tholts Reviews

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991)

Better than the 5/10 rating it has here.

[7 December 2004]

Just saw it again; the cast carries a silly plot, in much the same way as a '40s screwball comedy but with an 80s/90s sensibility and awareness. Applegate and Coogan are really outstanding here, and the supporting cast is smart enough to either support or stay out of the way, as necessary. It's pure humor with no big message, which apparently was a virtue 60 years ago but is unforgivable now. I'd best describe the humor as, "Hilarity ensues as fish out of water learn to breathe air."

I'd give it a very solid 6.8 out of 10, worth a rental or a Netflix hit, but not a $20 purchase.

Tom

The Sum of All Fears (2002)

OK action flick

[15 June 2002]

It's an OK Clancy flick. Good action. Not TOO outlandish.

It seemed like a hard movie to make and edit. In some places the actors just had to explain what was happening; it was either that, or have a 6 hour long movie.

I don't see Ben Affleck as Ryan, he played it a little too naive and callow. Ford is too old for Ryan now. I see Ryan as inexperienced, but savvy, not yet wise, but aware. Affleck's Ryan is an impetuous frat boy relying on his intelligence and intuition, shooting from the hip when he's unsure of himself.

The best acting was among the president's aides. Freeman mailed in his performance, but he's so good it was still great.

The cinematography is stunningly good, and IMO it carries the film. It is a visually pleasing experience. If you lose track of the plot, or miss some dialogue, sit back and look at the picture. Great color, great staging, great framing, depth, special effects... technically, this is as good a movie as you will see, and the excellence of the craft goes a long way toward helping suspend disbelief during the shaky parts of the plot.

Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10. My wife gave it an 8.