Illusia's Reviews

Trois (2000)

20 November 2002

This movie was horrible. I should know, since I've sat through it multiple times. There really is no strong plot to speak of. It's pretty much just soft core porn.

The ONLY reason I can see for watching this movie at all is Gary Dourdan. That man looks so right, he should be wrong. Damn fine. If you like Warrick, from CSI:Crime Scene Investigations, then rent this movie or catch it on late night cable, cause, Damn.

That is all.

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The Time Machine (2002)

Really fun movie

23 March 2002

This was a fun movie. My son and I went to see it, and we had a grand time. The only thing that bothered me was Guy Pearce and his really bad Jimmy Stewart impression. Why? *sigh* It was still a great movie. Really good performances all around. Mark Addy was great, Samantha Mumba shines in her debut role, Jeremy Irons is wonderful as always. I enjoyed the similarities, but I also enjoyed the differences between this and the original.

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Ice Age (2002)

Laughed hysterically in the theatre

23 March 2002

This movie was hilarious. I went with my 7 year old son, and we had a ball. Ice Age is one of the funniest animated films I've seen in a while. Not as good as Monsters, Inc., but I liked it alot none the less. If you have kids, or even if you dont, you need to see this for a good laugh.

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Training Day (2001)

8/10

True to the streets

23 March 2002

I waited to see this film until it came out on video. Having watched the dvd, I see why Denzel is being touted for Best Actor at the Oscars. If he didn't win it before, he should take it home for this role. I can't recall ever seeing him play a bad guy before, but I really loved it. This movie was gritty, realistic, and true to form. I loved it. If you know anyone in law enforcement, watch this with them, and see if they don't know someone like Alonzo.

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A Beautiful Mind (2001)

10/10

Perhaps it is beter to have a beautiful heart...

8 January 2002

My favorite quote was not in the movie. That is honestly the only bad thing that I can say about this film. Russell Crowe was the olny actor of our generation that could have nailed this role as well as he did. Yes, its a switch from Gladiator, which people scream was an 'all braun, no brains' movie. Thats not the case. But I wont go on with that.

A Beautiful Mind has conquered the media, the movie going public, and the critics. This movie both lived up to, and has surpassed all the hype that surrounded it.

Ron Howard did an amazing job in his directing. He is a great director, but this is his masterpiece. Jennifer Connelly has been one of my favorite actresses since Labyrinth. She was exceptional in this movie. Paul Bettany, the prodigal roommate, is a fantastic up and coming actor. I hope hes around for years to come. Ed Harris was perfect for Parcher. He portrayed G-Men of the past to a t.

Thank you to all of the wonderful people associated with this film for bringing it to life. I will be seeing it again, and again.

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Just a Little Harmless Sex (1998)

Not bad for a late night cable movie

30 December 2001

I caught this on cable at about 4:30 in the morning. It was pretty funny. I recognized some of the actors, and was pleasantly surprised with their performances. It was a cute movie, and somewhat accurately described what seems to be the average girls night out. I thought that the scenes with his friends hitting on his mother-in-law were great. I dont know if I would rent this, but if it was on cable again I would most likely watch it. =)

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Fascinating!

25 November 2001

I hadn't read the book before going to see this, and neither had my son. As part of our agreement, he had to buy the book before he could see it, and having finally saved enough of his allowance, he was able to do both. I had no prior knowledge of the story other than what had been told to me by others. My cousin loved the stories and has read all four of them time and again. I was absolutely blown away by the movie. The costumes were rich and vibrant, the special effects were wonderful, the performances given by each actor, especially the children, were phenomenal. I cant wait to read the book now, and neither can my son.

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Heaven's Burning (1997)

7/10

A great road movie..

21 August 2001

Something people need to understand is that this is a genre-specific movie. Having said that, let me tell you what I thought.

Being a huge Russell Crowe fan, I own just about everything he's been in. Some I love, some I like, and some just sit on the shelf and collect dust. I'm not one of those people that love him no matter what he does. Some of the things he's been in need help. Maybe it's him, maybe it's not. The rest of the cast can suck in any movie and no matter how great the star is, the movie simply lacks...

Heaven's Burning caught my attention right around the time I saw 'The Crossing' on cable. I liked that one, but I didn't get to see the whole thing, so I'm holding my thoughts on that til I see the whole thing. I started poking around to see what else he had been in and I realized that I had seen most of them, and often asked "Who was that guy?" So, I went down to my local major chain video store, and looked for Heaven's Burning. Not available on video or dvd, I had them special order it for me along with L.A. Confidential.

When it came in, I had plenty of time to watch it, so I didn't get around to it right away. I had just been in a car accident, and had lots of time on my hands. I couldn't sleep one night, so I figured that I would have a "Crowe fest". I watched Mystery, Alaska , L.A. Confidential and my newest addition. I really liked the movie overall.

It wasn't quite like anything I had seen him in before. It really is a great movie. Not one of AFI's top 100 of all time, but great in a fun quality. I don't want to give away too much, so I won't delve into it too deeply. It does start out sort of slow, but once you get into the whole bank robbery plot it gets going. If you like Rusty, or if you like road movies, you will enjoy this one. If you don't, let me know. =)

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The Score (2001)

A very good movie...

17 July 2001

Edward Norton commands respect in this film. His character Jackie, who plays a character named Brian in the movie, was great. I love Ed Norton anyway, but this just shows me that he is still the actor I remember him to be. Robert DeNiro is wonderful, as always, and Angela Bassett will always be Tina Turner to me.

The movie itself was a little slow in the beginning, but it picked up nicely once Norton comes on screen. I would recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of DeNiro or Norton, as it is good.

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Beyond the Mat (1999)

Good, but not worth buying...

19 June 2001

I got this as a free rental from Netfilx. It was good. I don't understand why Vince McMahon doesn't want you to see it, though. It was very sad to see some of the greatest wrestlers from yesteryear wrestle with their problems. Jake "The Snake" was one of the best wrestlers back in the 80's. I grew up watching him. To see him now in this documentary is very sad.

I like the way it shows you the behind the scenes of a PPV event, and how JR was feeding comments to whats his name the other commentator. That was something I never knew they did. I knew wrestling was fake, come on, who doesn't. I also knew that these men and women do take a real beating though. That blood isnt fake. Even if they cut themselves with razor blades, thats still an injury.

I would most likely give this 7 or 8 stars. I really did enjoy it. Amazing, since I'm a girl...

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Swordfish (2001)

8/10

Great! I love Travolta as the bad guy! GREAT!

17 June 2001

I LOVE JOHN TRAVOLTA AS THE BAD GUY!

Having said that, I loved Swordfish. I didn't plan on going to see it today, but I went to the movies with my father and my son. My son wanted to see Tomb Raider again, and after having just seen it yesterday, I thought I would allow my father the joy of seeing Lady Croft in action. (Not that I didnt like Tomb Raider, but thats a whole other movie.)

I decided to go see Swordfish based on the time element.This movie got out right after theirs. I was planning on going to see it sooner or later, and Im glad I did it sooner. Im going to see this movie again, I can tell you that now. Like I said before, I love John Travolta as the bad guy. I loved him in Face/Off, and I love him even more as Gabriel. He is the quintessential actor. I saw him on Larry King Live the other evening, and Larry asked him if he has to like every character he plays. John said no, but this one was especially fun.

Hugh Jackman was great as Stanley Jobson, the hacker. He seemed to genuinely enjoy his work, which made him a great choice for this role. When you see some actors trying to portray hackers on screen, they come across as stiff and jerky. They dont seem to enjoy what theyre doing. Stanley seemed to honestly enjoy the challenge of hacking, which is exactly why other real life hackers do it. Just to say they can or they did. I got that from his on screen portrayal. He also came across as a loving father. I like that in an actor. If they can do whatever the job is, and still love their kids, I dig that.

Halle Berry was wonderful as Ginger. She pulls some tricks on you in this film, but I wont tell you what they are.

The special effects were wonderful, from the beginning action sequence (which is hard to pull off in a movie. Try keeping the audience's attention after blowing up 3 people with the largest know Claymore mine known to man) all the way through to the end of the movie, which totally blew me away.

If you dont plan on going to see this, change your mind. If you do plan on going to see this, go now! Turn off your computer, and go! Im sure theres one starting in a few minutes at your local multiplex!

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Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

8/10

Not bad for a film made from a game

15 June 2001

Having read some of the previous reviews, I understand that people are entitled to their opinions. I, for one, didn't think the movie was that bad. Then again, I happen to own Simon West's 2 previous attempts at film making, Con Air and The General's Daughter.

Angelina Jolie was very realistic in her portrayal of Lara Croft. I went to see the movie with my six year old son, and he thought it was a hoot. We own most of the games, so for him it was like a big real life video game. I just went to see Angie. She was beautiful, as always.

The sets were amazing. I dont think Eidos knew what they had when they started this series. I see quite a few more of these movies being made if it grosses what I think it will this weekend.

Go see this movie, without expecting Shakesperian(sp) trained actors. Its meant to be seen in fun, and if you dont expect Oscar calibur acting you wont be disappointed.

***GET OVER IT****

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Pearl Harbor (2001)

Not as good as I had hoped, but great for matinee prices....

31 May 2001

Warning: Spoilers

CONTAINS SPOILERS

I didn't expect much coming from Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. Don't get me wrong, I own quite a few of their movies. But, as in those movies, it was extremely similar: (Armageddon - Ben Affleck goes into space and she loses her father) (Pearl Harbor - Ben Affleck goes to England, is thought dead, she gets pregnant by his best friend, Ben comes back, and she loses his best friend). Now, I love Ben Affleck. I think he's turned out some pretty good performances.

I was impressed with the majority of the cast. Explain something to me though, why is Cuba Gooding,Jr. doing so many period peices? Jon Voight was great as Roosevelt,Mako as always was great, Kate Beckensale was good as Evelyn, and I was pleasantly surprised with Dan Ackroyd. I had no idea he was in this movie. William Fitchner was excellent as young Danny's father. You may recognize him from Armageddon. Again, seeming to refer to Bruckheimer's "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory. Find a pretty girl, throw her into a tumultuous love story, lots of explosions, and a happy ending.

My father was in WW2, and for him this movie was pretty much dead on, once it got to the fight scenes. He was an aircraft engineer, and was at Pearl after all the fighting. He saw the carnage first hand. Said that was how it looked in the aftermath, so at least they got something right.

In a way, Im glad this movie was made, as much as Im dogging it. It was a good film, I didnt check my watch once (although I did get up to go to the bathroom). My son will hopefully never know war, but I want him to know what the U.S. went through as a country to get to where we are today. The closeset Ive ever come to war was when my older brother was sent to Desert Shield/Storm. That didnt really seem like a war to me, though. I was able to watch it on CNN. I feel M*A*S*H was more of a war to me. Sad, isnt it? A television show that was on when I was a child seemed more real to me than an acutal war that happened when I was 16.

I just hope that we never have to face world war 3, since we would all be demolished. We would never know what hit us.

Thank you to all the people who kept America free, after this sleeping giant had been awoken. Especially you, dad.

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The Mummy Returns (2001)

Not bad for a sequal...

22 May 2001

Ok. First off, let me say that I am a HUGE fan of the first movie. That being said, let me tell you what I thought of this one. I took my six year old son to see it, since he loves the first one as well, and we both had a great time. Knowing that it was a sequal, I didn't expect perfection, so I was more than impressed with the movie overall. I was glad to see the major players return, and the fact that they had a child was also nice to see. So often you see a sequal that just seems to be an extension of the first one. Therefore, it just drags on and on and on... This one did not do that. (Thankfully.) I was glad to see that the Rock could do more than "Just bring it...". He fares well as an actor and I would love to see more of him. I can't wait til The Scorpion King comes out this fall. I didnt know that Michael Clark Duncan will be in it, and I was thrilled to find that out. Back to the Mummy Returns. Patricia Velasquez was amazing, as well as beautiful. My son loved the action scenes, and I loved the whole movie. So, if you liked the first one, go see this one. Dont expect too much, but enjoy it with someone you love... hehehehhehe

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Along Came a Spider (2001)

7/10

I LOVE JAMES PATTERSON AND MORGAN FREEMAN!!!!!

28 April 2001

This movie was phenomenal. It varied quite a bit from the book, but I understand that Hollywood has its own way of doing things. Don't get me wrong as I'm certainly not complaining.

The characters, especially Morgan Freeman as Dr./Detective Alex Cross, came off the screen at you like you were right there. If they ever make another James Patterson novel with Alex Cross in it and they don't use Morgan Freeman, I WILL protest. When I read books with his character in them, I hear his voice. Thats what kind of impression he made on me in Kiss The Girls.

Monica Potter was amazing as Jezzie Flanagan. She was just the way I had pictured her when I first read the book. Don't believe everything you see in this movie. It moves in circles.

If you liked Kiss The Girls, you are sure to like Along Came A Spider.

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American History X (1998)

10/10

A story that touches home for me...

1 January 2001

This movie really moved me. My sister was a white supremicist while we were growing up, so I saw alot of what went on in the film in reality. It was not a pretty sight. For a while, her beliefs were my beliefs, simply because I admired my older sister. I hung around with her and her friends in a weak effort to fit in, much in the way that Danny does in this film.

American History X really touches base on alot of angles in the Nazi/Skinhead communities. I am thankful that someone took the time out to make this movie, because it has a strong message. I know that it wont change everyone's mind, but I hope that it can reach enough people to make a difference.

Edward Norton gave the performance of his career so far, but Im sure he has more to come. He deserves all the applause he receives for this movie. Thank you, Edward, for such an amazing film.

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Dangerous Beauty (1998)

A great work of poetry based on a true story...

1 January 2001

I thought this movie was amazing. I read some of the other comments, and I can see why some people wouldn't like it. I love period pieces, and this one was great. The only things that could have made it better were 1> Kate Winslet (corset Kate) and 2> LOSING OLIVER PLATT!!! He sucked thru the whole movie. I wanted to see this for a while, but I wasn't able to while it was still in theatres. I thought it was great on DVD. I really liked the fact that it was based on the true story of a 16th century courtesan. Yes, they were high class prostitutes, but they were cherished women. A different kind of love than you would give the wife of an arranged marriage, but loved beyond control all the same.

If you love period pieces, RENT THIS TODAY! You wont regret it. I promise.

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The Beach (I) (2000)

1/10

A better Leonardo DiCaprio flick

31 December 2000

I liked this movie. Not quite what he's done in the past. Much better than the majority of his films, in which he has basically played himself. (Except in What's Eating Gilbert Grape. That was a phenominal performance from Leo.) It was different because it was not what I expected. I waited about a year before watching it, and I was impressed with what I saw. Even if you're not a huge Leo fan, you will like this movie.

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Gladiator (2000)

10/10

All I can say is.... WOW!

23 November 2000

I had wanted to see this movie since it came out, but due to a hectic schedule, I was never able to. I got it the day it came out on dvd, and tried to watch it that night, only to fall asleep within the first 3 minutes. I didnt even get past the credits. So, when I got home from work the next night, I plopped down on the sofa and spent the next few hours glued to the telly. This movie is AMAZING!!!!!! I watched it, then watched all the special features on the second disc, and ended not getting to bed until about 2 in the morning. Russell Crowe may have been noticed by Hollywood in L.A. Confidential, but this is the movie that made him a STAR. He is amazing, going from strong and forceful Roman General, to showing remorse for his wife and child, accepting his fate as a slave, then realizing that he has a chance to go to Rome and perhaps extract his revenge on the evil Commodus. This is not just a guy movie, as there is alot of emotion in it. Love, loss, happiness, and more... This is now my favorite movie of all time. If you havent seen it, RENT IT AND WATCH IT. If you dont feel the same way I do, well, then... Watch it again!

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Jakarta (1988)

7/10

Talk about dreaming...

11 October 2000

I was unable to sleep tonight, so I went to do some work on my computer. I turned on the tv and started searching for something to fill my ears while my mind worked. Apparently, I did both.

Chris sports a beard in parts of this one, which make him super sexy. There are also shots of him making love, and MAN! does he have an amazing body. =)

I first learned about Chris from Sex and the City, and loved him ever since. I wait for reruns of Law & Order, or S&tC.

There are some decent car chases in this one, but I'm buying it for him.

I love Mr. Big- Nicole

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The Perfect Storm (2000)

I really loved this movie...

4 July 2000

It was slow at first, but the second time I saw it, it meant more to me because I knew what was going to happen to the characters. My fiance and son went to see it with me, and they kept asking me if I was ok, because I was crying like a baby. You dont get much character background, but once the boys get out to sea, you feel as you get to know them better. You can tell Billy Tyne truly loved being on the sea. It was his home. George Clooney did a phenominal job portraying this character. The rest of the cast put some great emotions into their parts. Mark Wahlberg, formerly Marky-mark, has grown up into a wonderfully talented actor. You really get the feeling that this was a close knit fishing town, and you feel like you are a part of that town.

Give this movie a shot, you may find you like it, despite what the critics say. They dont usually know dick anyway.. =D

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Plunkett & Macleane (1999)

Not to be missed if you like period films....

3 July 2000

I can tell from reading the other comments that I am in the small minority of people who loved this film. I rented it several times to share with friends and family, and since they are all into renfaires and the like, they seemed to enjoy it. Maybe not as much as I did, but not everyone is me. I found it to be a fun romp into a world that we so often see the high society end of (Dangerous Liasons, etc..), but not too often from the poor man's point of view. Robert Carlyle and Johnny Lee Miller are two of my favorite actors, both since Trainspotting, and I think they will be for some time to come. If you like English humor, then I think you will enjoy this film.

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Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)

Great movie if you're into fast cars and Angelina Jolie..

9 June 2000

I really enjoyed this movie. I love Nic Cage and Angelina Jolie, and I have this thing about fast cars too... I'll admit, it did leave a little to be desired as far as the plot goes, but this is definitely one that will be in my DVD collection when it comes out...

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The Green Mile (1999)

10/10

Phenominal! Just like the book!

2 January 2000

I saw this last night with one of my best friends. I have not had a chance to read the book, while she has, and she said that it was extremely similar. Not to discount anyone from reading the book, mind you. I really enjoyed Frank Darabont's version of "The Shawshank Redemption", and I dont think anyone does Stephen King quite as well as he does.

This movie is DEFINATELY worth $7.75, maybe 2 or 3 times!

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The Mummy (1999)

9/10

good movie, funny plot

14 July 1999

I really enjoyed this movie, partially because I saw it as a matinee... We went to go see Phantom Menace or something, and we were just a bit late. Rather than drive home, we were pleasantly surprised by the Mummy. Brendan Fraser had me quoting some of his lines for the next 2 weeks.

If you go see this movie for a dose of Egyptology or archaeology, dont bother. They got so many things wrong, it was funny. If you're going to see it for an action movie with a bit of romance, then you will be pleasantly surprised.

I was also surprised by John Hannah's performance. I first found him in Sliding Doors, and loved him as the drunk treasure hunter brother in The Mummy.

If you're looking for a good way to spend an afternoon laughing, go see The Mummy!

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