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tomiron77
Reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
disappointing
I have to say that this was a disappointing movie. In complete contrast to the excellent Lord of the Rings series which I thought had nailed the visual imagery, a lot of this Narnia movie seemed off. I feel that the people making this movie must not really have been lovers of the books, were lacking in vital imagination, or both. The movie was soulless. It was not that the individual actors were especially bad (I enjoyed Lucy for example), but the casting and computer-imagery seemed to be seriously off. The Great Witch, the Beavers, most of the Penvesies, the Professor, even Aslan, these were not how this book lover at least (and I think others too) had imagined them. The tempo of the movie and execution of plot was also lacking in the necessary spark to get the viewer involved in the movie. I was looking forward to this movie, but it was a serious disappointment.
Æon Flux (2005)
Despite what bashers say I thought it was pretty good
I really don't get bashers sometimes... This movie was hardly the terrible movie that it has been portrayed in some quarters to be. It seems that the paid critics (and the easily influenced on-line sheep that follow them) have a predetermined idea/agenda that they're going to "hate" certain movies and bash and nit-pick at them. If someone's already decided to be super-critical of a movie and nitpick at any faults, I think very few would be perfect. What's the fun of it? Anyway, I don't play video games and more importantly don't have any bias against video games either. I thought this was an entertaining science fiction movie, with some suspense (a couple nice twists) and several really great action scenes. It helps that Charlize Theron is gorgeous as a brunette also and is in great physical condition, lithe. It was nice even just to see her walk, and her eyes especially, were beautiful. Completely believable as a deadly female assassin. I've read that she did most (all?) of her great action scenes also, which is very impressive.
American History X (1998)
Awesome
This was an awesome, almost mind-blowing movie. Until I saw this movie on a late night re-run recently on cable, I was always thinking that Edward Norton was overrated and he irritated me in some movies like The Italian Caper. This should have gotten him an Oscar nomination at least (for what it's worth). Maybe it did. Edward Furlong was also superb in a supporting role. I don't see him in movies recently, and I wondered what happened to him? I have a tough time enjoying child actors with big parts in the movies generally, but Furlong in Terminator 2 was one of the very few that seemed really natural and didn't grate. That guy has talent, not just another pretty face.
Back to the movie itself, this was a powerful depiction of the scary force and pull of the hatred between races movement. By following the evolution of Edward Norton's character and the resulting circumstances, people around him, the movie was not sermonial, but extremely persuasive and compelling in showing us the consequences of this never ending cycle of rage.
Which should not be inevitable.
Awesome movie.
The Getaway (1994)
Worthwhile remake
I recently had the opportunity to watch this movie and the 1972 version back to back (the modern version first). I was amazed at how exactly some of the minute details in the original movie were repeated in the remake. The garbage bin, the locker gimmick, the character of the innkeeper and paint truck owner. It was interesting at how many of the touches were not unnecessarily "modernized". (I like that).
I was able to enjoy both versions. Some people made comments disdaining the remake, but I thought it was a worthy movie, if just because it was a more sexy polished version. --I admit I'm biased, because I thought Kim Basinger was one of the hottest women I've seen in movies (I can't believe she was over 40 when she made the film). Her action/shooting scenes near the end were also very well done. The chemistry between her and Alex Baldwin was also superb, I guess due in some part to the fact that they were (or were going to be) a husband-wife couple in real life too.
I also liked the movie to enjoy the differences between the actors (and interpretation) within the almost exact same construct. Steve McQueen's more hardboiled tightly wound character to Alec Baldwin's character who seemed to have a more innate gentleness (sort of like being a victim of circumstance). But of course both being pleasingly hard resourceful men. The old paint truck drivers at the end were also great character actors. Nice ending.
Another interesting aspect of the film was how fit Alex Baldwin and David Morse looked. 11 years has passed since the film was made, but they both (esp. Morse) look a lot younger. The beauty of youth! James Wood and Mike Madsen in distinctive "enemy" roles also did what they both do best.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Great fun
A fun enjoyable movie. Others have said it, but this is maybe the only pirate movie I've ever liked. Smart marketing move in having two very handsome leads in Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom, thus avoiding the typical pirates-movies trap of having too large a grunge factor.
Johnny Depp gave a memorable entertaining performance as the tipsy whimsical Captain Jack Sparrow. You know it's good when (while watching the movie) you really can't wait until his character makes another appearance. Although the tone is completely different, Johnny Depp gets runner-up in my personal "Best Actor's Performance of 2003" (after Tom Cruise in "The Last Samurai").
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Well done!
Well done Peter Jackson! I've been a long time fan of the books, and I'm really filled with gratitude at the skill and obviously love of the material this director shows in bringing this epic to the big screen. The actors could not have been chosen better. The wizards, Arwen, Aragorn and Frodo especially are inspired fits. (Thank God!!! that Russell Crowe didn't play Aragorn). And New Zealand could not be more beautiful as Middle Earth. Not to mention the created action scenes are maybe the best I've ever seen in a movie. *SPOILERS* My favorite scene in the movie was the Nazgul chasing the absolutely captivating Arwen as she races to deliver Frodo to Rivendell. I've never seen a better ¡§car chase¡¨ than this! º After repeated viewings, the beginning (after the awesome flashback as narrated by Galadriel) when the title comes up in a beautifully bucolic peaceful setting and music with Frodo leaning against a tree and reading a book, grips you more and more movingly when you know what's in store.
Seabiscuit (2003)
Decent movie but nothing special
A nice movie, but I've seen some decent TV movies which delivered the same feel-good message with similar whallop and cinematography.
The obvious use of different horses was also a little distracting. However, I liked that Chris Cooper who gave a fine performance in "The Bourne Identity" was in the film. Nice presence.
Good movie, yes, Special movie? No.
Mystic River (2003)
One of the worst, most fake movie of 2003
After seeing Mystic River I feel completely fooled by the hype here and in other places.
*SPOILERS*
That was one mediocre movie... The 2 1/2 hours sure felt longer. The beginning wasn't so bad (some good menacing acting by the person playing that cursed pedophile Harry or George), but it dragged like heck. And the cheap maneuvering scenes at the end with Dave's wife were atrocious? Guess it was supposed to all be her fault for not trusting Dave more... Jeez..
And the movie was even lousy in the suspense end too, since it was pretty obvious from the 911 call and the scene in the drugstore (with the handicapped brother tagging along) about who had done the actual killing. And even the tired "kill one's sibling's lover to monopolize" scenario doesn't hold water since it was supposedly a chance encounter on some street near the park (the car ending up riding the curb etc.)
It's pretty bad when child molestation feels like it's being used as a cheap gimmick... (And the shallow artificial soundtrack was pretty bad too. Meshed extremely poorly in many instances.)
I feel very irritated at letting myself being fooled by the hype on this fake manipulative movie. Oscars?!? Give me a break!
Le peuple migrateur (2001)
The bird's view.... Very enjoyable
Winged Migration was a very enjoyable film. *Spoilers* The views at the beginning when the geese first take flight were especially impressive, the close-up shows the fellows pumping their wings pretty hard and you realize again what a miracle the gift of flight is.
After that the stately Mt. St. Michel comes rising up though the fog, and they continue their 6000 km journey to their destination, the short but beautiful spring of the North Pole. Over 100 kinds of birds appear in the movie (of course the "crowd shots" :)) contribute to this number too). And there are the vistas of wild stormy seas with lonely fishing boats braving the waves offering a short rest to these winged travellers, snow covered mountains where the suddenly rumbling of the ground signals a huge avalanche, and extremely clean, red desert ravines where the lone eagle soars.
It's nice to realize again that even the simplest little (migrating) bird you see innocently chirping around your backyard has casually seen amazing sights and vistas that the most travelled of us have not experienced yet, while making it through some incredibly grueling journeys. I especially liked catching sight of these small cute guys nonchalantly standing around like extras at the migration destinations of the more exotic larger "main characters".
Ying xiong (2002)
An epic, much better than the flawed Crounching
An epic movie with almost all of the top Hong Kong stars; Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leong, etc. and I must say it was pretty good.
The visuals were outstanding.. (The story-telling technique used is of course a copy of that done by Kurosawa in Rashomon).
This movie was definitely superior to the flawed, overly narcisstic "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Chicago (2002)
Not a musical lover, but this was good
I usually don't like musicals, but this was an enjoyable movie.
The 3 leads (Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Renee Zellwigger) gave very good performances. I didn't know Richard Gere could dance and sing like that. And such a powerful talented display from Catherine Zeta Jones.
And just joking a bit, I have never before seen such a display of..... jeez what's that word for female testosterone?? If I was a smaller physiqued man I might dream of getting man-handled by Zeta-Jones... :)
In America (2002)
Good movie experience
I liked this movie. Good acting all around, and of course although it was a movie after all and not complete reality it had a good script with some down to earth aspects which made the movie more striking. Of course in criticizing this movie some people have complained bitterly about convenient plot contrivances (although there were not many in this movie) and seem to want to see all ugly things/bad things happen so they can happily say "That's reality", but then why not step out of the comfy living room and walk out into the real world? There's reality all over the place there. No need to sit in a soft seat and be watching a movie.
*Spoiler alert* I liked how the "insulating" aspects of non-wealthy life in the Big City (a sick guy screaming alone in his beat down apartment) and "community" aspects, people living/working around looking after the kids etc. were mixed. Not to mention the pressing urgency of lack of money for hospital bills etc.
It was a good movie experience and vastly superior to the fake Mystic River for example which was ugly for ugliness's sake. I thought afterwards if this movie had been Mystic River, the father would have had his throat slit by that panhandler (just at the time his baby was being born). The lesson being that he should have kicked the crap outathe guy when he first begged for money. Jeez.
Hulk (2003)
Better without the ending sequence
The movie was better than I thought until the ending sequence. *SPOILERS* ---meaning it was good up to where Jennifer Connelly (an absolute ANGEL for geeks!) calms down Hulk/Bruce while the whole LAPD and a sizable portion of the military surround them with weapons.
After this scene, the "dad" had way too much movie-time, and the ending became somewhat too ridiculous. *REAL SPOILERS* Having the dad realize "superpowers" was the worst move. He was a pretty interesting figure up till then. And the mom running out in the desert after getting stabbed raising her arms toward the green explosion was somewhat strange and maybe the only typical Ang Lee "narcisstic" scene I didn't like. Meaning that I felt the flavour of the movie was uneven.
In any case the tension in the beginning of the movie (mad scientist lab scenes etc.) was excellent. As was the US military trying to hunt down and destroy the Hulk scenes.
Maybe one of the visually aesthetical problems was having two major characters being rather unkempt old men with a lot of facial hair. Somewhat opposite to the success of "Pirates of Caribbean" which avoided the usual pirates-movies trap of too large a grunge factor by having two extremely handsome leads in Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.
My Boss's Daughter (2003)
Silly bad tasted movie yes, but funny in parts
Silly movie true, but I thought it might have been overly savaged by reviews/word-o-mouth since it didn't seem worse than many of the recent comedic fare. Bad taste but I was able to laugh at some parts. *Spoilers* The owl appearing out of nowhere and flying alongside the car with a grim expression was pretty funny (for the purposely poor special effects too). And Terence Stamp as the straight man!
I read a review somewhere which was funny and on the money when it said Ashton Kutcher had the comedic range of a surprised baby stork (or something like that). It did work adequately in this movie.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Cute and will sell toys
A cute movie, but I'm surprised at some of the compliments lavished on it. It didn't seem very original and was inferior to "Shrek" for example, which was a very enjoyable (sort of an ice-breaker) animated film. Not to mention more honestly fantasical stirring stuff like "Spirited Away" for that matter.
"Finding Nemo" also wasn't particularly funny since it's main joke of making fun of someone with short term memory loss grew tired quickly.
I'll admit I was touched when the cute Nemo got reunited with his Dad (of course!), but some aspect of the movie had an overly (to me) manufactured sense to it. But this is just imo of course, and I'm probably a bit biased since (before watching the movie) I saw the enormous amount and variation of nifty Nemo merchandise with the necessary huge cast of marine creatures. The sea's the limit.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Edward Furlong...
I was disappointed that Edward Furlong was not playing John Connor. That might be my major gripe with the movie. And this "John Conner" did not really show himself to be resourceful at all---meaning he didn't seem "special" enough to carry on this lopsided fight between humans and machines. Whereas the young Furlong in T2 was maybe the most impressive kid I've seen in the movies--while managing to be utterly real!
The twist at the end was indeed pretty cool though. Nice. In any case T3 << T2.
Shadowlands (1993)
Magical
This movie was a wonderful experience for me since both Debra Winger and Anthony Hopkins are one of my favorite actresses and actors, respectively. And although they do not feature so prominently in the movie, the Narnia books were one of my favorite book series.
The movie featured beautiful cinematography and character development.
*major spoilers ahead*
It also had some very memorable scenes (for me). I cannot forget that scene at the beginning in the University tavern where he was having a drink with his conventional and slightly tiresome colleagues and the "It's magic" comment, the scene where Joy and Jack find the "place in the picture", and the heartbreaking (but cathartic) "It's all part of the bargain" at the end... Very memorable.
The Last Samurai (2003)
Simply beautiful...
I wasn't sure what to expect before seeing this movie, but boy am I glad I went. This was the most beautiful movie I've seen in a long time. A very long time. Beautiful... yes, that's simply the best word to describe it.
The stirring battle scenes and the indescrible powerful serenity of the quiet scenes in the Samurai village. Such a quiet, that it almost seemed the earth, the greenery, the birds, were listening peacefully, joyfully. It touched me deeply.
This is a must-see on the big screen.