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Reviews
She's All That (1999)
It's All Crap
Why are movies like this one constantly churned out? The teen flick died out in the 80's. C'mon! I've had enough of ones as predictable as this one--I don't even need to rehash the plot, since it's been done a million times before and you already know how it ends. Ugh. My Fair Lady did this so much better many years ago. And that ridiculous and bizarre choreographed dance sequence? Where the heck did that come from? The two leads, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachel Leigh Cook, have little if no chemistry. Most of the other actors, like Paul Walker and Jodi Lynn O'Keefe, are dull, one-dimensional villains. The reason this film doesn't get a fail from me is for two reasons: one, I like the Sixpence None the Richer song "Kiss Me". I have to admit it. Second, there are a couple of really good supporting performances. Kevin Pollak is pretty humorous as the father who gets all the Jeopardy questions wrong (thankfully, they don't kill it); Kieran Culkin, who I like much better than his older brother, is cute as the younger brother; Elden Henson is also quite humorous, as well as Matthew Lillard. I still feel that Anna Paquin was horribly misused in the whole film. Why bother crediting her when her role is basically a walk on? It's a two minute cameo. She's good. I liked her character, but I have to question her script choices.
Grade: D+
Chicken Run (2000)
Superb
I could see this film over and over and never get tired of it! Excellent animation mixed with a good dose of humor creates, in my opinion, one of the best films of the year, so far (honestly, it has been a pretty crappy year for movies, with the exception of this movie, High Fidelity, Pitch Black and Gladiator). These past few years of animated films have been nothing less than superb. 10 out of 10, four stars, you know the deal.
Waterloo Bridge (1940)
Beautiful performance by a beautiful actress
I recently watched this film, and it is confirmed: Vivien Leigh is my favorite actress of all time. She was, IMO, one of the greatest actresses of that time period. Her performance as Myra in Waterloo Bridge goes alongside Blanche Dubois and Scarlett O'Hara as one of her greatest. You know an actress/actor is doing a great job when they can get you emotionally involved in their character's plight--you feel for them and want the best for them. Well, that's what Ms. Leigh did to me when I saw this. For the film, it was a very good love story; sad in the way war came between the two lovers and caused her to fall into despair and death, and yet bittersweet in the ending--it's sad, but in a way uplifting. This is one of those four hanky films where the women, and perhaps even the men, get misty-eyed.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Vivien Leigh's greatest performance
Like I said in my summary, this is, IMHO, the greatest performance of the lovely Ms. Leigh's career, bar none. It's sad to know that she had disturbing mental problems during filming(and it might as well have pushed her over the edge for good)but she brought all her real life troubles into the role of Blanche DuBois and delivered a great performance. In fact, I believe A Streetcar Named Desire is one of the best acted films of all time. Kim Hunter and Karl Malden are superb in their supporting roles as Stella and Mitch. But, it's Marlon Brando who steals the show and matches up with Leigh as the brutal Stanley Kowalski. Brando was one of my favorite actors during this time period--it's too bad that later on(about Apocalypse Now)he became really lazy and picked some really hideous crap(The Island of Dr. Moreau, anyone?). This is one of my favorite films of all time.
Grand Canyon (1991)
#2 Movie of 1991
This would have been my number one movie of the year for 1991, except it got beat out by the brilliant JFK. This is such a wonderful movie! I loved it. I love stories where different characters' lives intersect with others and how deal with their lives. Kevin Kline is good here, but is outshined by Danny Glover and, especially, Steve Martin. I've never much like Martin or his style, but here he is great. I loved the whole speech he gave to Kline near the end about the Grand Canyon. The writing was excellent. Larry Kasdan is, IMO, a great dialogue writer, along the ways of Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino. Here, he has formed several three-dimensional characters and well thought out storylines, and messages that give a positive feel to our lives. A truly excellent film. 4 out of 4 stars
In Dreams (1999)
Underrated Masterpiece
This was an excellent film to begin 1999, too bad it bombed. What can I say? It gave me the chills, literally, as I walked out of the theater. Robert Downey Jr. was impressive as the psychotic killer(too bad his life is going down the tubes, since he's a really talented actor.). Neil Jordan is one of my favorite directors, with The Crying Game, The Butcher Boy and In Dreams on the list of my faves(I didn't care much for IWTV or We're No Angels).