Reviews

16 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
Holy Flying Circus (2011 TV Movie)
1/10
This Movie Sucks
25 December 2013
It was just awful in every possible way. We have a bunch of people who look vaguely like some of the Pythons doing jokes that would have never made the cut on the real show, in an attempt to stylize the story of the Life of Brian into a Python piece. Why would anyone do that? Their portrayals were not good at all, and made it so it was impossible to view the actual story without violently throwing up every few minutes, although that could have been the flu. Scene 10, where the monkeys come out and re-write the Magna Carta, while swimming in a large bowl of Chicken Aspic, was simply in poor taste, and was not an accurate depiction of the Amish who dwell along the French Riviera. Please do not watch this.
5 out of 24 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Road Rage (2000 TV Movie)
1/10
I'm Sure There's a Worse Movie, Somewhere
27 June 2012
But at the moment, I can't think of one. This is a badly written, badly acted, badly directed, STUPID film, and there is no joy to be had in it.

The lead actress gives the most annoying performance I have ever witnessed. I wanted all the characters to die. I didn't believe one word of the dialog, and none of the action made any sense. The chase scenes, (which make up most of the movie,) were beyond lame. You have Truck A chasing Truck B, and Truck A is much faster, but Truck B has four wheel drive, and Truck A doesn't.

You would think they could've filmed the chase so that those things played into it, but for the most part, they didn't.

I wish I hadn't seen it. I wish the Men in Black could zap me with their memory eraser gun, but then I might be in danger of seeing it again.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Shrink (2009)
7/10
Great Film
7 April 2012
I gave it a 7, just because it's not a big film; it's not an ambitious film; it's not a "perfect" film; it's just a great film.

Kevin Spacey is fantastic. The writing is very good, and the direction is, well, different. I kept expecting it to disappoint me, and then it never really did. It's not for everybody.

The reason I liked it so much is that I thought all the acting was so very good. I like to see actors give subtle performances, and I thought every single one of them did here. No one was anything less than fantastic.

The film was touching, without being overly sentimental. I never felt manipulated by the filmmakers. I just felt like it got reinforced that we all have our flaws, and that we can overcome those flaws. It reminded me that people I might not like very much might have some good qualities, regardless of whether or not I approve of them.

And it just made me think there is hope, and I can never give less than seven stars to a film that does that.
0 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Great Movie
16 June 2011
Very moving. Everything about this movie worked for me. Top-notch acting. Great dialogue. Fantastic cinematography. I don't get all the wannabe critics, ready to call out directors, using terms like "heavy handed," "pretentious," etc. This was a compelling story, and any departures from the main story were there to add humanity. Everyone involved should be very proud. They made a movie that was different, and worth our time. (mine, anyway) The ending left no doubt in my mind what happened. I didn't find any ambiguity whatsoever. I felt it was moving, and insightful. I think people need to open up to those films that are a little different. This is one such film.
13 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Paulie (1998)
10/10
A Truly Heartwarming and Moving Story
10 November 2010
I have never seen anything like this. The story is pure creativity, and made it easy to suspend disbelief. A parrot who not only talks, but is cognizant, and whose one desire is to return to the little girl who loves and needs him, and who he also loves. Tony Shalhoub is wonderful. Jay Mohr is excellent. And you have Buddy Hacket! Cheech Marin! Gena Rowlands! To have this much talent, and a story that a young child can enjoy, but that truly speaks to a person of any age is a wonderful thing. This movie made me openly weep with joy. Don't worry about the what the plot is, or what the movie is trying to say; just sit back and enjoy it. I have never seen anything so magical and heartfelt. I feel sorry for anyone who sees it for anything less. Cynicism has robbed us of enough pure hope and pure joy. Let go of it for the hour and a half that is this inspired film!
4 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Really Nice
24 August 2009
I was so happy with this picture. Gretchen Mol is just drop-dead gorgeous. The photography is beautiful. It's a nice, pleasing portrait of a bondage queen; very appealing to the eyes and ears. It's not an earth-shattering portrayal. It doesn't delve deep into Bettie's psyche. And why would it? This woman, this character or actress; I don't know, whether it's Gretchen or Bettie I'm seeing, she just wowed me. It was such and enjoyable experience to see her charisma and charm, unpretentiously shining through while she played sex kitten. And of course, she has an incredible body and smile.

All I can say about this film is "wow!" I guess it's not for everyone, but I don't have anything bad to say about it. For those smug jerks who wanted some deep portrayal of the life of a pin-up queen, I say, "shame on you." Maybe these fools should just enjoy good acting, great cinematography and some really great breasts.

I did.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Very Well Played
7 July 2009
Oh man. The acting in this film is very good. The story would probably not look so good on paper. This film tried to take a turn into a suckfest about twenty times, and every time it tried, it failed. It was a truly touching story, and it had a wonderful, understated sense of humor that was a joy to watch.

I can understand a lot of people not getting this film. It doesn't hit you over the head with a message, but the message is there, loud and clear. It doesn't blow you away with funny scenes and gut wrenching jokes, but when it's funny, it is delightfully so.

The direction is lovely. It is straightforward enough that you don't notice it, and believe me, that is a sign that a director knows what he's doing. It's not workmanlike, or ordinary. It's quite artistic! But it's not artistic in a pretentious way. It complements the story.

The film has a message, as I said before, and I can tell you what that message is.

Of course, I'm not going to. Watch the film to see what happens, digest it, and then watch it again to enjoy its nuances.
11 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Truly Enjoyable
10 June 2009
Just two really good actors, and a smart script. Nothing to get excited about. You've seen better. But you sure as hell have seen worse. This movie was worth the price of admission for Morgan Freeman's understated and warm performance. How much do you love this guy? And Paz is gorgeous, and truly wonderful. I wish I could hang out with her for a day, and eat Arby's. The actors in the small roles were all very good, and added a nice touch of realism.

The understated camera work, and use of locations was surprisingly effective as well.

Very nice.
1 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Dan in Real Life (I) (2007)
8/10
Just a Real Nice Film
9 June 2009
I loved the story. Somewhere, a poster said there are no families like the one portrayed in this film. Well maybe there ought to be. I thought everybody seemed really human and believable. What a top notch cast. What great music on the soundtrack. What a nice this, and what a nice that, but most of all, I will say two words to recommend this film.

Steve Carell.

He really showed a nice, subtle depth that touched me. He was truly commanding as a widower who had dedicated himself maybe a little too much to being a good dad first, at the cost of denying his own needs.

Did he act like a petulant ass? Why, yes he did.

And you see, that's what was perfect about this film. The actor who played this character made me believe he was FEELING something, and not simply ACTING like he was feeling something, and he conveyed to me perfectly what it was that he was feeling, and what he was feeling was denied.

Denied happiness.

Denied fulfillment.

Denied love.

Losing your love is painful beyond belief, and many who do so will never feel something like that again.

Beautiful film.

I gave it an eight out of ten.
0 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
This Really Tugged at my Heartstrings.
4 November 2008
Joey!

Man, when I think about that frail, tall, slightly off-kilter character, and how painful his life was, it almost breaks my heart. The only reason it doesn't is because Joey fronted the coolest punk band of all time, and he did so with such amazing style and panache. Way to overcome your limitations! Joey was a victim of pretty bad OCD, and had every reason to believe he would spend his life a loser. Well, Jeff, (his real name,) you were a winner, even if cancer took you way too young.

I heard my first Ramones album in the late seventies. It was the newly released Rocket to Russia, and at the time I had been listening to stadium rock like Kiss and Rush and the junk on the radio with this kid named Steve Hiltner at Ridgemount Jr. High School. Luckily for us, Steve had an older brother who played guitar, and he influenced us to listen to this grinding guitar based insanity that was the Ramones. MAN! When I heard "Teenage Lobotomy" coming out over my stereo speakers, it probably changed me forever.

There was never a punk band as good as the Ramones, and this film does a great job of showing their tragic, and yet strangely inspiring story. These guys WERE SERIOUS! They really were. That's what made them so good. They wrote really great songs with really great hooks and melodies and lyrics, and yet they did it with three or four chords and snappy 4/4 drumming that varied little from song to song. The old "idiot savant" label could easily apply to their lack of musical sophistication coupled with such excellent natural artistry. Everyone needs to see this movie. Everyone needs to understand the true REAL nature of rock and roll, and how it's not about being a big rock star, and a guitar god, and that corporate BS that's been shoveled down our throats for the longest time.

Sure, I love to hear Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd and the "big names" of big rock, but we must never forget the Stooges and the NY Dolls and Lou Reed, and those who HAD to play rock and roll, because their lives were just too bizarre not to.

Long live the Ramones!

I really really loved these guys. I can't believe three of them are dead.
7 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Deliverance (1972)
10/10
Sometimes You Gotta Lose Yourself Before You Find Anything
13 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of the greatest films ever made. It's an all-time classic. The character played by Ned Beatty undergoes one of the greatest on screen transformations ever portrayed. He is a shallow, almost useless, overweight insurance salesman. He is proud of his ignorance, and yet judges the "backwards hicks" to be the ignorant ones. When he compliments the old man on his hat, and the old man responds, "you don't know nothing'," the tone is set. It's true. He really doesn't "know nothing'." But one backwoods anal rape later, the man is practically a warrior. His shallow fake bravery is toned down into serious resolve. The old self is forever dead, left in some far off woods, soon to be under hundreds of feet of water. And what of Lewis, our intrepid guide? Lewis is a philosopher/hunter/warrior, and he's just about nuts. Burt Reynolds proved himself as an actor way back in 1972 in this film, completely giving himself in to this wonderful role. Who wouldn't want to have a friend like Lewis if one was to venture into the dangers of a forgotten/soon to be left behind world like the one our hapless travelers find themselves in. This film speaks to us on so many levels. The story feels real. It works as a complete action/adventure, with wonderful cinematography, and deliberate, grinding pacing. It works as a bit of a horror film, with the danger and almost surrealism of the encounter with the vile rednecks who objectify their "sow" Ned Beatty. But it also works as an art film, using incredible amounts of symbolism to convey truths that go to our very core. I have seen this film at least fifty times, and every time it comes on, I find I have to watch it. You have to watch it quite a few times to even begin to comprehend it. This is one deep movie. This is one well-acted movie. And this is one hell of a story. I gave it a 10 out of 10, and put it in my 10 all time greatest films ever made, along with Schindler's List, Casablanca, Taxi Driver, and Sling Blade, among others. Movies that make you think. Movies that take you beyond having to think. Movies that use a STORY to make their point, without trying to preach to you. If you think you know Deliverance, you might, but again, you might not. It really is that good.
3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Whale Rider (2002)
10/10
This is the Most Beautiful and Poetic Film I Have Ever Seen
13 September 2008
This film proceeds without fear. Without supposition. Without reliance on any convention or plot device that does not serve its ultimate purpose. That purpose is to tell a story. A story that has to be told. A story whose basic realities have no connection to your traditions, or your physical life in any way. A story that can only serve to inspire you, and reach you on a deeper level.

That some have reviewed this film and called it "overrated" or whatever the popular word is today for "I fancy myself a reviewer and will prove myself by spitting upon any art that doesn't meet my pale standards" is of itself a testament to the greatness of this story's simplicity. This is going to be far beyond many who experience it, and that is sad. There is no pretense; no attempt to force the artistry and the magic that exists at its very core.

The acting is phenomenal. The actress in the lead role is skilled far beyond her years. The direction and cinematography should stand as a lesson to any and all who would create films beyond the mere Hollywood prototype of story as vehicle for agenda.

This is artistry that even a child can understand. If it passed you by, you might wish to wonder what it is within you that has been lost. If you can't see the sheer magic of becoming one with your destiny and the world you were born to be part of, then I doubt there is much that can truly move you, and my only hope for you is that someday you will be offered a cure.

Until then, we will be thankful that people bother to take the art that has been so disdainfully squandered for commercial gain for such a long time, and use if for its rightful purpose; the purpose of giving us that rare gift of filling that emptiness in our collective unconscious.

Thank you, Whale Rider, and all who participated, from writer to production assistant.

Thank you all.
1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
What a Beautiful and Well-Told Story
6 September 2008
You can let the other reviews tell you the plot. What I saw was a film with thoughtful performances by the actors, young and old alike. What I saw was a film that appeared to be a story for children, but was a story for everyone. What I saw was a film that genuinely moved me, and will stay in my memory forever. What I saw was a film that turned me into a young boy, happy to fall in love with a young girl, in the most pure sense of the word. What I saw was friendship transcending the bounds of human interaction, and taking us all to a magical place that really does exist out there somewhere. A place where a beaming little girl gets to be a princess forevermore.

Wow.
1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
SubUrbia (1996)
8/10
Why You Don't Like This Film
12 May 2008
You don't like this film because it's pretentious. It makes a statement that is high-minded and artistic, and it dares to speak the unpopular truth about life in this America. You don't like this film because there's no real action, at least not very much. You don't like this film because maybe the snooty, arrogant immigrant is the good guy, and the "why can't we all just get along" boyscout might be the bad guy, and the really bad guy isn't a bad guy at all, he's just a guy who is screwed, and probably always will be.

Sometimes we come by our hatred honestly enough, but where it leads us is a hollow place, devoid of even the drama we wish for in our emptiness. And that's a lot of statement for a mere movie, with people talking, and acting stupid, and doing nothing of any consequence really. This film is pretentious art-house flop for so many, but for me, it was beautiful, and it was only because I waited for my reward, after a long time of wondering if maybe the negative reviews were right, and if maybe it was a piece of crap.

Well it spends most of its time on screen teetering on the brink of craptitude; ready to be some pointless, angst-filled pseudo nightmare of profanity and cheap voyeurism, which is all the rage these days, but then it turns out it was something far above all that.

It was a work of love. The writer did us all a huge favor, and told us something very simple, and very true, and the filmmaker told us that story without any pretense at all, after fooling us into thinking he was trying for the top prize at Cannes, or just to get into bed with hot French chicks.

Life is a gift, and you can use it how you wish.

I hope that's not a f*cking spoiler.
1 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Dead Man (1995)
10/10
This is Very Close to a Perfect Film
4 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
That haunting score. The bravado performances of Johnny Depp, Crispin Glover, Robert Mitchum, and of course, Gary Farmer, who is the absolute star of the film. So many great lines!

Every night and every morn Some to misery are born. Every morn and every night Some are born to sweet delight. Some are born to sweet delight, Some are born to endless night. We are led to believe a lie When we see not through the eye Which was born in a night to perish in a night, When the soul slept in beams of light. God appears, and God is light To those poor souls who dwell in night, But does a human form display To those who dwell in realms of day.

Gary Farmer's character, Nobody, understands that poem, but he doesn't understand why Depp's character, William Blake, doesn't know about his own poetry. He does know that the dead poet has come to be his spirit guide, and tells him, "You were a poet and a painter, William Blake. But now, you're a killer of white men."

GOD this film is f*cking brilliant! I have never seen anything like it! My wife, who loves epic westerns, and native culture, couldn't watch it at all, finding it "weird and pointless."

Why then, have I sat captivated through it so many times, as if in a dream, buoyed along by the surreal imagery, perfect cinematography, flawless acting, and inspired soundtrack?

This film goes so far beyond what film is supposed to do, in so many ways. It speaks to us of things many of us dare not learn, and so many of us dismiss it as pretentious pseudo-art. Trust me, this is REAL art, and it's FUNNY! This is the greatest deconstruction of a genre ever attempted, and it works on every level. God bless Jim Jarmusch for this visionary and profound work, and God bless actors like Depp and Farmer, for their bravery in executing it.

Lance Henrikson? Michael Wincott? John Hurt? IGGY POP????

Where do you find a cast like that? And don't forget Neil Young's soundtrack, which Roger Ebert described as sounding "like Young kept dropping his guitar," or something like that. That was truly the perfect soundtrack for this film.

Ah, the taste of REAL art!
32 out of 41 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
All In (2006)
1/10
This Movie Sucks
15 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Oh for God's sake. How could anyone seriously give this piece of trash anything higher than a 1? Someone is seriously messing with us on these rave reviews. The story is unbelievable, cartoonish, silly and not the least bit interesting.

The acting? It's embarrassing. Louis Gosset Jr totally pimped himself out to this crapstravaganza, and Madsen was more convincing in the lame love.com. Of course, these two out acted the entire rest of the cast; most of whom had better save up their money while they still have looks.

Dominique Swain? Nothing. No talent whatsoever. Shameful that this person has ever been cast in a movie.

This may be the very worst movie I have ever seen in my life. I can't think of enough ways to say how badly I hated it. There was nothing good in it at all; not one single minute of it. What complete absolute garbage! I can't believe this even got made! Do NOT waste your time on this ridiculous crap. It's not even "so bad it's good." It's just so bad it's bad.
11 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed