Change Your Image
Sam-80
Reviews
The Fall (2006)
So looking forward to this film
This film was recommended to my boss and being in the industry I wondered why we hadn't heard of it before. From the few pieces of video and the stills, I think, I already love this movie.
Why such a small release in the US? I suppose it's platform releasing. Why aren't they screening it at Comic Con? I looks like something that would have gone over well there.
I have a big screen TV, which still doesn't take the place of a movie screen for films that look like this.
I thought Lee Pace was great in "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day", I can't wait to see what he does in this film.
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Better than Chicago
If Moulin Rouge is my 10, Phantom has got to be at least a 9. Everyone compares it to Chicago, a film I didn't really like, Phantom is more like Moulin Rouge.
Emmy Rossum can out sing any of the cast of Chicago and so can Patrick Wilson. To many, Michael Crawford will always be the Phantom but Gerard Butler fit well in the film. It was lush and shot beautifully. I don't think it received the credit it deserved. As the years go by I think people will find this on DVD and come to appreciate the beauty of this film.
I totally enjoyed it.
My Date with Drew (2004)
The film I've been waiting all summer for
I have to say that I saw this film for the 4th time at the Arclight screening on August 2nd and I felt the same as I did when I saw it the first time, I couldn't stop smiling through this whole movie. There are times you laugh and times you will want to cry. It's surprising how moving unplanned comedy can be.
This little film is a tribute to following a dream. Maybe it will encourage more people to just take a harmless chance, instead of wishing later on that you had taken some kind of action. It's what happens along the way that's important.
This is the first of it's kind, a romantic/comedy documentary.
Frannie's Christmas (1993)
I have a copy of my own
I had to kick and scream and make a few phone calls but I have a copy of my own. Mike is on his way to being a great director. "Frannie's Christmas" is a short he did years ago and is a favorite of mine. He also directed several episodes of "Action League Now".
Dawson's Creek (1998)
About growing up....
I like watching young actors come into their own. Lately TV has become the launching pad to the film industry. Some actors make the jump and some don't. Most of the cast from Dawson's Creek has made the transition to features. I have to say that I enjoy all of these young actors but I think Joshua Jackson may prove to be the stand out, of them all, when we look back in a few years.
The American Embassy (2002)
Not given a chance
So much better than many of th shows that are on the air. Wasn't given much press and what it was given was backhanded. The show did better than what it was running against on ABC, WB and UPN. I think Fox could have found a spot for it to find viewers.
Rough Magic (1995)
Pointless Magic
I've tried 3 times to give this movie a chance to get it's point across. It doesn't. As in most films Russell Crowe is in he gives his all but the story is pretty convoluted and doesn't give you much to care about. It gets pretty stupid towards the end. We kind of understood the owl showing up but never could understand the green lizard. The saving grace is the scene between Alec and Myra in the church and of course, somehow, Russell winds up dancing with his leading lady, something that happened in several of his earlier films. The beginning of the film Russell and Bridget are very Bogart & Bacall and the banter flows pretty well, even if we have heard it before. If you have the need to see Mr. Crowe there are better films to choose from. I'm still waiting for Russell to be cast in a good romantic comedy, something like "Bringing Up Baby" and Lauren Graham can certainly throw out the Katherine Hepburn lines to him.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Harry Potter Cliffnotes
First I have to say that I liked the movie and you don't have to have read the books to enjoy it BUT........................the movie hits all the points in the book but the connecting parts are the most fun and they are missing. You don't get the textures that you get from the book, how really rotten the Dursley's are, how much Harry longs for his parents and the most important part his mothers love is what probably saved him from Voldemort. It is so much sweeter in the book(and I don't mean sickening)all in all it's just a great reason for everyone to go grab a copy of the book and enjoy the connecting embrodery.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
After 3 times
I love this movie more and more. I am beginning to appreciate that Nicole Kidman did her own singing. Audrey Hepburn didn't do it in "My Fair Lady," Leslie Caron didn't do it in "Gigi" or Natalie Wood in "Westside Story." I can't wait for the DVD to come out. I want to see if they show anything that was cut, there's a very small part of the story that seems unexplained and really doesn't effect the outcome but I have a feeling there might have been a scene that ties it together. This is destined to be a classic and I the live version on stage should be amazing.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
7/10 It's an ACTION movie. It's what the ads say it is.
Having never seen or played the video game I was more open to the ride than it seems many of the reviewers were. I think it's more fun than the 'Mummy 2'. Angelina plays it with just the right tongue-in-cheek. It also seems that the director has done something to p*** off many of the reviewers because they accepted the 'Mummy 2' with all it's faults and didn't trash it like they have 'Tomb Raider'????????????????
Memento (2000)
If you've seen it once you'll see it again.
The DVD and video rentals are going to go through the roof.
I'm not going to say this is my favorite film but you certainly can't just let it go either. The puzzle that's presented is something your brain just holds onto. You will find yourself thinking about where pieces go without even trying. Rorschach blots you will try to see the picture.
Why did Leonard know to look in his pocket for the pictures?
Hammers Over the Anvil (1993)
Beautiful, passionate rites of passage film
Beautiful, passionate rites of passage film. Ann Turner, the director, chose her actors well. Charlotte Rampling's cool femininity and Russell Crowe's intense masculinity created a special chemistry on screen. Ann Turner had some very delicate scenes to direct and used an subtle and artful touch. The opening scene was glorious and a joy to see an actor (or anyone) so comfortable in their own skin.
The young boy who played Alan Marshall (Alexander Outhred) was absolutely wonderful. There was a magical, childlike wonder and innocence about the love scene between East & Grace that Alan witnesses and another reason why this film is so good. I don't want to spoil this for anyone who is able to see it... I'll just say this could become one of my favorite films. It's possible that this will be released on VHS soon.
For the Moment (1993)
A reminder
This film takes you to another time when there was a different pace to everyday life. We get an idea how families had to deal with the war and how quickly we sent young men off to fight. A very touching look at the past and a reminder that casualties of war don't just happen on the front.
Luckily many of us have never had to go through what our great-grandparents, grandparents or parents went through during a war. This film, I think, is a small thank you. Peter Outerbridge looks amazingly like a young Peter O'Toole and Russell Crowe is absolutely charming and as Australian as he can be. It's definitely worth listening to him recite "High Flight" and makes me wonder what he might accomplish with Shakespeare.
Romper Stomper (1992)
Hate/Fear or Love which is more violent?
Every comment I have read goes right to the graphic violence. This film is a lot deeper than that, more than "Skinheads" and racial supremacy. It could be set in any time or place. What I feared the most, what was most vile, was disguised as love. Worth watching again.
Dawson's Creek (1998)
About growing up....
I like watching young actors come into their own. Lately TV has become the launching pad to the film industry. Some actors make the jump and some don't. Most of the cast from Dawson's Creek has made the transition to features. I have to say that I enjoy all of these young actors but I think Joshua Jackson may prove to be the stand out, of them all, when we look back in a few years.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Go SEE it!
If you thought Ralph Fiennes cool, then Joseph is HOT! I mean acting wise. This film will get award nominations. Gwyneth Paltrow does Romeo beautifully, in fact she does Shakespeare beautifully. The cast is fantastic. My bet is to watch what the younger Mr. Fiennes is capable of.