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Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
a shell of the first movie
I was very disappointed in the sequel to kill bill. I thought the first movie was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. However the 2nd was just an average movie. If I didn't know any better, I would bet that the 2nd kill bill was by a different director. Not only wasn't the story told as well as the first one, but the story itself was also not as interesting. Most of the dialogue was cheesy and the action scenes did not have that magnificent feel that they had in the first kill bill. There were so many things in the first movie that gave it an epic like feel that were foolishly left out of the 2nd movie. One was the list kept by the bride on people that she had to kill. You would think with the significance the list played in the first movie, that at least she would cross out bills name when she had done the job. However the list was nowhere to be found. With the incredible battle scenes that were in the first movie, you would expect the final scene with bill to trump all them. But again, it didnt even come close. The final scene where she gets bill was as anticlimactic and boring as you can get. If you were a big fan of the first movie, I would recommend that you not even bother seeing the 2nd because it will only ruin the first movie for you.
Seabiscuit (2003)
War admiral, the evil horse
I'll first start off by saying that this was a good movie. The first 40 minutes were close to unwatchable because they were boring and pointless, but the movie took off after that and had me glued to the screen. The footage during races was as close to the real thing as it gets. The camera work was amazing, though sometimes it changed angles too often in a race and made you dizzy. Cooper, Bridges, and Tobey were all well cast and did a fine job, Cooper especially. Now as far as the factual events of this movie, how they painted War Admiral was a disgrace. I know they wanted to do this because they felt it would add to the legend of Seabiscuit and make it a better movie, but when its supposed to be a true story, at least tell it like a true story. Seabiscuit was a great, courageous horse with the heart of a lion but this could have been told with painting War Admiral as the evil, overrated, heartless horse. First off, War Admiral was 15.2 hands, not over 18 hands like the movie tells. The two horses were basically the same size. Seabiscuit, in fact outweighed the Admiral. Those are the facts that the movie got wrong. Next are the things they conveniently decided to leave out. In the movie, it appears that War Admiral is ducking Seabiscuit for months and refuses to race him. What they don't tell is that twice before the match race, both horses were scheduled to race each other (once in a match race, the other in a stakes), and both times Seabiscuit was scratched by Howard. The first came in a $100k winner-take-all match race at belmont park on May 30th. After arriving at belmont on April 25th, Seabiscuit didnt train well after the long cross country trip and was scratched. Next came the Massachusetts Handicap on June 29, in which both horses entered and were weighted at 130. It rained the day of the race, turning the track into mud so 45 minutes before the race, Seabiscuit was once again scratched. The movie also forgot to mention that after the match race Riddle asked for a rematch in the nine-furlong Rhode Island Handicap at Narragansett Park in which both horses were eligible for. However, Howard once again withdrew his horse because the rematch would be only 11 days after the match race. The movie paints War Admiral as this horse that was born with all the skills and never had to work because of his god given talent. They don't mention that he was smaller than most of the horses he faced. They don't mention that he routinely gave up 5-15 lbs to horses that were bigger and older than him. They don't mention that in the Belmont Stakes, War Admiral ripped off an inch of his hoof at the start, then proceeded to run a mile and a half, leaving his rivals in the dust, and breaking the track record in the process. The hoof injury was not discovered untill his trainer spotted him in the winners circle standing in a pool of blood. Talk about heart. Riddle also got the short end of the stick. It wasn't mentioned in the movie how graceful he was after the match race, offering no excuses, only asking for a rematch which was not granted by Howard. The movie told a great story and elevated Seabiscuit to warrior status but did a great injustice to War Admiral that will probably never be erased. From now on non-racing fans and casual fans of the sport will remember the War Admiral that was portrayed in the movie, not the one in this review, which was the real War Admiral.
Blow Out (1981)
a well kept secret
Up until a month ago, I had never heard of this movie, but thanks to netflix, it was on my recommended list so I decided to rent it. I was pleasantly surprised at this good thriller. The first 40 minutes of this movie was fantastic, but the rest was somewhat boring. What would have made this a better thriller was if the audience wasn't told so much about the killer, or even if there was a killer. We should know what travolta knows every step of the way. By letting the audience know that there was a killer and who he was, it took some of the suspense away especially when travolta made the film of the accident and it was revealed that a gun shot(small light) was present at the exact time of the noise he recorded. All in all a good film, though not in the class of Dressed to Kill.
Nashville (1975)
Horrible
Sorry to say, but I just got through watching 160 minutes of pure garbage. What an awful movie. There was absolutely no plot at all. The movie was just one bad musical performance after another. There was no story, the characters were not developed at all, the acting was bad, and each scene had nothing to do with the next. Want me to go on? I can't believe that this movie is actually considered a classic. I gave it a 1 rating and I was being generous. Avoid at all costs
The Straight Story (1999)
Doesn't reek of lynch
I went into this movie thinking that it was gonna have the usual lynch stench that most of his movies have. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the straight story did not. This was a simple story that was told beautifully with some wonderful background music. Alvin, who is on the verge of a stroke himself, is told the news that his brother, who he has not talked to for years, had a stroke. With no way of getting to his brothers, Alvin decides to drive his lawn mower across 2 states to get to his brother. Along the way, Alvin runs into some people who he without a doubt changes their outlook on life forever with his simple words of wisdom. You will be touched by this movie and fall in love with the main character.
City Slickers (1991)
not as funny as the sequel
I had seen the sequel when it first came out without ever seeing the original. In my opinion, the sequel was far superior to this movie. This movie has far too many serious parts and has a pretty corny ending for a comedy. Don't get me wrong, it was still a good movie, but after loving the sequel, I was kinda disappointed in this one.
Jack Palance is fantastic in this movie and completely stole every scene that he was in. He really is one of the most underappreciated actors that I can think of. Bruno kirby simply doesnt belong. Lovitz filled his role as the 3rd guy much better in the sequel and really stole the whole movie. Overall I would say this movie is somewhere between a 6 and a 7.
About Schmidt (2002)
Where's the story line?
I was very disappointed in this movie. Jack was good but the movie was not. It wasnt a story worth telling. A guys wife dies so he goes on a road trip to see his daughter's wedding? Nothing meaningful happened on the road trip and nothing meaningful happened at the wedding. You know as much about the lead character when the movie starts as you do at the end.
Not one character in this movie interested the viewer. They were all just basic everyday joe's. Worst of all we had to see Kathy Bates naked. Save the rental fee on this one.
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001)
Made the effort but fell flat on its face
With all the potential of becoming a great movie, 13 conversations came up to the plate and struck out. The movie tells 4 different stories, each in different time frames with the goal of showing that the stories connect to form something greater (at least that's what I think was the directors intent). Each story was not a symbol for something, or did not add a piece to the puzzle; just some random tale that coincidentally intertwines with the other stories being told.
In reading other reviews, it is obvious that even fans of the movie do not understand the meaning of this movie. I am not sure that the director understands the meaning of this movie. There is only one possible reason for this. The movie has no meaning, just random stories, about random people that live ordinary lives. The people only connect or intertwine here and there, and even the way they do connect is of no significance whatsoever. The stories do not combine to form something greater.
Perhaps they should have skipped a theatrical release for 13 conversations and put it on day time television with all the other soap opera's, where it would have fit right in.
Insomnia (2002)
So far the best of 2002
Insomnia is clearly the best movie of the first half of 2002. It tells a story that keeps you glued to the screen from the start.
Detective Will Dormer, played by Al Pacino, goes to Alaska to investigate a murder. It doesnt take the all star detective long to figure out that the murderer is Walter Finch, played by Robin Williams. However, there is a problem for Dormer that prevents him from arresting Finch. Dormer, by accident, shoots his partner, witnessed by Finch. Now Finch uses this to blackmail Dormer into letting him go.
Insomnia marked the return of Christopher Nolan, director of Memento. I will have to see the original Insomnia before I can judge what Nolan contributed to this movie because Insomnia was a movie carried by the plot more than anything else.
Williams and Pacino were terrific, as usual, and surprisingly Swank was good as the up and coming detective. Though none of the actors names will appear that the award shows next year, it will be a crime if the title does not.
Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man has arrived with a big splash
Spiderman is a well made, ahead of its time, comic book action flick. Some of the footage in this movie is the most exhilarating I have ever experienced. When he jumps from building to building in NyC, you feel like you are along with him for the ride. When I first heard that Tobey McGuire was playing Spiderman, I thought it was a huge mistake, that he wasn't fit for the part. However, Tobey proved me wrong. Though he wasn't sensational and carried the movie, he was good enough, which is all you have to be when the title of the movie is Spiderman. People don't go see it for the acting.
The dialogue was ok, with a couple of very corny, predicable, lines that you can see coming from a mile away. One was when Spiderman just got finished wrestling for money, but the owner shortchanged him. Tobey told the owner that he needed the money, and the owner replied `Explain to me how that's my problem' or something like that. Then, shortly after, the owner gets robbed; Spiderman just let the robber go right past him. Then the owner confronted Tobey telling him that the robber just took all his money, which Tobey replied `Explain to me how that's my problem.' The ending dialogue was also kind of corny, with Dunst spilling her heart.
The acting was decent, despite the presence of Dunst. Willem Dafoe was very good as the green goblin. The best scene of the whole movie was when Spiderman faced Goblin in Times Square. For some reason, they spent too much time showing straight up fight scenes between the two. It would have been better to show more chasing scenes, rather than just seeing the two in a boxing match.
The movie also developed the story at a good pace, not moving too fast or too slow. I would rate Spiderman as the best comic book adaptation since superman. It might even be a better action flick than superman. After the boring dialogue at the end, the movie finishes with a very strong ending, Spiderman jumping through the city, ending up on top of the empire state building. I gave Spiderman an 8/10.
Monkey Business (1952)
Very funny
This movie contains a part that is one of the funniest I have ever seen. It is when Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers get called into the board of directors room and they both are acting like children, having both taken the formula without knowing it. To top it all off, the monkey was on the ceiling throwing light bulbs.
Overall it was a very funny movie, clever, yet far-fetched. I would rate this as one of Cary Grants best performances. Ginger Rogers was also very good. However for some reason there wasnt enough Marilyn in this movie. I few parts that she was in, she was very funny. I don't know why she only played a small role in this movie. Her funniest line was at the beginning when the boss told her to go to every ford dealership and look for Barnaby. Her reply was, "Which one do you want me to do first."
It was a funny movie with parts that will have you on the floor.
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Ok war movie, I guess
By todays standards for what makes a good war movie, then I guess Black Hawk down is one. It seems like war movies have been reduced to battle scenes, explosions and gunshots. War movies have lost their personality. No more is the social context surrounding wars examined, like they were in older war movies such as Apocalypse now, All quiet on the western front, and the deer hunter.
The "saving private ryan" age of war movies are judged by what movie can create the most realistic battle scenes so that the audience can fully experience a battle field in war. Black Hawk down does just that, with some of the most intense, and realistic scenes I have ever witnessed on film. However is that what people go to see war movies for? I know thats not why I go to see war movies. If I wanted battlefield experience, then I would go fight in a war. The movie seemed to lack a personality, like most modern day war movies do. It did not examine the U.S involvment in the war, it just basically said "Ok we are fighting in somalia, lets not examine why, lets just show the audience what its like to fight in somalia". The movie did a poor job of setting up a background as to why the conflict even occured.
The success and critical acclaim of Saving private Ryan seems to have marked the end of an era in war film history. The days of studying the social context of war have been replaced by which movie can produce the most excellent, realistic battle scene.
Panic Room (2002)
Well written, acted, directed
Panic room is a first class thriller. It is a completely fresh idea. As stated above, the acting, script, and directing were all top notch. So far it is the best movie of 2002. Panic room wastes very little time setting up the story. After a brief intro, they get right down to business.
After a while the camera work gets a little annoying, penetrating vents, pipes, and hoses, but it doesnt distract from the film. The movie possess some of the most heart pounding moments in recent time. Most of the intense moments, such as when Jodi Foster left the panic room to get her cell phone, were all done in slow motion, which increased one's pulse. If they had been done in real time they would not have been as effective.
The movie didnt allow itself to get too serious, presenting some comic relief scenes that were done perfectly, ie they were funny enough to get a laugh, yet not too funny to distract from the overall theme and feeling of the movie.
This is the first movie I have seen in a while were I cannot add any suggestions to improve the movie. Listen for Panic rooms name at next year's oscars.
Stir Crazy (1980)
Gene Wilder is God
Ok maybe I overdid it in the opening line. My point is what a wonderful talent Gene Wilder is. He can take a relatively normal character and turn it into hilarious comedy, such as he did in the producers, silver streak, and this movie. His character was basically the whole movie. The wonderful thing about watching Wilder is you never get the feeling that he is desperately trying to be funny. It just comes natural to him. There are only two other comedians that add such spice to their parts, Woody Allen and Grouch Marx.
Aside from Wilder the movie was pretty funny though it was boring at times, such as the end, where it turned into an action film more than a comedy, much the same that silver streak did. I would rate this movie as funnier than silver streak but silver streak was a better movie.
Gosford Park (2001)
Why?...............
As in why did altman take a good plot and acting and destroy the movie. Why did we have to get avalanched with characters in the first 20 minutes of the movie. It basically ruined the whole movie for me, even though I understood the end. Instead of just watching and enjoying the movie, I had to struggle through the whole movie to find out which character was which.
Its not even like Altman had a good reason to bombarde us with characters. They werent even that important for the plot. What made it even worse was that all of the characters look similiar, and he doesnt develop them enough for the viewer to go, "Ok I remember that guy from when he did", all he does is introduce the characters in casual conversation, and then moves on to others.
Like I said the plot was good, especially the ending and the acting is also very good, but i would advise to wait for it to come out on tape, this way you can rewind and rewind when your hit with the meaningless avalanche in the beginning.
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
A good experiment gone terribly wrong
The plot outline of mulholland drive is excellent, though it stole the idea from memento, which was better told and overall a better movie.
Mulholland drive starts off in the middle of a story, and then continues on and ends at the beginning of the story. The movie started off slow, with not enough dialogue. Then it started to capture me and I was almost completely sucked in to the movie. Then, of course, stupid David Lynch goes into 20 plus minutes of pure garbage. He is purposely trying to deceive the audience, and have it so that they dont know what is going on. Whereas in memento, though it was very complex, the audience is always given the "chance" to understand what is going on, Mulholland drive purposely tries to confuse you. There were also too many art film scenes that could have been left out, such as the two girls in the theater. They presented nothing to the movie, only confusion.
When looking back, it was a good story, after seeing the end, leading to the end, is where the movie went wrong. However the movie is worth viewing but dont fall into the trap of thinking that if you watch it again it will make more sense, trust me, it doesnt. The reason for this is that the overrated director doesnt want in to make sense.
Strangers on a Train (1951)
One of Hitchcocks best
This movie was fabulous. It is definitely a top 5 hitchcock film. The directing and camera shots are nearly flawless(aside from the dog scene when he licks the guys hand, clearly in slow motion). The plot is well written and realistic. It was very believable that an innocent man could fall into a trap like that.
I would rate Bruno as hitchcocks second most interesting character( of course bates is first). Robert Walker plays a very believable maniac. He didnt overact the part which made it believable(much the same how perkins didnt overact his part). Overall this is an excellent movie, an absolute must see for any hitchcock fans.
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Alot of fun
This movie was, overall very enjoyable. It also provided plenty of laughs. The acting was good, especially the supporting actors, though I dont think this movie really had a lead. The plot is ok, though a little farfetched ( pulling of that heist with only 2 weeks planning). The ending could have been a little better, like having a scene with the whole crew together.
One thing about the movie that annoyed me was the camera work. That nearly ruined the film. There were some scenes where I was getting dizzy watching the movie. Aside from that, I enjoyed the film thoroughly.
Being There (1979)
Slow, boring, and far-fetched
This movie had a very interesting plot with good acting. The problem was it was way too boring. I have never seen a movie develop this slowly. Many parts were boring, with no juice in them. Also for some reason I can't buy Jack Warden as the President of the United States.
The thing that bothered me the most about this movie was it was very far-fetched when it didn't have to be. I'm sure the president and the american people would continue to buy metaphors from an "Economics expert", without asking for any real life examples. Also I never seen a married women fall so quickly for an old stiff as Shirley MacLaine did. With all the flaws the movie is still worth looking at if you haven't done so already, but don't expect anything too good.
Cape Fear (1991)
Better than the original
This is probably the only movie where I can say that the remake was better than the original. Scorcese took a good script and made it a very good script. The important change that he made was having Max seek vengeance on his lawyer, who did not present all the evidence to the judge, instead of the juror. This made it a much more interesting story.
Another thing Scorcese added to the script was having Cady be very well read. All throughout the movie Cady quotes from all classic literature which, for some reason, made it a more interesting story. A third thing that Scorcese changed was the girl that Cady beat up. In the original, she wouldn't testify because Cady threatened her. In the remake, she wouldn't testify because she "new the system", and understood that she would be attacked by a lawyer, on the stand. This also made it seem more interesting and believable than the original.
The acting was great, especially deniro, and Nolte played a pretty good, modified, role (In the remake Sam Bowden is more fearful of Cady than the original, that's why I say a modified role). Though this movie wouldnt make my top 5 Scorcese films, it is still a very good movie. If you have to pick between viewing the original and this, go for this movie. It's more interesting, with an improved script
In the Bedroom (2001)
A dark and depressing movie
This was one of the most dark, mainstream movies that I have seen in a while. The audience felt miserable the whole movie, aside from maybe the opening 30 minutes. It was an average plot, that has been portrayed on film many times in the past. The thing that made the movie good was the acting. Each character in the movie was fantastic. Marisa Tomei was the whole movie in the first hour. Then for some reason, she only showed up for like 10 minutes in the last part of the film.
The directing was average, with too many scenes that presented nothing for the movie. We also could have done without all of the dark fades. All in all though it was a pretty interesting movie. However, if your looking to get away from the depressing world, then In the bedroom is definitely not for you.
Deconstructing Harry (1997)
Allen still has it
Thirty years after his debut, Woody is still as good as ever. Deconstructing Harry was a funny, intelligent, interesting comedy, with great acting. I was surprised cause I didnt know going into the movie, that all these stars, like Robin williams, Demi Moore, Julia-Louis, and Crystal, had cameos
Allen, himself, was fantastic. He seems funnier, as an old man, complaining all the time, rather than when he was young. The writing was very good, and the plot, as a whole, was very clever and interesting, an author's characters come to life, and he meets them along the way. The part with Robin Williams was so silly, that I can't get it out of my head. It was my favorite part of the whole movie. "He's outta focus."
The Truman Show (1998)
The most innovative movie in years
One word sums up this movie for me, FRESH. It is so original. I have never seen a movie like this before, or anything close to it. There is nothing better than being able to view a fresh script after 100 years of movies. The plot also has very few holes in it. I mean what's to stop something like this from happening, it is very realistic, thats why I still wonder why sci-fi is considered at one of the genre's of this film. This film also got me thinking like everyone else that saw it, "Hey, maybe my whole life has been a tv show". Anyway all in all it was a very enjoyable film.
Harlem Nights (1989)
Overall, a good movie
Contrary to popular belief, this is actually a pretty good movie. The problem is that people go in expecting a goofy comedy. If so, you will find this movie to be terribly boring. The movie is more of crime and drama mixed with a little comedy here and there.
The cast is excellent. The acting is superb, though its expected with names like those. The set is also good . You feel like your in the time period that the movie is supposed to be in, there are no goofs. The first half of the movie will seem a little boring with few laughs, but then the second half is much funnier. The best , and funniest line of the movie was when Dela Reese is hounding Red Fox for only leaving a "swallow fill of orange juice". He responds by saying "Well swallow it and shut the F*** up".
The plot really picks up in the second half. Murphy and Pryor attempt to pull a sting on their enemies and in the end are successful. The plot is very interesting, with twists and turns here and there. You never know who to trust. Overall I would give the movie a 7. If you go in not expecting laughs, you will find it to be a very enjoyable movie.
Wise Guys (1986)
The ultimate gangster spoof
This is a great gangster spoof movie. It is probably one of the funniest gangster movies ever. Devito and Piscopo are great together, however, Lou Albino, as Frank the fixer, steals the show. He stole every minute of the film that he was in. It was almost like watching an old marx brothers film, where you only keep your eyes on groucho, in the scenes that he is in. In this one, you keep your eyes on Frank the Fixer. The acting is funny and the script is also very clever. I would put it as one of the funniest movies of the 80's