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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 11, 2004 3:20:09 GMT -5
Ocean's Twelve (December 10th, 2004)
Wow... I can't compare it with the first just yet, even though I pretty much saw them one right after the other. This was pretty damn good.
You can tell all the actors had a good time with this one, and it was very, very entertaining. And it had style too. Soderbergh is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors. This has some nice camera-work in it.
My one complaint is that it's a little hard to follow. These criminals are apparently much smarter than we are. It took me a while to figure out how they actually did what they did, even though they showed it to me already. Just a little too smart for its own good.
But still a fine film, just as good as I expected it to be. If you liked the first one, you should have no problem enjoying this one.
9.5/10
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Post by LivingDeadGirl on Dec 11, 2004 18:00:24 GMT -5
I have to agree w/ Smitty & Phoenix, I was expecting much less than I got. I thought the action scenes were great, Ryan Reynolds was outstanding, Triple H & the vampire pomeranian were hilarious. ;D I was a little underwhelmed w/ Dracula (Drake), he was just kinda...understated, wooden. That's just my opinion though. The product placement as mentioned before was kinda overdone, but these days you just have to get used to that. All in all, Phoenix pretty much summed it up...a lot better than the second, but not as good as the first of course. But Blade's still kicking ass so that's worth the price of admission alone!  |
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 18, 2004 2:04:25 GMT -5
Aviator, The (December 17th, 2004)
Wow. Just... wow. As much as I looked forward to this film, Martin Scorsese may just have his first Oscar winner on his hands. This was also Leonardo DiCaprio's best performance yet. Yes, I felt it was BETTER than Jamie Foxx's portrayal of Ray Charles. I have also forgiven Kate Beckinsale for Van Helsing. This was one Hell of a biopic.
10/10
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (December 17th, 2004)
Don't be put off by the "Nickelodeon Movies" logo, this is anything BUT a kid's movie. This is too dark to be considered a kid's movie, and I'd honestly think twice before taking small children to see this. Jim Carrey was very entertaining, as was Meryl Streep.
8/10
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 19, 2004 0:24:48 GMT -5
Spanglish (December 17th, 2004)
Perhaps one of my bigger disappointments this year, James L. Brooks almost had another hit on his hands... but tripped and fell.
The movie begins and progresses like a James L. Brooks movie. This is the portion of the movie that I really enjoyed, and if the whole movie were like this, I would have considered it one of the best movies of the year. Unfortunately, after the movie is over, you get the feeling as though you had just seen two films. The second film begins when the conflict arises.
Yes, the conflict. The point in time where I said to myself, "This isn't the movie that was advertised to me." Yes, perhaps I WAS looking for the fluffy feel-good romantic comedy. No one does it better than Brooks. Towards the end of the movie, I felt uncomfortable with how things turned out. I don't know at this point whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. But that last half hour of the movie, the comedic edge was thrown out, and it became something like a soap opera... a SPANISH soap opera no less.
No, I'm not bashing the movie. It was good. The climax was indeed a turn-off for me, but that does not take away from the portion of the film you can tell was written by James L. Brooks. It was very funny. In fact, the performers (who I was the most worried about) all did a fine job. Newcomer Paz Vega was excellent. Adam Sandler didn't bother me as a serious actor, even though he's no Jim Carrey. Tea Leoni had moments of overacting, which could be more useful on stage than on screen.
In all, Spanglish wasn't a bad movie. In fact, I'd recommend it. But know that once the conflict arises, the movie changes directions DRASTICALLY.
7/10.
Flight of the Phoenix (December 17th, 2004)
Odd. I've seen this months ago in an advanced screening and never reviewed it. Oh well.
Ignore the critics. Big shock there, huh? Yes, ignore the people who cannot grasp the concept of a movie one would watch for "fun". I don't think anyone involved (with the possible exception of Giovanni Ribisi, who was excellent) was trying to win any Oscars. This movie was made all in good fun, and you will have fun watching it. I expected less than what I got. It's got its share of action and humor, and serves you some good old-fashioned entertainment. Yes, critics, entertainment. That word sound vaguely familiar? Anyway, this was a good movie, and I would definitely recommend it.
8/10
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Post by jeredeve on Dec 19, 2004 11:09:16 GMT -5
Just saw National Treasure this weekend, things come out a few weeks late here in Taiwan. I've also been reading that book, "The Da Vinci Code," two historical stories based around use of symbolism related to something we find a strong connection to. Both stories are fast with a visual or mental excitement and suspense. When I was watching National Treasure, I tapped my girlfriend's leg at an opportune moment, and she almost leapt out of her seat. So, I have nothing against enjoying the story of the story's sake. I do have a little bit of an issue on how they protray history. They take images and icons that our imbedded in our cultral fabric so to say, and as our minds, well maybe just mine, see that we might take for granted the parts of history they made up as real as well. Nothing is a stronger arguement for credibility than when it is connected to something very familiar with the viewer. As I read the book and watch the movie, I knew it was just a good story, but my mind kept saying, "wow is that true?" Anyway thought it was a pretty good flick, even if it does play it fast and loose with the plot.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 21, 2004 2:04:57 GMT -5
Sideways - October 22nd, 2004
I walked out very satisfied with this movie. It was very well made in terms of both writing and direction. I did, however feel it was overhyped. People need to stop crying "Oscar" with movies like this.
I'm not saying this doesn't deserve the Academy's consideration. In terms of screenplay, this totally deserves the Oscar. The performances were great, and overall it was a funny movie. My friends and I drove a distance to see this movie, and I felt it was worth it.
9.5/10
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 22, 2004 13:31:29 GMT -5
Meet the Fockers (December 22nd, 2004)
Once again, the critics are WRONG. Big surprise there, huh? Honestly, these people have to be the most thick-headed people on the planet. You can tell that they went in thinking they were supposed to hate it or something, and really only looked for the negative aspects of the movie. My question is this, if they hate movies so much, why don't they just find another profession.
This movie was a riot. Seriously, I could not stop laughing. I haven't decided whether I liked this one or the first one better. It's kinda tough. The first one was a classic, but this one had Dustin Hoffman. So I'm still having trouble making that decision, I'll have to get back to you on that.
As for the movie, instead of being a rehash of the original, they came up with all new material, and all the actors worked with it just great. This was one of the funniest movies I've seen this year, no doubt about that.
9.5/10
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Post by LivingDeadGirl on Dec 22, 2004 15:57:23 GMT -5
Sideways - October 22nd, 2004 I walked out very satisfied with this movie. It was very well made in terms of both writing and direction. I did, however feel it was overhyped. People need to stop crying "Oscar" with movies like this. I'm not saying this doesn't deserve the Academy's consideration. In terms of screenplay, this totally deserves the Oscar. The performances were great, and overall it was a funny movie. My friends and I drove a distance to see this movie, and I felt it was worth it. 9.5/10 I wouldn't mind seeing this one...probably on video....Michael's sister, Virginia, has been nominated for a Golden Globe for Supporting Actress for her role. I was wondering if it would live up to all the hype it's been getting though. |
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Dec 22, 2004 20:32:00 GMT -5
Phantom of the Opera, The (December 22nd, 2004)
I had already forgiven Joel Schumacher for Batman and Robin when I saw Phone Booth. This movie just put him on my good side. The Phantom of the Opera is one of the best films of 2004.
There's not much I can say about this, besides the fact that if you like musicals, you should love this one.
The only major problem I had with this was the sound. I understand they had to record the songs on a separate track, but as done in the past with other musicals, spoken lines and singing lines transitioned smoothly. This one made it obvious there was a separate track. And the lip synching was noticeably off at times.
But considering what was put into this, 18-year-old Emmy Rossum was EXCELLENT, Gerard Butler was EXCELLENT, Patrick Wilson was EXCELLENT. All the performers deserve at least a nomination for the Oscar.
I don't mind that there are so many musicals coming out after the success of Moulin Rouge and Chicago, considering the ones I've seen thus far have been very good. If you like musicals, there is no reason why you shouldn't enjoy this.
10/10. That's right, 10/10.
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Post by Phoenix on Dec 23, 2004 15:34:56 GMT -5
I'm much more excited to see Phantom after I've read this review. Thanks Smitty. I recently saw it on stage in Baltimore and loved it, and was hoping the movie would live up to the hype. Plus, I love musicals.  |
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Post by jeredeve on Dec 24, 2004 10:19:08 GMT -5
I was WOWED tonight!   KUNG FU HUSTLE Seriously, the movie changed its tune part way through, but it was one of the best comedy/kunfu fu movies I've ever seen. It makes the stuff that Jackie Chan does look at documentary on hair loss prevention. My friend and I sat spell bound watching the hilarity before us. We watch it in an old theater that was run by Taiwan's old government, and is noted for being in pretty bad shape. But the big theater wasn't showing it... We expected not to get subtitles, but we did, and boy were we glad. This movie is crazy, parts of it really is meant for Asian and not western humor. But over all I would give it a 9/10 If you get the opportunity, see this movie, I can't recommend it enough! |
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Post by Bartwald on Dec 26, 2004 16:02:56 GMT -5
I prepare to be wowed too by Kung Fu Hustle... whenever this may arrive here.
Also Sideways and Meet The Fockers seem to be musts for me.
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Post by Phoenix on Dec 26, 2004 17:57:04 GMT -5
Meet the Fockers (December 22nd, 2004) Once again, the critics are WRONG. Big surprise there, huh? Honestly, these people have to be the most thick-headed people on the planet. You can tell that they went in thinking they were supposed to hate it or something, and really only looked for the negative aspects of the movie. My question is this, if they hate movies so much, why don't they just find another profession. This movie was a riot. Seriously, I could not stop laughing. I haven't decided whether I liked this one or the first one better. It's kinda tough. The first one was a classic, but this one had Dustin Hoffman. So I'm still having trouble making that decision, I'll have to get back to you on that. As for the movie, instead of being a rehash of the original, they came up with all new material, and all the actors worked with it just great. This was one of the funniest movies I've seen this year, no doubt about that. 9.5/10 Gotta agree with Smitty again! I thought this was a riot. Being that my stepfather is a overprotective cop, my fiance could relate. Great date flick too! |
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Post by Termination on Dec 26, 2004 22:14:45 GMT -5
Meet the Fockers ain't doin' to bad either at the box office. $68.5 mill in just 5 days.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Dec 27, 2004 9:50:38 GMT -5
MEET THE FOCKERS was, dare I say it, as funny or funnier than the original. I laughed through almost the whole thing.
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