marcov Reviews

Cruel Intentions (1999)

Teenflick with an edge.

[8/10 · 14 February 2007]

I like it because it is one of the rare teen movies that don't have the awful Hollywood "nice" and "learn a lesson" sauce applied. Another such movie is "Gossip".

The movie still has a bit of "Highschool" element, and even has a "highschool" genre star in it (Geller), but it doesn't disturb me as much.

I've both read the book and seen the Pfeifer/Malkovitch/Close movie (way before this one), and even though I know the basic story, I still like it.

The adaptation to a modern setting brings it closer to the current perspective, unlike the French nobility setting which, despite the AA class actors, remains a galaxy far, far away.

Ring of the Nibelungs (2004 TV Movie)

A nice movie.

[8/10 · 4 August 2005]

I really enjoyed the movie (having read the Wagner play for my German classes a decade ago, and then already liking the story). Of course there are not many surprises, given that the story is one and an half centuries old (more if you trace back to the original legends)

Most acting was decent, I didn't like the performance of Alicia Witt though, though I can't really pinpoint what irritated me about her performance. Of course she is not a likable character, but it just seemed that the timing was a bit off, and the acting was a bit forced.

I also liked some of the historic points like the reference to the Roman Emperor, and little details like Roman legionairs (or at least people using their weaponry and armour) walking in the cities. Xanten, one of the central cities was one of the most important, if not the most important Roman city in the Germania Superior province.

Duets (2000)

Can you imagine

[5/10 · 23 May 2005]

An attempt at KingPin with Karaoke instead of bowling.

A bit of Road movie, a bit of subculture, and a lot of comedians. While not original, it surely is entertaining.

The only interesting viewpoint the movie has is a "what if".

What if Gwyneth Palthrow really had that voice to sing Bette Davis Eyes that way?

It would be pure perfection .... (but GP doesn't really shine in this movie IMHO)

O, and Paul Giamatti is great as the middle-class guy that goes wild on a seeming all movie long high. Andre Braugher is really frustrated with it.

Dune (1984)

Nice, but only if you read the book first.

[19 December 1999]

I liked the film, and don't agree with the previous comment; however I agree with him, that without reading the book, viewing the movie is useless. (But what did you expect from Lynch? A clear, simple to understand movie?)

The good things of the movie is the atmosphere. The movie more or less breathes the atmosphere of the book, which is very well done considering the complexity of the book.

Easy Rider (1969)

Overrated. Good but not great.

[6/10 · 16 January 1999]

This comment is from my perspective, and I didn't see the 60s myself.

However I feel this film is severely overrated, the movie is nice (the scenery etc), but never surprises, only the end is a bit faster than expected. Not a bad movie, but surely not great.

I guess you have to be American and an ex-hippy to like it.

A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

Almost only one in its kind.

[8/10 · 29 December 1998]

Great movie. Very simplistic basic story, but the way it's shot, the dialogues, the performance of the cast make it very good.

Executive Target (1997)

Reasonable, nice for Everhart/Madsen fans.

[29 December 1998]

The movie as a whole is hardly average, but I like Everhart's ice-womanish play, and Michael Madsen is always a good actor to see