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Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Really bad!
Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! Hollywood you are doing it all wrong again. This isn't a proper suspense-movie. New characters are thrown in this movie every minute, they mention there name only once, then they instantly get killed and are already forgotten a second later. The only two characters the viewer could possibly care about are Alice and Jill Valentine. And the Jill character is hardly developed and enters the film without the right introduction.
Now every good filmmaker knows that building the suspense during the film will give maximal impact at the end. Obviously these guys don't know. Already the first two minutes I see zombies running down the street killing of people. Cops pumping 200 rounds of ammunition into the zombies bodies and there are explosions everywhere.
And what is the deal with all those curse words. Don't they have any idea that kids will watch this trash to. I thought Hollywood made all audience movies these days. A PG-13 rating would give us a movie just as bad as the R rating gave us.
But the real problem with this movie is the editing. This is by far the worst editing I have ever seen in a film. The scene at the graveyard where Alice and her mates get harassed by zombies who come out of the ground is horrendous. The fight scene here is about a one-frame cut. The camera constantly moves real fast, and you can't recognize any moves or any of the characters who are executing them. But if you thought that this scene was bad just wait for the fight between the Nemesis and Alice. Boy what were the director, cameraman and editor thinking here. Probably 'I get paid anyway so what the hell.'
Admitting that I saw a 'making of' on TV before I went to the theatre, you might think they warned me enough to avoid this porker. But no I was stupid enough to pay 10 hard earned Euros. To keep you from making the same mistake, I will give you some words of advice:
This movie is a complete waste of money and time. Roger Ebert wrote: 'I you meet anybody who likes this movie, don't let them date your children'. I couldn't agree more. The first Resident Evil wasn't a masterpiece, but compared to this joke it could have been a multiple Oscar winner. Avoid this one at all cost except if you are contemplating suicide!
City Lights (1931)
Classic Chaplin
City Lights is simply put one of the best movies out there. Every scene is classic and had a huge impact on the history of film-making. Chaplin's last 'silent' film tells the story of a poor little man the tramp played by Chaplin who falls in love with a blind flower girl. He becomes friends with a wealthy man who constantly tries to commit suicide. The man only recognizes the tramp character when he is drunk. To impress the flower girl the tramp uses the man's wealth to make her fall in love with him. The only problem is that when the man is sober he doesn't recognize the tramp anymore. On top of this the flower girl has to pay 22 dollars of rent or she will be thrown out of her apartment. Now the tramp desperately seeks for jobs in the city to help his love. Out of this simple plot great comedy and heart breaking moments come forth.
The outcome of the movie is to almost all people known. It is regarded as one of the best endings ever taped on film. The movie itself still is masterpiece more than 70 years after it's release. I personally rate this as Chaplin's second best I have seen so far. My favorite remains The Gold Rush. Still this movie gets 5/5 stars from me.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)
Unimpressive
I wasn't really impressed by this movie; it's pretty much your standard teenage film. The plot revolves around a girl from New York City who moves to somewhere in Jersey and then attempts a new school. She is fan of a band who breaks up and they give a final concert with an after party.
Now without many spoilers I will summon up the plot for you real quick. Desperate to go to the concert she and her friend try all the teenage clichés and so many things we have seen before to get in. She finally meets her idol, the singer of the band and comments him on his alcohol addiction. We can all predict the outcome of the film from a mile away. There is also a subplot with a High School play. Where is trying to get the lead part.
The acting isn't impressive but I have seen worse. Lindsey Lohan played better in Freaky Friday and Mean Girls. Which were also better movies by the way.
In the end this is just another Disney high school movie, where popularity stands central and predictability is inevitable. Some people might enjoy this, but for the majority of the moviegoers this is a major let down. Grade 4/10
As Good as It Gets (1997)
Highly recommended
'As good as it gets' is tragic comedy about a writer Melvin (Jack Nicholson) who is afraid of germ-infection from other people and other places. At the beginning of the film we see him being hostile against his gay neighbor and his dog, we also see him having lunch at the same restaurant where he always wants to be served by the same waitress.
The Jack Nicholson character stands pretty much central from the beginning of the film, but that is going to change when the other two leading characters start to develop. The waitress Carol played by Helen Hunt has a very sick son and he is in desperate need of medical help. Melvin is prepared to offer this help in a kind of way by submitting a doctor for him. Here fore he asks of her just to keep serving him at her restaurant.
The third leading character Simon who is a painter gets harassed early in the movie. Simon ends up in a hospital and is threatened to lose his apartment because of financial depths. From this point a relationship begins between Melvin and Simon.
At a certain point in the movie the three characters make a trip to Simons parents for financial support. Here all the characters really melt together and some good scenes come along. The acting of all three parties is great. The dialogue is pretty decent and the story shows little flaws.
Of course the outcome of the movie is predictable and a Hollywood ending can't lack from the film. But overall I still highly recommend this movie. Final grade 8/10
Good Will Hunting (1997)
terrific job from Matt Damon and Robin Williams
After seeing the remake of Hitchcock's masterpiece 'Psycho' I didn't know if I would ever watch a Gus van Sant movie again. But at a rainy Thursday night there was nothing on TV except Good Will Hunting. Hearing some people say how good this movie was made me want to give it a chance. So I did. Thirst I must that the acting is pretty decent here, even Ben Affleck (who I normally can't stand) seems to know what he is doing here. Robin Williams gives a marvelous performance and so does Matt Damon. I already knew how talented Matt Damon was when I saw him in Rounders and the Bourne Identity, but I think this was his best performance I have seen so far. The dialogue of the movie is superbly written. Some of the sentences really make sense and go deep. The story isn't bad and the character development is also very good. The direction is fair enough although I didn't really pay attention to that. Maybe I even overlook the 'Psycho' remake incident. No not really!!!!!!
But still this movie is very good and I sure recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good movie once in a while. Grade 8/10.
Bring It On (2000)
great fun
This movie isn't really about anything except dancing, and if you like dancing than you are in the right place. The story follows a cheerleading squad that won the national championships like 4 times in a row. This year they get heavy competition when another squad comes along who claims they stole their cheers. I know this doesn't sound like the most original and complicated plot, but what do you want from a movie like this. Kirsten Dunst looks fabulous and so do all the other cheerleaders. The dance sequences are nicely choreographed and the movie spoofs with the common high school traditions. Now don't expect a masterpiece here but just lower your expectations and enjoy the ride. It's worth renting or watching for free on cable.
Grade 7/10
A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
A nice movie for a younger audience
I saw this movie in the theaters and was quite surprised by how entertaining it was. I didn't really expect much but my friends per swayed me to come. Jim Carry is a talented comedian in my opinion and he does steel the show here. I don't really know any of the other actors (except Meryl Streep) but they all delivered a good performance. The special effect weren't to convincing at times but they weren't bad either. But the only thing that troubled me was that the makers tried to aim at a younger audience. Maybe they should have made it more appealing to all ages but I know that is a lot to ask. All in all this film is well worth your time. 7/10
Ran (1985)
cinematic perfection
I have had the pleasure to watch Ran twice this year. I purchased the 2 set DVD about 9 months ago and I must say it was worth the heavy price. The second time I viewed this masterpiece pleased me just as much as the first time I've watched it. The direction is stunning (ofcourse it is: KUROSAWA!!!)and the costumes, sets and colors are all state of the art.
I haven't had the opportunity to read King Lear but I sure want to give it a try. Although Ran is not my favorite Kurosawa film (I would say it's Ikiru)I think it is his second best film. I only defeats seven samurai with a few inches, and that's because i think the story is more interesting and obviously the battle scenes are a bit more realistic.
But all in all he made so many great movies it is hard to decide which one is his masterpiece. But Ran sure belongs to his best films. 5/5 stars.
Passport to Paris (1999)
Well what can I say, does the word 'awful' cover it?
Oh yes, I admit I have made myself guilty of the crime of seeing this piece of trash. I can't say I was forced by aliens who pointed a gun at my head, tied me to a chair and made it impossible for me to close my eyes and then turned this awful excuse for a movie on. No I did it with free will. I deliberately tortured myself. Let's go through the fact here folks. - The acting is an insult to humanity. - The plot (if it exists) is ridiculous. - The character development is horrendous - The characters that appear in the movie are so clichéd you would
recognize them in your average comic book. - The editing is sloppy and unimaginative. - The camera-work is low key. - The dialogue is simply the worst in cinematic history. - The directing: well let's say, I bet it wasn't Hitchcock.
Then to add to these facts, there was absolutely no talent involved wath so ever. The director must be smoking crack now to forgive himself for inflicting this poison to the world.
Bottom line: Passport to Paris is one of the worst movies ever made. PERMANENT!
Our Lips Are Sealed (2000)
The pain, the horror, Aaaggrrhhh !!!!
I've had the absolute misfortune to come across some of the Olsen twin movies, and I am now scarred for live. Recently I saw 'Our lips are sealed'. If there is an explanation how to describe this piece of trash, let me give it a try. Try to imagine crossing the street and getting hit by 40 ton truck, and all your body parts are flying through the air. Or better yet getting tortured with a torch blower for 90 minutes. After seeing this movie I felt dumber, insulted and sh*tty. I voted this movie 3, so I know that I can't remember it by seeing it on IMDb with a grade 1. Avoid this porker at all cost, even if your life is depending on it.
I hope the middle east doesn't discover this film, to receive information from captured militants.
That Touch of Mink (1962)
An average comedy with a few good laughs
I just saw this movie about a hour ago and I must say that I'm surprised to have seen a decent 1960's comedy. It follows the clichés but still menaces to stand above the other Hollywood productions of that time. Grant is alright as Philip a successful businessman who falls in love with Cathy (Doris Day) after he spoiled her jacket by a hit and run.
From this point on the movie just throws one joke after another to the viewer but still menaces to allow the viewer to catch up his breath and try to follow the story.
The colors and settings of the movie are looking nice enough and the story is written alright. The casting is decent and the acting isn't spectacular but it isn't bad either. The only problem watching this movie now could be that we have seen these types of movies already a thousand times before.
But that isn't particularly a bad thing. 'That Touch of Mink' is still good entertainment for the Sunday morning TV watchers.
Overall I give 'That Touch of Mink' a 7/10
If you liked this movie I also recommend: Pillow Talk and the other Doris Day/Rock Hudson films.
Vertigo (1958)
Hitchcock's best film
I have been watching old Hitchcock classics for a while now and I can say that vertigo is without a doubt Hitchcock's best film
The use of the camera and way the movie tells the story comes close to perfection. Kim Novak gives a superb performance, and I can tell the same thing about James Stewart. But what really makes me like this movie so much is the tension between
the characters and there way of responding with their environment. It just seems that you are being dragged into another world. Also the ending is one of the most memorable endings in cinematic history
Overall Vertigo is the best movie I have ever seen and I rate it a 10/10
Ikiru (1952)
One of those movies you just have to see
I think that Ikiru is one of Akira Kurosawa's most personal films. This shows in the identification the viewer has with the main character of the movie. Every development in Watanabe's life is like a experience in the own viewers life. I have never been so touched and at the same time been amazed by a film.
I just can't see why so many people have trouble appreciating this movie. Maybe because they aren't used to black and white pictures these days.
Ikiru is a movie that can't be missed, so be sure to see it. 10/10