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Hulk (2003)
If there's a sequel, let Bryan Singer do it!
Being a fan of the comic I had high expectations on this movie. I've enjoyed some of the recent comic-to-film movies, such as "X-Men", "X-Men 2" and "Spiderman". I also appreciated some of Ang Lee's earlier movies, specifically "The Ice Storm", so I was almost certain that "The Hulk" would at least have a good story to rely on.
Unfortunately the case was the opposite. The effects and action-sequenses were the only good things about the movie, while the plot was awful. Or maybe I should say "lack of plot" cause it doesn't happen much that you haven't figured out after the first 30 minutes. One of the main arguments in favour of "The Hulk" is that it's "deep" and more intelligent than other "comic book movies". Well, let me tell you something; slow pacing and *lots* of dialog don't necessarily equal depth. It may also equal little content and prentenciousness.
The first half hour of the movie consists of a prolog that explains all about Banners past. Instead of a radiation accident he is now created through genetic manipulation *combined* with a radiation accident. You see, Banners father *happened* to study in the exact same field of genetics that he does. Furthermore, Banners ex-girlfriend/colleague *happens* to be the daughter of the army general that put his father in prison. How is these remarkable coincidences explained you might ask. They aren't!
And why must the scientific explanation be updated? It's not like it's possible with genetic manipulation either, so why even bother. Who cares if the explanation is realistic or not? If you want realism you've picked the wrong movie.
After being spoon-fed the entire plot in the beginning of the movie we get to spend the last two hours watching how Banner finds out the same thing (he's pretty slow for a scientist). Every scene that doesn't contain action drags on and on. With dialogs and monologs and a whole heap of "silent contemplation". The focus of the story has been shifted from the Banner Vs. Hulk internal conflict to several irrelevant and utterly uninteresting sub-plots. Since this is a Hollywood movie we have the obligatory romantic sub-plot (yawn). As if that wasn't enough we also get to see how Banner's ex relates to her father and how Banner relates to his own father. Who cares?
The only good thing about "The Hulk" was the special effect scenes. They stood in sharp contrast to the rest of the movie, since they not only contained 99% of the humour, but also were well-made with good pacing. Some complains that they are "over the top", but that's the way Hulk is if you read the comics. There's no reason to change that.
Making a deeper, darker comic-movie is not impossible. It has been done before in "The Crow", but unlike "The Hulk", "The Crow" was based on a good script. If you want to see a good movie, go watch "X-Men 2" again. It's not deep, but hey, neither is "The Hulk".
Office Space (1999)
A comedy about hating your job.
Seeing this movie made me wish I had an office job just so that I could appreciate the jokes all the more. I do, however, know what it's like to hate your job, and thats really what this movie is all about. I think everyone can appreciate the intelligent, laid back humour in it.
Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) can't stand his job, working in a cubicle at a computer company. He lives in a crappy apartment and suspects that his girlfriend is cheating on him. Jennifer Aniston plays a waitress that Livingston admires from a far. Ajay Naidy and David Herman are funny as his workbuddies , but the most hilarious character is Milton Waddams played by Stephen Root. A fat squirrel-looking guy with bottle bottom glasses, who keeps mumbling more or less insane things throughout the movie.
This movie has no real plot that runs through the whole movie. Instead it is built up of several sub-plots. It works just fine.
The soundtrack is good. I'm no big fan of rap music, but placing it in this environment gives a sharp contrast that is pretty amusing. The part where Geto Boys perform "Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta" in the background is certainly a highlight.
If you are looking for a relaxed, genuinely funny "feel-good"- movie, then this is something for you. This is the kind of movie that you can see over and over again.
I give it a strong 4 out of 5.
The Blood of Heroes (1989)
A well-played sci-fi that deserves more recognition.
I certainly didn't have high expectations as I rented this movie. I hadn't heard of it before so I figured it would be some B-version of Mad Max. The reason it caught my eye was that it featured Rutger Hauer in the leading role. His acting skills is limited but his charisma gives his characters a weight that many better actors can't provide.
David Webb Peoples have done more writing than directing. He is behind movies such as "Blade Runner" , "Twelve Monkeys" and "Soldier", all of them similar to "Salute of the Jugger".
It's easy to tell that this movie have a low budget. Most of it takes place out in an apocalyptic desert kind of landscape. The rest in an underground colosseum. No panoramic shots. There are no special effects whatsoever, and that enforces the sense of gritty, futuristic realism that sets this movie apart from many others in the same genre.
You never get to know any of the characters well, but they all have a certain depth thanks to the good acting performances. Luckily this movie has no humoristic sidekick character. That's a relief. Most of these movies have one or several of those.
This movie is no masterpiece, but it's a well-played movie that kept me entertained for the time it lasted. I wouldn't mind seeing it again. With some character development and a bigger budget it could have been a true classic, and it deserves more recognition.
If you haven't seen this movie already I suggest you do it.