Reviews

It is hard to describe Bug in words, it is one of those films that truly has to be seen to be understood. It follows a narrative that is more fluid and interesting than anything I have seen lately in a Hollywood release. As its characters react to the chain of events in different ways, and as the events dictate different paths for the characters to follow, the audience is merely an observer. The almost Proustian narrative flow of thought to thought, the very spontaneity in the script will have you glued to the screen, waiting anxiously to see how it all works out in the end. And as far as the thematic elements...there is a particular sequence in the film that goes from melancholy, to bright and beautiful, and then to tragic, all within the span of about a minute. And it works.

This movie is pure magic. It reminds one why independent film is perhaps the brightest star the film industry currently has. Perhaps with more movies of Bug's quality, people will start to take notice.

How terribly disappointing. I should have expected that, after Terminator 2, that there was no way to better the series. But I couldn't help but be optimistic, so when I heard about T3's impending release, I was ridiculously excited.

What a mistake. The only thing T3 has going for it is its adept special effects, but these are USELESS when the script is abysmal. Terminator 1 was a brilliant action movie, followed by Terminator 2, one of the few sequels in history to surpass its predecessor in quality. And now, eleven years later we receive a tepid, boring and laughable sequel to an action masterpiece.

If you valued the first two movies, avoid this one like the plague. Unless of course you prefer your movies as boring and lifeless as a neutered cow.

What a gorgeous movie. I can't remember feeling so strangely close to characters in a film before. the way the story developed, the beauty, underline beauty, of halle berry and billy bob thornton's relationship was, well it was beautiful. when you are excitedly describing a film you love, redundancy is not only allowed, it is encouraged. i did not know how to feel at the end, which was absolutely wonderful. for a movie like this to push you in moral directions would be criminal. we only know what we have seen, and it is not enough for us to judge the past or the future. there is some uncanny poetic beauty in being alive, in being able to breath, to love, to hurt, whatever. perhaps the best review i can give this movie is this: when the credits began to roll, i found myself taking giant gulps of air, almost in panic, as if i had forgotten how to really breath, and, for a few moments, this story allowed me that pleasure. i feel myself slipping back into shallow breath...but well, but nothing. someday i will understand. for now, i will meditate on true sadness, true remorse, and true forgiveness.

Judging by the user comments here on IMDB, and the people surrounding me in the movie theater when I saw it, this movie will not be well-received by those whose entertainment is dependant on long and hard and mindless action. But for those of you who want to see something that goes beyond the traditional formulaic films so popular these days in America, you will find Hulk to be a blessing. If you like film that informs and emotes, ignore the majority of comments left here, and go see Hulk. You will not be disappointed.

I'm amazed how many people hated this movie. I totally missed it when it was out in theaters (i guess it went through pretty quick), but after just watching it, I think its one of the most well-done movies I have seen in the last couple years.

As satire, even without a specific audience, it is pure gold. The writing is spectacular, and the humor is, well, more humorous than most of the drivel Hollywood turns out these days. What more could you want in a movie? Excellent acting? Well Robin Williams is at his best, Catherine Keener shines as always, and Ed Norton, although slightly unbelievable at first, falls perfectly into his role as the perfect child of soy and clowns, albeit with a dark history (that is only mentioned once when he talks about anger management courses, losing an interesting backstory if you ask me).

This movie is good enough to appeal to a certain movie-loving niche that I am happy to consider myself a part of. Give it a chance, and if you hate it, you're not alone. But I'm definitly not standing with you.

Perhaps the most amazing film I have seen this year, watching Irreversible is often comparable to having your face worked on by an emotional jackhammer. The narrative of the film is backwards, sort of like Memento. This works out as a quite effective storytelling device, and, as the characters progress backwards through the story, it adds dimensions to them that would be impossible to explore through a conventional narrative. There is perhaps one of the most brutal rape scenes I have ever witnessed on film, and much violence. I have never seen so many people walk out of a movie theater as I did on the afternoon that I saw it. There was a mass exodus less than halfway through the movie. If you can stomach the brutality and sit through the film, then you are definitly rewarded by the film's higher state of consciousness. It transcends. Simple as that. It transcends all you know about revenge, love, time, etc. I would say it is more than just a film. There is not really a word for the experience it offers.

Alright, so you went to see The Ring in theaters and left praising it for its deep, ingenious plot...but little did you know it was actually a REMAKE of a brilliant Japanese film called Ringu. If you enjoyed The Ring, please give the original a chance. It is much more subtle, and, in my opinion, infinitly more spine-tingling than the American remake. Sure the remake has its moments...it could have been a much worse film...but Hideo Nakata's Ringu, originally released in 1998 (the same year as the sequel, Ringu 2, was released) still retains an expressive power over Verbinski's version, mostly because there is no sacrifice to the American gods of specific plot narrative. If you liked this Ring, do yourself a favor and see the real one!

I have never been to Hollywood California. But I have heard much of its demise. Jimmy Hollywood brilliantly shows not just the degeneration of a former golden town, but also provides a truly compelling performance as a mediocre, yet driven actor.

The sad part about this movie, is that people nowadays are not patient. They want everything in one big dose. Jimmy is slow to deliver in that sense, the movie takes its time. Those willing to wait, are very lucky. And those who are unwilling, miss a truly enjoyable experience.

See it. If you are perceptive and patient when it comes to movies. Otherwise, go see Titanic again.

The climatic scene in Falling Down is one of the most beautiful pieces of film I have ever in my life witnessed. The entire movie is amazing, but ascends a dramatic precipice simply for the last few scenes.

Robert Duvall, and incredibly, Michael Douglas, are both utterly amazing.

For all you cynics and anti-establishment enthusiasts it is especially fun. Don't let yourself miss it.

When I picked this movie up, I expected John Woo style insanity, with guns flaming bullets, bodies ripped in half, all of the cliches. What I found instead, was a stunning, but incredibly painful and delirious confusion of a movie. This confusion is admittedly on purpose, you're supposed to find yourself lost in the man's thoughts. But it's hard to live his life for the 2 hours you are expected to. It's sick, and many will feel the bile rise from their stomachs. But if you can handle the lack of sanity, you will LOVE this movie.

It's hard to use words for this movie, since it contains none itself.

But the images it conveys, both powerful and sweeping, are ones which remind us why we watch movies. And you might be saying "Well, Leonard Maltin doesn't like it, it can't be that good.." But you're wrong. See this movie. French cinematic brilliance en ensemble.