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Reviews
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
great plot cliff notes on a over-long book
There has been a lot of criticism of this film's pace, with reference to the development of the plot in the novel from which it was adapted. I, on the other hand, felt that the novel developed rather slowly. Lots of idle time spent on non plot related details, which are fun to read, but are not needed for the movement of the plot. This film takes the opening point of the book, the ending point of the book, and plots it's own path between the two, including and connecting those essential entries from the book that work on film, and disregarding the rest. To me, this is the way that screenplay adaptations work best. I sincerely hope that this formula is used for the next film - as the 4th book is "war and peace" length, and would require a 4 hour movie. The basics of the plot, however, can be told in 20 minuites, leaving a good amount of time for fun and jokes and special effects and mood and - well, everthing that made this one so fun. What is very cool about the Azkaban film in the influx of some new creativity to the series. The mood shots and film style, the moving cameras and center fades, the talking shrunken heads.... none of that is in the book, but it is very cool.
Blade (1998)
Go, Wes, Go
I remember seeing this one in the theatres when it came out, having no idea what it was going to be about and being so pleasantly surprised that I vowed to buy the video when it came out.
While I won't go too far into dissecting this film, I will say that I gave it an 8/10, for all the reasons you can read in the other user's reviews.
What I will say is this:
The first 10 minutes of this film are incredible. It's as close to a textbook audience grabber as I've ever seen. I once put this movie on at a party, where everyone was winding down and getting ready to leave. I just wanted to see what would happen if I showed them the first ten minutes.
Everyone, who watched the opening, stayed to the end.
Nadja (1994)
A real sleeper gem
Really, this is a sleeper.
I was drinking all the coffee I had in the house just to try to stay awake and it wasn't working.
This movie is bad and boring.
Many users have given the film rave reviews for its story, its look, and it philosophical script. These are likely the same people who understood and loved "Lost Highways".
You see, when Wes Craven includes a character named Van Helsing, it can be a bit of a gas. It is funny, mildly relevant, a bit respectful, and ultimately lost in the wake when the film provides some genuinely frightening moments. When this movie puts Peter Fonda on the screen as the drunken, acid-laced Van Helsing, you want to laugh. But, the movie takes itself so seriously that funny is not a viable option. And the fact is, there is not one sequence in the film that can elevate the pulse above comatose, let alone frighten.
The story is a mess. The wonderfully philosophical script may be thought provoking for some, provided they do not possess anything more than a third grade education. For those of you who were unfortunate enough to have manage you way into the fourth grade, look not to this film for intellectual stimulation. Fans of Anne Rice's vampires may not mind that the monsters are written as more fascinating than frightening. However, these vampires are just plain confusing. Is Nadja's brother a vampire? Who knows? He never drinks blood. Is Nadja's slave a vampire? Who cares, he's a compete bore.
Rarely do I feel the need to really trash a film. However, I actually bought this video based on the high ratings given by IMDB user comments, and hope that these words may save someone else the same fate.
Read a vampire story. Watch Buffy re-runs. Twiddle your thumbs and count the cracks on the wall. Do what you will, but avoid this movie.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Not to be confused with....
Do you remember the TV series, "Young Indiana Jones"?
Not very long lived, if I remember correctly.
The point is, the films that spawn the shows are not the shows. They are films, and live on as such.
I for one, do not like the TV show spawned by this movie. My wife watches it religiously and can recite the season's happenings much like the Saturday paper soap opera summaries.
I did, on the other hand, love this movie, and still do. It's funny, exciting, and well made. Donald Sutherland and Kristy Swanson are wonderful together.
Very entertaining stuff. Not to be confused with....
Braindead (1992)
Truly, a sight to behold
My father turned me on to this movie. He claimed that it was the goriest movie of all time. I'll have to agree with him. Never before nor since have I seen something so disgusting.
It's a lovely thing.
Of course, this director has moved on to bigger things, and promises a great career. But, in my family, we'll always remember Nigel and his lovely momma.
April Fool's Day (1986)
Not a classic
Overall, in the slasher film department, this is fairly bad. The screenplay has but one punch, and it's fairly predictable. For gore fanatics, a majority of those who will rent this movie, there's not much to see here. The budget must not have allowed for much out of the special effects department. The suspense is pretty lame. I guess it got an average of 5 from the users because it's not a complete failure of a film.
Rat Race (2001)
Old fashioned family fun
There is but one scene in this movie that I felt was out of the scope of G rated taste. And, the film could have cut the scene to no detriment.
Other than that, this is one good, clean, and very funny movie. It's going to be compared to "It's a mad, mad....world" all over the place, so let's go with that comparison. My dad showed me Mad, Mad world when I was a youngster, and I loved it. This film is that kind of fun. Kids and parents alike can love this movie.
The Mexican (2001)
Whoops
The previews and trailers for this film seem to indicate that it is a romantic comedy.
It's not.
The newspaper ads with critical reviews call it a "roller coaster" action film.
It's not. My local paper's expose on the film called it a character study in relationships.
It's not.
The Mexican is a classic example of doing many things badly, rather than doing one thing very well. The plot line is reminiscent of Tarantino, Rodreguz, or Ritchie. So expect the foolishly foiled caper laced with light comedy. From that point, the script tries to blend in the relationship study, some interesting characters, and a romantic comedy feeling. Unfortunately, there's just too much going on here for any one piece of the puzzle to shine, and the whole movie turn out unfulfilling and short of any marks.
So, if you are looking for romantic comedy, this isn't it.
If you are looking for a roller coaster action film, this isn't it.
If you are looking for a character study in relationships, this isn't it.
It's really quite unfortunate for Brad Pitt, who has a very good history of selecting good roles in fine films. Watching this, one can see how the script could be very exciting and enticing. Had this film done all things well, it very well could have been great.
Whoops.
Better luck next time.
Wo hu cang long (2000)
The exception to the genera rule
Now, I've seen a lot of martial arts movies. From the comedic to the serious, from heavy action to light romantic, I've seen quite a few. Some of us have. And, after watching many martial arts movies, one tends to lower the bar in looking for a meaningful story or statement in the film. After years, that one or two lines about the brother or honor, or some avenging desire becomes good enough, and we call it a meaningful martial arts movie.
This is the exception. For those not fans of the genera, rest assured that there is more to this film that the jumping, flying, and kicking. Michele Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat's performances and chemistry are as touching as any I've seen in any film for some time. This is the kung-fu flick that you can take your date to with no shame.
As for the jumping, kicking, and fighting: It's top notch. Many stateside fans of the Wo-ping Yuen's work on "The Matrix" don't realize how toned down the choreography was for that movie. This is a good chance to see it in full glory, and it is the best work of his that I have seen, brough more to light by Ang Lee's beautiful vision. But if you've never seen "Black Mask" or "Iron Monkey", be forewarned: these people fly. The first time you see it, it will look like Peter Pan. But, keep watching, it gets very fun.
Traffic (2000)
A Very Good Film
Perhaps the only complaint that I can find after watching "Traffic" is that the final blow is never dealt. If this movie is meant to show us that the war on drugs is silly and costly, it could have easily pointed us to that as an inescapable conclusion, but it never does. It edges to that direction delivers some powerful punches, but never a knock out. Which, as I sit here thinking about it, may be the whole point.
Casting, filming, performances, scripting... all way above par. Steven Soderbergh has proven himself with this film. Its scope is awesome.
Dracula 2000 (2000)
A Decent Watch
Yet another film that was not directed by Wes Craven that has his name prominently attached to the title. That aside, this is a pretty good movie. Compared to the multitude of completely terrible vampire films that are out there that only vampire lovers can suffer through, this movie could be shown to a larger, more general audience with decent results.
Gerald Butler's performance as Dracula is a modern casting statement, which stays well enough away from the traditional Dracula act to be amusing without seeming like it's been seen before.
For the vampire fan, there is plenty of fun to be had with this movie. References to Bram Stoker's book abound, and the twisting of the Dracula legend offers, if nothing satisfactory, a new look at this old tale. Anne Rice fans will likely enjoy the movie as well. This is a sensitive, loving vampire with hurt feelings who, (like any vampire should) somehow ends up in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Production value is at par to the standard Dimension Films horror flick, the script is pretty well put together (note: pretty well), all in all, a decent watch.
The 6th Day (2000)
A good, fun, sci-fi film
If you can walk into the this movie, not thinking that it's a remake of "Total Recall", and you like science fiction action, then you will enjoy this movie. Arnold, a bit more wrinkled around the eyes, has matured in his acting quite a bit (hey, remember Conan) and is charming to watch. The supporting cast is good. The production value, while not quite up to the matrix standards, is above par for it's day. Most of the camera work is conservative, and they've added in some spastic scene-to-scene cuts (similar to "Blade") which add to the tech tone. The plot is, well, a sci fi plot about human cloning, which has not been beaten to death just yet, and provides some interest. The script also includes many futuristic devises, gizmos, and gadgets which are sure to entertain. All in all, pretty well done.
Vampirella (1996)
A truly bad film
Do not pay money to see this film unless you fall into one of the following two categories:
1. You are a fan of the comic book, Vampirella, who is not afraid of watching a film that will fall very short of the comic book's mark.
2. You are a fan of very bad b-horror, and wish to make an evening of drinking and pointing out the flaws of this movie.
If you are in the second category, this film could actually be great fun. From the opening scene, the acting is some of the worst I've seen. The sets and costumes are also quite a lot to laugh at. Roger Daltry, seemingly the only person in the movie who even tries to act, is beyond horrible.
If you do not fall into one of these categories, the money you could spend on this film is much better spent on an issue of the comic from your local comic book shop.
Blood Ties (1991)
Decent watch for a vampire twist.
Blood Ties is, as a story, an interesting look at the possible historical origin of vampire mythos and how that might have manifested itself into modern times. The "carpathians" in the film are not technically classic vampires (i.e. they walk around in daylight, etc.), but it is a fresh take on vampires for any vampire film fan. The production is par for vampire films, and the performances are of good quality.