atthen Reviews

1776 (1972)

History and musicals two of my favorite things.

[2/10 · 4 July 2008]

But this movie was a bore. The history part was fine but the musical part was not. Not one song I cared about and no soundtrack to be heard.

If Sweet Jesus" was suppose to be comic relief it never work. If John Adams was suppose to be the obnoxious annoying one, the rest of them were trying to overthrow him in every scene.

Hancock and Jefferson were the only bearable characters in the whole movie.

The historical quotes and the debate about slavery in their historical context were interesting enough but not enough to overcome the lack of music in a musical.

Shouldn't you be humming the songs after a musical, except for a few chirps, nothing else was worth the breath.

Hairspray (2007)

Go watch an old MGM musical

[4/10 · 30 December 2007]

There are so many great musicals out there to watch. Hairspray is not one of them. While most of the cast was fine, John Travolta's Edna was a total miss. The voice was strange, the character was not fleshed out and wasn't even ugly like the Divine character.

This Edna was put together nicely, just big. And what was with the voice? Why couldn't Edna talk? It was as if she was mentally delayed or something.

The John Water's original is a much better movie.

And I can name many better musicals if you like musicals. This didn't even reach Grease which in retrospect isn't that great.

Bobby (I) (2006)

What a miss

[3/10 · 15 April 2007]

First, I hope people who see this do not think this is even remotely historical. Besides the real news clips the whole thing is fiction, bad fiction.

Why not tell the real stories of the people that day? I am sure with a little research he could have made it work with the themes he wanted to present.

I think the news clips were enough to get his point across. I mean we are still talking the same issues with no end in sight.

Or maybe if we saw how his death effected the people, instead of how his visit effected them. Some of the people didn't even seems to care Bobby was visiting the hotel or that it was election day.

And before I finish I must say, the LSD scene was the dumbest thing in recent history.

The only thing worth watching were the old news clips of RFK. So if you don't know much about Bobby listen to the words forget the fiction of the movie.

Jesus Camp (2006)

scary

[3/10 · 3 March 2007]

I had no idea how to rate this movie. On one hand it was filmed nicely and coherent. But it had to be the scariest thing I have even seen.

On one hand I think everyone should see it, but on the other hand I don't want the adults in that film to think people believe ( in these tactics) with them.

They are as dangerous that any extreme religious group out there. Children being saved before they even have cognitive thought is horrifying.

I would like to see a follow up in 10 years, but with the end of the world near it won't happen.

I am not religious but I might give a shout out to Jesus for these poor children.

Running with Scissors (2006)

so so

[4/10 · 10 February 2007]

At started off fine and actually liked the little boy and got into wondering what his life would be like.

Fast forward six years and I kept wondering in my head how did this little kid get to be 16 in 6 years, no way was he ten when the movie started.

He was suppose to be 13, I don't think so. Then Finches daughter was suppose to the same age older, not sure at all.

It was a bit of a hodge podge of lets see who could be the craziest, to the point I ended up not caring about antibody really.

Well too bad the cast was god and it took me forever to recognize Joseph Fiennes.

7th Heaven (1996–2007)

Pitiful

[1/10 · 17 July 2006]

This show is so full of double standards, hypocritical characters, and holier the thou attitudes. I can't even watch a commercial anymore.

The way the parents spy on their children and their ridiculous over the top reactions is laughable.

It they are "moral", than I don't know if I want to be in that category.

It is kind of scary to me to think some people actually think these are good people with good morals.

I am not surprise that most of the children have flown the coupe as fast as they could.

King Kong (2005)

Stupid

[1/10 · 11 April 2006]

Man this was a dumb movie. I am sure the FX is state of the art but still looked fake. Maybe Mr. Jackson might try some real scenery once in awhile. He just had to over do everything. Not just a few dinosaurs we had to have a lot of them and then the horrible scene of running from the dinosaurs was so silly. Then came the big bad ugly bugs, the natives, the waves, Kong busting through buildings, everything was just so over the top.

Adrian Brody was dull, Naomi Watts, no idea why Kong liked her except she wasn't as filthy dirty and ugly as the natives. Or I guess it was the falling down. Stupid.

And what was the point of all the slow mo shots and the boy and the first mate guy? I can't believe this is getting all those stars. It was not good, period.

Crash (I) (2004)

over rated

[3/10 · 7 March 2006]

While I guess you means well it falls flat. It was a bunch over exaggerated stereotypes in some truly ridiculous situations.

And just when it couldn't get sillier it does. Any intelligent person could see the "twist" coming a mile away.

The problem with it mostly is that racism is more secretive them these people. they were just flat out being racist just to see if they could.

Too bad, now it is being used as a tool but it doesn't do the subject matter the justice it deserves.

Watch Rabbit proof fence or To Kill a Moickingbird, or Do the right Thing, all of which are better.

Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)

Very good

[8/10 · 5 November 2005]

Too bad the people who need to see this movie and understand the paralle to today's situation, will never see it. The highly timely topic is very interesting. Too bad people don't learn from history, we would save a lot of time and money if they did.

Anyway the acting is excellent, the black and white photography takes you right back to the 50's and the story is something to take seriously. It is also funny and the subtle ways they show how tense the situation was , was nice.

I just wish we had a Edward Murrow and a Fred Friendly now who would ask the tough question and not be swayed by hard ball tactics or the advertisers.

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Very good

[5/10 · 29 December 2004]

I have only seen the play once at Her majesty's theatre in London and it was the best musical I remember seeing on stage. That being said this is a movie and comparsions to plays and books always seemed to be awkward to me.

I thought it was very good, some of it great such as the costuming and of course the music.

As far as the Phatom's voice It thought it was adequate. Much better in the lower ranges than high note but still very effective.

I loves Christina and thought she did a great job.

If you love musicals it is a must. And go in with a clear mind don't worry about what the play was like and you will enjoy yourself.

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Great

[10/10 · 26 December 2004]

I just love this movie. Maybe because I was fortunate to be born in my favorite city - St. Louis just like Tootie.

The music, the costumes, the story, the acting, the singing, the humor, the different seasons all are so fun to watch. I loved the little look into that time period and how different it was for a middle class family at the turn of the century.

Judy Garland looked her best and "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a classic.

Meet me in St. Louis is a Christmas tradition in my household and I think it would be a great addidion to other people's traditions too.

Citizen Kane (1941)

The best - no

[6/10 · 26 December 2004]

Maybe because it is always billed as the best movie. But I just don't like it that much.

I'm sure when it originally came out it was something special, but it just is to hyped and I just never really cared about anyone or what happened to them.

Maybe technically it had some advance for the time as well, but that doesn't get me excited to watch it. I think over the years other movies have surpassed it and people just vote for it because they always have.

It is a movie a person should see just to judge for themselves just to see if they like it or not.

Mean Girls (2004)

Okay

[7/10 · 25 December 2004]

The beginning of the movie was funnier than the end, but all in all it wasn't a bad teen movie.

It had all the elements in the "new" teen movies. You must have the sexually ambivalent character, the gay character, the loser, the hero, the cute guy ( who wasn't that cute), the desperate teachers, and of course the antagonist.

It had some good gags and some funny moments enough to make it enjoyable. It also had some stinkers but not to bad to make it not worth renting.

And of course a teen movie must have a happy ending. So it was just nice light entertainment.

The Stepford Wives (2004)

awful is a nice way to put it.

[1/10 · 25 December 2004]

I rented this movie the other day and could not even believe how horrible it was. It was the worse thing I have seen in ages and the only good acting I saw was when the actors did the promotional interviews and sold this movie. The plot was so predictable, the comedy fell flat, the characters where dull especially the men.

About 10 minutes into the movie I asked my friend "how long do you think it was before the actors realized how bad this movie was?" I just can't even believe when these high profile actors read this they thought it was a good idea.

Do not waste your time or money on this thing.

Watch the original and forget that these good actors made this mess.

Charmed (1998–2006)

Just for fun

[4 April 2004]

No Charmed isn't going to win any prizes, but it is just for fun. Pure bubble gum entertainment. If you go in thinking it is going to be some major occult withcy or sci fi show you will be truly disappointed.

It is a semi comedy, semi drama, - semi soap, with a bunch of camp. So if you do plan to watch just sit back and have fun with it, don't think to much.

The bright spot over the camp and inconsistency is Holly Marie Combs who plays Piper, not only is pretty she is a very good actress and even makes some of this silliness and bad writing worth watching.

So I would say give it a chance and try watching it from the beginning on TNT reruns.

The Cat in the Hat (2003)

Forced

[1/10 · 21 November 2003]

The humor was forced and it relied on the same old stunts of almost every other kid movie.

Yes, the kick in the crotch, the potty humor, the mugging for the camera, and what is funnier than a peeing dog.

The humor trageted for the adults was even worse.

We are paying good money put alittle time into the writing.