guilty (2000)

Brilliant movie

[10/10 · 22 February 2005]

I was watching TV late one night when I stumbled across this movie. I missed the first 15 minutes or so, but continued to watch it. I'm glad that I did, as it's become one of my all-time favorite movies.

The story is about a sleazy, self-centered lawyer (played brilliantly by Bill "Independence Day" Pullman), who gets drunk and rapes his new secretary. She threatens to expose him for who he really is, so he hires someone to kill her. Unbeknown to him, he has actually hired his long lost son (Devon "Final Destination" Sawa). However, his son is actually a "good guy" and refuses to do it. He throws all the documents away, but his no-good criminal friend finds them and decides to kill her instead, as he needs the money to pay of a loan. The action and suspense is non-stop from here on.

This movie has brilliant acting, fantastic direction and awesome camera angles. I give this movie 11/10! A must see for anyone and everyone!

Chilly Dogs (2001)

Just plain bad

[1/10 · 2 June 2004]

This is undoubtedly the worst movie EVER in cinema history! The jokes are lame (the whole movie is lame) and the quality is just plain crap. I watched the DVD interviews and every actor said that they had faith in this piece of junk. Skeet and Leslie even commented how funny and fantastic the script was.

I rented this out thinking it would be a good adult comedy, but it proved too childish for me - heck it might even be too childish for children. Now that I think of it, this movie has some rude (unfunny) jokes that are not suitable for children. I don't know who the movie was trying to reach, but it sure as heck wasen't me, or the 98% of people who have seen this movie.

NOTE: See this movie to mock it only.