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malthus
Reviews
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Very entertaining, but too short and too many flaws...
AVP seems like a movie that was inspired by the comics and the computer-games by the same name, but whose script was "edited" to fit a more mainstream audience and taking some sidesteps to get around the horrid resurrection.
As a sci-fi action flick, it was very entertaining. As the meeting of two story lines, it is found wanting. And 90 minutes, by today's standards, is a little short for a full-length motion picture, isn't it? Of course, nobody promised epic alien battles, but somehow I expected, well, more...
Read the AvsP comics for the storyline that inspired the movie. I think they are, storywise, better. Play the games to find out about predator-aliens and how they came to be.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Visually splendid, but a lot more freedoms taken in the story.
Peter Jackson is doing an absolutely stunning job in creating the visuals and atmosphere of Middle Earth and its peoples. However, compared to the first movie (where many of the differences with the story were parts being left out), The Two Towers is taking on a lot more liberties towards Tolkien's original story.
The Huorn are missing, in stead we get a division of Elves arriving at Helms Deep, in a way which makes me wonder about the Dunedain in the final movie.
Keep up the good work Peter, but where are you going?
The Sweetest Thing (2002)
The slapstick is as old as it gets, but the jokes about getting older are hilarious.
The best parts of the movie are definitely those where Diaz and Applegate scrutinize their physiques for the signs of aging. The worst parts are the often predictable, and often lacking in taste, slapstick humor. A fun movie, but nothing exceptional.
Dak mo mai sing (2001)
Easy entertainment, mostly stock Chan material
One thing I specifically did like about this movie was the locations. I haven't seen that many movies that play in Istanbul for a large part and it was a welcome change from the usual New York, Hong Kong, etc.
There were a lot of 'mandatory sights' shots, of course, with a scene in the subterranian canals, a drive-by at the Aya Sofia, Turkish dancers, etc.
What was a bit of a lesser point about the movie was it's native Chinese and the 'clunky' voice-overs. If the movie was meant for a western (American?) audience as well, keep it in the native language and use subtitles. As far as we know, Americans still know how to read. At least the Europeans still do... And personally I find a movie that much more enjoyable when it's in the native language.
On the whole, easy entertainment, good for a relaxed evening, but no heavy storyline or character-development. Don't expect a drama which can be discussed afterwards (unless perhaps discussing the merits of wallowing naked through assorted spices).
Unfaithful (2002)
The first half poses an interesting drama, the second half a cheap thriller.
I don't go to Richard Gere movies just to see him. Although the company with whom I went to this movie did. They got more than they bargained for.
The movie starts out with the extramarital affair of Connie developing slowly. Although the marriage is a good one, she still becomes 'unfaithful'. I find that the movie poses a very interesting premise on cheating and being (un)faithful in a marriage or relationship. Things do not have to be 'bad' to go wrong. A VERY interesting topic to talk about after the movie, be it about cheating and the effects on a relationship (trust, mostly), or forgiveness and how difficult it can be to give it.
Then, in stead of developing the story into something interesting where the couple tries to deal with the situation (or not; ending in a divorce), Edward (Richard Gere) commits a "Crime Passionel" and kills the boy his wife has been cheating him with.
The rest of the movie deals with him getting rid of the body and the guilt of the crime that keeps haunting the pair. A rather disappointing end to a movie which started out with a very promising story.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
A complete break with all that Lucas has previously recognized as 'authentic'
As a science-fiction movie, Episode II was, at best, mediocre. There were some very obvious 'bad patches' in the effects (come on, we can do better than that with a computer-animated pear!), the comedy was misplaced, obvious and cheap and as for character development, well, it seems Lucas has re-invented over-acting.
As a Star Wars movie, Episode II is bad. Not just bad, but horrendous. In the years since the original trilogy there has been much material developed which came to be known as the 'expanded universe'. Many talented writers have written novels, approved by Lucas as authentic and in line with his stories, who now must feel betrayed. Or at least disappointed.
Lucas' version of the Clone Wars is vastly different from the one that has developed 'off-screen'. The Jedi Order has degenerated to a point where we must wonder how they ever managed to last this long already. Yoda should have remained the respected Jedi Master (whose size matters not), not be reduced to a slapstick 'flubber-like' lightsaber-wielding blur. And the Death Star plans were around in the Clone Wars???
My verdict in this matter is biased, as I view the movie in the greater context. Please, enjoy Episode II as a movie, but as a part of the Star Wars Universe, it has no place.
Black Knight (2001)
Everything that is tacky, boorish and ignorant, rolled into one movie.
A perfect example of all the bad things people tend to think about Americans. Uncultured, boorish, unsophisticated, the list goes on.
There was much gnashing of teeth while sitting through this movie.
Good Advice (2001)
A fun movie that turns out to be a lot different than it first seems.
As was shown by the number of people getting out of the theatre at the preview I attended, this movie starts out a bit dull. Ryan loses a lot of money because he tries his hands on a bit of insider trading that turns out to be a setup to ruin him.
Landing in a burn-out/depression, he moves in with his girlfriend Cindy. Cindy writes a column for a local 'feminist' newspaper. But Cindy is an insensitive, callous, m*****c bitch. And it shows in her writing. Her editor is just waiting to fire her, but can't due to contracts and the fact that the newspaper is all-but-bankrupt (and thus can't pay the legal bills for the suit Cindy threatens to file).
When Cindy leaves Ryan for a Brazilian emerald-magnate (whom we never get to meet), Ryan suddenly has to pay the bills again. Posing as Cindy (and saying she is sick and will work from home), he endeavors to write her column. At first with abominable results, being the sexist womanizer he is.
With a little help from his close friend and, unknown to her, his friends' girlfriend, Ryan improves little by little. Eventually becoming quite sensitive to the problems posed to him. As a bit of a sub-plot, he does develop a bit of a crush for the newspaper's chief editor... Who still thinks he is Cindy's boyfriend.
The turn-around in the beginning is the best thing that happens to the movie, saving it from being a dusty wall-street movie. And I hope it is symbolic for Sheen's career. He's not half bad in this role, although he is helped a lot by some of the other characters. Charlie could do worse than take on some more of this sort of work.
"Good Advice" is a nice comedy to fill an evening. nothing exceptional, but good entertainment.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
Pretty, but not fantastic...
As a technical marvel, it is outstanding. This movie is truly a tribute to state of the art rendering. However, the storyline is lacking and some of the 'leaps' are a bit far-fetched for someone not really 'in to' the fantasy/science-fiction genre.
Vertical Limit (2000)
Typical Hollywood action film: no respect for reality.
This movie is a so-typical Hollywood action-flick you almost can't believe it. It seems like the producers looked up this bunch of cool gadgets mountain climbers use (many of which are sharp or have pointy ends) and tried to portray some of the most irresponsible climbing you could think of.
Sure, it's hell if your sis is stuck in an avalanche on K-2 but, as some climber already pointed out in basecamp, you don't go risking another six people to 'possibly' get two down. Besides, there are better ways to do this than by strapping a can of nitroglycerine to your back.(small note: dynamite is essentially chalk soaked in nitro which stabilizes it. Guess they hadn't thought of that?)
Furthermore, you never climb beneath another group's ropes (lest they fall and drag you with them...), you do not sprint across a ridge wearing glacier-irons, you do not sit on a 5cm ledge without a safety rope attached, you do jump out of a helicopter trying to fall down unless you intend to end up spaghetti.
In short, this movie severely damages the image of the real mountain climbers, who consider safety and precaution a way of life and not something to disregard to look cool.
Meet the Parents (2000)
Funny movie, but overdoing it in some areas.
This movie is funny in the "Murphy's Law" kind of sense. Greg is a guy who desperately wants to ask his girlfriend to marry him, but first her parents (especially her dad) have to approve of him.
Starting with his luggage (and the engagement ring...) getting lost in-flight, Greg starts on a bad-luck streak that'll last the entire weekend.
Although, having a cat named "jinx" around doesn't seem to help either.
The bad-luck part gets a bit predictable towards the middle of the movie and in my opinion they start to overdo this quite a bit. Towards the end the movie does take a turn for the better, although the end is not very surprising. It is the way the cliche-ending is handled that is especially funny.
Good movie to see. DeNiro is, of course, the best and plays the part of the somewhat grumpy father-in-law down very well.
Gossip (2000)
Interesting concept, but dwindles towards the end.
The movie starts out _very_ promising with an interesting concept (the 'migration and mutation' of a rumour), but along the line it dwindles to a somewhat mediocre thriller-like movie.
The ending holds very few surprises and no inspiring personality development or noteworthy plot-twists (all stock material).
Their project-artwork is wonderful though. I voted a 6 for the concept, artwork and the first 45 minutes of the movie.
The Insider (1999)
The way a true story _should_ be filmed...
Even though I suspect there has been more than a little dramatization involved, this film seems like the perfect example of a true story being filmed.
There's enough thrill to keep the audience riveted to their seats, while the movie still manages to get the message about the public health debacle across. As an encore, there is the 'responsibility of the press' and the freedom of speech and print issue.
Brilliant role by Pacino as the slightly ideological producer of "60 minutes", defending the integrity of himself, and more importantly, of the newscasting-community as a whole.
Do Not Disturb (1999)
Surprisingly humorous movie, not afraid of self-ridicule.
Surprising good movie. Very weird mix between humor and action.
Weird effect (especially for Dutchmen) to have a movie playing in Amsterdam, with all the 'natives' speaking English. Especially with the 'normal' Dutch terms and signs in the streets.
Lots of ridicule about Amsterdam's checkered reputation. And it isn't even that much exaggerated...
Arlington Road (1999)
Overrated psych thriller.
The movie wants the audience to experience the fear, but sadly Bridges doesn't carry it off. His often over-acting responses don't add to the atmosphere and the movie never quite attains a real 'seven' feel.
It does however make a point about terrorism and the way a government handles it.