Change Your Image
big bird-3
Reviews
Dead Man on Campus (1998)
Brainless Entertainment
After more than 2 years since its release date, I finally get to view this movie on video. My thought of this movie when it first came out was that it would be one of those cheesy movie made for the teenage crowd. But when I watched this movie as part of the holiday entertainment packages I got at my sister's place, it turned out to be a delightful surprise. Despite the touchy suicidal issue, Dead Man on Campus acutally had its funny moment, and did provide me some much needed laughters after a month-long hard work at school. Anyone who goes to College or University can totally relate to this movie, one way or other, regardless if they stay in dorm or not. And I really enjoyed watching the friendship developed between Josh and Cooper.
This movie is intended to be brainless entertainment for every College or University students who are stress out or burn out from the heavy burden of school work. For this purpose it had certainly fulfilled it with flying color grade. However, having said that, I do agree with some critics that this movie has the potential to be further and better developed and become a good black comedy/satire of the whole college education system. Still a fine effort from the producing team, most of whom who make their film debuts with this movie.
Playing by Heart (1998)
gradually becomes interesting-but you have to have patience
"Playing by Heart" seems boring through the first three quarters of it, but in the end it delivers an interesting end. However,like I have said in my heading, you have to have the patience to see the entire movie before you get the point and feel the "feel" of the writer/director (Willard Carroll).
This movie is quite touching, and in its own way provides some depth about love in a diverse manner. Likewise, some of the performances are superb as well. I especially like the performance by Angelina Jolie here; I felt like I knew what she'd gone through in the movie when I watched it. Although in the future I hope to see her in roles other than the angry white female character that she mostly plays up to this point of her career. Meanwhile,there are quite a few areas about this movie that I don't like. For starter, because the movie must jump from one story to another, it felt so scattered, and the pace of those stories, in my opinion, were too slow. Second, some of the stories didn't quite develop as well as the others. For instance, I am not satisfied with the story involving Dennis Quaid, Madeleine Stowe and Anthony Edwards. I also wish there would be a bit more between Jay Mohr and Ellen Burstyn.
Overall, this is not a bad movie. In fact I can appreciate the efforts made by Willard Carroll and whoever involved in the production of "Playing by Heart". But this movie seems better fit in the TV screen then at a movie theater.
Anna and the King (1999)
splendid in some ways but there are certainly rooms for improvement
When talks about a remake of " the King and I" surfaced about a year ago , I was not a bit interested in the movie. After all, the story of an English teacher teaching English in the royal court of Siam and then fell into love with the King is kind of bizarre not to mention it sounded like a typical Hollywood stereotyping romantic story. However I changed my mind when Anna and the King comes out;in fact I went to see the movie on the opening nite.
The result of the experience is somewhat mixed; it was sort of entertaining in some minor way, mostly generated by the young royal children and Louis, the son of Anna the English teacher. The costumes and settings are breath-takingly realistic-at least it appealed to me. I also like the Chemistry between Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat; Their acting and physical appearances together make the impossible love tension seems more believable. Besides, Foster the intelligent, strong-minded actress is a prefect candidate play Anna, the equally head-strong character.
I also like the approach of this version of Anna and the King of Siam; I would think such material is best to be made as a dramatic movie (epic or no epic). The perspective of the movie is neither from the king nor Anna, which gives the movie a more refreshing horizon. I also like the details of the movie- for example I like the fact that the Thai officials and the King spoke in Thai instead of English, giving the movie a more realistic feel.
However, having said all these wonderful things why I like the movie, I must say that the movie fell flat somewhat in the end, and that's the reason why I think this movie is not a prefect 10
First of all, the beginning of the movie does have the appeal and the feel of an epic movie; however it is not being maintained by the end of the movie, which makes me wonder if only ....
Second, though the movie claimed to be closer to the fact of the true story between Anna and the King, it is still a distance away from the truth historical facts. Therefore I was somewhat disturbed by the end note which appears at the end of the movie. Because the Anna and the King story is more legendary then a accurate historical account,so I would prefer to see the movie to tell a legendary story instead of adding these maybe-or may not be correct footnotes.
Overall, I like the movie, the dramatic approach works better than a musical approach in my humble opinions. I just think this movie have the potential to be so much greater.
Renaissance Man (1994)
a heartfelt, feeling good movie.
When I was Channel surfing the TV this afternoon and found this movie on, I didn't expect much from it (a lot of times, movies available in a Sunday afternoon are real stinker). But this movie turned out to be a delightful surprise. The movie has a very touching, heartfelt, warm fuzzy quality to it, especially on the teacher-soldier/student relationship. In fact that's the only aspect of the movie that I like. Personally I found the rap songs are quite stupid and the plot was pretty much what you would expect from a 80's comedy (even though Renaissance Man was made in the 90's). Nonetheless, the relationship between Danny DeVito and his fellow students was so touching that it outweighed the negative aspects of this movie, in my opinions. If you want to rent a feel good movie, this is the one, but if you're expecting to laugh your head off or if you only watch movies that follows logical sense, then I can say that you can forget about this movie. One note, I can't believe that Mark Whalberg was in this movie! I couldn't tell that it was him in the movie.
The MatchMaker (1997)
had its moment but felt flat on the climax and ending
I personally quite enjoy the MatchMaker; I find it cute, interesting jokes and funny characters would emerge and make me laugh, and the movie well had my attention for 2/3 of the movie. Then it got a bit confusing to me;eg. I couldn't quite understand why and what's going on in the party that the senator attended the first night he's in Ireland. Then, I felt like the movie should wrap itself up quickly after the death of the match makers but instead it kept going for quite away. I also didn't find the fighting scenes between the brothers in the bar funny at all. But I do like the Kennedy marriage joke. It totally caught me by surprise. Having said that, I think over all it is not a bad movie to see, at least it's bearable to watch as video and this movie for sure will serve as an good entertainment on a night when you have noting better to do. Before I wrap up I just want to say that I think Janeane Garofalo has loads of Charms in this movie, so as most of the cast in this movies-they do have this " real" people appeal.
The MatchMaker (1997)
had its moment but felt flat on the climax and ending
I personally quite enjoy the MatchMaker; I find it cute, interesting jokes and funny characters would emerge and make me laugh, and the movie well had my attention for 2/3 of the movie. Then it got a bit confusing to me;eg. I couldn't quite understand why and what's going on in the party that the senator attended the first night he's in Ireland. Then, I felt like the movie should wrap itself up quickly after the death of the match makers but instead it kept going for quite away. I also didn't find the fighting scenes between the brothers in the bar funny at all. But I do like the Kennedy marriage joke. It totally caught me by surprise. Having said that, I think over all it is not a bad movie to see, at least it's bearable to watch as video and this movie for sure will serve as an good entertainment on a night when you have noting better to do. Before I wrap up I just want to say that I think Janeane Garofalo has loads of Charms in this movie, so as most of the cast in this movies-they do have this " real" people appeal.
An Ideal Husband (1999)
Love the wit of it
Finally I was able to see this delightful, charming period comedy. This is one of the more entertaining movies I have seen this year, as it is full of witty moment that leave you amuse. I couldn't find more greater words to describe this movie other than that this is a great movie. Interesting satire of the society, great sense of humour within the movies. Super acting from everyone too, especially Julianne Moore-just perfect. I also enjoy watching the screen between Rupurt Everett and the actor who played his father in the movie-I couldn't contain myself from laughers each time the two appeared on screen together. Anyway this is an ideal movie to see for this summer, and even on video again later on!
The Thin Red Line (1998)
A war movie about people in War, not about battles
I'm so glad to have finally seen this movie at last! To be honest, I was quite confused in the beginning and did get bored, but after about 30 somewhat minutes I was finally able to catch up with the movie.
After seeing the movie, I have the feeling that this movie is not really about war, but rather about how people react in war, particularly those on the front line;how they experience life,death, fear, separation, love, friendship, hatred...etc. And this is how the movie capture my mind. I wish I could have seen it on video and then see it in theater, just because the movie does take a while for me to catch on and without the remote control of rewind, I don't know how am I going to achieve it.
One more complain(sort of, though I understand the director must be under pressure to use some big name movie stars in this movie)---individual characters in this movie doesn't seem to matter in this movie--so I felt it is a bit of a waste to use excellent actors for roles that only last a few moment-also, you do wonder what happen to them, especially if you happen to recognize most of them; say, what happen to the John Cuscak character after the middle of the movie; or who is George Clooney really playing in the movie?
Anyway this is still a very good and heartfelt movie. A 7.5/10 votes
A Life Less Ordinary (1997)
kinda funny-and it makes you think too
Well, I have heard a lot of disapproval reviews about this moive, but I personally think it isn't that bad. In fact it could be quite humorous sometimes, especially the angels! Highlight of the movie includes how Robert tries to trash the robots that replaces him; how Celine participates in her own kidnapping.And how could I forget about the robbery Celine pulls in the movie.
Yes, sometimes things seem quite strange; I would agree that the ending is kinda weird, and you do wonder why Celine and Robert aren't busted for robbing a bank, but at the same time, several ideas would come across you even after you see the movie (watch in my case since I watched it as home video); for instance, the concept of fate and love or the concept of society turning into a robot-liked society, or even the unrealistic events that take place in the movie: sure they all seem so odd, yet they all take place in the movie and appear to be normal - and it just made me wonder that maybe the director is trying to say that all things unbelievable would actually happen as part of life.
Maybe in some critics' opinions, this movie appears strange but as a movie-lover, I feel that this movie does have me think beyond the movie after viewing it, while it also provides laughter for me when I was watching it; so I give it a 8/10, or 3.5 stars out of 5.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
would be a classic comedy/satire minus the nudity
I find this movie quite interesting-it was such a satire to the current world-and I find it amusing when I watched the therapy section Dr. Evil and his son attended. But I really disapprove the nudity " suggested" in middle and at the end of the movie-especially those nudity scenes didn't appear to be necessary! Or at least those scenes could be reduced to minimum.I really think those scenes somehow destroy a bit of the genius ideas behind the scripts. Otherwise, it was a fun movie to see(in cinema)or watch (at home through home video, just like what I've done). Let's hope the sequel would be as much fun as this one without much of those suggestive nudity scenes.
Double Happiness (1994)
a pretty good movie overall
I would be the first to admit that I didn't have high hope about this movie. My first reaction upon hearing this movie is that it is just another nagging movie. And since I am an overseas-born and raised Chinese Canadian who didn't move to Canada till midway through my adolescent years, I have to confess that I don't have much sympathy toward those who were born in Canada or moved here when they were very young. I had always felt that they were a lucky bunch, since they didn't have to go through what I'd been struggling through. Hence I was blind to see their problems and the challenges they face in their lives. Gradually, as I grew older I was able to realize this. Therefore, 5 years after its release I finally have a chance (and am willing) to view this movie.
Although the plot shouldn't have been surprising and unfamiliar to most Chinese living outside the Chinese region, what I think that makes this movie stands out is on the ways how the director expressed each ideas. For instance, I am touched on how Mina Shum portrays the ideal date set up by the parents-successful PROFESSIONALS who always drive a nice car (mama's good boys as well): at the later portion of the movie, this ideal date(or mate as the parents would hope for) was represented only by his back and his car-he didn't even talk. By doing this, the director really sends out the message that it doesn't matter who you date since these guys are all the same in general; in a way one can even argue that in Chinese philosophy, the existence of affection and marriage are based on material access.
Anyway I don't want to turn this comment into a debate of Chinese value vs. the West. Back to the movie: I do think Mina Shum did a very good job in presenting her concepts and ideas in this movie, though I have trouble understanding one screen in which a waiter spilled water all over Jade's set up date-that really puzzle me;maybe some of you can solve this for me.
Before I wrap up this comment, I just want to point out that the Li's family sort of represent the whole Chinese community combined-but not the individual family; I mean I am sure that most family would only act in few similar ways as does the Li's family in Double Happiness, but most family don't act in all the ways being described by the movie (I hope not)...but then I guess you guys would notice that too....well I would make these comments just in case.
Knock Off (1998)
??? what's the plot?
This is one of the most confusing movies I've ever seen. I have no clue on what's the story behind the movie...not until I saw it twice and read numerous reviews about it did I get a basic understanding of the movie...
It appeared that Jean Claude Van Damme was living in Hong Kong for quite a while at the beginning of the movie(yet we would not know much about himself other than that he was staying Hong Kong illegally? -Wow, that's interesting). Anyway, He and his partner were somehow involved in a criminal scheme set up by the Russian Maffia..(and surprise, the CIA as well!). Of course, being a Jean Claude Van Damme movie, there were loads of action;in fact I dare to say that 75% of the time the movie show-cased Van Damme's Martial Art skill, having him fighting every single person in sight.
I think this movie attempted to be a complex, action-packed thriller; except that it instead drove everyone crazy since no one had a clue of what the movie is about since all of us could see is Van Damme fighting on the screen for 90 minutes-that's probably the problem; you see, with only one and a half hours, it must be hard on the director to try to fill in information for audience while NOT LOSING ANY ACTION SCENES so to satisfy our need to see Van Damme show-off his martial art skill...too bad this time it back-fired! I guess the movie isn't absolutely unbearable, but at the same time you'd just wonder how the actors feel when they filmed the movie...