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maxshreck
Reviews
Le pacte des loups (2001)
Don't be put off by the subtitles, this is great!
I first saw this film in France where it was generally loathed by critics and cinema goers alike. However, I loved it and have seen it several times since, eagerly awaiting its Irish video release.
Basically, this is top notch entertainment. The French seem to be extremely obsessed by the ongoing style versus substance debate, and so, needless to say, those looking for substance didn't find it here. However, when the French choose to concentrate on one or the other, style or substance, they always do a great job- I mean hey, France WAS the birthplace of cinema after all. The result is a Hollywood-style blockbuster with subtitles.
Plotwise, it's a sort of Sleepy Hollow only with sex, drugs and a lot, lot more blood thrown in for good measure- definitely not one for the squeamish. The effects are dazzling, the cinematography breathtaking, and it beats the hell out of the Matrix for fight scenes (primarily involving Mark Dacascos of Crying Freeman fame) any day of the week. There's some fine performances too, especially from the always reliable Vincent Cassel (L'haine). The film does lose a bit of momentum in the middle, but who can nitpick about a film that features the extremely sexy Monica Belucci?
If it's roughly two hours of pure entertainment that you're after, then this should be tip-top of your list.
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Intergalactic update of The Three Amigos (though not quite as funny)
Perfectly cast, affectionate spoof of Star Trek-type sci-fi that boasts some pretty respectable effects too. Not quite a comedy classic, but its heart's in the right place, and there are a few genuine laughs along the way.
So, if it's an amiable comedy you're after, then this is for you. Trekkies will probably enjoy it even more for the multitude of sci-fi references it hurls at the viewer(I myself probably didn't even get half of them).
Scream 3 (2000)
Best of a bad bunch
Warning: Herein there be SPOILERS
This actually isn't tooooo bad, much better than its predecessors. I personally hated the other too but this one pleasantly surprised me. The script is loaded with some great pokes against the horror genre and the movie business in Hollywood as a whole-"I'm sick of being 35 playing a 21 year old", which certainly sums up one of my movie-pet hates.
Also, there were actually some genuine chills in this one. These were primarily provided in the form of Sydney's mother's ghost (outside the window and underneath the blood stained sheet), which proved a refreshing change from the slasher action in the rest of the movie. Carrie Fisher also makes a hilarious cameo in the film. This movie also highlights the complete pointlessness of Scream 2 (which might as well have been called Scream 2: Billy's Mum Gets Even!) In fact, you could go straight from Scream to Scream 3 and not really miss anything.
However, there were also some terrible, terrible things about this film. Firstly, all those needless supporting characters that seemed to be there solely to bloody the killer's knife. Secondly, the (characteristic of a Scream movie) woefully weak ending. With all the bloody unmasking that goes on, you'd swear you were watching an episode of Scooby Doo- "And I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you pesky kids!"(-coincidence that two of the Scream actors have gone on to star in the forthcoming Scooby Doo movie?) What follows the customary killing-of-the-killer-then-killing-him-again scene is a sort of epilogue, with symbolism as subtle as a sledgehammer (Sydney opening the gates). Weak, weak, weak.Thirdly, there were a mishmash of setpieces that were no more than blatantly reworked scenes from the other two movies: somebody trapped with the killer behind a soundproof screen, one of the characters getting killed' then reappearing, unharmed, transpiring to be the killer. Fourthly, the reappearance of Randy- don't get me wrong, I really liked his character, but that whole video thing was just waaaay too contrived for me. It's as if Craven was so obsessed with killing off as many people as possible in the second film, that by the time he made the third one it was a case of "whoops, I've already killed off the character who recites the rules in every film, now how do I bring him back? Hmmmm.."
My verdict, however, is: if you HAVE to see any of the Scream films, see this one. (Thank God there isn't such a word as Quadrology in the movie business...)
48 Hrs. (1982)
One of the better buddy-buddy cop actioners
Well, they may not be Steiger and Poitier, but as a mismatched, mixed race, mutual loathing duo forced to work together, Nolte and Murphy put in good performances. In fact, out of all the buddy-buddy movies I have ever seen, both dated before (Freebie and the Bean) and after (Lethal Weapon) this one, 48 Hours has to be one of the best. Nolte is his usual grizzly, growling self and Murphy (in his feature film debut) is great, although not yet achieving his comic peak as he did in Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop. The chemistry between these two leads is also excellent. Hill, as always, maintains a deft mix of action and comedy throughout the film (with slightly more emphasis on the action), and never sacrifices one in favour of the other.
All in all, a great film, shame about the sequel.
Shaft (1971)
Who's the cat who won't cop out when theres danger all about?
Elaborately choreographed fight scenes, multiple explosions and hairstyle evolution have conspired to make this film seem terribly dated. In this new millenium of Wesleys and Denzels and Morgans, having a black hero is no longer such a groundbreaking, cinematically political statement, and therefore the bite of this film has been reduced to a mere nibble. However, as an example of the blaxploitation genre this is one of the best. Roundtree is dynamite in the lead role, the lines have retained their snappiness- "Don't let yo' mouth get yo' ass into trouble"- and the legendary score is, well, legendary. As a milestone in late 60's /early 70's cinema, this is a must see for any film lover, however it is probably not the kind of film to snuggle up to your girlfriend in front of on a Saturday night if you're looking for a popcorn flick
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The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Boop-boop-be-doo...
Delightful comedy, and one of Marilyn's best (though not quite as good as Some like it Hot). Tom Ewell turns out a great performance in this movie as the happily married man who, after seven years of marriage, starts having fantasies about the sexy blonde who's just moved in upstairs. The film also shows how much comedy can be squeezed from a one-location scenario, and is definitely one that budding filmmakers should take note of. Marilyn oozes charm (in a typical role for her) as a sweet but sexy, quirky young woman. The script is still fresh, and complements the light breezy tone of the movie. All in all, definitely a film for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
P.S. This celluloid gem also contains the infamous subway grating' scene.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Floppy eared Charlie Chaplin wannabe...
Yes, I know that I'm going to sound like just another irate fan in the long list of negative critiques, but hey, I hide my disgust for no one. Yes, it IS as bad as you have doubtlessly heard. In fact, the only possible reason you might like this is if you have never seen the original trilogy.
However, let me go on with my rant. I haven't bothered reviewing the original trilogy as I feel I have nothing to add. Some may the say the same about this, but I write it anyway, on the week before the Irish release of 'Clones' in the hope that Lucas will surprise me with the next offering. Here follows my bones of contention with 'Phantom Menace'.
The effects were very good, however I remain a fan of the more 'organic' school of film making, in the sense that Chewbecca was better because he had that 3D look- Jar Jar Binks remains strictly 2D (I hear that from now on, Yoda will be completely CG- Aaaaargh, Jim Henson must be turning in his grave!!). Also, on the subject of Binks..Yes, I hated his guts, and this, coming from someone who even liked the Ewoks for Christ's Sake!! I know that Lucas put him in because he wanted to appeal to younger viewers, as I'm sure was the reason for that woeful sequence in which Anakin flies around in space, shooting the bad guys (for some reason this sequence reminded me of a frenetic toy ad- I half expected a voiceover to announce "now you too can fight the Empire with this tie-in computer game, only £29.99"- Ugh..). However, George, what about those who were around when the original came out in '77? They're not kids anymore, do you really want to alienate them? (I however must admit that I myself wasn't around in '77- though I was around for 'Jedi') I mean George, did you ever wonder why the darkest episode ('Empire') was also the most popular? Take the hint and get rid of that bloody floppy eared mutant Charlie Chaplin wannabe!!
The acting was, for the most part, terribly wooden. I mean I've seen better acting on 'Fair City' (Irish readers will know what I'm talking about). People say 'Take it easy on Jake Lloyd, he's only a child,'- well I have three words for them: Haley Joel Osment. Lucas is notorious for casting people based on whether they look the part or not, let's hope he hasn't made the same mistake with Hayden Christensen. Portman was incredibly boring as the Queen, making us yearn for Fisher's feisty princess. In fact, most of the characters spent so much time pompously trying to look important and recite their lines with a straight face, that they didn't seem to be able to get much acting in. Also sorely missing is a cynical Han Solo-type character that the audience, particularly the uninitiated, can relate to.
The first half hour was terrible- it seemed as if Lucas was shoving in as many locations as possible and didn't allow the story to leisurely unfold like it did in the earlier three. I mean George, you've got a great imagination, but bring back Irvin Kershner as director.PLEASE!
Back to the effects. The podrace WAS breathtaking I'll admit, and Greg Proops was a nice touch. But the battle between the Gungans and the droids just looked like a scene from a computer game. Bring back people dressed up in rubber/plastic/furry suits, even if it means that the scenery has to be sacrificed!- Organic, please!!
All in all, there were a couple of redeeming features in the film: The score (spot-on Williams); the banter between and initial meeting of R2D2 and C-3P0; Ian McDiarmaid as the Senator/ Emperor (nice bit o continuity there); Boss Nass (Kudos to Brian Blessed); the lightsaber duels which were excellent; Darth Maul, who unfortunately leaves us too soon; Liam Neeson and Pernilla August who tried to infuse the film with some humanity (sorry, Ewan mate, you were just too boring!); and last but not least, the expansion of our view of Tatooine.
Naturally, no matter what they read, no Star Wars fan is going to boycott this film. Let's just hope that 'Clones' a better film will be..
PS Great to see Bronagh Gallagher snagging a role, Go on the Irish!
Spawn (1997)
Don't even think about it..
I won't pull my punches: this was utter crap. Even Martin Sheen couldn't save it.
A woefully corny mishmash of Darkman and The Crow. I wasted an hour and a half of my life on this, just because I was curious to see the unrecognisable John Leguizamo's performance. He pulled out all the stops and got the best lines, but, with this script, that's not saying much (Beware, the Apocalypse Now references come thick and fast). The rest of the script is terribly corny, and the acting is worse. The Devil, or whoever he is, Malzethingamebob I think his name is, looks ridiculously non-scary , can't even lip synch his lines, and seems to have pubic hair growing on top of his head. The special effects range from being too cartoony to too fake. The hero (Jai- White) and heroine (Randle) are terribly wooden, and the latter's screen daughter is probably the most placid, calmest five year old I have ever seen- if I was in some of the situations she faces, personally I'd be sh**ing myself. She seems to constantly have the air of, to quote Tyler Durden, a Hindu cow.
I must admit, I have never opened the comic, but after some of the worst big screen comic book adaptations I have ever seen (The Mask, Captain America (1990), The Flash- or was that just a pilot episode?), this sits at the top of the pile. Maybe, just maybe, if you liked no-brainers like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, you might like this, but if you didn't..don't say I didn't warn you.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Gory fun
Opinion is divided on this film amongst Tarantino fans (even though he didn't actually direct it). Most say 'Starts off well, but then gets crap'. Admittedly, the switch from crime movie to horror movie is far from seamless, but I have to say, I loved every minute of this. The horror is strictly of the gross-out carnage variety, and some may say it's too violent, but for me, the violence is a spoof, whether it was intended that way or not. It is a way of sticking two fingers up to the detractors of today's violent movies, much in the same way as Natural Born Killers (a film which I hated). I don't know how much of a role Tarantino played in the conception of the gore, but I personally see the second half of the film as satire, plain and simple. I mean, check out that tongue in cheek reference to John Carpenter on Scott's T-Shirt- in other words, 'think of the violence of the films of the 70s and 80s, and yet you say that 90s celluloid is too violent?!'
Satire aside, I feel that the film does stand on its on two feet. The characters are entertaining and well drawn, right down to minor players such as the Sheriff and liquor store clerk in the opening five minutes, and all the performances are spot on. Comic relief is provided to a great extent by Cheech Marin(playing three parts), Tom 'sex machine' Savini, who I also believe is a makeup man (though apparently not for this film), and the fraternal bickering between Clooney and Tarantino, who are gold in the lead roles. The Fullers are also great, successfully portraying both a family unit and individual characters. Robert Rodriguez's direction is spot on, as in the popcorn actioner Desperado, and there's also a welcome appearance by Rodriguez regular Danny Trejo. The script is loaded (a befitting use of language if there ever was one) with great lines,most of them from other films, and the soundtrack is also excellent.
Watch this now!- whether you love it or hate it, it's sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
The 'Burbs (1989)
Comedy classic
I always watch this film with a sense of nostalgia and affection. Growing up in the Eighties, I watched a lot of comedies featuring Tom Hanks before he got into his "I desperately want an Oscar" phase: Big, Splash, the Man with One Red Shoe, Volunteers, The Money Pit, and of course, Dragnet. Well, The burbs is one of his very best.
A darkly delightful look at the lives of suburbanites with too much time on their hands. Ray suspects his new neighbours of dirty dealings, so he and his idle friends, who have seen way too many horror films, set out to investigate. The cast are top notch, particularly Hanks, Dern, Ducommun, and Feldman, and Fisher is also great as Ray's wife. Some classic scenes still crack me up- Dern falling off the roof, Ray and Art approaching the Klopeks' house accompanied by an over-the-top score, and Ray staggering out of the rubble at the end. The script is also wonderful, with memorable lines such as "Why don't you take your balls out of your wife's purse and make a stand for once in your life?" The comedy is also a refreshing change from the gross out comedies' of today.
Watch and enjoy. If you're like me, by the closing credits you'll be sighing and thinking why don't they make them like that anymore?'
Indeed. Why don't they?
Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988)
The girl of my dreams is a vegetable...
I love this movie!! Judge me if you will, but I stand by my opinion. Forget Mars Attacks, THIS is the best B-movie spoof made in a long time. I haven't seen the original (though plenty of supposed footage from the first one is spliced into this film as part of the joke, much in the same way as Bride of Frankenstein, 1935), but from what I can gather from reviews, this is better.
The film constantly makes fun of its low budget with several actors playing multiple parts, and the product-placement scene in the Pizza Place precedes the one in Wayne's World by years and is much, much funnier. The before-he-was-famous Clooney is hilarious, and there's a nice touch having John Astin (who has already spoofed light horror in the original Addams Family) play Professor Gangrene.
The film is simply a silly delight to watch, so I recommend you get your hands on it as soon as possible!
Fallen (1998)
So-so creepy thriller
For some reason, the more I watch this film, the more I like it. Therefore, if were to write about it again in a years time, the above one line summary would probably be promoted to 'Fine creepy thriller'. Therefore, here follows as balanced a review as I can make it.
The reasons I like it consist of a combination of elements- Washington's sturdy (as always) performance; the two darkly appropriate Rolling Stones songs which bookend the film; the final twist(without wanting to spoil it, I'll just say I don't like happy endings so this pleased me..); an original idea for a serial killer movie; the (unfortunately short) appearance of the underrated Elias Koteas; and some good claustrophobic scenes, notably where Gretta Milano is running down the street, or where Hobbes is standing outside the police station.
However, there are also a multitude of reasons why, for me, it fell short of the mark. There were too many unnecessary supporting characters (Gandolfini, Sutherland); it seemed to go in one direction with Hobbes investigating the murders of previous 'hosts', then veered off in another direction entirely, alienating the audience; the villain(s) failed to generate real menace; as I said before, an original idea- but not handled very well; the film went on for too long; and personally, I just can't accept any ex-cast member of Roseanne in 'serious' roles(sorry Mr.Goodman, but stick with the Coen Brothers), which is also probably why I hated Scream 2 and Poison Ivy (although Johnny Galecki actually was good in I know what you did last Summer;sorry I seem to have gone off in a tangent)....
So there you go, you either like it or you loathe it- worth a look if you're a fan of the genre. But beware, on the video cover, it promises a 'Se7en style' chiller- this is nowhere as good as Se7en.
La sentinelle (1992)
Slow moving, but well worth sticking with
A crackin' suspenseful espionage thriller that thankfully abstains from using Hollywood-style explosions and multiple gunshots to maintain viewers attention. It took me a while and numerous repeat viewings to appreciate and understand this movie, but it was worth the effort. The cast is flawless, particularly Salinger and Todeschini as the reluctant hero and the loathsome villain respectively, who both give galvanizing performances; fantastic cinematography; and a chilling soundtrack which contributes beautifully to the atmosphere- this is French cinema at its best. Mathias' relationship with the head I found particularly compelling, although it may be a bit eerie for all tastes
.Basically, if you want a subtle, thought provoking film that doesn't signpost every clever detail, then this is for you.
However, if you are a blockbuster junkie, simply looking for entertainment then steer well clear; I know of only a (very small) handful of people who enjoyed this espionage tale, so beware, this ain't James Bond!
All in all, 7/10 for a thoroughly engrossing, realistic spy story.
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
If you're an action movie fan, this is one of the best
I consider myself to have a wide range of movie tastes, sifting through all genres, separating the unexceptional from the masterpieces. So why did this straightforwardly plotted, predictably cast, run of the mill action film please me so much? Well, its hard to put my finger on it, all I can say is: Don't be fooled by the unimaginative video cover (the 2 heroes, looking gritty & bruised), this is a bona fide genre classic.
The script, although not particularly important in any action film, is probably what sets this apart from the rest. Shane Black of Lethal Weapon fame and therefore a buddy-buddy movie veteran, has produced some great dialogue, loaded with some razor sharp one liners, which could only be truly delivered with panache by Willis.
Speaking of Willis, he is superb in this tailor made role, doing what he does best- spouting wisecracks before blowing some hapless, 2 dimensional villain's head off. He even lampoons this fact near the end of the film, stating that in the nineties it's not enough just to shoot someone, you have to joke about it first- Surf's up!
However, Wayans, the gay banana salesman of Beverly Hills Cop, didnt seem to belong. The best lines were saved for Willis, while Wayans, who is normally better matched to more physical overacting (Im gonna git u sucka), seemed painfully unsuited to this action hero role. I've nothing against breaking away from type, but hey, some can and some can't.
The villains are unmemorable, the plot is by the numbers, but somehow the whole film stands apart from its peers in the action genre.
Also, I love that unusual ending song-'Moody River' by Pat Boone. Boone is referred to by Willis' character as a favourite singer during the film which causes Berry's character to joke about Willis' older age. It makes a good point; Brucie's days as an action hero are numbered. After all, he can't blow away bad guys forever.... Verdict: Check this out as an example of Willis when he was at his prime- you won't be disappointed.
Boogie Nights (1997)
WOW!!One of the best ensemble casts I have seen in quite some time!!
After watching Magnolia, I decided to check out PT's other most famous film (this one) and I have to say, I was blown away (no pun intended). This, in my opinion, is vastly superior to Magnolia (which is, by its own right, a great movie). The script is brilliant, the performances are all excellent, and, of course, the soundtrack kicks arse. Shades of Tarantino and Scorcese can be detected in many scenes, yet overall the director has managed to cultivate a style all of his own. And this film also contains some of the most hilarious scenes I have seen in any movie for a long time. For example: the promo for Brock Landers, Dirk and Reed singing 'Feel my Heat', and Cosmo's firecrackers unnerving the three lads on a drugs scam notably crack me up. And hey, what about those long camera takes! The most I have ever seen collectively in a film, blowing dePalma and Scorcese out of the water- the opening shot, Jack's first party, and New Years Eve, in particular, stand out.
As for those performances: Wahlberg more than successfully making the transition from singer to actor (lampooning his own singing inadequacies at one point), Good to see Reynolds back on form, Julianne Moore perfect in her part as the 'mother' of the group, and of course, all the other Anderson regulars turning out more than satisfying performances, with Cheadle and Macy's characters effortlessly gaining my complete sympathy.
The plot: I didnt really see this film as just being the story of rising (and eventually falling) star Dirk Diggler; instead I saw it simply as the story of a collection of characters in the porn industry over approximately ten years , with their sadness and joys in between.
*SPOILER* And the film also boasts some particularly great writing by Anderson in a number of scenes. For example, When Buck Swope is in the donut shop and the robber bursts in, I felt sure that that was the end of Buck Swope- but instead, the outcome is one of the most unpredictable I have seen since the 2nd story in Pulp Fiction.
This is, in short, the kind of film that you want to watch again and again immediately after your first viewing. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favour...
The Watcher (2000)
Strictly by the numbers
With the amount of critical acclaim festooning the video cover of this thriller, I almost expected it to be another Silence of the Lambs. It certainly wasn't...
Spader is terrific as always, showing a hero who is refreshingly far from invincible, and actually quite vulnerable and human. Tomei is also great yet subdued in her role as Spader's psychiatrist. Reeves on the other hand....Yes, I know it was a new departure for him, playing a psycho villain, and I know that many people have said that it was his best acting yet, but I was quite disappointed with him. I mean c'mon, it's not like it would be DIFFICULT for him to improve on his past performances, they were hardly Oscar-worthy. Plus, I kept waititng for him to add the word 'dude' onto the end of every sentence. I did, however, find the idea that his choice of victims consisted of those people who we take for granted or never really notice very interesting, like the shy shop assistant, or the homeless girl- it suggested a message about society that it never really followed through on.
All in all, a standard, not-bad cat & mouse/cop & serial killer tale let down by its lazy, predictable ending and failure to provide any real thrills.
Fight Club (1999)
The first rule is.WATCH THIS!!!
A visually amazing update on the Jekyll and Hyde story, with a twist that will have you pressing rewind as soon as the closing credits start rolling (much in the same way as the Sixth Sense or Memento). Pitt, who, following Twelve monkeys and Se7en, is gradually endearing himself to me, gives a mesmerising performance as Tyler Durden, a dark, modern-day philosopher. Norton is even better as the monotone narrator, as is Bonham-Carter as Marla Singer, a FAAAR cry away from Merchant-Ivory; and Meatloaf is surprisingly good in a veeery bizarre role. Maybe it's the quick-fire editing, the incredibly dark humour (which is often very funny) or the dialogue that makes you think twice, but I just can't get enough of this movie. Forget any political, fascist or homosexual subtext, and accept this film for what it is: a unique blend of intelligence and entertainment. Mr Fincher, I salute you.
However, when I watched this first of all in the cinema with a friend, she drew my attention to how violent it was; c'mon, I've seen a LOT worse. And hey, wouldn't we miss out on some great cinema if certain other movies that have 'inspired' infamous true-life acts of violence were never made: Taxi Driver, A Clockwork Orange, Reservoir Dogs etc. ? I rest my case.
So, if you are squeamish, my advice is to find a friend who has already seen it to guide you through the violent parts, because if you are put off solely for that reason, then you would be missing a great movie. 9/10, deducting one for the utter confusion that reigned after I first saw it- repeat viewings clarify things!
And ladies, for God's sake, don't just rent it out for 'Brad's abs', because there is a lot, lot more to this film than bloody well that!
Kiss the Girls (1997)
Actually, not too bad.....
After reading Patterson's book, I decided to rent out this film out of sheer curiosity. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and actually was a lot better than the book. I suspected that it would transpire to be a poor Se7en wannabe, hence Freeman's presence (as he is definitely too old to portray the book's version of Cross), but all in all it wasn't too bad and faithful enough to the novel. Having said that, I'm glad they didn't play up the romance between Cross and McTiernan- time constraint and age gap.However, try and think of this as a film in no way linked to Se7en (this will be difficult as critics have already hammered home comparisons) and you will be pleasantly surprised. It has its share of thrills, and Freeman and Judd are excellent, with a small role for the always welcome Jeremy Piven.
With the following Along Came a Spider, which is also very good, the Dr. Alex Cross franchise may take off yet. So, my advice is to watch this film as it is a satisfying addition to the genre, just DON'T expect Se7en II!
Copycat (1995)
Above average, ***/****
Clever little serial killer movie that pushes all the right buttons with excellent performances throughout, particularly from the 2 female leads, with a surprisingly good overacted debut from Harry Connick Jr, who..<GASP>
doesn't sing once! A serial killer is on the loose, copying infamous murderers from the past, and its up to determined cop Hunter and reclusive criminal psychologist Weaver to stop him. If you're into serial killer lore like myself, you'll love this movie, a satisfying addition to the genre. The ending may be predictable enough, but a twist in the subplot involving Mulroney and Hunter makes up for this.
*SPOILERS AHOY* My only complaint is the actor who plays the killer; McNamara was woefully miscast and almost ruined the entire film for me. He was way too young and baby faced, and not scary at all in my opinion. Hannibal Lecter, John Doe, THAT'S how a serial killer should be; they should exude a certain aura of creepiness. Yes, I know that many of the real-life serial killers he copies were notorious for appearing normal and non-scary at first, like Dahmer and Bundy, but it was after they were uncovered that they became frightening. Right up until he gets shot, McNamara didn't scare me at all. And as for that face he pulls when Weaver starts laughing at him in the bathroom, it just makes him look like a spoilt child, and almost made me laugh out loud.
But if you try and tolerate McNamara, then the rest of the cast won't disappoint. A well researched little chiller that deserves to be watched
The Crush (1993)
Not as terrible as I expected judge as you will
There was nothing else on, so I turned over to this. Pretty much your run o' the mill Poison Ivy/ Fatal Attraction-type thriller by the numbers, but hey, we've seen it all before (and done better) so why watch this version I hear you ask? Well, firstly, I was pretty tempted by the idea of Alicia Silverstone as a seductive Lolita (there is NO WAY she was 14 when she played that part), but before all you ladies out there dismiss me as another pervy-sleazo male, and before all you blokes out there salute me and offer to shake my hand, let me first have my say.
The film does go down every expected route, and blatantly signposts where the climax is going to take place, but, I have to admit that there were moments when I thought that the femme fatale (or in this case, fille' fatale) would get away with it a la Linda Fiorentino in the Last Seduction, so it wasn't TOO predictable. As for the acting, well, and I'm not being biased, but Silverstone does give a good performance, whereas Rubin is pretty wooden and her character a tad confusing- she devolves from a Sharon Stone-esque vixen ("You new here? I can tell.") to a shy, insecure schoolgirl who is almost unable to ask Nick out on a date. However, the extent to which this film engrosses you, if at all, rests on Elwes' performance. Personally, I can't take him seriously since Hot Shots, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, the Princess Bride, Liar Liar etc. so I felt no emotional bond with him,particularly with all those accent slips!
So, if you like those Single White Female type movies, and you've seen the best, then there's always this (which most definitely falls into the rest' category)--wait till it comes onto telly though
Batman Returns (1992)
Holy Godfather II, Batman- a sequel that's better than the original!
I adored this movie. Not only my favourite in the series, but also one of my all time favourite movies.. EVER!! I exaggerate, I hear you say? Mais non. The sets are spectacular, the performances are unforgettable, and the script is darker than the actors' dress code.
The acting: First off, I was a little worried when I heard that Burton was casting Danny deVito as the Penguin, but I was wrong. DeVito, along with Burton's slight alterations to the Penguin's original physique (flippers, frequent BLACK nose bleeds), make the Penguin one of the scariest screen villains in a long time. There is, nevertheless, respectful reference made to Burgess Meredith's character in this Penguin's choice of attire during his mayoral campaign- monocle, cigarette-holder, top hat etc. As for the rest of the cast: Michelle Pfeiffer- WOW!; Keaton, on top form as always as both the moody millionaire and whispering-monotone superhero; and Walken, once again proving that he is king of the screen sociopaths.
The script: With classic lines like "I believe the word you're looking for is.AAAAAAARRGGHH!!!!", "They wouldn't put me on a pedestal, so I'm layin' 'em on a slab!" and "Life's a bitch, now so am I," need I say more?
The music: That one and only, born-to-score-Batman, Burton-mindreading legend, Danny Elfman. Sorry Elliot, but you're just no good at this kinda thing. Oh, and before I forget, Michelle Pfeiffer is WOW!
I will admit that this is definitely not one for the kiddies (unlike Schumacher's crowd pleasing pap), but who the hell said that it was supposed to be?! Batman endured his time as a camp family-hero back in the 60's; now it's time for Burton to show us how he was meant to be (and this time, thankfully without the Prince songs), and, with his new feline adversary, endearing himself to S & M fans along the way no doubt.
Will Burton, Keaton and Elfman, like Batman, also Return? Let's hope so.
P.S. Michelle Pfeiffer: WOW!
Hudson Hawk (1991)
A crackin' adventure-comedy, forget what the critics say.
Where do I stand on the great Hudson Hawk debate? Well, from my one-line summary, that should be pretty obvious. I loved this film ever since I first saw it, which must've been about 9 years ago. The action scenes are beautifully choreographed, the script is still fresh and witty, with some classic quotable lines, and the settings are unforgettable. And even Andie MacDowell didn't p*** me off in this film!The real reason I love it though, has to be the villains; I have NEVER seen such a colourful rogue's gallery (especially Butterfinger of the CIA Candy bars: "You'll make it come out my nose!"). And as for Richard E Grant and Sandra Bernhard: a match made in heaven as the Mayflowers!! No one else could play them!
To all the critics I say this: it IS NOT meant to be taken seriously, it IS meant to be over the top, and meant to be even more far fetched than the worst, most ludicrous Schwarzenegger sci-fi flick. Yes, I'll agree that Willis' vanity was quite annoying but hey, I'll forgive him for the ingenious way he dispatches Bunny the dog at the end of the movie.
All in all, a silly surreal masterpiece; if u like Monty Python, you'll love this.
PS Attn: Corrie Street. fans: Look fast for 'Uncle Fred' in the auction room scene- an unforgettable cameo, and what an exit!
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Definitely not one of Spielberg's best.
Maybe I'm being too harsh; this film was, after all, heavily hyped up as the first (and obviously last) Kubrick-Spielberg collaboration. From the directors of 2001: A Space Odyssey and E.T. (which Spielberg seems to be re-releasing to recover from this flop) respectively, it's got a lot of Sci-fi heritage to live up to.
Although, he can annoy me, I can't deny that Hayley Joel Osment was great, as was, although I don't like him either, Jude Law. But they didn't strike up enough of a friendship in my opinion, although I DO suppose they WERE robots
- you couldn't imagine, say, the Terminator and Robocop buying each other beers down the pub. As for all those moral questions that were raised at the start, well, they seemed to be drowned out by the spectacle of the flesh fair, the special effects of which were pretty remarkable, and never brought up again.
As for the last half hour-WHOA! Since when did Spielberg start taking psychedelic drugs?! They should've simply left it with David staring at the blue fairy'
All in all, not great but, has its moments. Then again, what can you say about a film in which your favourite character was a 2 foot talking teddy bear?
American Beauty (1999)
A good film, but unbelievably overrated.
Yes, it was a good film, great performances, great script, great direction but hey, it wasn't THAT good! I've heard people lauding it as the next Citizen Kane, Mendes the next Welles but it isn't, he isn't! It's just--another--film.
Bening,in particular, and the always reliable Spacey were great, and there were some great laughs from a drama like this, but I do think that the whole film was terribly overrated. As for it being the first mainstream arthouse movie'
nope, Amelie is the first mainstream arthouse movie, THIS is just another American comedy-drama. I mean the whole message of there's beauty in everything, even dead birds and rubbish on a windy day
. I just can't believe that the audience seemed to fall for that, such a cheesy message! In my opinion, it just gave the film an air of pretentiousness and superiority which put me off greatly- a "look at all the beauty in the world that you haven't noticed before because it took this film to show you"-kind of message. However, the film was saved by all of the performances and some genuinely interesting characters so it is worth watching, just don't expect it to change your life.
Scream (1996)
What's the big fuss all about?! Just another OVERLY self-conscious movie
After watching this film numerous times, I still can't figure out why it is hailed as one of the greatest horror movies of our time, or why its cleverness' is so eagerly acclaimed. I thought that the we're talking about horror movies within a horror movie' gimmick drastically ran out of steam after the first few references. From then on, it seemed a blatant case of Craven and Williamson saying "we're not going to bother coming up with anything new, we're just going to make a point of saying Hey, we ACKNOWLEDGE that it's been done before so therefore you can't criticise us about it!'" And this feeling permeated the entire movie- Hey lads, you can't base a film solely on in-jokes & movie references
. Oh yeah, and DO NOT drag the classic Halloween into this poor imitation- if you wanted to produce a truly scary, chilling movie, then just put up the money for Halloween to be re-released, or else rent out The Blair Witch Project to see how it should be done.
The performances were nothing special, with only Lillard and Kennedy keeping the film afloat with their jokes, and, I don't know about the rest of you, but Marco Beltrami's musical effect that came on EVERY time a character reappeared into the frame annoyed the hell out of me!! The ending I found particularly poor: *SPOILER* I've seen less hemming and hawing about killing people in a James Bond movie, yet here the killers seemed so obviously uncoordinated that its a miracle they got away with it until now- I mean c'mon, even with a smidgen of common sense they would have surely killed Sidney and her father BEFORE stabbing themselves!! As for the identity of the killers, well yes, I wasn't expecting that, particularly the 2 killer twist. But hey, I doubt if ANYONE could've guessed that-- with the amount of red herrings that were given, I could've started a fecking fish farm!
All in all, a bog standard horror flick that we have to blame for the I know-what-Urban Legend-you-told-last-Valentine's-in-Cherry-Falls H20' trend that followed, not to mention two pointless sequels
. Only watch if u must, but don't expect it to live up to the hype.