christinejoycruz Reviews

Battlefield Earth (2000)

Not that bad

[5/10 · 12 July 2022]

So it finally landed in Netflix and I am 22 years late joining in the review.

The movie is not that bad. I was of course tainted with what I have read about this movie over the years but then I saw one article that the production team did not think that this was a bad project and after watching it, I believe that they did set out to make a genuine SciFi movie.

The costumes and practical effects looked good. They were not done lazily. It was obvious that the team did their best to create a planet overrun by alien beings.

The story had potential and the movie had some good moments and all the actors did what they could with the material.

As a huge Barry Pepper fan, this is obviously a lowlight on his portfolio but his performance here still showed how professional an actor he is. I may be biased because I just adore Barry but he did his best with Jonnie and the kind of direction that was given to him.

It's an okay movie so I guess the hatred it got was really about John Travolta's ego or believing in this movie to much?

Senior Year (2022)

The Fun Formula

[8/10 · 14 May 2022]

Senior Year followed the tried and tested formula for a feel-good movie. Protagonist is flawed and then goes through character development and eventually redemption.

The young cast was funny especially the one who played young Rebel Wilson. The movie made me laugh out loud. Rebel Wilson has still got her comedic timing spot on.

Songs were nostalgic and I especially enjoyed the music video bit. I love the nods to popular movies in the same genre and the cameo of a familiar beautiful face towards the end.

There were some flat scenes and it was more on the grown ups part. The young Steph and Seth had more chemistry than the adult version. I just did not feel giddy for them that much. The movie could have ended with Steph and Seth just being friends and it would be fun because overall, the cast enjoyed making the movie (end credits bonus clips) and it translated onscreen.

So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Formula still works --not to critics apparently haha! But the audience scores just screams-- Shut up! We enjoyed it.

How It Ends (2018)

SO HOW DOES IT END?

[3/10 · 25 June 2021]

3 stars for what seemed like an interesting movie and Forest Whitaker's presence. I invest caring about the evolution of this guy, going the distance to get his girl and then it ends like that.

Ripley Under Ground (2005)

Fun to watch :)

[9/10 · 8 May 2021]

I was pleasantly surprised by the comedy and the ending actually made me smile. Barry Pepper as always delivered a great performance and is hot is in this movie. I felt bad rooting for Tom Ripley even though I know he's very naughty. He had a nice chemistry with Jacinda Barrett. Their tender scenes made me giddy. Alan Cumming and Claire Forlani were so amusing, Tom Wilkinson and Wilhelm Dafoe were very effective in their roles. This movie should have been given better publicity and distribution. Such a shame that it did not get the attention it deserved.

Trigger Point (2021)

Barry Pepper's performance was on point.

[7/10 · 3 May 2021]

Movie started slow but I appreciated the chill Barry Pepper scenes. As always, Barry gives an awesome performance whether it is just quaint moments or intense scenes. I wish there was more hand to hand combat because Barry moved really well here. Quite predictable but because the movie was well cast, it was interesting to watch their take on this type of genre. Colm Feore made his reveal quite heartbreaking. Eve Harlow could have done more action here and of course the elusive Fiona Snow should have had her time with Nicolas. I am hoping the sequel comes because I think the the characters deserve to wrap this story up. Even Irene, the bookstore lady, did a good job.

Unknown (I) (2006)

Whoa and whaaaaat the...

[9/10 · 11 December 2020]

I thought the opening credits ran too long but then I appreciated it for making everything it focused on seem like something I should remember. This is just WHOA because all the actors were awesome for making me guess and giving me conflicted feelings as the story unravels. I was rooting for Jim Caviezel and Barry Pepper the whole time. Caviezel's eyes are all about the innocence so it was easy to sympathize with him. Pepper as usual gave the right amount of intensity and for me he just always makes a character work in any movie he is in. The movie was a great ride with just the right timing of "what the..." moments.