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marsman
Reviews
Islam: What the West Needs to Know (2006)
What you might expect
This documentary uses the Koran and a handful of experts to attempt to show the case that Islam is going to advance and use violence until a worldwide Islamic Theocracy is established. This, they argue, would necessarily require the downfall of Western Civilization. As there are some segments of Western Civilization that would not resist the encroachment, opting instead for peaceful coexistence, then there is a particular vulnerability in the West to these advances. This film is intended to be a due warning to foresee and avoid this fate, hence the movie's title.
Based on the evidence presented in the film, they make a very convincing case. The passages from the Koran and the historical events with which I was already familiar agree with my previous understanding. From this basis, the authors and experts build a very solid argument about Islam's goals and its pattern of behavior with its neighbors and non-Muslim societies. As others have pointed out, the film does not have any frills when it comes to production, but it does stay focused on the topic and is overall very cohesive. The commentary from the ex-PLO member was particularly enlightening and chilling. All the politicians who appear in the film are made to look like clueless idiots.
The natural questions then arise (at least in my mind) about how accurate the film's characterizations happen to be. I don't tend to take comments, even from experts, as gospel. One complaint I have is that the credentials of the experts were not given in the film. They did flash a brief caption about what book they had written, or what organization they were affiliated with, but no actual listing of qualifications to justify their role as an expert. Another complaint is that they did not cover the demographic roller coaster that Europe is heading toward due to high immigration of Muslims and plummeting birthrates of native Europeans. My final complaint is that they do not provide any statistics to indicate whether the concerns they are raising apply to a small minority of the Muslim world, a vast majority, or somewhere in between. This would have made their case that much stronger.
At present, I would consider myself tentatively convinced of their argument. It should not come as a surprise that the value of the documentary wholly rests on the accuracy of the statements made in it. If the statements are true, then the West will need to act accordingly. If the statements are false, then the filmmakers' agenda should be exposed. I plan to verify the claims in the film and to achieve a greater understanding of Islam in the process. I suggest that those concerned about the direction of Western Civilization do the same.
The Mummy Returns (2001)
Let's see how many Indiana Jones rip-offs can be put on film
Look, this film had some entertaining moments, however, there were NO surprises. I think almost every minute of this film was borrowed from somewhere else. If it wasn't from the entire Indiana Jones trilogy it was Army of Darkness or James Bond or the Matrix or Final Fantasy (video game). Despite the fast pace and attempts at action, I was distracted by all the scenes and elements I recognized from other places. Hollywood at its most unoriginal trying to pass off the same old thing refurbished. Nothing special. 6/10
Highlander: Endgame (2000)
very saddening
Apparently, no one bothered to right a script for this film. They just slapped together a bunch of outtakes from the old TV series. No continuity within the film, no plot devices of any kind, and worst of all no development. No character development, no story development, nothing. Cheap fight scenes between the occasional flashback. I thought they learned when H2 failed. I was wrong. This might be the worst of the series. I enjoyed the first and even the third, but this film should never have been made. Unfortunate milking of an idea. 4/10
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's a Wonderful Film
Every so often, a real gem presents itself. Perhaps Capra's greatest work, this is the quintessential "feel good" movie. A man is brought back from the brink of suicide by internal reflection on his life, pointed out by the external source of the guardian angel. One of the few films to address, albeit subtly, the power of prayer. The prayers of friends and family manifest themselves in the help of the angel. It is through the community that George had defined himself, and through that same community he found redemption. The film is very deserving of its accolades.
The Cell (2000)
I won't say it's awful, but Waterworld doesn't look too bad anymore.
I can't believe how empty this film was. I was impressed with the performance by Jennifer Lopez only because I had VERY low expectations after I saw her performance in U-Turn. She seems to be a little better than she used to be, however still only manages a level of competence at the role that you might expect from William Shatner doing Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but I digress. The movie borrows heavily from most psychological thrillers you can name, in particular Silence of the Lambs.
The only portions of the film that were not recipe were the internal aspects of the killer's mind. The failure of this concept is that, while visually impressive, the images aren't specifically detailed or abstract in any meaningful way. There is no useful symbolism employed in Carl's mind in the way of how the mind operates, or what Schizophrenia is like, or any representation of how they might solve their predicament. As such the movie seems very contrived and does not deliver suspense or thrills. All it delivers is a series of strange and meaningless images that are briefly interesting to view.
Two more points: the soundtrack was one of the most painful to listen to since The Untouchables and possibly even before, furthermore, if ONE MORE film tries to mount tension by asserting the "If your mind thinks you die, then you die in the real world." premise, I'm going to walk straight out of the theatre. In a phrase- OVERUSED PLOT DEVICE.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
What might have been...
This was the first time I had been angry leaving the theater in a long time. I really enjoyed the opening credits and music. The direction and camera angles were excellent. Johnny Depp does a great job as the rare book expert. Now for the flaws: This film was PAINFULLY long. I am glad that it wasn't geared for instant gratification, however, many of the scenes took so long to develop that I was glad when the end of the movie was coming. I kept telling myself, when I make it to the end I will be rewarded. NOT!!! There was a questionable sex scene and then the credits start rolling up the screen. You're sitting in your seat going "Hey wait, not yet! I waited two and a half freaking hours for something to happen!" It never does. There are times when a film will end and leave you guessing. That's fine. There are two problems with that here. One is that the movie does not drop enough substance in your lap for you to conclude "Okay this happened and then I think this happened here and so on" and then feel satisfied with the result. I could have stayed home and surmised what happened in the movie from what I saw the trailer, and even THAT would have been more satisfying than the ending. Bringing me to point two which is this empty feeling of non-fulfilment is even more acute when you wait two and a half hours for a nothing-but-whatever-you-fill-in ending.
The film has a very interesting story, and the directing and acting are so good as to make it a passable work even with the non-ending. If there is a major clue I missed in the film, to be fair, please send it to me. Judging from the other reviews, I didn't miss anything -- it just wasn't there. This could have been great, but was fair. 6/10
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)
FUNNY
It has been a long, long time since I have laughed that hard at a movie. The key is that they didn't use all of the jokes in the trailer. This was a solid comedy in the SNL style. William Forsythe in particular delivers inspired comedy every time he appears on screen. It's good to see a comedian make a good comedy for a change. Keep it up.