October 2011
1 post
Done with Reviews. Thank You.
September 2011
29 posts
9 tags
The Deer Hunter (1978)
The Deer Hunter has tense scenes and brilliant acting particularity from De Niro and Walken. The metaphor of Russian Roulette equating to Vietnam overshadows the subject matter. 3 out of 5
14 tags
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Prisoner of Azkaban sends the Harry Potter franchise into a darker, more serious atmosphere. Great addition of actors, awesome (non over the top) action and twists. Dementors! 5 out of 5
8 tags
Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (2011)
Can’t Stop shows how important a laugh is to Conan. Behind the scenes footage is fascinating because Conan doesn’t hold back. His demeanor is entertaining and miserable.
3.5 out of 5
11 tags
Halloween (1978)
Halloween doesn’t rely on blood but rather simplicity in the interesting characters and strong suspense. Having Loomis describe Michael early on builds Micheal’s presence as absolute evil.4 out of 5
16 tags
Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Resurrection teaches us that watching kung fu will help you master kung fu. Also you text coherently under extreme adversity. Characters are boring. Myers is mainly robotic. 2 out of 5
12 tags
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
BTTF 2 really lets the characters shine as well as cool Nike’s to hoverboards that don’t work on water unless you have power. Great throwbacks to 1. 5 out of 5
7 tags
Friday the 13th (1980)
Friday the 13th is a bonfire story within a bonfire story. One by one the counselors are dropped by a silent POV killer. Some kills are scary.
3 out of 5
16 tags
Serenity (2005)
Serenity is a darker version of Firefly. It is still has the excellent characters and action sequences. Reavers aren’t as terrifying but still vicious. Mal is awesome.
5 out of 5
11 tags
Day of the Dead (1985)
No matter what you think of Day of the Dead…the zombies look and act pretty damn good. Can’t say the same about the humans. Screw Bub. 1 out of 5
9 tags
WALL-E (2008)
WALL-E proves that slapstick humor will always be funny and entertaining. WALL-E is a character worth rooting for. The lack of attention in humans also seems realistic.
5 out of 5
7 tags
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
“I’m in your face!” The Fast and the Furious is both fast and furious. The racing is exciting…and fast. The over the top characters are engaging. 4 out of 5
7 tags
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
“I got thrown out of a window, man!” Murphy is witty and funny but not believable as an action lead. A banana in the tailpipe is killer. 3 out of 5
12 tags
Halloween: H2O 20 Years Later (1998)
H2O doesn’t rely on gore until the awesome final confrontation. Loud music beats are overused but still effective. Adult and teenage characters seem realistic. “Comb your hair.”
4 out of 5
11 tags
The Shining (1980)
The Shining builds isolation and tension, like no other film. Nicholson is terrifying in appearance and actions. The film will leave you thinking for a long time. 5 out of 5
7 tags
500 Days of Summer (2009)
(500) Days of Summer gets it right. There is no bad guy in the break up because Tom and Summer follow their hearts. Great story, great soundtrack. 5 out of 5
6 tags
Better Off Dead (1985)
I’ve never seen a film where someone so casually tries to kill himself with semi comedic consequences. Cusack is charming but the film is over the top. 2 out of 5
8 tags
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Drag Me to Hell stylistically screams Sam Raimi and in that sense is entertaining. The story is intriguing but the protagonist isn’t very likeable. Poor kitty cat.
3 out of 5
8 tags
Blood Simple (1984)
Blood Simple is a great film that has some of the greatest suspense. Getz is a bit dull while Walsh is unpredictable and deadly as Loren Visser.
4 out of 5
6 tags
Man on Wire (2008)
Man on Wire is an engaging doc about a fascinating man. Petit’s line of work is exciting and will give you acrophobia. The drama reconstructions do work. 5 out of 5
4 tags
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
I can’t believe a film credited to Stallone and Cameron came out like this. Horrible looking action and lame love story. At least it’s over. “Mission… accomplished.”
1 out of 5
9 tags
Blade (1998)
“Some motherfuckers are always trying to ice-skate uphill.”…WHAT? Blade sets a template for the serious comic book film with comical scenes at times. Snipes is intense. 3 out of 5
13 tags
Batman Begins (2005)
Batman Begins sets the tone Batman was created for with action and story. Bale is a great Bruce Wayne, Dawes is too preachy. Some camp, not SCHUMACHER. 4 out of 5
9 tags
Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas is a brilliantly written and acted film. Liotta is a great protagonist to view the story through. Pesci is frightening, De Niro is awesome. Great soundtrack. 5 out of 5
8 tags
Swingers (1996)
“No, baby, you’re money.” Swingers may have asshole characters but they are incredibly entertaining. Vaughn is really quick and quotable. Livingston and Favreau are tragically very comedic. 5 out of 5
13 tags
Ghostbusters 2 (1989)
Ghostbusters 2 is definitely New York heavy. The characters are excellent. Moranis is king. MacNicol is hilarious as Janosz. The alternative Ghostbusters songs weren’t that good. Slimer! 4 out of 5
10 tags
Trick r Treat (2007)
Trick ‘r Treat is an entertaining horror film with lots of surprises. Dylan Baker is hilarious. Some shots drag and the last story predictable. Kids are scary. 3.5 out of 5
12 tags
South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut (1999)
Parker and Stone really know how to write a great musical. The film feels like an episode but with less restriction. Memorable lines and a smart message. 4.5 out of 5
9 tags
An Education (2009)
An Education introduces witty characters like the bright jenny and the enamoring David. Unfortunately by the 3rd act the film is more conventional. Great actors. Poor Graham. 3.5 out of 5
10 tags
Jackie Brown (1997)
Jackie Brown is a witty, funny, surprising crime drama. Jackson plays a scary unpredictable villain. Forster plays a major part although reserved. “Kiss my ass, fuck wad!”
4 out of 5
8 tags
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Full Metal Jacket starts very strong with Ermey as a drill sergeant but falls with lesser characters. Feels too routine.” I AM in a world of shit!” 2.5 out of 5
August 2011
31 posts
7 tags
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Atreyu is so cool. The NeverEnding Story is a creative fantasy that intertwines well with a childs unhappiness in school and at home. Falkor is a pimp. 4 out of 5
10 tags
Animal Kingdom (2010)
Animal Kingdom has a great representation of a confused teenager with lots of choices. Weaver plays an alarmingly level headed mother. ‘Pope’ is truly terrifying. Great Flick. 4.5 out of 5
12 tags
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Toy Story 2 brings back the now established characters from 1 while introducing new ones. Al is a great obsessive villain. Great dialogue and climax. BALDING WOODY.
5 out of 5
8 tags
Rocky (1976)
Rocky is one of the best characters in all of film. He’s an inspirational and a great character. Every character is developed. “Ain’t gonna be no rematch.”
5 out of 5
11 tags
Battle Royale (2000)
Battle Royale is a bloody action film with a great concept. Teenage characters are unpredictable and some are frightening. The film lacks some subtlety. Stay in school.
4 out of 5
13 tags
Watchmen (2009)
Watchmen has a gritty comic book look to it. The characters are all great with Rorschach and Comedian in particular. The climax is convoluted. Some great music.
4 out of 5
7 tags
Once Bitten (1985)
Once Bitten is a teen vampire comedy. Carrey is clueless and likeable, Hutton is a great foil. Side characters are entertaining, great dance number, strange shower scene.
4 out of 5
6 tags
American Psycho II: All American Girl (2002)
88 Minutes. That’s how long it takes to ruin everything. It’s comedic but not in the same intention as the original. Kunis is boring. Shatner is Shatner.
1 out of 5
10 tags
Amadeus (1984)
Amadeus twists history in a very interesting way. We see a brutal one-sided rivalry. Abraham plays an obsessed Salieri who you feel sympathetic for. Greatest laugh ever.
5 out of 5
8 tags
Permanent Midnight (1998)
Permanent Midnight reaches the line of drugs and chaos but never crosses it. Stiller is witty as Stahl but tame in some moments. “I’m fucking a JEW!” 3 out of 5
9 tags
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Inglourious Basterds doesn’t predominately star Brad Pitt. Laurent and Waltz are just as major. The film has great scenes of action and suspenseful dialogue. “Nein nein nein!”
4 out of 5
12 tags
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!...
“Just think; next time I shoot someone, I could be arrested.” Naked Gun is a classic film with memorable dialogue, gags, and characters and a great finale. 4 out of 5
9 tags
Cop Out (2010)
First of all, Seann William Scott is insanely annoying in Cop Out. Willis and Morgan have no chemistry or decent dialogue. Pollack and Brody were more interesting. 2 out of 5
10 tags
Spartacus (1960)
Spartacus is longer than it needs to be. Douglas and Olivier portray interesting opposites. Great cinematography and exciting action sequences. Emotions felt real, some didn’t. “I’m Spartacus!” 3 out of 5
7 tags
The Wrestler (2008)
Mickey Rourke plays a heartbreaking and still optimistic has been wrestler. The handheld camera work makes the film look like a documentary. Great performances and amazing story. 5 out of 5
10 tags
The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers thrives on hilarious random and absurd moments like the whole Carrie Fisher subplot. Some scenes drag on too long. “I hate Illinois Nazis.” RAWHIDE!
3 out of 5
10 tags
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Does this film have holes? Yep. Still good? Yep. Franco and Pinto are just present. Neither too involved. Lithgow is heartfelt. Felton is hilarious. Apes were awesome. 3.5 out of 5
7 tags
Dead Like Me: Life After Death (2009)
Life after Death fails in every way as a film sequel to the television show. Popular characters are either not there or horribly underused. Cameron Kane sucks.
1 out of 5
10 tags
Kids (1995)
Kids has the most realistic acting I’ve seen portraying actual teenagers. It looks like a documentary. Telly and Casper are reprehensible but fascinating. Telly looks like McLOVIN!
5 out of 5