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trudy.keenan
Reviews
Rock Star (2001)
Be Careful What You Wish For
Mark Walhberg in a great role, idolises a rock star to the extent of knowing all his songs, imitating him to perfection, and dressing like him. When the opportunity comes for him to take over his "idol's" role in the band, he jumps at the opportunity. However the role of a rock star may not be what it is cracked up to be... and relationships can change .... This movie certainly struck me as having the theme of what you attain for may not be what you think it is once you get it. Overall a really good movie with great performances from all the cast as well as the two leads, Mark Walhberg and Jennifer Aniston. It did make me feel sad, especially when Emily, (Jennifer Aniston), met up with Chris in Seattle and saw the depths to what he had sunk. If anybody ever dreamed of being a rock star or a groupie they should watch this movie to see that the lifestyle, although glamourous for a while, is very lonely and ultimately not what you may want.
Someone Like You... (2001)
Great chick flick!
This is one of those movies where knowing it is a romantic comedy, you know how it will end but despite the predictability it is still a thoroughly heart warming story guaranteed to give you the warm fuzzies. After having her heart broken Jane researches and believes that all men are animals at heart, with particular reference to cows. She writes a column for a magazine anonymously and strikes an instant chord with the women of America. However, she slowly begins to discover that perhaps not all men are the beasts she believes they are... Wonderful performances particularly from Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman and Ellen Barkin is wonderful as the talk show host for whom Jane works. I enjoyed this movie thoroughly and if you are a romantic at heart you will too. Thanks Elizabeth Chandler for a great story.
Snatch (2000)
Great followup to Lock Stock
If you enjoyed Lock Stock etc you will definitely enjoy this follow up film from Guy Ritchie. In the same genre, with once again an intertwining of East End shady characters after the same goal, plenty of blood and guts, shootouts, and of course, humour! To me, compared to Lock Stock the story line and connection of the characters was a bit clearer to follow and it was pleasing to see Vinnie Jones have more dialogue as well. The funniest scenes were the three black guys in the car and also the attempt at robbing the bookies (especially when trying to escape through the door!). I was impressed with Brad Pitt's character and the fact that he was prepared to make the movie for a huge cut in fees (and I also notice his name was not top of the bill). If nothing else it is refreshing to see a big star be prepared to do a movie because they want to. The type of movie only the Brits can do - and don't they do it well!.
Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll (1999)
Excellent Series
This recently played on TV and my friend and I were totally hooked every Friday night watching it. Of course when the series ended we both HAD to get the video!
The story is set in England in 1965 and two twin sisters (who not only look nothing alike are totally different people) are finishing school. Living with their father and Grandmother who raised them, their life has been planned out for them by the domineering Grandmother "Mother Brooks", a bitter woman disappointed at life (you have to wait until the end to find the true reason). However, when a trio of musicians come to town, life as mapped out for the girls takes a different turn ....
I cannot really praise the acting enough in this series. Having seen Sue Johnston, who played Mother Brooks, in other productions, she was marvellous as an older woman. The casting of Gillian Kearney as Eloise was also inspiring. David Thelfall as Norman, truly gave me the creeps, in so far as when I recently saw him in another movie my skin crawled.
This is a really good miniseries (as only the BBC can do!) that certainly kept me hooked and I hope they do a follow up.
If you are a fan of sixties music there is the added bonus of the music.
Fight Club (1999)
Wow
This movie just blew me away. I was not really sure of what the movie was about and whether it would appeal to me. However, after reading comments from other IMDB users I watched it and what an impressive film! There are some movies you can watch and quickly forget, but others stay with you for days afterwards and this movie is one of those.
Edward Norton's character, disillusioned with life and suffering from insomnia, becomes addicted to self support groups after he attends one and finding himself able to cry, in turn is able to sleep. He meets up with another addicted "tourist", Marla, played by Helena Bonham Carter, who with this role should quash all ideas that she can only play period dramas. It would appear instant dislike between these two as they are such opposing people. However, he then has an encounter with Tyler Burden who takes him on a spiral downwards into another whole world. With a surprising twist at the end, this film is certainly a roller coaster ride of emotions and "sucks" you into the whole phenonomen of how one person can influence and have a Svengali effect on groups of people.
In my opinion Edward Norton should have got an Oscar for this movie, along with the screenwriter!
A very interesting twist on what can happen to a person when they start disbelieving in life and the "must have" dream.
Two Hands (1999)
Black comedy at its best
OK... so what do you do when you are hired to a job for a thug, delivering some money, and accidentally lose the money? This is a really entertaining movie with excellent performances from Bryan Brown (how many thugs do you know wear shorts, socks and shoes whilst continually sipping from a "stubbie" of beer). I have only ever seen Heath Ledger before in 10 Things I Hate About You and I can see with this performance and his performance in the aforementioned, he is destined to become quite a star.
The movie is set in Kings Cross, Sydney, Australia and follows the efforts of Jimmy to pay back the money (without getting murdered first). There is also a sub plot to the story when a street kid is out for revenge.
A highly entertaining movie with many funny moments (especially when Jimmy and his mates rob a bank); great supporting characters which makes this movie definitely worth a look.
Go (1999)
Great Movie
I really enjoyed Swingers and I was not at all disappointed with this movie. First off, if it was aimed at teenagers, ahem, I do not fit that category. However, I still found the movie enjoyable, and liked the way the stories intertwined together. I really enjoyed the comedy, especially the story of Adam and Zack (in particular the Christmas dinner). The character of Simon was also a laugh and yes I do personally know of some Brits that hit the USA and went a bit out of "control". I think it is also good to see a movie that can show humour in the dark side of teen life. I thought the dialogue was witty, the music was well matched and the cast were terrific. As always Jay Mohr did an excellent job but the biggest surprise to me was Scott Wolfe, who played a convincing role. Why this movie was never released in the cinema in New Zealand is beyond me, I would have liked to have soaked up the atmosphere and the music in the theatre. Go for it..
Action (1999)
The best show ever
I absolutely would have to rate this show as my favorite all time ever!!! There has not been one episode where I have not laughed out loud. It's so good to see a show taking a poke in theory at themselves! True, the character of Peter Dragon is horrid, but you just have to keep watching to see what despicable act he is next going to commit, or indeed the classic one liners! Jay Mohr has outdone himself in this character, by making a truly awful person appear at times to be so vulnerable you could almost actually like the guy! Alot of people have commented on the other characters of Wendy Ward and Adam Rafkin but I would have to say my next favorite character would have to be Stuart and the interactions betwen Stuart and Peter are truly hiliarious.
Why they have ever taken this show off air who knows but I wish they would either put it back on or even better make a movie!
Unfortunately I never taped the earlier shows and only clicked on to so doing well into the series so I could continue laughing - hopefully the series will come out on VHS?????
The best show ever!!!!
U-571 (2000)
Gripping Action
I am not particularly a fan of action movies or indeed "war" stories. However, I really enjoyed this movie and was gripped by the action throughout. Although the story has led to some controversy in Britain, it should be pointed out that at the end of the movie, it is stated that it is a work of "fiction" and that the Royal Marines did carry out effective missions of this nature prior to the US being involved in the war and in similar events. Perhaps it would have been more pertinent to place the story later in the war rather than the time period picked, but at the end of the day, the movie does not credit itself with representing an actual historical event, but is only a story based on events. Personally, I found the story very interesting because I was not aware of such missions being undertaken during the War and whether it was the Royal Marines or the American Marines, to find out that such missions were undertaken is of interest in itself.
Only one other criticism would be that the depth chargers fired at the submarine and that basically skimmed the surface of the sub, would have (I am told on good authority) detonated.
What was intriguing in this movie, although it was presumably shot in something much larger than a submarine, was the feeling that all the action was taking in place in a confined space and I can only admire the directing and editing, which must have been a nightmare.
All in all, if you are not an absolute historical fanatic, and like a good action story, and can live with the usual "all works out in the finale" Hollywood ending, this movie is enjoyable.
A very slickly produced film, with a great cast of actors, dialogue and effects.
Angela's Ashes (1999)
Poignant and Accurate Adaptation
The movie is an excellent adaptation from the book, made more memorable by the voiceovers quoting from the book. Congratulations to a wonderful cast for their portrayals of the McCourt family - which could not be an easy feat given they were real people! If you enjoyed the book, you will enjoy the movie. Although the depiction of the poverty in the slums of Limerick and the conditions of life, when seen visually as opposed to the imagination of the written word, can at times be harrowing, it is made up for in the lighter moments of the film. I believe that the movie has remained true to the book and is a tribute to Frank McCourt, his family and of course, the heroine, his mother, Angela.
Picture Perfect (1997)
Charming Romantic Comedy
I enjoyed this movie mainly because I like the romantic comedies. Okay, they all tend to be predictable and the scenario is fairly typical - girl wants bad boy, meets nice boy, doesn't want him, but he wins in the end. However, if you enjoy charming little movies this will probably appeal and the characters add to the charm of the movie, and were "perfectly" played by Jennifer Aniston, who seems to excel at the quirky working girl, and Jay Mohr as Nick, who gave a convincing performance of the "geeky" but kind hearted soul. My favorite scenes were the dinner party and the gift of the watch which was particularly heart warming. The ending was great too. If you like a bit of escapism you will enjoy watching this movie.