Change Your Image
theedcarol
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Wonka (2023)
Entertaining with a good musical score
I'm in my early 70s and accompanied my wife and 21-year-old daughter to see this movie, which I would have never done on my own. I figured it would be a good family outing and I like spending time with my family. I was entertained and enjoyed the story and the musical score. I was a little confused at first until my wife explained to me that this was a prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factor, which I never viewed. I laughed several times and found myself moving with the music that often reminded me of some of the tunes from the Chicago musical (honestly). Bottom line, it was a well-spent two hours. Know what to expect and enjoy the time with your family.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Power of Attorney (1965)
One of the better Hitchcock hour shows
I find many of the Alfred Hitchcock hour shows to be anti-climactic and not very well written. Hitchcock's name is associated with the show so you expect something better. This show was an exception. It was well written and the acting was very good. My only criticism is the rather disjointed way the opening five minutes of the program was connected to the rest of it. You knew the bad guy was going to get his in the end but the storyline presented a clever way of this happening. I wish all the hour long shows that Hitchcock presented were this good.
Wild Things (1998)
Must be a record for plot twists
Saw some plot twists coming. Missed others. Maybe it was because there couldn't be another one coming. Nope, there was. When it was over I wondered if the screenplay was written on the fly. Despite all the flaws, the movie was entertaining. It would be hard not to be with all that eye candy.
Mr. Brooks (2007)
Costner makes the movie
Costner's typical roles make him untypical to play Mr. Brooks. Mr. Brooks' standing in the community make him untypical to be the thumbprint killer. Combine this with a good storyline, excellent dialogue between Costner and Hurt and the promise of a prequel or sequel and you have time well spent at the movies. The abrupt ending to this movie left me wanting more. I liked Demi Moore in her role, although a police detective worth more that $60 million seems to be a bit of a stretch. MINOR SPOILER - Also, the force of Moore's ejection from the van and her landing atop the windshield of an adjacent car would have caused more damage than some sutures on her skull. Her hair also seemed to make a miraculous recovery from the stitchwork. Minor inconveniences though, the movie is worth seeing.
Cinderella Man (2005)
Excellent acting, great direction and worth the price of the rental
Whenever I see a Russell Crowe movie, I expect it to be good. Same goes for movies directed by Ron Howard. I was not disappointed by Cinderella Man, which was far better than all the Rockys put together. Maybe it's because it was based on a true story. Maybe it's because the fight scenes seemed believable. If you look at film of the real Braddock-Baer fight, you know that the fighting in the movie was a little more lively and exaggerated. But it was still believable, unlike the footage from a typical Rocky movie. And what can I say about the performance by Paul Giamatti. Never heard of the guy before, but I want to see him in another movie to see if his great performance was due to a perfect role for him or because he's a great actor. No question about Crowe's acting ability. One recommendation I would have, even if you have great hearing, is to run the captioning when you watch the movie. There are lots of low points and instances, such as right before the start of the championship fight, where lots of people are talking at the same time. A guy movie that is sentimental enough for chicks to like too.
Identity (2003)
Keeps you thinking without giving you a headache
This was a thoroughly entertaining movie because it kept you guessing throughout and, when it was all over, the ending was plausible. Viewers will likely come up with a number of theories as the film progresses and will likely consider the actual ending as they speculate. I don't think this detracts from the movie and is certainly preferable to the inexplicable ending in the remake of Planet of the Apes, for example. The acting is good and so is the direction. My only complaint is that the DVD holder from Blockbuster promised an alternative ending, and there was none.
Seabiscuit (2003)
Acting and story make this film great entertainment
I went to the movies wanting to cheer for a winner and was not disappointed
with Seabiscuit. Chris Cooper and William H. Macy gave Oscar-quality
performances. Jeff Bridges and Tobey Maguire were not far behind. The editing of the film was a bit unusual but I think it worked. Randy Newman's soundtrack added to the visual effects. This movie will make many new fans for
thoroughbred racing. Don't wait for the video. See it on the wide-screen.
About Schmidt (2002)
Jack Nicholson and Kathy Bates make this film work
This film with anyone else but Jack Nicholson in the lead would likely not work. And it wouldn't work as well without Kathy Bates. Some roles were made for
some actors and this is the case in this movie. It takes a while for the character to develop and at first we're not sure if we're going to get a typical Nicholson personna. There are glimpses of it, but what we get is a brand new character. And the character and story work. Kathy Bates is very impressive in a supporting role. The spa scene could have been done in a less revealing manner, but it's a testament to her "taking one for the team" that she went the distance with it. You may feel good at the film's conclusion; you may feel sad. But you shouldn't feel disappointed.
Monster's Ball (2001)
Slow moving with good performances
Wanted to see if Haile Berry's performance was Oscar-like and I agree it was. She was believable in the role although the plot was a bit of a stretch and the pace of the movie was sometimes tedious. I found myself pausing the DVD and
confirming anachronisms, such as the new-style 20-dollar bill that Berry
received for her ring. Spoiler ahead ... probably the thing that amazed me most about this dark movie was the ending. I was awaiting a final tragedy and was
surprised that everyone apparently lives happily ever after. Peter Boyle
recreated a Southern-style role from his character Joe in the movie of the same name. Boyle and Billy Bob Thorton complemented the fine performance
delivered by Berry. I'd rate the move a 7.
Gosford Park (2001)
My head is still spinning
This movie gave my simple little mind too much to digest at too fast a rate of speed. There were too many characters and much of the dialogue was inaudible due to accents and poor sound (I finally turned on closed captioning about halfway through the movie. It helped a little.) I like murder mysteries but this one was incomprehensible. Of course my wife knew exactly what was going on and figured the whole thing out long before I had a clue. "Gosford Park" probably deserved more than the "5" rating I gave it, but there was something about it that left me totally underwhelmed and frustrated. Best I can determine, if you're a "regular guy," you're not going to like this movie.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Almost didn't rent this; glad I did
I watch a lot of movies. Most of them are very forgetful. The last movie I saw that left me feeling the same way that "A Beautiful Mind" did was "Midnight Cowboy," more that 30 years ago!
"A Beautiful Mind" is movie-making at its best. It's the first movie I've ever given a "10" to on this site. Russell Crowe has established himself as a premier actor. Ron Howard continues to demonstrate that he is one of the top directors around. The rest of the cast was excellent. Although I am not a movie critic by trade, I can honestly say that there was not one thing about this movie that I didn't like. Rent it.
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
I must have missed the "scary" parts
I had heard that this movie was supposed to provide some scary moments for the viewer. I guess I was too busy trying to figure out what was going on to be scared. When the movie was over, I tried putting two and two together and sometimes still came up with three. POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD ... Why did the female police officer morph from a take-control character to a much weaker one? Did she have some sort of brain disorder that allowed her to dream her future? Did she actually call Richard Gere's character and invite him over for Christmas dinner? How in blazes did Richard Gere get to that little town in the first place? Why wasn't he arrested when he staked out the house on the second night? How come a sleepy little one-cop town would have a huge traffic jam on a large suspension bridge on Christmas Eve? Why were we subjected to another unrealistic underwater rescue scene (in terms of visibility, the time Gere is able to hold his breath and his immunity from hypothermia)? Did the movie's climax justify the 105 minutes that preceded it? With better writing, editing, sound and directing this could have been a pretty good movie. Of course, they all could.
Insomnia (2002)
Acting was great; story was mediocre
If actors make a movie then those bankrolling this film should be thanking the stars, both the celestial and the human varieties. Oh, the story was OK and fairly predictable. I even found myself trying to guess the unexpected twists that never materialized. But Pacino showed why he is still one of the finest actors around today. His portrayal of someone suffering from sleep deprivation was so real that we couldn't understand why it wasn't more recognizable to those acting with him. Robin Williams was able to overcome his typecasting and was perfectly believable as a calculating villain. Hillary Swank did an excellent job of morphing her character as the plot developed. There were a couple of scenes where one had to willingly suppress disbelief, such as when Pacino spent about a minute trapped below surface in frigid waters after a vigorous pursuit sequence. Then there was the fog that mysteriously thickened at the worst possible moment. The conclusion of the film was plausible but not completely satisfying. I would have liked more twists throughout. But the acting was wonderful and made the move a "must see."
Proof of Life (2000)
A film for both guys and gals
Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe have a chemistry in this film that may have carried over from their personal relationship. Their expressions and demeanors reflected their feelings. This is a movie that's easy to understand and doesn't make you cringe when it's all over. SPOILER AHEAD I particularly liked the fact that none of the good guys got killed and the pig man did. This was definitely a movie that both guys and gals would like.
42nd Street (1933)
Not bad for a 68-year-old movie
This is your stereotypical '30s musical extravaganza with three very recognizable (even today) songs from days gone by. This baby boomer has used the term "Shuffle off to Buffalo." Now I know its genesis. The thing that struck me most about this movie was its risque (although subtle) scenes. Two that come to mind are the "up the dress" shots of the dancers coming down a staircase and the bottom grabs of two male dancers on the female they were lifting. The movie provides an enjoyable way to spend part of a weekend afternoon.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
An easy-to-watch "feel good" movie
If you want to be entertained, laugh a little, enjoy slapstick and need to escape for 100 minutes, then rent this movie. George Clooney, sometimes looking like Clark Gable, will not be nominated for any acting awards, but his role wasn't very demanding. The same might be said for Tim Blake Nelson although he seemed perfect for the role. This movie doesn't need a lot of analyzing. It was simply good, mindless fun. The soundtrack will have you slapping your knees and you'll be cheering when the Hogwallows reprise their hit song.
Memento (2000)
A conclusion that's plausible and satisfying
Too often you sit through a movie hoping that when it finally all unravels you will experience a conclusion that makes the experience worthwhile. Then, when it happens, you asked why in blazes did you waste your time (e.g. the remake of Planet of the Apes). You will not be disappointed with the conclusion of Memento. It's a movie that falls just short of being a classic, but nonetheless one that you will likely remember for some time. The reverse unfolding of the plot was not extremely difficult to follow and didn't force the viewer to continually question the significance of each scene. In other words, it was a user friendly film and the director did not find it necessary to continually confound the viewer with scenes that had to be replayed several times before they became understandable. Fans of CSI, the Sopranos and Frasier will enjoy seeing actors from these shows in another setting. Finally, a movie that's thought provoking without being overly cerebral.
In the Light of the Moon (2000)
Surprisingly entertaining for a B flick
Maybe some would dispute that this was a B flick, but I think it qualified. With that said, I think this movie delivered what I expected. It was entertaining and portrayed some pretty gross behaviors without grossing out the viewer. A good movie to rent.
Unbreakable (2000)
Good ending but a little slow moving.
Enjoyed the plot twists and thought that the acting was good. The movie dragged at times but it kept me interested. A few notches away from being an outstanding film. I may have been a little more impressed if I had never seen the Sixth Sense.
Planet of the Apes (2001)
Good special effects and costumes; weak writing.
Everything about this remake was better than the original except for the screenplay and acting. The ending was inexplicable and may have set the stage for another movie. I thought the acting in both movies was about the same. Not great, not bad.
Eye of the Beholder (1999)
Quite possibly the worst movie I've paid money to see.
After attending this movie in Orange Park, Florida with my wife, I came the closest that I've ever come to going to the box office and requesting my money back. You know how some movies move kind of slow and then grab you with a killer ending (e.g. The Sixth Sense)? Well this poor excuse for entertainment moved kind of slow and then came to a complete halt. It is quite possibly the worst movie I've ever paid money to see. It makes the Blair Witch Project look like Oscar material. It's horrible.