Spud-38 Reviews

The Brothers Grimm (2005)

neither one thing or another

[5/10 · 30 August 2005]

This movie just doesn't know what it wants to be! Is it a comedy? Sort of. Is it a fantasy? Uh, sort of. Is it a dark drama? Yeah, sort of. It just doesn't know what it's trying to be, so it dabbles a little in everything, and does nothing well. It has some great talent, and good directing, and a great premise, but in the end, it lacks a script to do justice to any of the elements. The script tries too hard to include too many of the Grimm's Fairy tales into one story, rather than picking a few good elements, and leaving room for a legitimate sequel. Frankly, I would really like to see Heath Ledger and Matt Damon in another picture together with a better script. Bottom line analysis: Too many elements, not enough cohesion, mildly disappointing, and not worth the eight bucks admission. See this one in the dollar theaters.

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Propaganda

[31 May 2004]

This movie is about as factual and containing as much artistic integrity as anything put out by the Soviet Union. Not content to produce a cool action movie, the "brain trust" behind this piece degenerate into loud factless preaching and politicizing. And worse, they manage to convince hapless hoi poloi that they are presenting truth wrapped in CGI. When art and entertainment revert to preaching, they compromise the medium. If you want to preach a dooms day message find some scientific proof, and publish it in a journal. Do they really expect us to believe that the last Ice Age (10,000 years ago) was sparked by the burning of fossil fuels? If it wasn't, then why would that spark it now? And if it was, where did they come from? Just make a cool movie about weather! Include the CGI and love story and improbable weather events, just don't wrap it up to look like science, and PLEASE don't submit us to your ill-informed political views. That's why God gave us CNN and FOX.

Children of a Lesser God (1986)

Beautiful and Touching

[2 April 2004]

Hollywood is full of overly wrought love stories in which the conflict seems contrived merely to create drama or comedy or both. In Children of a Lesser God the love is so simple, and the conflict so believable, that it feels less like watching a movie, and more like watching friends walk through their own personal story. The attraction between Matlin and Hurt is obvious, but genuine, and is filled with the kind of "touches" that make it feel real. It is also a visually beautiful film. Each shot is set like a still photographer capturing an image. The overwhelming beauty of the New Brunswick coast creates a background for the film that leaves one with the feeling of watching a moving painting. Matlin has unfortunately not since been offered anything near this piece in which to display her amazing talent. It is a shame that a woman who could stand alongside Katherine Hepburn and Jodie Foster as all time great actresses is not having the opportunity to display that talent because of her hearing disability.

Mission to Mars (2000)

Not what I expected

[6/10 · 4 April 2000]

My husband and I attended this film looking for a mindless action flick along the lines of Armeggedon. We got "2001: A space Odyssey" meets "Contact". All of the action in the entire film was found in the previews, and the other 1hr 55min was slow, character driven, and very "touchy-feely".

Any Given Sunday (1999)

Guess I'm alone

[20 January 2000]

well, my husband and I saw this together. It felt like a four hour music video (I know it was 3 hours, but it FELT four hours long, especially to my bladder) to me. I had already figured out the ending (okay the absolute ending with Pacino's announcement caught me by surprise, it was by far the best moment of the film) was offended with the gratuitous nudity (both genders) and had developed a headache.

Then we left the theater and my husband raved about it for hours - all the way through supper, all the way home, and at least half and hour after that. so I guess I was completely alone in feeling I had wasted an entire afternoon. - but then again I can't watch an entire football game so maybe I was just in the wrong theater.

The Omega Code (1999)

Yet another frustrating backwards step.

[1/10 · 14 November 1999]

I am a youth pastor's wife and we took some youth to see this film. We then spent an hour trying to explain it to them. They didn't get it and I didn't enjoy it. It is based on a concept that has run through all three of the major religions of the world (the Bible Code, the Torah Code and the Code in the Koran) and is so questionable as to be laughable. This is not a step forward for Christians in the arts, it is a step forward for those who believe we check our brains at the door.

Double Jeopardy (1999)

Suffers from excessive trailer revelation

[4/10 · 6 November 1999]

Like so many films of the genre, this one suffers from the immediate realization that all of the major plot points were disclosed in the trailers. There are no surprises, and very few tense moments. While the premise was interesting, I found myself remembering trailers and identifying each step before it happened. I didn't even need to see the film, I had seen the trailers. The only thing not covered in the trailers was Tommy Lee Jones character, which could have developed so much more than it did!

The only surprise that threatened to take place, didn't eventuate, which would have made the film a much stronger one! All in all, a real disappointment.

Analyze This (1999)

Great Premise, Great Follow Through

[5 November 1999]

I expected to be disappointed with this film. I thought I had probably seen all of the funniest bits in the trailers and would just feel much like a re-run.

I was wrong. This film made me really laugh, largely because De Niro has the great ability to mock himself and the roles that have created his fame.

All in all, if you like Crystal and can laugh at De Niro, you'll really enjoy this fun film.

Payback (I) (1999)

I was disgusted

[5 November 1999]

All in all, this film was gratuitous, and disturbing. None of the characters are appealing, none of the plot twists are original and not a tiny bit of this film could be considered quality. Skip this one and rent one of Mel's other films.

Three Kings (1999)

A mistake in marketing

[5 November 1999]

This film was marketed to the "Peacemaker" fans as an explosion a minute, irreverant film about guys who don't give a damn about anyone but themselves and a whole s*** load of gold.

All of those fans will be disappointed with this very political human film. The casting was brilliant, the cinematography was stunning and the message of the film was so much more tasteful and thought provoking than the films that it is being compared to.

This is a film for thinking audiences and intelligent people who really doubted the Gulf War (at the time, not now that it's popular to say you did).

The 13th Warrior (1999)

Now Read the Book

[8/10 · 6 September 1999]

Having read "Eaters of the Dead" (now being marketed as the 13th Warrior for continuity sake) I was very pleased with how well the film was adapted. The story line is explained in far more detail (of course) and the fact that Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan is in fact a real historical figure is one of the most fascinating aspects of the book.

Despite the fact that Antonio Banderas cannot escape his Spanish accent (making him a very unique Arab) I found the film fascinating. The only drawback for me was the fact that I know intimately the area where they filmed it, loosing a little of the romance of it for me.

The whole thing was a very satisfying adaptation of a fascinating story. If you enjoy the film, read the book, if you liked the book, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the film.

All in all a good film.

Runaway Bride (1999)

Happily, not Pretty Woman

[8/10 · 16 August 1999]

Before I begin, I think the reason certain people have been disappointed with this film is that they LOVED "Pretty Woman". I didn't. I did, however, really enjoy "Runaway Bride". If you are going to see a reunion of Edward and Vivian, you will be disappointed. They don't show up.

Come to see Maggie and Ike and you'll enjoy yourself. True the film is fairly predictable, with the audience "guessing" at the feelings of the characters before the characters realize them, but isn't that why we see romantic comedies?

Interestingly, this film is far more realistic than many people realize. Unfortunately the men and women who - like Maggie - find themselves walking up an aisle, facing someone they don't know end up NOT running away. A lot of young women can learn about relationship strengths and weaknesses by truly comparing themselves to Maggie, and asking their boyfriends "how do I like my eggs?".

See this film, but first put "Pretty Woman" out of your mind. Socially and technically this one wins hands down in my opinion.