Change Your Image
Ben_Deutsch
Reviews
Team America: World Police (2004)
simply brilliant.
I just saw this movie, sneak preview. and i have to say. Holy Crap. This movie is so ridiculous.
but don't take that as bad ridiculous.
Michael Moore made a point in Fahrenhiet 9/11. That point was that George W Bush failed America.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone say, George Bush didn't mess things up, just us being Americans mess things up.
Now, before I start my review I will say this, I am a libertarian read: old school republican. And I am absolutely scared to death of those damn puppets from Thunderbirds.
First off, This movie is genius. First came Baseketball and it was good. Then came South Park, Bigger, Longer, And Uncut, and it too was good. And now comes Team America: World Police, and it is amazing.
Why? you ask? "This guy has said this movie is genius like fifty thousand times and still hasn't substantiated!" you might say. Well here goes.
This film definitely portrays how the rest of the world sees the United States. Though you still know that the filmmakers are damn proud to be Americans, and surely believe in what we stand for, considering their constant belittling of Kim jong Il. But that is an interesting point of view to make a film from. Even Micheal Moore's films don't say hey, us Americans are portrayed as pigs.
Secondly, the story is actually good. Cliché, but actually good. All the characters are flushed out, and in a typical south park fashion. The political commentary is scathing, along with all the satire that runs rampant throughout the film.
Thirdly, some shots are actually quite dramatic and the cinematography is fairly decent
Next, the original soundtrack, like the song, "America, F*** YEAH!" and " I miss you as much as pearl harbor sucked."
Lastly, the 5 minute vomiting scene.
10/10. See it, laugh your ass off.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Pure Brilliance.
I went into this movie with insanely high expectations, and every time that happens, the movie has sucked, hardcore. But, this movie was an exception. This is "one of the goriest fright films ever made" (to steal the quote from the Dead Alive DVD box, but i think this one takes the cake).
The movie has just enough plot for you to not be sitting there going " What the hell is happening?" and plenty gore to keep all those slasher film purists at bay.
Shaun is one of the most dynamic characters in comedic history, he actually has more than one dimension, and he is a great farce of a character.
Honestly, i think that the new idea of fusing horror flicks and comedies is genius, and this is the best example i've ever seen of this genre. (Better than all the craptacular chucky movies)
I think that Simon Pegg is probably one of the greatest farce writers I've wiitnessed, maybe even surpassing Niel Simon.
Overall, 9.5/10.
Maria Full of Grace (2004)
excellent
I enjoyed this film. Though it was kind of slow in the beginning, (but somehow not too slow) kind of predictable (actually only towards the end) and kind of exaggerated, (only once as well).
I must say, that this film was so well made and the script and acting is so captivating that I on several occasions actually felt my heart beating furiously. And, there were parts where i was utterly repulsed, all feelings that were supposed to come through.
I read in someone else's comment that they felt as if they were watching a documentary, and I must agree. It is an interesting idea, considering that the way that all the characters are portrayed. The script is unbiased, its almost as if the actors sway your sympathy.
Excellent movie, just leaves you wanting more, and i would have preferred a more non-cliche, concrete ending.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
BEST COMEDY OF 2004
this is one of the finest dim witted, stoner comedies since half baked. It surprisingly surpasses half baked, which is the pinnacle of all stoner humor.
Somehow, Harold and Kumar manage to even incorporate gross-out humor that is actually funny.
H&K is probably the funniest movie you will see this year, and far surpasses the hilarity in any idiocy-based comedy I've seen in a long time.
The escapades of the obsessive-compulsive harold, and the overzealous, white castle craving lunatic kooooomar (kuumar (no wait, Kumar)) manage to be completely random, yet all tied together. Anything even subtly mentioned in the script manages to find its way to Harold and Kumar.
10/10
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
simply put, genius
I have seen some excellent comedies this year, Intermission, Tripplettes of Belleville, etc. But, none compare to the level of genius put out from this niche film.
Performancesa are excellent all around, and everyone does an amazing job. The portrayal of high school is so dead on that its almost creepy.
The irreverant humor is the star of the film, even more so than the great acting. Jokes involving pet llamas and ham, and chickens with large talons really make the film.
10 / 10.
Intermission (2003)
Funniest of 2004 as of may 1!
Though originally skeptical of an irish film, and of any movie with colin ferrel, i was rolling in the aisles laughing during this movie. I have yet to see a more gritty, perverselly funny movie since snatch.Colm Meaney is just brilliant, and so is colin ferrel(surprisingly). There are several sub plots that are so wildly incoherent, but somehow, the writer brings every subplot together by the end of the film. Bits about moustaches, brown sauce in tea, and everyday life working in a supermarket all eventually come together to craft an intesely funny film, and though its incoherency in the beginning of the movie may seem, well, incoherent, it pulls together to become genious. Five out of Five.
Les triplettes de Belleville (2003)
Brilliant
I saw this amazing piece of cinema unknowing of what is was. this was possibly the weirdest film i have ever seen without a doubt. Its kookier than eraserhead and i was unable to even comprehend anything wierder than eraserhead. But, this cinematic masterpeice is possibly the best thing to come out of france since freedom fries.
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Worst movie. EVER.
This was the worst film i have ever been subject to. I cannot beleive that I convinced myself to shell out six of my hard-earned dollars to see this cliche peice of s***. I want my eight bucks back (and yes i beileive the Wachowskis need to pay me two whole dollars for making this trash. For those of you people who are devout "fanatics" of this garbage, and plan to ask "what was so bad about it?" ill explain. The APU's arms girated as they shot thier weapons at the sentinals. Now, how can you get a good lock on a target if you are flailing your arms around? hmm? Plus, how is it that the people of zion knew how to cunstruct weapons found in the Matrix? PLUS the recoil of the double barelled rocket launcher wouldve thrust the eyepeice through the gunners eye sockets. The entire train station sequence was redundant idiocy. and the last exile could not say "Neo" she said Neil, Bill, and Phil. The entire premise of the movie being about Neo being jesus is also biblical nonsese and makes little sense. My final major gripe is that when sentinals form into a gigantic face, why is it they immediately know perfect english? and if you respond, do not say oh its because its in the "martix" you just dont understand. i will hunt you down and kill you.