Reviews

It's hard to recall a summer packed with so much box office promise. Aside from the X-Men sequel, other early season films have failed to live up to their hype. Daddy Daycare, The In-Laws, and The Matrix Reloaded are just a few titles that were heavily anticipated, yet failed to deliver a complete, satisfying movie experience. One can only hope that the Hulk, and hyped-up sequels to the Terminator and Charlie's Angels can salvage this summer series.

Before I go any further, I acknowledge that movie reviews are completely subjective. Different people like different things, and a lot also depends on your state of mind when watching. When it comes to judging movies I tend to evaluate a film based on whether or not it lived up to MY expectations. You may disagree, but again, it's my opinion.

2 Fast 2 Furious benefits from this way of thinking. Like the original, I had very low expectations for this film. I was very skeptical, doubting that they could hold together an entire film on the basis of "street-racing." Admittedly, the acting is not great, the dialogue is almost as bad as it was in the first one, and some of the race sequences/crashes are ridiculously far-fetched. The movie is, however, well-paced and delivers a steady supply of action and intrigue (unlike the Matrix snoozefest, a poorly-paced film which was only loosely held together by a handful of satisfying action sequences surrounded by a painfully dull plotline, horrendous acting, and an absolutely preposterous premise, but that's a movie review for another day.) I have read a number of scathing comments bashing the story's premise, but I think that the plot line was surprisingly well-developed. You have a cast of characters, each questioning the motives and loyalties of the others, all working with and against other forces to get to the predictable, albeit satisfying, conclusion. Is this movie great? No. But I didn't expect it to be. I was personally very satisfied with the movie experience. It did what few films (including the Matrix, Daddy Daycare, and the Hulk) have done this summer - it lived up to MY expectations.

Oh, by the way, it's one thing for me or anyone else to state an opinion. I have no problem with people who agree or disagree- that's what these reviews are for. But I think it's ridiculous when I see that 10% of ALL the comments posted for this film (at the time of this review) were all written by the SAME PERSON. It's one thing to be passionate, it's another thing to be annoying. PUH-LEEZE!

I have read a number of scathing reviews of this film, citing disappointment and disgust, whining about the weak storyline and atrocious character development. People have bemoaned the poor acting and the painful 80's-based soundtrack. Critics have wondered how such a talented cast of actors and actresses could come together to make such a weak film.

I agree that View from the Top is poorly-produced, completely unoriginal, and utterly forgettable. But then again, that's what I expected it to be. Did I walk into the theater thinking that I was screening a film for next year's Academy Awards? No, and anyone who dismisses this film because it does not have the artistic direction of Chicago or the drama of Titanic is doing themselves a disservice.

Like watching any prime-time sitcom, View from the Top is lightweight comedy, something to watch and enjoy as time passes. Is it a great film? No, not really. But understanding what the film makers were trying to do - amuse us for an hour-and-a-half - I was satisfied with View from the Top. It had a few good laughs and a predictable tidy ending. If you're going to the movies for a little harmless amusement, to pass some time with a smile on your face, and escape the harsh reality of the world we live in, then you could do far worse than View from the Top.

Unoriginal, poorly produced, poorly acted, and ultimately disappointing, this film takes the beautifully orchestrated acrobatic moves of Crouching Tiger (not to mention the leading lady), but executes them with an awkwardness surpassed only by the overused blue-screen and computer-generated special effects. Some of the action scenes were well done, but as a whole, it failed to bring anything more than what most low-grade action films offer.

The many attempts to inject humor into the film, via the classic "moronic American idiot" who bumbles around the film acting like he just left the set of latest Police Academy installment, is so out of place that it annoyinging disrupts the flow of the film and leaves the audience to wonder, "what the hell is that guy doing in this movie?"

Perhaps most disappointing were the performances of the two lead characters, who after promising roles in "Crouching Tiger" and "Birthday Girl" seemed to have settled for whatever script was tossed their way.

I rated this film a 4. It was compelling enough that I stayed to see the ending, but in the end, I wish that I hadn't. Utterly forgettable and disappointing...

Bowling for Columbine is an outstanding documentary which forces us, as an American Society, to look ourselves in the mirror and re-evaluate how we treat ourselves and how we treat others. For so long, many have been quick to point the finger at the violence of music, drugs, video games, etc., without addressing the true situations and motivations surrounding gun violence. Michael Moore should be universally applauded for his in-depth look, not only on guns, but on how we as a society are so easily manipulated by the bombardment of media images all seemingly intended to control us with our own fears.

Consistently bad and ultimately unsatisfying, this film is hurt by the plethora of unanswered questions left in a finale that horrifies the audience with the very suggestion of a possible sequel. Although leaving unexplained phenomena alone sometimes adds suspense and reality of a film, this film is so fraught with ridiculous premise and seemingly meaningless, unexplained sequences, that the audience tires of constantly asking themselves, "What the hell was that all about?"

More importantly, other questions arise, questions such as, "How is it possible that this movie was ever released?", "Have I ever seen such a bad film?", and "Can I get a refund for this?" The acting is below par, the character development is choppy, the horror sequences lack any scare power. (How many times do they expect us to jump at the sound of a ringing phone to break the eerie silence?) Avoid this film at all costs. The audience booed enthusiastically when the final credits began to roll.

Some horror films have disclaimers warning the potential viewer that film contains scenes which the viewers may find disturbing. This one should have a disclaimer that simply says, "Warning: This Film Blows."