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Lizzy-28
Reviews
Kingdom Come (2001)
Um, why was this so bad?
I truly expected something wonderful from this movie. An ensemble cast of talented and funny performers should have boded well.
Words cannot describe how wrong I was. Who would believe that Whoopi is from the South with her dreads and non-accent? Who would believe that with all of their dysfunction that they could pull a funeral together in two days? Who would believe that Jada could be so awful in her role?
Toni Braxton was surprisingly good, and of course if Ced had been given more time, he would have been the movie's saving grace. The plotline was barely there, the characters were all overwhelmingly dysfunctional, and it tied up so neatly, I was perturbed. It's not what you think it is going to be, so go with your expectations firmly nestled in your shoe.
Sweet November (2001)
Bad isn't the word
This piece of drivel shouldn't have been made while there are people starving in the world. Keanu delivers another absolutely popsicly performance - icy with a wooden stick rammed up the middle. His scenes of emotion are so ridiculous, he couldn't move an audience even if they were packed into a Bekins truck. Charlize Theron's character is laboriously quirky. She might as well have said "Hey, I am just SO different. Look at me - I am just SO different!"
I laughed through the entire ending scene, and regretted that I was a captive audience on a plane when I saw it. I am surprised we didn't crash because that movie was definitely a bomb.
Shrek (2001)
Embarrassing gales of laughter
I laughed so loud during this movie, I totally embarrassed myself. After seeing Shrek, I truly understood the meaning of the word "irreverent". From the titles to the closing song and dance sequence, I was riveted. Each character was fully and wonderfully developed, both on a personal and technical level, but I must say my heart was completely stolen by the Gingerbread Man. Go see Shrek, go, go, go, GO NOW!!!
Arlington Road (1999)
Terrible - and worse upon reflection...
This movie was not good. Plain and simple. Beyond the basic implausibility, everything was hokey and contrived. Everything was pretty much inserted at random intervals to make the movie work. From bad dialogue - when Tim Robbins at the end shouts "It's too late!" to Jeff Bridges, who is running to stop the bomb (I thought I was going to fall off the couch) - to precision timing (hey neighbor, I am just going to come over your house while you are asleep and catch you with my yearbook).
The only saving grace (besides the fact that the movie finally ended) was Joan Cusack. Her face conveyed so much without even saying a word - I was riveted by her, as I usually always am. My rating - 1 out of 10 stars.
Don King: Only in America (1997)
BETTER THAN THE REAL THING
Even if you don't like Don King, you gotta give it up for Ving Rhames in this movie. He is an able portrayer of Don King, from looks to personality (heck, he made Don King a little likable!) The movie gave insight into a sport that you either love or hate - boxing, as well as a look into Don King's history. It made for good viewing and I found myself howling at certain points. A bonus for me happened at the end, during a three second stretch in which my boyfriend's head passed as he walked behind Ving Rhames and Vondie Curtis-Hall at LAX!
I would definitely give this movie a 10!
La vita è bella (1997)
Beautiful and haunting
I cannot say enough good things about this absolutely beautiful film. This film has haunted me even until this day, and I can still summon tears when I simply think about it. Wonderfully spirited acting and courageous characters make this movie something that everyone should see. Even if it is not as accurate as we would like it to be (how many of us that have commented were really there by the way), it provides an emotional glimpse into the horrors.
I cannot watch the last fifteen minutes to this day, but I would definitely buy this video to add to my collection. Definitely get the subtitled version!! And a hankie...
The Color Purple (1985)
One of the best
My family and I have seen this movie so much, we have at least half of the dialogue memorized. To me, the true test of a film is whether you are swept away in it, and completely oblivious to the concept of time. I have lost many hours to this movie...I cry in the same spots, laugh in the same spots, and always find something new to examine. Stephen Spielberg is at his masterful best - my favorite sequence occurs when Shug reads the letter from Nettie, and the scenes from the South are dissolved into the scenes from Africa. This is Whoopi Goldberg's best performance, as well as Oprah Winfrey. If you can get through it without connecting to any of the characters, you have a stone in your chest. Buy this movie, rent it - do whatever you have to do, but watch it. You will not be disappointed.