A good film that makes you happy and sad at the same time. Isn't that sweet. Not much I can say besides good job. Tom Hanks plays a (generally) by the book death row prison guard supervisor.
DVD Review
The Green Mile DVD contains the wide screen version of the film and a short "making of" special.
6 out of 10 for DVD features.
Chow Yun Fat (yeah! See caveats) stars as the King of Siam in this remake of a popular classic. Oh, yeah, Jodie Foster is also in the movie as the Anna of Anna and the King.
This film staring Jean Reano (Mission Impossible, Godzilla, Ronin) and Natalie Portman (The Phantom Menance) has recently been re-released in its full International cut. It adds about (fifteen minutes of footage)
Boy, I would have loved to review this film for you but none of the video stores near me decided to carry it. Blockbuster decided to have 75 copies of Reindeer Games, one of the worst movies ever (see archives), instead. Heck, Hollywood even had 2 copies of "Pimps up, Hos down" but no Mononoke. The quest continues. I know only the video has been released because the DVD has been delayed so they can release the original japanese version language track. Cool!
If anyone has their own rating on this one send me an email!
This is a film that did not get much press or time in the theatre. It may have something to do with its long running time; about three hours. Regardless of these facts I thought it was a film worth watching. This film stars William H. Macy, Tom Cruise, Phillip Baker Hall, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Melinda Dillon. The film starts out fast and jumps around from character to character without hesitation. You have to keep your eyes on the screen. Everyone has issues they are facing and this is essentially what the film is about. Some of drug problems, relationship problems, alcohol problems, problems with their parents, or a combination of the above. Some problems are solved while others are not. This is about the only problem of the film; no resolution in most cases. However, everyone gives a good performance and their problems keep you interested. [Available on video (currently no DVD version)]
7 out of 10
George Clooney, Mark Walburg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze play U.S. soldiers during the gulf war trying to heist over 200 million in gold. You may think this is going to be a straight action/heist film but nope. This film plays at so many levels and works at all of them. You do have your action but you also have your comedy, drama, and feel good movie. Be prepared to confront some tough issues about the gulf war and America's role. If you are afraid it will be a preachy movie, do not fear, it slips it in there, sometimes under the radar. I thought all the leading characters played their roles well. This is a good one. [Available on DVD and video.] GET THE DVD! (see below)
8 out of 10
DVD Review - Three Kings
Thank you Warner Brothers! A DVD filled with awesome features! This DVD contains the widescreen version of the film and two feature length commentaries. Yes, I said two! One by the director and the other by the producers. That of course is not all. There is a Making of special, another special regarding a scene in a film, and a video short with Ice Cube. There is even a video documentary by the director made while he was doing pre-production on the film. Cool stuff. Well worth the price.
10 out of 10 for DVD features
Ahhhh! My mind is confused! Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh star in this crazy film by David Cronenberg. Our two stars play employees of a video game company in the near future who are being hunted by those who think their game warps reality too much. They dive into the game to try to determine what is the matter with the game and why people are hunting them. While in the game they jack into the game in the game! Is your head spinning yet? Then they almost jack into another game within a game within a game! Weew. I can only call this movie a mind screw. It's a ride. Who is hunting them, will they fix the game, will they make it out alive? My friend who let me borrow this DVD thought I wouldn't like this film but I did. I didn't think it was spectacular but it was an interesting watch. The film did suffer from average acting and a cast of mostly unknown or character actors. (There was an appearance by William Dafoe though). [Available on DVD and video]
7 out of 10
DVD review - eXisteZ
This DVD, besides having widescreen is lame. It's only extra feature is a theatrical trailer. That's it.
2 out of 10 for DVD features
Pierce Brosnan stars with Rene Russo in this remake of the 1968 film of the same name. I have not seen the original but I enjoyed this remake. This is the kind of movie the current James Bond film series should be; smart, sexy, and hip. You have good performances by both stars as well as the supporting cast that includes Dennis Leary. (Leary is not a wise ass in this movie and he actually does a good job of it). You have a good story with twists and turns to keep you excited. You have a good romance, to keep the ladies interested, and enough action and intrigue to keep the guys excited. All this makes this a grade A film worth the watch. [Available on video and DVD]
8 out of 10
Well, one of 1999's most anticipated films has finally reached video. Sadly it has not reached DVD and there is no plan to release it on DVD any time soon. It makes me sad that Mr. Lucas would deny us this treat. If you do not already know, this story is the first in a six part series. Star Wars being the forth part. This starts the back story of the fall of Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader). Besides introducing Anakin we get to meet Obi-wan, C3P0, R2D2, the emperor, and Yoda. The plot centers around the plight of the planet of Naboo. Naboo is surrounded by the "greedy trade federation" who is blocking trade to the planet and eventually moves to take over the planet. The Jedi knights try to save the day. The characters are basic and the character development weak. The plot almost seems like a reworked version of Star Wars. The special effects are of course exciting. The action is good enough to keep you interested and the final lightsaber duel is great to watch. This movie does not blow you away but it does not disappoint either. [Available on video, both regular pan and scan and widescreen box set. The box set contains a mini art book, some film slides, and a behind the scenes short]
7 out of 10
This was not a widely released film when it was in the theatres but I think it deserved to get more attention. This film stars John Cusak, Cameron Diaz, and of course John Malchovich. John Cusak plays a out of work pupeteer that takes an office job to make some cash and ends up finding a portal into the body, mind, and soul of Mr. Malcovich. There ends up being an interesting love triangle that runs through the film and the movie deals with identity and love/sex issues. Although someone looking for a mindless comedy will not be happy. [Available on DVD and video]
7 out of 10
Forest Whitaker is back giving us another solid performance. This time as a man living on the top a building, named Ghost Dog, who has adopted the way of the samurai. He has trained himself in the sword and martial arts. He also is adept at guns. (You never wonder where he got this training of course, but you just go with it). Ghost Dog has pledged his services to Louie, a lower level mafia member. Ghost Dog does a job that pisses of Louie's bosses and they order him dead. This movie is part action, part comedy, and part drama. It all works fairly well together. Even the simple comedy it uses, that you would think would get old, still makes you chuckle again and again. The action is not as awesome as I would like it but hey life's not perfect. This movie is directed by Jim Jarmsuch (Dead Man, Mystery Train). It is some what of an "art" film that has hidden deeper meanings.. Aspects of this I did not catch. (Thank goodnes for friends who can explain it all to me). If I had noticed some of this I would have given the movie a higher rating. (I guess I have been brainwashed by Hollywood). [Playing in a limited theatres. It was only playing in Minneapolis at the Uptown/Lagoon, an art theatre]
7 out of 10
1 visitor rating; average of 9
DVD
The DVD of this film contains the widescreen version of the film, a thirty minute behind the scenes feature, cast and crew interviews, and director's commentary.