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Reviews
Citizen Verdict (2003)
Interesting concept
Overall not too bad, but could have been so much better. It leaves the viewer pondering just how out of control reality television has become. Raffaello Degruttola did a fine job as Ricky Carr. Lengthy & boring at best, some of the Armand Assante scenes could have been edited. When I first picked up the movie, I noticed that Jerry Springer was in the cast. After seeing his name, my first thought was that it must be some king of black comedy. Much to my surprise it wasn't and the man can actually act! The DVD has the usual extras. Check out the comments from the cast and crew. They were almost more interesting than the movie. Not worth premium ticket prices but just fine for a rental fee. Worth a look.
The Missing (2003)
It started out good...
Too long & miscast. TLJ is not convincing in part. The rest of cast very good. Will not win awards for editing. Would love to see it again with some major cuts. predictable boring took two days to get through it mr jones should retire have i used up 10 lines yet? did I mention an hour too long? rent another movie, instead! "The Unforgiven" much better.
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
2 hours of beatings & torture
And the oscar (will never happen) should go to Mel Gibson & company for cinematography, costumes, editing, adaption & so on and so on. Aside from violence, a very beautiful movie to watch. Did it move me spiritually? No! This movie is exactly why I find religion ridiculous. If I'm correct, the whole episode happened in and around Iraq, Jordan & such. Why an all white cast? Would have been more convincing if the skin of actors was darker. Relentless violence. What the movie doesn't tell you is that people were being crucified left and right back then. It does say that if you go against the politcal powers that be, you will be tortured & killed. Especially if you've created a following of people. It seems that Jesus was a political threat & he needed to be gone! And it shows that his supporters turned on him when they were about to face death & crucifixion for agreeing with his ideas. Overall, would recommend it. Christians, Baptists, Lutherns & the like will suffer through it. They will be the ones moved. The ones crying & feeling guilt about this man who suffered for their sins. All other people with non-christian views will decide for themselves. An interesting movie, glad I saw it. Would not sit through it again.
Lost in Translation (2003)
What's all the fuss?
I found this movie very boring and hard to watch. Slow moving & overrated. Big deal! So another man faces midlife with a young hippie chick at his side. Who cares?! I chuckled a few times, but was overall unsatisfied. How this movie won any globes, just dunno! Can only hope that it doesn't get any oscars. Compare this dog to a movie like "The Color Purple" (which was shut out) and you'll understand. Would have been very angry if I paid theater prices to see this. Boring boring boring!
Straightman (1999)
Boring
I don't usually skip ahead in movies, but had to do it with this one. Was thanking my dvd remote for that option! Not entirely bad, just overall boring. Ben Redgrave is white trash "eye candy". The homo sex scenes are very erotic. The straight sex scenes were like watching a Ron Jeremy movie. Yuck! A nice attempt for film production. Will be looking for more movies by this novice team. If they can pull it together, lot's of potential.
The Trip (2002)
Wow!
Very powerful movie for gay guys in the 40 - 60 range. High school kids from the late 70's can appreciate the difficulties of being gay that this movie represents. Family, social & signs of the times are all very well portrayed. Who doesn't remember Anita Bryant and her hate? The gay youth of today don't know how good they have it. And neither do the oldsters appreciate the acceptance (a little at a time) that we all fought so hard for. Corny towards the end, but overall fantastic movie. It coveread all the basics. 8 out of 10.
The Circle (2002)
Total confusion
What a boring movie. Leaves one wondering if there ever was an initial storyline. I expected a sleeper. The only sleeper was me, half way through it! Don't waste your time or money on this dog. I usually enjoy Treat Williams. Not even he could save the fraternity of bad writing and acting. Don't waste your time.
Giorni (2001)
A little muddled
I almost didn't rent this because I can't stand watching movies with subtitles. I'm glad I did. Some of the characters & their storylines could've been left out, but overall a decent movie. I was very surprised at ending & the impact stuck with me through the day. Not a tear jerker, but makes you think.
Friends and Family (2001)
Two chuckles & one star
That's the only way I can describe this dog. Just awful. Two chuckles for very rare "funny lines" and one star for finished product. I may lie to local video store & claim dvd was defective. At least I'll get a credit for wasted money! LOL! Could have been so much better without stereotypes & militia parent storyline. I do give my "hats off" to actors that portrayed Stephen & Danny. They were the only redeeming factors in a poorly written script. Did I mention that they were "easy on the eyes"? WOOF!
The Deep End (2001)
130+ minutes of agony
Just awful. What a horrible bag of garbage. Dumb & EVEN more dumber. 'nuff said! Got excited thinking that I was going to watch a really good mystery. Boy was I disappointed! The only mystery is my ultimate question for a really bad movie... "Who the hell financed this crap?". Enjoy!
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
UNPREDICTABLE!
I can usually figure out how a movie is going to end, but this one stumped me. Very good movie. Had a "disturbed" feeling that lasted all day after watching it. When a movie does that, you know you've seen a good one! Matt Damon shines, Jude Law WONDERFUL! I even liked Paltrow (whom I usually can't stand).
Nightstalker (2002)
What was that? Don't be fooled!
When I picked this up at local video store, I was under the impression that it was going to be based on fact (the true story). I should have read the box a little closer. The writer used the "scenario" of nightstalker killings and threw in his own "what if" storyline. The acting was terrible, yet special effects were good. Set design very good. Makeup excellent. Lots of pre-p/c innuendos. Way too much filler! Overall a big snore & just stupid. Had they spent as much money on the script as they did special effects, could've been much better. Oh yea, forgot to say VERY PREDICTABLE! Factual made-for-tv version much better & believe me... that's not saying much!
Little House: Look Back to Yesterday (1983)
Bamboo under fingernails less painful!
I love this movie. Every time I see it, I choke up. Matthew & Melissa deliver scenes that would melt the coldest of hearts! Get past the corny music and break out the razors. Tissue paper stock must have gone through the ceiling when this special first aired! My only question would be ... as a fan of LHOTP, Didn't Laura narrate at the end of Albert's morphine addiction episode, that he returned to Walnut Grove as Dr. Albert Ingalls? Watch it and you will understand my question. Why aren't long running series consistent with storylines? I suppose that writers don't look back at previous episodes. Inconsistent, but heart wrenching all the same!
Old School (2003)
Guaranteed in stock or FREE! Blockbuster does it again!
Well folks! The only reason this movie is guaranteed "in stock" is because word of mouth travels quickly. This has to be one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Trys to be a cross between Animal House, American Pie with a touch of Police Academy. Horrible! The only funny part was the "token" queen they threw in. I haven't seen anything so bad since the last "guaranteed in stock" movie titled "Just Married". Nuff said!
Ghost Ship (2002)
Better than expected
Have to admit was a little bored in first 20 mins ... Not to worry! Gets better! The special effects are incredible. The storyline, very good. Alas, something wrong! Too messy trying to understand plot. Good wrap up for storyline in last 20 mins. I can usually predict an ending shortly after movie starts, this one surprised me! Very good try for writers/directors. I don't usually watch the "extras" on a dvd, but did for this one. Not scary, but family fun!
The Ring (2002)
More of a mystery
Not the least bit scary, folks! Interesting concept, but found ending a bit confusing. This would be much better classified as suspense/mystery. If I had paid theater prices to see it, would have been disappointed. All said, if you liked "Blair Witch Project" you'll enjoy this one.
Six Feet Under (2001)
Incredible - Emmy material!
I stumbled on this show about 6 weeks ago. Was hooked from the get go! The viewer is allowed a rare insight into the world of a very dysfunctional family. As owners of a funeral home, the Fisher family allows you to become a part of their personal problems while allowing the viewer insight to death as a business. The issues surrounding this family are the most "on target" that I have ever seen on television. No subject is too taboo for the writers (which they deserve much appraise for.) There should be more shows like this that give the fairness to both sides of the irony that is prevalent in each episode. Using a very realistic approach, it shows the positive and negative of a narrow-minded society. Middle America forced to deal with their skeletons. The opening sequence always involves a death that touches anyone involved within the Fisher family circle. Very real issues are dealt with throughout the rest of the show and the characters have to learn to face their own demons. HBO did again! Although some people find shows like "Sex & The City" appalling ... I find them refreshing! Reality at its best! The double episode season finale was a killer. Very Matthew Sheppardish. Very sad. My mind is still reeling from watching. That's how good the writing is. Do I smell Emmy material? I think so - and if not ... would be like the academy did when they shut out "The Color Purple"!