Reviews

I am basically repeating all of the comments before me, but this movie deserves it. Really, a surprisingly well-acted, well-written, funny 'typical' 80's buddycop movie.

Don't read this if you haven't seen it: To watch Dreyfuss struggle over getting involved with Madeleine Stowe (too hot here btw) is hilarious. The scenes where he enters her house and has too hide under the bed and where she makes dinner for him are so well done. And the scenes when he has to disguise his voice on the phone and later slip out of her house unnoticed - hilarious. Besides the comedy though, there is a simple yet intriguing suspenseful storyline and Aidian Quinn really does some terrific acting as a great bad guy.

I'm writing lots of superlatives but they are well-deserved.

Ok, I may be overdoing it there but this was a very good film. For a first-time writer/director (Shelov), the movie is well-shot and well-written. Fine performances by Austin Pendleton and especially Adam Stein as the lead 'rebel' clown.

Those interested in the director's other works should check out the avant-garde music video of Devo's "Whip It" which he directed for the late 80s band "Jam It Home". This guy's got a future, ladies and gentleman.

Unlike most of you who probably went in with high expectations, I was told in advance of the awfulness of this film. I also read Ebert's review which I think summed it up best when he described it as "a movie almost awesome in its badness." This movie does have a purpose...its so bad, its become a cult hit.

I remember my friend renting it for me simply because he wanted to observe the reaction on my face as I watched it. I have done the same with terrific results. Its hilarious.

P.S. Somebody previously mentioned the old man voice from Lambert.....a truly unbelievable performance. Its astonishing that they checked out those dailies and still made the film.

Ebert - "If there is a planet somewhere whose civilization is based on the worst movies of all time, "Highlander 2: The Quickening" deserves a sacred place among their most treasured artifacts."

After watching over 3 hours of The Green Mile, I turned to my friends and we all agreed - this movie was disappointing. While it clearly was well-filmed and had some terrific performances, especially by Doug Hutchinson and Sam Rockwell, the movie lacked the emotional force to carry you through such a long movie. For better or more likely worse, it will be compared to Shawshank and its safe to say that it never reaches that lofty perch. I laughed once and never felt chills...it never moved me which is usually why I go to the movies in the first place.

I find it interesting that, in my opinion and with few exceptions, the best adaptations of Stephen King books come from those that deal with human emotions in the real world (Shawshank, Misery, Dolores Claiborne, Stand by me, Cujo) without resorting to some odd supernatural force (see/read the end to "It" or "The Stand"....terrible). King can really build up a story and I'm willing to suspend my disbelief but when he never offers any sort of explanation, it takes away from everything that has come before it. He's not a terrific closer and this ending once again proves it in my mind.

In my own personal top movies of all time, Shawshank holds the #1 spot so I really wanted to love this movie. I just don't think the story was strong enough.

I cannot say again what has already been said. This movie will last with me for a long, long time. I'd like to have that same feeling coming out of the theater years from now, something I haven't experienced since The Shawshank Redemption.

I was reading a bunch of comments about this film which complained that 'it wasn't funny enough' or 'its Anti-American, Anti-Gulf War'. I don't quite think that is the point that Russell was trying to make. I think, in much the same way as 'Saving Private Ryan' educated us about the harsh realities of WW II, 'Three Kings' is commenting that the Persian Gulf War was not simply the big video game that was shown on TV. People died by the thousands, soldiers and civilians. If this movie is anything, it is anti-'American policy regarding the Iraqi civilian population immediately following the war'. How we encouraged an uprising and then abandoned the uprisers. This did happen and people died. Along with most of the US, I supported and still support the war in the Gulf but there are consequences that we were, and are, not aware of.

Re the actual movie, I thought that Clooney and Wahlberg gave terrific performances as did the supporting cast of Iraqi civilians and soldiers. Clooney and Wahlberg have made some good decisions by taking their last 2 roles (Out of Sight and Boogie Nights). Russell went a little crazy with the cameras and filters but its his movie. The ending, which I will not reveal though some have already described it, was satisfying to me because that's why I go see movies...to be moved. I want to see it again to see if I'll still like it the second time.

I can repeat all that has already been said but I thought I'd give some credit to someone else besides the boy and Bruce.

Let's hear it for Donnie Wahlberg! I don't know about you but I couldn't even identify which character he played in the movie when I came out of the theater. I had to come here to find out and boy.....was he chilling or what? I gotta get on his diet.