Anya-fan Reviews

Summer Catch (2001)

The worst movie I have ever seen - and that's saying something

[1/10 · 2 January 2002]

I did not plan to comment on this movie. In fact, I planned to stay as far as possible away from anything remotely concerning it. But after seeing comments praising it I feel I must say something.

This film is like three different films. A mushy teen romance that not even I (a teenager) could fall for, a sports film, and a porn film - none of which seem to be connected in anyway. My friends and I went to see this because a friend of mine loves Freddie Prinze, Jr. She spent days apologizing profusely for it.

We can't talk about plot holes because there is not a plot to find holes in. Perhaps a more feasible exercise would be to try and find the places where it made sense. The dialogue was corny and crude by turns - jerking back and forth between the two with no apparent attention whatsoever. Trying to summarize the story now in my head, I can't do it.

I am not a big fan of sports, but I do like sports movies. I love Tin Cup and it doesn't even take much inducement for me to watch The Mighty Ducks once in awhile. But in Summer Catch, even to someone who understands the game (what was it again? baseball?) would be entirely lost.

The sex scenes, inserted at random moments are so perverse that I will not go into detail. Just thinking about them now makes my skin crawl. Of course the thought of Freddie Prinze, Jr. in a thong doesn't help matters much. (If you're a teenaged girl you might think differently - trust me, from one teenaged girl to another it's not a pleasant sight.)

The theater was practically empty except for my group of friends and another group of people whom we knew who happen to be actresses (I go to an arts school). We were all shell-shocked for weeks afterward, and any time we come even close to the subject of bad movies, this one is always first to come up. After leaving the theater, we told everyone we could find, "We just saw the WORST movie ever made."

One good thing - I laughed more in it than I've ever laughed in anything. The writing, acting, directing, editing, even the costumes were bad. Amidst my revulsion, I simply couldn't help laughing, it was so horrible.

Any respect that I may have had for anyone involved in this movie has gone down 100%.

I gave it 1/10 but it deserves less. And by the way, my friend doesn't love Freddie Prinze, Jr. anymore.

Everyone Says I Love You (1996)

A Bit Confused...

[18 July 2001]

I saw this movie and thought it was hilarious.

Everyone else who reviews this seems to think of it as a failed attempt at a good musical. I see it the other way around. I think it was meant to poke fun a bit at old musicals - all the cliches from musicals appear hear in a very funny way. Edward Norton dancing in the jewelry store is one of the funniest bits.

The cast is especially star-studded, even for Allen. Alan Alda, Goldie Hawn, Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Julia Roberts, and even Natalie Portman before her Star Wars: Episode 1 fame.

Take this the way many Woody Allen movies are meant to be taken (see Love and Death) - as spoofs of a particular genre. As a spoof of musicals, I think he carries it off very well.

Say Anything (1989)

A GOOD teen romance

[18 July 2001]

Being a teenager, I'm supposed to like teen romances, right? Unfortunately, they are often done so badly that it's hard to enjoy them.

One of the best exceptions is Say Anything. It hardly deserves the term "teen romance" because it goes far beyond that. You fall in love with the characters and really want to see them succeed, these are true people who you actually like. This includes not only Lloyd and Diane (played wonderfully by John Cusack and Ione Skye) but also Diane's father (John Mahoney from Frazier) and Lloyd's sister (played by real-life sister Joan Cusack). All of the other characters are real too - unstereotyped and un-cliched, even the ones who appear for only a few seconds give you a glimpse into their lives and leave you wishing for more.

And it's not just a teen film, either, there's a lot of depth. Diane's father is having problems with the IRS, and the part where he goes into a store to buy luggage for her upcoming trip to England and all of his credit cards are refused is heartbreaking. It is also a poignant message about what he's done with his life.

It's a great film, certainly deserving my 10/10.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Think back...

[18 July 2001]

For those of you who criticize this movie - do you remember high school? There was one reviewer who said he liked it at 16 but doesn't like it now and that it all has to do with age. In some ways, I think that's true, but not because you're any less perceptive as a teenager. But these characters do resonate with teens because, however stereotyped they may be, these are true stereotypes. I could name you a John, a Claire, a Brian, an Allison, and an Andrew from my school in a second. And the movie does break these stereotypes apart and show you where their "role" really comes from.

However trite the dialogue may seem, it's still true - a part that particularly resonated with me was when they talked about the fact that if they saw each other in the halls the popular kids would say hi and then badmouth them to their friends to make sure it didn't look like they were friends with the unpopular kids. Ask most high school kids and they will tell you that this happens all the time.

The same reviewer I mentioned before says that the end has something to do with "knowing your place". I don't think that's it at all. I think that it's saying that, when they opened up to each other, they learned that they weren't so different after all and that we can all relate if we give each other a chance.

I think this is the ultimate teen movie about what all teens go through - that point where you want to be a kid and you want to grow up at the same.

10/10

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Very Good

[14 June 2001]

Oddly enough, there seem to be a number of negative comments regarding this movie. Unfortunately, I think many people saw it AFTER it won the awards and got lots of praise and found that it did not quite live up to their high expectations.

In my opinion, however, it is a very good film. It is surprising, actually, that it was not made before - very little is known about Shakespeare's personal life, and much of what we consider "fact" is still uncertain. This leaves quite a lot of room for experimentation.

The plot was nice, and it was lots of fun to see common themes from Shakespeare's plays appearing in the film. The only problem I had was the fact that Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) was disguised as a boy. I think it was used because women disguised as men often appear in Shakespeare's plays, but it is an overused concept. Every novel of historical fiction that I have read about Shakespeare uses this, and it gets a bit dull after awhile.

As for the acting, it was very well done. Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow were good in the leads, and I particularly enjoyed Ben Affleck's performance as Ned Alleyn. In an uncredited performance as Kit Marlowe (he only appeared for a few minutes), Rupert Everett was as good as ever, and I wish that we'd seen more of him. His character is discussed throughout the film and has even convinced me to read some Marlowe which I have never done.

Overall, I enjoyed it very much, and I think it deserved the awards it won.

The Famous Jett Jackson (1998–2001)

I Liked it at First

[19 March 2001]

The first few times I saw this show, I liked it, but I quickly got bored. When it comes right down to it, I really don't care about the characters and many of their problems seem stupid. However, the bits of Silverstone (Jett's TV show) spliced in with the show are fun and worth watching.

The Wonderful World of Disney: Model Behavior (2000) Season 3, Episode 9

Good

[6 January 2001]

I didn't really expect to like it - like many I simply watched the film because I wanted to see whether or not Justin Timberlake could act. Actually, I think he did a fairly good job, and so did everyone else. The one exception was Codey Gifford ....

Other than that, it's a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, and all of the acting was nice.

Drive Me Crazy (1999)

Pretty Good!

[6 January 2001]

Actually, I saw this movie because I was in the mood for a teen film, which unfortunately have a habit of not living up even to my worst expectations. About half an hour into it I was afraid it was going to turn into that kind movie, when it turned around and got better. By the end, I was enjoying it, and glad I spent the money to rent it.

Good - thank God they didn't put Freddie Prinze, Jr. in it. Melissa Joan Hart's character was just about to be the kind of fake teenage character I hate, there seemed to be a lot of the stupid Disneyish "humor", but keep watching past the beginning - it gets much better. The rest of it was actually sweet.

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000 Video)

Like all the others...

[16 November 2000]

Very few Disney sequels ever come close to the quality of the original, and this is probably why so many of them come directly to video. This film is no exception. The story is okay, but the characters are boring, and you learn to hate Melody after a few really, really stupid moves on her part.

It's not as bad as The Return of the Jafar, but not close to as good as The Lion King II: Simba's Pride or Aladdin and the King of Thieves or even Pocahontas II. Of course, none of these compare to the quality of Toy Story 2, which notably went to theaters and is actually better than the first one.

You can really afford to miss this film.

Boy Meets World (1993–2000)

I like this show

[11 November 2000]

I've started watching this show in reruns on Disney. I've seen the earlier episodes and some of the later ones, and I'm enjoying it. It's not as sappy as shows like Full House, but it does cover issues and can be very funny. The acting is very good, and it's a "nice" show. Horrible things aren't happening all the time, but it also isn't usually stupid. A nice balance. Eric is my favorite character, but I like Corey too, especially when he was younger. :)

Growing Pains (1985–1992)

A great show!

[11 November 2000]

This show is rapidly becoming one of my favorites. It's fun watching the kids grow up and change. Unlike many sitcoms, each of them has his or her own personality and that makes for some very funny and truthful episodes. I can relate to all of the characters at different points, and it's a very pleasant way to spend my afternoon.

Note Leonardo DiCaprio in around the last season. Odd that he's on there, but quite good. :)

You've Got Mail (1998)

The Greatest Romantic Comedy!

[14 September 2000]

I saw this film for the 5th time, and I was once more overcome by how incredibly good it is. The story is wonderful, the writing and acting are superb, and it's hard to believe that it was based on a rather mediocre film called "The Shop Around the Corner".

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are absolutely wonderful, and the supporting cast is great as well. There were times during the film that I was almost in tears - mostly as I heard they're e-mail correspondence - and yet it is a happy, funny film.

I always reach the ending with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.

10/10!!

Freaky Friday (1976)

Disney at it's Best!

[14 September 2000]

This is definitely one of the very best of Disney's many comedies. Perhaps it's the great writing from Mary Rodgers, author of the book, or the spectacular acting from the entire cast, especially a young Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris.

The film is incredibly funny, without being stupid, and it feels very real and authentic, an element that is gone from almost every other Disney film of the era. Although it includes the typical Disney chase scene, the rest of Disney's usual cliches are dropped so that the focus is on the characters and the believable and hilarious situations that they get into.

A definite 10/10! Go rent it! Be sure that you get the 1977 version, though, not the 1995 remake.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

The Sweetest of the Christmas Classics!

[14 September 2000]

Miracle on 34th Street is a sweet childrens/comedy/drama film with an interesting and surprising courtroom scene (if you've never seen it before), the performances are wonderful, and the story is happy and heartwarming. Truly, one of the all-time classic films.

9/10

Widows' Peak (1994)

Natasha Richardson

[10 September 2000]

I'm feeling a bit silly here, but I thought Natasha Richardson was British. In this film, she has an American accent that sounds very cultivated, although I couldn't tell whether it was fake or simply voice training.

I do like this movie, though, in fact I like it very much! Natasha was wonderful despite my confusion about her accent, and Mia Farrow was quite good, although it was hard to really see her as plain as she was in this film. It was fun to watch, though, and has you thinking at the end. Joan Plowright was superb, as usual.

9/10.

The Next Best Thing (2000)

Quite Good

[3 September 2000]

My mom and I meant to go see Hanging Up, but it had left the theater the day before. So we skimmed the listings in our newspaper, and decided The Next Best Thing was our best bet. I'd seen previews on TV and thought that it might be good.

Unlike some movies, the previews didn't give the film away at all. I was surprised at the subject matter and plot to the film, as it wasn't at all what I'd expected. But I laughed and cried through the whole thing, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Madonna was good, and Rupert Everett was wonderful. Although there were sad parts, it was never depressing, which was nice. Michael Vartan was miscast - he was better in Never Been Kissed.

As long as you have an open mind and are willing to submerge yourself in a film, I'd say go ahead and rent it! 9 out of 10.

The Insider (1999)

Loved It!

[3 September 2000]

I loved this film, and am surprised that it didn't do too well! It's so much better than a number of recent thrillers, and because it is a true story done well, it feels very real.

I'd compare it in some aspects to All the President's Men, which is one of my favorite films. It's about journalists trying to uncover the truth about something very big, it's based on a true story, the acting and directing are very good, and it's real and indepth.

It's a bit like a John Grisham novel - long and deep, yet you are gripped until the end. In fact, John Grisham covered this very same topic in The Runaway Jury.

If you don't like to think when you're watching a movie, don't rent this. But if you enjoy using your mind and spending a whole lot of time thinking about a film afterwards, this is definitely for you. As a thinker, I'd give this one 10 out of 10.

My Mother's Castle (1990)

A Beautiful Film

[3 September 2000]

When my cousin and I rented this film, we had no idea that it was French and in subtitles. Although I am in the process of learning the French language (slowly), I was a bit taken aback by the fact that I had to watch it in subtitles. However, after the first 10 minutes I was completely immersed in the beautiful countryside, and the flow of the language.

First of all, there is no specific plot to this story. One event flows into the next, but they are unrelated, held together by the characters. But the acting and the landscapes are beautiful and ethereal, and you wish that you could be there.

This is not to say that the film doesn't make sense, it most certainly does, and there is a point to it. The end comes on a bit abruptly, although it too is gentle and poignant.

As long as you can read fast enough to keep up with the subtitles (and after a bit you don't even notice you're doing it), this is a lovely film to see. It's quite suitable for all ages, but as it IS in subtitles, you don't want to watch it with children too young to read fast enough.

A lovely film, very French, and very beautiful. 10/10, definitely.

The Net (I) (1995)

Pretty Good

[2 September 2000]

I saw this film just last night, and I liked it. I know a lot about the Internet and so I DID notice the factual errors, but I was able to ignore them and enjoy the suspense. Sandra Bullock was good, and Jeremy Northam was creepy as the bad guy, mostly because he was so goodlooking and smooth that he was hard to hate.

I'd give it an 8 out of 10 for good suspense and an interesting look at the Internet when it was just beginning.

Full House (1987–1995)

To Disagree...

[19 August 2000]

I have been reading all of the negative comments about this show, often comparing it unfavorably to The Brady Bunch. I'm sorry, but The Brady Bunch is perhaps the most unrealistic and sappy show that I ever seen. But no doubt it was somewhat relevant to the times and gave you that feel-good happy feeling that Full House gives 90's audiences.

At 14, I've only started watching Full House in reruns. I love it, although I can bear to miss an episode or two. I know that a number of people my age enjoy watching full house because it's nice and funny - a show that I can watch with my younger siblings without being worried about it's content.

Most of you who are comparing it to The Brady Bunch must have watched that when you grew up, and laughed at it and enjoyed what it had to offer. It's the story of a 60's/70's family who is actually normal in some respects, even though the fact that they never have any REAL problems is a little unrealistic. This was the show that was funny and nice in the 70's.

Full House is really the same way, only it's updated to the 80's/90's perspective with a more contemporary, more wacky take on family life.

As kids and teens in the 60's/70's, you enjoyed The Brady Bunch because it was real for you, whereas you can't quite see why Full House is so popular. For us, kids in the 80's/90's, The Brady Bunch seems sappy and unrealistic, but Full House is the type of show that makes us feel good.

Cheers (1982–1993)

Wonderful Even in Reruns!

[19 August 2000]

As a teen, I never saw Cheers when it was first aired. But one evening my mom and I caught on episode late at night and I've been hooked ever since.

Why can't any newer show reach this amount of humor? Although there are some fairly nonspecific references to sex and a tiny bit of swearing, most of it is clean, and absolutely hilarious! I've loved every minute of the show.

My favorite episodes to date are perhaps the episode when Rebecca's sister comes to the visit, and the one when Woody plans to elope with Kelly. Really, though, all of them are funny.

Anyone who has never seen this show (for whatever strange reasons you may have) should catch an episode if you find one. I know that you'll be as hooked as I am!

Here on Earth (2000)

Give Us Some Credit

[18 August 2000]

Some of the negative reviews for Here on Earth have said that it should appeal to teenage girls. As a 14-year-old girl, I would like to protest. Please give us some credit! We do have minds, you know. I did think that She's All That was okay and I loved Never Been Kissed. But Here on Earth goes a bit to far to be even interesting. Perhaps if it had been funny it would have been somewhat better.

Unfortunately, the characters are completely unlikable, the plot is dull, the scenes that are meant to make you smile or cry are unrealistic. The climax, meant to be a tearjerker, is quite a surprise and makes no sense whatsoever. I am prone to crying in movies but I really couldn't cry. It was simply too unbelievable and badly acted.

I have liked Lee Lee Sobrieski in her smaller part in Never Been Kissed, and I hope that she chooses a role with more complexity in later films.

There is one part in the film, near the end, when Kelly is talking about his mother's death when at his house that is the only part really worth seeing. It makes you a little queasy, but is the only bit of acting that is at all touching. It's rather nice filming too.

2 out of 10 - I doubt that I would have given it even that, but I liked that scene. :)

Candleshoe (1977)

I Love It

[27 June 2000]

I'm not sure exactly why I love this film so much. It's not like it has shockingly wonderful performances, story, or setting. But it never fails to warm my heart and make me smile.

Fans of Jodie Foster will recognize her as the young teenage star of this film. She plays Casey, a foster child and juvenile delinquent. A British con man recognizes her as being strikingly similar to a young heiress who disappeared years earlier and offers her anything she wants if she will pretend to be the missing girl. He is certain that there is a treasure hidden in the house of the girl's grandmother, and he wants Casey to find it for him.

The story of how Casey becomes a part of this odd British family is heartwarming and sweet. It is classic Disney fare, without the pathetic romance that often destroys modern Disney films.

Watch this film if only for David Niven's performance as the butler, gardener, grandmother's best friend, and chauffeur.

The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)

Funnier Than Most!

[27 June 2000]

In the 1970's, Disney churned out cheap film after cheap film meant to draw children in without spending much money. They had mediocre acting, mediocre laughs and often obscure and pointless plots.

Out of all these films, The Apple Dumpling Gang is one of the few that succeeds in capturing the audience. This is entirely due to the splendid performances by Don Knotts and Tim Conway. These accomplished comedy actors give perhaps the most hilarious performances that Disney has delivered to date.

The plot is pretty pointless, most of the acting is only okay, but the dialogue and action, especially from Knotts and Conway, is hilarious. Catch this film if you just want to laugh.

You can also see the sequel, which delivers quite a few laughs but is a little too weird and pointless for my taste.

The Truman Show (1998)

Amazing!

[9 January 2000]

I expected this movie to be a light comedy. Comedy it was, but light... never! At the end I had to sit still for about ten minutes to take it all in. The Truman Show has one of the best endings that I have ever seen. It was dramatic, creative, and simply amazing. I loved it!