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Buskieboy
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Virus (1999)
Pretty Good
While not a mega sci-fi hit it does have a very creepy vibe. The story is simple and a variation on many but not too predictable in that you really don't know who will get it or when. Overall the tension gets tighter and tighter as the film progresses and you are not cheated by the end. The creatures are actually very well done and creative. They are quite menacing and gives the film the creep factor I spoke of. The acting is good as it has a solid cast and a decent script. The set itself is an actual ship, not a man made fabrication. It makes for a nice late night time waster or Sunday afternoon movie. The creature effects are actually so good I'm surprised they didn't get a slew of awards.
Shark Bait (2006)
Maybe for Saturday Morning Cartoons?
The animation on this movie was so sub-par it is amazing it even made it to the screen. The movements are stiff and the faces are not very animated. There is no emotion in the faces and they are extremely bland and boring. The characters are all predictable as is the dialog. The main character, Pi, is so badly created he is almost forgettable. I guess the "big stars" offering the voices must have all cringed at the final product because it is embarrassing to watch.
The writing is stiff as well and the jokes are for toddlers or little kids.
If this was cut up and then shown on Sat. Mornings then it'd be above average, just.
This is a rip off of both Finding Nemo and Shark Tale, and a very bad one at that.
For the kids only. Young ones at that.
Kaena: La prophétie (2003)
Very Well Done, But......
I was fascinated by the story, the characters and the CGI was well done, but it lost 2 points from being a 10 because, while very, very good, the CGI was very brown, muted and had an almost sepia quality to it, additionally, a lot of the action is in heavily shaded locations. This made some of the scenes very hard to make out, and when there was quick action on the screen, it turned into a muddy blur.
Add to this the liquid quality of a lot of the scenes and a kind of HR Giger look of the sap aliens, and you get some scenes that, because of the difficulty, distract from the over-all enjoyment. You tend to dwell on the previous scene, trying to understand what you just saw and heard, and miss some of the present action.
I thought the voice acting was superb. The wonderful Richard Harris, in one of his final roles, was great as usual. Kirsten Dunst was very good also, and added a lot of energy to the role. The worms and other "comedy relief" characters were fine.
Over all an intriguing fantasy, with above average voice acting, and very well done graphics, even if sporadic at times. I would have preferred a tad more lighting, and perhaps a splash of colour now and then. Worth watching in any regard.
The Hobbit (2003)
Very Enjoyable Indeed!
OK, The Good: The over all feel, while a bit childish, is fun. Good character movement, and the acting, backgrounds and animation are all solid. Lots of fun puzzles to solve to advance. Some of which are quite intricate and long. It is a good natured game, and never gets too gory or nasty, which will disenchant the hardcore LOTR gamers, but make it an acceptable game for most preteens or young teens. Lots of different and interesting levels! The AI is OK, with the monsters getting tougher to fight as you progress. Great game to watch. My wife loved watching because one of the unique things is the telling of Bilbo Baggins and his adventures. She liked that. It's a fun puzzle action game. Simply put.
Now, The Bad: The camera is a bit wonky. This makes a lot of the jumps, (and you have to do a lot of that in this game), quite literally "leaps of faith"! It does tend to get quite annoying at times, as you get stuck, dying, jumping, dying, jumping until you get it right! This is especially painful if you have forgotten to save recently! This is not a sandbox world, and you can't go everywhere you'd like. Other than the beginning, there is no real interplay with other characters. You speak to the dwarfs, and get side quests, but nothing else. I would have liked to see more interplay. It gets lonely out there! Haha!
In Summary: Sure they're not super realistic like the LOTR movies, but this game isn't about the LOTR. There was no Mordor yet. Remember, The Hobbit is a prequel, or the tale of Bilbo Baggins, not Frodo or the fellowship etc. That wouldn't happen for almost another 90 years or so, by Tolkien's story line. Therefore, there are no huge armies of Orc's, Goblins, just what is out and about for what is normal for the time. Which doesn't mean they're not up to bad deeds! LOL! It is a fun game, lots of game play and more that just a hack and slash epic. It is Bilbo's story and it's fun.
Jurassic Park III (2001)
Scarier than Jurrasic Park!
OK, so everybody is complaining about quality, plot etc. I agree, it seems far fetched and all that, but pound for pound this movie is MUCH scarier than JP. It has that giant Alasour (spelling?) and the T-Rex, etc. all in a very spooky rain forest kind of setting. I read "Jurrasic Park" about 6 times, and found the book much more intense, more scary and creepier than Steven Spielberg's movie version. They made a lot of significant changes from the book in that movie, not fatal but enough to notice if you read the book. They switched ages the kids, Lex and Tim, from the book. Also in the book the lawyer doesn't get killed, Dr. Wo is also on the island and gets eatten alive by the raptors. Hammond dies after falling down a large hill into the jungle and gets bitten to death by the compys (little chicken dinos, seen in movie #2, but not in #1). They cut out the whole section with the Terodactyl enclosure. This was one of the trials that faced Grant and the kids in the first movie, but they put it into this movie. It works fantastically! Now, not only do you have to watch out for raptors, T-Rex, Allasour, smaller RED t-rex's, but now the sky has 'em too! Not bad at all!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
There are NO redeeming qualities for this game.
Where to start? How about the fact that while it looks lush and inviting, the game levels can ONLY be played the way the maker, Electronic Arts has made them. There is no world here! This game has so many invisible walls, it ruins the game play. It's so bad that, you aren't allowed within 2 or 4 feet (in-game scale) of an edge of a ledge or forest or steps etc. The walls actually hinder your movement!
After a while you feel as if you're in a track and following it around the levels, doing what needs to be done and when you do, don't worry the game will whisk you back to the main page for some boring card purchases/attributing etc. The constant back and forth is bad enough but the save/loading is brutal! I timed myself and from start of the titles to actual game play took 9 minutes!! Terrible!
The collector card system is OK, until you realize you can only use 3 cards at a time with no combinations to increase you skills abilities. Why have a limit? Why not allow a progressive accumulation of ability and special actions etc? This might have made it more interesting. You could have had very rare cards awarded for good game play or beating hard levels etc. But none of this matters, as the game play is repetitive to the Nth degree and is frustrating to the max!
The game boasts a camera button. HA! If you toggle the right analog stick the "camera" sways back and forth or side to side, with NO, I repeat NO way to look around, behind up or down! This is ESPECIALLY frustrating when trying to use the idiotic "aiming" system. Trees, hills and boulders get in your way and your line of sight, making it impossible to shoot anything with any kind of accuracy. UGH! The AI in this came is insane! My cats could do better! The other two AI controlled characters are, in a word, miserable! This is bad, why you ask? Well, in order to do some of the tasks, you have to work together casting spells, killing monsters etc. This is NOT good when they act like idiots, looking around, wasting time. Some of the bonus games to earn more beans DEPENDS on solid team efforts, but are constantly ruined by these moronic allies! Ugh!!!!!
A dull, repetitive and frustrating game with NO game-play value. All this game needs is a switch to tell it to play itself and it WILL!! Terrible, terrible game! This is sad, because the other games before it, while a bit childlike, were at least FUN to play, if easy. I LOVED flying around Hogwarts on a broom, through rings in the air. I loved flinging gnomes, finding stuff, exploring all the rooms, talking to other characters! But ALL of that stuff is gone bye-bye in this game. It gets so frustrating that after a while you don't care anymore and you would probably throw it in the back of a drawer somewhere and forget about it. The CD would make a funky coaster, maybe.......*sigh*
The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)
Not bad at all.
This movie is low key and fairly intelligent for an old black & white 60's sci-fi movie. It really owes it's look to the late 50's sci-fi. But this movie doesn't use weird monsters or giant insects to tell the tale. It is more intelligent and is one of the early pioneers of movies that warn us of impending danger of our own stupidity. It is a statement about the proliferation of nuclear bombs and the dangers of atomic testing. While some of the science theory is apocryphal, it actually does make more sense in a few years later. There is a strong belief today, that some earthquakes had been triggered by early atomic tests back in the days of testing. The lead is played by Edward Judd and he is joined by some real thespians like, Leo McKern. If you like The Day the Earth Stood Still" you would most likely enjoy this.
Something Evil (1972)
For a TV Movie, not bad.
Hey, for a cheapo 1970's "Made for TV" movie, they did a decent job. Passable acting, nice agreeable actors and a creepy storyline. What do you want for nothing. There were a lot of MFTV movies a lot worse than this. Great to watch on a Friday or Saturday night on a late show. Of course it is mildly famous for the glowing eyes in the window part. Most people who have seen this always mention that simple but effective (and creepy!) shot! One of Steven Spielberg's early films, along with "Duel", makes him a director to be noticed. And of course he goes on to fame and fortune on the big screen! Who doesn't remember the creepy eyes in the window part? If you've seen this movie, then you, as everyone else remembers that part! Strangely, something as simple as lights in a window could scare so many people, but sometimes it's the little things. Sometimes, when done right, simple and small can beat ' CGI!
Osmosis Jones (2001)
Clever and Funny!
This one is clever and funny, using everyday common body parts/functions and making them all part of the "City of Frank"! A warning for adults: some parts are REALLY gross! Kids will laugh till they hurt, because kids love GROSS!
Another warning is to be sure and make sure your pause/reverse/slow button on your DVD remote is in good order 'cause you'll want to use it to catch all the gags. Just like the Simpson's is a VCR show (meaning you need to tape it and slow/pause it to catch the background jokes), so too is this movie! There is extra stuff going on in the background and signs that go by a bit too quick for the eye, but are hilarious! Everyone does a bang up job, live and voice acting. The animation is old school which is fine, because it works for this one and is stylish and fun!
An extra tip of the hat to David Hyde Pierce, he once again lends a great voice job to his character. He always knock his voice work out of the park. He seems to be able to transcend the medium and give his character's that extra spark! Bravo!
To Sir, with Love (1967)
Dated but still a good movie.
The first time I had watched TSWL, I was probably about 14, but not from the era the film is from. None the less, I found it fascinating, poignant, funny at times, and warm.
The funny thing is that while the clothes, music and styles may change, the feelings we have are common and do not change much over the years. Kids rebel, test and resist authority, and push the rules. We've all done it in some way or another. I smoked cigs, drank beer and had long hair. Others hung-out with the wrong crowd, drank beer or skipped class.
TSWL as is "The Blackboard Jungle" are dated today, but so are "Class of 1984" and "Stand and Deliver", but they all share the same premise, emotions and struggles. If a movie can convey them honestly, as does "To Sir, with Love", then it deserves recognition. I always like to watch TSWL, it does make you feel good in the long run. Even after all your disobedience at school, most of us grew up and realized the importance of what we had learned and were now sad to leave the memories, friends and teachers.
I think we also realize that we are also leaving a young version of us behind and it's sad to let that childlike version go. It's time to start growing up.
Toy Story (1995)
Lost a vote cuz it was too short!!
I want to get the recently re-released anniversary edition because this is a must have for any collection, be it animation or just good movies! What an absolutely funny, original and mesmerizing movie! I mean, come on, what kid in the history of the world doesn't, at some time, think their toys are alive. That's why girls talk to Barbie or have tea parties with all the toys, and guys chat with GI Joe and make believe the hot wheels can talk! Let's not even bring up our puppets! Pixar and Disney not only knock our socks off with the most amazing computer generated animation, but the writers of this story hit a home-run and totally captured the whimsical innocence of what we all knew was going on when we were kids; that our toys are alive and only want to be played with and cherished. In addition, the superb voice acting by a cast of actors that obviously still remember being a kid, only gives this instant classic the status of being the "Gold Standard" to which all others in this category will have to be judged. My only complaint and why I only give 9 out of 10, is that it is far, far too short, running 1 hour and 20 minutes! I know I'm selfish, but I want MORE!! I could and would have watched 2 or 3 hours of this! But that's why there's a Toy Story 2!!
Se7en (1995)
Se7en gets a t10n from me!
This movie takes my breath away. The story is so well constructed and the screenplay so riveting that even when you want to look away, you can't. You end up looking through your fingers! This one has everything. To go along with the writing, it has award winning performances, cinematography, set design, lighting, editing, and the opening and closing credits are a thing to behold! The director is David Fincher, but he must have gone to the Ridley Scott school. The ambiance he creates in this film is an utterly gloomy, morose and filled with dread. He sets the mood deliciously!
This movie is absolutely not recommended for anyone under 17 in my humble opinion. While it is great cinema, it is vulgar and gruesome, with scenes that could scar young minds that couldn't possibly grasp the adult ideas and content.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
If THIS is what they came up with, why'd they bother?
***COULD CONTAIN SPOILERS, BE WARY!***
The only reason I gave this a vote of 4 was for the very good eye-candy. Otherwise I am so bloody disappointed with what they did to one of my all time favorite books/TV mini series, that I don't know where to start. I guess I'll start with the positive. This movie has some fantastic, eye popping special effects. I'm not just talking about CGI, but some of it was very imaginative. They used unusual angles and odd vehicles and funny surprises with the CGI. I am also under the impression that this must have been filmed digitally, because it is so clean and sharp, the "live action" looks just as sharp as the CGI which helps blend it together. The ship is odd, but has a great design, although you may be disappointed as it has been altered from the original TV version, drastically. At first I didn't like it, but then it kind of grew on me. The terrible thing was how they did Marvin. I didn't like it at all. Ironically, the original Marvin is in a scene at Vogsphere, in the room for filling out forms! The new Marvin is small, with a impossibly giant head and no mouth. I though that was a bad move on 2 fronts. First, Alan Rickman's voice sounded exactly as it was, a voice-over! Secondly, it somehow took away from any kind of expressions, not that the original had a moving mouth, but I would have preferred a mouth of some kind. They could have come up with a really cool one that either moved or lit up while Alan Rickman talked. They also really should have had his voice coming out of the robot. It sounded cheap and disembodied, as I said like a voice over. Over all I hated the pace of the movie, in about 10 minutes we were already watching Arthur and Ford being ejected into space! One of the things I loved about the TV version and the books, was the dialog and the wonderful gags that the much beloved (and missed) Mr. Adam's wrote. Things like: "Hyperspace is rather like being drunk." said Ford
"What's wrong with being drunk?" queried Arthur
"Ask a glass of water." answered Ford
Or perhaps instead of spending about 2 minutes in the pub and glossing over the reactions of the patrons to Ford and Arthur, they should have done that fantastic scene justice. The whole thing in the beginning was that you were just like Arthur, totally perplexed and astonished about Ford and the Vogons and all of it. The director et al, seemed to be in a rush to get to the special effects, and forgot all about the humour of the earlier scenes. My biggest problem is with Zaphod Beeblebrox and Sam Rockwell. Now I love Sam Rockwell, I think he's a fantastic actor. I loved him in "The Green Mile" and Galaxy Quest and did a bang on job as Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, but who told him to make Zaphod such an absolute idiot and maniac. He actually seemed like a violent psychopath, and the stupid way they did his 2 heads made him down right ugly and almost evil. Did Sam Rockwell even watch or read anything about this character? He's not a Billy the Kid or a cowboy or "good ol' boy. He's an egomaniac, but he cares about those around him, because they (in his mind at least) adore him! I HATED his portrayal of Zaphod. At the end, he makes him out to be nothing more than a brain dead moron! Zaphod was a nutter, but a nutter we all kinda liked.
Over all, I can't understand why this movie turned out the way it did. Douglas Adams was a producer and helped write the screenplay! I wasn't expecting a completely identical remake, but I also didn't want it changed to this. Isn't that the point of remakes, we want to see our favorites, but only if you give them a wonderful update with today's tools. When you fix something that's not broke, you break it. That's what happen to the Planet of the Apes remake. They screwed with the story too much. I miss all the great lines and stories. Case in point was the Deep Thought story. In the original series, you had a wonderfully funny scene with Majikthise and Vroomfondel, the representatives from the union of philosophers demanding that the question not be answered, as it will put them out of work. Deep Thought tells them that they'll be on the gravy train for life, as what answer he comes up with will be hotly debated for eons! Vroomfondel turns to his friend and says:
"Geeze, Majikthise, why can't we think like that?" Or how about the great restaurant at the end of the universe, Milliways? *sigh* I'm very disappointed in this movie. We don't want a new story, but an updated new looking favorite. Play with it, but don't you dare rewrite it. Oh well, at least I still have my original TV mini series to watch. (Nice to see Simon Jones got in as the "ghostly image" from Magrathea.)
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)
David Spade: Former Funny Actor
I gave this a single star only because I couldn't go any lower. Actually, some of the scenes with the other "real" former child stars is mildly amusing, but hardly worthy of a whole movie. This could have been a mildly funny skit on SNL, but it turns into an utterly unbelievable pile of crap. I mean, these people don't act like how real people do. The way they react to the situations only serves one purpose only, to make the script work, to get the laugh, no matter how ridiculous the premise! I do like David Spade, but he should have NOT made this. This movie underlines one of the problems with movies today. They are so desperate to cash in on who's hot, that they'll make ANYTHING, including this trend to make whole movies out of TV show sketch bits. I think it's rare to make a good movie out of, what is supposed to be, a quick laugh.
So, so sad.
The four building blocks of the universe are fire, water, gravel and vinyl. -Dave Barry
Just My Luck (1957)
Old fashioned silly English comedy
Sady I haven't seen this or any other Norman Wisdom movies on TV for a really long time. Which is funny because when I was a teen, you could count on CFTO channel 9 showing one on the late late movie! I guess the rights are somehow expired or something. It's a shame it's not on TV so everyone can get a belly laugh. Sure, Norman plays the fool, but a lovable silly nutter, you can't help but like. He is an olden day "Mr. Bean" and is hilarious. One scene worth watching for is,
********SPOILER!!! BEWARE THERE BE A SPOILER PAST HERE!!!***********
when Norman tries to tempt the favorite horse's jockey into over eating before the race in order to add some weight to him is priceless. Norman proceeds to drive the obviously starving jockey mad by eating a plate full of éclairs in front of him. Trust me, you'll p*ss yourself!! If you ever get lucky enough to find this, (or any other Norman Wisdom film) showing on the late, late show, curl up on the couch with a nice bev and some munchies and enjoy a simple, fun and old fashioned comedy!
Trilogy of Terror (1975)
Voted 9 on the Doll alone!
EVERYONE I know that's ever seen it says the same thing. That doll freaked them out! The doll in the last story is worth it all! You watch this and you won't be able to go to sleep till you make sure any dolls in your house are locked away! I think the dolls face is so well done, so damned creepy that even with the somewhat limited "special effects" that were used to do the doll, it just freaks you out and afterward any little sound in your house will make you jump or send a shiver down your spine! For a made-for-TV movie from 1975 it is fantastic! I forget how much they paid to get the doll to work, but I think it was something like $100,000. Lots of money back then just for a single item for a movie, but well worth it! The stories are pretty good too! Worthy of the Twilight Zone, or Outer Limits! Karen Black is great in this. Of course, this was her time to shine in the mid '70's. If you like the Chucky movies, then you'll love this one.