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Reviews
Star Trek (2009)
A very worthy addition to the Star Trek movie lineup
I don't know about many of you, but when I first heard of the new Star Trek movie, I rolled my eyes thinking it was going to another cheap remake or retelling that likes of which have frequently been seen in recent years. However, hearing the good reviews, I decided to give it a shot.
In summary, it has been quite a while since I walked out of a movie theatre feeling like I got my money's worth, and with this movie, I could've paid more and still felt that way. Every aspect of the movie was top-notch, from the casting and the special effects to the way the characters we all know were introduced without being showy or cheesy. It is well worth the price of admission.
I only hope this is not the only ST movie the cast and crew does.
Shackleton (2002)
Wonderful movie, and the right length
I've read a lot of very good comments on this movie, but I have one more to add.
A lot of people are complaining about the length of the movie, but I believe that it adds to the quality of the movie. Rather than just a two hour "short flick" about the year-plus long voyage, it drags out for 4 hours, and rather slowly at times. I have to believe that this mirrors the ordeal that these men went through and adds to the viewer's already deep plunge into the frozen ice world.
This is by far one of the best TV movies I have ever seen. Kenneth does another fabulous job in a quality role, and to comment on someone else's observation about the film's lack of personalizing Shackleton in the second half, I also believe that to be a good choice and an accurate one. If you're leading an expedition and are dead set on keeping everyone alive, you cannot let your own emotions get involved in your decision-making, else you die with everyone else.
I give this movie a 10 because I can find no obvious flaws or anything that takes away from the experience.
Paint Your Wagon (1969)
I can't get these damn songs out of my head
My parents hounded me for years to see this song, and now that I have, I can't get "Mary, Ma-Ma-Ma-Mary, My Sweet Canary. . ." out of my head.
Anyway, this is a fabulous movie, if for nothing else just the fact that they took two of most villianous anti-heros in the Western genre and successfully put them in a musical. Go watch any movie with either Clint or Lee Marvin before you see this one, just to get an appreciation for how different this movie is. No, they're not singers, but I think that was half the point. It's definitely a movie you have to see to believe.
There will never be another movie like this made. Some might say that's the best news of the year, but I think it's because there are no actors or any roles these days that could have this kind of total reversal from their norm.
Anyway, I gave it a 9.
Babe (1995)
Wonderfully written, wonderfully directed, and that's one cute pig
I've never been one for "cute" things. Normally, I'd rather have my eyes gouged out with a spoon at the mere mention of something being "oh so cute", but this movie puts a bit of a different spin on that.
I don't bother with the "heart warming" or "wholesome" or any other words used to describe something with talking animals. I look at direction and style when looking at a movie like this, and I must say, this movie is top quality in both categories. Very effective use of conversation and the many variations on the "If I Had Words" song provide a nice flow throughout the movie.
But what I really liked about this flick are the characters. From the farmer and his wife to the pig to the duck and the dogs, sheep, and everyone else, they all provide a certain element to the story and all add to the unique flavor of the movie.
Yes, I know it didn't follow the book, but I (and many other people I've talked to) didn't even know there was a book, so I consider that to be a moot point. Yes, this is the movie responsible for talking dogs, frog, and all other manner of animals on commercials (which will one day drive me to the top of the Golden Gate bridge with a shotgun and a bag of Cheetos), but this is the only example of talking animals where it looks real, and it works.
All in all, I think this a very underrated movie, espcially in light of the lack of creativity coming out of Hollywood these days. It should've been nominated for Best Picture of '95, and if not, it's at least one of the Top 250 of all time.
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Liar Liar (1997)
Better movie than people make it out to be
The problem with this movie is with the people that review it. Not to be insulting or anything like that, but this is a much better movie than people make it out to be. This is really the first movie than Jim Carrey shows that he can really act. Sure there are the usual antics a la "Ace Ventura", but he really shows that he has more substance than just be a goofball. Not to say that he's really emotional or that this movie will make people that hate him think that he's one of the greats of all time. However, it shows that he can be personable in a movie along with his inate silliness, and, really, what's wrong with being silly in a movie?