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Reviews
Kiss of the Dragon (2001)
Kiss of the poorly written script
OK, so nobody goes to see Kung-Fu movies because they want a cerebral dramatic experience. Usually, we're comfortable watching kung-fu movies if there's plenty of action and some melodrama. That having been said, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie for Jet Li's bad-assed wire-fighting action. It was your standard sort of fun action flick until about 3/4 through the movie when Bridget Fonda opens her mouth and ruins the movie. It's not completely her fault as no actor could have made that dialogue sound realistic. Anyway, that little 1-2 minute speech of hers just before the denouement killed the rest of the film for me.
The actual "Kiss of the Dragon" was pretty cool though.
Fainaru fantajî VII (1997)
Instant Classic
The tag line for the game says it all: "They said it couldn't be done in a major motion picture...they were right." I've never enjoyed a video game more than this one. It has everything. It's mainly turn-based role-playing, but your decisions effect the plot as well as adding flavor to the story. There's chocobo racing, snowboarding, underwater battles, battles in the sky, and a fight while riding a motorcycle! Final Fantasy VII is a tremendous adventure that brings you and your friends around the globe and even to outer space! Can you single-handedly defeat the evil Shin-Ra Corporation? Can you uncover the clues about Cloud's past? Can you find the mysterious Sephiroth? The American version of the game is accentuated by the addition of 2 new super-enemies. It will take more than just careful battle strategy to beat these guys; you'll need extremely high levels and lots of luck.
The animation for the movie scenes is wonderful, and it just gets better and better as the story goes on. Characters still have the "cute" look like most video games, but the casual tone of most of the dialogue makes it appropriate. The story is absorbing, the action is well-paced, and the world is absolutely huge. Any experienced gamer will fall in love with this one in an instant.
Delta of Venus (1995)
If you've read the book, this isn't for you.
Delta of Venus, a collection of short stories by Anias Nin, was one of the first popular works in female erotica. The film is loosely based on the story behind the collection. It fails in trying to incorporate other stories from the collection. The film doesn't fail to be interesting, however. It may drag in the middle, and the dialogue may be a little on the obnoxious side, but it succeeds in being one of the most erotic films I've seen to date. The actors/actresses are simply gorgeous, and the sex scenes are among the hottest and most tasteful. If you're a fan of erotica in general, I suggest you check this one out. If you're looking for a good transition from literature to film, however; you may be looking in the wrong place.
C'era una volta il West (1968)
Fantastic! The most satisfying western I've seen!
I fell in love with this film from the first time I saw it. Once Upon a Time in the West is one of the best character-driven movies with a plot that drives the audience. Henry Fonda is an emissary of evil. Charles Bronson is the mystery man with a code of honor. Jason Robards is an "honest criminal." Jill McBain is a modern woman vying for respect and dominance in a man's world.
I adore this film for several reasons.
Charles Bronson, Peter Fonda, and Jason Robards are the baddest bad-boys in the west.
The soundtrack is both ingenious and haunting.
As the title implies, it's a fantasy about good and evil, and the men and women who play their roles in the battle for progress. "The West" is not portrayed as a static backdrop like in your run-of-the-mill John Wayne feature, but as a dynamic entity that engulfs the characters.
From the opening scene to the final gunfight, you get the feeling that what is going on here is larger than life.
The Charles Bronson flashbacks are astounding.
This film is full of style
I can't say more except that if you're looking into westerns as a genre, this movie is quintessential.
Monster a Go-Go (1965)
A movie for the Drive-in that was so bad you couldn't make out.
In a time of Drive-in movie theaters, this was the excuse high school boys needed to take their girlfriends to the movies and make out in the car. The only good thing about this movie is that you don't have to watch it while it's on (which leaves you free do do other things...) Perhaps the dullest sci-fi flick ever, I found the twist ending unnecessary. Instead of making the movie more interesting, the ending is just another excuse never to see it again. If you absolutely must see this movie just because of its bottom-of-the-barrel nature, watch it on MST3K. It'll be a lot less painful.
Scooby Doo, Where Are You! (1969)
Still worth watching after 30+ years
Scooby-Doo has become the most beloved cartoon dog in television history. He's my favorite by far! Of all the Scooby-Doo cartoon series, this one is the best. If you've never seen an episode of Scooby-Doo, you should watch it as soon as possible (it's always on somewhere). If you grew up with Scooby-Doo, you should watch him again. There's nothing more nostalgic than kicking back and watching Scooby and the Gang ride around in the Mystery Machine looking for mysteries to solve. Cartoons today have to rely on sarcastic witticisms in order to keep the kids' attention. That's because all of the funny visual gags and ironic plot devices got used up by the writers of Scooby-Doo! Long live Scooby, Shaggy, Fred Daphne, and Velma.