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Reviews
Failure to Launch (2006)
'Failure' Adequate Title for the Movie that Never Launched
I thought that it would be cute to take my wife out to see a nice, lighthearted cute movie. My expectations were quite low. I didn't expect a masterpiece, just to feel some warm and fuzzies and maybe a chuckle or two. Even so, the movie fell completely short.
To start, the characters lacked any sort of depth. They were bumbling cartoonish oafs who delivered completely lame dialog and fit predictable stereotypes. Trip's (Mcconaughey) friend were not the fun, dopey guys you could poke fun at like Adam Sandler's buddies on Billy Madison. They were like boring dorky cousins you avoided at your family reunion.
The undeniable likability of Matthew Mcconaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker could not save this movie. I cannot see what either one saw when they read this script other than being able to do an okay job with a formulaic crap that sometimes is well received by audiences. This is no "How To Lose A Guy" or "While You Were Sleeping". It is not even "Maid in Manhattan". The last time I saw such garbage was when I went to see "View From the Top". Avoid this film and save the two hours of your life.
Elephant (2003)
This could have been a five minute film.
Several of Moviemaking 101 rules were obliterated in making this film; 10 minutes of watching some kid play the piano poorly, one minute of the sky, one minute of the two kids opening a box. Nothing really happens in this film. Director Gus Van Sant's film succeeds at boring the audience to great lengths. His attempt to show character development is unsuccessful since all one cares about doing is seeing the movie end. I left the picture not with thoughts about why these two young men shot their classmates or how to have better gun control, but with thoughts of how much longer can this guy prolong this torture on the audience. I would be interested in seeing this screenplay to see if it is really five pages.
Not a good film at all. I am being generous giving this film 3 stars out of 10.
Dreamcatcher (2003)
Dreamcather Catchs Boredom From Audience
I could not believe the director of "The Big Chill" put together this tale of drivel. This film is two exceedingly painful hours of idiocy and non-sense. It is rare that a tale be crafted so sloppily that is not only condescending to the viewer but has a complete lack of logic and causes an equal amount of frustration to the viewing audience.
The movie starts out showing four longtime friends in separate situations utilizing their psychic powers. They group together at a cabin in a remote part of Maine just as they have for the past 20 years. There are several flashbacks showing how the four boys gained their extra sensory perception, by helping a mentally challenged boy who was being ridiculed by bullies.
Before you know it animals are running with fear, Morgan Freeman (with a cameo hairstyle) is quarantining an entire village and our four heroes are left to save the world from alien forces who are here for who knows what.
Tom Sizemore plays the role of Morgan Freeman's assistant. I am still trying to figure out what importance his character was to the story.
I am sure Stephen King isn't happy with what could have been an excellent story. Shotty editing and terrible dialogue just destroy this story.
View with caution.
The Iron Giant (1999)
Didn't Get It
I was flipping through the dial and saw that the "Iron Giant" was coming up next. At first I got excited from all of the positive word of mouth I had heard about the film.
After 30 minutes of this movie, I was completely baffled. I would have to say this was okay at best. The little kid was so happy and enthusiastic that it made me nauseous. I sat there dumbfounded that adults would be so swept away with this. There was the obvious symbolism that can I am sure is mentioned by other users. Making a cartoon artsy doesn't make it good. It should first have an entertaining, non-nauseating plot.
See it if you want but don't have high expectations.
Enough (2002)
I couldn't get "Enough" of this movie
Despite the many set backs one may anticipate for this movie (JLo's back acting, "Sleeping with Enemy" has already been done, shaky supporting cast) this movie actually turns out to be quite captivating.
The premise is Slim (Jennifer Lopez) falls for a driven man who, at first, appears to be the knight she was waiting for her whole life. She starts getting upset when he openly has affairs and begins to be abused by her husband (the nice guy from the now canceled "Once and Again"). After he threatens her life, she decides that she needs to escape him completely to protect herself and the life of her little girl.
The suspense level is kept high because the husband's level of evil is unparralled and Slim continues to outwit him. The actress who plays her daughter did a great job as did Juliette Lewis (where did she go?)
If you look for flaws, they will be easy to find. (Why does JLo call her mother in law when she is trying to break free from her husband?). But if you just accept the movie for the shear movie going experience, you will enjoy the show.
My wife dragged me along and I enjoyed it as much as her. I believe that I have written ENOUGH. Ha Ha Ha.
Made (2001)
Strong movie despite weak story line
Audiences will not disappointed by the return of the combination of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. After each had success in roles apart from each other (Vaughn in 'The Lost World' and 'The Cell' and Favreau in 'The Replacements' and guest starring in the television show 'Friends') the on-screen chemistry is still powerful as it was in their collaboration in 1996's 'Swingers'. The story line is somewhat flat. Favreau gets involved with a mob boss in Los Angeles who assigns him to make a simple exchange in New York. He reluctantly vouches for his over zealous friend, Vaughn, and the two share some interesting experiences being recently "made" men. It seems like half of the Sopranos cast is seen as well as other cameos, such as Screech and Sean 'P. Ditty' Combs, who has a supporting role as the duo's New York connection. The likeability of the two main characters seems to dwindle as the story progresses. The overall dialog between the Vaughn and Favreau seems to be infectious enough to make this an enjoyable movie.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Shakespeare in Love winning over this was so unjust
I just saw this movie again on HBO this weekend. What a triumph. The cinematography, plot, characters. Well actually the lack of character depth was probably the only downside to the movie, like most Spielberg films. The fact that the academy thought this wasn't as deserving for best picture over Shakespeare in Love shows what dolts run the academy. 50 years from now no one will remember it. However, people will see WWII come to life in Spielberg's epic film.