arnold2ice Reviews

Pulse (I) (2006)

Mildly entertaining

[4/10 · 1 January 2007]

This movie is tolerable if one simply wants to spend some time in front of the television. The story is mildly interesting but not very original by any means. I'm sure I've seen something similar on an old "Outer Limits" episode. One really needs to stop thinking to get any enjoyment out of it but that is true of many movies of course. What is unfortunate is that it is neither challenging nor scary. If it was scary one could excuse the silliness however the movie never quite gets to the point of being scary.

That said, I have seen far worse movies. This certainly wasn't the worst one I've seen. If not for the production values this movie would be right for "Mystery Science Theatre 3000".

Ultraviolet (2006)

Pretty to look at but not much else

[4/10 · 1 January 2007]

The best reason to watch this movie is if one wants to see the beautiful Milla Jovovich. Fortunately she is in almost every shot. Unfortunately the movie doesn't offer much else. The chase scenes are well done however the many fight scenes are far too stylized and choreographed for my taste. I much prefer the fight sequences from "Kiss of the Dragon" to those here. The dialog is often cartoonish and the storyline is all too predictable. So if you don't like the fight scenes, and the movie is just a number of fight scenes strung together, and you know what is going to happen there really isn't much to recommend this movie.

Never the less, if one can suspend one's thinking processes for the duration of the movie Milla Jovovich does make the movie sufficiently entertaining. One shouldn't expect a "2001" or even a "Matrix" level of movie thats all.

Troy (2004)

For Brad Pitt fans only

[4/10 · 4 July 2004]

This movie is only fit for people who really really want to see Brad Pitt. He is a capable actor but this isn't a worthy vehicle. Its only slightly better than the movies they skewer on "Mystery Science Theater 3000". The dialogue is terrible and the subplots laughable at best. While some of the battle scenes are entertaining they do not make up for sitting through the rest of the movie.

Some of the actors do give good performances but they have precious little to work with. Most of the non-action scenes are painful to watch. There is only one half decent dramatic scene that doesn't involve battle. The only character that is even slightly sympathetic is Hector.

I can't even recommend renting this. I'd rent "Braveheart" instead.

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

A great war (and anti-war) movie

[9/10 · 4 July 2004]

I'm not a fan of hyperbole but this may be one of the greatest war movies ever made. It works on a number of levels. While being historically accurate it shows individual and group heroism without glorifying war. The players, German and Allied, are presented as human beings caught up in something bigger than themselves. No attempt is made at "jingoism" or gratuitous flag waving. It seemed to me to be refreshing free of moralistic or political statements. It simply let what happened speak for itself. For a history buff like myself it spoke volumes.

The movie is flawless. As mentioned above, it is surprisingly accurate. As one would expect from the cast, acting is first rate. Not a single scene is wasted.

This is a "must see" movie for anyone who appreciates movie making.

The Replacement Killers (1998)

Not bad for an action flick

[6/10 · 3 July 2004]

If you're looking for a basic action movie this may be for you. I think its a very underrated movie. It is stylish, fast paced, well acted, and has a reasonable plot. Most importantly for me its not pretentious. There is actually a pretty good character development too. The characters are actually quite believable and one can feel for the characters played by Chow Yun Fat and Mira Sorvino.

It is not a martial arts movie (see "Return of the Dragon" for that) and its not high drama (see "Leaving Las Vegas"). However for anyone who wants an action movie that is reasonably intelligent this is a good choice.

Eighteen Springs (1997)

Very good though not great drama

[7/10 · 5 April 2004]

A local television station shows a Chinese movie every week which is how I saw it. This screening was in Cantonese with english subtitles. Keep in mind that movies in Hong Kong and China are often available in several dialects so the comments that this movie is in Mandarin is not strictly correct.

As someone else described this is an intimate gentle drama. It is not a "great" movie but it is certainly well above average. The acting is competent as is the direction. Some may find the pacing slow but I prefer to think of it as patient. I certainly felt drawn to the characters although that may be because of my Chinese heritage. I think that my have helped me accept some of what was going on in the movie.

I would watch the movie again and recommend it to anyone who appreciates patient quiet dramas.