Change Your Image
techspec
Reviews
Casino Royale (2006)
This is the best James Bond movie I've seen ... and I've seen them all.
Until now, I have always touted Sean Connery as the best James Bond ... no more. Daniel Craig brings something needed to the role ... a sense of reality.
At the beginning of the show, Bond is involved in what I would describe as the most exciting foot chase I have ever seen. This movie chronicles how James Bond became 007. There are really no outlandish gadgets in the movie; everything comes across a "possible".
One of the things that makes this Bond believable is that he is not pristine throughout the movie; he's cut up, bruised, and tortured. Though the original Casino Royale book would have taken place decades earlier, this movie initiates the series in the current day. It even incorporates the current "Texas Holdem" fad into the plot. Bond's famous coolness and aloofness is explained very well in this movie. From now on, you will never watch a 007 movie with the same eyes.
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
This film is a moving, visual transcription of the last hours of Jesus as portrayed in the Bible's New Testament.
Mel Gibson portrays as accurately as is possible the last hours in the life of Jesus the Christ. The movie was not created for its shock value...although it is shocking. If anything, it didn't go far enough in portraying the suffering of Christ...that might have been too much for many to bear. After all the Bible says that Christ was beaten beyond recognition.
Jim Caviezel does a wonderful job portraying Jesus. There are a few flashbacks to events earlier in Jesus' life. Whether it was the intended purpose or not, these flashbacks almost serve as a relief from the more gruesome parts of the movie.
You can read the biography and see the complete plot...there were no surprises. The movie was simply a visual depiction of the basis of the Christian faith. I can't imagine anyone leaving this movie without being emotionally affected.
Frailty (2001)
This film is a good horror film with a great twist at the end.
My wife always said that the "slasher" movies like Friday 13th didn't scare her near as much as the more plausible movies like "Psycho". This movie has a somewhat believable plot...and therefore can have you feeling a little tense.
Matthew McConaughey plays a character who is turning himself in to FBI Agent Wesley Doyle (played by Powers Boothe) for a series of murders committed from childhood. His father (played by Bill Paxton) believed that God showed him "evil" people and that he was directed to kill them. In carrying out this mission, the father enlisted his two sons, though one of the sons (Adam) didn't believe in what his father was doing. McConaughey tells Doyle the whole story, then leads him to the secret burial ground.
The movie takes an unexpected turn at the end.
Gladiator (2000)
This is a truly great epic film in the vein of Spartacus.
Russell Crowe plays a general in the Roman army who through a series of treacherous actions finds himself a gladiator. In the same genre as Spartacus, this movie is far more spectacular...and I loved Spartacus. Despondent at the loss of his wife and child, Maximus (Crowe) has refused to fight as a gladiator and wants nothing more than to be reunited with his family. Of course, he does fight, and looks forward to revenge for his misfortune.
Crowe plays the part of a loyal Roman general (of Spanish descent) very well. The king looks at Maximus as a son...and there is where the problems begin. Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus, the king's real son, who is nothing short of a spoiled brat.
The fight scenes in the movie are spectacular, but the plot will satisfy even the ladies who go more for the romantic films.
Prelude to a Kiss (1992)
This movie started out with a ridiculous premise...then went downhill from there.
I love Meg Ryan, so I was supremely disappointed in this outing. I suspect that she will look back on this movie the way Dustin Hoffman looks back on Ishtar. Meg plays a woman so dissatisfied with her life that simply kissing someone transforms her into the other body. Now this is not a completely unique premise...remember "Like Father, Like Son" with Dudley Moore? That was actually a somewhat funny movie, however the premise doesn't work when trying to be serious. I think Meg must have been relieved to have success the following year with "Sleepless in Seatle"...because Prelude was a disaster. In fact, the only reason I'm taking my time writing a review about this horrible movie is to warn you not to spend your money renting it!
Cannery Row (1982)
This movie drags at the beginning, but makes up for it in the end.
The first time I saw this movie, I almost fell asleep during the first half. I'm glad I kept watching, because the rest of the movie was hilarious. Nick Nolte is great as the lead and the bums and "ladies of the evening" will have you falling off your chair.
Open Range (2003)
This was the most realistic western I've ever seen.
I rank this among my top three western movies of all time...along with "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "Tombstone". This movie didn't have the "traditional" gunfight, but when there was a gunfight the shots were realistic sounding, almost eerily so. The whole movie was filled with realism from the costuming to the set design. As a sidebar...the scenery was also beautiful!
Daredevil (2003)
For those of us who grew up a fan of the comic book hero, this was a good movie representation.
I grew up reading super hero comic books and dreaming of what it would be like to be one of them. I always had a preference for those with some kind of vulnerability...Hulk, Spiderman, and of course Daredevil. I thought this movie was a good representation of the character I remember reading in the comics. Although I would agree that the story is somewhat predictable, still it is a fun movie to watch...brings back memories. Colin Farrell was excellent as Bullseye. I bought the DVD not because I considered this a "great" movie, but because I want to be able to pull it out again sometime...when I want to dream again.
Hulk (2003)
Hulk was in some ways disappointing...but I still bought the DVD.
Growing up in the 60s and reading the superhero comic books, I was really looking forward to the animation in the new movie release. After suffering through the Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby in the TV series, I couldn't wait to see the Hulk depicted the way he was intended to be...as Stan Lee had created him. There is no way that a real person could play the Hulk...he had to be animated. Our technology has finally come far enough that the Hulk could be shown in an almost "realistic" way.
I was somewhat disappointed with the acting and the story line, but remember that the first action hero movie of a possible series has to show how the hero came to be...this takes a little time. I do wish that more time had been put into writing a pretty good script. Despite all of this, I still bought the DVD. The Hulk was my favorite superhero...he could feel pain, weariness, confusion, anger...almost any emotion. This could be one movie that has a better sequel than the original.
Spider-Man (2002)
This was a pretty good representation of the comic book hero.
This was a fun movie to watch...although not what I would consider an award winner. Spiderman was not my favorite superhero when growing up; he just seemed too smart mouthed. The movie character was well played by Toby McGuire...he made his smart comments seem more reasonable. Some people have reviewed this genre of movies a little too harshly (in my opinion). Remember how hokey the comic books were...these movies have to transform these characters into something that would be entertaining to adults as well a children. I think Spiderman was entertaining...worth renting and watching on a cold Winter's night.
Phar Lap (1983)
I stumbled on this movie having never heard of it...I'm glad I did!
This movie is the "Rocky" of animal pictures. Based on a true story, it made me want to go and do a little research on the real Phar Lap. Your emotions will span the scale while you watch this movie. It doesn't have an all star cast...or even a recognizable one, but this movie is worth a rental fee or purchase.
Cannery Row (1982)
This movie drags at the beginning, but makes up for it in the end.
The first time I saw this movie, I almost fell asleep during the first half. I'm glad I kept watching, because the rest of the movie was hilarious. Nick Nolte is great as the lead and the bums and "ladies of the evening" will have you falling off your chair.
The Matrix (1999)
Unique action/adventure film!
Obviously this is a "guy" movie. It is one of the most unique action/adventure movies I've seen. The premise for the movie has never been done as far as I know. This and the special effects create a great entertaining film. For those of us who are technology minded, the premise, though obviously not possible, still comes across as something that is believable.