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amarak
Reviews
Gladiator (2000)
Quality epic
What a film. The epic is back with a bang. This is a must see film. On the whole the pace is fast, and holds your attention. There are a few areas that are slow, but these are soon forgotten. The acting is excellent, and the sets are wonderful.I will always remember Oliver Reed in this film, a true master.
Stigmata (1999)
thought provoking
Looking at the vote history, i am either a female under 18, or a member of the IMDb staff (both are wrong.) I gave this film an 8. A lot of people compare this to the exorcist, but to do this is to miss the point. It has nothing to do with the devil, even though the trailers for the film lead you to think that. It is about the fight to get ones message to the people. I think the acting is very good. I loved it. Go and see it. It is visually very good.
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Look behind you!!!!
This is a great action film. The acting was not bad either. Samuel L Jackson was average, the parrot was good, Thomas Jane and Saffron Burrows were very good, but LL Cool J - WOW. He was magnificent. This is the first time I have seen him act, he worked well on his own, and I think brought all the scenes of the movie together. To me he was the central character.
Now to the sharks: The special effects were awesome, and the sharks looked very good, but seem to look bigger in some shots compared to the actors. When these babies are loose - Look behind you.
I give this a 9 - and saw it twice in one week.
The Matrix (1999)
Take your brain out of gear and enjoy
This is a must see movie. The plot i think has been used before, but i don't know where (i just had a "Deja-vu" feeling throughout the movie!!!!). The plot is a bit thin, but the pace, actors (male & female), and special effects make you forget this. It is a rollercoaster from start to finish. One for my collection.
8/10 (it would have been a 10 but for the thin plot)
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Something is missing
Firstly - I am a star trek TNG fan and have all the tv series and the movies. I will buy this one for my collection.
BUT - Something is missing and i can't put my finger on it. The acting was good, story was OK, the special effects were good, but nothing was GREAT. I still give it 7/10, but if you are not a fan i would give this one a miss or borrow the video off a friend and save your money - enough said.
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
Want to "feel good", then do not miss this
This movie is the old story of the fight between good and evil, but it works very well. Antonio Banderas (was made for this part), Anthony Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, work really well together. The on screen chemistry is remarkable. There is romance, swordplay, and a good story in this movie. I would say that this is better than the Douglas Fairbanks original. I found that i really cared about the characters.
One other point - the trend in a lot of films to take every opportunity to get the leading lady's clothes off (or any of the other women for that matter) and dive straight into a sex scene, is NOT what this film does. Thankfully this one goes for romance, and it is a much better film for it (Directors please take note).
Lost in Space (1998)
Not bad
Not a bad film,but not excellent. The special effects were very good.
Although i enjoyed the film (6/10),it is not good enough to buy on video. I missed the cameo's by some of the tv series actors. Looking on the list of actors in the old tv series i often wondered what happened to "will robinson" - i did not realise that it was the same Bill Mumy who stars in Babylon 5.. Oh i almost forgot, Heather Graham: she is better as miss Shagwell in "Austin Powers the spy who Shagged me".
Deep Impact (1998)
Some good points
Not a bad film, but not fantastic either. Morgan Freeman gave an excellent performance, as usual. It was an emotional film that looked at mankind facing an E.L.E (see the film).
Having seen the film last year, the main thing that stick in my mind is the performance of Leelee Sobieski. She was excellent and i think we all will be hearing a lot more about her..
I gave this film 6/10
The Mummy (1999)
wow-wow- and more "oh my god, did you see that?"
Having watched most of the "Hammer horror movies" as a child (from behind the sofa, or sat with my feet off the floor in the foetal position!), I was really looking forward to seeing this film on the big screen. I was not disappointed. Up to date special effects coupled with a good story and great actors is excellent (and rare). Brendon Fraser is a good actor, and his character is quite different from his last film (George of the jungle). Rachael Weiz does more than just scream (a big improvement on the old classics), she is excellent. John Hannah - well i was a little disappointed in his part. His acting was very good, but i expected to see more of him,especially after watching the whole of the TV series "McCallum" in which he is the lead actor (which everyone should watch (10/10)). Arnold Vosloo - what can i say, this guy is great. Without his "presence" on screen, this film would have been average. With it this film in monumental, definately one for my collection. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of him in the future. The pace of the film never slows. Watch and enjoy. On the whole 9/10.
Starship Troopers (1997)
Rated 15 - should be an 18
Extremely violent, in a comic book way.
I don't know why but the film works, the material should make it an 18 rating in my opinion because of the violence and the sea of blood they used. The story would be more suited to a 12 rating.
The acting is a little wooden, but this was probably intentional.
The action sequences and the special effects are very good, so i would give this 8/10.
Sphere (1998)
What is another word for a pair of spheres
Although i love sci-fi, i did not like this one. Samuel L Jackson always gives a great performance, but Dustin Hoffman was flat, and Sharon Stone was, well what i usually expect - average...
This film did not work for me, i give it 5/10 just for Mr Jackson and the special effects.
Deceiver (1997)
It was a free showing - why did i bother
OK so i am like most people, give me free tickets and i will go and see most things, now that multiplex cinemas are so good (i remember the old "flea pit" single screen cinemas and i am the healthy side of 40). In England this film was released as "Liar", it's a dog. It is a total waste of good celluloid. 4/10 for the photograpy and set only.
Jackie Brown (1997)
This may upset Tarantino fans
After enjoying Pulp Fiction, i was really looking foreward to this film. Samuel L Jackson was good, but the film just did not work for me. It was violent (as you expect), the sex scenes could have been removed without affecting the story, they were just there for no reason!.
There was a plot but the film was long and boring. A waste of good celluloid.. 2/10
Doctor Dolittle (1998)
Guinea Pig steals the show
Eddie was in top form, "but never work with animals", because they steal the show....
The Guinea Pig and dog, get all the best lines. It is a laugh from start to finish. Please watch this film you will love it.
A real "feel good" film.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Interesting makeup
Very funny in parts, very slow in others. Mike Myers is unrecognisable as "FatB*****d", the makeup and accent were excellent (if a little gross). The music was very good. I do not think this is a film to watch over and over again, NOT one for my collection.
Wild Wild West (1999)
?Best of the West - NO it's the worst.
Will Smith should have taken a trip to the wild west, instead of reading this script. This movie relies on special effects (which are pretty good - and 3 of the 4 points i gave it, are for that). This movie is one for the archive (I just hope the archive is the one in "raiders of the lost ark", where it will never see the light of day again!!!). Life is too short to waste on this.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Old story reworked
Good story, plenty of action. The Oracle is very "Yoda-ish", in her speech. Antonio Banderas was excellent, as were the other actors (male & female). I especially liked the way the director tackled the language change from norse to english, and did not use subtitles. Definately one for my collection. The comments of Muhammed Arrabi are well worth a look(another imdb member). I was surprised that our local UCI did not show this film, and that the Odeon only put it on twice a day. 9/10.
You Never Can Tell (1951)
"Humanimals" are "King"
This movie is great. My wife and I adore it. There is no violence. It is a comedy that can be watched over and over. This is a true classic.
I wish it was available on video or DVD (yes it is that good). Basic story:- King the German Shepherd is left a fortune when his owner dies, someone poisons him and he returns to earth as a PI called Rex Shepherd to bring his killer to justice. I won't tell you any more as it will spoil it for you. Bye........