Reviews

This movie won't leave my subconscious, and I continue to be haunted by how much I hated it. Such awful material for legends such as Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt to work with, I can't believe people are reviewing this movie so positively. From critics to everyday Joes, how this movie can be endearing, or cute, or even funny, escapes me. I was insulted at the way this movie treated me as a viewer, and was certainly unimpressed by the acting, the "humor" and the life lessons it thought it might be teaching me. If you have kids, seek out something more worthwhile like Whale Rider. If you like comedy, watch Napoleon Dynamite, and if you're looking for life lessons, try Garden State or the Station Agent. All superior films.

I have never been interested in the spectacle known as pro wrestling. While this movie was made by a wrestling fan, I never saw it as a film by a man in love with the "sport" and looking to introduce the rest of us to the pastime. This movie is the truth behind the show that is Pro Wrestling. The most telling moment for me is when the director, while narrating says, "I know the winners are predetermined, that its fake. Most wrestling fans do." This immediately struck me. We all KNOW it's fake, yet people are still engrossed by it. People spend millions on it. The movie focuses on 3 wrestlers in particular, but touches on a bunch of others. I think the real intent was to show that these guys are people. They have families, and problems, and when the sun goes down, it's just another day at the office. We are also meant to see that while it may be fake, the blood is real. The pain is real. The sweat, and work and money is all real.

As I stated earlier, I am not a wrestling fan, but I found this film uniquely interesting. It's a glimpse into a world you don't usually get to see. These guys that I pass each day while channel surfing, thinking they are nuts. These guys are making a living.

Life, starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. Not much more should need to be said to convince the average movie-goer that this film would be a howl a minute. As a matter of fact, on the cover of the DVD box when I rented this film, one critic was quoted as saying this movie was "2 hours of non-stop laughter." What movie was he watching? I guess the biggest surprise this movie could deliver was that it wasn't that funny. I have to admit the biggest laughs in the whole movie were in the outtakes tacked on the end as the credits were rolling. I don't mean to express that this was a terrible movie by any stretch of the imagination, but don't expect wall to wall laughs, which is hard because of the cast involved.

Life follows the life sentence of two guys, who get caught being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Shockingly, there were more serious moments than comic ones. More often than not we are just as frustrated as these two guys, being sent to prison for life. Taking place in Mississippi, I guess the filmmakers thought placing Murphy and Lawrence as two New Yorkers stuck in a southern prison would add to the laughs. It just added to the frustration. Overacting my too many of the other inmates made the dialogue virtually impossible to understand at times. However, the primary problem with this film lay mostly in waiting for humor that never quite surfaced. I understand that a movie doesn't' have to be funny to be good, even if it stars Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, two of their generations great comedians. But as much as this didn't work as a comedy, it just wasn't serious enough for me to work as a drama. Sure I cared about the characters, but I don't even know if I was supposed to. I guess the biggest slam I could hang on this movie is I can't wait to see the next movie these two choose to make together. It's gonna be a riot.

What a bad movie this really was. In what seems to be the demon child of "9 to 5" meets any of a variety of horrible teenage coming of age drama/comedies, Teaching Mrs. Tingle lacked anything worthy of making it a watchable movie. The plot was stupid, and didn't have the guts to go far enough to even qualify this film as horror. The humor was even worse. Don't lecture me on the brilliance of Marisa Coughlan's improvised Exorcist scene, it was as embarrassing and out of place as the rest of the humor in this so called dark-comedy. The only redeeming quality about this movie was Helen Mirren. How they got her to even play the part is an amazement, and it goes to show that truly great actors rise above the worst material. I applaud her performance, but question her choice of roles. I have to admit as well that while Katie Holmes is cute, and may have acting ability, this role is wrong for whoever tries to play it. What a wimpy, sappy, simply disgusting character, but then again, she fits right into this sad movie well. My advice to you, avoid this like the plague.

Mission to Mars is good enough in the first half to keep my attention, and even impress me. The special effects were effective, and the movie was believable, as was it's intention. Sure, the plot was coated with cheesy, wishy washy, sentiment not usually found in sci-fi films, but that was OK too. This was an obvious homage to great sci-fi flicks of the past such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, with a bit of The Abyss thrown in for good measure. I cared enough about the plot and characters to even get caught up in things myself. Unfortunately for the viewer, as good and realistic as much of this film was, the ending was weak, predictable, and disappointing. What an obvious cop out. I won't give anything away, but it's nothing that hasn't been done before. And who animated this stuff? Pokemon in outer space is what it felt like. Too bad. DePalma had achieved something completely different, and that was what I liked about it at first. All the way down to the soundtrack, it just wasn't your normal sci-fi, and I liked it. Too bad the ending was such a bummer. It's worth seeing, just enjoy it while you can. It gets worse when it should be blowing you away.

Who would have ever thought this movie could be so funny. I can't help but compare it to a similar "mockumentary" called "Waiting for Guffman" done by Spinal Tap genius Michael McKean. And you know the truth? Drop Dead Gorgeous was 10 times better. I have to be honest, I didn't expect much from this film, which maybe explains the surprise. I don't like Kirstie Alley, or Ellen Barkin. But the younger cast makes this film worth while. Kirstin Dunst is great! Denise Richards is hot as always. And the remainder of young contestants are perfect. Many of the supporting cast is hilarious as well. Drop Dead Gorgeous is great for a laugh. I also can't help compare it to more successful dark comedies like Rushmore and Election, and believe it or not, this is darker, and funnier. Give it a try.

It's a sad state of affairs to see what happens when good actors go bad. Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt. These are good actors. What happened? All I can think of is lots of money. I mean, does anybody expect anything superb in a movie about a killer giant alligator? I didn't expect Oscar winner, but even Deep Blue Sea was slightly entertaining. This was just a waste of time. Not funny. Not scary. Not exciting. Boring.

I had been wanting to see this movie from the first time I saw the trailer. Being a HUGE fan of the Alien series, this film seemed right up my alley, and it didn't disappoint. This movie has so much to offer and delivers beautifully. After seeing the movie and giving it some thought, I can't help but rave over the set up. Everyone has a good idea what the film is about from the previews, but getting there is half the fun. The story starts with a bang and continues to build your interest and anticipation. I also have to add, that this is one of those movies that have classic images that will remain in your memory forever. Brief but brilliant shots, camera angles, and stuff that will just stun your senses and give you chills of excitement. And finally, but not in the least, Vin Diesel. Where did this guy come from? He is brilliant in his role, and became the complete anti-hero that you want by your side any time you fight light-fearing alien beings. From beginning to end, this movie has just a perfect feel, and is a great time at the movies. Enjoy it!

I had never heard anything about this movie except by word of mouth, and after seeing it myself, promptly recommended this film to most the movie buffs I know.

The movie works effectively on two levels, and while you may not ever have all your questions answered, it's an interesting and fascinating look at four individuals that basically are meant to represent a composite of society itself, and how we all react, and interact with each other.

Forced to cooperate to survive, four different people must each use separate talents to work together. Once again, don't just view this as a bizarre sci-fi flick, and please don't write it off so quickly. It may not be perfect, but it was interesting and there is enough to keep the most die hard sci-fi fan interested and entertained.

What can I say about this film except that I was completely mezmerized. What an amazing work of art. The cast was first rate, both the stars (Spacey, Benning) and the newcomers were brilliant. This movie spoke volumes about the meaning of life, the importance of happiness and direction, and how nobody really knows the answers. We all must figure out the riddles, and play the game. An easy 10!

Finally a lawyer movie with no car chases, no gun play, no running and jumping and killing. A Civil Action tells the very real story of a very real case in which kids were killed, and big business greed and carelessness are on trial. John Travolta once again leads the way, but Robert Duvall is brilliant (as usual) as a lawyer who's been around and knows how to play the game. Don't expect The Firm from this one, but an intelligent script that covers law, as well as the ethics of lawyers and how to really measure success.

Al Pacino brings Shakespeare to the common man in this documentary exploring the complexities of Richard III. If you can get past the insinuation that the "every day ordinary man (or woman)" is too slow to understand the intricacies of Shakespeare, you are left with quite an interesting, entertaining film. I have to be honest and say that many people do find Shakespeare a little bewildering, and tackling Richard III, one of his deepest, confusing plays, is no easy task. Therefore, let down your guard, and let the actors and scholars give us their interpretation of this most fascinating play. I found much irony in this simple effort, which made the film all the more enjoyable. In telling us of a story of a man, who wants so badly to become king as to betray all those he knows and loves, we learn the story of a singular, power hungry man, with an urge to rule his people. In his own admission, Pacino himself is on a quest to be the ultimate monarch of his own film, and tell us all, us commoners, the true meaning of this classic work. Whether or not the parallel is intentional, I don't know, but it still makes for interesting story telling. And the ultimate irony of all is that some of the deepest and most intelligent quotes come from interviews with Joe Q. Public; the man on the street.

Want to see something original, fresh, funny and romantic? Check out Shakespeare In Love. The writing is pure brilliance, with a hearty amount of laughs to keep you entertained, and enough romance for the biggest love story fanatic. The great thing about this movie is whether you like romance or comedy, whether you are a student of Elizabethian literature or a novice, you will probably love this film. The script is intelligent, funny, beautiful. The scenery and costumes are amazing and all together this is nearly a perfect film. See it!

When I first noticed The House of Yes, I saw it billed as a comedy. Dark humor, or black comedy as it's sometimes called, is not for everybody, and while I usually appreciate the attempt, here it just falls slightly short. Dealing with serious, deep, dark issues such as mental illness and incest, this film dove head first into the dark comedy lair, but unfortunately for my tastes, had a difficult time making its point. The film proves a couple of things for sure, family messes with your mind, and no matter what your standing or station in life, your family is the one place you are always greeted back with open arms. Parker Posey is amazing as the mentally disturbed sister the film centers around. The family itself bows to her every wish and the question finally becomes who in this twisted family is really the most crazy, and can anyone really leave the big empty house once they enter. One's sanity is in jeopardy as you begin to know each character, or family member, and while Posey plays the crazy one, at times she seems the most sane. This film was taken from a play, and that is evident here. With very few characters and the house in Washington being the only setting, the movie has a live theater feel. Overall the film just treads a bit too much on the dark side for even my tastes, despite its valiant effort to redeem itself in the end. If nothing else however, Parker Posey may be worth the price of admission.

While much of what I saw in Oliver Stone's film The Doors very well probably happened, I have no doubt that a lot of it didn't actually happen the way Mr. Stone wants us to think it did. I know Jim Morrison drank and drugged himself to death, and he was one strange, stoned, drunk rock and roll, genius poet, but there is not one moment in this film that isn't depicted as out of control, drug induced, violent and crazy. Watching this film gave me a headache. Stone attempts to take the reader on one mad ride after another as we fly through Jim Morrison and The Doors all too brief life and death as a great rock and roll band. Instead of focusing more on how he met his lifetime companion, and how The Doors formed, this movie is more obsessed with showing us just what a tragic figure Morrison was.

Hey Oliver, how about a little bit more on the band and less on the sadness that was Jim Morrison?

Dangerous Beauty is a film of contrast. It begins with the often funny, and simple story of a woman in love. Sadly her lover is from a rich family, and ordered to marry because of status, and not because of love, leaving this beautiful woman heartbroken. To become a person of status herself, and make money doing so, her mother teaches her to become a courtesan, a sort of well respected, high class, prostitute. She becomes so good at what she does that she can court kings and bishops as well as the common man. Life is wonderful for this beautiful woman. She learns to live with the hatred cast upon her from the other women of the town, and makes a nice fortune doing what she does best. She is beautiful, but also intelligent, and her mind is what makes her the best. While other women can compete with her beauty or her prowess, none can compete with her mind.

The movie takes a turn as the plague comes to Venice, and the high class call girl is reduced to a common whore, and charged with witchcraft, casting her spell on all the men of the town. The question then becomes can her intelligence help her escape from persecution that her body got her into?

This is an intelligently written, and beautifully filmed movie that has a lot of laughs and a lot of love.

For anybody who simply sees this film as a boring comedy about office work, I think you missed the point.

Clockwatchers tells the story of four young women, and their experiences temping in an office setting, but their job is a metaphor for life, and their office is the world around them, and around us all. Struggling with identity, relationships, prejudice and poverty, these women go to work unnoticed as temps, just as they struggle to adjust to life as young adults, on their own for the first time. Dealing with heavy issues we all deal with as we enter adulthood, they realize how difficult life can be. As the office becomes more like a fishbowl for the temps, life continues to put them in difficult situations. Some of the girls fail, some survive, and some continue to go with the flow as each day seems to blend into the next.

We could all learn a lot from Clockwatchers. In life, we should all stop watching the clock, and make the most of what we have, and who we can become.