I remember seeing this on HBO between programs back in 1987. In that time, I experienced the general chaos that is our planet Earth. Definitely one of the most meaningful animated shorts ever made. My life really did change after watching that.
Reviews
18 Reviews
Three hour cinematic workout. Some mild spoilers.
20 December 2001
Warning: Spoilers
Gandalf. Frodo. Samwise. Galadriel. Rivendell. Hobbiton. Lothlorien.
Wow.
These are people and places I have never seen before. And I hope I am not done seeing them. The Fellowship of the Ring is a massive undertaking, both for the filmmakers and the audience. While a knowledge of the books might not be necessary to enjoy the film, a theater with very soft seat cushions is.
The movie doesn't drag. It is chock full of goodness for its almost three hour running time. But those almost three hours will wear you out. Epic battle scenes. Exposition of the one ring and its bearer. A wizard's duel that would make Merlin blush. A mine passage where you can smell the death in the air. And one last battle to send you on your way. This movie is busy, busy, busy. You don't watch it. You experience it.
And what a grand experience it is. Good versus Evil. Cut and dry. It doesn't get much grander than this.
Wow.
These are people and places I have never seen before. And I hope I am not done seeing them. The Fellowship of the Ring is a massive undertaking, both for the filmmakers and the audience. While a knowledge of the books might not be necessary to enjoy the film, a theater with very soft seat cushions is.
The movie doesn't drag. It is chock full of goodness for its almost three hour running time. But those almost three hours will wear you out. Epic battle scenes. Exposition of the one ring and its bearer. A wizard's duel that would make Merlin blush. A mine passage where you can smell the death in the air. And one last battle to send you on your way. This movie is busy, busy, busy. You don't watch it. You experience it.
And what a grand experience it is. Good versus Evil. Cut and dry. It doesn't get much grander than this.
K-PAX
(2001)
Intelligent my bum
26 October 2001
Where is it written that in order to make an intelligent film, you have to disguise it as a piece of schmaltz? K-PAX, however, takes that principle and puts it in reverse. It's a schmaltzy film disguised as utter brilliance. It fails so badly at both, it makes one long for the intelligent aliens of The Day the Earth Stood Still and ET.
Kevin Spacey has never been an actor to appear on screen as one just doing a role to collect a paycheck. That's fine, early in your career. Here, he is so boring as a mental patient who claims to be from another planet (or is that the other way around?). At least he doesn't claim to be of higher intelligence to his other aliens. Jeff Bridges gets another opportunity to show his acting chops, but he is given very little to do. He is an Academy Award Nominee instead of a Winner for a reason. This role will do nothing to further his career nor his stature.
the story is so paint by numbers. Setting the film in a mental ward doesn't do it any favors, either. The supporting cast doesn't belong in this movie, but they could make their own and it would be one thousand times better than this. Quirky supporting characters are a dime a dozen, but these were more interesting than the leads. Oh, wait. We saw them before in other movies. Never mind.
K-PAX is designed to get those who fester into the theater and feel some kind of wonder. The wonder felt here is when is it going to be over?
Kevin Spacey has never been an actor to appear on screen as one just doing a role to collect a paycheck. That's fine, early in your career. Here, he is so boring as a mental patient who claims to be from another planet (or is that the other way around?). At least he doesn't claim to be of higher intelligence to his other aliens. Jeff Bridges gets another opportunity to show his acting chops, but he is given very little to do. He is an Academy Award Nominee instead of a Winner for a reason. This role will do nothing to further his career nor his stature.
the story is so paint by numbers. Setting the film in a mental ward doesn't do it any favors, either. The supporting cast doesn't belong in this movie, but they could make their own and it would be one thousand times better than this. Quirky supporting characters are a dime a dozen, but these were more interesting than the leads. Oh, wait. We saw them before in other movies. Never mind.
K-PAX is designed to get those who fester into the theater and feel some kind of wonder. The wonder felt here is when is it going to be over?
Left Behind: The Movie
(2000)
Weak, but nice try
6 February 2001
The producers of Left Behind were so desperate to have their movie made, they should have tried a little harder to get Sony interested making the film instead of Cloud Ten. Not knowing the Cloud Ten repartee, I can't say if that was a smart decision or not.
The film needs work. It also needed a bigger budget. And (sorry, Kirk Cameron) it needed a bigger cast. Actually, the movie needed to be made for television and aired during November sweeps on CBS.
At least the film has a few things going for it: being based on a best seller is one. However, the two authors of the series do not receive any credit for their book whatsoever. Odd. Second, the film already has a built in audience. I would like to see a good, Christian based film succeed in the secular film world. While you don't have to have profanity for a movie to succeed, you do have to have smart dialogue and good characters. Maybe a couple more rewrites would have made this a success.
As for a good, Christian film, I'll stick with Ben-Hur.
The film needs work. It also needed a bigger budget. And (sorry, Kirk Cameron) it needed a bigger cast. Actually, the movie needed to be made for television and aired during November sweeps on CBS.
At least the film has a few things going for it: being based on a best seller is one. However, the two authors of the series do not receive any credit for their book whatsoever. Odd. Second, the film already has a built in audience. I would like to see a good, Christian based film succeed in the secular film world. While you don't have to have profanity for a movie to succeed, you do have to have smart dialogue and good characters. Maybe a couple more rewrites would have made this a success.
As for a good, Christian film, I'll stick with Ben-Hur.
Sugar & Spice
(2001)
Not bad for a January release
24 January 2001
Who would not want to see a movie about bank robbing cheerleaders? The movie isn't so concerned with the cheerleaders themselves as it is with the classic "what if?" scenario of the captain of the squad becoming impregnated by the captain of the football team. And where to go from there? Why, rob a bank, of course. They have the finesse, they have the ability and, most of all, they have the grooviest disguises (All-American Dolls) since the Ex-Presidents in Point Break.
What stood out is the performance of Mary Shelton in the role of Diane, the cheerleader captain and mastermind. She does a wonderful job of keeping a positive attitude when her life starts to crumble around her. And, as her polar opposite, James Mardsen does a great job of portraying the clueless jock Jack. Mardsen has cluelessness done to a T, especially when failing to realize the stigma of having to work at a video store. While it's nice to see that the stereotypes are not being limited to just the popular people, is it really necessary to have them at all?
The rest of the squad, however, only fall into the aforementioned stereotypes. The cast does their best to overcome them, but there are only so many cheerleader jokes you can do in a feature. Mena Suvari does look like she's having fun, though, as the bad girl cheerleader. And Rachel Blanchard does look pretty as the morally upright cheerleader.
When the robbery comes, it's almost a non-event. But it does come with quite a few laughs. What the film needed to show more of is the aftermath. How does it affect their lives immediately after? Sure, there's a recap at the end, but it would have been better to see those events unfold than to just read about them. Maybe New Line didn't like the first cut of the film and had it pared. Given the 83 minute running time, that is likely.
However, this is the best film with a January release date since Jackie Chan's First Strike. The photography is arid yet striking. The cast is game, the screenplay does have some great laugh out loud moments and it's nice to see a film that shows the many uses of cheerleader athletics.
What stood out is the performance of Mary Shelton in the role of Diane, the cheerleader captain and mastermind. She does a wonderful job of keeping a positive attitude when her life starts to crumble around her. And, as her polar opposite, James Mardsen does a great job of portraying the clueless jock Jack. Mardsen has cluelessness done to a T, especially when failing to realize the stigma of having to work at a video store. While it's nice to see that the stereotypes are not being limited to just the popular people, is it really necessary to have them at all?
The rest of the squad, however, only fall into the aforementioned stereotypes. The cast does their best to overcome them, but there are only so many cheerleader jokes you can do in a feature. Mena Suvari does look like she's having fun, though, as the bad girl cheerleader. And Rachel Blanchard does look pretty as the morally upright cheerleader.
When the robbery comes, it's almost a non-event. But it does come with quite a few laughs. What the film needed to show more of is the aftermath. How does it affect their lives immediately after? Sure, there's a recap at the end, but it would have been better to see those events unfold than to just read about them. Maybe New Line didn't like the first cut of the film and had it pared. Given the 83 minute running time, that is likely.
However, this is the best film with a January release date since Jackie Chan's First Strike. The photography is arid yet striking. The cast is game, the screenplay does have some great laugh out loud moments and it's nice to see a film that shows the many uses of cheerleader athletics.
Can't Smeg Won't Smeg
(1998 TV Movie)
A cooking special where you don't learn much
5 January 2001
A cute side episode of "Can't Cook, Won't Cook", which features host Ainsley Harriot being brought aboard the Red Dwarf shuttle Starbug to determine which of the Dwarfers (Kryten and Lister versus Rimmer and Duane Dibbley) can make the better curry. Ainsley is just as much a character as the members of the Red Dwarf crew are. Don't expect to get a recipe out of the program, but it's worth seeing for the interaction between the chef, the actors and the characters.
Dungeons & Dragons
(2000)
A celebration of bad
12 December 2000
Hoo boy. This one is bad. However, it's the good kind of bad. The kind that moves quickly and lets you have fun with it along the way. The acting is bad, the script is bad, the photography is bad, the editing is bad, the FX are bad and the movie, in general, is bad.
But it's the kind of bad that invites the audience to join in on the fun. MST3K will have a field day with this one, as our audience did. The novelty value of having Richard O'Brien and Tom Baker in the same movie makes it worth seeing. Just don't pay full price for this one.
But it's the kind of bad that invites the audience to join in on the fun. MST3K will have a field day with this one, as our audience did. The novelty value of having Richard O'Brien and Tom Baker in the same movie makes it worth seeing. Just don't pay full price for this one.
Little Nicky
(2000)
Departure for Sandler?
10 November 2000
Little Nicky seems almost like the last film Adam Sandler is going to make. Various characters from his previous films pop up in the appropriate and inappropriate places. His usual mix of gross out humor and sweet natured humor is slightly askew, in favor of the gross out humor. And having two other screenwriters helping him on the script didn't really go over as well as his usual tandem of writers. Still, the film does make you laugh when you shouldn't and the depiction of hell is a lot more amusing than in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut.
Maybe Sandler wants to grow up. Maybe he wants to do something different. Either way, don't expect him to do Shakespeare for a while.
Adam Sandler's Nicky was a promising character. He's the son of the devil who just isn't evil enough. When Dad decides to extend his reign over the underworld for another 10,000 years, Nicky's two older brothers don't like the idea. So they close the gates of hell and make Manhattan the new Hades. Nicky, of course, has to bring them back to save dear old dad. Hilarity ensues.
The rest of the cast, Patricia Arquette as the love interest, Rodney Dangerfield as Lucifer, Clint Howard as the gatekeeper, add some amusing bits to the scenery. Arquette is probably the only actress around that can look pretty in the grotesque sense. And the various cameos from SNL regulars (not to mention a few surprises) can either be amusing or stupid. Still, Adam's fans will eat this one up. The curious should spend no more than matinee prices. But those who know that they want to see it will.
Maybe Sandler wants to grow up. Maybe he wants to do something different. Either way, don't expect him to do Shakespeare for a while.
Adam Sandler's Nicky was a promising character. He's the son of the devil who just isn't evil enough. When Dad decides to extend his reign over the underworld for another 10,000 years, Nicky's two older brothers don't like the idea. So they close the gates of hell and make Manhattan the new Hades. Nicky, of course, has to bring them back to save dear old dad. Hilarity ensues.
The rest of the cast, Patricia Arquette as the love interest, Rodney Dangerfield as Lucifer, Clint Howard as the gatekeeper, add some amusing bits to the scenery. Arquette is probably the only actress around that can look pretty in the grotesque sense. And the various cameos from SNL regulars (not to mention a few surprises) can either be amusing or stupid. Still, Adam's fans will eat this one up. The curious should spend no more than matinee prices. But those who know that they want to see it will.
Lionpower from MGM
(1967)
Advertising from yesteryear
26 September 2000
This has been shown lately as buffer between films on Turner Classic Movies. It is a great advertising piece that screams the 1960s and makes you want to see some movies. A good majority of the films showcased here, however, aren't on video. Two weren't even made as films! TCM should just use this as a springboard for upcoming films.
Cecil B. Demented
(2000)
Laugh or Act? The choice is yours
5 September 2000
John Waters once again delivers a social commentary that makes you laugh but doesn't inspire you to act upon after seeing it. Sure, it's fun to lampoon the Hollywood product, but we still go see it.
Melanie Griffith is fine in her role, and Stephen Dorff continues to coast in his bad guy roles. And Alicia Witt must be seen to be believed.
Melanie Griffith is fine in her role, and Stephen Dorff continues to coast in his bad guy roles. And Alicia Witt must be seen to be believed.
X-Men
(2000)
A welcome first entry
17 July 2000
Let the franchise begin!
This new entry in the comic book character fight for box office glory (and the geek's hearts) delivers. But as good as this film is, it makes one wonder if the sequel can (A) live up to the first film or (B) be even better than the original. Sure, some X-Men were left out, but that's the reason to make a sequel. And while we're on that subject, why do we call it a sequel? The James Bond films have never been "sequels", the Star Wars films are certainly not "sequels".
The story was dead on for origins. Wolvie's powers and abilities, Rogue's fear of her powers, all beautifully explored. Anna Paquin really delivers in her performance here and, if the Academy didn't have their noses in the air about these kinds of films, she should be considered for another Oscar. Hugh Jackman is now a movie star in this country. Halle Berry was pretty good as the weather controller. James Mardsen could have been a little taller, but he made a good revisionist Cyclops.
The audience leaves wanting a little more. That is a great thing at the start of a franchise. Here's hoping the mutation (sorry) continues well into this (and hopefully the next) decade.
This new entry in the comic book character fight for box office glory (and the geek's hearts) delivers. But as good as this film is, it makes one wonder if the sequel can (A) live up to the first film or (B) be even better than the original. Sure, some X-Men were left out, but that's the reason to make a sequel. And while we're on that subject, why do we call it a sequel? The James Bond films have never been "sequels", the Star Wars films are certainly not "sequels".
The story was dead on for origins. Wolvie's powers and abilities, Rogue's fear of her powers, all beautifully explored. Anna Paquin really delivers in her performance here and, if the Academy didn't have their noses in the air about these kinds of films, she should be considered for another Oscar. Hugh Jackman is now a movie star in this country. Halle Berry was pretty good as the weather controller. James Mardsen could have been a little taller, but he made a good revisionist Cyclops.
The audience leaves wanting a little more. That is a great thing at the start of a franchise. Here's hoping the mutation (sorry) continues well into this (and hopefully the next) decade.
Shanghai Noon
(2000)
The only Memorial Day film worth seeing this year!
29 May 2000
Shanghai Noon is the movie to see this Memorial Day weekend. It is a two fisted, two kicked, two six shooters blazing movie that keeps your faith in the westerns and kung fu films.
Jackie is a real scream as an Emperor's Guard sent to America to help retrieve a kidnapped princess. He is still the read deal when it comes to stunts and fights. The western bar brawl scene is probably the best I've ever seen on film. Owen Wilson continues his quirky character streak as the wanna be outlaw whose noterity could use a little work and a better selection of cahoots (his posse is one of the dumbest but funniest in recent memory). And the real find here is Brandon Merril as the "Indian Wife" that knows more than we think she does. A real beauty and a gifted actress to boot, considering she isn't given much to work with.
This film is summer entertainment to the highest degree. And the best Memorial Day weekend film I've seen in four years! Bring the family (the small but family filled auditorium last night was proof of that). And let's give this film the support it deserves!
Jackie is a real scream as an Emperor's Guard sent to America to help retrieve a kidnapped princess. He is still the read deal when it comes to stunts and fights. The western bar brawl scene is probably the best I've ever seen on film. Owen Wilson continues his quirky character streak as the wanna be outlaw whose noterity could use a little work and a better selection of cahoots (his posse is one of the dumbest but funniest in recent memory). And the real find here is Brandon Merril as the "Indian Wife" that knows more than we think she does. A real beauty and a gifted actress to boot, considering she isn't given much to work with.
This film is summer entertainment to the highest degree. And the best Memorial Day weekend film I've seen in four years! Bring the family (the small but family filled auditorium last night was proof of that). And let's give this film the support it deserves!
U-571
(2000)
Good and Loud!
24 April 2000
U-571 is exactly what has been missing from the screens for quite some time: a good old fashioned WWII action film on a submarine. Sure, Das Boot has the characters and the suspense. The Hunt for Red October has Sean Connery. And Crimson Tide had a Quentin Tarantino penned screenplay. But they don't have the sheer thrills that this film provides.
The cast was quite good, and it was nice to see Harvey Keitel play a good guy for once. Matthew M also gives a good bravado performance. I'd want to be a member of his crew.
One word of caution. Do not see this in a theater with the best sound system around. I went deaf for several minutes after this was over. While it's cool to have the floor shake during the explosions, I would have also wanted to hear the film. But having said that, I will gladly see this one again very soon. But I'm bringing earplugs!
The cast was quite good, and it was nice to see Harvey Keitel play a good guy for once. Matthew M also gives a good bravado performance. I'd want to be a member of his crew.
One word of caution. Do not see this in a theater with the best sound system around. I went deaf for several minutes after this was over. While it's cool to have the floor shake during the explosions, I would have also wanted to hear the film. But having said that, I will gladly see this one again very soon. But I'm bringing earplugs!
Mission to Mars
(2000)
Oh, how I have grown up
7 March 2000
I attended the press screening for M2M last night in Atlanta, and for a screening sponsored by the local top 40 station, there were few children in sight for this kid flick. In fact, if some of the (already very mild) violence had been toned down, this could have been released under the Walt Disney banner.
Brian de Palma, once again, borrows from other filmmakers to create his "outer space epic". Well, what he borrowed from Stanley Kubrick isn't anything new, but it did look pretty. The zero gravity sequences were rather convincing and the actors appeared to have fun. There was even two very good performances out of Don Cheadle and Gary Sinise as two of our stalwart astronauts.
However, the movie is very, very hokey. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I had fun watching it, and I got to identify with the characters. But this is a movie I would have loved when I was 10. It didn't bring me back to my childhood. But I do appreciate the effort for trying to bring me back to when I remember movies being larger than life.
Brian de Palma, once again, borrows from other filmmakers to create his "outer space epic". Well, what he borrowed from Stanley Kubrick isn't anything new, but it did look pretty. The zero gravity sequences were rather convincing and the actors appeared to have fun. There was even two very good performances out of Don Cheadle and Gary Sinise as two of our stalwart astronauts.
However, the movie is very, very hokey. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I had fun watching it, and I got to identify with the characters. But this is a movie I would have loved when I was 10. It didn't bring me back to my childhood. But I do appreciate the effort for trying to bring me back to when I remember movies being larger than life.
What Planet Are You From?
(2000)
A cute movie
28 February 2000
For the first time in a long time, Hollywood has given the movie going public a rather intelligent sex farce. It doesn't lean too much into the science fiction element, but it's plenty spaced out for some. Garry Shandling proves he can fill a 106 minute film, although he really is more comfortable in his usual 30 minutes on TV. Ben Kingsley has a lot of fun making fun of his friend Patrick Stewart, and Annette Bening is funny as the object of Shandling's desire.
Galaxy Quest
(1999)
For the fan boys
22 December 1999
If you are a casual movie goer that sees the occasional science fiction movie, then you may get a pleasant evening out of it. However, if you can quote any episode of any given science fiction TV series frontwards, backwards and sideways, this movie is for you. No cliche is left untouched, no nuance unmentioned, and there's room to turn all of them on their ear and give us an entertaining show! The whole cast are wonderful as actors typecasted as sci-fi actors (especially Tim Allen and Alan Rickman) and the story doesn't forget to give us a story to care about! This really is a heart felt valentine for the fan boys and girls that spend their weekends dressing up in costumes and attending conventions. And this one was received with open arms.
Anna and the King
(1999)
One subplot too long
9 December 1999
This is a beautiful looking movie with scenery to spare. The acting was just as beautiful as the scenery. Chow Yun Fat made a regal performance, and Jodie Foster couldn't be found in hers. However, like all epics and epic wannabes, this one has one too many subplots which drags on the running time by a good twenty minutes. Still, there is a lot to recommend. Especially the photography by Caleb B.
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo
(1999)
Not that bad
7 December 1999
I went into this press screening with a bit of dread. I am not a huge fan of the acting base that was previously on Saturday Night Live (e.g. Adam Sandler) so all instincts told me to say at home for this one. However, I was surprised. While full of dumb cinema cliches, it made me laugh more than groan. Rob Schneider delivers a rather likable performance once his character becomes developed. His character would be at home with Bobby Boucher (of "The Waterboy") quite nicely. Arija Barekis delivered a great performance as one of Deuce's clients. Eddie Griffin also has a few laughs as Deuce's boss. Not great cinema by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a lot better than I was expecting. A fine way to spend a matinee.
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