jed-estes Reviews

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Worst Bond Movie Since Octopussy

[3/10 · 14 November 2008]

I went to this movie hoping, praying for nothing short of a masterpiece. I thought all of the ingredients were there from the last movie Casino Royale to make this finally the Bond movie with the biggest scope and rage of the series. But I was wrong. What on saw on the screen was a movie that could not hold it's camera steady and every shot was less that 2 seconds long. There were also hardly any wide shots to show to the audience what they were actually seeing on the screen during fights scenes. This made everything seem unrealistic like the were trying to hide the stunt men with how tight and fast the scenes went. Where as I believe Craig did most of his stunts if I were him I would angry that it was shot this way because it takes his presence out of the film and makes it look cheap. The villain in the film was the weakest since the no names in Octopussy graced the screen. I hatted that they killed Mathes off and it seems was too sentimental for the hard nosed Bond that Craig plays. Also Felix Liter seemed like an after thought forced into the film rather than as essential piece to the equation, which is a pity because that character has great potential that will hopefully be realized in the next installment after we get rid of Marc Foster from behind the camera. Foster is my main antagonizing point against the film, I say this because Craig holds his part of the bargain up nicely and grew as Bond even in this crappy film he was surrounded in. Foster just should stick to art fair and leave action to vets like Martain Cambell who knows what he's doing, case in point Casino Royale and Goldeneye. Some thing I did like about the movie were I believe Judi Dench and Craig have remarkable chemistry and I can't wait to see it grow in better movies. I also liked the idea of the Quantum organization,0 which is just SPECTER for the modern age and I hope that Bloefield from the early movies is the head of this and that this was just a lead in like DR. No. All in all I think this movie should be viewed but know that it is a pale imitator of Casino and everything before it. Pray that some one makes a better Bond movie next time.

Rush Hour 3 (2007)

No Chimistry Anymore

[3/10 · 19 September 2007]

I like Rush Hour 1 and I loved Rush Hour 2 but the third one was a pitiful excuse for a film. The first one was your basic action film and it also threw in a lot comedy for people who need that kind of thing in their film. It was sort of a knock off of the Beverly Hills Cop formula combined with the action stunts of The Lethal Weapon series. I found it to be quite hart warming and light. Part two was a thrill ride that packed all the right punches, it made me laugh a lot and feel stunned by the action set pieces. Two is easily one of the top ten action films of the decade. So, when I heard that a third film in the saga was going to be released I was ecstatic. But that only lasted until the film was over. It was a dud. What ever chemistry Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker had had in one and two was lost over the last five years because I just felt they were not into the film. It seemed as if they just phoned it in. Tucker never made me laugh and Jackie's stunts were lacking. The most horrible scene in the film involves the guys interrogating a witness who will not speak in English while a nun is present. I do not find the scene to be religoesly offensive but it is certainly offensive to any one who likes a smart edgy film. The five minute dialog scene plays like a five year old wrote and they are the only one's who could possible get enjoyment from this film, unless your someone in your 60's our 70's who likes film with no edge. And the film would be fine with no edge, except it was marketed to teens and adults who expect more substance than these other age groups. The film should have been rated PG and toned down more so the audience that could have enjoyed it more would have seen it. But that's just another stupid thing about this film, like Brett Ratner's direction lately. Someone send him back to film school, he has not made a decent film sense the Red Dragon. In closing I will say that if they make a forth one I will go and hope to god it's as good as two because that was good movie.

The Hitcher (2007)

Wow Unnessacary

[5/10 · 30 January 2007]

I love the original Hitcher and was very excited when I found out they were doing a sequel. I thought heck yeah C Thomas will kick butt again but no I got the lousy Hitcher II: I've been waiting. I thought that after that turd The Hitcher would finally be able to rest in peace but alas I was wrong The Hitcher remake was waiting. I'll be the first to agree that it is not a travesty to film like The Hitcher II but it still sucks none the less. I just felt it droll on and on as I sat there thinking if only C Thomas could come out and kill every one on the screen and every one in the audience who had never heard of the original and thought what they were watching was new and innovative, we would have a good movie on our hands. But old C. Thomas regretfully did not show up for the party. I was left alone. Rent or buy the classic and let this Hitcher keep on Hitching.

From Russia with Love (1963)

From Russia with Crap

[3/10 · 22 January 2007]

After seeing the great Dr No and loving it (even for a 60's film it was great.)I expected to find the same great quality in this follow up film. But alas it was not to be. This film sucked. The reasons for it lacking I feel are because the film was a rushed production with the same director of No. Terrance had no turnaround time and just kept on shooting after Dr. No was completed. That lack of time on the script and pacing of the film really hurt the project. But I feel that Goldfinger because it had a different director and the script had been worked on all through the process of this film is the stronger movie of the three. I also feel that by getting several directors for the next few films that saved them from sucking like this one. It was not until the 70's that it became common practice for this series to wait several years in between films. Coincidently that is also when the films start to get better in production.

This is not to say that Sean Connery is not still at the top of his game in this film. I feel it is just a production folly that allows this film to fail than acting. Robert Shaw rules in this as he has train fight with Bond that would later be similarly repeated in Live and Let Die and The Spy Who Loved Me. This film also introduces Q Bond's lovable semi sidekick and Bond's most evil villain Ernst Bloefield (without his face being shown.) This film also is the only Bond film to completely acknowledge that another film happened being Dr No.

See this if you want to complete your Bond Experience.

Dr. No (1962)

Wow the First Bond Film!

[8/10 · 21 January 2007]

This is in fact the first James Bond film for those people who do not track there history. By watching this you should see that the Bond series started out like any other series and that is not knowing where it was going. This film is somewhat cheaply shot and layered but that is to be expected from a film that has little money invested in it as this one does. Made for under a million dollars in 1962 this film could almost be classified as a independent feature that everyone involved with it to mega success. I will say that I love it and find it to be one of Sean's best Bond films, second only to Goldfinger. Look for in this film the first mention of Spectre and it's infamous plots. Also it is because of the end of this film that Bond falls on his greatest enemy ever's hit list. (Ernst Bloefield) But really you should watch this film that is an early action hit. Heck a lot of action sequences today are taken right from this little film.

But be forewarned this is not a Pierce or Daniel style film. this is your Granddady's Bond. Even though it is dated it still rocks.

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)

Good For Kids who Did not live in the 90's and have no clue about the first one.

[4/10 · 13 November 2006]

I went to see this movie like I did the second one because I am a very nostalgic person and I wanted to relieve happier parts of my childhood by watching this film in which it's predecessor or The first one was a great delight in my young years. It was one of the few Christmas movies that still holds up for me. About the only other ones that do so are Home Alone, Home Alone 2, A Christmas Carol(1984), and It's A Wonderful Life. I was sad to see though that when I went to see this my childhood images and memories were reduced to a glitzed out pop film with no substance. They spend nearly hour just in the toy shop in this film and never show Tim Allan as Santa interacting with kids on the level he did in the first or for that matter the way he did in the second one either. And Martin Short an actor I really like has been reduced to an overacting buffoon that is only a carbon copy of baddies that have come before him. I also hate the way the returning supporting cast is treated. They never reference that Allan's son should be in college. This is twelve years later and the kid is still in high school. I know this because they say something like at least you did not buy him a car or something to that effect. But I can see where this film would play well to kids who never say the original they would just see it as another movie and one the can hold in their hearts to be destroyed later when they remake it our some garbage like that. The only good thing about this movie for someone of my age (20) and generation is the fact that it brings back Judge (The MAn) Reinhold to the screen. He is the best and has been gone from cinemas for far too long. I say to Judge, get Eddie to make Beverly Hills Cop 4 and forget this career killing dribble. Only watch this if you have small kids, not if your trying to rekindle memories of youth because there are none of those moments here.

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

Crap I repeat Crap.

[2/10 · 6 November 2006]

The first Exorcist movie is definitely not my favorite film, but even it did not deserve a horrible follow up like this. All this film goes to prove is that Linda Blair as an good actress was a one time fluke that she could never reach again. This film made me lose all respect for her. She took no charge in the film and just wined the whole time. I am very, very glade that William Peter Blatly had nothing to do with this and came back to make the great film that is Exorcist 3. I love that movie and recommend that you skip the first two and go onto the third one as it is the only one with any real substance. This film sucks. Never watch it. You'll hate yourself for giving up two hours of your life for it. It's not even a good bad.

Borat (2006)

Funny

[7/10 · 6 November 2006]

This movie had many laughs and it made me feel gross for watching it a couple of times to, but that is what you knew you were getting into when you sat down to watch this. For my generation, people 15 to 35 this movie is awesome, but for people over or under that age this movie I am almost sure would not play well. I had a good time tho. I however did find there to be to many genitalia shots. But since most films avoid that I guess it is okay. I can also see how Jewish people would be offended as it goes a little far with that joke, but not being a Jew I was able to laugh, maybe that is wrong I don't know. All in all this is a fine edgy film, just know what your getting into beforehand.

The Exorcist (1973)

So, So, So Overrated

[7/10 · 30 October 2006]

I will admit this film is good, but it is not, I repeat is not the greatest scary movie of all time. That loving honor should befall to much greater films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, of Course), Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter, Pet Sematary, Dawn Of The Dead, Hellraiser, SAW, The Devil's Rejects, and what I consider to be the best horror film of all time Carnivale of Souls. There are many others that are better I just named the ones that are at the top of there game. The Exorcist has huge gaping holes of logic missing that you could only believe and fall into it's trappings if you were a catholic. I am not. I find the movie to be painstakingly slow and uneventful. I guess if you find jump cuts and loud noises to be scary then this movie is for you. I also hate how William Fredkin is so prissy about everything, like he is the grandmaster of cinema, sorry that spot goes to Wes Craven who himself made a far, far better film only a year earlier and in a shorter amount of time and with a lot less money. That film was of course Last House on the Left. I suggest seeing that as it will shock you far more and it is indeed grounded in reality unlike this turd of a film. I do however think that Jason Miller is a fine actor and I wish he could have gone on to a better career than he had. Sad that this film is what he'll be remembered for. Sit this one out.

Saw III (2006)

Fine but not great like the first one

[8/10 · 29 October 2006]

Let me first off start by saying that I thought this was a good movie and decent but as a conclusion to the series it sucks. I love the film and its exploration of Jigsaw and Amanda's characters and their relationships, but I found the supporting cast in this one to be something different from the other two and that difference is that they were boring and that I did not really care for them. All the other side characters in the trilogy had something about them that made you care. In this one they were just second rate. I liked the fact that Adam and Eric returned and I also thought the revelation that Amanda killed Adam was a better twist than the manufactured one that was given at the end. They should have saved that tid bit for the final frames. I am very sad that all the characters are all dead now or at least supposedly. I still want final conformation on Eric and Gordon but there is always Saw four waiting in the wings. Although I hear it will be a prequel which would be cool. Hope to see everyone there.

Masters of Horror: Pick Me Up (2006) Season 1, Episode 11

I liked it

[7/10 · 27 October 2006]

This is not as intense as it could be but it does make for a fine hour of T.V. This should have been a feature with more money and a tighter direction, I think this film could have been an American classic if it had been given more production time. I loved the idea of the two serial killers trying to find one another and then both vying for the same victim. This is basically Freddy Vs Jason with less money and generic killers but it plays extremely well. I thought the dissection scene on the bed was very gruesome. This is defiantly one of the better episodes and it has kept wanting more from this series. Hopefully these guys can pull it off for a second year in a row. I have faith.

Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

When will directors learn that telling a story out of order is getting old?

[5/10 · 26 October 2006]

Yes this film is as many others are today, told out of order and it hurts this film. In films by Quentin Tarintino it works because he strives to make you care about the actors in his films, this one however has very, very dull characters that are worthless and their story frankly is not cool enough to be told non-linear. The film does have a strong historical resonance but the acting is so crappy that I almost pucked from how lame it was. I never thought I would live in a world where Clint (The Man) Eastwood would resort to such flash film cuts and just copying from the MTV cheap craze that is flowing over our nation. This movie sucks and is lame I do not recommend it, but I am still going to see it's follow up Letters From Iwo Jima, because I still have faith in Clint.

Man of the Year (2006)

Weird

[7/10 · 16 October 2006]

I went to see this thinking it would be a great comedy and a comeback for Robin Williams, but when I saw it I realized I had bee lied to by advertisers as this is more drama than comedy, although it has a few really good laughs in it. It felt like I was watching two movies. One was a funny romp with Robin Williams that should have been the whole basin for the movie anyway, but you also get a techno thriller movie with political angst in the middle. I really don't know how to classify this film. But I can tell you it was good and I did laugh, not as much as I had hoped, but at least Williams is back in the right direction. See this but know before going it is not all comedy and is a little intense.

Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers (1988)

Far, Far, Far greater than the original!

[10/10 · 9 October 2006]

Sleepaway Camp 2: Unhappy Campers is one of my all time favorite horror films it has just the right amount of jokes and blood in it to satisfy almost anyone. I can see where some might be turned of by it's ultra cheap look, but hey thats what makes it so good. Michael Simpson does more with the budget on this movie than Michael Bay could ever do with 100 million dollars on his crap fests. This movie moves at an ultra fast paced that makes it 79 minute run time seem like only thirty and leaves you wanting more and they gave us more a year later. I'll save my love for Sleepaway Camp 3: Teenage Wasteland for my comment on it. But with two, Pamala Springsteen does more with the role than Felsia Rose could ever hope to do. Rose just sat around and drew us to her as the killer. The only thing shocking about the killer in the original was what extra part she had. I never for one moment thought Rose was not the killer on Sleepaway Camp one. No matter though with the exposition out of the way Pamala Springsteen (Yes she's Bruce's sister) gave us through her performance one of the best female slashers of all time. And yes I know technically she's not a girl, but she was raised as one and thus has the feelings of one, though not the sexual ones. The supporting cast in this one is great too and I love all there appearances. Renee Estavez stands out the most and I wished she had followed in her fathers, and brothers foot steps she could have done other great work. The fact that all the characters are named after brat pack members is funny too, but not as funny as the Happy Camper song, I freaking love that song. Everyone should watch this movie as it is a classic. If the fact the first one is sort of cruddy has deterred you, get over it and watch this masterpiece of cinema. Also Bring back Springsteen not Rose.

Masters of Horror: Imprint (2006) Season 1, Episode 13

Crap Fest

[2/10 · 9 October 2006]

Why the heck was this made without subtitles? I know because it was meant for American broadcast and we lazy Americans can't stand subtitles. That's partially true to a point. This film suffers vastly from being in English though and suffers even more because of Bill Drago and his hugely, hugely unnecessary over the top acting. I have seen better acting on the free Christian channels on T.V. I can't believe I had to pay twenty dollars for this turd. I went to my local Wal-Mart at midnight to buy this like I do all the Master episodes and I panic stricken to find they weren't carrying this release this also meant I stayed up late for nothing and would suffer in class the next day, I know my fault right. But still where does Wal-Mart get off not carrying this title but the other nine and I guess the other three once released. Maybe because it was banned from T.V, but thats a load of crap because this film is no worse than Dance of the Dead, or Sick Girl. This is just a case of trying to make Asian Horror look scarier by definition and tone down the American Horror. Well I tell you Americans can make Horror better than any other group of people. Wes Craven anyone? This film is crap. Mikke is a good Director but he needs to stick to what he knows and this is not it.

Employee of the Month (2006)

Too much formula

[5/10 · 9 October 2006]

This movie was half decent but it followed the same formula that all Adam Sandler, Rob Scrider, Will Ferlle, and Mike Myres movies do. Adult male stuck in the 80's style period gets in weird situation, finds girl harmlessly lies to said girl, she finds out about it in the most extreme case in the last fifteen minutes only for there to be a montage for five minutes showing the guy improving then he beats weird situation and gets girl because of it. This was funny back in 1992 when Mike Myeres did it and it was still funny when Adam Sandler did it in 1995 with Billy Madison, but now it is so bad that we have a third rate knock off like Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson doing it and it has just become to dull. I started to become feed up with this formula when Anger Management came out but Adam Sandler has since grown up and I think he may actually change to an adult film star will see. Speaking of miss Simpson, I find it funny that her father Joe Simpson was a producer on this and that is almost assuredly how she got the job. The director must have needed the producer support bad because he hardly lets Simpson talk through the whole movie and she is really nothing more than a prop in the film, something people want sexually and not mentally. I for one really was not amused by this movie, but if you are twelve, you've probably never seen Billy Madison and would like this movie. Only watch if you are an adolescent.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)

The Saw is back

[10/10 · 8 October 2006]

I would like it be stated first that I really hated the last two Texas Chainsaw movies. Those being the remake and Next Generation. This one however being a prequel to the remake had a raw intensity that I had not seen in years and I loved it. I still like the first three chainsaws better but this was a step up to the old days. R. Lee Ermy brought something new to his performance in this that I felt was vastly lacking in his first attempt and that was a caring of the series. It seemed like the role fit him more in this. Andrew Byrinasli or however you spell it, is cool now because he is the first person ever to play Leatherface twice now, go Andrew. Go see this movie it is cool.

Murder à la Mod (1968)

Supposedly De Palma's first film and it's great!

[9/10 · 1 October 2006]

I bought this expecting nothing because I knew nothing of it, I had always thought Greetings was De Palma's first feature but I was wrong I guess. I thought this movie would have the feel of a student produced documentary or something small like that, but this film is somewhat wide in scope and pleases for a movie of it's age. I can't believe this unseen gem has aged so well while mainstream crap from the 60's just chatters on. This movie is the wave of the future that was to come. If you've ever seen Quentin Taretino's Jackie Brown and remember the sequence where all the characters go to the mall and it's told from three different points of view and you liked that then you'll love this movie. It's 80 minutes of that and I can't believe for this to have been so early in De Palma's career that he was able to pull it off so well. William Finnely does another great turn at acting in this movie as Otto a somewhat retarded stage hand and actor who goes beyond his means in this movie. It is from this where I can see why Brian De Palma would later hire him for 1974's The Phantom of the Paridise. He plays a character a little like that. Watch this movie, especially if you love De Palma and Finnley.

The Crazies (1973)

Romero goes Crazy

[10/10 · 29 September 2006]

This is an excellent film and I love it. It's almost a Zombie movie and with Romero's direction it pushes it even more so. But alas it is not a Zombie movie are part of the saga all tho the story could have been molded to show where the plague started. This movie is better than Day of the Dead and it's very dark. Romero experiments with the epicness of Dawn of the Dead in this movie but does not quite make it. This movie with the heart of Martin combined make what would later become Dawn though. Romero learned from these early films and put that knowledge to good use on the further Dead movies. Lynn Lowery does a fine job in this as always, she does a good cockiness part, almost like the role she would later play in David Croneberg's Shivers. Watch this movie.

New Nightmare (1994)

Best of The Nightmare movies

[10/10 · 29 September 2006]

I will go out on a long, long limb here and say that Wes Craven's New Nightmare is the best of the series. That said you should at least watch the first one before you watch this because it will help a lot to tell you what is going on in this film, but that is why I love this movie more than the other Nightmares and more than I do most horror films because it does not cater to stupid people who are not fans of horror. you really can't get much enjoyment out of this movie unless your a fan of the series and have done background checks on things behind the scenes in this series as this film comments on all that. It is not a date movie unless your a heavy fan of the series. I believe that is why many people do not like this movie. There just too ignorant to go back and see what took place before and understand the comments that this movie has to make about the series as a whole. I also believe that is why critics love this movie even though I hate critics, it is because for the last decade they had been put through the whole saga and did not like it, but when this fresh thing came along they were blown away and saw it for what it is. That's about the only way this film could mean anything to those horror bas hers. I also do know that some people will read this and say but Nightmare 7 does not make any reference to the past and it's like H-2-0 that way. Not true, H-2-O was made to make stupid people who had not followed the series from the 70's feel good about themselves and degrade the fans, thus it's wide appeal and the fact that now we are completely inundated with crap for horror movies these days, minus Saw and Eli Roth with Rob Zombie. New Nightmare however was done as a favor to the fans to show that New LIne cares and knows that Freddy is there bread and butter. That is why this film has only a limited appeal and the reason that this movie almost did not turn a profit.

With that all said I will go into why this movie rules, Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Wes Craven, and the immortal Robert Englund are the reason this movie is the best it can be. Had a single one of them not returned this movie may have turned to crap, put with them back together again and in good form, especially since Englund had had a couple of years away from the character, thank god, they were able to pull off the best retrospective comeback ever, even better than the long gestated Freddy vs Jason ten years later. Watch this movie and marvel at it's beauty.

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)

Who thought this was a good ending?

[4/10 · 29 September 2006]

After five nightmare movie and four of them being really good, it was only inevitable for New Line to make a sixth one, but to say it was the last one and then make it so crappy, who really thought this was going to satisfy fans of the Freddy saga. He dies like he could have died in any of the other five movies and this is supposed to be some magnificent great ending, come on. I do like that this movie explores more of Freddy's background and that is why it is slightly better than Nightmare five but this one promised the end and gave us crap we'd seen before, watch the first Nightmare and you can see Nancy pull Freddy out of the Dreamworld and kill him and that movie is far better. Bob Shaye and New Line should bow their heads in shame for this mess. At least they did do two great follow ups though.

A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989)

lowest of the series

[3/10 · 29 September 2006]

The first Nightmare is a cheap bloodbath that is original and cool, the second one is stupid funny and somewhat lovable, the third one is intense, the forth one is polished MTV glam that was right for the time it was made in, but this fifth entry just does not get it. It is dull, the kills are uneventful, even in there complete form. The actors all look tired including Englund who rightfully should have by that time from 87-90, to he played Freddy in three films and a two season running T.V series I would say that that probably did tire him and his will to play this character, but he does manage to keep face and at least Freddy the sole person to care about in this movie which in it's self is sad. The Alice character is the one you should root for but she just is not as cool and hip as she was in Nightmare 4, I call it bad writing as Lisa Wilcox is a great actress. This movie sucks and should be avoided.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)

One of The Best Sequels

[10/10 · 28 September 2006]

If you are not a fan of the darkest of dark horror films than this movie is for. It is the best movie in the series that uses the comedy Freddy. I can see how some would say three is the best, but while I see three as a terrific entry it still has the dark tones of the first with just a little better comedy. The darkness in three I believe comes from the fact that Wes Craven wrote and was trying to make Freddy what he should be. But Four blows the flood gates open with the comedy. If you don't laugh at this movie your dead. Freddy has a few good scares in this but he becomes like a stand up comic after every kill. The water bed death, and karate kills are the best, the cockroach death has real vision to it too. I don't know if this is where the series should go but it defiantly is a good movie and I think very few people could disagree with that. Watch this.

Mission: Impossible (1996)

The Comeback

[10/10 · 27 September 2006]

This is the last super successful film by Brian De Palma and it is well worth it. The story is top notch and moves fast, so fast that if you don't pay attention you will miss out. It's a movie that if you miss something you blame the movie and not yourself if you miss something but you are wrong if you do this because it is all there you just have to pay attention. This story is one you earn by devoting yourself to it. Tom Cruise in this is at his best and I love it, his only other better performance is in this film second installment M:I:2. This is where for me Cruise left his chick image behind and became a real actor. Brian De Palma does none of his signature frames in this movie but I believe that is because he realizes that this is a story that he did not create and that he is just there to film the story not make it his own. Ving Rhames does a breakout performance in this and has never looked back awesome work. Watch this.

Carlito's Way (1993)

Carbon Copy Of Scarface

[7/10 · 25 September 2006]

This film is just a carbon copy of Scarface, but because of that and the fact that Scarface is a great movie this flick manages to just hold up. I don't see how it could be called a classic though. It has it's moments and the visuals are good as are they in most Brian De Palma films. It has good acting and Sean Penn does another stellar performance but it's missing something. What it's missing is originality, and that is what Scarface had even though it was kind of a remake it's self. This film even ends the same way Scarface did. This film might be better if you have not seen Scarface but I could not say because I watched Scarface first. I don't see what would draw you to see this film besides having liked Scarface except maybe you are just a fan of De Palma and this is what you came across first. Only watch this if you want to see nothing new and a rehash and I will admit some times a rehash is a good thing.