Marionetta Reviews

Valley of the Dolls (1967)

Am I Really So Wrong For Liking This Movie?

[23 June 2004]

I must be crazy. Just after watching this movie, I got on IMDb to see what its rating was, and, honestly, I was expecting something a lot higher. I don't consider this movie a turning point in the film industry, but I certainly wouldn't call it bad. It's not bad. I didn't notice any flaws in the acting (which is the principle instrument for telling a movie's story)---I personally thought that Patty Duke's performance was amazing. The storyline intrigued me, and I liked the characters---especially Barbara Parkins' Anne, who I felt myself relating to by the end of the movie.

Like I said, I must be crazy. I wouldn't say this is the best movie ever made, but I thought it was rather good. I'd sit through this any day before I'd watch LORD OF THE RINGS. I guess I must have missed the horrid atrocities of this film. I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in the darker side of show biz'.

Deep Rising (1998)

Can You Just Get Asthma, Or Do You Have To Be Born With It?

[13 July 2003]

Sure, the effects are lame and the plot is cheesy, but what were you expecting? It's still a great group movie! How in the world could someone hate a film like this? Granted, if you have high expectations for another "Psycho" type horror/thriller, you're out of luck and wishing for too much. Still, if you're looking to laugh all night (whether by the script's intentions or not), you've got a great movie. By far, Joey (Kevin J. O'Connor) either makes or breaks the movie for you. For me, already being a KJOC fan, his humor was great to fall back on, but I know of others who found him exceedingly annoying. Also Trilian (Famke Janassen) was immensely funny in her own subtle little comments and actions. Overall, I'd recommend it to anyone with low expectations and a great sense of humor. Or anyone who (like myself) can appreciate a good B movie.

The Mummy (1999)

My Favorite Movie, Shamelessly

[6/10 · 11 June 2003]

Amidst all my favorite movie dramas and Shakespearean plays, somehow, an entertainment-driving blockbuster from 1999 became my favorite movie. I could watch it a thousand times over (which, I garuntee you, I have) and still not tire of it.

A sit-back-and-enjoy-the-ride kind of film, don't do the mindless thing as other reviewers here have and compare it to THE GODFATHER or GONE WITH THE WIND. As I've had to remind several people--IT'S MADE TO BE ENJOYED!

Definitely comparable to the INDIANA JONES movies (yet exceeding them immensely), I'd recommend it to anyone who loves action, adventure, humor, romance, and/or Ancient Egypt! Set perfectly in the 1920's, THE MUMMY starred a group of "nobody" actors who are now getting to be somebodies in Hollywood.

A perfect 10 for a movie night with friends, or alone on a Tuesday night. (Just don't go near the sequel!!!!!!!!)

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Oh My....

[11 June 2003]

I just finished watching the movie about ten minutes ago, so it's pretty fresh in my mind. Odd. Very, very odd. Perhaps I'm biased due to the fact that I have a strong dislike for DiCaprio, but that was very odd. The costuming was--way out there somewhere. It was put together oddly. The death scene (which to me broke the show)--gosh, why not keep it the way Shakespeare had written it? There was no Paris/Romeo tryst (I suppose that would be a bit abstract with guns--yet another of the movie's downfalls), and Juliet woke up before Romeo was completely dead! I saw a very real TITANIC flash-back right about then--must he do all his death scenes the same? Mercutio was made to be MUCH too annoying in my opinion, so I felt it hard to pity Romeo when his best friend is killed. They murdered the balcony scene completely!

Maybe it's just that I'd prefer the Old English swords and parties to modernized adaptations. I wouldn't recommend it, or WEST SIDE STORY, while I'm at it.

If you like abstract and weird, go for it. But I prefer traditional Shakespeare, and I found it hard to enjoy it.