clarinets Reviews

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

The best of the prequels... but ....

[1/10 · 4 June 2005]

My criticisms are this: -

Anakin's relatively quick descent into the dark side, and naiveté despite his intense Jedi Training since childhood from Obi Wan.

• The cheesiness and overly serious romance (The Carrie Fisher/Harrison Ford romance of the 80s is, admittedly difficult to top). Starting in Attack of the clones, and continuing on in this movie, there were never any really memorable laugh out loud lines and humorous scenes between Portman and Christensen. The romance was very mediocre.

Anakin: gazing dreamily at his wife - "You're so beautiful". Padme: "Only because of the love in my heart"

I had to stifle a laugh.

Anakin (Hayden Christensen) played the role quite well, however, and the looks on his face completely showed his emotion. It just seemed so comical that he's revealing Palpatine and the fact that HE is the Sith, supposedly being disgusted by it, and then one minute later calling him "my master".

But the scene stealer every time, in my opinion was that of Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan. The night before my family and I saw this movie we re-watched Star Wars IV (A New Hope), and the voice of Obi Wan was very good, and the physical resemblance to Alec Guinness was believable. The emotion was very moving.

The Light Saber scenes were well choreographed.

The Princess Diaries (2001)

Why was this soap opera rated G?

[5/10 · 15 August 2004]

I am lucky that I preview most films that have teens in it, as I did this one. There was a lot of very sensual kissing scenes, and one fairly disturbing scene of attempted rape. I'm not quite ready to introduce my little girl to such things.

That having been said, it was nice to see Julie Andrews in a movie, as well as the ever distinguished-looking Hector Elizondo. Anne Hathaway stars as a young girl who discovers that she is the only living descendant of the current Queen of Genovia (Julie Andrews), and must make a decision. Shall she carry on with her normal life? Or will she accept her duty to her country?

I give this movie a 5/10

The Notebook (2004)

Beautiful love story

[9/10 · 1 July 2004]

At first I was slightly hesitant to see this film because I had seen "Message in a Bottle" (also based on a Nicholas Sparks novel), and I thoroughly disliked it.

However, I was in the mood for something romantic and decided to see it. I was instantly absorbed in the story.

The story begins with an elderly woman being visited by a man who starts reading to her. The story is about two lovers, Noah and Allie, who meet during the summer and fall in love. When they are separated, Noah writes to Allie every day, but the letters are intercepted by Allie's mother, who disapproves of Noah because of social status. Noah gives up after a year and tries to move on with his life. Later on, however, circumstances cause them to meet again and re-kindle their romance.

This movie is a very good story about the staying power of true love, despite the obstacles which may try to tear it apart. Noah and Allie work very hard to make their relationship work, and make choices to be true to their love, despite what others speculate about it.

The ending is truly beautiful, if a bit unreal, but the whole romance is very watchable. There was not a dry eye in the theatre when the movie was over.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

This is not "Big"

[7/10 · 28 April 2004]

I saw this movie yesterday, and really enjoyed it. I own the dvd of Big and re-watched it a couple of weeks ago, just so I could have a recent comparison. Well, the verdict is that they are two different movies altogether. In "Big", Tom Hanks wakes up older, but in the same setting and life circumstances as the night before. But in this movie Jennifer Garner wakes up transported into the future, with a whole history behind her of which she has no memory.

This movie is more of a time travel movie. Jenna (Jennifer Garner) has the chance to see what direction her life would take if she were to have the same mindset she has at 13. It kind of combines "It's a wonderful life", "Big", "Back to the Future", and makes it a unique movie all of its own.

Mark Ruffalo plays a great leading man, and the other supporting performances including that of Andy Serkis are really entertaining as well. I gave this movie a 7/10. It would have been slightly higher, but I found the ending to be quite awkward.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Wow!

[10/10 · 23 December 2003]

I don't know what I can say about this movie that has not already been said. This movie was very profound, and one that I look forward to seeing again many times at the theatres, and owning the DVD.

It's an incredible story of adventure, fantasy, and love. It's a perfect climactic ending to a story told in three parts.

10/10

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

What can I say....

[10/10 · 29 October 2003]

The movie is incredible. The acting is incredible. The scenery, incredible. The romance and battle scenes are wonderful, and the gollum/smeagol character is brought more to light in this one. The last scenes between Sam Gamgee and Frodo moved me to tears.

My only regret was that the movie is over 3 hours long. When it was in theaters I kept trying to find time to see it, but it was on at such weird hours, either requiring me to see it as a matinee or late late late, neither of which I was able to at the time.

Go out and get the DVD, you will not regret it. It's a movie I want to watch over and over again.

Like I said in my review for FOTR, this series has inspired me to read the book, and both are very special for their own reasons.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Inspired me to read the books!

[10/10 · 29 October 2003]

Reading Tolkien's series was always something I would "get around to". This movie, and it's sequel "The Two Towers" inspired me to buy myself the books with some Christmas money I received. I have been reading several pages of the book a day (It's a 1000 page volume) and am enjoying it as much as the movie.

The movie is beautiful, but 3 hours is not nearly enough time to capture all the detail in the book. It is a mere sketch by comparison.

The scenery is beautiful, the adventure and acting are incredible. I watch it over and over again, and I see something new each time.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Don't let school get in the way of your education....

[10/10 · 14 May 2003]

John Hughes does a tremendous job of portraying school as an oppressive prison in which children are forced into the most unnatural setting to memorize useless facts to "get their grade." _The Breakfast Club_ is another example of this, but FBDO does it tremendously well. The setting portrayed at the school of the bored students listening to a nasal monotone lecture, while intended to be a caricature of the nature of classroom lessons and children's reactions, was pretty much on target.

Ferris Bueller takes the day off and what does he do? Certainly not what Rooney assumed smart teenagers will do. He didn't use this time to damage some bedsprings with his girlfriend, or play video games. No, he viewed fabulous pieces of art, ate at a very classy restaurant, participated in a parade, and taught his friends a few lessons in some interesting ways.

As a believer in education as an organic experience, this movie is a real eye opener to anyone wishing to educate their children outside of the public school venue. It's funny, and shows just how worthy time "living your life before it passes by" can be.

10/10

What a Girl Wants (2003)

Formula, schmormula...

[5/10 · 7 April 2003]

This movie was not the greatest, through MY eyes. I've seen the same formula in many movies targeted toward the same age group. However, I took my two oldest girls (11,12) to see it. Other girls around the same age were also seeing it. The movie was full of formula stuff that worked for previous generations... To some degree, I don't mind recycled formula. Movies have to be kept current, so kids of today can relate to them. This movie touched my daughters' hearts, and if a movie can touch someone, no matter how sappy it is, then in my opinion, it does work.

Yes, they made Amanda Bynes an outgoing, uncontained, accident-prone, high-spirited girl. Unfortunately, that's what they do to try to amuse the younger set. I see a lot of trailers with other similar characters, but the movie is about finding true love in long-lost family. It was a cute fairy tale.

I did give this movie a 5/10 because I have seen better, but I would not put it at the bottom of the list either.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Editing blooper

[21 March 2003]

In the scene where Benjamin Barry (McConaughey) takes Andie Anderson (Hudson) back to his place, and they're starting to kiss and alternately say "We're going too fast", notice Kate Hudson's real-life wedding rings get worn on different hands in the same scene. I thought it was cute.

As for the movie itself, I've seen FAR worse romantic comedies recently (Two Weeks Notice, or Maid in Manhattan, anyone?). ALL "genre" movies follow a formula, from action, to science fiction, etc. So, that part of any romantic comedy I basically ignore in my criticism of it. They're all pretty much the same, to me.

This movie is funny and my favorite sequence was when Ben takes Andie to Staten Island to "meet the family". I give this movie a 6/10. It was not a super movie, but I enjoyed myself watching it. I may get the DVD if they don't try to sell it to me for thirty bucks.

The Life of David Gale (2003)

Great thriller

[15 March 2003]

I won't give my "side" on the DP issue, but I found the movie to be flawed in showing the flaws of the DP sometimes sentencing the innocent. The "twist ending" at the end shows that David Gale was, in fact "guilty" only not of what he was convicted of.

7/10 for good thriller material, but there could have been more drama and less politics.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

A hit with our family!

[10/10 · 24 February 2003]

The thing I like most about this movie is that it's good *clean* fun. I was able to recommend it to my mother-in-law without having to say "If you ignore the abundant foul language, bloodshed, potty humour, and sex scenes, you'll love this movie!".

Nia Vardalos stars as Toula, a Greek woman of 30 who has not yet married. The movie begins with a brief rundown of her history with her family, and starts off with her feeling a bit hopeless and downhearted, wondering if anything will ever change.

Then, she decides to branch out and make something of her life, taking advantage of her interest and talent with computers, and upgrade her skills at college. She buys new clothes and does her hair and feels a bit better about herself. Then she meets Ian (Michael Corbett), a non-Greek highschool teacher. They date and fall in love, much to the chagrin of her very Greek Orthodox family.

As you watch the things Ian does to gain acceptance of Toula's family, and see the humorous ways in which this is portrayed, you will feel like a part of the family yourself.

I highly recommend owning the DVD. The characters are fairly easy to relate to. They chose a cast of average looking actors that did not all look like supermodels, everyone was realistic looking. It was a treat to see Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966 TV Movie)

Get the DVD version!

[10/10 · 8 December 2002]

I picked up the dvd version so my kids could watch this whenever they want. The extras and specials have interviews with the late Albert Hague, and with Thurl (Tony the Tiger) Ravenscroft. The DVD also contains "Horton Hears a Who", and some fun activites for the children.

This is a true classic. This is the REAL Grinch, and will stand the test of time for generations to come, just like it has since 1966.

I've not even bothered to ever watch the Jim Carrey version. If something ain't broke....

This gets a 10/10

Dumbo (1941)

61 years, and still as fresh as ever

[9/10 · 5 December 2002]

In this very dark cartoon about an elephant with large ears, Walt Disney had it perfectly down pat how anyone who is different is treated, all the way down to the "perfectly harmless remark" bit. Anyone who has been teased and tormented through the years can attest to the fact that Disney must have understood how Dumbo felt.

In the end Dumbo is accepted by his community. Why? Not because any of the animals have grown a heart and have true love, but because his ears are suddenly useful to them.

This film should be shown to classrooms.

Thelma & Louise (1991)

A good movie

[8/10 · 4 December 2002]

I've read all the reviews comparing it to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", and I can see a mild similarity. It's about two fugitives, people on the run, who keep getting themselves into one mess after another.

I don't think of this as a feminist chick flick, but a story of two women who deal with things that have happened to them in the best way they can. Geena Davis as Thelma, does a very good performance, as a meek woman with an overbearing husband, who finds herself with newfound freedom, albeit quite naive and trusting, even after what happened to her.

Susan Sarandon shines in this movie as well as Louise, a woman with a boyfriend who turns out to be not so bad of a guy. She also has a past to overcome, and the two of them are drawn together by the events that happen on the run.

Brad Pitt had a great performance as a smooth operator con-man, as well.

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

To life!

[10/10 · 6 November 2002]

This is a wonderful musical set in the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. A Jewish man, Tevye (Topol) deals with changes to basic traditions as he sees his 3 oldest daughters fall in love and get married.

The songs and dances are among the finest I've seen. My favorite is the "To Life!" segment. But I can find a million reasons why I like each song. Yes, it is a very long movie (nearly 3 hours long), but I would hate to cut out any scene. It all fits.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Incredible movie, best soundtrack ever!

[10/10 · 12 July 2002]

This movie is an incredible blend of Homer's "Odyssey", and a very creative story. The music is beyond compare of any movie put out that year. The cast is incredible.

Three inmates break out of a chain gang to seek a treasure. In running, they encounter all kinds of adventures: An old man who prophesies that they'll get treasure, but not that which they seek, 2 of the fugitives "get saved", and they meet a guitarist who helps them become a hit band.

I can't think of a single thing wrong with this movie.

The DVD version includes a video of "Man of Constant Sorrow", one of the incredible songs on this movie, but you'll want to view this over and over again, and hear all the music and see the adventure again and again.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

No good thing ever dies...

[10/10 · 5 July 2002]

I never got the chance to see this when it was in the theaters. I bought this DVD when I saw it on sale at a music store, keeping in mind its place in the imdb top 250. Now that I have the DVD, I've seen it a number of times, each time not being my last.

As to whether this movie "should have" won the Oscar for best picture, my opinion is not firm on that. In many ways I really do wish TSR had won, but I do love both movies (Forrest Gump, and this one) each in their own right. They are two entirely different movies, each well done, and moving for their own reasons.

In "The Shawshank Redemption", Tim Robbins gives a breathtaking performance as Andy Dufresne, a man who is in the wrong place at the wrong time, leading to his wrongful conviction of the death of his wife and her lover. He gets two life sentences, back to back, to be served at the Shawshank prison.

It is there that he meets Red (Morgan Freeman), an inmate who has been at Shawshank for much longer and has establish status as "a man who can get things". Through his friendship with Red, and his experience as a banker, he gains the respect of the corrupt prison guards, and the other inmates, and manages to be rid of the abuse he was enduring at the hands of two "sisters". He also works very hard to build the best prison library in the country, and help illiterate men get their high school diploma.

My favorite scene is the one where everyone stopped what they were doing and stood transfixed as they listened to the beautiful sounds of a Mozart opera. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes. I also like the "Beer on the Roof" scene, but the Mozart segment is the one that will always be among my favorites.

Follow That Bird (1985)

A watchable Classic

[6/10 · 5 July 2002]

While there is nothing really spectacular about this film, I'd still recommend it based on the good performances by Chevy Chase, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty, the late Waylon Jennings as a truck driver, and the late John Candy as a policeman.

Big Bird is the central character in this film. A social worker, upon seeing that Big Bird doesn't live with other birds, sets him up with a Dodo family to be adopted.

Unfortunately he is not happy in his new surroundings, and runs away from home, trying to get back to Sesame Street. On the way home, he encounters adventure with all kinds of people, and discovers where he really wants to be. His true home, Sesame Street.

I recommend it for Sesame Street aged kids. The adults will enjoy the cameos.

The Sound of Music (1965)

One of the greatest musicals of all time!

[10/10 · 5 July 2002]

My parents rarely let me stay up late when I was a child, except for when "The Sound of Music" was playing on television. My brothers and I thrilled to the music, singing along, and enjoying late night treats.

These were happy, nostalgic days, days which I remember happily as I now watch this in DVD format along with my own children, hopefully providing them with good memories of staying in on rainy days.

We all know the story: Young flighty nun Maria (Julie Andrews, with a zest for life, has trouble fitting in the abbey, so she's sent to be a governess for the children Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer).

Maria is the first governess who treats the children with love, and lets them learn lessons in a more natural way, and encourages them to sing and play and be children, in contrast to the strict, regimented way their father had taken to raising them since the death of his wife.

This wonderful nature causes Captain to fall in love with Maria, and break off his engagement to Baroness Schraeder. As a family, they must struggle to escape, as Capt. Von Trapp has been ordered to join the third reich.

While the story is loosely based on the true story of the von Trapp family, what I enjoy most of this is the musical numbers. I find some of the actual artistic license to be a bit corny, but it is a musical, so just sit back and enjoy.

Mr. Deeds (2002)

Gary Cooper rolls over in his grave

[1/10 · 4 July 2002]

How they got THAT movie out of the beloved classic "Mr Deeds Goes to Town", I'll never know. The only similarity is in the name of the lead character.

Everybody overacted their role, and acted as stupid as possible. There wasn't enough relationship development between Winona's character and Deeds. In the *real* Mr Deeds (goes to town), the reporter and Deeds actually do establish a relationship.

Just rent or buy the real dvd to the classic movies. If you're not afraid of real movies that don't have sex, toilet jokes, animal abuse, then you'll love the real thing. This production of Mr. Deeds is a joke.

Check under "Mr Deeds Goes to Town" in imdb.

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

A real Cool Hand...

[10/10 · 3 July 2002]

I've always wanted to see this movie, but never before had the chance to. Now, this sits among my favorites in my DVD collection. Paul Newman is the cool man with a free spirit. He dares to rebel against authority, and run free.

Others have mentioned the classic scenes which make this movie worth watching over and over again. I just love the whole thing.

The Princess Bride (1987)

Not a single imperfect scene!

[10/10 · 29 June 2002]

I originally saw this movie in 1987 when it first came out. Since having children, this was one of the first DVDs I bought for the entire family's entertainment. None of us are tired of watching this movie even though we have lost count of the number of times we've viewed it.

Every segment of the movie is well done. The adventure, romance, and comedy are clean.

It's hard for me to say which scene I liked the best, but "The Battle of Wits" comes to mind if I must pick only one. Also the scene with Billy Crystal as Miracle Max and Carol Kane as his wife.

I am very thrilled to see this movie as #88 in the top 250. It definitely deserves to be as well-loved as it apparently is.

Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Cute Romantic Comedy

[8/10 · 15 June 2002]

I really enjoy this movie. We first see 32 year old Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger)at her mother's annual turkey curry buffet. We see some of the main people in her life, her parents, her "uncle" Jeffrey (How many of us have had an "uncle Jeffrey in our lives that we've had to endure, because it's just "harmless fun", raise your hand), and Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth), a divorced lawyer who his and Bridget's parents are trying to get together.

Unfortunately, their first meeting gets off on the wrong foot, and Bridget spends that night drinking herself silly, alone in her apartment, listening and air-voicing to "All by Myself". However, she decides to keep a diary. In her first entry she resolves to find a good man, and avoid her attractive boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).

However, he starts making suggestive sexual innuendos to her, and, enjoying the attention, she starts dressing in a miniskirt and see-through top, and passing silly, flirtatious e-mails back and forth. She seeks advice from her 3 best friends on how to handle this. This sequence events leads to a purely sexual relationship between Daniel and Bridget, although Bridget is a bit too naive and insecure to really see this.

We learn that Daniel and Mark are archenemies due to some events in the past which led to Mark's wife leaving him. Also, because Mark and Bridget often travel in the same circles, we do learn that Mark's opinion of Bridget has quickly changed. From the look on his face, it's easy to see that he now likes her (Hmmm shades of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice)

Anyay, Bridget eventually catches Daniel with another woman, and once again she is alone, and decides to seek another job as a television reporter. Mark rescues Bridget from being canned from her job, by allowing her an interview with people he was defending in a high profile case. After this Bridget tries to cook a dinner for her 3 best friends and Mark shows up and is able to show his feelings for her. Daniel also shows up, and he and Mark wind up in a hilarious fight sequence over Bridget.

While we are supposed to root for Mark to win Bridget, (I did), I was bothered by one thing. Bridget was the one he wanted, but he was too spineless to break up his romantic involvement with Natasha, his law partner. He even let it get to the point of the two of them becoming engaged before the predictable ending. You could tell, everytime Natasha snapped her fingers and said "Come on, Mark", that he was kind of sheepishly following her.

I saw one review here that criticized Mark's saying "You are a bad public speaker, you tend to run off at the mouth, but I like you just the way you are." I like that honesty, and I like being unafraid to let myself show to someone I like, and still have acceptance. I'd rather have that, than someone blowing false sunshine in my face.

All in all, I gave the movie an 8/10, would have been a 9, had it not been for Mark's attitude of "settling" when he thought he couldn't have Bridget.

Rain Man (1988)

One of my favorites!

[10/10 · 15 June 2002]

I first saw this movie when it came in the theatres and I loved it. It had been 14 years since I had seen it, and I had some birthday money, so I bought the DVD. I loved it as much as I did the first time. It was definitely worthy of its Best Picture Oscar.

Tom Cruise plays Charlie Babbock, a very self-centered man. He learns that his long estranged father has died, and is upset when the will is read. The money winds up going to Raymond Babbock (Dustin Hoffman), his much older brother who he never knew existed up to this point. Raymond is in an institution because he is a man with savant syndrome, a disorder on the autism spectrum. Charlie is upset because all the money went to Raymond, who does not know anything about money, or understand money's purpose or value.

Charlie takes Raymond with him to try to bargain in order to get what he thinks is his rightful share of his dead father's money. He tries to take him on an airplane to L.A. but Raymond is terrified of airplanes, leaving them to get there by car - a three day journey.

It is on this road trip that Charlie gets to know his brother very well. In this movie you see Charlie gradually transform from an impatient, selfish man, who treats Raymond like an object, rather than a person, to someone who grows to understand, and love Raymond. Anyone who thinks Tom Cruise can't act, needs to buy or rent this DVD and watch it over and over again. Watch for the gradual change in Charlie's heart.

I gave this movie a ten.