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Reviews
Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States (2007)
Not the least bit funny, smart, witty or worthwhile.
I have yet to find any of Lil' Bush's content to be even remotely redeeming despite having given a substantial amount of time for the show to make me so much as grin or smirk. With terrible writing and mediocre voice acting, I cannot imagine this show being on the air for much longer. The program's insultingly stupid attempts at humor leave the viewer with a sense of emptiness, hollow questioning and disgust at having been let down by what could have been a much better show.
Though I would identify myself as a fierce critic of both President Bush and his administration, and I would love to have many laughs at Bush's expense, Lil' Bush fails to provide even the smallest amount of intelligent, adult humor. But regardless of one's political alignment or opinion on the Bush administration, one is not likely to find Lil' Bush to be least bit smart or witty.
Infomercials and late night skin flicks are exponentially more rewarding than this awful, awful program.
Waking Life (2001)
Not a particularly groundbreaking or interesting film.
I saw this film a while back when it was getting most of its hype, but have just now decided to comment on it after seeing it again on cable.
This is not a particularly groundbreaking or interesting film. There's nothing fresh or new or insightful conveyed in the dialog. If you've ever gone to a coffee shop or bar with your friends and stayed a bit too long, then you have probably had the exact same conversations as those in Waking Life. The concepts in the film will only be thought-provoking for the biggest dullard. For the rest of us, the concepts presented in this film are nothing more than a rehash of one of many conversations we've likely had in the past.
There is also nothing particularly outstanding about the "acting" in Waking Life. I'm reluctant to use the term acting, seeing as how the only acting done is by voice. Yes, the artistic visuals and style add to the attractiveness of the film and, no doubt, add to the hype as well. But if we are unable to detect the physical qualities of acting, such as the intricacies of facial expressions and the many emotions they convey, then let's not go so far as to say it's "acted beautifully."
Here on IMDb, one reviewer of Waking Life wrote: "See this film. It will remind you of how thrilling it is to be an active thinking, feeling member of the human race." This is a comment that unfortunately says more about the reviewer than the film itself. You shouldn't need a movie to remind you that you're a sentient being. Furthermore, you don't need to see Waking Life to think deeply. Go grab some coffee or a couple beers with some friends and have your own 100 minute session of active thinking.
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
NOT a good movie to wake up to
Though I have not seen the original 1977 film, I cannot help but agree with some of the positive comments about this film, especially those regarding the engrossing use of character development and violence to captivate the viewer. Rather than rehash what has already been said, I would like to share my personal experience with this film with you.
I began watching this film at midnight on cable. At one point, I fell asleep due to personal exhaustion. Not too long later, I awoke to my television blaring the screams and shrieks of the victims in the film. I woke up at what is clearly the most vile, raunchy, and disturbing point of the film. I am a 27 year old male. I love to show gory movies to my girlfriend and friends and creep up on them when they're not suspecting it. Still, I was completely taken aback, appalled, slightly sickened, and disturbed by what I awoke to. Clearly unable to fall back asleep, I HAD to keep watching to see the film's resolution (if any).
This is the power inherent in good film making; to reel the viewer in with character development and then manipulate the viewer's emotions by doing wretched things to those characters.
This is by no means the greatest or scariest horror film, but I found it to be far more enthralling and captivating than any recent teen slasher or pseudo-scary Ring-type movie.
I haven't had this much fun being appalled in years!
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
You already know the story - fill in the visuals for yourself
If you remove the religious element, the film is nothing special. There is no plot and no firm character development (not even of Jesus). This film does have pretty great visuals however, and, as another user stated, accurately portrays the brutality of the time - but even still, two hours of plot less torture is difficult to watch, and not because of the blood.
The film takes place in "real time," or close to it, so that the two hours that go by on screen are closely represented by the two hours transpiring "within" the film. This makes for endlessly drawn-out scenes that become even more drawn-out when slow motion is applied. The film can be summed up in the following manner: Jesus gets beaten by soldiers, Jesus falls down in slow motion, Jesus gets back up. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
If you're the type of person that ignores plot and character development, and strictly seeks out only the material that you have a preconceived favor for, then this film is still horrible - even for a simpleton like you. Keep in mind that this is one man's (Mel Gibson's) vision of The Crucifixion and that, despite all the eye-catching blood and gore and the emotions it brings up, it's still just that - one guy's vision. Nothing more.
***If you really are passionate about Christ, it shouldn't take a Hollywood movie to advance your line of thought any further than it's already been advanced by decades of church. You already know the story - so fill in the visuals for yourself. Don't pay Mel to do it for you.***
I don't know about you, but when I was a child, I didn't go to bed at night thinking, "Geez... I wonder what Mel Gibson thinks about The Crucifixion." This is why it's a good thing that everyone in America doesn't have access to a Hollywood budget and film equipment. If that were the case, then we'd have to sit through everyone's rendition of the same old story, over, and over, and over again.
If you have 2 hours worth of underwear ironing or rock painting to do, then your time would be better spent with that.
Hard Hunted (1992)
Alarmingly bad! Alert your countrymen.
This is the worst film I've seen yet. Despite the fact that some viewers are willing to cast aside plot and characters, and even trade them off for naked women, there is one thing about this film that cannot be over-looked.
There is a scene in which one of the women agents sneaks up on a guard to incapacitate him. The guard, an effeminate guy, stands posed with a tight camouflage shirt tucked into tight denim "hot pants." As the guard stands there trying to look oblivious, the agent makes tons of noise as she flips and rolls out of bushes and puts on her war face.
If you see this film, and you like it, keep in mind the fact that YOU have horrible, horrible tastes in film. And, that no matter how epic you think "Hard Hunted" is, it's still way, way down at the bottom of the bucket. Please keep this in mind, as you stagger and reel from this film's unfortunate effects - and rate accordingly.
Blind Horizon (2003)
A decent film, overall.
True - most of the plot elements have been done before. I was entertained throughout the whole film. Though many parts of the film can be prediected, it should still keep your attention. I disagree with one of the previous user's comments; I belive Val Kilmer's acting was believable, and was a wise selection for the role.
Communion (1989)
Great performance by Walken amplifies the terror in this film.
After reading other users' comments, I concur that this film is not for everyone. I, also, am not a believer in this specific subject matter, but I don't let that interfere with my interpretation of the film. Nevertheless, this film absolutely scared the hell out of me. Walken's character, though often bizarre beyond the point of full understanding, is outstandingly well acted. Some may view this film as a silly alien movie. Others, such as myself, will feel absolute terror for Walken's character. Several scenes in the film have made their way into my head and are most disturbing indeed. Fans of this film will agree that specific visual and audio segments are the stuff of nightmares! Walken fans _must_ see this film, as should any alien buffs or film afficionados.
12 Monkeys (1995)
Time Travel at its Best
12 Monkeys is the best representation of time travel I have seen in a major motion picture. I don't want to give anything away for those who have not seen it. Brad Pitt gives an excellent performance as an insane and belligerent animal rights leader. His role in this film, among others, prompted me to view him as a serious, capable actor rather than a "hollywood hunk." Bruce Willis's performance as the unfortunate time traveler is equally as impressive. 12 Monkeys is unique in many ways, and simply must be seen by the modern film critic. I voted this film a 9 because of its fantastic twist on time travel and paradoxes. All-round great performances by the cast coupled with a fresh plot make for some excellent scifi.
Heat (1995)
Epic Crime Saga
An epic crime saga, indeed - as described on the back of the box. This is my favorite film of all time. I need not go into great detail about the knockout cast, though it does the film bounds of justice. This film's best quality is the fantastic acting meshed with Michael Mann's directing (See "The Insider", also directed by Mann and also starring Al Pacino and Diane Venora for comparison and like style). The film also has a well composed score. Regarding the use of music in Heat, the exclusion of background music from various scenes (like the bank robbery) forces the viewer to take in what's happening visually, and this is how power actors like Pacino and De Niro really make this film the masterpiece that it is. I voted this film a 10 because I think it excedes, and actually exemplifies, the criteria that viewers of good taste and quality want to experience when they see a movie. Fans of organized crime films such as Casino and Goodfellas will appreciate the up-to-date representations of crime in Heat. Heat presents a modern tale of cops and robbers without focusing on the protagonist or pushing the viewer towards favoring one particular character. This films blurs the lines between good guy and bad guy, and you'll be surprised who you'll root for in the end.