JASJ Reviews

Panic (2000)

A little gem of a film.

[9/10 · 28 August 2000]

This dark comedy/drama hybrid was a pleasant surprise. The whole cast shines before a backdrop of fine direction and writing.

William H. Macy proved to be a brilliant and worthy lead in a film of complex emotion. He's a magician of subtlety and quiet emotion.

Also, here Neve Campbell reasserts herself at the forefront of young acting talent today in Hollywood. I found myself completely charmed by her. It's good to see her working in worthwhile film (unlike the Scream series).

Some other notable cast members are Donald Sutherland as the father and John Ritter as the psychologist. Both deliver fine performances.

Anyone know when this film will be on video/DVD?

Catch-22 (1970)

Madness at its best.

[10/10 · 29 April 2000]

Brilliant, quirky, unpredictable amusement. Thought provoking, shocking and hilarious. A stellar cast carries the tone from serious to lunacy with astounding grace. Cult Classic. Not for everyone.

Possibly for fans of: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Where the Buffalo Roam, Fargo, Trainspotting, Drugstore Cowboy, Bonnie and Clyde, Blue Velvet, Man Bites Dog, Kicking and Screaming.

Dance with Me (1998)

'Dance With Me' a pleasant surprise.

[4 September 1999]

We all know Vanessa Williams isn't the greatest actress in the world. Personally, I thought she was just plain bad in 'Eraser'. She wound up making Schwarzenegger look like De Niro.

Well, I was sitting on my couch bored and 'Dance With Me' came on TV. I would normally change the channel, but the great dancing was hypnotic. I found myself incapable of pressing the button on my remote. My subconscious was screaming at me, "AAAAAAAH! THIS IS CR**! VANESSA WILLIAMS CAN'T ACT! TURN IT OFF, MAN! SWEET MOTHER OF GOD STOP THE PAIN!" But, still ... I couldn't change the channel.

Anyway, I wound up sitting through the entire film. [bows his head in shame] And it wasn't bad. I ... I enjoyed it. The cast was good and Vanessa Williams altered my perception of her. She's a decent actress and a great dancer. It was a fun movie.

Just don't tell anyone you heard it from me.

Army of Darkness (1992)

A retail store clerk is sucked through a portal in time and fights an evil army of the undead.

[10/10 · 27 June 1999]

A stylistic, low-budget, cult-classic, laugh-fest.

Bruce Campbell was simply born to play Ash--an S-mart clerk who is sucked through a portal in time and fights an evil army of the undead with is 12 gauge Remington shotgun and chainsaw-arm. And Sam Raimi was born to direct him.

I know it sounds ridiculous ... and it is. But, at the same time, Army of Darkness is one of the most fun and entertaining movies I've ever seen.