Change Your Image
wafflemaker
Reviews
The Tuxedo (2002)
refreshing... as a slap in the face
this movie, like a slap in the face, is unexpected, unwarranted, and somewhat painful. but after the initial shock and pain wears off and the swelling goes down, there's something almost refreshing about it. in the case of The Tuxedo, this comes no doubt from Jennifer Love Hewitt's character, Del Blaine. while i'm not a fan of J. Love by any means, i found myself loving her in this film. her character is a wise-cracking agent just trying not to screw up her first assignment. and while she sometimes comes off as bitchy and mean, the kind of girl that would be more than happy to offer up that slap in the face i was referring to earlier, you can't help but fall for her. deep down, you gotta love that little girl inside trying to make good in the face of her seemingly insane partner, played by Jackie Chan. Jackie's not half bad as Jimmy Tong, a guy without the kick-ass skills Chan is known for possessing. it's a nice change for him, and his chemistry with Jennifer Love Hewitt is just the kind of friendly banter that the film calls for. but the acting can't save the story from falling on it's face as hard and often as Chan's character is forced to. the tiresome water plot nearly dehydrates the rest of the film and leaves one looking to Chan and Love Hewitt's banter for a little refreshment.
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
surprisingly good
all i heard for months was how adorable lilo & stitch was. time after time i have heard this about a movie, then come to find that the movie was far less than i expected. so when i finally got around to seeing lilo & stitch i was more than surprised. the film was not only adorable but was, for the most part, a very real and touching family tale. while the opening and ending action is mostly for the kids, the central story of lilo, her sister, nani, and their unusual new pet, stitch is fun for all. i couldn't help but laugh out loud at times, and yes, i even cried. the characters and relationships are not only well-developed, but are also, generally believable for a story that deals with aliens. fun and heartfelt, lilo & stitch is a near-perfect mixture of laughter and tears that balances the real with the outrageous and rides the wave of success clear in to shore.
Wish Upon a Star (1996)
Be careful what you wish for...
Be careful what you wish for; it just might come true. And in this movie it all does. A wonderfully entertaining movie and not just for kids. I first saw this movie when I was 18 and have loved it ever since. Not just a story about what it's like to wish you were someone else and find that once it comes true it's not all it's cracked up to be. It's also a tale about two sisters who learn not just about themselves but also about each other. For anyone who has a sibling they feel they can't relate to, this movie is a wonderful chance to see that it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. And while there are moments in the film where it seems hard to remember who's in which body or you realize that that person is not necessarily the one who needed to learn that particular lesson, the film's overall message is touching enough and so masterfully delivered that it hardly matters. And though the twist ending may not be a surprise to all, it still gets me every time. Katherine Heigl and Danielle Harris shine like stars. I just wish everyone enjoys the film as much as I did.
Blacktop (2000)
it's definitely going to be a bumpy ride.
Not exactly the best film around. In fact, I'd say Blacktop was far from it. But it had its endearing moments. And with the presence of two of my favorite (not to mention HOT) actresses, it's often easy to forget about the cheesy dialogue and ridiculous situations and just go with things. Meatloaf's ranting psychotic moments are among the better parts of his performance and it's nice to finally see the damsel in distress fight back. Kristin Davis does well, despite the cheesy dialogue and some of the sappier points of the film. And the fact that she has her shirt off for at least a good 20 minutes, more than makes up for most of the lamer parts of the film. The only thing better than Kristin Davis is Victoria Pratt's role as cowgirl, Charlie. She's fun and full of energy and helps breath life back into the story just when the thing really starts to die. So while it's not the best movie around, it's worth taking a look at at least once. If only for the ladies and the re-enforcing message of 'Don't accept rides from strangers.'
Bring It On (2000)
Cheerleaders have never been this fun, or entertaining.
Ready? Okay! Surprisingly fun and well written, Bring It On is as entertaining as cheerleading can get. The casting was perfect and the performances admirable. Eliza Dushku steals the scene as the cynical Missy. This film gave me a whole new respect for cheerleaders, or at least numbed my blinding hatred. After watching this movie, over and over again, I'd definitely consider giving a cheerleader the time of day.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)
A good long run.
Buffy is an excellent show. I have watched it from the very beginning and enjoyed watching the characters grow and change over the last seven years. The series has taken leaps and bounds in directions no one (other than Joss Whedon) could have imagined and succeeded at every turn. It's combined wit, humor, heart, and action, not to mention some of the scariest monsters around. It's helped many of us to deal with our own demons as well as the trials of life (even for the non-slayer). But most of all it's taught us that people die and you have to learn to let go. When a show like this nears its end people try desperately to cling to it for fear of losing the one thing they've come to rely on for so long. But if Buffy has taught us anything these last seven years, it's that sometimes you have to lose something in order to gain something else. It's time to say good-bye to Buffy and send her on her way and we must let her go. Pass the torch on to the next slayer and leave her to discover her destiny on her own.