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Borg7o9
Reviews
Land of the Free (1998)
Ummm...
While William Shatner's performance was the best part of the movie, the rest of the acting by every single every other person in this movie is just awful. The music is one of the worst scores I have ever heard, and the car chases are just non-stop and totally unrealistic. On the plus side, the hand-to-hand action scenes are actually entertaining. If you feel like watching a movie that really defines 'B-movie,' this is it.
Three Kings (1999)
Best damn movie of the year
I just got back from seeing an advanced screening of the movie "Three Kings." I cannot even come close to saying how godDAMN good this movie is. The music throughout the entire movie is absolutely HORRENDOUS and SUCKS @$$ (except for the U2 song at the very end), but that is the one and ONLY complaint I could even come close to making about this film.
It is a fairly graphic war story, so if you are easily grossed out or don't want to have to see innocent people get shot and killed, then avoid it, but if you can stand some realism, then this film is an absolute must-see! The story is EXTREMELY powerful -- I can't think of another war movie even remotely like this one (no, I have NOT seen the Thin Red Line OR Saving Private Ryan, so I can't compare this to them), but my previous favorite war film was Full Metal Jacket (Long Live Kubrick!), and in my humble opinion, 3 Kings surpasses even this film monument.
I can already hear people say: "But the three leads don't even know how to act, they're all hacks!" Believe me, I though so too. I was wrong -- dead wrong. All three of them (George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube) may have done some absolutely terrible and revolting work in the past, but this film is a milestone for their careers. There is simply no way to say anything more about this movie than "Wow." It is an astounding piece of work, and it has earned my highest praise for cinema. Go see it. Today.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)
BORING!!!
This movie was such a colossal waste of my time I couldn't believe it. If it weren't for the fact that it got me away from my over-controlling mother for two hours, I would have been EXTREMELY upset that I sat through this movie. The props were so outrageous and fake, and the acting was pathetic -- especially by that hack actress Calista Flockhart, who needed a cue card just to say her lines. I love a good Shakespeare play, but this is just one that doesn't work on the big screen at all. Go see the fictional 'Shakespeare in Love' again instead of wasting your time on this trivial movie.
Hurlyburly (1998)
Boring, stupid, useless, and POINTLESS!!!
A complete and utter waster of my precious two hours. The entire movie could have been made in less than 60 seconds by simply showing people getting coked up, a car crashing, people getting more coked up, people having sex, people crying, and people getting more coked up. The tagline for this movie should have read "Come see how f*cked up our characters are! They're stoned! They're coke addicts! They're a mess! Who are these people? Do you really care? Does it matter? Just give us your money please, because we sure don't care about anything else!" An absolutely terrible movie. It never went anywhere, you never got to know the characters (they never even said what these people did to earn such a big house and so much money and cars and coke), and it was just downright boring. You might like the movie a little more if you're a stoner yourself, but for the vast majority of us that aren't, this movie is a waste of film and of time.
A Simple Plan (1998)
Wonderful, simply wonderful and great
So rarely does a movie make me feel like a piece of dirt, and still make me love it. This is one of those very very few films which depicts the actual process of evil, and does it so damn well you can actually sympathize with the bad guys. Sam Raimi is definitely one of my favorite directors (I can't think of anybody besides Stanley Kubrick that I like better), and Danny Elfman's score was absolutely wonderful. The movie did move at a somewhat slow pace, but it made the documentation of insanity all the more realistic. The bullet wounds inflicted in this movie are some of the most realistic I've ever seen (I was wondering when hollywood would finally show us somebody getting shot in the head, instead of just reaction scenes), and the overall tone of the movie was just plain freaky -- especially with all the crows waiting around for everybody to die. Needless to say, I didn't sleep too well the night I saw this film! Not quite a drama, and not quite a horror film, the nearest category for it is thriller, and even that is a loose fit. A grade 'A' film no matter what, I recommend this for everybody except those who can't stand the sight of blood.
Batman & Robin (1997)
Worst movie ever made, period.
AKA: BatCrap and BirdS**t. Not only did this extremely bad excuse for a movie desecrate the concept of the Dark Knight, but there was no real plot or story and the acting was so bad I was shuddering. Get Joel Schumacher the hell out of this series and bring back Tim Burton! If I hadn't had a pre-paid pass to see this movie, I would have demanded my money back. Why, God, WHY?
Virus (1999)
Not the best, but definitely entertaining
I was expecting a rip-off of 'Deep Rising' when I saw this film, but I was unexpectedly and pleasantly surprised. What 'Deep Rising' was lacking, this film explored -- which was the abject terror and insanity that the people had to be going through. Instead of having an 'every-body is OK and happy' ending, this movie actually explored at least the surface psychological scars. The acting was also much better in this movie, compared to 'Deep Rising' and the slew of movies that are similar to it. Overall, I was pretty entertained, with only one complaint -- the score was pretty generic, and sounded too much like Jerry Goldsmith's 'Deep Rising' score.
Alien Resurrection (1997)
Gives the word "Sleeper" a new meaning
BORING! Nothing interesting ever happened in this film, unlike the first two. First movie: Bad alien comes out of nowhere and blows everybody up. Second movie: Nobody believes in the bad alien until in comes out of nowhere and blows everybody up. Third movie: Nobody believes in Ripley, who kills herself to make sure it doesn't happen again (should have ended there). Fourth movie: Everybody believes everything and everybody dies because... why? Because they were stupid, just like the movie. The whole point of the series is to keep advancing the aliens while the humans try and fight ever growing bigger and better bad aliens. This movie, they weakened the alien by making it a hybrid, and giving it the instinct for self-sacrifice, things that should never be given to an alien that is described as utterly merciless and virtually indestructible. Overall -- see the first two, skip the last two, it isn't even worth sleeping through.
Tainted (1998)
Easily one of the best of '98
I know it is an indie film, I know it is a local film, but starting May 11th 1999 it won't be! The video release is finally happening, thanks are due to Troma for that. This film is wonderful, and definitely worth seeing. Shot on roughly a $35,000 budget, I was astounded when I first saw it. This film earns my highest commendations, and I order you to see it! Bug your local video stores, and when they won't say yes, bug them until they do. Personally, I'm buying my copy! I've had the opportunity to talk with the 'Am I Wrong?' Production team on several occasions, and to make things even better, they are wonderful people to be around. Rating: 9 out 10, losing one point only because of its necessary budget restrictions. The script, acting, and score are all great!
Deep Rising (1998)
Undecided
I saw this film on opening day, mostly because it was a horror/sci-fi flick, and Jerry Goldsmith composed the score (two great reasons for me to see a film). While there were some truly genius moments in this film, the overall plot and story didn't ever really grab me. There were enough parts to the film to keep me entertained, but this is one film that I wouldn't want to own. Definitely worth seeing once, but forgettable after that -- similiar to the vast majority of so-called 'classic' sci-fi that was produced in the fifties and sixties, such as "THEM" and "Tarantula" and all those other giant bug flicks.
Air Force One (1997)
Dependable and predictable, but still entertaining
While I think Mr. Ford is one of the greatest actors currently alive, I certainly don't think of this as one of his greatest films ever. It was indeed a good entertaining film, but it has all been done before. The bad guy was just *so* bad, everyone wants him to die, and the good guy was just *so* good, everyone wants him to kill the bad guy. While this has happened occasionally throughout history (Hitler, Hussain), I cannot believe that the kind of person portrayed in this film is one of them. The pure evilness was a bit too far-fetched, ever for me, and that spoiled the film in my opinion. OTHER THAN THAT, however, it was a very enjoyable film. Cudos to Jerry Goldsmith for another wonderful score.
Psycho (1998)
Great! Terrorific!
I, for one, saw this film opening day (and had to wait in line for an hour to see an open showing, too). The original was a wonderful movie, but the remake was just so much more *there*. I was expecting to see the psychological thriller that I remembered from the original, but the new one is much more -- it is more of a horror film, which is a good thing if you ask me! The score was updated by Danny Elfman, and that added a whole new level of interest for me. I would highly recommend this one for anybody who is even remotely interested in the horror or thriller genras. Personally, I didn't understand why they chose Vince Vaughn to play the lead -- that is, until the end. A perfect role for him.
Pi (1998)
GREAT indie flick, buy it!
A very unique black and white art film. Actually it was pretty messed up (similar to Pink Floyd: The Wall and A Clockwork Orange), but the story was extremely well thought out and the editing was extraordinary. Plus, there was a song from my favorite techno group, Orbital (they have done other movie work as well, most notably for Event Horizon). The direction was spectacular, considering the apparent budget of the movie, and the acting was fairly perfect for the characters. Surprisingly neat visual effects as well. Even the score ruled for the movie (you can hear some of the original score on the web site). A rather interesting story about a mathematician who is on the verge of discovering the numerical equivalent for the name of God. Highly recommended for those who enjoy intellectual movies.
Point Break (1991)
Very suspenseful and worthwhile
Great story and plot, great acting, and very well directed. A 5-star classic. One of my all-time favorite movies, with some of the most convincing acting I've ever seen. Keanu Reeves played the new FBI dude pretty well, with all the moral and ethical dilemmas that would manifest in situations such as those in the movie. A very cool movie with a very cool plot and story. Great acting, story, and a great ending.
Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)
I still don't know what this movie means...
One of the most twisted and psychotic movies ever made (only A Clockwork Orange beats it). The movie documents the life of Pink, and the madness that has followed him around since childhood. Mixing weird animation throughout the movie to add to a certain sub-plot or major psychotic episode of Pink, the movie takes on a very surreal tone, and seems to question reality at virtually every twist and turn. Adding in the fantastic music by Pink Floyd, the movie takes flight of its own crazy will-power, and leaves you wondering what exactly is going on in this crazy game.
The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
Scared me outta my gourd
This is one of the most fantastic films I have ever seen. To start off, the score by Jerry Goldsmith was one of his best works ever (but aren't they all?), and added a distinct and unique mood to the movie -- a mood that completely freaked me out. The opening monologue did a wonderful job of setting the stage for the absolute terror that was about to begin, and the characters were wonderfully scripted, and extremely well acted -- the actors seemed to actually become their characters, which is how movies should be anyway. This movie was just so damn good, I bought the letterbox copy the day it came out, and a CD copy of the score the day it came out. Score: 10 out 10
BASEketball (1998)
HAHAHAHAHAHA! GREAT!
First let me say that this is NOT a movie for anybody under the age of 13, or those people who are easily offended. However, if you have a good sense of humor, ENJOY! From the first to the last scene, I just could not stop laughing, and I was in tears at several parts. I've seen it three times now, and will be first in line to buy a letterbox copy of it when it is released. A complete mockery of virtually every sport ever made, this movie never slows down for one second. Entirely enjoyable, and worthy of my highest praise for a comedy.
Armageddon (1998)
Wonderful, patriotic, and suspenseful
The best movie I've seen since Braveheart, if not better! There wasn't one thing about this movie that I didn't like. The score was totally awesome, the effects were better than anything that I have ever seen before, and the story was really quite heroic and downright emotional at times. I was on the edge of my seat trying my best not to bite my nails for nearly every second of the movie. I don't ever recall seeing a better opening for a movie than there was in this one. It even had a semi-unexpected ending! Granted, the story was a little typical (a team of deep-core drillers have to blow up an asteroid on a collision course with Earth), but it was presented in such a way that I couldn't have cared less.
Braveheart (1995)
Oh, what a wonderful film
A very moving story, with totally believable characters and so masterfully filmed I would swear this is real footage of the middle-ages. Sometimes I just get a craving to see this movie, just so I can be reminded of how wonderful a story can be told. If there was ever a flesh and blood love story that needed to be told, this is it. Remember that you should always stand up for what you believe in, and *never* give in.
Blade Runner (1982)
Best of the Best, and Better
What a classic! Great acting, AWESOME plot, the best special effects, great sound effects and even better music. All around, totally awesome! A ground-breaking science fiction movie if there ever was one. The lead character, played by Harrison Ford, is so perfectly written and flawlessly performed, it's as if he was just picked up off the street and put here to show us how to act normal. The supporting cast was very well done and everybody did a great job. If you are looking for a bit of the old-school sci-fi, there isn't a better movie out there than this one. Also, while the movie is not the same, the book Blade Runner is inspired by "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" is definitely worth reading.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Militant but still emotional
This movie is very militalistic, and is basically about a prelude to war between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets. While some of Starfleet's rules were bent and broken in this movie, it was all for the greater good of the union. While some people may think it is too violent of a movie, I think it is very realistic about what people are willing to do -- both in order to gain power, and in order to prevent a wrong. Kirk finally faces some of those inner demons that he avoided in ST5, and becomes a better man for it. The rest of the cast was wonderful, and never missed a beat. The emotions in this film are among the best out of all the Star Trek films. My third favorite Trek flick, after 1 and 5.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
I loved it, truly the best of Trek
Many people consider this to be the worst single piece of Star Trek ever made, but if you can just let the suspension of disbelief take hold (as with the original series) for just a few moments, you might find yourself enjoying the movie a bit more. In my opinion, the character interaction, the dialog, and yes, even the story, was *extremely* well done. The scenes with Spock and Kirk are the best scenes in all of Trek. Yes, I even think that William Shatner did an exceptional job of directing the film. The one and only complaint I have about this movie is the exterior space shots weren't as good as Trek could be, again, more like the original series. A great film for the truest of fans.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Good trek, decent film
While I would rather see a dark, visionary, and serious Trek without comedy (but still keeping the playful bridge bantering), I did enjoy this film. It had its serious moments, and it had its light-hearted feel-good moments. Overall, a good film even outside of Star Trek, with some wonderful plot devices. As Leonard Nimoy said, "This was not a movie about a bad guy with a gun, it was a movie about circumstances. It proved that Star Trek is about *ideas*, and not just space battles." I couldn't agree more, and that sums up my entire review for this movie.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Fairly good Trek, ok film, needed less violence
A wonderful movie. I was sad to see the Enterprise go, but as McCoy said to Kirk, "You did what you always do - what needed to be done." I was extremely glad to see Spock back in the series, as he is my favorite character in the entire franchise, and the relationships between the crew members was quite evident throughout the entire movie. It was a fun movie, and in my opinion, fairly accurate to the ideals of Star Trek. It could have been a little less violent, and it was still carrying on some of the 'Revenge-Trek' enigma of "The Wrath of Khan," (later re-visited in "First Contact"), but otherwise I was very entertained, and a happy Trekkie.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Not good, not good at all
BAD Trek film. The entire show focused on revenge - one of the worst parts of human nature - and was totally 100% against the grain of the ideals of Star Trek. It still had good acting and special effects, but for me the story was a desecration of all things Trek. It was a very interesting film - if you could forget that the characters are supposed to be kind and loving, and not war-mongers. I would still rather watch this than most cr*p that Hollywood puts out, but it is, and always will be, at the bottom of my Trek film list.