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navyfrog
Reviews
eXistenZ (1999)
A good kick
I just rented eXistenZ last night, and got a huge kick out of it. It reminded me somewhat of "The Game" (are we in? are we out?) The first reason I rented this movie was because of Callum Keith Rennie. The second was Don McKeller. The third was because I'm studying existentialism in Philosophy and thought existenz -- existentialism... connection?
I was rewarded with happiness on my first two points, although not on my last (one brief reference to free will, but not even in the proper context, really).
Rennie was wonderful, and instantly recognizable. McKeller's accent was amusing, as well as his hair. Overall, the movie was quite sad (in the sense of not being good). :) But I got a kick out of it. A big kick. The acting was amusingly bad in parts. I have a strange sense of humour, I'll admit that, but I found it funny. Like I said, it's a good kick.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
how big was the shark's bite?
I just saw Deep Blue Sea, and the thing that struck out at me most was how stilted Samuel L. Jackson's performance was. Usually, he's a wonderful actor, he's very talented and I enjoy his work. But in this film I was thoroughly disappointed. You could practically see him reading the words right off a page.
With that aside, Deep Blue Sea is quite an entertaining movie. It's no epic adventure film, for sure, but that's not what I expected going to see it. I was a bit afraid that it would be a Jaws rip-off (and there were moments when my fears were confirmed), but for the most part it stemmed out in another direction and held it's own quite nicely.
The one thing I really appreciated about this movie was that it broke a common stereotype. I won't give away any spoilers on the subject, but after you've seen it I'm sure you'll know what I mean.
The characters were a little weak, but the plot was alright. All in all, it was a decent film worth a matinee viewing. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to have a fun time at the movies.
Blade (1998)
even the vampires thought it was good
This movie is my favourite action flic to date. I thought everything from the story to the characters to the effects were wonderful. I've grown up with my share of action/adventure movies -- they used to be all my older brother would watch -- and I enjoy them fine. I have nothing against them. Except after a while all the plots get a little too similar, the endings become quite predictable. I find action movies are often full of cliches.
But I really appreciated Blade. Stephen Dorff put in a solid performance -- he's the most believable vampire I've seen on the screen (big or small) so far. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for some great fight scenes and an interesting plot, along with some fun characters. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how entertaining it is.
Big Daddy (1999)
Small Finale
It started out great. I enjoyed the characters, Adam Sandler was, as usual, comedically fine-tuned, and the supporting cast was quite good. I even enjoyed watching Sandler muck around a little with some dramatics.
But despite the strong beginning and middle, the ending was much like a deflated balloon. It was almost as if the writer couldn't decide on an appropriate ending, was getting pressure from the producers to finish up, and everything was rushed. The court case was one of the worst I've ever seen; totally unrealistic -- what judge would stand for those shenanigans? The father/son patched-relationship was too much.
But I cannot say this was a bad movie. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a sense of humour and a bit of a soft heart. Just try not to expect the great storyline that grew quite nicely to end as well as it should have seemed to.
Romper Stomper (1992)
A lifetime reality in less than 2 hours
I just watched Romper Stomper two days ago. And I was impressed by it. I really loved the character attributes; I dislike movies which do not have enough character development. I thought that Russell Crowe, the late Daniel Pollock, and Jacqueline McKenzie did wonderful in their roles. My praises also go out to Ron Hagen, the cinematographer, and to Geoffrey Wright, the director and writer. All combined, they accomplished something not many movies can - to be startling and disturbing while reaching inside to display the finer emotions of life.
I especially enjoyed Pollock's character, Davey, and his silent attraction for Gabe. It was not discussed or debated or brought into the open through dialogue, but through the looks he gave her, how he would be such a gentleman towards her even when Hando treated her like a dog. After watching countless movies where people moan and whine about their relationships that they can't have, it was satisfying to watch a character silently endure his pains.
Although Romper Stomper harshly portrays the brutality which these white supremacists are over-flowing with, it also shows that they are people none the less. And as much as anti-racists feel despise towards them, we are no different then they are. *Because* we despise them; we feel the same hatred they do. There is no excuse for that. And the anger which built up in the Vietnamese being beaten by the skinheads caused a reaction in them, the same as it did in the neo-Nazis. So where is the difference?
The objective view of the movie is what makes it strong, although that was the source of controversy when the movie was first released in 1992. However, I appreciated the middle-ground" assessment of the situation. In the first scene, as the skinheads pounce on the two Vietnamese teens in the tunnel, you feel hatred for them. But as the story progresses, you begin to actually grow fond of some of the characters. You root for them in the battles. And then you think to yourself, "what on earth is going on - I'm cheering for the skinheads?" This disturbing reaction to the movie is probably what caused so many people to slam it in their reviews. They did not want to admit what this movie had done to them; that is, made them realize that skinheads are just human beings too.
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
Grrrrr
This movie was the perfect example of why I do not watch many horror movies. In fact, the only slasher movie I have ever liked is Scream, and only then because of the great unique mystery. (The second was disappointing, as it resembled the first way too much. But that's another story.)
To continue, this movie was predictable, aggravating and it's outreach program of entertainment was narrowed to the female cast running around wet with their shirts wide open and getting in just a little closer and a little gorier with the hook ripping into its victims. Mortifyingly sad. The ending was predictable. I mean, that seems to be the trend these days, doesn't it?
The only thing that I did enjoy about this movie was watching Freddie Prinze Jr. stumbled around like a zombie. I mean, you couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy.
The acting wasn't actually that bad. How much could the actors really do with writing and directing like that? Still, I can't slam this movie to pieces either, because that isn't fair. They put effort into making a movie they thought would entertain. Maybe it did entertain some. But the whole horror/slasher flic genre needs to be put back to sleep. Scream was great, but its side effects were not, with the chain reaction it started.
American History X (1998)
The answers are endless
This is a powerful movie with a harsh reality overshadowing it to great effect. The hateful rhetoric becomes almost plausible as you listen to Derek's (Edward Norton) views at the dinner table, or his recruitment campaign to the other young neo-Nazis. The writer/director cohorts do an impressive job of accentuating the vicious circle of racism, and the actor portraying the main character, Edward Norton, carries out a brilliant performance worth remembering.
I found the symbolic effects used throughout the movie were very effective, some being more subtle than others. The most obvious was the use of black and white film for the flashbacks, when Derek (Norton) was a neo-Nazi, and the contradicting use of colour when he was released from prison, reformed. The suggestion that everything was black and white for him when he had his racist, bigot and white-power beliefs; everything was so clear and sensible to him; he was right, they were wrong, was ambitious and significant. White was good; black, or any other tone for that matter, was bad. The switch to colour during scenes when he was reformed was a hint at the refreshing nature of what life can be when you look at it from a different angle, when you take down your wall of hatred.
Another little symbolic reference was the bowl of jellybeans. Seth picked out the one black one before chugging down the whole bowl of white ones. Although at first glance it may seem like a joke, as if you think he's picking out one jellybean to eat it, but as a reference to his excessively overweight condition, swallows the majority of the candy, if you think for a second it's fairly easy to spot the white/black ratio, and his reaction to it.
One other quick symbolic gesture was Derek's move at the coffee shop near the end of the movie. He held open a door for a woman who was not white. Quite subtle, but effective. There were quite a few other events or items with a similar purpose that I noticed at the time I was watching the movie, but which I unfortunately cannot remember at this moment.
To end this ferociously long spiel on American History X, I just wanted to respond to a comment that another IMDB member who reviewed this movie said:
"So neo-Nazism isn't the answer, but what is? The movie leaves you dangling on this point, not really resolving anything."
But that's the exact point. Nothing is resolved in this world. People look for answers in the wrong places, and most of the time never find them. Leaving the movie unresolved, yet establishing a blockade against neo-Nazism is not, in my opinion, unrealistic or unfurnished quality. Nay, in fact, it's the opposite. It IS realistic, because whether you search for answers in religion or gangs or hate, etc. etc. etc., you aren't going to find it. The answer to life is within yourself. And the answers are endless. I feel that's what this movie was trying to explain.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Another great one from Jimmy Stewart
I watched this movie last night on the television for the first time. A friend who was in a drama class with me performed a monologue from this movie; the final words of Jefferson Smith after he had been talking for nearly 24 hours. As good as my friend's attempt was to recreate the scene, no one could ever deliver as well as Jimmy Stewart himself could. A most meritorious performance, and an all-around splendid movie. If only they still made movies as good as they used to.
Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
Who says good singing is a part of musicals?
I recently got rejected at an audition for a school musical on the basis of my vocal talents. They loved my monologue, enjoyed my somewhat amusing dancing skills (similar to those of Edward Norton's [Holden] in this film), but when my solo number came up, they were....unimpressed. Mortified I suppose is more in the ball park. I only wish I had first auditioned for Woody Allen's _Everyone Says I Love You_. I think I would have fit right in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this entire movie, top to bottom. I loved their pointless, highly amusing, dance sequences - I wonder who choreographed those? I assume Woody Allen himself, of course. I especially enjoyed the escapades at the jewelry store and funeral parlor. Also, being a fan of The Marx Brothers, I was overjoyed at the party. The characters Allen created also were wonderful in my opinion. The way everything intertwined and ended up in one big knot that never quite got sorted out was what made this film so great. Being an enourmous enthusiast of Edward Norton's work and a long time fan of Drew Barrymore, not mention loving Alan Alda as Hawkeye in MASH, I was impressed with the casting. The maid and the grandfather were also splendid.
To say that everyone should see this film is not a correct statement. Anyone with a heart, humour and an enjoyment for life should watch this film. And the rest of you, it might just cheer you up, and teach you the fundamentals of musical theatre.
It (1990)
the kids were good
A movie that could have gone so much farther, if only they had a better director and better actors. The age 12 actors were fine (besides some silly moments), but it was the adults that needed some work. I'm a sucker for cheesy movies, and this one falls right into that category. I didn't find it the least bit scary, and I was much more interested in the first half of the movie, when they were children. I wish I had friends like that. I think from now on, Stephen King should direct and cast his own book-to-movie productions.
Le Cinquième Élément (1997)
A most entertaining, worthwhile viewing.
Sure, this movie may not be everyone's piece of cake. But as long as your not looking for life-changing material, and you have an ounce of imagination, I'd recommend this movie. Bruce Willis offers a worthwhile performance (lines are all about delivery, and he's one of the best). Why do movies who aren't deemed "epic" so frowned upon? In today's world, there needs to be more open minds and less of a strict definition of what is allowed to be called worthwhile and what is not. Everybody's opinion is different, so those who slander this movie aren't necessarily right. This is one movie divided roughly 50/50 on the basic "good or bad" scale. Watch it and decide for yourself.
Home Fries (1998)
An interesting, unique movie with entertaining ideas.
I had gone to see this movie because I really enjoy Drew Barrymore's acting. I ended up liking more than just Drew's part though. I thought it was a unique movie with just the right amount of humour - keeping it far from slapstick, but generated a light atmosphere that kept everyone level with the innocence of it all. I'd definitely recommend this movie to anyone with an open mind and a sense of humour.