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Reviews
The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
Not as exceptional as expected
So this is the best rated movie of Atom Egoyan? I love his movies, and I have to say, sadly I expected a bit more. Don't get me wrong, cinematic everything is perfect. This movie is filmed beautifully. Every actor played on an extremely high level and not a single miscast was to be found in this movie! Overall it was a great watch.
For me that was only destructed by the story. To me it felt, that the original novel was not suited to become a movie. The whole movie lacked a red thread. Strings didn't seem to be connected, and i failed finding a bigger meaning. All I found have been starting points, ideas. Great ideas, but in the end, the movie didn't work for me. It almost convinced me, but ultimately failed at the ending.
Lifeforce (1985)
Extremely entertaining Science-fiction-horror-trash
This flick is one of the weirdest genre-mixes ever. It is in-between science fiction, vampire, and zombie movies. It is as sexy as some vampire flicks, and as gory as a zombie movie. It's more absurd, ridicules and exaggerated than most other science fiction movies. Some conversations are so badly acted, and are exaggerated so much, that it turned into pure amusement! It is one of the rare trash movies, where the trash actually is fun. Some special effects have been great, other made me smirk.
I wouldn't give this movie 6 points if its simply amusing trash. It's more than that. Some scenes are played greatly, the atmosphere has sometimes been absolutely stunning. And the story, while absurd and ridicules, has been very creative, interesting and unusual. I had a hell lot of fun watching this movie. Yet this isn't exactly a good movie but, it isn't a bad one either.
Unforgiven (1992)
Fiery and disturbing
I am more and more impressed by the capabilities of Eastwoods directing. This movie is on a very high level of perfection. I barely have anything to complain about. The pretty much only gripe for me has been the ending. It seemed a bit exaggerated. But that only made the whole thing even more fiery and disturbing. It is one of the rare movies that makes you think. The script was quite smart. I rarely saw a movie that had so well drawn characters. Actors fit perfectly. Especially Clint and Gene Hackman impressed me. Seeing those two in their role, i am absolutely sure, that no one could have substituted them. They fit perfectly into their roles.
Mad Dog Morgan (1976)
Unconvincing script
While I really liked the pictures and Hoppers performance, the movie itself couldn not convince me. The whole movie is about the character "Mad Dog"; while he was interesting, he simply wasn't realistic. This movie want's to tell the true story Mad Dog Morgan, a bloodthirsty robber and killer - of the ruthless kind! The movie totally stated it that way. But at the same time, the movie turned Mad Dog heroic! He was a rebel and Robin Hood and Jack the ripper in one person - and even worse, the movie wants to show Mad Dog as a victim! It all wouldn't be so bad, if it wouldn't have been told so unconvincing. The character of Mad Dog contradicted himself, and was way too exaggerated.
Some bad acting (and the awful German dub I needed to face), didn't help either.
The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)
Pretty
This is a nice to watch, entertaining love-movie. It's not always convincing, and not always perfect. But Bob Hoskins performance, and Jessica Albas beauty definitely made this movie worth to watch. (Even though, Jessica Alba couldn't fully convince me with a bad played accent and odd pronunciations.) The nice landscapes and pictures also added towards the enjoyment you can get out of the film.
Don't expect anything extraordinary though. The story is nothing new, just the usual Hollywood love story with a love against tradition theme. It's a bit cheesy, but less cheesy than most other Hollywood-love movies. If you have been looking for that anyway, this movie is for you.
Van Helsing (2004)
Mindless action, no horror, not even a real vampire movie
Don't let yourself be tricked, this is nothing but an Hollywood action movie. There is barely any horror, barely atmosphere, barely vampires. If you look for any of this, look somewhere else. If you enjoy expensive Hollywood-breed action-explosions where you don't need to think, you found a movie you might like. Sadly there is nothing special about this movie, but the creative action- scenes. And those are, I admit it, fun to watch. If you look for a good story, suspense, emotions or even depths, you will be more than disappointed.
While I like the actors, most haven't been convincing. Especially Kate Beckinsale accent sounded artificial. She did a poor job in acting overall. Her whole character seemed misplaced.
Dracula III: Legacy (2005)
Again and again the same vampire trash
This movie has Rudger Hauer and Roy Scheider. Sounds like an amazing cast, doesn't it? Sadly both of them only show up for 2 minutes. This movies cast is nothing but mediocre.
While the 2nd part had some new variations about the vampire theme, this movie has nothing new. Everything has been there before (and better). Again and again the same vampire-trash story. Evil super-mighty vampire shows up, and is killed by good half-vampire (or half-demon or something else simliar silly). Do people really like this? I despise it. There is so much potential in the vampire material, yet, most filmmakers lack creativity.
Dracula II: Ascension (2003)
Better than most Vampire B-movies, but sadly, still not good.
This is another one of that modern vampire stories that is not much more than a Blade copy. In this case, Wesley Snipes is a Hawaiian looking Priest, called "Father Uffizi" (played by Jason Scott Lee). Father Uffizi, that name sounds so absurdly funny, that I have been so much in shock after hearing it for the first time, that I couldn't even laugh. Fortunately, the movie is not as ridicules as most other B-Movies. The acting is decent, music is quite good, even the atmosphere wasn't that shabby. Overall though, there was nothing that has been above average. In the end, this was nothing but another brain dead action-flick without any depths.
I personally liked the ending, since it seemed, like the absolute evil is finally winning. That is something I wanted to see for a long, long time. If Dracula is so evil and powerful - almost omnipotent - why the hell is he killed in every single vampire movie? I personally don't quite get it, and I find it refreshing, that the evil guys finally won in a Vampire movie. Too bad that it was more a cliff-hanger than an ending. Since in the 3rd Part, of course, will the good guys win, and of course will the end-boss be staked... boring...
The Beastmaster (1982)
Trashy, but atmospheric
This movie has a great atmosphere, great pictures, and great music. Yet, this sadly isn't enough for me to make a good movie. I personally found the movie very trashy. It's full of bad acting, has a bad story, that is badly told as well, bad conversations and seriously trashy action scenes. Conan is so much more superior compared to this one. I personally can't understand how people can enjoy this flick.
Good, non-pathetic fantasy movies are absolutely rare. I so wished that there'd be more out there. I hoped so much, that Beastmaster would be another one of this rare kind.
If you like unintentional humor, or if you are able to ignore trashiness and stupidities, this movie might be for you.
Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009)
Sexy, but the bad jokes destroy all the fun
I have been really looking forward to this movie after seeing the nice trailer back in 2009. But yet again, it turned out to be a big disappointment. While everything in this movie looked really cool, and the girls have been really sexy and beautiful, the script had nothing to offer. Bad story, bad characters, and an awfully silly humor. I think I had to smirk a single time in the movie after hearing the idea of gay were wolfs. Overall, the trailer has been more funny, than the movie itself. And I don't think that this can be said about any other movie. This is one of those movies, where the constant bad and silly jokes, destroy all atmosphere, all story, all tension, all interest in the characters - simply everything.
Public Enemies (2009)
Overrated and empty
I have been expecting so much more from this movie. While this movie doesn't disappoint me in the usual way Hollywood does. It is not extraordinary silly, nor cheesy - but nonetheless, it still has one of those really bad Hollywood endings. But the worst is, and this really destroyed the movie for me: The characters. There is 0 depths in them. Jonny Depp was nothing but cool. No fear - barely any humanity was given to this character. So I couldn't feel any sympathy for him. The whole movie was making an empty, dull impression on me. It didn't convince me in any way, not historical and not emotional.
The Action: Those constant repetitive gunfights bored, and even annoyed me. I usually don't dislike shaky cams, but in this movie I did. I often didn't like the angle from which this movie has been shot. I even disliked the cutaway in a lot of scenes. I might have to over- think my opinion of Michael Mann.
The atmosphere was another thing that I really disliked about the movie. With all the money they had, and the awesome set they have been able to use, this movie could have created an awesome 30's atmosphere. - But, it sadly didn't. The camera they have been using was a digital one. The movie sometimes looked like an absolute B-Movie. Colors lacked warmth and everything looked artificial. One of the worst things for me, has been the jazz-music. It didn't add any emotional weight to any scene. - At max it added some "coolness" feeling to the movie. Something I personally didn't find fitting. Atmosphere wasn't created by the jazz- music at all. It was as cold, as the movie looked. Only in the end, they used a good musical score - too bad that the ending was cheesy and not fitting to the rest of the movie.
Jumper (2008)
Empty and Meaningless Firework
This movie is one of those movies that are purely entertaining. An easy to follow popcorn flick, with a lot of action.
The movie sadly lacks everything else that makes a good movie. The idea is quite nice, but that is stolen out of a book. The rest feels constructed, empty, and almost totally without emotions. The story has been told like a comic-animation for 10 years old. That's how little depths it had. There has rarely been a movie where I cared so little about the characters.
5 Points from me means, that I personally find it worse. But an expensive production with so much fun action is still entertaining and objectively, deserves a bit more points.
Cronos (1992)
Beautiful, dark atmosphere
I loved watching the movie, despite the odd and simply story. The story is a mixture of a vampire story, and "The Fly". Not much happens during the movie, everything is told very slowly, without much conversations. Sometimes the conversations are bit odd, and badly played (especially when it comes to the uncle). I am glad to say though, that it's not bad enough to destroy the movie. The movie is shot beautifully, with unusual but greatly fitting, atmospheric music. For me, the atmosphere has been the best of the movie. There are very few movies that are this "dark" and yet so beautiful at the same time. - This movie is barely scary, does have no shock effects, and not a lot of gore. This is no usual, cheap horror flick. It's a dark drama with a fantasy theme.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Great cliffhangers in the end - damn I can't wait to see the next part
I didn't read the books, but I have to say, that this movie didn't seem to me like it was missing any key points. I had that feeling in several other parts, but not this one. - Which really confuses me, because other reviews say the opposite thing. The people who claim this, actually read the book, and say, that a lot has been left out, and even changed. I don't know if it's true, but trust me, if you don't know the books, this movie still makes sense totally. It is one of the greatest parts. Especially if you like the direction into that Harry Potter is going. This movie is as dark as the 5th part. - I love it, and hope that the 7th part will be even darker. The atmosphere is great, and I am glad that Dumbledor finally had a bigger role in this part.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
And the movies are turning even darker
With each movie, Harry Potter is more grown-up - and so are the movies. I am damn sure, that I personally wouldn't show this movie to a 6 years old kid. It is aimed at people around 15-17. But it also appeals to older people - like me. Especially if you like fantasy - like me.
I also do love the combination of comedy (which is usually appearing a lot in the first half of the movies), and the dark and serious notes of the Harry Potter movies. Those always dominate the end, with a great finale. This 5th part had one of the greatest finales. The action was a hell lot of fun to watch. The movie was full of dark atmosphere and suspension - I loved it.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
One of the most atmospheric movies of all times
I have seen this movie 11 years ago in the cinema. I loved it back then, and became a huge Tim Burton fan. I wasn't sure if I'd still like it 10 years later - but I do. It's one of the most atmospheric movies of all time. While the story can't be taken serious, it is very entertaining and keeps you interested. Actors are amazing, everyone fit perfectly in their role. The set was beautiful. For the eye, there hasn't been the slightest flaw. (But some Computer - effects that can't hold up to todays standards.)
I can't see any real flaw in this movie. It could have been a bit more serious and a bit more scary. But it's actually fine as it is: with a few comedic elements and a "wiking eye".
Terminator Salvation (2009)
Another one of that well made movies with a horrible script
I guess I can finally say it this simple: New Hollywood movies become more and more stupid, while they look better and better. I have seen so many new Hollywood movies with a bad script. It really is a pity. The worst in those movies are usually the downright stupid, cheesy, no sense making endings. - Just like in Terminator Salvation.
If I give a Hollywood movie 5 points, especially one like Terminator Salvation, that means, that I personally consider it worse. I hate those bad scripts. I don't understand how a movie can go through so many "hands", without anyone realizing how bad the conversations and the story is. - Objectively, there are worse movies out there. The great action and special effects are enough to keep me entertained. That is why I am still forced to give the movie 5 points. - Even though I personally value a good story a lot more.
Taiyô no ôji: Horusu no daibôken (1968)
Art
It's impressive what this guys managed to create 1968. Only Disney movies have been on a similar level back then. The drawings have been beautiful, it was full of amazing action, great characters (especially Hilda impressed me) and a captivating story. Also worth mentioning is the music. The music was totally unusual and impressive.
Sadly the story doesn't make fully sense. Some characters aren't designed as well as they could have been. Especially the evil demon didn't look impressive at all - not even slightly scary. Also the drawings lacked detail all together. But that is all understandable, since "Anime" has been in it's children's shoes.
I don't know why, but Isao Takahata movies are the emotionally most touching movies for me. Hotaru no haka (Grave of the Fireflies) has been the most extreme cinematic experience for me. I am almost crying remembering this movie. And it's almost 10 years ago since I watched it the last time. Horus is different. It's not a sad movie, like Grave of the Fireflies is. I'ts quite cheerful and optimistic. It's one of the movies that is so warmhearted, that it makes you feel like a child again.
Machete (2010)
For unknown reason entertaining - but nothing more
I have never been a big fan of Robert Rodriguez. I simply fail to find all that brutality funny. I have no problem watching the brutality - that is not the point. But I fail to find it funny if 3 heads are cut off at the same time. It only makes me shake my head in confusion. I am a huge fan of black humor, as long as the humor is black, it may be as brutal as it wants to be. Robert Rodriguez humor barely is black, it's creative gore - nothing more.
So this is a parody of action movies? To me personally, this has been a quite normal Rodriguez movie. To me, there is not that much of a difference to Desperados and other movies of his. There, the story sucked too, everything was full of absurdities and felt totally "senseless". Rodriguez movies are pure entertainment, nothing more. And if this movie is a parody, it can only be a parody of Rodriguez own movies. It has way more in common with those, than with average action flicks.
As said in the headliner, I still have been entertained. I am not exactly sure why, but it has probably been the great cast that entertained me. Also, Rodriguez talent as a director is not that shabby. Some pictures looked really great, too bad that his scripts are usually on such a low level.
Vanity Fair (2004)
Beautiful, but not convincing
I really loved the cast, set and music. It was simply great to watch. Acting has been on a very high level, all characters have been drawn impressive. I had a lot of fun watching the movie! There have been very few things that disturbed me. The only things that disturbed me, have been in the story.
When it came to "side-stories", some things have been a bit overdone story-wise, or simply haven't been very convincing. This I am able to accept. But I can't accept that the main character is not drawn in a consistent way. Sometimes she seems like a immoral social climber, then again she is is the loving, strong, morally feminist. This two things don't go together, at least, it hasn't been convincingly done in this movie. And because of this, I failed to understand a possible message that this movie could have given. Especially with the silly, obligatory Hollywood ending, every message has been destroyed. Allowing the movie to end just before Witherspoon went to India would have made a hell of a lot more sense.
Old School (2003)
Average Teeny-Comedy with 30 years old teens
This movie had around 5 really good jokes. Those really made me laugh. But beside that, it annoyed the hell out of me. Characters are mostly boring, the story is downright stupid, absolutely unbelievable, cheesy and predictable. I almost felt insulted by the stupidity of the movie. Everything is totally constructed, like, the 08/15 happy end and the obligatory love story. And not only is the story stupid, it also is absolutely uninteresting. It bored the hell out of me.
The reason why I managed to watch the movie till the cheesy end, has been the decent humor, and the good cast. But my god, 7.0 points! - I don't get how this has been possible. That is incredibly overrated. I don't understand how people can ignore the outstandingly bad story and bad conversations.
Transylvania 6-5000 (1985)
Unbelievable ludicrous, and yet, not funny
I don't understand how a movie can be this silly, and yet not manage to create one funny joke. One ludicrous joke was following the next, yet, all I have been doing, was to shake my head.
I didn't actually find that the actors did a bad job. They did a good job, and interpreted the jokes as good as possible. But nothing could have possibly been saved with this script. And I really have to doubt the actors sanity by deciding to be part of this bad joke.
This might have been the last chance I have been giving the comedy - horror genre. This sort of movies keep disappointing me. I don't know why exactly, because, in theory, there is no reason why jokes should be worse in a horror-comedy compared to a normal comedy. Sadly they are.
Unless you are a fan of police academy, and similar senseless inanities, avoid this movie at all costs.
The Brides of Dracula (1960)
Atmospheric, but not convincing
This movie is beautiful for the eye and ear. I really like the old hammer films atmosphere. Sadly they often lack a good, convincing story. Just like this one. If only I could ignore how silly the story and characters are, I could totally enjoy this movie. Sadly I can't. The story barely makes any sense, and at the same time, it's quite uninteresting and predictable.
There are way better Hammer Films vampire flicks out there. This one is totally uninspired, and would have been a waste of time if it wouldn't have been so beautiful. Yes, OK, the effects are cheap, the set often obviously looks like a set, yet, Hammer Films have been able to create an amazing atmosphere that no other B-Movie studio ever came close to again. Hammer Films are probably the only reason why I keep giving all that Vampire trash movies out there one chance after another. I have been disappointed by every B-Movie Vampire flick but Subspecies and Hammer Films.
Johnny Handsome (1989)
If only the story would have been better
When I saw the cover of this movie, I knew that I had to watch it. It has an amazing cast. Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, Morgan Freeman, Forest Whitaker and Lance Henrikson. 5 actors I really like, in one movie, I thought that this has to be good. Sadly, the actors have been the pretty much only thing worth watching. They did a great job, and saved this movie, from gaining 2 points, or less.
The script is awful. I rarely saw a story as unconvincing as this one. It's really a pity, with this cast, an amazing movie would have been possible. Nothing is above average, not the action, not the conversations, not the music... The only reason to watch this flick, are the actors.
Sisily 2km (2004)
Unusual, creative and amusing comedy flick
I really had fun watching this movie. The movie did not make me laugh out loud, but I have been very amused by all the crazy and creative ideas, witty conversation and funny characters. If you are a fan of black and odd humor, try this one.
I can't find much in this movie that is plain bad, but at the same time, I cant find anything that is extraordinary good. The movie is a little above average. It looked quite low budget, and it probably has been. Considering that, the movie did a pretty good job.
Every single Hollywood production has more votes than this movie (228 votes), yet, this movie is better than most Hollywood productions. This flick really deserves a little bit more fame. Just like a lot other Korean movies.