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Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
On the Other Hand...
Much as I enjoyed the books, I wasn't anxiously anticipating the movie. I wasn't expecting to like or dislike it. In other words, I had no bias heading in. In a nutshell, not only was the movie MUCH too long, but it ended awkwardly as it set up the second movie. I must have heard a half dozen people blurt out their disgust at the way the movie ended. That's not a bad thing from the standpoint that those people wanted more (or at least some sense of completion to the story.) I also felt like I watched the movie for 3 hours and didn't recieve fair payoff at the end although I'm sure it will come in time. I also felt the movie tried too hard to develop character through overt melodrama. The acting was good but it seemed everyone was trying too hard. The movie itself just seemed to be trying too hard. At the end of the film, I felt that while I enjoyed the beauty of the cinema, and it really is a wonderfully shot film, I was glad to be going home.
All that having been said, I do have one confession. I couldn't get the movie or the characters out of my head for the next two days. And if I'm still thinking about a movie 10 minutes after I've left the theatre, they've done something right! And so for this reason, I'll give the movie a 7.9 out of 10.
Dogma (1999)
Missed potential
I'm not a big Kevin Smith fan to begin with so I'm not surprised I didn't really dig this movie. But I actually went in expecting to enjoy this movie. Great cast and a great concept! Unfortunately, the movie was as preachy as it was funny, which negated the humour much of the time. I felt like I was watching a movie pushing religious theology that was cleverly concealed as a comedy. They could have made the same references without constantly having to explain to the audience why "they're right and you're wrong" and pulled it off much better. What hurts most is seeing how much potential this movie had and knowing that it didn't just miss the boat, it didn't even make it to the dock. As it stands, the script was sorely self-destructive and seemed like it was made mainly with trying to force someone's own religious ideals rather than really trying to entertain. I didn't really find it offensive, although I can understand how some may see it as such. It was simply that it felt like an am-way party where you get duped into going, thinking its a real party, and sure, they throw a few treats to add to the party atmosphere but you're really just there to get sold something.
And Linda Fiorentino's acting was TERRIBLE in this movie! And in such a prominent role, it really stood out. I think she ruined the movie more than the preaching. I thought she was somewhat blase in "Men in Black" but in this movie, you just get the feeling the whole time that she's not really trying or that her mind is elsewhere. I wouldn't normally make such a big deal of someone's acting but she was the female LEAD. Save for Chris Rock, whose display revealed his comedy strength is NOT following a script word for word, everyone else did a terrific job.
So again, if you aren't easily offended by religious comedy and can easily get passed the sell job, go for it. But be forewarned. Its not for everyone.
American Psycho (2000)
Note of interest...
I never read the book. I could take or leave the movie, mainly because I didn't quite understand the ending. That having been said, there are 210 comments for this recent movie. There are 118 for Gone With the Wind. At least its inspired passion with those that have seen it in its short existence. I think it deserves some credit for that if nothing else.
Pushing Tin (1999)
Funny! And new respect for air traffic controllers!
Great movie. Fun to watch! Easy to get into. Typical John Cusack movie where if you watch it a second time, you'll see something you missed...and laugh again at the wisecracks from the first time. Billy Bob Thornton is his usual eccentric self... a more intelligent (and my wife adds 'sexier') version of his Slingblade character. I've never given much thought to the daily routine of air traffic controllers but, when I take my next trip to Florida, I'll be thinking of those in the control tower thanks to this movie.
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (1995)
Charming, delightful and adorable.
I'm not a Hugh Grant fan. Really, I have a hard time watching him. But he was perfect in his role in this perfectly splendid tale. How anyone could NOT enjoy this film is beyond me. There's no gunfire, nor is there any nudity or swearing. It was a "feel good" almost fairytale story that left me with much the same feeling as "The Princess Bride." (Though two very different movies.) Rent or hire it out today!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Not given enough credit
Let me begin by saying I own 3 movies and that's my entire library. And yes, all 3 are the Indiana Jones films. I idolized the character growing up and aspired to emulate him in every way. Save for the fear of snakes. Now, Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom was not the trend setting movie that Raiders of the Lost Ark was. Of course not... it came after. Some say the action was not as intense. I disagree whole-heartedly. I still find Raiders to drag on in parts and to be very slow paced, except for 4 scenes... the opening, the kidnapping, the escape and the climax. The one thing Raiders had over Temple was the climax. But not by much.
Temple of Doom was far more "fun." It was genuinely funny & light-hearted to watch at many times. And yet, anyone with even a light case of arachnaphobia, claustrophobia, bogyphobia, pyrophobia acrophobia or a half dozen other phobias were scared to the edge of the seats (or out of the theatre) at various OTHER times. Overall, the action was non-stop with the occasional moment of brevity to lighten the mood and ease the tension before the action took off again. Much like riding up a slope in a mine cart with the anticipation that the scariest ride of a lifetime is coming once you reach the top.
And yet, there was a great human side to this movie. Remember, this was the second in a series. And in a well-done series, there must be character development. And one certainly can't argue that we saw many different parts to Indy's character in Temple of Doom than the others. Also keep in mind that this movie was actually a prequel to Raiders so characters. Different time in Indy's life, different things to encounter.
Where-as Raiders of the Lost Ark was a slow-paced action-adventure and Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade was a sentimental, human-focused adventure... Temple of Doom combined the best of both worlds for the most enjoyable two hours of the series. If you've never watched an Indiana Jones movie, watch this one first. After all, as far as time-line is concerned, it WAS first!