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Reviews
Double Jeopardy (1999)
Entertaining, despite a very sloppy script
Ok people Double Jeopardy isn't perfect. i for one am all ready to tell you its many flaws but you have to admit this was quite an entertaining film.
you all probably know the story(since most of it is revealed in the preview for the movie). Libby Parsons(Ashley judd) is convicted for the murder of her husband. she is later sent to jail but soon finds out that her husband faked his death for reasons you have to find out when you see the film. so when libby gets out it's a cat and mouse chase. because libby has all the cards on her side. supposedy it's a 5th amendment right that you can't be convicted for the same crime twice. so basically from her own words "she can shoot him in the middle of mardi gras and no one can touch her". Sounds good right? but there are some flaws.
Some aspects of the story seem very unbelievable. this is the kind of film that might sound good on paper but when it is executed you realize how ludicrous it is.
But this film does entertain despite a bad script. there is plenty of action and good pacing. everything happens fast so you're not bored with the film.
The acting is what keeps this movie from going to hell. Ashely Judd proves that she can carry a film on her own. she is a great actress and she has great screen presence. very strong femlae actress. all the credit goes to her. she carries this film.
All in all pretty entertaining but with this film you just can't get buy all those flaws that keep it from being a great movie. B- or C+
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Awesome Movie
I really enjoyed Any given sunday. i thought that it portrayed the world of football very realisticly and it showed how that people in charge of sports teams in general sometimes have differences of opinion and most of the time those opinions clash.
Any given Sunday begins during a game when the sharks star quarter back(who is on the verge on retirement) is injured during a game. after this tony damato, the head coach, sends another player in who is also injured. next he sends in willie Beaman, who throws up everytime he is brought out on the field. At first willie is rusty but in future games he becomes better and he even becomes extremely cocky. so cocky in fact that when the teams are in huttles he changes the plays. Tony doesn't like willie disobedient attitude but, christine, the owner of the team doesn't care how you win as long as you win, her nature of winning soon clashes with tony's more traditional ways and soon everyone is at each other's necks.
even though this film is really long your nver bored with the film. The football action is wonderfully directed by oliver stone. the football scenes are very intense and as a director he succeeds in making all of them intense.
The acting is good from everyone on board. Al pacino is excellent as the head coach. he's a very intense actor and he can make the most out of every scene he's in cameron Diaz is the big surprise among the cast. as the teams owner, cameron diaz, bites down into this role with fury she is very good at playing it mean and bitchy. you can tell she was having fun with the role. jamie foxx proves that he can do more than just comedy. he is very good in the role and also a big surprise amongst the cast because he also turns in a very nice performance. LL Cool J has become a great actor as well. he is great in this and i'm glad he's doing good in his films.
All in all a good movie and very entertaining. B+
Urban Legend (1998)
Good premise, Bad Execution
Urban Legend could've had so much potential. it had a great premise about a killer who kills people using urban legends. it kinda had the scream vibe that could've really worked for this film. maybe they needed a Kevin Williamson because this film goes no where but down hill.
Urban legend starts off good. this opening scene was probably the best scene in the movie. after that the film seems to become a by the numbers slasher film. we are then intoduced to our star Natalie, who is osme how connected to the person murdered in the opening scene. other characters are around such as brenda, natalie's friend, and paul, a cocky journalist. these chracters are totally not worth mentioning because they don't have any depth and they are just there to be stalked or killed.
The acting is mediocre at best. Alicia witt is ok as Natalie, we do feel sorry for her a little but they needed a more stronger actress to carry the film. Rebecca gayheart is almost awful as brenda. every line she gives out is just bad. jared let isn't too good either. in fact he's done better in other films.
I know it sounds like i think it's the worse movie ever. i don't. the film has some entertainment value and the opening scene itself is a reason to see the film, but the script is horrible and the acting isn't great. this is what prevents urban legend from becoming a good film. C-
Scream 3 (2000)
A Worthy end to an Amazing Trilogy
I was very worried that with the final chapter in the scream saga that some how it would turn out bad. The first 2 are some of my favorite films so i was worried that this one would end up being disappointing. Boy was i wrong. Though this isn't the scariest of the trilogy, it's the most thought provoking. It ties up all the loose ends that were brought up in the first 2 and the final chapter really does have an interesting story to tell. This film gives the chracters and the audience watching the film the closure they need.
first of all when the movie started i was a tad bit dsappointed. the opening scene wasn't very thrilling and it was a little short so i though oh boy this isn't starting off right. it was a descent opening scene. i jumped a few times but it didn't have the shock value the first 2 had. despite that flaw when scream 3 finally gets started we get involved in a mystery that somehow takes us back to where it all began. this mystery involves sidney's mother who had a secret life of her own. speaking of sidney, in this installment she is in hiding, this is because "Psychos can't kill what they can't find". While sidney is in hiding she begins to have visions of her dead mother. proving that the evnets in her life have finally taken a toll on her. meanwhile in hollywood they are making Stab 3 and when the cast begins to die in the order they die in the script it's up to dewey who si working as an aid on the set and Gale, who is summoned by the FBI to help in the case to solve this mystery. pretty soon sidney makes it to hollywood and the real fun begins.
I've always thought that the scream films always managed to produce and create interesting characters. this one is no exception. Neve Campbell is in top form as sidney. In fact in this one she becomes a fighter and has no intention on giving up. neve plays her well and shows us that sidney has grown between films. David arquette is also good as dewey. he isn't as goofy this time around but he's still very funny. i like courtney coc but this gale weathers was different from the firsr 2. i think that she shouyld've played it bitchy again, when she's nice she loses her edge. she was still good but she could've been better
The characters are a mixed bag(since most of them are just there to get killed) Parker Posey supplies the film with most of its comice relief. she was really good in the role and i thought she was a good new character. jenny macartney was adequate as sarah darling, an actress who is 35 and tired of playing 21 year olds. Scott foley was also good as a directer who's film is being sabotage by a violent killer.
The ending was much better than the ending in scream 2. i thought that this endingsolves all the problems that sisdney had been wondering about. at times it seemd cheesy but i do think that it was good and much better than scream 2's ending.
I'm glad they decided to end it now because i would hate to see them ruin a good thing. they ended it like they should've. i'll now remember this a trilogy that made me laugh and most of all made me Scream. A-
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Great Movie, but a very disturbing one.
The Talented Mr. Ripley was a pleasant surprise. this film was wonderfully acted, had great visuals, and the direction was top notch. This is the kind of film that makes you question a lot of things here's why.
The film is about a young man named tom ripley, who buy his own admittance specializes in "Forging Signatures, lieing, pretending to be something he's not". he's kinda nerdy in a way but very intelligent. He is asked by a man to find his son DickieGreenleaf in Italy and to convince him to come back to new York. he is given one thousand dollars to do so. tom go's to Italy and he finds Dickie. Dickie is happy with his girlfriend marge and refuses to go back. Tom becomes so intrigued with Dickie's lifestyle that he decides to stay in taly without. But when Dickie becomes an obssesion of Tom's things take a mysterious turn.
First of all Matt Damon was great in this film. in fact sometimes he's too convincing, which is good. He makes Tom a believable chracter making us feel sorry for him during certain moments. I don't know if this is Jude Laws first movie, but he was pretty good too. he almost matches matt damon's performance. he's very convincing as the spoiled dickie. Gwenneth Paltrow is also good, in a very suttle, but good performance.
The reason i called this film disturbing was because i think we all want to be someone else sometimes. i think it's human nature to be more and to acheive more. sometimes we go so far to be someone else that it becomes disturbing and it consumes. that's why this film tripped me out. it makes that need to be someone else frightenely real
The Lion King (1994)
Best Disney Film Ever. Also the darkest
The Lion King is the most intriguing and most interesting Disney movie ever made. I thought the story was great and that the chracters were just fantastic. Also i would like to point out this is the most serious Disney movie ever made in my opinion. I think this has to be one of the first Disney Films to appeal to kids and adults at the same time.
Seriousness of this film is shown throughout the film. Scar is the jealous brother of Mufassa and he desperately wants to king. He later kills mufasa and takes the thrown. i feel this one element sits it apart from other Disney Films. it also focuses on serious issues and it handles them really well.
Everyone who lent their voices to this film are great. i thought that everyone brought their characters to life.
The Soundtrack is also good. The score is the best ever in a disney Film. Also this film has the most memorable songs out of all of the Disney films. This movie is a triumph. A solid 10
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The Best Film of the Year
Sleepy Hollow proves once again that Tim Burton is one the greatest directors alive today. This should be considered a true masterpiece not only for him but for the history of film. If he doesn't get any recognition for this movie i will be really shocked.
Sleepy Hollow is a more gorier re-telling of the story of the Headless Horsemen. Icabod Crane(Johnny Deph) is sent to the town of Sleppy Hollow to find a killer who severes his victims heads and takes them. At first icabod doesn't believe in the horse-man until he sees him for hisself. He also meets a young girl named Katrina(Christina Ricci) who he becomes very attracted to. A lot of things follow and this becomes one of the best movies i have seen in a long while.
The acting is really superb in this film. Johnny Deph is my favorite actor as of now. He is the most versatile actor in recent memory and he is always willing to take chances. he should really get something for this film because he trully brings icabod to life. Christina Ricci is also good as the innocent Katrina. She is one of the best younger actresses in hollywood and this is one of her best performances.
Tim Burton again, i bow in your prescence. He is a true visonary and fora lack of a better word a cinematic genius.
The Music is also superb. Danny Elman is a wonderful composer. i really loved the music in this film. i smell an oscar in the air.
All in all a great film that left me speechless 10 out of 10
Child's Play 3 (1991)
Mixed Bag
Child's Play 3 is a bit entertaining but it's really hard to take this movie seriously. I mean it started in part 2. Part 2 lacked suspense and replaced it with comedy, but this one has to be the funniest movie in the horror genre.
Chucky isn't even scary at this point and he's basically just a Freddy Krueger rip off. i also didn't like the fact that andy aged like 7 years. They need the original Andy.
Though this film is utterly stupid i still find it entertaing. I guess the child's play series is just a guilty pleasure.
Nice try to make a better film but it falls short. ** out of ****
The Bone Collector (1999)
Tedious but creepy with fantastic acting
The Bone Collector joins the list of thrillers that have made an impact on us today.( Seven, Copycat, and Silence of the Lambs). Though this film is not the best serial killer thriller it's still a very enjoyable film that was very creppy at times.
This has to be denzel Washingtons best performance. it had to be difficult for him to just lie in a bed the entire movie. He was still very good and very effective in the role. The most praise goes to Angelina Jolie. She was very good in the film and i hope to see her in more films. Queen latifah was also solid as Denzel's nurse.
Another thing that made this film lack was the very lackluster ending. it just left me saying "that's it".
but the good does out shine the bad and this film delivers. *** out of ****
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Best since the original
I love this movie. It's so much better than part two and way better than the shape-less 3rd installment. everything in this movie works and i was suprissed by the acting in this film
Halloween 4 picks up 10 years after the original and michael has awaken from the coma he suffered when he was burned in the hospital explosion in part two. Instead of stalking laurie, who suposedly died in a car accident, he tracks down her daughter, his niece. this saga is one of the best in the series.
The acting is great in this film. Danielle Harris is very good in this film and her acting is superb for her age. Ellie cornell is also good as rachel and i wish she was in more films today becasue she is really good.
Great movie with a twist at the end you won't believe. **** out of ****
Halloween II (1981)
Not as good as the original and very slow.
Halloween 2 starts off right. In real time it's about 3 years later in movie time it's the same night and we see what happens after Loomis pumps 6 shots into Michael's body. Very smart to pick up where you left off but the rest of the film is a total let down.
Too much gore and it's a extremely slow movie that has about only one locatin: a understaffed hospital and Michael Myers doesn't even act the same. he has become an extremely slow and boring chracter after just one movie.
The only thing good about this film is the music which is creepier than ever and the few scares that are in this film.
The bad thing is that Jamie Lee Curtis has barely any lines in this film and she's not the same strong character we met in the first one. The only person who is the same is Donald Pleasance who never disappoints in this film.
As a horror movie it's not bad in fact it's better than average but as a sequel to the greatest horror movie of all time it's a mahor let down. ** 0ut of ****
Halloween (1978)
Defined the slasher genre. A true classic
Halloween is my favorite horror movie of all time. very creepy and terrifying. I'm scared out of my shoes everytime i see it. The music is so haunting and suspenseful with a sinister tone that you will never forget.
Jamie Lee Curtis gives a good performance in this film. i loved her character in this film. She was smart but very naive at the same time. Donald Pleasance was good as michael's doctor who knows that "Michael will come home to kill". Backed by very good supportng stars this film is just great.
I also have to say that the last 10 to 15 minutes are the most tense and scary minutes in horror movie history. Almost all slaher films have tried to imitate the big chase scene at the end but this will always be the best. The ending is a shocker also. **** out of ****
Child's Play 2 (1990)
Not Bad
I have to say this movie was entertaing. It's not better than the original, and it lacks suspense. The original was good because it was a suspenseful thrill ride. This one is more comedy than anything. It takes awhile to get going. So if your bored by this film midway through keep watching because the last 20 minutes are satisfying. 2 and half stars out of 4
Sweetwater (1999)
Amy Jo Johnson rocks!
I'm 14 years old and i hadn't ever heard of Sweatwater until i saw the movie about the band. VH-1 Promoted it like mad so i decedied to watch. Boy was that band awesome. I love them and the movie.
Amy Jo johnson keeps proving herself everytime she does something new. This is by far the best performance of her career. She has a wonderfull singing voice and she fitted the role perfectly.
Over-all good film. I hope Vh-1 keeps supplying us with good T.V. Movies.
Disturbing Behavior (1998)
Good for the most part.
Disturbing Behavior would've been perfect if it would've fell apart at the end. The Film lost serious momentum in the last 20 minutes, so that kinda was a drawback. But the first hour was great so this is why i like this film. It had a clever premise, good characters, and for the most part good acting The Score is really great and if i could find that soundtrack i would buy it.
Katie Holmes is good in the film. She really shed that Dawson's Creek Image. Although she was stale sometime, for the most part she was good. James Marsden was bad in the first half, but proved he had some talent towards the end of the movie. Nick Stahl was the best out of the three. He was funny and very serious when needed to be. I loved his Character. The portrayal of the Blue ribbons was good. I really loved that. So i give the first half a 8 and thr second half a 6. So basically the movie gets a 7.
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
It was Ok
I liked the original film. I loved the premise and the sense of suspense in the film. It had Great acting for the most part and a great atmosphere.
But the sequel failed to capture any of these elements. Acting was mediocre, Plot was unbelievable and the suspense was lost. Not to mention the crazy plot twist at the end. This movie desperately needed Kevin Williamson.
Jennifer Love Hewitt needs to chose different roles. She's always the good girl or the victim. This needs to change. Brandy is ok, but she's no Sarah Michelle Geller in the best friend role. Freddie Prinze Jr, was aactually good, but his role was rather short campared to the others.( Thank God he got She's All that) Mekhi Pheffer, good actor, Bad character.
I know it sounds like i hated this film but i didn't. I still enjoy it. t's a good film when you have nothing else to watch. the chase scenes are really good too.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Great Mystery/Horror Film
This movie rocks and I'm so glad i own it. I don't really consider it a slasher film, but i would call this film a clever mystery. The acting is good and the whole North Carolina atmosphere is good too. Also the suspense level is very high in this film. The Fisherman is so mysterious the mystery of who he is makes us want to see, what is going on
The Acting Was good. Jennifer Love Hewitt needs to choose different roles but I'll let it slide becasue the other performances redeem hers. Sarah Michelle Geller is good in the film, This isn't her best performance( That cake goes to Cruel intentions) but she is really good. Ryan Phillipe was good in this film, and Freddie Prinze Jr was pretty good in the film.
I suggest to whoever dosen't have the soundtrack get it because it is great. Overall terriffic movie.
Scream (1996)
Good Horror Film
When i first saw this movie i was amazed immeadiately by the first 10 minutes of the film. Never had i seen so much suspense and scares that early in a film. This movie is a thrill ride from beginning to end. Clever and Witty dialoge, great actors, and a clever script by Kevin Williamson make this film a must see.
The acting is great all around. Neve Campbell is very good in the film. Unlike some horror movie characters you actually feel sorry for her because she is so convincing. Courtney Cox is good, but even better in the sequel. David Arquette is always funny. But the standouts are Skeet Ulricha nd Matthew Lillard. Loved their performances.
Backed by a good score and Soundtrack, this film is well on its way to becoming a classic.
American Pie (1999)
Has a huge gross-out factor, and the misuse of apple pie.I LOVED IT!
This movie has to be the most hilarious teen film of all time. Funny performances and snappy dialog make this a cool movie experience. The best thing about this movie is that it cast un-known actors and was able to make this movie a huge hit.
The performances were great. Jason Bigs stands out amongst all of them. He blends funny dialog with very funny physical comedy. I hope to see him in more films in the future. Alyson Hannigan who has a small but funny role is also great. She says the best line in the movie. ( you have to see it just to see her say that line)
The actors worked exceptionally well together and I really enjoyed the film. Go see it.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
One of the best Teen films of the year!
I saw 10 Things i Hate about You with my friend Novia and she cried throughout most of the movie. I thought the film was funny, Had great acting, and had a good story. My friend Novia read The Taming of the Shrew and said the moving was a good adaptation.
The acting was good. Julia Stiles( The 60's) was good in the film. I hope to see her in more films. Larisa Oleynik( Secret World of Alex Mack) was very funny and she should continue to chose roles like this one. Heath Ledger was also good. I haven't seen him in anything else, but he was really good. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Andrew Keagon shine in Supporting roles.
Backed by a cool soundtrack, Ten things i hate about you will not be forgotten
Felicity (1998)
Too Sappy and melodramatic
I use to like Felicity but now I see that hype that this show got was not well deserved. Yes the acting is good, but this show doesn't break any ground and the situations these characters get into have been done before. Felicity, the character, is way too melodramatic. I feel like she should be on All my children or something.
Keri Russell is good and yes, I'm glad she won a Golden Globe, but she is not the best actor on the show. Amy Jo Johnson deserves a lot of credit. she is the only reason that i will continue to watch next season. I know she kinda made herself seem stupid on Power Rangers but I'm glad she got this role because she is a terrific actress. so if Amy Jo Johnson stays on, I'll keep watching, if not I'll kiss Felicity goodbye
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)
The Best show on Television
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the greatest shows I've seen. This show knows how to blend, Comedy, Drama and Horror very well. I have every episode on tape and I love to rewatch all of the episodes. It's funny how they could turn a silly movie into a great show.
Sarah Michelle Geller is great as Buffy. She's very spunky and full of heart and she's also a very strong Actress, with a lot of range. Alyson Hannigan is great as Willow. Nicholos Brenden is hilarious as Xander and Charisma Carpenter plays one of the Funniest characters on the show. Adding Seth Green made this show have the most diverse cast on Television. The Best one hour on television.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Darth Maul and Jar Jar steal the show.
I saw TPM on sunday and I have to say that I was a bit disappointed. This movie lacked any human feeling what so ever. There was so many creatures that i thought i was watching Muppets in Space. I did enjoy certain aspects of the movie though. The music was awesome. Darth Maul's theme was great. Darth Maul was a cool villain(too bad he gets barely any screen time). Jar Jar Binks was also a funny addition to the cast. This movie does not live up to the first three. Go see it if you're looking for cool effects and a bad story.
Stepmom (1998)
Julia Roberts Shines
I don't usually like dramas, especially really dramatic ones, but i just loved Stepmom. The script is cliched but it's easily forgiving by the brilliant performances from its stars. Susan Surandon is a beautiful actress, who i have loved since Thelma and Louise. She gives a heart-warming performance in this film. Ed Harris also does good as the father in the film. I wish he would have more starring roles instead always having supporting roles. The performance that takes the cake is Julia Robert's. She gives a terrific performance and have a new respect for her as a serious actress. **** out ****
Boogie Nights (1997)
Great film. Excellent drama, with great performances.
I remember renting Boogie Nights and my dad was so shocked that i did and he wanted me to take it back, but luckily i kept it and i have to say that this film was great. When you get past all the sex and drug use, you see a story about being on top one minute, and falling back to earth when you become cocky. i don't know much about the porn industry of the 70's and early 80's, but this movie is very detailed. Paul Thomas Anderson captures the very essence of the 70's. The one thing i enjoyed the most about this film was the music. There is a really good dance sequence in this film as well.
The acting is good across the board. Mark Wahlberg gives a good performance as Dirk Diggler. He should have been rewarded for his performance because it truly shows he has acting talent. Julianne Moore was the best part of the film. I thought she gave the best performance in the film. Also good is Heather Graham in her first starring role. *** out out of ****