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Titus-Andronicus
Reviews
Fifteen and Pregnant (1998)
A melodramatic, uninspiring waste.
I am no fan of Kirsten Dunst. I think she's a terrible actress. And she manages to give what may well be her worst performance yet, as the selfish, immature, stupid Tina.
This movie was a project for my Morality&Ethics class, and after studying it, I have to say it is terrible. I'm not saying that Tina's struggle was fake, but it's people like her that perpetrate this myth of stupid teenagers not knowing or understanding the consequences. And yes, I know that a great many pregnant teenagers face problems like this. I sympathize with them. But Tina's life was a disaster. Ray (the boyfriend) was a self-centered idiot, and if any of my friends found themselves stuck with a guy like that, they'd ditch him. In a heartbeat.
The main problem with this movie is the characters. While they may be based on real people, they do not come across as real. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Everybody is selfish and concerned only with themselves. The only halfway likable character is her father, and the only truly likable character is the dog! What does that say?
I realize that this is a very harsh review, but it's my perception. This is an utter waste. The characters are ally caricatures of the stereotypical "broken" family. Save yourself the annoyance and see a decent pregnant teenager movie - like Sugar & Spice.
From the Earth to the Moon (1998)
Incredible and a must-see for anybody who wishes to call themselves human.
"From the Earth to the Moon" chronicles, of course, that most epic of all journeys: that from our own planet to the moon. This is something that has gone relatively unrecognized within history classes, and that near omission is a crying shame. Everything that was put into something of this magnitude adds up to be one of the greatest stories telling of a nearly unrivaled triumph.
"We choose to do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."
"From the Earth to the Moon" captures the essence of the Space Race, and while I myself was not alive for it, after viewing this, it certainly feels like I was.
Benny & Joon (1993)
A sweet, simple romance.
Benny & Joon is a relief for anybody tired of overtly sexual and predictable romances where all the attraction is in the physical aspects of the relationship. There are perhaps three swear words in the entire film; the whole thing is a sweet family romance.
Benny is a car mechanic whose entire life is dominated by caring for his sister, Joon, who's mentally ill. One night in a poker game with Benny's friends, Joon loses...and what's been bet is a cousin. Thus the eccentric Sam comes to live with Benny & Joon.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that this movie is all about Joon and Sam. It's not. It is, as the title proclaims, about Benny and Joon. It's their love story. Not a romance-love; a family-love. They are all they have. The whole movie has a dreamy feel to it, with quirky characters and a left-of-center soundtrack. The directing is superb, and the acting is spot-on. This is a serio-comic character study with more comedy than seriousness. A must-see for anybody who counts themselves a movie fan.