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Reviews
Full Frontal (2002)
If you see one movie this summer...DO NOT make it Full Frontal
Having heard the hype and seen the cast that was slated to be in this..."movie," I was actually very excited to go see Full Frontal. The most entertaining part of the day was when I saw a trailer for Chicago: the musical, and when I saw Signs later on in the night.
While I was very entertained by the acting (the nazi play was just sheer genius) I just felt that this movie wasn't taking me anywhere, and my time is very valuable to me. The performances given in this film were not deserved by Steven Soderberg, and it's a shame that they went to such waste on such a poorly crafted film. It was almost like hearing Steven say "look at me, Im remaking Sex, Lies, and Videotape". All in all, this could have been a very good movie but I felt excluded from the movie, and when I feel excluded I leave. And in my 18 years of existence, I have never walked out on a movie (yes not even What Lies Beneath) but I made a point to walk out on Full Frontal...it was just that bad.
Signs (2002)
Get more than you bargained for...
Like most people, I went to go see Signs for the Shyamalan twist. Although I did not get that twist, I still left the theatre feeling more than satisfied with this movie. What starts out as a film similar to Independence Day, ends up being a movie with an unbelievable message that is just so hard to come across these days. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Pheonix only add to the already amazing screenplay. The little kids also add great comic relief along with bringing along great emotional moments. Unfortunately, you people that go to this and expect Independence Day in a cornfield will probably be sorely disappointed. However, I went into this film expecting a film about aliens and invasions, but I left feeling just a little better about my life. What starts out as just another end of the world alien invasion movie, ends up to be a sincere tale about faith and its importance. You want to love gibson's character the whole film, but there's just something holding you back. The deeper and deeper he resents himself, the more you feel sorry for him, but the more you want to love his character. And in a shocking conclusion, (possible ***spoiler*** ahead) Mel, a former reverand, realizes that God really never left his side, which is just the message I needed to hear on this particular night. If you're looking for an alien action movie, this has it's moments but it's not likely that you'll love this movie...But if you go in looking for a whole hearted drama about faith that just happens to be in the middle of an alien invasion, will you like this movie? Signs point to yes.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Amazingly done, yet still amazingly disappointed
First I would like to start off and say that this was an amazing movie. I must Compliment Peter Jackson on doing a wonderful job with the film. Now to beefy stuff...There are two ways to look at this movie.
First off, I had the privilege of viewing the absolute first 12:01AM show at my local cinema. I am probably the only person in the theatre that had not yet read the book, which I did on purpose. Since movies take priority over literature in my mind, I don't like knowing the endings of movies and I feel I can judge them better than someone who has rea the book religiously. Also, as a person who takes film and movies (Two very different things) very seriously, it pains me to hear people discuss this MOVIE as the best movie ever. Now like I said, this was amazing to look, but it was sooooooooooo manufactured. Ever since the introduction of computer animation into live action films (granted some pictures require computer generated images i.e. A.I.) the actual "ART" of filmmaking has been lessened with these $100-$300 million dollar movies. If you have read the book (which I still have not), I would strongly recommend this film based upon the reaction of the die hard fans in the audience. It was wonderfully acted, directed, and manufactured.
Now for those of you who haven't read the book, I can't recommend this to you. 9 times out of 10 when I wait to read a book until afterwords, I'm still greatly satisfied when I first view the movie in theatres without prior knowledge to he book. I wasn't as satisfied as I felt I should be. I went into this movie not expecting much but the typical Hollywood "epic", totally manufactured (It was kind of like Titanic meets Legend meets Pearl HArbor meets Willow). If you are an Action movie fan, I guess I might recommend it to you although the sequences are waaaay to far apart. All in all, however, a valiant effort on the part of Peter Jackson (8/10)
The Truck Farmer (1954)
Thank God for MST3K
WHAT A BAD SHORT!!! Thank got Mystery Science Theater got a hold of this and made it hilarious. It is an 11 minute piece of crap about farming during the depression and other fruit-picking stuff like that...It should be on one of the shorts tapes for MST3k, or it's definitely on "I Accuse My Parents"
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Stanley's beautiful farewell
Words do not begin to describe the beauty of this movie. Mr. Kubrick made a film of beautiful art, content and performance. This movie, however, is not for everyone.
The movie is incredibly slow-paced, but if you see the film, you understand why. The first half of the film is incredibly Kubrick in its introduction of the characters. Tom Cruise plays Dr. Bill Harford, a role which he is to be remembered for. Nicole Kidman plays his lovely wife very well also. If you can stick with the film and appreciate the art of it for the first half, the second half will blow your mind. Without giving to much away, I'll just say it contains the usual Kubrick eerieness, maybe even stepped up a notch.
Besides the wonderful plot and acting, make sure to pay attention to Stanley Kubrick's use of brilliant colors and fabulous lighting. It really adds to this amazing film. The music is also another force to be reckoned with...A very simple soundtrack with a very creepy and enticing tone to it. Definitely give this film a chance once.
What Lies Beneath (2000)
Great Expectations (and other let downs)
Going into this film I had very high hopes. I thought - Michelle Pfeiffer...Harrison Ford...the directorial genius of Zemeckis...I can't lose. Well I did. I heard all of this hype about it being one of the scariest movies in years...It scared me that they still allow movies as bad as this to be made. Put together a weak and predictable plot, some confusing neighbors, one of the worst endings in film history (up there with A.I. and The Bone Collector), and you have What Lies Beneath. The movie wasn't in the least bit frightening. This is one film where all of the greatest acting in the world couldn't save this movie...but hey, if you want to see a movie about a dead girl who wants her necklace back...Go See WHAT LIES BENEATH!!! or don't...
Do the Right Thing (1989)
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll definitely be moved
I was sitting in my high school film class one day and my teacher mentioned we would be watching Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" to help us [students] understand racial perspective in film. I didn't think much of it at first, but when he finally put the tape on, I don't think I can ever forget this film.
Spike Lee takes you into brooklyn like no other director has. Through very extreme (but very real) characters, Spike shows you that no matter what, there are and will always be prejudices, but that they can be overcome. I can honestly say that it is one of the most disturbingly real and moving movies ever made. I've never laughed so hard and I've never cried so hard.
I encourage anyone to watch it twice, once for enjoyment, and the second time to reflect on yourself. Black or White this movie will stir up some major emotions inside. If you've seen American History X, see Do the Right Thing and see how a black director portrays racism. If you aren't moved by this film, watch it until you are.
State and Main (2000)
This movie is just right
When I first heard that David Mamet just made a comedy I was kind of skeptical at first. David Mamet , the master of realism in dialogue and perhaps one of the greatest contemporary playwrights ever, is known for his dramatic pieces, and not his comedy. State and Main is an excellent comedy.
A great story of a film crew that visits a little town, in search of an old mill for their movie which is conveniently called...The Old Mill. Throw in a burnt down old mill, some country folk, and a statutory rape scandal, and you've got State and Main The acting cannot be beat. William H. Macy is one of the greatest (and very underrated) actors of our time. Now I must admit, I am not that big of an Alec Baldwin fan (with the exception of Glengarry Glen Ross, which is also by Mamet, and Beetlejuice) but his character in State and Main, A top headlining actor who is quite fond of younger (Much younger) women, is one you can't forget. Nobody plays a better clueless screenwriter than Philip Seymour Hoffman. Sarah Jessica Parker...Always amazing. and those are just some of the names. Great cast, great script, wonderful film. A must see for any film fan.
Memento (2000)
Can't Compare to anything
I can not begin to express my love for this film in words...It was the most unique movie I have ever had the pleasure to watch. It was filmed and edited in such a way that it made you think one thing, and completely changed it in the next scene. The cast was phenomenal along with some of the greatest direction that I have ever seen. There were also many little things that you have to see the movie twice to notice, and they just add so much more to the film when you actually do notice them. If you see one movie in your life, make it Memento