Change Your Image
spida
Reviews
The Breed (2006)
If taken as entertainment, it's pretty good.
I rated this movie higher than those who rated it previously simply because I am not that judgmental when it comes to movies. This is a horror/thriller so it can have a lot of latitude with plot, effects, and believability. Frankly, I think it accomplished it's goal. It scared the bejesus out of me. I watched it early in the a.m. while drinking the first two cups of coffee and reading my online newspaper. I certainly would not have wanted to view this one just before bed!! I would have slept with both eyes open. :) The cast is recognizable actors with good acting ability. The situation is scary since most people think of dogs as sweet and harmless. The isolated location and the 'training' facility makes this movie like Cujo meets Lost. Take this one just what it is: entertainment, and you will enjoy it. Look at it in comparison to Schindler's List, and you won't. Definitely a good thriller. Anyone not scared by a pack of blood-thirsty dogs with nothing to fear, don't bother to watch.
CSI: NY: Yahrzeit (2009)
Of all the TV shows/episodes where the subject was of the Holocaust...this was the most moving one.
I have just viewed this episode, on a clean, rain refreshed Saturday morning, and am sitting here thanking God for people like Gary Sinese, his writers and producers who go against popular opinion and practice to put quality life's learning lessons and history on prime time TV.
I first heard of the Holocaust as a junior in high school history class (1967-68). Our teacher showed a film of news clips make in the camps. I was absolutely horrified that one person could do such evil against another. Being raised in the Southern U.S. and in a Baptist church, I was taught that the Jewish people were God's chosen, and that we should always honor, respect and stand by them. I could not understand how the God I knew could let all this happen to his chosen people.
Over the past 40 some years, more of the horrors of war have been in the public eye with the modern medium of TV. We now all know that the Holocaust was real, it was not something made up by the Jewish people, media or whomever as a lot of people used to make out like it was. When Schindler's List came out, another generation learned about these horrors, and hopefully will not forget the lesson taught in this film.
This episode of CSI:NY is the best representation of what "all the fuss" is about when it comes to "never forget". Thank you all for such a wonderfully written and acted episode. Ed Asner played his part brilliantly!!!, and again, we are taught or reminded, NEVER FORGET!
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
For the TRUE X-Files fan....they/re back, and more!!
I didn't even know this movie was in the works until I saw an ad about 8 weeks ago announcing the July 25 opening! Since that time, I have counted the weeks, then the days, and finally this a.m., the hours until I could leave work to view this movie. I was not at all disappointed with the results. This movie was true to the series. There was the 'do I believe, don't I believe' element...but I won't say who was believing or not believing. There was some great humor, a few gouges (sp) at certain individuals, ideals, political views, moral dilemmas, etc. Gillian looked positively beautiful compared to her series description of pretty. David looked at his best, and Mitch was at his sexiest baldness, and the sexual tension could be cut with a knife. I can not say much about the story line without giving spoilers, but again to repeat myself, the entire movie was, to me in my humble opinion, true to the series...not to the BIG movie enthusiasts or X-files outer space cult fans. I thoroughly enjoyed my two hours of escape on a Friday afternoon. If you view this movie and don't like it, maybe you took it a little too seriously. Think of it as what it is meant to be...entertainment. Oh, don't walk out at the credits....
Turbulence (1997)
This one will get your blood pumping!! (Possible minor spoiler)
Sure, it's not the best movie in the world, but for action, suspense and a Lauren Holly/Ray Liotta combo, it's pretty darned good. I watched this on a lazy Saturday morning and ended up nearly hyperventilating by the time it was over, not to mention having enough excess adrenalin to turn the lazy morning into a more productive one. One viewer commented that this was the best worse movie they'd seen. I wouldn't go so far as saying it is in the 'worse' category, because it had a lot of good qualities. There was a long list of favorite character actors, enough suspense to keep you interested, great performances by Holly and Liotta (two of my favorite Soap turned Hollywood actors), one of everyone's 'worst nightmares come true', and...none of it was spoiled by a romantic element often inserted in a good heart stopper action movie.
Kudos to Ms. Holly on her performance during the last fight scene. By this point, I was having to remember this was a movie, not live action. I was asking myself what I would do and how I would be feeling in a similar situation. That was the time when I realized I was hyperventilating and had to make myself take a breath. This is definitely a movie that I am glad I didn't watch just before bedtime. I would have not slept from the charge this movie gave the nervous system.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Dead Doll (2007)
I was so disappointed in this episode
It looks like the writers/producers are trying to kill the show off. I was very disappointed in the outcome of last night's episode. It should have ended right the opposite of the way it did. Look out fast forward for future episodes. Can't say more or I will have a real spoiler in place. This is supposed to be a investigative crime drama, not a romantic drama. Let's get back to crime, investigation, blood and guts. Cut out the source of this romantic posh!! Put some spine back into Grissom. Quit the personal flashbacks. If there must be a romantic interest for Grissom, let it be with someone other than the weak character, monotoned voiced, mannish Sarah. He should be with someone more like Lady Heather or Catherine. Someone who has a range of emotion, intellect, and femininity.
Murder 101: If Wishes Were Horses (2007)
The plot line was obvious from the start, but saved by the three Van Dykes.
There aren't many ways to change the plot line of a stolen horse, but the naturalness of the interactions between the three characters played by the Van Dykes saved the show. Dick added a new quirk to his personality by adding the hearing aid and the trials and tribulations experienced by those who are new to them. Brady's still the never out of debt, and hardly in work, PI / beach bum. The addition of a nephew for Brady seems a little inconsistent since in the previous two episodes when his family history was discussed, he had no siblings. Also, in this episode, though the cat ' appeared ' to be the same from the previous episodes, this one was called Cleo and ate dry food as opposed to being Samantha who ate wet food in the original episode. (Only a feline fanatic like myself would notice this!) All-in-all, I look forward to the next episode. I am never disappointed with the Senior Van Dyke and his offspring in their performances, character quirks, natural (not fake sitcom) comedy and QUALITY productions. I am so glad they hooked up with Hallmark. An added bonus of this episode was having Ralph Waite in it. I wish he did more TV these days. He is truly missed.
Hostage (2005)
Mr. Willis' best yet!
Gripping, spellbinding, and breathtaking are a few of the adjectives I use to describe this film. Definitely worth twice the price I paid to view it. As a lover of action flicks and psychological thrillers, this one is a wonderful example of both. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes to have their blood pumping and experience hyperventilation as side effects in their movie viewing.
At first, I thought this was going to be all hype. It started off a little slow, but I should have realized that was only temporary. Once the Chief's coffee break was over, the movie took off like a rocket and stayed on full burners until the last 15 seconds. I can't wait to see what Mr. Willis has for us the next time out, because he is definitely getting better with age, experience and creative control.
Legends of the Fall (1994)
The passage of time has not changed my memory or opinion of this move.
I saw this in the theater when it was first released, and I did not want to leave. I wanted to sit there and watch this movie over and over for days on end. Now, eleven years later, after my second viewing of this movie, I was just as captivated and blown away by it as I was in the theater. I can not think of one negative thing to say about this movie or its cast. I think this is my favorite Pitt performance to date. His scenes on the battlefield were excellent. It nearly tore my heart out when Tristan finally made it to Samuel's bullet riddled body. Then, the scenes coming home from the festival, and the aftermath of those events took my breath away. I had completely forgotten these parts of the movie, and it was like viewing them for the first time. If there were more movies of this caliber, I might start going to the theater again.
Simon Birch (1998)
Rating it a 10, can I say more?
This is an excellent movie! It is a movie that can be enjoyed by any age group (I am in my 50's) for light entertainment or as a movie which provokes deeper understanding and thought love, life and loss of loved ones. If viewers watch it with an open mind and heart, they will not only enjoy the humor, scenery and acting ability of the cast, but will see just how true the message of the movie is. Without putting a spoiler in this comment, those who have seen it will know the scene, I just wanted to say that by the time the movie got to the point with the cowardly bus driver, I was so emotionally involved, I wanted to jump into the movie, chase him down and throw him back into the river! If you haven't seen this movie, please give it a try. If you happen not to like it, you've at least seen some wonderful, mint condition vintage cars.
Peacemakers (2003)
Everything about this series is top notch, right down to the filming technique that makes the visuals appear 1880's in bland coloration.
This is a welcome addition to Wednesday night programming, even if it is on so late that I have to record it and watch it on Thursday mornings with my coffee. A very nice way to start the day. Yes, this series is top notch in every respect. I have just finished watching the Aug. 20 episode which covered the racism and bigotry our country has shown (shows) toward the Native Americans. The evidence used to id the female corpse along with the other forensic techniques and traits of human nature show that we really haven't changed in the past 120 years, have we? My ONLY negative comment about this show is that Amy Carlson is third on the billing, following Peter DeMeara. Ms. Carlson has a much longer career and list of credits to her name than Mr. DeMeara, yet she is billed third. I hope this series is a keeper for a number of years. For those of us who grew up in the 50's and 60's, westerns are truly missed, especially quality ones.
Pay It Forward (2000)
Somewhat confusing and slow moving for a good portion of the movie.
By the time Mom had finally thrown Dad out of the house, I was wondering when this movie would get to the point and end. As much as I like watching the actors involved (It was so good to see Angie Dickinson!!!), I had gotten restless enough to change the channel. However, being one to always "read to the end of my book", I stuck with it. I can honestly say I did not see the end coming, and I was completely blown away when it did. I am so glad now that I stuck with it.
Tears of the Sun (2003)
I expected a run of the mill, Bruce Willis action movie.
I was terribly wrong. Willis showed us the complexity of the man it takes to be a leader in the U.S. military in actions of this sort, as well as the actor who portrays such a part. I had no idea this movie would be so moving. I expected the adrenalin rush of a Willis movie. However, I didn't expect it to tear my heart in half, bring tears, and take my breath away. I know this is a movie, a piece of fiction that was meant to entertain, but it is also a movie that can bring the reality of the horrors in the world into our homes in a way the network news can't: bold, in your face, truthful realism without the political slant of today's journalism.
The Gift (2000)
Much better than I had expected.
I thought this would be another run of the mill type of movies about psychics. I didn't realize it was going to be more my kind of movie--a mystery/suspense. This movie had more depth than a lot of movies about psychological events, such as Phenomenon. Ms. Blanchett did a superb job of portraying Annie.
The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
If I weren't already a fan of Samuel Jackson, this role would have converted me.
This is one of those movies that you might not like if you like action movies. This one has character. When I first started watching it, I thought I was going to be disappointed because it wasn't what I had expected. However, Mr. Jackson's performance, and the imagery of his character's mental state quickly converted me. This is definitely worth more than one viewing.
The Rapture (1991)
Thank goodness I didn't pay to see this movie.
Other than the appearances of Will Patton and Mimi Rogers, this movie was a complete waste of film, time and effort. The plot was ridiculous, the dialog awful. I stumbled across this movie early on a Saturday morning as something to watch while I folded and ironed laundry. It had already started so I missed the title. Had I seen the title, I might have had a clue as to the content. Sometimes, the adage 'you can't judge a book by the cover' just doesn't hold up.
Reach the Rock (1998)
This was one of the best "non block buster" movies I have watched in a while.
This movie proves that you don't need a high dollar cast and/or special effects, violence or sex to make a good film. This had none of those things, yet it held my attention by the actors' performances and the silence that was there, between the lines, so to speak. The attention to detail in minor points was also evident. After watching this film, I think I should look at other films produced by this team of dream makers. At one point, I commented to my viewing companion that this movie had the feel of an older David Lynch production right down to the music, i.e. Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks. Thank you Mr. Hughes for such a delightful movie.