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Eddiejoe
Reviews
Shanghai (2010)
Coulda been a contender.
Somebody saw Ang Lee's "Lust/Caution" and sold the idea of making a similar film in English with an all-star cast.
As my movie-making friends say, "Nobody starts out to make a bad film, but it happens a lot" This isn't a horrible film, it's just bad. Historically inaccurate with holes in the plot you could drive a Japanese tank through and a cast that just seems to be going through the motions.
The first hour is bearable and then things go all to pot as one unbelievable thing after another fills the screen. Gong Li is the only cast member who does a credible job. This may be the first John Cusack vehicle I haven't liked, to say nothing of Ken Watanabe and Chow Yun Fat.
It's no wonder, it spent 2 years in editing. It boggles the mind to imagine what the editors left out. Definitely not worth leaving the house to see. If you hanker to see one director's idea of what Shanghai looked like in 1941, rent the DVD. Otherwise "fuggedaboutit"!
Jarhead (2005)
Read the book.
Any person who read the book would not be disappointed with the movie.
Any person who was in the military with their eyes open would not be scandalized.
To impute some kind of political motivation to the movie makers betrays ignorance of the both the contents of the book and the experience of military service.
Was it a great movie? No. Did it do a good job of capturing the spirit of Swofford's book? Yes.
Read "Catch 22" then go see the movie. Read "Slaughterhouse 5" then go see the movie.
"Jarhead" clearly belongs in their company though at a lower level.
Since war makes no sense, how can the military make any sense? If you hanker after John Wayne or Audie Murphy, you're in the wrong century.
In "Saving Private Ryan", in my opinion, one of the top five films of all time, Sergeant Horvath says, at one point, that we might as well try to protect the bridge and save Ryan's ass because it might help make this whole war make some sense. If even fighting Hitler and the Nazis makes no sense on a day to day basis, how does liberating Kuwait make any sense? The reality of military life and combat makes no sense and this movie and the book on which it's based illustrates that fact.
People I Know (2002)
One of the most disappointing movies of the last 5 years.
Al Pacino? Kim Basinger? Tea Leoni? Ryan O'Neal? Richard Schiff? My mouth was watering. I dropped everything to watch this movie on Cable. 30 minutes in I was having trouble staying awake. 60 minutes in and I hit the record button and fell asleep. Finished watching it the next morning. Shouldn't have bothered. What a waste of a great cast and an idea that could have been an interesting story of a "Day in the Life..." Cure your insomnia if you have it and watch this movie. I guarantee you at least an hour and a half of uninterrupted sleep. Dialogue horrible. Continuity non-existent. Camera work could have been done with a hand held Super 8 and looked better.
This movie was a total disaster.
Swing Vote (1999)
Turgid disappointment
I had hoped for much more. With the cast it should have been great. With the topic of the story (abortion) it should have been great. Instead it became a scene tearing, over done, over emotional, ultimately boring movie. Talk about waste, this is a good example. In addition, it was unrealistic, not believable, i.e: the most junior justice, only on the court 3 days, delivering one of the most important decisions in years. A dying man singing Danny Boy to change his friend's vote. I could go on. Fortunately, I dozed through parts of the movie so was spared the full disaster this movie represents.
Final Descent (1997)
Predictable but watchable film.
I like Robert Ulrich a lot so that may influence my opinion. I expected to be bored but was not. The acting was good. There's always a temptation to go over the top in these types of films but it didn't happen here. The snippets of the passengers were blessedly short and the emphasis stayed on trying to save the plane. The technical stuff was believable.
First Time Felon (1997)
Transcends some of its own cliche's
I almost stopped watching when the inmates graduated but I hung in there and realized this movie was going beyond the cliches and attempting to show what few choices a gang banger with a record has. Very realistic.
The Thin Red Line (1998)
It's not Saving Private Ryan, it's different and in it's own way just as good.
It's a violent war movie that plays like a poem. Artistically directed. Each scene is a joy to watch if for only the cinematography. I'm off to read the book again. Don't miss this one.
Hilary and Jackie (1998)
Sisters forever.
A truly great film. I expected a "chick flick" and instead I got a wonderful exposition of how two sisters could compete and love one another so completely. I have trouble finding the words to describe the power of this film. Do not wait for the video. You do not want to be distracted. Get into it. One of the best of the year.
You've Got Mail (1998)
A great romantic comedy!
While I am not a fan of so-called romantic comedies, I do enjoy watching oldies with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. I think Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have some of the same chemistry, updated of course. I actually liked this movie better than "Sleepless in Seattle." The casting was inspired, particularly Dabney Coleman and John Randolph as Hank's father and uncle (I believe). The dialogue is far more inspired than in "Sleepless" and the story more engaging. The biting exchanges between Ryan and Hanks are wonderful and all the more so because they both admit to feeling remorse afterwards. The little throw away scenes like the one between Hanks and Coleman on the boat are priceless and provide the viewer with an opportunity to speculate on the characters' motivation without hitting people over the head with "insight". A most satisfying experience.
The Devil's Own (1997)
Could have been better but very satisfying.
While the plot was somewhat predictable the interplay between the characters was excellent. I was drawn to Brad Pitt's character even though, I knew he was bound to create his own downfall. Harrison Ford was himself and Margaret Colin was very believable as the female lead. All in all a worthwhile effort.
Ally McBeal (1997)
Young woman lawyer deals with the ironies of life, love and the law.
A breath of fresh air. I love it and I'm a 61 year old male. Course, I live in a T.V. wasteland, Hong Kong, but nevertheless this is very good comedic drama or dramatic comedy or whatever. The casting is superior and aside from Calista Lockhart (what a name!) there is Peter MacNicol, previously the lawyer who was shot and killed on Chicago Hope, who makes me laugh by just appearing on the screen.
I recommend it highly.