daryl_s Reviews

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

One very good film

[9/10 · 24 January 2007]

Some plays transferred to film lose a lot of the interpersonal play between characters and the fundamental nature of the story is changed. This is certainly not the case here. The scenes and character interactions could almost be transferred to a theatre with little to no change. This, in my opinion, is the only way to adapt a stage play to a movie.

The story itself is a very gritty and tense interplay between a group of real estate salesmen who have been given an order by their boss "close a sale or your fired" (played wonderfully by Alec Baldwin). What happens next is a study in the worst of human traits.

As I stated initially, the great thing about this movie is the interplay between the characters. It is a film that is basically about the dialogue and for the dialogue. One I would highly recommend.

Dave (1993)

Light and enjoyable film (partial spoiler within)

[8/10 · 23 January 2007]

Dave, starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver, represents a film taken from a far simpler time. Before we had Monica Lewinsky and before we had troops in Iraq it was possible to make a film such as this; one that didn't take itself too serious and showed political leaders as flawed and human individuals. Sadly this "capra-esque" type of quality I believe is hard to find in movies made today.

The plot of this film is your typical "changing lives" type of genre that has been done in numerous situations over the years with either doubles (as was the case here) or with some supernatural body switching plot device (such as Freaky Friday, Dating the Enemy etc).

Don't look to this film for anything more than what it is, a romantic comedy that is a little more off-beat than usual, but still very enjoyable

Rules of Engagement (2000)

Good action drama

[9/10 · 22 January 2007]

I have watched this film again recently after a few years and I must say it still holds up well. This isn't a movie that could be classed as ground breaking cinema, and it isn't even the best performance from the two main leads. But it is a good sample of the action drama genre. It also has a fairly under rated performance by Guy Pearce in a supporting role.

It is also interesting to note that the story line contained within this film likely wouldn't be made today in a post 911 world. I won't go into it too far with this review, but I urge you to watch this and judge for yourself.

Fantastic Four (I) (2005)

Good rendition that should keep the fans happy

[7/10 · 14 July 2005]

This is probably not going to be the run away success of Spiderman or the X Men, it does lack a little something. But for the fans it will be enjoyable viewing.

The main problem I had with this film was the rather rushed ending. The climax of the film left you thinking "is that it????". About another 30 minutes of development would have been better.

The actors were well cast and portrayed the characters of the original source material very well.

Overall a good enjoyable film, like all in the same genre, not to be taken too seriously.

Office Space (1999)

Classic film for office workers of any country

[9/10 · 14 July 2005]

This isn't a great movie by any measure. Fifty years from now I don't think it will make any "best of" lists. But right here and now, it is a fun movie, and one that captures some of the common frustrations of the average working person.

What average office worker hasn't used profanity at a fax or photocopier, and who hasn't noticed some of the boss's stranger traits?

The nature of it does include some exaggeration, but nothing you wouldn't really expect from this sort of movie (and of course the operating systems on the computers use the "movie operating system").

As long as you go to this film looking for just a bit of fun, you won't be too disappointed.

Crimson Tide (1995)

Good action/drama

[10/10 · 10 July 2005]

I find it interesting watching movies today that are realistically not that old, but due to the way the world stage has changed today, could never really be made in their current form.

Crimson Tide is an action/drama movie centering around the events on an American nuclear submarine during a fictional coup in the old Soviet Union where a rebel faction gains control of a Soviet nuclear base.

The main conflict in the story is between the Captain (Gene Hackman) and the Executive Officer (Denzel Washington), who both represent two very different Naval Officer types. Hackman is the old Cold Warrior (don't think about the order, your job is to just do it) and Washington is the "new breed" (educated and taught to think about the actions they are asked to undertake). Orders are received and both respond very differently to the same order.

Overall, the story flows well and the drama is gripping. Technical flaws abound (as is the case with most of these sort of stories), but nothing that really detracts from the story (although, it does leave you wondering if a situation like this would be possible....you just hope there is procedure in place somewhere to stop it!)

War of the Worlds (2005)

Better than what I expected

[9/10 · 9 July 2005]

Saw the new War of the Worlds tonight. Now some people will hate it, just another big blockbuster with all effects and no substance. I went there thinking pretty much that, expecting just a lot of amazing special effects with lots of explosions and impressive scenes (and the usual world ending only in America). However, I was pleasantly surprised.

This version is rather faithful to the original and features Tom Cruise playing a very good character with some depths - not your usual action hero type of role. He displayed the type of frailty you would expect from an average Joe in that sort of situation.

Taking Lives (2004)

Average

[6/10 · 23 April 2004]

This is the sort of film that you leave at the end of and think "now what do I need to do tomorrow.." Fairly forgetable.

Overall, it isn't an un-enjoyable film, it just has little substance and very little to make it stand out from the myriad of other films within that genre. Keifer Sutherland makes a fraction of a cameo appearance in a scene which opens up a little bit of a plot hole.

If you like an FBI/Cop serial killer drama you will probably like this one, but there are better ones out there so I wouldn't be rushing to see it.

Rating *1/2

Love Actually (2003)

Simple a really nice movie

[8/10 · 23 April 2004]

In terms of the romantic comedy I believe this one will stand the test of time. I am not sure if romantic comedy really is the best classification for it, it isn't your typical boy meets girl with goofy situations inbetween, it has more of a humanistic quality to it (as much as you can get and still make it marketable....hey, they do need to sell movie tickets after all!).

This film is a mixture of several different stories about different people (each loosly connected to one another) and their experiences with love. It is surprisingly un-schmoltzy for the subject matter and does keep your interest for the full 2 hours.

Watch for a great cameo by Rohan Atkinson doing what he does best

Rating: ****

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Great movie, limited by the period in which it was made

[9/10 · 18 April 2004]

Overall this is an excellent movie. A movie that has obviously formed a seed idea for many to follow. To the best of my knowledge this was one of the first (if not the first) to deal with the topic of a "sleeper agent", a concept that was visited again in the film Telefon (Charles Bronson) and a myriad of others.

This was an daring book to consider making into a film at the time. Given the political climate at the time, it could very well have been halted before it began. Allegedly, Frank Sinatra made an appeal to his friend President Kennedy to give his blessing on the film when the studio started to get a little nervous about it.

That said, the film was still limited by movie production of the time. The political themes are an obvious element that comes to mind, and towards the end of the film there is a very slight implication of an incestuous relationship between Laurence Harvey and Angela Lansbury's characters. This (according to an interview with Frank Sinatra that appears on the Australia DVD release of the film) is something explored to greater detail in the book but for obvious reasons couldn't be presented to a 1962 theatre audience.

Currently there is a remake schedule for release later this year. This is something that may benefit the story with current productions being allowed to explore the political and personal themes that were presented in the original book (however I will reserve judgement on that until I see the film - could go entirely the opposite direction as well!)

Recommended viewing ****

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)

Elements of interest to many groups

[8/10 · 17 April 2004]

Some people may turn their noses up at this one. Another sequel designed to squeeze out another couple of dollars for the franchise. To a degree that may be true (hey, nothing wrong with making a buck!).

That said, this film still contains some items of interest. For the kids, great show, very funny and enjoyable. For those who grew up with the animated series, you will love it. Very true to the original cartoon series with a lot of the same type features and plot devices. For those who are a fan of the "animated actor" (I think we can start to use that phrase now to differentiate a character from just a special effect, I mean, what would the LOTR films be without the input of Golum) there are some great scenes of interaction.

Another thing to note is that this film is not simply a remake of the first film (as a lot of sequels are), this very much stands on it's own feet. However, I do think that this really should be the last feature film we see of the Scooby characters, I honestly don't think a third one will sustain the momentum that well.

Overall - **1/2 stars