MOONSALT90 Reviews

The Abominable Snowman (1957)

Interesting take on what could have been a lousy movie

[7/10 · 17 January 2005]

I just saw "The Abominable Snowman" today and was pleasantly surprised by the film. When I read the preview for it on the TV it was under the Horror category, and knowing it was made in 1957, I wasn't sure I wanted to see it in fear that it would be too out-dated to be enjoyable. But what the movie did was, at a relatively quick pace, told a story of 5 men who travel into the Himmalayin mountains in search of a Yeti. As our travelers progress, we find out that not everyone has the same intentions for this creature. One thing I liked about this movie is how they don't show the creature fully, allowing people to enjoy the movie years later without ever having to worry about why the Yeti looks so stupid and fake.

*Possible Spoilers* In my opinion, one of the best things about the movie was how the entire plot set up the Yeti to be a fierce and man-eating creature. But the doctor realizes that the creature may not be this terrible monster but instead, a species that is saddened and hidden away in the cold mountains, away from humans. The final encounter with the creature proves this, when we see that their face doesn't resemble a monster but much more human-like.

Overall, I give this movie a 7.5/10 and I recommend it because it makes you think at the end, something most horror movies truly don't.

Ali (2001)

Horrendous

[20 January 2004]

(One possible minor spoiler)

I have only stopped watching a movie because it was so bad only once (Blade Runner) but this movie came pretty close. Almost every aspect of this movie was extrodinarily dissapointing and horrible. The only possible bright spot in the movie was Will Smith's portrayl of Ali, which was pretty good. However, the rest of the movie was disspicable.

First, the annoying music in the background didn't add dramatic effect of any effect other then that of pure annucence. Secondly, there were so many dull and way too slow scenes that could have been easily cut without losing any of the movie. Next, Howard Cossel, played by Jon Voight, was played way too stiffly. Also, the beginning portion of the movie involved too much of his religious beliefs, and for the first 30 minutes, didn't even focus on Ali. Which brings me to another point, the relationship between Malcom X and Muhammad Ali was poorly established and the viewer felt no emotion and didn't care about the death of Malcom X.

With this movie clocking in at 2 hours and 37 minutes, it was about 37 minutes too long, which even at 2 hours is too long for this horrendous film. If there was a bright spot it was most definitley the ending, not because it was filmed good or of that nature, but because it signified the movie was over. One of the biggest dissapointments I have watched. Only Will Smith prevented me from turning it off.

4\10 stars

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Only one word can describe this movie, "WOW"

[20 January 2004]

Absolutely incredible. Easily in my top 10 all time, and that's saying something. This movie kept me captivated from the beginning all the way to the end. It combined a super setting and effects (at least for '68) and the casting was perfect. This movie included, in my opinion, one of the most memorable line in film history, "get your damn paws of me, you stinkin' apes!". Not to ruin it for anyone, the ending is also one of the best in film history. This easily won my award for most entertaining and original story ever, because it captivated the imagination, especially considering the fact that it could actually happen (it's a stretch, but...) This is a rather short response, but I could just go on and on saying how great it was, but it would only be redundant. Overall, this movie was absolutely incredible

9.5\10 stars (I'm a tough reviewer)

The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Great house, only good movie

[8 December 2003]

Possible spoliers ahead

I just came back from the movies after seeing The Haunted Mansion and have mixed reviews. I like how the movie had a serious side to it, even though it was obviously targeted towards kids. The special effects such as the zombies and ghosts was spectacular and the house was surprsingly scary looking. However, I was dissapointed that the 2 servants of the house tried to help Eddie Murphy...it would have been much more realistic for no when to help him. I mean, the butler was trying to free the ghosts so all the ghosts would have wanted to be freed. Anyway, Eddie Murphy didn't have a hilarious role in this movie but he played it well and so did everyone else. Whoever played the butler in this movie scared me to death and he played it with a continual stoic face and I congradulate him as the best acting performance in the movie. Overall, 7.5 of 10 stars.

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

Definitly better then expected

[15 November 2003]

I just recently ordered 2 Fast 2 Furious to watch from DirecTV and I have to admit it was much better then I thought it would be. The action was non-stop and the cars weren't too shabby either. While some can argue that the story wasn't nothing to spectacular, you have to be coming into this movie expecting not too much of a story, because if you actually are then your just crazy. I have to admit, the story in the original was certainly better then this movies, but 2 Fast 2 Furious still was a good movie to sit back and watch.

One thing that I thought would bother me alot was the fact that Vin Diesel wasn't playing the part that Tyreese was, because I felt that it would be the perfect part for him, but Tyreese pulled it off perfectly, possibly being the most interesting character in the movie. While I liked Paul Walker in the first movie, I thought he did a poor acting job and seemed to be keeping the same tone of voice the entire movie like he was a robot.

Ok, so this wasn't exactly a motion picture epic but it certainly wasn't a flop either. The action never ceased to stop and the cars were a feast for the eyes. All in all, I would give this 7.5 and 8 stars.

The Core (2003)

Nothing too impressive

[25 October 2003]

Well, after seeing this movie last night I have discovered one thing....too much attempted suspense in a movie isn't always a good thing. Every 5 seconds something catostrophic happens to "Virgil", the ship sent to the core. The first few times you get into it, but by the next half a million it becomes so completely obvious that they would make it out of their problem that you could have fallen asleep and predicted the rest of the movie.

Now, if I had to say something good about the movie....the special effects were half-way decent. Personally my favorite scene was in the very beginning when the birds all begin to die and literally attack the city. But then again, that was the only well-done special effects (aside from the few ship scenes) because all of the lighting strikes looked terribly corny and stupid.

All in all I would say that while your watching the movie you think its decent but by the time the entire movie sinks in you wonder why you decided to watch it in the first place.

5.5\10