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Reviews
Alexander (2004)
A very thorough look at the conquests and background of Alexander the Great
First of all, my impression after first watching it was that the movie was tediously long. I do understand that condensing the history of Alexander the Great's lives, times and conquests into a two to 2 1/2 hour movie format would be impossible. Indeed, there were so many significant events of his history that were not developed in the detail that it should have been. I did think that Oliver Stone, who tends toward politically-tainted revisionist history (JFK, W, Platoon, etc.) did a well-researched and accurate version of the history of this ancient figure. I truly believed his motivation for the film was an interest and love for ancient history. I was impressed by casting: Anthony Hopkins as Ptolemy, Christopher Plummer as no less than Aristotle, and Val Kilmer as Alexander's father. (Spoiler) The film was not without controversy as it focused on Alexander's bisexuality (not historically inaccurate) and his rather Oedipal relationship with his mother (Angelina Jolie was not a good casting decision in my opinion). This gets 5 stars out of 10 in my book because, again, it didn't hold my interest for the entirety of the movie. Other lengthy movies with historical settings don't usually have me wishing that it wouldn't drag on so long.
Airplane! (1980)
The Quintessential spoof movie incorporating several popular films and the history of the times into its comedy. Unique and Original
Airplane was hilarious and (in 1980) original in how it simply created spoofs of contemporary movies and situations. The Zucker Brothers are masters of the visual pun. (Spoiler Alert) The "Hi, Jack;" "S*** will hit the fan;" "Drinking problem;" and "Let's pour some lights on the runway" gags are typical examples of this. Although this is not the first time this has ever been seen -- remember Kentucky Fried Movie by the Zucker Bros. came out years earlier -- it is the first time it has been seen in the mainstream. The first time I saw the movie, I was 8 yrs. old and laughed my head off for its immature humor. I still enjoy this movie today (also because of its immature humor) because things that were way over my head at that age, I laugh at now. (Although I saw it in the theater at age 8, it is not recommended entirely for that audience). This movie has become a part of our popular culture. This movie has a staying power that is measured in quotability, kind of like The Big Lebowski or Saturday Night Live skits are. Think of how many times you can slip "Surely, you can't be serious" into conversations and have somebody know enough to answer "Stop calling me Shirley." It entertains every time you see it, because you might catch a detail that you missed or didn't remember from the time before. Excellent comedy that launched the genre that is hit or miss with several other filmmakers. Also permanently typecast Leslie Nielsen as a goof ball, slapstick comic actor. You can even call a "Leslie Nielsen Movie" its own genre starting with this film.
After the Sunset (2004)
A Light-hearted, entertaining movie that appeals to your sense of adventure. Fun to watch
First of all, this movie is not to be taken seriously. A plot about a heist that has been done before -- especially with Pierce Brosnan as a likable, stylish, master-thief protagonist (think the Thomas Crown Affair). This is done in a much more comic, lighthearted style that "TCA" was. Contained a plot twist that I admit I did not see coming. The reason that it was rated well, but not outstandingly was because the genre of movie has been done before. The details and obstacles of the heist have changed, but follows a format of these types of movies seen again and again: The Thomas Crown Affair, Ocean's Eleven, the Italian Job, Gone in 60 Seconds, etc. This movie was quite entertaining and worth watching as all of those previously mentioned were, just without much in terms of creatively straying from the formula. I think that the casting worked, too. Woody Harrelson and Pierce Brosnan were excellently cast in this protagonist/antagonist relationship.