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burnbaum
Reviews
Spy Game (2001)
"Sigh" Game
It seems nowadays that for a movie to be successful it has to have a complicated plot, be over-directed and be completely brainless.
Well, Spy Game has two out of three. The movie isn't totally brainless, but if you think to much about it you'll realize the plot had more holes than a swiss cheese factory. Some interesting action sequences and a gripping storyline made the film watchable and fairly entertaining. But the direction was a subtle as a punch in the face. I think this is one of those films that needs to be de-hollywoodized, if you know what I mean.
The Grey Zone (2001)
Very disappointing!
I was looking more forward to this movie then any other one at the Toronto International Film Festival. But it was a big disappointment. It had an extremely compelling (true) story but it just didn't work as a movie. First of all, it had a terrible cast (with two notable exceptions: Steve Buscemi and Harvey Keitel [two of my favorite American actors]). Secondly, there were references to the characters speaking German and Hungarian and other languages, but they were all speaking English! This may have worked in Tim Blake Nelson's play, but in this day and age that just confuses the audience. And finally, the characters were a blur. They had absolutely no personality or character. I trouble sorting out who was who other then, bad actor #1, bad actor #2, and bald guy from murder 1. For a movie with a story so personal to me, it just didn't deliver the goods.
Urban Menace (1999)
The Best of the Worst!
This has got to be one of the most ridiculous movies I have ever seen. From Ice-T's introduction to Big Pun's death scene, the movie is pure hilarity. If you love watching funny-bad movies this is for you. Watching Big Pun gasp for air before and after every line will have you crying with laughter. The effects are the cheesiest I have ever seen.
I highly recommend this movie!