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frog663
Reviews
The Black Dahlia (2006)
No L.A. Confidential
For me, this was one of the dullest films with recognizable actors in it that I have seen. I can't even say that, while watching it, I was hoping that it would get better, in that the writing was on the wall from early going. This is a classic example of going for style over substance, as it is a film that looks good, but that's about it. The acting, aside from the usually reliable Aaron Eckhart and the underused Mia Kirshner, was pedestrian, at best. This film desperately needed an energy that someone like Josh Hartnett seems impossible to give. While he, and Scarlett Johnansson, are not awful in it, neither did they add anything significant...aside from, perhaps, drawing more people in to watch it with their celebrity status. In the end, maybe that's all the studio truly cared about.
Splinter (2006)
Not enough Tom
I give this one four stars, solely because of Tom Sizemore who, for me, was the only interesting thing in this whole film. Though getting top billing, he isn't in this one nearly enough to rate it any higher. Why he wasn't given more screen time is beyond me. In fact, Resmine Atis seems to get as much, or more, screen time and, in my opinion, is as wooden an actress as I have seen on film. I kept waiting for some kind of real emotion to come out of her character, but it just wasn't to be.
I guess, perhaps, I am the wrong demographic for this kind of film, as I found the story and most of it's characters extremely dull and unimaginative. I found myself counting how many times they called each other "dog" just to keep myself amused. And, no, I can't give you the actual final count...you'll have to watch and count for yourselves....
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
An old and dear friend
I may be in the minority, but I was not disappointed in the least with any part of Indiana Jones' latest adventure. Harrison Ford did a wonderful job of recapturing the magic of Indy as an older man; something that, I would assume, wasn't as easy task. Admittedly, when we get to see Indiana for the very first time, it's hard not to have doubts as to just what Mr Ford would still be able to do, and where this story was going to be taking us. But it didn't take long for me to sit back and enjoy the ride once the story got started.
For me, it was a given that this installment would be far different from the previous three. It was set in a different era, with different obstacles and different possibilities. It was also following the adventures of a man much older than we had last seen, so it would be ridiculous to expect that he would be that very same man. I found it highly entertaining to see what the imaginations of those putting this together would envision Indiana Jones to be like in his sixties.
As well, it was nice to see Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) back. She, too, had changed over the years, both in appearance and demeanor. Yet, the spark that was so present between them in Raiders had definitely withstood the test of time.
The rest of the cast, as far as I am concerned, did an okay job, but none were a standout. Shia LeBeouf showed that he can hold his own, action-wise, but his acting performance never came across, to me, as something a dozen other young actors couldn't have done just as well. And Cate Blanchett, as well, never really made her villain into much more than a cardboard cutout.
That said, I would still definitely recommend seeing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, regardless of your expectations. Maybe you will leave after having seen it with the thought that you would've done some things differently, but isn't that what imagination is all about? I'm just glad to have been able to see my favorite college professor in action one more time.
Killing Ariel (2008)
Was this supposed to be a comedy?
Was this supposed to be a comedy? An interesting premise, I suppose, but it played out like a second rate sitcom. Plus, far too little was shown of the "actual" demon, and far too much shown of the Jack Nicholson wanna-be in the lead. Seems the filmmakers spent a lot of time and make-up trying to film him from angles that would accentuate whatever bare resemblance he might have with Nicholson, though, in the early going, he reminded me more of Michael Keaton than anything else. Facially, in both cases...never talent-wise.
I will say that I did come away with one positive from this film. Axelle Grelet is definitely easy on the eyes and did a credible job with what she was given. I definitely would like to see some of her other work. Aside from her, though, there really isn't much I can recommend here. Watchable once, perhaps, but nothing I would want to see again.
Naked Fear (2007)
Nicely done
This one was a lot better than it had any right to be, given the fairly lurid storyline. I give the producers credit for delivering a credible and compelling story, as well as a believable performance from Danielle DeLuca. Not sure if this will qualify as a spoiler, but not going to take any chances: Story takes a little while to get going, but once the hunt is on, things really take off. Yes, Ms DeLuca is naked for a good part of the second half but, unless you're a twelve year old boy, you become engrossed enough in her predicament that you aren't focusing on that fact. While I appreciated the choice of the camera not lingering on her naked body, I did find it somewhat annoying that it did linger on other unnecessary shots. Sunsets, a car backing out of a driveway and several shots of trophies mounted on the wall. Seemed to be trying to make a point continuously that was gotten the first time around, but it's a small quibble. What points they may have lost from me were gained back by the unexpected ending. Not earth-shaking, but not something I saw coming, either. Bravo.
While this obviously isn't going to win any awards, it's a more than passable way to spend an hour and a half. An hour and a half, to paraphrase so many "original" reviewers on this site, that I happily don't want to give back!
AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem (2007)
Watchable, but....
Just came back from having seen it, and have to say that I was terribly disappointed with the end result. Having seen the trailers, I must admit that I built up a healthy anticipation for it's release but, in my opinion, it just didn't live up to the promise contained in those trailers.
Yes, it is much better than it's predecessor, but that's not really saying much, is it? The characters were well drawn out, for the most part. In fact, it might even be said that too much time was devoted to fleshing out some of the characters who, in essence, were only there to become fodder for the aliens later in the film. The first half, though interspersed with the activities of the aliens and/or Predator, added little to the film, as a whole. While I appreciate the effort made to give us some background on the people we are supposed to care about, it didn't really work for me. In fact, I found that I felt worse for a few characters that were only on screen for a couple of minutes when they met their demise.
In the end, it is definitely a watchable film. One that I surely wouldn't mind seeing again, at some point. What's disappointing to me is that is could have, and probable should have, been a whole lot better. The storyline was decent enough; the actors played their roles as well as could have been expected; and the action scenes were handled very well. Still, I walked out of the theater feeling as if a whole lot was missing from the experience. Had they tightened things up a bit, this one could've been great. As it is, it's worth a 7 in my book.
Cabin Fever (2002)
What's Eating You?
Okay, so the plot was kind of contrived. It still was somewhat reminiscent of the tension that built up so much in The Thing under similar, yet completely different, circumstances. The acting was nowhere as bad as other reviewers here would lead you to believe. In fairness to the young actors, none of them were really given a lot of opportunity to do more than just regurgitate at various intervals.
The concept behind Cabin Fever was an interesting one.
Potential Spoilers Ahead:
Still a faceless killer at work, as is the staple of most "teens in peril" films but, this time, the killer is a disease, not a maniac. How the disease came to be initially was, to me, of no concern (unlike a few of the other reviewers here). Were I to have been one of the teens in the cabin, it would not have mattered to me in the least how the disease came to be, only that I not be unlucky enough to contract it. Had this information been something that, if learned, would've made any kind of a difference, it'd be another story. But that was surely not the case here.
The gore, for the most part, was more of the slimy and gooey variety. Not nearly as bloody as a lot of the slasher films that have been made, to be truthful. But there was enough of it to catagorize the disease itself as something more than just the common cold! I could've done without a lot of the peripheral characters; none of which came across as anything more than just extras with speaking parts. The ending was less than I thought this movie deserved, as well. Though I understand that they had to tie up the loose ends somehow, it still seemed as if they could've put a lot more thought into it. Personally, I would've had the final character escape and go back home, believing himself to have cheated death, so to speak, only to cough up the tiniest trace of blood and let the movie close with the look in his eyes as he realizes that he hadn't gotten away, after all. To me, that would've been a more fitting end but, all in all, Cabin Fever does, indeed, deliver the goods. It may not be up there with some of horror's classics, but it does hit all the right notes at the right times.
Judge Dredd (1995)
I'll be the "judge" of that!
Had I read the comic books, maybe I would be a much harsher critic of Judge Dredd. Having not had the experience, I can only "judge" the film I saw. With the exception of a couple of lulls in the action that were necessary, I guess, to further the plot along, Dredd moved briskly from start to finish. Rob Schneider was the perfect foil for Stallone's Dredd, allowing him to play the character straight, while still recognizing the absurdity of it all.
The rest of the roles were perfectly cast, as well (though I still don't see the supposed resemblance between Stallone and Armand Assante). Diane Lane added a much needed voice of reason to the proceedings, and showed herself to be just as capable a Judge as the legendary Dredd.
From other reviews I have read here, I have learned that the Angel family portrayed here was taken straight from the comic, itself. I have no way of knowing if they were portrayed faithfully but, whether they were or not, they didn't seem to belong in this film. While some kind of additional action was probably necessary, they came across as more of a cartoon than I thought necessary, even for a film based on a comic book.
That criticism aside, I would still say that Judge Dredd is definitely worth watching. It's fun to see Sylvester Stallone essentially send up his macho image and actually look as if he's having fun in the process! The whole movie is over the top, from the opening street war, to the final shot of Stallone, in the distance, taking a page out of John Wayne films! It may not always make sense, but it is certainly never boring!
Demolition Man (1993)
The future's so bright, I gotta use sea shells??
Lighten up, people! Just what do we expect from a film called "DEMOLITION Man",hmm? Social relevancy? Oscar nominations? The two combatants duke it out in the present, then take it to the future. Both Stallone and Snipes seem to relish chewing the scenery no matter what the century. It's fun to look through John Spartan's eyes at a world that is no longer recognizable; a world that he no longer fits into. A world where sea shells have taken on a whole new usage!
Demolition Man is an action-packed ride into the future. A future where nearly everything has been outlawed, where crime is almost non-existant, and where two foes suddenly find themselves in a face off...to the death. Sandra Bullock is as lovely as ever, providing some of the best lines in the film, borne out of her innocent attempts at speaking 90s-ese.
While I would never classify Demolition Man as anything near a classic, it is a good old fashioned (if you can be old fashioned in the future!) good guy vs bad guy flick. Only one truly objectionable scene for the potentially squeamish (with the warden). Otherwise, a good choice for a no-brain-necessary night at the movies.
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
Old Friends
Lethal Weapon 3 is like getting to spend time with some old friends you haven't seen for awhile. And it's nice to know they haven't changed...still the same guys we remember. The story line, to me, is secondary to the relationship between Riggs and Murtaugh; that's what keeps me coming back.
As far as the additions to the ever-growing cast of characters, I will admit that Leo Getz was a character that I, personally, could have done without in this one, as well as part 2 (though, after LW4, I tend to go a little easier on him...but that's for another review!). This time, we add a love interest for Riggs, Sgt Lorna Cole. My hat is off to Rene Russo for creating a character that could actually out-Riggs Riggs! The hardest thing in the world must be for an actor or actress to join an established franchise such as Lethal Weapon and find a way of fitting themselves in. Lorna Cole is certainly a match for Riggs, in more ways than one!
The plot has, of course, been used many times before in other movies, that of learning there may be a "bad cop" in the ranks. There were more than enough chases and "incidents" to keep things moving very nicely, thank you. About the only complaint I have about LW3 is
***SPOILER**
when Riggs and Murtaugh allow a young cop to tag along with them when they go to investigate the possible theft of more guns. Surely Internal Affairs would not have allowed something like that, but I realize that they needed someone to prove that the bad guys did, indeed, have "cop killers"...and did not want to lose a character they wanted to keep around for LW4. Still, it didn't seem to fit in with the way Riggs, Murtaugh and Cole typically would operate.
***End of SPOILER***
In the end, Lethal Weapon 3 delivers everything we have come to expect from the franchise. What more can you ask out of a film? Glad the boys decided to stop by!
Jason X (2001)
Delivers the Goods
I have come to the conclusion that a good portion of the people who submit reviews for films like Jason X do so simply for the "thrill" of seeing their names or e-mail addresses on screen. Seems a lot of you would be better off attending an autopsy in your area than watching a movie that is supposed to simply be entertaining. Given that the previous Friday films had run out of steam, it made all the sense in the world to try to steer the franchise in a whole new direction. Where the original Fridays were nothing more than T&A/slashfests, it is a formula that loses it's appeal after so many sequels. If Jason X accomplishes anything here, it is injecting some life into an otherwise stagnating series.
We know Jason cannot die...he has proven that, time and again. Thus, we no longer watch to see if he will finally be killed. Instead, we wait for him to die, just to see how he'll manage to come back anyway! The method of this in Jason X is obvious from early on, but it still works. The "new and improved" Jason is worth the wait for, even though he is not on screen all that long.
As has been the staple of all the previous installments, the characters in Jason X were, for the most part, just killings waiting to happen. I think it's a safe bet that, if there is a Jason XI, it won't involve anyone from MENSA! Face it, the characters in any Jason film are there for the sole purpose of running, screaming and dying. Any personality or acting ability that shines through, above and beyond those three things, is always a plus. In this case, I found most of the acting very credible, considering the circumstances. I was especially taken by Melyssa Ade (Janessa) who, in my humble opinion, stood out in every scene she was in.
All I can say, to those of you who are reading these reviews before renting Jason X, is to go ahead and rent it, and watch it with an open mind. If you're looking to be entertained, it does deliver the goods. If you're looking for a 90 minute bloodbath, maybe Faces of Death would be a better selection for you....
Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
More Die Hard: With a Whimper
I will admit that, when I saw Die Hard 3 in the theater, I was completely disappointed. While the first two Die Hards were packed with adrenaline, this one seemed to just sit there. However, having had the opportunity to watch it again, I find myself a little less critical of it. In actuality, had this not been labelled a Die Hard installment, it would've held up as a decent action film. Sure, it pales by comparison to the first two films, but I don't think it aspired to be anything more than what it is.
Bruce Willis' John McClane bore no resemblance to the McClane we remember so fondly. If anything, he could've been a distant cousin of characters he has played in other movies, such as The Fifth Element, for example. What was missing, for me, was the occasional witty aside that has been the staple of the series. His "mime" comment aside, there really weren't any memorable lines uttered. If the first two Die Hards were rollercoaster rides, this one was more a ride on the merry-go-round!
If I have any major complaint about this film, it was the ending. When I first saw it, I couldn't help but think that the producers had run out of money and had to throw together some kind of ending to wrap things up. Repeated viewings have done little to change that opinion. Maybe I've just been spoiled by the previous two films, but I felt cheated by the way they chose to bring down the curtain on this one.
Overall, I would say that Die Hard 3 does work. The cat and mouse games were involving, the "bad guys" were properly menacing, and there was more than enough suspense throughout. Change the ending, and leave out the references to his marriage and you've got yourself a pretty terrific little movie. Still, even as is, it's worth watching.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
Sit back and enjoy the ride
I feel extremely sad for some of the people who have been reviewing this film. It is apparent that their standards are so high that they will never be able to enjoy a film just for enjoyment sake. Or, perhaps, their enjoyment is derived from the act of picking films apart; looking for any reason at all to dislike them?
The Long Kiss Goodnight is an action film, in every sense of the word. Sure, there are holes in the plot big enough to drive a semi through, but none of them are enough to stop the flow of the film itself. I have never been a big Geena Davis fan, but I was impressed with how she was able to create two very different characters, Samantha Cain and Charlie Baltimore. In my opinion, it wasn't even necessary to have changed her physical appearance to differentiate between the two...her acting was more than enough to do the trick.
More than anything else, though, this film was Craig Bierko's. In another's hands, the character of Timothy could've been just another interchangeable villain. His decision to play him with a more casual approach was just the right counterpoint to all of the action scenes. It isn't often that you find an actor who can express himself so well with just his facial expressions...point in case: the scene in the freezer with Charlie and her daughter. Where most films would've cluttered the moment of "revelation" with unnecessary dialogue, Bierko's eyes told the whole story.
The basic plot? Thin, to be truthful. A seemingly average housewife who suffers from amnesia slowly discovers that she had been an assassin. As her memory returns, so do the people who want the assassin dead. Is she really Samantha, the cookie baking housewife, or Charlie, the cold blooded assassin? Or maybe a little bit of both? For me, The Long Kiss Goodnight was an enjoyable journey to find out.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Uncool J
Forget the Jaws comparisons. Even the many Jaws ripoffs that followed it's initial release make Deep Blue Sea pale by comparison. Aside from decent performances from Thomas Jane and Michael Rapaport, the best performances were given by the sharks themselves. What bothered me the most about this film, however, was the feeling that it would have been a much different, and much better, film had it not seemingly been structured around LL Cool J. Perhaps I am mistaken, but it seemed to me that someone decided that his otherwise needless role should be beefed up throughout this film, with scenes created solely for the purpose of making him seen as some kind of action hero, possibly for any future roles he might have in his career.
Granted, the implausibility factor was off the charts throughout Deep Blue Sea, but that is something one takes for granted when watching such a film. Nothing I will spoil about the plot here, such as it is. The special effects were hit and miss, though I will say that it would have been a difficult proposition (as well as extremely expensive) to make some of the scenes presented here more realistic.
All in all, this is a tough movie to rate. For the indiscriminating sci-fi/horror buff, this does contain all the elements needed to sit back with a cold one and enjoy, but if you're looking for a film that has more to offer than the occasional "that was a pretty cool attack", I think you'll want to look elsewhere.
Armageddon (1998)
Give it a chance.
Armageddon is neither the best, nor worst, movie ever made. Reading some of the previous comments here, it is apparent that some people may have forgotten the whole concept of what a movie is supposed to provide; namely, entertainment. While some films, admittedly, are based in fact, Armageddon is A FANTASY. How is anyone going to be able to make a film about (Spoilers ahead:) the potential end of the world and do so accurately? This film isn't supposed to be a training manual for how to save the world, merely an entertaining "what if?".
Yes, the idea of the government calling on Bruce Willis to drill into the center of an asteroid heading for Earth is preposterous. So what? It's not as if there would be any reason for anyone at the Pentagon to have given any serious thought to this particular chain of events happening beforehand, is there? Even Billy Bob Thornton (who was surprisingly understated in his role) admitted to Willis that there was no back-up plan. If they had a better idea, they would've used it, don't you think?
Had Willis and his crew played this completely straight, the entertainment value would've been nil. Armageddon was basically about a bunch of, essentially, misfits banding together to save mankind. Any flaws in logic in the script, to me, were most welcome. If I wanted to watch a documentary, I would've tuned into PBS. This was a good old-fashioned rah rah kind of escapist film. Willis was nothing like his typical wise guy character; choosing, instead, to create a flawed man who was devoted to his job, as well as his daughter. There were enough special effects to keep even the most jaded viewer happy.
The bottom line? Armageddon is exactly what you would expect a movie about saving the world to be like. The stereotypical characters that are a must in such films are pretty much all represented here. Does it work? I would say a definite yes.