Archive for March, 2006
Fun with Dick and Jane (2005)
Who’s in it
Jim Carrey, Tea Leoni, Alec Baldwin, Richard Jenkins, Angie Harmon
What was good
The movie was hilarious, and the first to have a situational comedy about the big dot com’s and what happened to people when they went bust. In this case, it is fictional Globaldyne, and Jim Carrey one day after being promoted to VP of Communications is thrown into a nosedive that ends up with him losing everything.
What sucked
Not too much. Jim Carrey does a nice balanced mix of being a normal person, and being a funny man. He gets more off the wall as his circumstances appear more dubious. But if you don’t like Carrey, you obviously would stay away from this. But other than Liar Liar, this is the most I have ever heard Sarah laugh at a Jim Carrey movie, so that is a sign.
Who should go see this
People who love Carrey, and Leoni is equally funny. She doesn’t hesitate when they start to steal money, and is the perfect compliment to making Carrey work, from the robbing costumes, to the outlandish stuff they both do to make money, etc etc. Everyone should see this, it is funny, short and to the point, and a movie you could watch a bunch of times.
Walk the Line (2005)
Who’s in it
Joaquin Pheonix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts
What was good
Everything obviously, check my rating. A sad story, but liberating in a way, about Johnny Cash’s life, and what he endured, and inflicted, and everything along the way. From humble beginnings and an emotionally abusive father, to drugs and addictions, to true love and peace from the past, this movie covers a lot of ground.
What sucked
Nothing. I felt bad for Cash, but he did have problems that were self inflicted. I did feel embarrassed for him too. But that is a great movie, to make your viewers feel such strong emotions. Reese was great, I know nothing about June Carter, but she was so cute and southern, and truly a saving angel for Cash. The women tend to do that in these movies. It is just a great movie.
Who should go see this
Everyone. This is America history. You may think Cash is country, but not in the modern sense of the word, and I really got into some of the music beyond the June Carter written “Ring of Fire”. You’ll laugh, cry, feel some great things, and be entertained the whole time, although it is always hard to watch someone destroy themselves, Cash does come out of it and continue to be successful.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Who’s in it
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint with Jason Isaacs
What was good
Such a beautiful imagination and universe. I saw the first movie and was less than impressed. But as these movies get darker and older they appeal to me more. The magic, the wizardry with all of today’s great technology rolled into one, very visually stimulating and you are held there wanting to know where it is all leading.
What sucked
Not too much. I didn’t give this a perfect rating because I think, this is definitely a translation of the books and unless you know what is up with the books, you may be lost. There were parts where things jumped around and were left without resolution that I know the readers got it, but I imagine had to be cut to get the movie shorter. That is fine though, make it more entertaining and force people like me to read the books, that is how it should be.
Who should go see this
Everyone. There is a little of everything. Romance, spellbinding worlds of creatures, magic, props, locations, everything is just head spinning. This one had more of a Lords of the Rings feel to it for me, and I don’t know why, so there is another audience who may enjoy this. I think it is truly a magical movie and concept and everyone should at the very least start in on this series with this movie.
The Deal (2005)
Who’s in it
Christian Slatner, Selma Blair
What was good
Selma Blair. She was cute, likeable, a sweet girl that you wanted to believe could exist on Wall Street.
What sucked
Slatner’s acting. I don’t think that Hollywood knows what to do with him now that he is clean, I am surprised he even gets roles. In this movie you don’t get any background about him, you are left trying to figure out throughout the movie if he is a tool, or a nice guy trying to do something good, every other minute or so.
Who should go see this
No One. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. Neither casting is big. The plot is kind of interesting to think about, it is a few years in the future, gas prices are over 6 per gallon and it is illegal to trade goods with the arabs states. What would politicians do to get the gas supply to people, and who would they kill? The movie is really disjointed and told not shown, so by the time you figure out what is going on, you don’t care.
Beyond Borders (2003)
Who’s in it
Angelina Jolie, Clive Owen, Teri Polo, Linus Roache
What was good
The last third of the movie, once the rescue missions are out of Africa and into Cambodia or old Russia. This is when the story becomes less about saving the people that are lost, and more about the two main characters saving each other.
What sucked
This is a dynamic movie and engaging, it is just covering content that isn’t entertaining, and that is the sick and dying in poverty stricken nations. The reality of it all is very depressing and disturbing to watch. Clive Owen was like every other character he has been other than King Aurthur, outspoken, brash, take whatever he wants, etc. etc. So, I don’t have anything particularly negative about the story, it is just not a movie I would watch again.
Who should go see this
I don’t know. Those who are interested in movies about humanitarian aid. I suppose this would be something for a fan of Jolie or Owen, Jolie does a good job acting, it isn’t too typical of a role for her, plus we know that this is the role that changed her views on life and led her to adopting to sons. She falls in love with Owen, the doctor after he breaks into a richy rich party in London, for his passion of saving lives and for his broken spirit, but it isn’t even really a love story. So, I would say, pass on this movie.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail(1975)
Who’s in it
John Cleese, Terry Gillam, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones
What was good
From the swallow and the coconut, to the black knight, down to the well educated peasants and the horny nuns, this movie is perfect in every sense, and is the perfect movie for any respectable parent to hate. Random song numbers, crude and silly animations, this movie is a classic and surpasses generational appreciation.
What sucked
Nothing. The cheesy special effects add to the movie like the flying cows, and the gushing blood from armored wounds, everything is in character with the outrageous british humor. The plot is a farce, and never completes, but we don’t care, we spend the whole movie wondering was bizarre thing will happen next.
Who should go see this
If you like Monty Python of course. This is their best movie, the most concise, the broadest appeal, and in my humble opinion the best jokes. I wouldn’t recommend this to parents of course, but most of my friends should see this, and love it. If you don’t, you just don’t know funny.
