What To See...and Not See

American Beauty Every once in a while I see a film that is so good that I can't saw much more than that people should see this movie, along with a few details about how I felt about the movie. My two favorite actors, Annette Bening and Kevin Spacey, along with a very talented cast make the best movie that has come out all year. This was so good that I am buying it when it comes out on video. It's definitely not your ordinary movie. I was so moved when it was over at the stattement that it made that I didn't want to move, I just wanted to think for a while. So much so that I felt uncomfortable getting up to leave after a momentary pause. I'm not gauranteeing that you'll like this movie but I beleive it will at the least make you think. See it as soon as you can. The website is here if you want to see some preview stuff and a bit more about the movie. TOP

Amistad This movie had a lot of hype about it in the media. It is well deserved. Now I'll admit to not knowing much about history, heck I'm a psych major who doesn't care much for the names or dates of psychological discoveries. I care more about the application of a rule or theory than that of the history behind it. But as many have learned in the "history" of man, knowing the history or birth of something helps you to understand that thing. Amistad is a historically based retelling of the story of a man who was captured fomr his home and shipped across the ocean to North America. Here he petitioned the courts to free him based on the fact that he was himself illegal property and was not processed acording to the proper procedures. He therefore should not have been there in the first place and shoudl be returned home. Along with the rest of the cargoe (other humans that were being treated as property) that he was shipped with. This is an amazing story that I am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn about and experience through the eues of Mr. Spielberg. This movie will move you to tears I'm sure. If there is a humanitarian bone in your body that is. If not think, while you watch this film, how you would feel in another country. Surrounded by people, things, and a language that you do not understand. Abducted, beaten, chained, punished for who you are and the colour of your skin. Treated like a savage thing just for being from where you were born. Denied your own feelings and humanity because someone wanted to sell you - - for profit. See this movie. TOP

Armageddon Now I liked Deep Impact and the two movies are very similar, in a sense, they're both about a threat of gobal devistation by an asteroid or comet. Now that's pretty much where they stop being all that similar. The approach is the same but the twists are very much different. While Deep Impact is an emotional roler coaster with me sobbing my brains out in the theatre's cheap polyester seats, Armageddon is "an action packed thrill ride," haha. Seriously if you like a good action movie its the movie for. I definately recommend it to the fans of good special effects and space type stuff. Anyone whose read the "Nemesis" Theory, my favorite thesis in atrophysics, you should see both movies. To see the Armageddon website go here. TOP

As Good As It Gets I just saw this movie yesterday and I think that it, like Titanic, deserves its name. This movie is wonderful. I could watch it over and over. This movie has got to be something that anyone who has had a bad day...better yet a bad month+ will be able to relate to. "I have this panicy feeling all the time. And I just start thinking about myself...and what good does that do anybody." As Good As It Gets is funny and sad, uplifting and depressing, and most of all inpsired and inspiring. The sound track is to die for. I want to get it. Oh yeah, its great! The beauty, the diversity, the mood...its life in music. "Maybe this thing happened for a reason." I like the idea that things that happen to us can be a growth experience. We can find deliverance from adversity, and sometimes in that adversity we can find the very things we've been looking for. This movie reminds me of this. It is a story about people that have problems...real ones though. You know a sick kid or losing focus on a career, having a problem dealing with people. Sure even mild personality disorders, real people have these and this story says it. "Some of us have great stories, pretty stories that take place at lakes with boats and friends and noodle salad. Just no one in this car. But a lot of people that's their story good times noodle salad. What makes it so hard is not that you had it bad, but that you're that pissed that so many others had it good." Not really but sometimes people seem to act that way and this is what the moive is about. This and the ability to get over it. To have a bad life but then get the srtength to grow and to do the things we need to in order to get to stability. To take the chances that lead us to "You look so se.... You look great. Great." Have you ever stumbbled over what you were trying to say? You start to say something and you decide that you don't want to be too extreme (don't want to scare anyone). So you change what you were saying in the middle of a sentence. You know when you want to say "You're the most gorgeous man in the world." Then you say "You're the most...you have wonderful eyes." I have trouble trying not to understate what I mean. For example when someone says something like "You're beautiful, you know that." Then when I look at the person in front of me and think "I think you are the most perfect thing in God's creation." But instead I say "I'm in good company." This movie has things that people live in it. See this movie, if you're human it will move you. To see a bit of a preview go to their website. TOP

At First Sight Now here's one that I find difficult to describe properly. The movie was okay. I mean it had Val Kilmer in it and he was often in the glory of his own nakedness, well not completely naked. But all that aside it wasn't that much of a movie, just okay. It was sweet in all the right places and it tried to ask some good questions about how we see life (parden the pun). I mean it was a good point that just because someone's life isn't exactly like our's does that mean that it is any less valuable or successful a life. But it was fairly well acted and not too well directed or written. Good acting on the parts of Val and Mira Sorvino but poor marks for the writer and director. I would say that this one is a renter and it's okay. Check out the At First Sight Website here. TOP

Beaches This movie is a classic and now I know why. The tear wrenching tale of two friends, one talented the other rich, and both sweet people who are missing part of themselves. They find it in one another. The wonderful voice of Bett Middler is only the icing on the cake for this film as the story and direction are superb. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and the you'll laugh and cry...finished up by tears this movie keeps you interested and feeling. The characters are well developed and the humour is great. Watch if you haven't...if you have watch it again with someone who hasn't. Go to the Internet Movie Databases page on Beaches to learn More TOP

Blade Blade is the story of a self repressing vampire who's just a little bit miffed about losing his mother before he was born to the bite of a vampire. His mission of vengance is to wipe the vampires off of the face of the Earth. He's got their abilities and non of their weaknesses. Blade is played by Wesley Snipes, whose looking very buffed in this film. He's a tough vampire killing machine. What he does at that vampire dance is just cool. Apparently he knows how to kill vampires in a really spectacular way. They're just exploding all over the place. The mystical world of vampire legend is explored too. Without very many of the old cliches. I just love a good action adventure vampire story and this is just enough action as I need to say that I liked the movie. The female lead doesn't have very much input into the plot, which is something that I would have appreciated. Science is thrown in for a few seconds as she demonstrates the reaction between vampire blood a modern anti-coagulent (I don't think I spelled that right, but you know what I mean). Since she's a blood doctor it would have been nice to she her do more than just make a new weapon and mention designing a virus to rewrite the DNA of people who were changed from human to vampire back into humans. Seeing the research process and some more options from it might have added a more modern twist to ths tail. Now the young "Turned" vampire who plots to take over the vampire world by becoming the Blood God was very cute. I mean he's practically reason enough to see the movie. Now there's an impressive character who uses modern technology to defeat the old ways and make a nice twist in the plot. He takes over with class and still follows the rules of Vamp Society, well most of them anyway. He's a powerful and intelligent character who was well written adn I think well acted. Overall good movie, good script and good acting. I have to give this movie my seal of approval. I just hope there aren't many sequils. It would ruin the originality of this movie. Here's the Blade website. It's very extensive. TOP

Blast From the Past This movie is really cute, and I'd use say it was okay. Pretty funny and somewhat refreshing to see a movie that isn't afraid to get onto the friendly side of cheesey. This movie is about a family who think that America is being nuked and seal themselves into a bomb shelter for a couple decades. Then they emurge to a strange and often terrifying present. This movie is very telling about the changing of society of the past thiry years or so and tells of the wisdom of investing in computer companies. I'd say watch it if you're in the mood to have a more wholesome laugh and watch Brendon Fraser and Allisia Silverstone for a while. Check out the Blast From the Past Website. TOP

The Broken Hearts Club FINALLY!! A movie about gay guys that does a good job of portraying what life is actually like. This is the poignent story of a group of friends who are each at a point of growth in their lives. OH one thing, finally a movie about gay men where there are more than three of us in the world (with the exclusion of Trick, which has us swarming all over the place)! Finally a message that says that gay men don't have to go through life thinking that they are defined by their ability to get laid, or even have a relationship. It's about a group of friends who are supported by their group, and occasionally jolted to reality by them too. I like that the characters are into being more than just gay. I also enjoyed that they had older and younger gay men interacting as friends. I must applaud the performers as well, they played their parts well and I must say very well indeed. Unfortunately for Dean Cain, he may not mind, but if he does this movie has done nothing to abate my life long crush, even though he played the self-deluded-semi-air-headed-pretty boy actor role well enough that it almost irritated me, reminding me of the very real boys whop act like that. The main character is more like the real gay man in his late 2o's who wonders what's next for his life and is realising that it may be time to start taking life more seriously. I like that they actually sit around at coffee talking about how they want the movie industry to finally make a movie that protrays real average gay men. It's really good. Check it out. TOP

A Bug's Life This is a great movie. A Bug's Life, produced in co-operation with Disney and PIXAR (the people involved in the prodcution of Toy Story), is the tale of an ant who sets out to save his colony from the ravages of some pretty evil grass hoppers. Looking for the heroes of his colony the main character stumbles across some circus bugs, mistakes them for adventurers and retains their services in fighting off the hoppers. Some cunfusion occurs and a bit of confabulation. Well it doesn't sound as interesting as it actually is when I talk about it.... but it's extremely funny and well worth the price of admission, by far. I suggest this movie to parents and to people without kids. Actually if you're looking for a night out without the kids (should you have them), get a baby-sitter and see this movie; just don't tell the kids that you've gone to see it. I'm sure that their school chums will have informed them of how good this movie is. Don't get me wrong it's a great movie for kids. . . but as we've seen more and more in recent years, cartoons seem to have an intellectual nuance to them that us adults can enjoy too. since we can appreciate several of the components that are a little (not always but often) over the heads of younger viewers. See this movie. And stick around for the creduts, you'll be glad that you did. Don't forget to check out the website. TOP

The Changeling Now if you like thrillers and horrors you'll like this movie. Not quite as creepy as it was when I saw it as a child, this story about a house haunted by the a mysterious force will make your skin crawl even as an adult. This is a classic (that is to say that it acme out in theatres in 1980; so it's a new classic) so it might be hard to find but it is well worth the search if you are looking to make the hair on your arms stand on end. Not all too groosom it still manages to sacre the bajesus out of most people. I'm not usually into horror films, but I am going to recommend this film if you life a good scare. See it, just don't see it alone. Oh and you can get more info on The Changeling by going to the Internet Movie Database's page on it. TOP

Chasing Amy Bringing shame to the "C" titles is this B movie brought to you by the makers of "Clerks" and "Mall Rats." Now I had seen Clerks and Mall Rats and I was looking forward to watching Chasing Amy. Saddly I was much disappointed by the experience, Amy should have kept on running. This movie was funny for the first half or so and then it gets sappy, but at the same time it gets crappy too. I don't know why but Renee Zelweger and Ben Aflec really let me down, if not for their acting in this movie but for having been in it at all. Honestly it's not only the "C" titles that are shamed by this movie but this theatrical tragedy shames us all. I can't believe that I waited, with aniticiaption, to see this movie. Don't see it, smack your head with a two-by-four for two hours instead; it'll be far more beneficial. All I can say on its behalf is that at least someone was trying to express themselves(?). . . just not very well. Here's where they're expressing themselves a little more with the movie's website. TOP

Clue Bringing respect back to the letter "C" I have a wonderfully funny film to present to you. Clue is a murderoursly funny mystery about a bunch of people invited to a creepy mansion on a stormy night who have to discover who dunnit. Frankly, it might have been easier to find out who didin't do it, but that wouldn't have been half as side splitting. This movie is definately a great one, now you'll have to rent it and it's old so that makes it hard to find on occassion, but I highly recomend it. Tim Curry leads a cast of commic geniuses (Christopher Lloyd, Madelin Kahn, and more) through the events of one killer of an evening. Check out a review on Amazon See it; you'll just die. This movie is full of great quotes that you will not be able to stop saying, they're too damn funny. And check out the Hasbro page, it's not about the movie but the game is cool too, especially if you've seen the movie. There are several good fan pages for the movie I suggest this one. It's very well done, even though it hasn't bee updated for a while. TOP

Copy Cat This is a movie that I saw a few years back and just recently watched again after adding it to my personal film collection. It's the story of a psychologist who studies serial killers. Like any good psychologist she shares her findings with students and the general public. Now this hard working psychologist attracks the attention of a famous serial killer who is caught while attempting to kill her. About a year later she ends up an agoraphobic who's entangled in a pretty messy situation involving serial killers once again, even though she has long since retired from the serial killer analysing business...or has she. If you like action, suspense and Sigourney Weaver then see this movie. Oh and Holly Hunter and Dermot Mulroney are in it too, not to mention Harry Connic Jr. Check out the review at Spliced Online. TOP

Dances With Wolves This movie is another one of those movies where people say "You've never see it!?" So I just had to watch it this year and I agree it's good. Actually it's darn good and I think that Kevin should get a thumbs up or something...it's way better then Water World, actually it's in a whole different category. I really liked the way that they looked at the poor understanding that Europeans had of the Native Amreicans' culture when they started colonising North American. I suppose that this is after that but I think that the attitude that "If we see it it's ours," that the Europeans brought with them stayed with the American settlers when they started to spreas out across North America. Even the way that people have to dehumanise other people in order to opress and kill them is well done. In this story of a millitary man who finds his destiny in a band of Native Americans. If you haven't seen it before do it's well worth the time. It might open your mind a little bit more. It's a good look at our past (North Americans that is). Here's the Film.com review of this film. TOP

Deep Blue Sea You'll probably think I'm crazy, and you might be right, but I thought that this movie was hillarious. It was so funny and quite transparent enough for me to laugh most of the way through it. Okay so a whole bunch of people who are eaten by shark in an under-water lab is hardly supposed to be laughable but I serious thought that the way that they did it was so cliche and yet unconventional, and so tranparent eyt creative that it had to be for laughs. It was just the perfect set up for comedy. It was at least good enough to rent once, for the laugh...although some might find it sacry enough. Scared-to-death or scared-to-chuckle you tell me. Check out their website it's better than the movie. TOP

Deep Impact Wow did this movie have a deep impact on me. It is a really moving telling of the end of the world. You see characters that could easily be you and people that could easily be your neighbours and friends and even family face the most painful and challenging situations that anyone could imagine. I cried most of the time, it was frightening. The pain and fear. The panic and desperation was so real and so much what I would feel faced with the pending destruction of the world. The acts humanitarianism that were portrayed. These acts of caring for another human being to the extent of possibly giving up one's own life were what really moved me. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't do details. But some of the things dome are really only an example of the great things that people can accomplish...the things that make a difference. The things that count. It was overwhelming to see so many great acts of compasion and love. There wasn't too much either. You know some movies will jus throw a whole bunch of really nice people in and there isn't the convincing factor to the story. Well this was just under the line. Something that I wish it wouldn't take the end of the world for us to show is the ability to treat people with care and respect and honesty. But this is becoming a rant. Oh, the website is here. TOP

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo Well this movie was an interesting one. Not the most fun in the world, this movie provides a lot of laughs though. I had a really good time watching it. A lot it was just plain silly but I'd say it was just the type of silly you need in the middle of finals or when you've been working too hard. If you're feeling stressed and wanna laugh at something silly, see this movie. It's kinda slap-stick and definitely immature humour, but you just might like it...I kinda did. Oh, if you want to see more check out the website. TOP

Enemy of the State This movie was really good. Actually it was better than it looked in the adevertising. It gets you thinking a little bit about the ways that our goverment can manipulate our lives if left unchecked for too long..or for any time at all. Then again it also starts you thinking that the media is a hapless pawn in some games to make you think what "They" want you to think. This movie is an example of how George Orwell and Noam Chomsky have potrayed the world in their books. Orwell was talking about a fictisious world in which individual rights are no more and the totalitarian government rules with a closed fist under the name of "Big Brother." Noam Chomsky's writings on the media as a manipulative device being used to make us think whatever "They" want us to under the guise of the daily news. Both are quite valid possibilities in this strange world of surveylance and information super highways. Big Brother could very well be watching you with spy satelites and high-tech bugging devices and telling you what he wants you to think in the papers and on that real audio news footage you just downloaded. Although personally I prefer to be blisfully ignorant about the whole thing...cause every time I find out about some big conspiracy it turns out to be true and I end up having to save the world again...or was that a movie I saw once? Anyway see this movie if you like action and suspense. If you got paranoid after seeing "The Truman Show" don't watch this unless you liked it. Here's a good page for this movie. TOP

Entrapment About an international theif and the intrigues surrounding an insurance agent's quest to chatch him, this is a movie that looked really good from the commercials. Hightech FX and wonderfully tallented actors and what appeared to be a great plot. Unfortunately advertising can, on ocassion be misleading, it looked like a movie with a lot of great characters and good action. But they spent too much time romantisizing everything and not enough time developing the characters. I was hoping that the director would take a little more advantage of the excellent actors in this movie. Too bad for the movie, it wasn't poorly written or shot, or even acted...just bad directing I'm afraid. Rent it on a slow day where a little action and very shallow characters won't dissappoint you. Here's the website. TOP

Ever After I just saw this movie yesterday and OH MY GOD WAS IT GOOD. It was original, even for a story that's been done a hundred times, not to mention creative. Of course, I suppose, you have to be creative when its been done a hundred times. It was sweet and magical, without the fairies, and romantic and funny. I think that this is definately a Cinderella for the ninties. And man does she have a good arm...I know couple of baseball teams that would love to have her play for them. Of course since its Drew I severely doubt many people would have a problem with her on there team. Well I might unless she brought her prince along. I loved his hair. It was great. I even liked half of her family. The way that they protrayed the sisters and the step mother was great and I couldn't help but enjoy the daughter father scenes it was just so adorable. I liked the fact that the movie shows that harsh 16th century reality. You know poverty and suffering and stuff. Its quite real for a movie. Oh to walk on water like Christ and to trip over an angel. Go to the Ever After website TOP

54 Now here's a movie for those of you who thought that the 70's was one big party. Cause that what this movie is about. A man's dream to have the party never stop and the people who trid to keep up. Its full of back stabbing and sex and some of the two together. You think you partied too hard this weekend. Try to be a grandmother who dances from dusk till dawn and then still finds time to spend with her grand daughter. Now here's a good reason to see this movie. Its full of eye candy and the main character is one sweet bon-bon. Grrrr. And he learns a few life lessons as he struts his stuff. Now I think that its ironic about the actor's name is Ryan. I like the idea of people named Ryan being really cute. I'm just gald I'm one of them. Oh and don't worry all your straight friends will have a lot to look at too. There are cute people of all sorts in this movie. They've even got a website. Check it out. You'll like. Its actually a true story...or at least am imterpretation of one. TOP

Fight Club This is one good movie. I thought "well what the heck it can't be all blood and guts with manly men acting like jerks" and I was right. It was other than that for a good fifteen seconds. But I am in no way dissing this movie. Actually I would liek applaud this film for its creativity and genius. I have never seen a movie like this. It's effect on the audience is really interesting actually. There I was wondering when the testosterone in the room was going to choke everyone to death from the over-hyped-straight men who were acting like children at the beginning. They were all "Yeah!! I'm a manly man who likes to watch other men fight and that's cool cause there's a movie about it!" Talking back to the previews and being rather childish seem to be what these guys thought was a good time. i felt a little out of place being fairly butch myself and I can relate to wanting to kill something with my bare hands but not on a regular basis. Well the movie basically told these guys, who thought that they're attitude was going to be affirmed (that wanting to bash in peoples' faces was right and manly), that people who act this way are most likely crazy and going to regret it in the end anyway, that is if it doesn't get them killed first. Only it does it really creatively. I think that I will be adding it to my collection when I can find it on tape. I was told by a few people that they did think that the plot was transparant either, I new what was going to happen by the first time we cas Brad Pitt with his shirt off, but I think it was worth seeing anyway. heck it was worth seeing even if Brad hadn't taken his shirt off although that was a definite perk. Check it out you might like it. Or you'll end the film saying that it sucks cause now you have to feel stupid the next time you get into a fist fight. Check out the website, it's really good. TOP

Great Expectations I loved this movie. The touching story of two kids who grow up, grow apart, and grow together...together. Its moving, but a little cheesey. Although I think all GOOD romance is a little cheesey, otherwise its not opening itself up. I really think that I'm going to buy this movie for my collection. Then I'm going to buy Romeo and Juliet. They aren't exactly alike but I want a romance shelf...Oh shut up like you didn't cry at one romance movie. Yes Titanic counts, and if you didn't cry at least a little at Titanic I don't know if I want to know you. Well the moive is good but I've now read the book, yekch! I cannot stand Dickens. He has to psychoanalyse every little thing, like the dust bunnies in a room even. Aurgh, see the movie but don't read the book, there are better books out there. Here's a whole site dedicated to Great Expectations. TOP

Grosse Pointe Blank Its older but I hadn't seen it until recently. Its great! I found it to be funny and thoughtful. You really can't go home again but you can always shop there. The life of an assassin never looked so human and touching, or funny. I thought it was a gas. Actually I just added it to my home video collection. You know John and Joan Cusack are both really good actors and play excellent parts in every movie I've seen them in. While Joan is usually into doing plain comedy I think that she is instrumental in keeping the humour in this film running otherwise it could have become serious for too long. John is always a good actor to put in a serious role, but he's also really good at delivering a punch-line. The rest of the cast is a gret selection of stars from all over the place, most of whom are great at both comedy and serious drama, but I think that they all prefer comedy. If you are into dark comedy you should at least rent it. Check out the Grosse Pointe Blank Online Shrine. It's very entheusiastic about the movie that's for sure. TOP

The House On Haunted Hill Well the last time that my friend Greg was in town we all went to see the House On Haunted Hill. I had wanted to go see American Beauty that day, but everyone insisted that we see this movie. Can I tell ya, I should always listen to myself. This movie sucked the big one. It was so bad that it made The Haunting look like a good version of this story, although one must be responsible and make it quite clear that The Haunting also sucked in a bad way. Oh, they're basically the same movie just presented with a slightly different set up. They're both based on the old movie "The Haunting of Hill House" which one must wonder whether it was ver good or not. I hear that it's a classic. Apparently we're butchering classics this year(99-2000). Don't even bother renting this one I'm afraid it would not only be a waste of money but of time you could spend hitting yourself in the head with a two by four. The special effects are alright though. Go to the website it tells the story better than the movie does. TOP

The Imposters This is the hilarious movie of two actors thrust into the middle of intrigue and murder, sabotage and seduction, and lots and lots of laughs. If you want to split your sides laughing and you don't want to pay very much for it then rent this movie. There's subtle and blatent humour mixed throughout this film. It definitely speaks volumes for the qualities of new and alternative diretion in the film industry. It is EXCELLENT!! That's really funny if you've seen this movie. As soon as I see this one for sale I'm buying it for my collection. This is a must see and possibly a must buy. See it, you'll laugh your brains out. This movie is one that you really need to see in order to believe just how funny it is. Check out the website for more details and previews. TOP

Les Miserables As could be expected this movie was one of the most romantic stories told. Being based on Victor Hugho's "Les Miserables" it had no choice. It was concieved from greatness. As movies go this is one of the best. As movies go. As a rendition of Les Mis, however, I didn't like it. I mean yes, the acting was fantastic. It was very well written and directed. The special effects were great and not once did they show the Eiffle Tower. But I have the musical and book carved into perfect memory. So you can understand my horror to discover that Eponine wasn't even mentioned. She was nowhere to be found. Okay so I went expecting to see a tail of tragedy and triumph and I was disappointed by the lack of extensive tragedy. Fantine was well covered, I have to give it that. I've always wanted more for that character and you really get it. Unfortunately I was actually looking forward to the good cry that comes from empathizing with someone whose love is not returned. I guess its just my mood lately but I was really disappointed that all of the characters loved eachother and were loved back by someone. I mean really couldn't they have at least had an extra get called Eponine even once..."Hey Eponine! Could you throw me that musket?" I'm disappointed. But if you haven't memorized the lyrics to the musical (any cast) then you'll love this film. If you have then watch at your own risk. Check out the website to see how crappy it really is. TOP

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King WOW!! This movie, the third in the series based on Tolkein's novels, chronicles the last of the journey to Mordor in an effort to destroy the great ring of power and free the lands of Middle Earth from the grip of a great evil, by throwing the ring into Mount Doom. Frodo has demons to battle, there are like a hundred thousand deaths, each seems to be quite visible, you notice everything and yet there is so much detail. If there's one movie that you see this holiday season - see this one!! The characters are well developed, the emotions are coupled well with action. Acting is fantastic, writing is excellent, and the special fx and scenary are breathtaking. This movie truly compliments those that have come before it. Non-stop action and character development: some films seem to think that character development needs to make the entire movie come to a shreiking halt, this one does not make that mistake. I'm so impressed, I would have wanted to see it again right away but there was just so much feeling and sight to absorb that I couldn't go back in right away. And it does give you a sense of closure. They really did seem to make and effort to close shop and let you get that sense of saying goodbye to the characters that you really have gotten attached to. It's good to get closure. TOP

Love! Valor! Compassion! One special rental that I would suggest is Love! Valor! Compassion! Its a fabulous film about a group of friends 2 of whom have contracted HIV from one place or another. Its is just as its name states an uplifting and inspiring, not to mention romantic and funny, film. If you need to cry your brains out or split your side with a good laugh this is the movie for you. If you can't find it in your local movie store...try somewhere else. If you have a copy lend it to a friend. I recently added it my collection of movies. I highly recommend it, as a matter of fact I now forgive Jason Alexander for being in that horrible situation comedy. His performance is to die for (no punn intended [honestly]). There's a great website for this movie check it out. TOP

The Man in The Iron Mask I thought that this was a great movie. It was inspiring and thoughtful. I felt that the plot twists were a bit transparent, but over all it was a moving and gripping drama. Leo delivered a great perfomance, he played a good and bad character very convincingly. His co-stars are also very talented pros and deserve to be acknowledged. Althought they have all said that Leo was the jewel so I won't go raving over each actor. It was a great film, I highly recommend it. Just a bit of trivia for you; Luis the 14th only took a bath three times in his entire life. Check out the website TOP

The Matrix Now this is a cool movie. It has action, intrigue, metaphysics, and computers. If you enjoy deep existential stories about the world in which we live and the way that things appear to be; you will like this movie. If you like action-shot-'em-up movies you'll like this movie. It is Keanu Reeves' best role yet. Hopefully you think more of him than to think this a poor review otherwise you might be missing out on a rather good movie. I don't like to over sell a movie, because then people just expect to be disappointed, but I will say two things about it. 1) It got a three star rating in the local paper but deserved higher. 2) My boyfriend and I went to go see it twice in the same day, the second time we brought friends along. We've now seen this fagtastic film five times and I am going to buy it when it comes out on tape. Check out their website it's really cool. TOP

The Matrix Reloaded Well, what can I say? This movie should never have left the cutting room. I mean come on! First you give me the Matrix, an awesome wonder to behold, of fights scenes and action and non-stop adrenoline, with just a touch of reflection and social development, and an only slightly cheesey love story on the side, very on the side. Reloaded seems to be making up for what was avoided in the Matrix. It's mostly love story and social/cultural development with a smattering of the same great fight scenes and action that we really loved in the first one. And what's with the huge dance scene in the middle, like they wanted some footage for a music video or something? This movie was all about developing the culture and characters of the story line, which would have been great if they could have kept the pace of the first one, and had fewer scenes written like: " 'I...love...you...' ." Special effects were pretty good, and while I am being generous I thought it was really interesting that the more someone was detached from thinking the Matrix was real the more computer animated they looked when doing stunts and stuff. Like Neo looked like a sim when he was flying but Morpheus did not look AS computer animated at Neo did. SO if they did that on purpose BRAVA!! If not, well they really need to work on their cgi and the time they spend working on a film. Go see it once, rent it once, although the few fight scenes that they have are really great so you might want to see those on the big scree. Otherwise let's just sit together holding hands and pray that the next one is better... TOP

The Matrix Revolutions Well, they say be careful what you ask for you might just get it. And I think we did. This edition of the Matrix trilogy did not suck as badly as the first, but it did irritate just a little. It was really drawn out, in fact at some points I wasn't sure if I was watching the Matrix Revolutions or Star Trek the Motion Picture. However the special effects: SPECTACULAR. A marked improvement over the first one. Acting, better than the second by far!! The pace was faster and they seemed to have kept the kissing stuff down a little. BUT there was one thing that some of us noticed. Repetion. There's a scene where Niobe(spelling?) was doing some fancy flying where one charatcer said "Wow you really can drive!" like three times in a row, after various examplings of her flight skills. Like they couldn't think of another character or line for that? Anyway this one is definitely better than the second one, but still nowhere near the first. I'd say watch it in the theatre, worth renting for sure. But if someone could go back in time and just stop me from going to the second one I'd appreciate it. TOP

Moulin Rouge Okay, so I haven't been in a mushy mood until recently. I blame this on meeting so many wonderful people and having a near love that I am leaving for the summer and then goodness knows what will happen. That aside I have recently seen this triumph of music and drama that moved me nearly to tears. I would have crying exceot for the slight callus I have had to put over my feelings to protect myself from running in where angels fear to tread. I would recomend this movie to everyone. Anyone who has any feelings will be moved. I was, just not to tears, they were welling though. The music is creatively done and the acting is wonderful. I would call this an adaptation of the story of Romeo and Julliet. A tragedy of epic proportions that leaves one wishing for medicine in an earlier age to be better and for the social classes to be more civil. This is a love story pure and simple. Of course, in Shakepearian tradition it is a love that ignites quickly, burns bright, and is extinguished before its time. And of course; someone dies, in fact I am not really ruining the movie cause they mention that in the first scene. I think I was the only one in the theatre not crying, darned defense mechanisms, even the big muscle guys with their girlfriends were teary. I could be wrong. But I don't think so. See it, it's good, darn good. Sweet, romantic, funny, and tragic. It's beautiful. TOP

The Mummy Now this movie, I have to say, wasn't that great. Sure the special effecets are good and the fact that Brendan Fraser is in it does help a great deal, but there is something about the plot development. It's just too fast. The romance between the two main characters, an archeaologist and an military man is difficult to beleive as there is little to no actual interest in the first place and then the rest of the plot isn't gone into as much as it should be. Everything is mentioned so quickly and in passing. The antagonist's pain is really all we see of his basis for being evil. The protagonists' are very shallow and not well understood. It's a very two dimentional film that could have been better with a little more time devoted to explaining how the characters feel. I'd say see it for the special effects and the gore. Don't see it if you are looking for a profound statement on life. Here's the website if you want to see some clips and stuff. The effects rock but the plot does not. Rent it, don't buy. TOP

Object of My Affection Well what can I say another attempt at putting the nonstop joy ride that being a gay person in our society on film. Yup one more in long history of north america's contribution to the gay movie scene. Well at least it was an okay movie. I mean they do cover coming out and not coming out and relationships and the very important fact that men are scum. So I have to give it credit for that. I also have to give it some credit for present some character that are very close to real people with real problems. Sure they're a little more accident prone than most people but aside form that they aren't that far off. I say that its kinda cool that way that it shows how you just never when you're going to run into that person you want for a relationship, or even if they'll want you for one. Lets say its one of the more realistic movies that I've seen where there's a romantic interest in a gay man by a heterosexual woman. I liked it, the humour was good and the emotions were very well presented. There's a website for this movie and everything. TOP

Playing By Heart I just saw this movie and I have to ask WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME THIS MOVIE WAS SO GOOD?!?!!! I loved this movie, acording to their website this movie is: Gillian Anderson, Ellen Burstyn, Sean Connery, Anthony Edwards, Angelina Jolie, Jay Mohr, Ryan Phillippe, Dennis Quaid, Gena Rowlands, Jon Stewart, and Madeleine Stowe starring in a poignant and funny drama, that follows a group of people of varied generations and lifestyles as they search for love and connection in contemporary Los Angeles. All of these people-- strangers, lovers and family-- are transformed by a series of unsettling events that bring into focus just how elusive, complex, and occasionally miraculous love can be in the right circumstances. And if you take it as a serious descritpion you'll have a pretty accurate expectation of the movie, except for that it comes across to me as an understatement. I love this movie, I'm actually glad that I didn't see this movie in the theatre though, I can only feel comfortable to cry like a baby in front of a few people and so a friend's place was the perfect spot to watch it. If you haven't seen it you probably should, if you have seen it WHY IN THE WORLD DIDN'T YOU TELL ME TO WATCH THIS MOVIE!?!!?!! Check out the official site here. There are some pics from the movie and a few video clips. It's a darn good movie the site is simple but the movie is so good it really doesn't matter. TOP

Practical Magic Now here's a good movie. The story of two sisters, from a long line of sisters, who are witches...just like the past sisters. They have to face their family's long time curse (caused by a broken heart) of any man that loves them dying. That's a lot to deal with without being witches, but the magic gets a little mixed up in this movie. It's a light hearted romance that picks you up, while making you face the realities of heart break and prejudice. Now along with the romantic issues in this movie there are also several social commnetaries made. Like having to deal with people hating you because you are different and the perception that people have that all magic is evil. Although giving people the chicken pox doesn't usually help this. There's a really cool website Go see it you'll like it. TOP

The Princess Bride Ahhh, at last a story of heroes and damsells, giants and magic, sword play and romince, oh and little boys sick in bed. This is a deffinite spoof on every fantasy movie ever made. Sure it looks serious but it's damn funny and clean too. No blood and guts stuff, so it's good for the kids. There's a princess and her true love, an evil prince and a rhyming giant(?). Well it's funny and sweet and tonnes of fun. If you like a good satire you'll like this movie. I think that it's precious. If it's been a long time since you've used your imagination you should watch this movie jsut to get your creativity flowing again. you need to have an active imagination to get through life I think. Rent it or even add it to your home video library, Carry Elewes in tights, need I say more? Here's a page where you can buy the video from MGM. TOP

Reindeer Games Okay so I've seen adds and was only slgihtly interested in this movie when it was in the theatres so I watch it as a rental about 8 months after it came out...I think it's been that long. Anyway so I had thought it looked like an alright action movie, maybe even a passable thriller. Unfortunately I was mistaken. It might appeal to some as there are a couple of interesting plot twists, I really found this movie rather predictable and uninventive. The scenes of any avalue were too short and the movie itself was rather anti-climatic. The performers were rather good playing their roles with what they had as a script quite well. The action scenes were too short and too few for this to be a real blow out, the love scenes were too shallow to be a real romance, and the plot twists were too predictable, if not at least somewhat creative, to be a good thriller. The comedy was kinda second rate as well. So I had to say that the thing I liked the most in this movie is when Charlize Theron's character was wearing a ball cap that said the words "Help" and "Lost" on it. I thought that made sense cause her character was truely lost and could have used some help, more so as the movie went on. Anyway I thought that people should be warned that this movie is rather bad and not really worth seeing cause it's not even good as action movies go. Sorry Ben. TOP

Sleepy Hollow Well I thought it was going to be bad the first time that I saw a preview for this one in the theatre. But then I saw an add that apparently had all of the good scenes in it so I thought it might be good. So I ventured out and saw Sleepy Hollow, the ultimate Halloween movie...which was released just after Halloween. Which should have been the first indication. This movie was over done, and it seems that they didn't even mean to do it. This was not satire they actually came across as trying to be serious, they tried in vein. It's over acted and poorly directed. The special effects were pretty good except the scenary was blantently artificial. If I hadn't seen any of the actors before I might have thought that I was watching a video of a school play which occasionally had really good special effects for about fifteen seconds and then went back to being crappy. I'd say rent this some Halloween with a bunch of other movies and then watch it in between some really good ones. That way you'll be in the right mood and then you'll have some time to get scared again after. This movie was really bad. The site is better then the movie, by far. Someone recently put it to me that this movie was attempting to be a spoof, if so then they acheived thier goal but other than having Johnny Depp in the movie I'd say that they meant it to be serious and failed. Although that might explain why they released it after Halloween. TOP

Soldier This is a movie that you might want to see if you are into action. The plot is not very complicated unless you want it to be and there seem to be very simple motivations for the characters to be doing what it is that they do. Basically the plot is that there are these soldiers who are hand picked at birth to be programmed and conditioned into the perfect killers. The ones that aren't good enough are shot, even as twelve year olds. The main character, Todd, is very well played, he never speaks unless spoken to and shows no mercy. The thing is that after a while they get replaced with these genetically engineered soldiers and the old soldiers are just kept around for grunt work. Expect for Todd, who is thought killed fighting a new soldier and thrown into the garbage then taken to a garbage planet. He, of course, falls for this local squater's wife, and has to defend the camp against the new soldiers. This movie does ask one or two questions without actually trying to. Is it right to try to condition children, form birth, into soldiers? Is a genetically engineered human better than a home grown human? And is it right to condition a child for a life that they have not had the chance to choose for themselves? All good questions that weren't really pushed upon but they surfaced in my mind. If you want to get an even better feel for the movie check out the website TOP

Species 2 Well I loved Species. It was exciting and intense. It would sneak up on me and yell "Boo!" Then just when I would calm down there it was to startle the crap out of me. So I figured what the hell, I'll go see Species 2. Well I have to say that the special effects were pretty good in this one too. Unfortuantely it just didn't have the scare a minute quality of the first. And the acting was second rate. Probably because the script was so rediculously basic. I would not recommend seeing this film at full theatre price. Its a renter, really. The site is almost, not quite, but almost as bad as the movie. Not because of the web design but the content. TOP

Sphere This was a good movie. The special effects were great. The plot was very complex (for most people). It really keeps the audiance thinking the whole time. It shows an interesting point about man being his own worst enemy. I liked the self-fulfilling paradox. The acting was excellent, I was very surprised by how well Miss Ston did in her role of a crazy, she is a Rohdes Scholar so of course she can play many different roels I just thought that it was unique how she was clothed the whole movie, that must been a disappointment for the straight guys who went to the movie eh. No she was really good, and very convincing as someone who is relatively stable but has a past of mental illness. I think that she probably researched the symptoms before they started shoting this film. She was really good. Its was very entertaining and definately worth full box office price. It'll scare the pants off of you...repeatedly! Check out the website it's pretty neat. TOP

Star Trek Insurrection This is the ninth of the great series of films that Star Trek has put out in its life time. Now there has been a tradition of the odd numbered movies being bad and the even numbered ones being good. This one seems to have deviated somewhat from this tradition as it is darn good for an odd numbered film. Now I’m not saying that it’s as good as the even numbered ones but it would definitely make an excellent episode of The Next Generation. Just so most Trek fans will know where it sits, like you haven't seen it already, it's better than Generations but not as good as First Contact. I'd say it's about part with The Undiscovered Country, or at least nearly as good. If you want to see a good movie see this one. It’s got everything you need- comedy, action, special effects, and it’s Stat Trek. See it. And see the website it's good, of course. TOP

Star Wars Episode I: The Pantom Menace This was the long awaited first installment of the series. Now if you weren't around to see episodes IV through VI when they came out on video then you at least saw them on video or t.v. Of course there are some people who have never seen any of the originals but you all don't really care now do you. Fo those of you who have seen the first episodes that came out this one will be terribly interesting because it establishes much of the history that you have been wondering about since you saw the first three movies. I won't give away many details but I will say this, the special effects are good and the history is intreging. A definate must see movie. I garauntee that you will enjoy seeing this movie. If you want to check out their website it's at www.starwars.com TOP

The Tea With Mussolini You know what? In the last few months I think that I've seen some of the best movies from this year and this is definitely one of them. The sweat story of a group of British women living in Itali during the second world war. Their triumphs and their lives, their hardships and their spirit. I just loved the characters. This movie is heart warming and heart wrenching all at once. Oh and Cher is in it too. Along with a cast of Academy Award winners and nominees. This is definetly on my to buy list. You should check out this movie. Or you could always go to the official website and find out more. TOP

The Thirteenth Floor This movie was a rather intellectual version of The Matrix. It covered the same sort of existential questions that The Matrix covers it just did it in a different way. There was movement from on world to another but in the end reality was a nice place to be instead of some apocolyptic mess, it was also a lot more computer program oriented; as opposed to the machines being the enemies of the main characters they were the main characters. You'll have to see it. It's okay just not as good as The Matrix, in my opinion. But still worth seeing. They have a website too. Check it out. TOP

TimeLine There's a theory that humans cannot travel faster than the speed of light, but rather would have to use worm-holes, a phenominon that folds space and allows you to instantly travel from one point to another. This is an incredibly interesting and complicated theory. This movie, which tries to integrate the use of worm-holes into spacial and temporal travel, is neither interesting or complicated. A bunch of university students travel back in time to a midevil setting, through a worm hole, to rescue their mentor/father and most of them get killed, the rest maintain the timeline by doing exactly what was done in history but they were unaware of their own involvement in. The acting was HORRIBLE, except for Anna Friel who played 'Lady Claire,' the set wasn't bad, but the writing yuck! If you don't know what you're talking about you should get some people to consult who do. I was watching Discovery's Daily Planet; who were talking about this movie and got the impression that it might not be all that good... I was right. This movie was one long drawn-out exercise in sucking. Now if Paul Walker wants to suck in a good way he can call me, but until then no more with the bad scripts Paul. Sorry hot stuff. This movie is a renter, and only if you get one of those rent one/get one free coupons. TOP

Titanic Its is now the best movie I have ever seen. I've been obsessed with this movies ever since I first saw it. I honestly couldn't leave the theatre, even when I had to go to the bathroom. I mean I did leave but it was during what Jennifer told me was the only slow scene. I've since seen that scene. It was great I can't believe I missed it the first time. Although now that I've seen the movie in the theatre three times I want to buy it as soon as it comes out on tape. I still want to see it again. I loved this movie. If you don't see this movie then you WILL die an unfulfilled person. Here's the official website. Since the first time that I reviewed this movie I have now bought both the pan-n-scan and the wide screen versions of this movie. I know I'm obssessed, but ti could be worse, I haven't started building boats and naming them after characters fromt he movie...or have I? TOP

Trick It's big! It's Beautiful! And your gonna love it! Basically does say it all for this move. This is a romantic comedy with just he right amount of scandal and sex (or lack there of actually) and don't forget the cute guys. Actually this movie is the very very sweet story of two guys and their search for a better understanding of themselves and eachother...or was it a search for a room to do the nasty in? Well it's actaully a bit of both and there's even a couple of great musical numbers if you'll beleive that. It's fun, cute and energetic...not to mention on occasion hot. Check it out. You can look at the great sites related to this movie by going to The Trick Official Website, The Trick Unofficial Website which has a lot of stuff on it that the Official site doesn't have. And then there's the Fabulous Coco Peru who can be found at Miss Coco Peru's Universe which is this amazingly entertaining site. If you're in California you should check out her show...and then tell me about it. I'm buying this movie as soon as I can get it. It's too sweet and witty and fun not to get. TOP

The World is Not Enough And here I thought that the people who made James Bond movies were all serious and would never mock their own work. Man was I wrong. Cause if this isn't a paridy then it's certainly the punniest James Bond film ever made. I liked it but I think that there was a little too much emphasis on trying to get the audience to laugh and not enough attention to keeping us feeling like we were in a spy film. I guess they had to compensate for the fact that there were a couple of very serious and rather sensitive issues being brought up in the film. Oh, don't get me wrong, this is a great movie, you just have to put up with a bit of cheese. Most 007 fans can handle it, there's just a little bit more in this one than your average Bond film. Check it out I'm sure you'll enjoy it, at least the laughs are pretty good. Oh and the special effects are great, not to mention the BMW Z8. Here's the web address for the movie if you wanna see some awsome trailers and stuff: www.jamesbond.com. Actually they have a whole bunch of James Bond Stuff on that site. TOP

The Wrong Guy This is a very funny movie. Total spoof on the Fugitive movies out there. Danger, mistaken identity, and a guy who screams like a girl. Now that's action! Definitely a renter if you like silly movies and Kids in the Hall actors. It's sort of a B movie about a guy who thinks that he's been accused of a murder that he didn't commit; and it's darn funny. Check 'er out if you like a good laugh and a narcolepsy. TOP

X-Files This movie is fantastic. I loved the special effects and the great story. I won't tell you what the case is in this movie, because that would ruin the plot if you haven't seen it but I will tell you that its very much tied into the plot of the show. As a matter of fact this movie was exactly what the X-Files should be, a two hour episode. It was great, coming from the perspective of a slightly devoted fan. I mean I don't know every epsiode by name or anthing; I do know a lot (tons) about Star Trek. This movie is absolutely great. I was thrilled and amazed by the twists and a the plot. I really like to see David, he's so cute. And Gillian was amazing. This film is pure X-Files. Its a must see if you are going to watch next season. And if you want to buy the new Intregue. Really. Here's the official movie site, it's kinda cool. TOP

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