Change Your Image
Gu
Reviews
Blade II (2002)
90% Action, 10% Plot, 100% Fun!
Let's start off by dispelling the downsides of this movie. Sure, the plot isn't solid as a rock, it's a bit predictable, and it's gory as hell...now to the good...Director Del Toro literally FORCE FEEDS you action in this movie! It still amazes me to realize how much fighting was in those two hours! Wesley Snipes is his usual bad@$$ self, and Blade's confidence in his skills are comical at times. The new twist of Blade fighting alongside of the vampires is interesting, since you'll find out *SPOILER* that the group of fighters he joins with were actually trained to kill HIM! There's a lot more hand to hand combat in this movie...just straight fists, which is alright, but I prefer Blade's sword! haha There were a couple more downsides to the movie, such as obvious computer animation (but if you take into account the impossible moves, you'll understand), the weak love story, and the moderate villian, who, I'm sorry, but does not compare at all to the slick and crafty Deacon Frost. However, if you're thirsting for some blood...Errrr...Action...pay the seven bucks because you'll end up getting 100 dollars worth! And Blade fans...I don't even need to tell you to see it...you already have!
Made (2001)
Comedy in its purist form!
First I'd like to note that Director/Producer/Actor Jon Favreau is a comic genius of the genre which most people just don't understand or appreciate these days. The movies today often try to capitalize on the shock effect of certain body parts or inappropriate situations (a la the Farrelly brothers and Wayans brother's films). The funniest parts of the movie come from the conversations/arguments between Bobby and Ricky, who fight like brothers, but are the best of friends. This movie is SO real in that, #1, its the story of an everyday joe-thug just trying to make his way up the mob ladder to support his family, and #2, the arguing between Vaughn and Favreau is absolutely histerical! True, Vaughn's character is such a jackass that you would like to reach into the screen and slap him, but doesn't that reaction make his performance THAT much better? Kudos to Favreau for another comedy based on the actor's chemistry rather than special effects and more genital jokes! Great movie....9 out of 10!
Siu nin Wong Fei Hung chi: Tit ma lau (1993)
Two kung-fu styles which just conflict...
I have forever been a fan of the old Wu-Tang and Shaolin kung fu movies. They relied on incredible martial arts and flashy moves, and achieved greatness in their simplicity. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon captivated audiences with its involving and meaningful story line, while also backing it with aeronautic kung-fu. Iron Monkey tries SO hard to mix these two movie styles, but falls short...way short. Take the kung-fu by itself and you have a terrific movie. Rongguang Yu has feet faster than any I have ever seen, which made for exciting battles. However, even though the storylines of the old Wu-Tang/Shaolin movies weren't rock solid, the dialogue was intense! Iron Monkey's dialogue was cheesy as best, and the plot of a pseudo-Robin Hood hero is lost after the first 20 minutes, from then on its just a free-for-all. Iron Monkey is a decent kung-fu movie if you want to see some leg-action, but if you want a true old style kung-fu movie, I suggest The Mystery of Chessboxing!
Falling Down (1993)
On a hot summer day, a vigilante is born...
I've read the other reviews for this movie and I don't believe that the other users understood nor sympathized with the main character (D-Fens - Michael Douglas). I think we have all had days where we were pushed to the brink of sanity...that point where it would only take one little thing to push us over the edge and snap. Not only is this story original and intriguing, but I found myself torn between sympathizing with a man trying to find justice and make it home to his daughter's birthday party, and frightened at the coldness of his character while he takes the role of judge, jury, and executioner. All in all, this was a bold and haunting movie. The direction was good, the script was great, and Michael Douglas was absolutely brilliant. (You can actually see the hate in his eyes) The only downside to the movie was the soundtrack. Several tracks actually CLASHED with the emotion of the scene, while most other just could have been much better. I give it an 8 out of 10
Scary Movie (2000)
It's not going to be in the Top 100 of all time, but still worth seeing.
You cannot go into this movie hoping to see a ground-breaking movie, because it is not. It never made itself out to be. I went and saw this with my friends, and I must admit I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. The humor was loud, raunchy, obscene, and yes, borrowed...BUT...it was funny. This is one movie that is hilarious as long as you go in not expecting anything, but a good laugh. I applaud Keenen Ivory Wayans for doing a parody that we all know we were hoping for. All of us make fun of Scream, I Know What You Did..., and the rest of the scary movies, and finally...someone did it for us!
The Ninth Gate (1999)
A movie with potential, but in the end, faded away.
Being a huge fan of Johnny Depp, I had to see this movie. The first 2/3 of the movie drew me in, with its deep and haunting theme about a book that would bring back Lucifer himself. Suspense, action, and mystery, combined with a few bits of off-color humor had me thinking that this would be a great movie. But as for the last twenty minutes, I was thoroughly disappointed. The movie took a huge turn from its fairly linear plot into an incredible twist (which included a highly irregular and unnecessary sex scene). The ending left no questions answered, and the whole theater still pondering the absurd sex scene. All in all, aside from the last twenty minutes, I would say that this was a good (but not great) movie. I recommend going to it, as long as you appreciate it for its first 4/5, or just for another chance to see the witty Depp.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Intense thriller by the master
If you really haven't ever seen another Stanley Kubrick film, I wouldn't suggest going to this movie. Because it is more of Stanley's work, just as usual. It is a frank and thrilling story of a couple, torn between fidelity to each other, and fantasies with others. The woman, Alice (Nicole Kidman) reveals to her husband a fantasy she had about a man who stayed at a hotel with them a few years back. She tells him the harsh details of her sexual fantasies. The husband, (Tom Cruise), ends up going on a sexual adventure of his own, testing his fidelity to his wife. William (Tom Cruise) finds himself in a secret meeting of a sexual cult, and ends up getting more than he bargained for. But in the end, they confront each other with their fantastic stories. This film was a chilling portrayal of betrayal at its best. I thought it was a good movie and was a great ending to Kubrick's career.
The Vacant Lot (1994)
A funny, but short-running "Kids In the Hall" wannabe
Following in the footsteps of the famous "Kids In The Hall", "The Vacant Lot" brought tasteless and often raunchy humor straight to our television sets. I enjoyed the series while it ran, namely a musical sketch about a man who slept on his arms while sleeping, and how he couldn't use them to do anything anymore. In the end...he wasn't even able to commit suicide! If you enjoyed "Kids In the Hall", than you would love "The Vacant Lot". With all the reruns on Comedy Central, I hope they play this series once again.
Army of Darkness (1992)
Cheesy, Cliche, Corny, yet awesome!
If you wonder where Duke Nukem got his famous 1 liners...look no further than Bruce Campbell in Army Of Darkness. I first saw this movie on cable at 1 in the morning...and at the end (which by the way is the second best movie ending besides Braveheart of course!) It just gives you a sense of invigoration. Watch it...and you'll never stop repeating....
"Hail To The King Baby!"