AMIO-PatricioMunoz Reviews

Derailed (I) (2005)

It has it's pro's and cons

[7/10 · 10 November 2005]

I saw a sneak preview of this film yesterday in Toronto (Younge & Eglington Theatre) There are some "cheesy" moments but I'm happy to say that they are far and few between.

The acting is not academy-award winning but you will be pleased with the performances.

It is an engaging film that brings you into a dark and gritty underworld that actually can feel quite real at times. You feel for the lead character.

One of the strengths of this film is character development.

It also has some twists that may actually surprise you in a good way.

I think the real downfall of this film is that it has a "Hollywood" ending. For me the film loses points for this.

One final note: the climax, although still good, was pieced together in such a way that it did not hold the tension enough for the theater audience. There was laughter and some heckling in my theater.

I wouldn't walk into this film expecting a ground-breaking film that will change the genre forever, but it is does have some good pacing and the story moved along quite nicely. It is an enjoyable film that I recommend.

North Country (2005)

North Country = Anti-War Propaganda?

[7/10 · 31 October 2005]

No doubt about it. This is a womens rights movie. A good one. I wouldn't give it top marks but it can be a real tear jerker.

I think it looses a little bit of it's magic because it was only "inspired by true events". I couldn't shake the feeling that the hardships of central character were hyperbolized to emphasize feelings of sympathy for her.

But it is a good movie to watch and I recommend highly it.

SO what am I talking about "Anti-War Propaganda"? Well this is VERY indirect but an interesting coincidence. The central idea of the film is to speak the truth. The film encourages the little guy to stand up, be bold, and to "stick it to the man". How does this apply to anti-war? Well, right now, in America, there are MANY who are opposed to the war effort in Iraq. But nothing is being done about it.

Could this film be indirectly telling us: "Hey, we have a voice! Let's change things for the better"? Maybe! :-)

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

It might disappoint you and here's why...

[6/10 · 29 September 2005]

The first three Alien films have a unique kind of "magic" about them that I think make up the ideal Alien experience.

It is the "ALIEN" atmosphere: The first three films depict a very real world around a mysterious and terrifying ALIEN creature that you feared along with the well developed characters.

Alien Resurrection has a very different flavor. Although it has some serious moments, there are several areas of this film that are out-of-place in both the film and the saga: Alien Resurrection has a number of humorous scenes which I feel take away from the above described overall ALIEN experience. The director goes straight into the action very quickly in this film so the only well developed character is Ripley. I think that the Alien creature loses a lot of its majesty in this film mostly because of these two critical factors.

It is still a must-see film for any Alien fan. It is full of strong cinematic sequences that resonate in your head long after the film is over.

But go in expecting something different.

Enjoy!

Repligator (1996)

An Inspiration

[1/10 · 29 January 2005]

This film is an inspiration to young movie makers.

This film is a terrible waste of tape but not a waste of time.

If you are a young filmmaker and you're feeling down on your luck when it comes to getting something put together... then see if you can get your hands on this movie.

It's obvious that these movie makers somehow found enough money to make alligator costumes and various special effects (although very cheesy). It was shot on film & transferred to an AVID NLE system (composer). They had money. Not Hollywood money, but the equipment they used does not come cheap… I'd guess about 10-20 thousand dollars… beginning to end.

It's a simple story, with terrible acting! I get a sense that this story was written overnight by somebody with ADD and an overactive imagination… on a post-it note. Who gave these people money to make this wretched thing? I don't want to be too critical of it. Every now and then, I like to see a film like this to remind myself that there are worse things out there being made all the time! :-) My GOD... listen to the music!! It sounds like it was written and recorded by my grandmother! Oh my gosh... people actually put their names on this production?! What an embarrassment... this is not portfolio material.

I tried to find the production company responsible for this, but it appears that they may no longer be around… gee, I wonder why.

I say, if you can find it at your local rental store for less than 99c CAN, then check it out. Be warned, it is a bad movie.

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

A MUST SEE

[4 July 2004]

!NO SPOILERS!

Wow. I have not seen an action-movie this good in years! This is a text-book example of what a Hollywood summer blockbuster should be. It is a non-stop, thrill-ride from beginning to end that leaves the audience with a feeling of satisfaction and elation.

PROS

• SCORE - The score for this film is epic and memorable. It helps to drive the story forward, maintain it's momentum, and enhances the drama. Danny Elfman is truly a creative genius that knows this medium very well.

• ACTING - While the acting is not Academy Award worthy, it is powerful enough to draw the audience closer to the characters and their back-story. The pacing is so well timed that I enjoyed both the action and story sequences equally, which is very rare.

• EDITING - This movie literally flows like a roller-coaster. To my surprise, there are NO moments in this film that slow the movie down. Just like when a good roller-coaster ride comes to an end, this movie leaves you wanting more.

• DIRECTION - Sam Raimi is a director that is not afraid to experiment and try new things. His distinctive techniques shine through in this film. He has a good sense of pacing. Murawski (EDITOR) and Raimi (DIRECTOR) are a good team.

CONS

• C.G. - The C.G. is very good, however, it is evident in this film that the technology is not yet perfected. The fact is, there are moments in this film where it is quite evident that the action is computer generated. Today, Hollywood can get away with it, but as the technology advances, people will someday look back at these sequences and wonder how we were ever so forgiving.

CONCLUSION

This is an incredibly enjoyable film and a MUST SEE. If you have not seen the first SPIDER-MAN movie, then I suggest doing so before watching this one. There is a scene in this film that you will especially enjoy if you like Evil Dead 1, 2, and Army of Darkness. Raimi is a fun director, and I hope we see more of his work very soon.

9.9/10 (loses in C.G. - See CONS)

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

This is a "MUST SEE" film.

[22 March 2004]

NO SPOILERS

It's good!

REMAKE films usually never live up to the original. This is one of those rare few films that DO. I have seen many zombie movies including the DEAD series films by George A. Romero. The concept of this series is extremely fascinating.

Obviously, the special effects of the original film are nowhere near the effects of this movie. There are a lot of amazing shots in this Remake that make the film worth watching again and again.

Yes, the zombies are fast in this movie. I liked the "dumb and slow" zombie of the Romero films. Their slow yet dangerous approach gave way to a painful anticipation that really kept you on the very edge of your seat. The new film also does this, and does it very well only in a different way.

You can tell by the success of Resident Evil, 28 Days Later, and Dawn of the Dead(2004), that the Zombie concept is popular again. Based on the obvious success of this film, we are sure to see a remake of the next movie in the Romero series: "Day of the Dead" (Also a VERY good zombie movie). Depending on the success of that, we may even see a NEW addition to the series: "Dusk of the Dead?" (That's jumping ahead).

This movie has amazing sequences with very good shots, yet it has many plot holes, obviously. It is not the best script in the world. It is not full of subtext and inner-meaning. If you are looking for that then DO NOT see this film. Remember that it is a fast paced ZOMBIE MOVIE, not "CITIZEN KANE". Embrace the concept for what it is and enjoy the flic!

Alien 3 (1992)

SPOILERS - Some weak areas and some strong areas

[28 December 2003]

People ventured into this movie expecting the same level of action as Aliens. Many were expecting multiple aliens and lots of surprises. Some were even expecting an adventure with the surviving cast of Aliens. The movie did not deliver on these expectations.

It should be clearly stated that Alien, Aliens and Alien 3 are claustrophobic tales that make you feel incredibly uneasy, tense and scared throughout. Alien 3 does exactly that and it delivers. David did an amazing job putting this film together considering the circumstances around the production. He directed the characters very well and you suffer with Ripley when she jumps into the pit. The acting is powerful and stands up to the other two films!

Weak areas: The alien in Alien 3 is a different type than that on the other two aliens. David Fincher should have put more effort into revealing the differences between the types of aliens. It is not very clear and because of this his movie bares too much of a similarity to the first film.

The reason Aliens did so well is because Cameron made it an action movie rather than a horror movie. We all knew how 1 alien looked like from the first movie, so he threw in MANY aliens along with a scary surprise (The queen alien). The action in Alien 3 was somewhat limited compared to the second one. It did not have many surprises to share aside from the faster DOG alien. The Special Edition was excellent as it included an awesome alien birth sequence (from an OX). The sequence clearly shows how this monster is very different from the others. It also briefly reveals the Super Face Hugger for the first time. These elements should have been kept in and I don't know why it was left out.

For those of you interested, I'll mention this now: I liked Aliens the most. Alien comes in a VERY close 2nd place. Alien 3 comes in at 3rd place and Alien Resurrection comes in at a very distant 4th place.

Donnie Darko (2001)

WARNING: This film may be complex

[9 December 2003]

NO SPOILERS

Dear movie watchers,

Yes, this movie may be complex for some of you. I encourage those of you that liked stories like "The Others", "The Sixth Sense", and "American Beauty" to watch this film. If it has the same impact on you as it did on me, then you will find it to be quite intriguing right to the end. The acting is good and emotions are well balanced for the type of film that it is: Thriller / Sci-Fi / Fantasy

I won't go into detail about this film, but it will require your attention so be sure to set aside some quite time to enjoy it.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

T3 = Missing Key Ingredients

[21 November 2003]

From a marketing viewpoint the movie has achieved its objective:

The movie is fast and packed with explosions, gore, sexuality, amazing fight sequences, and mind blowing special effects. It is full of the right ingredients necessary to brew up a summer blockbuster. Swearing and explicit nudity is kept down to a minimum. By today's standards, the gore is depicted in such a way that it does not overwhelm the viewer as it did in certain scenes of the previous two Terminator films. It demographically targets a very broad audience. This equals Maximum Profit.

This is what it seems that Hollywood is after these days: Maximum Profit.

T3 lacks in emotional impact. There is little to no emotional attachment built for the characters including the Terminator (T-800).

If you are looking for a profound and moving movie then you're not going to find it here. This is a movie designed for today's 'MTV' audience. It is designed to be fast and full of action. It is not going to touch you the same way the first two movies did. If you go into the movie expecting this then you will be disappointed.

Patlabor: The Movie (1989)

Anime for adult viewers

[21 November 2003]

It's for an adult audience. A younger audience may appreciate the few 'labor' fighting sequences, but the Patlabor movies generally do not center on the robots, but on the detective work of its crew.

Truthfully, I'm a little disappointed because I rented these movies hoping that they would focus more on the robots. I was looking for action and fast paced animation with cool angles and a good back-story. Instead I found a movie that focuses on the crew members instead. The robots ARE the back-story. For the most part, I can live with that.

I did enjoy the first Patlabor movie more than the second one. The 'labors' played a bigger role in this movie and thusly there was a good balance between them and the crew members. In Patlabor 2 the robots were showcased very briefly.

All I can think of is one thing: If the creators are not going to focus on the robots, then why mention them in the title? Why mention them at all? One could re-write the second movie to completely eliminate the 'labor' robots and the story would still hold with barely a scratch.

If you are planning to watch any of the Patlabor movies then remember that it is not an action/anime movie about 'labor' robots and their crew. Rather, it can best be described as a futuristic detective story that happen to be in a time where 'labor' robots are around and in use. It will involve your attention.

It's not an ideal movie for those interested in getting into Anime films. I'd only recommend Patlabor to an older, anime-experienced, audience.

Interesting Note: On the DVD, read the subtitles and then watch the English version (or visa-versa). In many cases you will find scenes where the characters are talking about a completely different topic. It's quite fascinating.

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

A Visually Stunning Anime for Adult Audiences

[16 November 2003]

Wonderfully executed anime classic.

It is a darker anime tale aimed towards a more mature audience. I enjoyed the amazing realism of this film. The attention to detail is definitely enjoyable to see.

The DVD has a rather enjoyable documentary on the making of the film. Any fan will enjoy the structure and content of the documentary. It is quite informative on the process of making the film.

Like most Anime, there is a lot of character development and dialogue mixed with stunning visuals.

I think the most captivating element that this film has to offer is its creative "cinematography" and attention to detail. There are numerous memorable shots in this film.

This is not an anime for everybody. Attention to story is critical and I am guilty of rewinding certain areas just to keep up with the story.

Thankfully this is not a mindless science-fiction/anime tale filled with crazy action sequences. The Ghost in the Shell proves to be quite philosophical in nature by questioning the meaning of life.

I would love to venture deeper into this story and its message but I think it is better for you interpret it on your own.

Remember to watch this movie with your heart, not with your mind. Reflect on it later. This is the best way to enjoy this type of film.

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

A classic Anime for Everybody!

[16 November 2003]

This film is very enjoyable!

I can see how this film can appeal to both young and older audiences. It is filled with memorable characters. It is entertaining. It is also quite visually stunning and fast paced.

If you have not seen an anime before, then this is a great one to get you started. This is a very energetic film and it has a very fast pace to it. The storyline is easy to follow. It is also filled with comical and touching moments that bring an honest smile to your face.

Quite honestly, I cannot think of anything really negative to say about this film at all. I suppose it is an older movie so the animation is dated by today's standards, but this will likely be the last thing on your mind as you watch the film.

It is far too enjoyable to watch right from the very beginning to the very end! It is quite inspirational.

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Matrix - Objective Achieved

[14 November 2003]

The Brothers had one clear objective when making the Matrix movies: To produce a series of films using ground-breaking special effects to effectively mimic key aspects of japanimation (anime).

If you haven't had the opportunity to see an anime movie, then I strongly suggest that you do.

Depending on the anime film you rent, you'll notice many similarities between effects used in the matrix films and action based anime films.

I have noticed that the final Matrix has not scored very well on IMDB. That's understandable considering peoples high expectations of the film so I'm not terribly surprised with the score, however, I feel that the general public have not taken into consideration the relationship of this film and anime films.

I think they did an excellent job in matching the style, tempo, and cinematography of this film with anime classics such as "The Ghost in the Shell", "Akira", & "Jin-Ron".

From a technical perspective, outside of content, the film rates very well.

Consider watching some anime if you are a Matrix fan. It will help you to better appreciate the trilogy.

The Rundown (2003)

Where did this Movie come from?!

[2 October 2003]

This movie is very entertaining!

Dwayne Douglas Johnson, aka "The Rock", is well on his way to becoming a big superstar. He had more speaking parts in this film, which was not a bad thing. I am surprised to say that he is a much better actor than I had originally thought he would be. "The Rock" has such a dominating presence which definitely comes through in this film and it is very interesting to see.

Peter Berg directed this film and he did a VERY good job of it. It is a very well balanced action movie. Now, where did this director come from?! I'm sure, based on the success of this movie, Hollywood is already discussing other projects for him to front. I do not know how he became involved in this project but it is very evident that he knows how to keep an audience entertained. This movie was "edge-of-your-seat" right from the beginning.

I haven't seen an action movie this good in many years. Shows like "24" and movies like this have rekindled my faith in the action genre. I'm sure I'm not alone with this: This film is currently number one at the box office. It's beating out "Under the Tuscan Sun".

If you like Action movies and are looking for something fun, simple and entertaining, then go out and watch it! It's well worth it. This is something you want to see on the big screen.

Comparing it to other recent action films, I give this movie a very high 8.5 out of 10!

I would wish Peter Berg and "The Rock" Good-Luck on their future Hollywood projects however if they continue to be involved in films like this then I won't have to.

24 (2001–2010)

The MacGyver of Today

[2 October 2003]

EXCELLENT SHOW! Well done FOX!

Everything about this TV show is amazing. It is fresh, the real time concept is unique and "Hooks" the audience to keep them coming back.

Kiefer Sutherland plays "Jack Bauer" an extremely skillful C.T.U. (Counter Terrorist Unit) agent that undergoes an adventure that takes place in real time. Each 1-Hr episode covers 1 Hr of the day.

INTERESTING HISTORY: In the 1980's we had SUPER action heroes that were "all-knowing". These skillful, super-talented heroes were very popular during this time. Actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger (Red Heat) fronted the big screen while Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver) fronted the TV screen. I think the audience began asking for a more realistic hero, so for the last decade we've seen TV shows and Movies follow a more realistic, "unlikely-hero" concept (Nicholas Cage in "The Rock"). Well, movies like the recent "The Rundown" and shows like "24" are, in my opinion, playing a key role in rekindling the "super" hero concept. Perhaps the American audience are looking for an "all-knowing" hero again because of recent events relating to the 9-11 incident in New York: With the threat of potential Terrorists Attacks circling the news nearly everyday, people are feeling especially vulnerable. The Jack Bauer character fronts investigations for the C.T.U. (Counter-Terrorist-Unit). His actions stop terrorists before they strike. So naturally, the Audience is going to want him to be "all-knowing".

If you enjoyed shows like "The A-Team" and "MacGyver" then you will enjoy this show very much. But be warned, watching it is a commitment. There are 24 episodes in every season, and the show is designed to have a "hook" at the end of every episode to motivate the audience to want to continue to watch the next episode. It is a very well designed show and it is well worth taking a look at.

Bulletproof Monk (2003)

Cliché

[23 September 2003]

There is nothing creative about this movie. It is a very simple story line... the movie had little to no character development. The effects and stunts were mediocre to say the least. I am not surprised at all at the ratings on IMDB. I must confess, I knew that this movie would be a disappointment before I even bought it, but I did not think it would be this bad.

I wish I could say that Mr. Paul Hunter did a good job with this film, however I question some of his choices. One cannot expect stellar acting in a film of this nature, however I believe that he could have better directed the cast. There just was not enough emotional build for any of the characters.

Again with the harnesses, pulleys and cables! Hollywood, get a clue... it's getting old, and fast. The technique has been used on many films lately, and it HAS lost it's appeal. You cannot impress today's audience by having a few flips and mega jumps anymore. There are too many films that use this technique in them today and they all seem all too similar. If you must have it, I suggest focusing on presenting these effects in a more creative manner. The Matrix has the right idea: Slow the film, angle the camera in a creative way. Do something!

You would think that a new, and creative music director like Mr. Paul Hunter would be full of creative ideas, but the film shows little creativity and a great lack of unique imagination.

If Mr. Paul Hunter wishes to go anywhere in this industry he should introduce his own element into the film that will make an audience want more. I wish him the best of luck on his future films.

Should I rent it?

Wait until the film makes it's way out of the NEW RELEASE isle and into the 7-Day Rental Section. It's not worth the NEW RELEASE price.

Should I buy it?

The DVD has some nice features and insightful commentaries. If you are into extra features like these, like I am, then check it out. But definitely do NOT rent or buy it if you just want to watch the movie. There just isn't enough substance in the movie to make it worth your while.

My rating: 5/10

The film gets a bonus point because it was filmed in Toronto, Ontario and I enjoyed seeing the familiar locals.

Finding Nemo (2003)

Sorry Pixar... Sigh

[4 September 2003]

3D Animation Quality: Beautiful 5/5 (truly spectacular)

Story: Meh! Lacks creativity 1/5 (Find a better script next time)

My 2-Cents:

Disney and Pixar are an amazing team. Pixar has put together some really nice films that will go down in history for their impact in the animation industry. There is no question that this film was an excellent a crowd drawer and everything Disney and the industry needed at this time.

I love Pixar and their contributions to contemporary cinema. The film however was a great disappointment to me. One of the things I have grown to enjoy when watching a Pixar Film is their shorts before the actual movie begins. They showed their classic short, "Knick Knack" which was produced in way back in 1989. I was hoping to see a new short. I loved "Geri's Game" and "For the Birds".

My biggest beef was not about that. It involved the story itself. Toy Story 1 & 2 was written to appeal to both young and older audiences. Finding Nemo seemed to have it's target directly on the kids. There's nothing terribly wrong w/ that, it's just the story was too simple. It seemed like the movie was jammed full of FILLER just to lengthen the movie. We could have done without the sharks, for example. Their role in the film was simply to extend it by a couple of minutes.

The novelty of 3D animation is gone. It's not the 1990's anymore. People are familiar with complex 3D animation. It's everywhere we look. Pixar cannot rely on drawing an audience simply because the film is a 3D animation. Remember how poorly Final Fantasy did? The film had great animation with incredibly realistic human characters. Square One did an amazing job on the animation that just blew me away. But the story was not appealing to the mass audience. So, where are they now? The movie BOMBED and the company literally went bankrupt.

Pixar should remember one thing. Parents have to sit through the film too. Just spend a little more time on the script for your next movie.

You haven't lost a loyal viewer in me, however. I have a lot of faith in John Lasseter's team. I expect great things from the Pixar and Disney in the near future!

Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

Freddy vs. Jason: The beginning of a new cycle.

[31 August 2003]

To be quite honest, I was not expecting this movie to be the mass crowd drawer that it turned out to be. When I went to see it, with my girlfriend, I noticed that there was a long line stretching out way out into the parking lot. Everybody was there just to see this movie. So as it turns out that it has been going strong in the box office for quite some time now, which brings me to my point:

The draw of bringing two seperate movies and merging them into one worked with "Freddy vs. Jason". Hollywood producers are going to react to this. Whether you liked the movie or not, the concept worked and the movie is making a lot of money in the box office.

The Hollywood industry is just that, an industry. Like any other industry, Hollywood has UP times and DOWN times. It happens that this year they're having a down time which means that Hollywood producers are deseperately seeking out creative movie ideas to recapture the audience's interest and generate a better profit. When Producers see the success of a movie like this then they are going to create more movies like it. Plain and simple. We should expect to see a lot more movies like this come out in the next couple of years.

It's like Fashion. A designer produces a line of clothes that turn out to be the hottest fashion. It's sold to actors and big shots for hundreds of dollars. Other money hungry designers, naturally, will notice this and create their own variation of that style in their next line. Eventually everybody will start wearing the same style and because of heavy competition, the prices of these clothes will go down droping the value and novelty of the style. The cycle begings again when another desgner designs a new fashion. The same will happen with these "vs." type movies. They will be hot for a while, then they'll lose their novelty and it'll go away.

I think that Freddy vs. Jason marks the begining of a new cycle in the movie industry. We'll see some good movies and some bad. I don't know about you, but I'm interested to see what Hollywood has in store for us.

If you are into things like this, then I encourage you to see the movie.