rrsanchez Reviews

Bones (2005–2017)

Kind of unrealistic and repeats itself a lot

[3/10 · 13 September 2010]

Unrealistice?, you might ask. Yeah, that's my impression as I see this department loaded with young, beautiful people (mostly) that are alway so in touch with their feelings, smart dressing, unfailingly witty, women so sharply dressed and made up (with hairstyles to match) that one can't help but wonder if this isn't a fashion show in disguise, and so wise beyond their years. I can't imagine a department that didn't have people who weren't physically unattractive, perhaps not sharp at times, and yes, sometimes at a loss for a witty comeback.

Yes, each episode start with a body discovered in gruesome detail, never a body that isn't in an advanced state of decomposition. I'd love to have the computers these people have with such advance zoom features that enable solving the case.

Don't get me wrong. I watch this show but such beautiful investigators on the scene as they toss their designer hair about. It's a bit much really. Good show at times but in my opinion tailored for people that enjoy predictable scripts showing beautiful people.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

You miss the point

[18 March 2005]

Wow! I cannot believe how this movie has been lambasted from so many people. Hey people, this is a movie not to be taken seriously. It's funny because we all have known people like some of the characters. I suspect that the negative reports come from:

1. People who want the obligatory explosions. 2. People who want the obligatory sex scenes. 3. People who want yet another helicopter chase. 4. People who aren't accustomed to a movie without profanity, taking God's name in vain. 5. People who couldn't dare let themselves enjoy this because after all, what would their friends think?

You watch mindless dumbed-down action/romance movies (with little variation in the plot) time after time without much objection and yet rake a clean movie over the coals.

The point is that you don't have to be one of the 'cool' crowd to find your way in life. Napoleon didn't seek or need the approval of 'cool' people to end up being a hero. He stood by Pedro in his time of need. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Loyalty is a timeless virtue and I truly wish we all had a friend like this.

Hidalgo (2004)

Enjoy this one!

[18 August 2004]

I've read some pretty disparaging comments about this movie that make me wonder what on earth was so bad? Let's see, there were objections over the predictability of the plot, the stereotyping, the music and on and on. People need to relax and enjoy this movie as entertainment only. I personally thought it was one of the nicest new releases I'd seen.

I know this was another movie about the underdog winning against all odds but I like this kind of movie. I thought the screenplay was admirable in it's restraint not having the main character even kiss the two women involved. The music was very moving and beautiful.

Perhaps some people have become so jaded that a movie simply isn't complete unless there's a helicopter chase, an exploding car or two (or in this case, a wagon), a trip to the nearby strip club with the flashing lights(where all characters in search of answers seem to end up at), gratuitous sex scenes, oh yeah, don't forget to use the 'F' word and while we're at it: let take God's name in vain a few times for the sake of 'realism'.

Hollywood needs to make more movies like this.

Shrek 2 (2004)

Excellent movie!

[4 June 2004]

Hey what do ya know? A sequel that actually works! There are so many good things to talk about but I'll keep it short. The storyline was interesting, the characterizations were funny enough to make me laugh out loud in the theatre (a real rarity for me), the animation has really taken a step forward from the first 'Shrek', references to other movies that made you think, and a happy ending.

I'm sorry to say that I still have some slight quibbles: they should have left out the flatulence jokes and did it really need the thong joke? Surely there's enough imagination in Hollywood that they could have thought of a better lie for Pinocchio to tell. And yes, yet another groin hit. Didn't this gag quit being funny about 10 years ago through constant overuse?

But in closing: it's funny how things about a movie affect people in different ways. I'm probably being silly but I thought Mongo's parting words were very touching, simply saying 'Be good.' Of course, a reference to 'E.T.' but nice just the same. An excellent movie!

Secondhand Lions (2003)

Typical of today's 'family' movies

[3 May 2004]

I finally got around to watching this movie that had been hailed around my office as a 'wonderful' movie. Don't get me wrong, the movie storyline was okay and there were parts of the movie that were both humorous and touching. However, typical of today's 'family' moview was the frequent use of the words 'damn' and 'hell'. Both words are certainly valid used in their proper context. Damn as 'to condemn or to pronounce an adverse judgement upon' and hell as a place of torment in a biblical sense. But why is it that so many of today's 'family' movies are prone to have obligatory cursing (however mild) in them? At times it sounds so 'tacked on'. I love the acting styles of both Robert Duvall and Michael Caine but I wish today's movie actors of influence would have a little intestinal fortitude to stand against the prevailing winds.