cbenavidez Reviews

Spider-Man (2002)

The Box Office results speak for themselves.

[10 May 2002]

I have always been one to accept that people will give praise and criticism. This is what allows people to see various different sides of a movie. Well, I'm going to use my opportunity to be the critic. However, I will not criticize this movie, because it was an excellent adaptation of a comic book character, to the big screen. Who I will criticize are all those people that felt that they needed to give their knowledge of how movies should be made.

Give me a break!!!! Did these people go to the movie so they could see every flaw that they could pick out, and then hurriedly run back to their computer keyboard and bash it. Did you guys think about even trying to enjoy the movie. I have seen worse attempts to do the same thing with other movies. If you try hard enough, I guess you can make every movie experience as fun as scratching your nails on the chalkboard.

This movie was not an easy one to make and it took alot of hard work from everyone involved. If your looking for perfection in a movie, just stop going to the theater and just close your eyes and use your imagination. That's the only way you're going to get the perfection you feel the movie should have.

Fortunately, most people aren't as caught up in the little things, as the Box Office results prove. This will be backed up, once again, after the second weekend results come out. MARK MY WORDS!!!!

Spy Kids (2001)

I salute the makers of this movie, for its family message

[31 March 2001]

It's ironic that the director of some extremely violent movies would make such a good family movie. Hopefully, Robert Rodriguez will see from the success of this movie that more and more people are wanting to see well made family movies. Someone needs to take the lead.

The movie was very entertaining and can you believe it not one single curse word in the entire movie. The closest they came to cussing was when Carmen said "Holy Shitaki mushrooms." There were enough special effects action scenes that it didn't need any violence. Now don't get me wrong, I like action packed movies, but we need more action packed movies that are less violent. If you thought it couldn't be done, this movie is proof that it can be done.

This movie really had a great couple of messages. The first message was that no matter who you are, you a have some quality in you that someone, someday will appreciate. You don't have to be an action star to be someone's hero. This was portrayed through Juno the younger brother of Carmen. I especially liked how Carmen told her brother this, closer to the end of the movie.

The main message this movie told was that Family is important. We've had so many movies that show how families are expendable and if you don't like your family make another one. Well the final moments of the movie said it all. The most important mission of all is "Family" and you have to work hard to keep it together.

Robert Rodriguez, I salute you and even though I don't know if this movie will ever win an academy award, I feel that it has won a even higher award.

Exit Wounds (2001)

This movie pulls Seagal out of his long string of bad movies.

[22 March 2001]

Being a cop myself (3 years undercover, on the S.W.A.T. team and a Bomb Technician), I definitely can tell you that the plot was not believable. However, how many of Hollywoods movies are believable. With that said, I still have to say that I enjoyed this movie. This will definitely bring Steven Seagal back from his string of poor movies.

The directing in this movie was much better, with the way the scenes were played out. Seagal should thank the director, because he probably turned his career around. I do like watching Steven Seagal, even in his poor movies, because I am a defensive tactics instructor and alot of the moves I teach are based on Aikido.

This was a well made movie and the music really got you pumping. Because of this movie, you can bet that you are going to see alot more of Steven Seagal.

I had to mention one more thing. In one of the comments, I read, someone said that they could not see Steven Seagal as much of a gun person. In reality, he is one of the few actors that holds his weapon the way a real police officer would hold his weapon. Also, when he fires his weapon, he fires it the way a real police officer would fire it. I just needed to make that comment.

Enemy at the Gates (2001)

It took off slow but really definitely picked up.

[22 March 2001]

This movie had alot of hype before it came to theaters, so I was kind of wary about it. When it took off slow, I became even more wary of it. I was, however, very happy with how the movie started developing later on. The movie got you more and more enveloped in it as it went on.

After watching the ending, you realize that the movie was actually better because of the slow beginning. This movie was way different from movies like "Saving Private Ryan", in the sense that it was more of a love story (for girl and country). Even though saving private ryan was a love of country movie, it was more about being a team. This movie focused on one hero, who made everyone want to be a team.

Without this movie taking off slowly, I don't believe that they could have pulled off much of a love story, involving the girl. I loved this movie and think it is a must see, for everyone who likes watching era related true stories.

See Spot Run (2001)

Get a grip people, it was a comedy.

[12 March 2001]

Man where do these people come from. You weren't watching some deep love story or some in depth drama. It was a comedy! I can't believe all of the bad comments on this movie. It was meant to be fun and funny and it was both. Think about it, would it have been as funny if David Arquette acted serious.

I hear people saying that it was the worst movie ever. Give me a break, let your hair down. This movie was enjoyable, not only for kids, but for adults as well. I couldn't stop laughing. Call me simple minded, but I'll probably live about 10 years longer than all of scourers that forgot how to laugh.

It was clean and it was funny. All I can say is that the people that put this movie down are probably the same people that loved Me, Myself and Irene. It seems that humor, with no taste, is the trend. As for me, I'm glad we can get back to good clean fun.

For those of you who thought it was terrible, fortunately, the Box Office will say differently.

Down to Earth (2001)

Chris Rock needs to stick to stand up comedy.

[28 February 2001]

There were some funny moments in this movie, but overall I was unimpressed. I recognize that this movie is supposed to be a comedy, but it really fell short of being funny. Why did they have to bring Rock back as an old white man. The old white man really had nothing to do with the movie. Rock didn't act like an old white man. He didn't look like the old white man (at least not to the audience). He didn't even seem like he was an old white man. Yet no one really cared.

Now, I know that this is supposed to be funny, but all I really felt was embarrassed.

Chris, until you can become a real actor, go back to stand up.

The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (2000)

A rare movie that just can't find it's place

[28 February 2001]

I'm afraid this movie just wasn't able to find it's place in the world of movies. I couldn't tell whether this was supposed to be a slapstick movie, a kid's movie or an adult satire. It really didn't fit any of them. It was just plain silly.

This movie would have made more sense if was made as a cartoon, like the original Rocky and Bullwinkle. Then the silliness would have fit better. When they made this into a live-action, they made this a worse bomb than any that Boris or Natasha has ever made.

Sorry guys, but this needs to stay as a kids cartoon and not a big screen movie. I hope there is no attempt at a sequel.

The Incredible Adventures of Marco Polo (1998)

Okay, but not great.

[27 February 2001]

This obviously was a "Made for T.V." movie. We rented this movie because there was not much we hadn't already seen. My wife thought that this movie looked good, judging only by the outside cover. Once again, the old cliche comes into play, never judge a DVD by it's cover.

I'm not going to be too harsh on this movie because it IS a "Made for T.V. movie." They could have spent a little more money making the older Marco Polo really look old. What they did, instead, is make the young Marco Polo look like a young Marco Polo with a fake beard on.

The action was really kind of dull witted. I know that scenes need to be choreographed to look real, but the movements were almost robotic. There was no realism in the fight scenes.

There was also no real story.

Well so much for not being too harsh, but in reality I could really tear this movie apart. So, I guess I was being pretty nice overall.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Laughed from beginning to end!

[25 February 2001]

I'll be honest with you, I wasn't real sure about this movie. It was in theaters in our area for a while before I convinced myself to go see it. I was pleasantly surprised. This was a crack up a minute. George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro couldn't have played their parts any better.

The other thing that really made an impression on me was the music. Now, I'm not your biggest country music fan, but I caught myself really getting into the music. I wouldn't even mind having the soundtrack. The music was funny and kind of catchy.

I had one problem with the movie. The language could have been cleaned up. Without the language, I would have taken kids to see this movie.

Bring It On (2000)

A playful and fun movie.

[21 February 2001]

As much as I hate to admit it, I actually enjoyed this movie. I was expecting some sort of slapstick teenage, not another one, kind of movies. It seems like most of the movies that have cheerleading in their plots tend to really have no plot at all. At least this movie was able to keep my interest. It was fun and easy to watch. My kids loved this movie because their all time career goal is to become cheerleaders (they are 6 and 3 years old, if that answers any questions you might have about crazy career choices).

If you just feel like laughing and watching a simple teenager movie, this is a good one.

Pitch Black (2000)

I only had one real complaint.

[21 February 2001]

I actually really like this movie, maybe because it did not give you that claustrophobic feeling that most sci-fi's tend to give. I also liked the fact that the expected hero turned out not to be the hero at all, but the enemy. The expected enemy actually turned out to be a hero. The movie kept you wondering, which in turn, kept you watching.

I had one problem with this movie, which has become mainstream in Hollywierd. The intense hatred, by one of the characters, for God and his explicit language when talking about God, was totally uncalled for. Once again, Hollywierd is looking for a shock effect, on the audience. Come on guys, you really didn't need to put that in there. The movie would have been just as good, without it. One of these days, you will look back and say, "I wish I hadn't done that?"

Sweet November (2001)

A very demented way of thinking.

[20 February 2001]

This comment is going to contain some SPOILERS, so if you wish to see this movie you might want to go to another comment. However, I could save you the pain of having to go see this poor excuse for a plot.



Before I go into tearing this movie apart, I will say that the acting was good. Charlize Theron was convincing in her part and Keanu Reeves was not bad. But let's face it, the best actors in the world could not save this demented plot. The ending leaves you wondering, did she die? But in reality, no one really cares because the plot died 45 minutes before the ending.

Let's start at the beginning. Here we have Keanu Reeves who is a successful advertiser. He meets a very attractive woman who is nuts and, basically, stalks him. He loses his job and his girlfriend and then with very little prompting (maybe a little bit of tantrum throwing), he is spending the night with her and in bed. Now, I'm all for movies that are fairytales, but the reality is that the normal person would not have slept with this woman, because he would be violating his own restraining order, that he would have obtained the day prior.

Okay, let's get past this. Let's say that for some unknown, however stupid reason, he does stay with this nut. Now the plot tries to lead you into believing that she is just a selfless person. She is a woman trying to help a man who is lost in the perversion of an every day boring life. She convinces him to stay with her and have sex, and look at the pretty sky and the world around them and then have more sex. Now this is supposed to help him, How?

But wait!!! It gets better!!! We find out that she is such a selfless person that she not only is doing this for Keanu, she has done this on a monthly basis for numerous men. Keanu is just the month of November. Now, this should make him feel just great, to know that this caring woman names her men by the month and then just dumps them. Oh, I can just feel the love! By doing this, all of these men must have walked away saying, "Gee, I'm so glad she deceived me and made me a better person for it." "Now, I will go lead a life with no job, smell flowers, pet dogs, look at the sky and thank that wonderful woman for jumping off the high rope and crushing my heart."

What this movie really shows, was a woman who used men in a selfish way, to better her own loneliness, without committing to them. she knew that their time was finished when the month was gone. Time, to move onto the next sucker, until I die. It showed someone who was out only for herself, not for any sacrifice for someone else, but solely and only for her.

I kept waiting for this movie to redeem itself. I watched it to the ending credits. I have never watched a movie that was supposed to be about a woman (or man) dying and left with not a single feeling of sorrow for that person, until now. The only one I felt sorry for, was the character that Keanu played, because he was such a dupe. When he pulled that scarf down, I was happy to see that she was gone. Now, maybe he would still have time to go get that restraining order.

Road Trip (2000)

It had it's moments, but most was unnecessary.

[15 February 2001]

I have to admit that there were points, in this movie, where I had to laugh. Tom Green, who I usually cannot stand, actually was kind of funny. The thrown in nudity was really unnecessary. This movie could have been just as funny without it, which by the way wasn't that funny. Even though the movie had it's funny moments, I caught myself looking at my watch, wondering when it was going to end. The humor just wasn't enough to keep my continued attention. I found the whole trip, itself, rather boring, with a few inputs of good comedy. I'm sorry, but this movie was not at the top of my list.

The Replacement Killers (1998)

Watch this movie for it's action, you'll enjoy it more.

[15 February 2001]

Those of you who desire a deep, thought provoking, plot. One which leaves you asking questions, after the movie is done. Well, guess what? This is not the movie for you. However, if you are seeking a high intensity, past paced, exciting, action-packed, drama, stay tuned because the ride has just begun. This is the second time I have watched this movie. I watched it when it first came out and then again just last night. I can't help it but Chow Yun-fat is definitely the Sean Connery of our eastern brothers.

I will admit that this movie is not for everyone. Then again, you can't make everyone happy all of the time. You can make some people happy some of the time. This movie made it's money's worth, so apparently it made most people happy most of the time.

The Limey (1999)

If you are patient, this one is a keeper

[7 February 2001]

This is one of those movies that does not start off with fast speed action. In fact, it starts off at a snails pace. Where this movie sucks you in, though, is right from the beginning. You begin the movie off wondering what is going on. Before you know it you have watched the whole thing. Some people would get upset with all of the flashbacks throughout the movie, but these add to the growing plot.

Within the first few minutes, I was questioning if this was one of those movies that is acclaimed only by dingbat critics, who have found the artistic value. It definitely starts out giving that appearance. As the movie starts to grow on you, it becomes quite entertaining.

This is not a movie that I would watch over and over again. It is, however, a movie that I didn't mind renting for the first time.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Destined to be a classic

[6 February 2001]

I would never have expected, at any time, to ever be able to get through a movie that was fully subtitled. Don't get me wrong there are great movies from other countries, that obviously would have to be subtitled for me to understand them, but I have never been able to really get into one.

This movie was an enormous exception, to that rule. the only reason I went to see this movie was because of all of the hype going on about it. I also new that I really like the way Chow Yun Fat portrays characters.

This movie is destined to become a classic. I have seen many a martial arts movie with people flying through the air and various choreographed fight scenes, but this movie had some depth added to all of the fantasy.

There are few movies that I want to own, but this will be one of them. It is so easy, nowadays, to just rent movies, that I will only buy those movies that really move me. Well this movie will definitely brighten me shelf.

Those of you who can't get past the subtitles and the fantasy, must not be real movie connisseurs.

Glam (1997)

I couldn't make it through the first five minutes.

[2 February 2001]

There was a time when Tony Danza was on top of the world, because he was so popular. After seeing just a few minutes of this movie, I see he has fallen a long way down. This movie started out so stupid, it was annoying. Maybe somewhere through the rest of the movie it would come together, but anyone that could get through the first five minutes would have to put their brain on standby just to get through it.

I seriously could not get through the first five minutes. I had to shut the movie off when Danza was talking about making something with sex and violence but he wanted morality in it. Then you get the cut screen of two women undressing each other and starting a lesbian experience. At this point, I knew that I was done.

I am real disappointed in Tony Danza, especially after how he lectured Alyssa Milano for her risque acting. This rental was a waste of money.

Running Red (1999 Video)

A good movie, for a low budget

[1 February 2001]

I knew going into this movie, that I wouldn't be seeing a high dollar movie, so I wasn't expecting alot. I was pleasantly surprised. Even though the movie was undoubtedly low budget, it still had a sensible and followable plot. The action in the movie keeps you watching, waiting for the next action scene. even though the scenes are unbelievable as far as the real world goes, at least you didn't have guys with pistols (that never run out of rounds) outshooting men with full sub-guns.

All in all, this was a good renter. I would have never paid to see it at the theater, but I don't think that is why this movie was made. It was destined for DVD and VHS, and it's worth the money to rent it.

I'll be the first to say, that Speakman needs a good Box Office hit, again.

The St. Francisville Experiment (2000)

A day late and a dollar short, which made this a bad movie.

[31 January 2001]

This movie would have probably been a box office hit, had it come before the Blair Witch project. However, in comparison, this movie was a joke. The Blair Witch Project made people want to believe that it was true. The filming was done so poorly, in the Blair Witch Project, that it truly made you believe that you were watching some kids doing a school project. This movie, however, had so many obvious filming set ups that you knew it was all staged.

I AM GOING TO GIVE SOME SPOILERS, AFTER THIS POINT, SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE THIS MOVIE AND PRETEND THAT IT IS REAL (EVEN THOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU COULD) I WOULD STOP HERE.

In one scene, you see one of the actors, (I use the word actor loosely) opening a armoire. Out jumps a cat, which you can tell was thrown in front of the camera, because the cat is limply flying through the air, not at all like a cat that has been scared. (watch this part on DVD if you want to see what I'm talking about).

You also hear these actors (there I go again, with the actors word), in some scenes saying how cold it is in the rooms, yet there breath does not indicate any coldness.

you are also made to believe that the only cameras they have are the ones that they brought in with them, yet they some how are strategically placed to show action, where there should have never been a camera. a good example is when, after the one character gets drug off, you see that his camera has a great view of this, yet when the team leader and the psychic come into the same room, the camera is now perfectly pointed to view them coming in the room. I guess the ghosts wanted a good shot of this scene.

I could go on and on with all of the set up scenes, but I only have a thousands words available to me. I won't even get into the horrible and unbelievable acting. Rent this movie only if you feel like doing some heckling.

Bait (2000)

A good rental movie.

[31 January 2001]

This was a good movie to rent. I enjoyed it for it's entertainment. This is not a movie that I would have to see over and over again, then again there are very few movies that good.

Overall, though, this was a well made and entertaining movie. After reading some of the reviews, I still hear people who are wanting perfection out of a movie before they can just sit down and enjoy. People, remember they are just movies. If you want reality watch the news. At least this movie had some good acting and some humor built into it. I'll be the first to admit that I have seen some better movies than this one, but then again, I have seen way worse.

If you just enjoy sitting back and laughing, with a little bit of adrenaline rush, rent this movie.

Traffic (2000)

Very well done, with exceptions

[29 January 2001]

I have a pretty good knowledge as far as drug investigations go, being that I worked undercover for 3 years. Movies have become somewhat of a hobby for me. This movie had some very unrealistic views of how investigations are done, but still made a very definite point. There is a war going on out there and families have become the victim.

Normally, I would not give a very good rating to a movie that had shaky camera work and subtitles throughout, probably, 50 percent of the film. In this case, I will have to forego my normal opinions and give this movie a good rating, as far as movies go. The subtitles and shaky camera work seemed to enhance the effects on my visual stimuli. This is my opinion only, but I feel that because the shaky effect and bad lighting made me squint more, I had to concentrate more to catch all of the visual effects. I, by no means, am an expert on lighting effects, but this seemed to keep my attention.

I believe that if a film can get you involved in the movie, somehow, it will succeed in the Box Office. This is why I think movies like the low budgeted Blair Witch Project and the high budgeted Sixth Sense, did so well at the theaters. I don't think that it was an accident that the theaters were so cold during the sixth sense. I think this was a way of getting the audience involved. I do believe Blair Witch was merely an accident. Overall, Traffic, was a good movie and the acting met up to the call.

Miss Congeniality (2000)

Top notch

[27 January 2001]

This movie, definitely, would not be a reality involving any kind of police investigation, but what comedy ever is. This was an enjoyable movie, though. Sandra Bullock does an excellent job transitioning from super-nerd to Supermodel. She is one of the few actresses that has the ability to make this kind of transition. I couldn't stop laughing through this entire movie. Go watch this movie and put aside all of your ideas about how investigations should be conducted and how a pageant is really run and just enjoy the humor. If you come away disappointed, then you might want to go look in a mirror and see if you have any laugh lines on your face. You might be surprised that you haven't laughed in a long time.

X-Men (2000)

A well made movie

[27 January 2001]

I have read some of the criticisms that people have made on this movie. I do agree that more could have been done to explain the characters in this movie. I do not agree that this condemns the entire movie. If people are worried that this movie will not appeal to people who have never heard of the X-men, they are extremely wrong. I know this through first-hand knowledge. I took friends, of mine, who have never even heard of the X-men and who never really got into any kind of comic books, as children. They were pleasantly amazed at the quality of this movie. As we left the theater, all I heard from other movie-goers, were nothing but good statements about the movie. Those people that have criticized this movie, are not looking for enjoyment in a movie but rather some kind of artistic value. This movie was for entertainment to the masses, not for some kind of eco-award to the minority of the population. Sit back and enjoy and forget about reading between the hidden lines.

The Pledge (I) (2001)

Challenging, Huh?

[26 January 2001]

I should have read the other comments made by other people. I probably would have seen how "challenging" this movie was. Give me a break, people! There was absolutely nothing challenging about this movie. They made an old, retiring, Police Detective insane. They threw in a killer, a girl, some birds and various fishing scenes. I am sorry guys, but I am not catching the artistic value here. This is old stuff. I could name you off a dozen movies that had the same story with a better plot. This movie was not challenging. The only challenge was sitting through the whole thing, only to be insulted with the ending.

The Pledge (I) (2001)

What a sad disappointment.

[26 January 2001]

After all of the hype that lead to me seeing this movie, I was sadly disappointed. I am of the opinion that a movie should leave you with the satisfaction that the movie has ended. This can even be accomplished with an ending that leaves you hanging. This movie, however, left you with an empty feeling in your gut. A real feeling of unsatisfaction. I don't think that I have ever liked a movie that Sean Penn has starred in, with a possible exception of "Fast times at Ridgemont High." This movie has not given me much confidence in his directing abilities, either. I am astoundingly surprised that Jack Nicholson, with his acclaimed performances, would make a movie that could leave you so empty. I would liken this movie to a dream where you are dreaming about consuming a great big steak. When you wake up, you realize that your stomach is still empty. Don't waste your money or your time.