Hilarious early 80s cheese fest, worthy of the MST3K treatment that this masterpiece garnered. I watched this in the early days of cable so it has a certain nostalgia; it truly is amazing how these brilliant and tiny number of scientists can swiftly interpret the data at hand to come up with staggering conclusions to reshape mankind as we know it. Truly stupendous. A must for conspiracy theorists and fans of ultra cheesy sci fi. As movie critic Leonard Maltin stated: "Clickly made, but about as credible as the three stooges in outer space." I loved that line. As for the movie, it has a spot on my list of guilty pleasures.
Reviews
30 Reviews
Bruce Almighty
(2003)
Don't worry if you miss this one
23 May 2003
A pretty bland effort overall; I like Jim Carrey but this star vehicle just doesn't add up. Why would God choose this guy anyways, just because he's funny??? Or obnoxious??? Jennifer Anniston is wasted and I didn't buy Morgan Freeman as the Lord either - too many pot marks on the face and a Yankees cap??? But the worst sin is that this is just another obnoxious guy learns his lesson and becomes a better man because of it story, and I didn't buy for a minute that Carrey's character learned anything, despite a few trite apolgies and forced repention scenes toward the end. Skip this one and go rent "The Truman Show" instead!
Some Like It Hot
(1959)
An utter classic!
9 February 2003
Just a flawless movie all around; terrific acting, direction, screenplay, it all works to perfection! Easily Monroe's best role, and Curtis and Lemmon are outstanding also. Mandatory viewing for any film aficianado! And the black and white cinematography works splendidly!
Cinema Paradiso
(1988)
Touching homage to a different era!
8 January 2003
Beautifully made homage to a simpler time. The acting all around is superb, the musical score fits like a glove. Not for all tastes but if you are a romantic at heart you will be extremely touched by this movie. The ending brought me to tears. I'm anxious to see the director's cut, although it can't surpass the original it should be interesting nonetheless.
Star Trek: Nemesis
(2002)
An ambitious comeback
17 December 2002
After not expecting much after the last few sub par Trek films, I was pleasantly surprised by the more ambitious nature of this film. It starts off (very) slowly, but gains momentum, culminating in some very exciting space battles along with a few surprises along the way. I'm still not ready to reccomend this to folks who don't have an interest in Star Trek, but on the whole I would advise any TNG fan to check Nemesis out.
What Women Want
(2000)
Do they want this?
15 November 2002
OK I was intrigued by the idea of this film, I don't have much of a clue as to what women want either. Mel gets zapped, hears women's thoughts, and becomes a better man because of it. The problem is that it takes the film so long to finally get there...the back part of What Women Want goes on and on after a spiffy beginning, plus Morisa Tomei is wasted as a gratutious one night stand. This may have worked better as a farce rather than the reformed sensitive man type of picture. Plus lots of tightening would have helped.
Airplane!
(1980)
"Win just one for the zipper..."
30 September 2002
A true classic, the first and best of the spoof gendre. Almost every gag made me laugh, my favorite being the Disco scene. I wish I could do that! Anything goes in "Airplane" with consistenly hillarious results. Whenever I get on an airplane I think of this movie - too bad it will never be playing as in-flight entertainment :-(
The Time Machine
(2002)
Maybe some other "time"
23 March 2002
Dissapointing...shallow characterizations, Guy Pearce is indifferent...how convenient he goes 200,000 yrs in the future and is able to find a 21st century cover girl who speaks perfect English. That was lucky. I saw this because I am such a fan of the original 1960 classic, which is full of wonderment and imagination, thanks to the legendary George Pal. This remake has none of that; but hey, it is making a mint at the box office...
Moulin Rouge!
(2001)
This movie rocks!
23 March 2002
I was very pleasantly surprised - Moulin Rouge takes alot of chances, and most of them work. Very exciting throughout, its easy to look past the clich-ish love story with the clever and spectacular musical numbers and top notch acting. Btw, Tom Cruise is crazy; Nicole Kidman in totally gorgeous in carrying this star vehicle! Watch "Moulin Rouge" and prepare to be enthralled; one of the best of this year...
If you haven't read the novel -
23 March 2002
the movie won't make alot of sense. "Rings" is an action adventure all the way, forsaking the mythologic middle earth of Tolkien's novel for a "Star Wars: Phantom Menace" style wanna be epic. As such I found it overlong and dullish, but it would be perfect for those 30 yr old nerdish types who live for these types of things.
The Whole Nine Yards
(2000)
Script not funny
19 October 2000
Dissapointing; a likeable cast is stuck in a plot heavy, unfunny script. I didn't laugh once. For a movie that sells itself as a light comedy, be prepared for a number of cold blooded murders as well. Willis is wasted in a one note performance throughout and Perry's goof ball routine seems out of place in this movie. The actress who plays Willis' girlfiend is incredibly annoying and young enough to be his daughter. Not to mention the movie is too long. Don't waste your time with this one.
Mumford
(1999)
Something Is Missing-
24 September 2000
-from Mumford. Typical of Lawrance Kasdan's work, this is an ensemble piece and features some of his favorite actors, and like Grand Canyon, this movie left me dry. I think the problem with these movies is that the characters are forced into somewhat bland scripts, and the direction and acting are somewhat banal as well. There's nothing to the core of "Mumford" and the relationships are uninteresting - what this movie needs is more emotion and less characters.
Notting Hill
(1999)
What's her name looks just like Julia Roberts!
15 July 2000
This film is a real charmer; Roberts takes a chance with this role, and its fun wondering how much of her performance is based on the script and how much is based on her real life. Hugh Grant is fine as well but it wouldve been even more of a treat to cast an unkown in his part (like me for instance!). As far as casting goes its obvious noone else could have played Ms. Roberts role, but the Hugh Grant part probably exists in many male fanatasies, including this one...the only other minor change I would've made would have been to have her use her real name in the film; I'll bet like me everyone replaced "Anna" with "Julia" anyways! If you enjoy Julia don't miss this one - you won't be dissapointed!
American Beauty
(1999)
A Winner All The Way
25 June 2000
Hilarious and painful all at the same time, a triumph of acting, directing and screenwriting. Could be the defining movie of the 90's. Don't miss this one - Spacey is incredible! Everything is right in this edgy, unpredictable masterpiece.
Dogma
(1999)
Bad Will Hunting
9 June 2000
Absolutely dreadful "black comedy" from the makers of "Chasing Amy" and "Good Will Hunting." Supposed thought provoking humor takes a backseat to a lousy script, terrible casting and acting, and a torrential flood of violence, language, and crude sexual inuendo. Affleck and Damon should be forever banned from working together after this turkey; director Kevin Smith needs to get over himself and return to his "Clerks" roots. How anyone could enjoy this piece of crap is beyond me.
The Ten Commandments
(1956)
The most entertaining movie ever made?
16 April 2000
It is for me; so its pure Hollywood shlock all the way, the dialogue hilarious, so many classic quoutables ("So let it be written, so let it be done) the acting over the top (my favorite among many - Edward "Where's yer Messiah now?" G. Robinson). Throw in some awesome special effects and youve got a spectacle that only Demille could have made. So they don't make em' like this anymore (thank God, no pun intended) but this movie always has me grinning throughout, no matter how many times I watch it. See this spectacle in widescreen and pump up the volume, you'll have a great time!
Patch Adams
(1998)
Insufferable
26 December 1999
-is the best and only way to describe this smarmy movie. First of all, Robin Williams is way to old to play this part, but I guess they needed him for his inspirational message. That's the least of this movies problems, the script is awful, the direction and acting obvious, and the score sacharine. All of it seems designed for one purpose, to manipulate the audience. I don't need to be hammered over the head repeatedly about what a great saint Patch Adams (aka Robin Williams) is and how evil the medical industry is. This movie is that subtle (Not!). Thanks but no thanks; rent Mrs. Doubtfire instead.
Fantasia
(1940)
A Truly Unique Experience
26 December 1999
This is one of the truly rare, one of a kind movie going experiences, kind of in the same league as watching 2001: A Space Odyssey. I like to watch this film repeatedly; often times I'll just close my eyes and daydream, letting my own imagination go in place of whats on the screen. My favorite part is the opening sequence, with its dramatic music and free flowing imagery foreshadowing the state of the world in 1940. The end of Ave Maria is the perfect bookend to this masterpiece; death has withdrawn and peace has finally arrived. It would, but not for another five years and millions of lives. I can never watch this movie without seeing it in this context; for me its a work of art, both a part and ahead of its time.
American Graffiti
(1973)
A moment in time...
19 December 1999
...is what this marvelous film captures, a time of innocence (to borrow a quote from Simon & Garfunkel). Thats the aim of this movie, and thanks to a great cast and a perfect soundtrack, as well as Lucas's documentary style direction, it evokes a lost era that would forever be changed by the Kennedy assasination in the next year as well as the escalation of the Vietnam War and the onset of psychelia. Often times I yearn for less complicated times as portrayed in the movie; today its just to dangerous to cruise the streets and the music would give you a headache anyway, so people just stay home and play with the
computer, like I am doing! But it would be fun to go back in time for at least one night and be a part of that time.
computer, like I am doing! But it would be fun to go back in time for at least one night and be a part of that time.
Clueless
(1995)
Clueless? Nah!
12 December 1999
Smart and enjoyable updating of Jane Austin's Emma. Alicia Silverstone is the emotional center to this charming sleeper, which I enjoyed far more thouroughly to the recent "Emma," starring Gwynneth Paltrow, which no doubt was inspired by the success of this film. If you haven't seen it, give this a shot - you'll be pleasantly suprised!
Back to the Future
(1985)
Delightfully contrived
12 December 1999
The only movies that may be more contrived than this one are its sequels, but that doesn't detract from this marvelously entertaining film. It moves along at a breakneck pace with energetic performances and top notch special effects, with some amusing social commentary to boot. Don't miss it!
Star Trek: Insurrection
(1998)
Don't fret about missing this "Trek"
30 November 1999
I'm a Star Trek fan, bigtime, but this movie left me cold. It just didn't have the impact of a bigtime scifi movie, but neither did "First Contact, " which everyone seemed to love except for me. I think they need a real director, sorry Jonthan Frakes. I remember when the Star Trek movies were true events, not dull, watered down action flics. Oh well, after seeing this its time to dust off a few videos from the only true "Star Trek" from the 1960's, which holds up beautifully, warts and all. I can't imagine this movie will be remembered for very long.
Last Action Hero
(1993)
Sorry Ahnold, no cigar...
30 November 1999
Interesting misfire, would have worked much better with more interesting villians and a kid who wasn't so pathetic. Still has some good ideas but the movie doesn't come close to coming together as a unified whole. I give credit for the filmakers trying something different, but here they are obviously trying too hard, and as a result much of the movie seems forced.
M*A*S*H
(1970)
A "Mashterpiece"
29 November 1999
What a movie. Probably the most uniquely irreverent movie I've ever seen. Very typical of the independent movie making spirit of Hollywood during this time, when movies had something to say. Forget the tv series (esp. the later years), this is the real thing (thanks Robert Altman)
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