sjtom49 Reviews

Over the Top (1987)

Starved for entertainment?

[25 February 2003]

If you're starved for entertainment while snowed in during a blizzard as I was, ok, watch this film. Otherwise forget it! What's more boring than watching live arm wrestling? Watching a movie about it. Complete with slow motion shots! Slo-mo arm wrestling? Give me a break. Possibly the most boring film of all time. 1/2 star just because I feel generous.

Rules of Engagement (2000)

What would you have done?

[19 February 2003]

This film plays out like a TV Columbo episode. First you see what happened, then you watch it all come together via the court room scenes. To those viewers who don't really believe a child could possibly be shooting at the Marines I say how quick you forget what happened in Viet Nam time and again. Put yourself in Samuel L. Jackson's character and ask yourself, "what would I have done"? If you didn't do the exact same thing chances are you never would have lived through the experience. Powerhouse performances by Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones. This film is raw and emotional. For those with a weak stomach, beware the graphic battle scenes. 5 of 5 stars!

Changing Lanes (2002)

Tedious bore

[15 February 2003]

The good casting and acting couldn't save this from being a tedious bore of a movie. The entire story could have been told in 5 minutes. Stretching it into a 2 hour movie made sitting through it worse than pulling teeth. A big fat zero on the * meter.

Monte Walsh (2003 TV Movie)

Selleck has never been better.

[9/10 · 29 January 2003]

A line heard a few times in this excellent film is "Aint nobody sits on a horse like Monte Walsh." I'll amend that by saying aint nobody looks so at home in a western as Tom Selleck. Selleck has never been better and plays the role to shear perfection. A great team of character actors and the fantastic photography really helped put this one over the top.

The time is the late 1800's and the cowboy way of life is coming to a close. Monte has a rough time accepting this. Along the way there are some funny moments but many more sad ones. 4 1/2 of 5 stars.

The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)

Loony Tunes

[10/10 · 9 January 2003]

One of the other user comments said for you to stick it out to the end. I agree. It took some time for me to really get into the film. The residents of the rundown hotel are all loony tunes in one way or another but if you don't or can't feel sympathy for them you have no heart. The excellent U2 soundtrack doesn't scream at you but quietly plays in the background and fits the dark atmosphere perfectly. The acting by the entire cast is top notch from start to finish. 4 of 5 stars.

The Last Castle (2001)

What a yawner!

[20 December 2002]

Even Robert Redford couldn't save this joke of a movie. Yet another decent plot falls flat on its face. What's supposed to be a fight between the system and prison inmates reminded me more of a bunch of 10 year old kids having a snowball fight. This movie would be over-rated if given 1 star!

Don't Say a Word (2001)

Total waste of time and talent.

[20 December 2002]

A very good cast added with a decent plot managed to get me to rent this film. The viewer is drawn into the action early on but just when the suspense should be building everything becomes totally predictable. Everything! Don't waste your time on "Don't Say A Word".

Run (1991)

Many unique scenes!

[22 July 2002]

The other reviews explain the plot so I won't repeat it. What really struck me about this movie was the many unique chase and fight scenes. For example, when was the last time you saw a foot chase through bowling alley pins and the machinery that sets them up? Or a car chase through a carnival lot? The scene on top of the building with our hero and the thugs reminded me of a 3 stooges routine. There's also one of the most unique ways of killing someone you'll ever see! I stumbled upon this movie without knowing anything about it and was thoroughly entertained. 3 out of 4!

A Bronx Tale (1993)

Nearly perfect.

[1 April 2002]

If all directorial debuts were even close to Robert De Niro's work in A Bronx Tale we'd never run out of worthwhile movies. This film is a mix of the timeless battles between good and evil, right and wrong, heaven and hell, black and white. Toss in a liberal dose of peer pressure with a great mix of period music and you have a nearly perfect film. 9 1/2 out of 10!

Blown Away (1994)

Good film although disturbing...

[22 March 2002]

This was one of those rare films I bought just from reading the info on the box. Jeff Bridges is a bomb squad expert hoping to retire but returns to duty as he goes after an old friend (Tommy Lee Jones) who's on a revenge mission in Boston. I would have found this movie more entertaining if it wasn't for the current terrorist activities in the world today. That made it seem far too real and disturbing. However, there's good acting all around and the Irish soundtrack adds a nice touch. Not many films are shot in Boston but they made good use of the locales. Another nice touch was the way the camera zooms in on the innards of a working bomb. 3 1/2 stars of 5.

I Want to Live! (1958)

Still packs a punch!

[10 March 2002]

This film shocked movie goer's of the day and still packs a punch. Susan Hayward deservedly won best actress. Based on a true story you can decide for yourself whether she's innocent or guilty but there's no escaping the terrible realities of death row in the final 30 minutes. If you've ever even considered leading a life of crime see this film first. Chances are you'll repent. The jazzy score adds an excellent touch. Not to be missed! 5 out of 5!

Tombstone (1993)

A Modern Classic

[9 January 2002]

Tombstone is a modern classic western about good guys against the bad guys. It's a little long and maybe the story isn't exact history but not once does the pace let up. Be warned, it's extremely violent. 4 1/2 stars out of 5!

All the President's Men (1976)

So you trust Washington?

[9 August 2001]

This film is probably in more top 10 lists than any movie ever made and deservedly so. Due to the subject matter (the Watergate break-in and cover-up) there's little in the way of suspense but it's not needed. Seeing exactly how Woodward and Bernstein went about putting their story together is movie making at its finest. The story, top notch casting, editing and directing give this an easy 10 out of 10!

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

Entertaining from start to finish!

[19 July 2001]

An All Star Cast, Director of epics and of course the many circus scenes make this Best Picture film of 1952 well worth watching. For the most part this movie shows a part of Americana that's, sadly, long gone. 10 out of 10!