Change Your Image
JacquiQ
Reviews
The Streetsweeper (2002)
Did I enjoy it?... a qualified yes. - Spoilers!!
BTW, the whole movie takes place within a few days.
MOST of it was very predictable. Man gives up everything to put his son thru Harvard. Father sings opera constantly (and poorly, IMHO) and is loudly loved by everyone who knows him... Son thinks he won a scholarship for Harvard and is disdainful of the father who won't(can't) send him extra money and is rude to him. Even when the ingrate son treats him poorly, father puts on a happy face and pretends everything is wonderful.
Son later finds out how much father has done for him and suddenly becomes a "good loving son" again. Father, son, and son's girlfriend all tour San Diego (where father lives) having a lovely time. This is filmed like a tourism ad. After son is nice to him again, the father is joyous. Everyone is happy. This is the first 3/4 of the movie and how it's presented... Yawn.
Then, on a nice sunny day, and in front of the girlfriend, the now happy loving son is suddenly murdered for no reason by a nutso-homeless person. And the movie changes!! It becomes interesting (in a very bizarre way)...
The now bonkers father driving the Streetsweeper and going after Homeless People is strange and QUITE FUNNY. Those scenes and the "many Streetsweepers vs the police" bits are unlike anything I've ever seen. For a moment seems that it is becoming a Troma movie... but no such luck.
So, did I enjoy it..? a qualified yes. It spent so much time being a boringly predictable, sophomorically presented drama. Then it had the wonderful, unexpected change to a bizarre slapstick comedy... It was like watching a different movie.
Is it memorable? The latter part is, absolutely!!
Would I recommend it? Well... we saw it as a free preview. And that seems to be about the right price.
The Terminal (2004)
It wasn't really bad... just not as good as it should have been.
If you are a Tom Hanks fan, go see it, you will really enjoy.
If you like a good, well filmed movie with a bit of humor, alot of drama and some Chick Flick bits, definitely go see it; it has all those things. Good acting, likable people (except, of course, those who are not supposed to be liked, but they are very well played)...
Some memorable moments.
It has alot of very good things to recommend it.
YET... it was in some ways disappointing. Maybe I expected too much. Maybe the previews made it seem more of a comedy than it really was. Maybe...???
It wasn't really bad... just not as good as it should have been.
I'm glad I saw it; just wish it hadn't been so very predictable, especially at the end.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Hilarious Right Off & Then it Gets Even Better!
Best to NOT take kids... IMHO. They would distract you and make you miss jokes.
Dodgeball was laugh out loud funny immediately and then managed to get even better as it went along. It has fast moving humor of all sorts and levels.
When you go, remember two things:
Get settled in, ready to watch, before the movie starts... It has alot happening right off.
And... Stay thru and past the credits. All the way. Do not leave. Try to not be distracted.
It is worth it in a VERY STRANGE and PERVERTED (and MARVELOUSLY FUNNY) way.
WHAT HAPPENED IS BURNED INTO OUR BRAINS FOREVER.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
I was all prepared to hate it or at least be bored silly...
This morning I was dragged (not QUITE kicking and screaming) by my husband to see Master And Commander (the Russell Crowe seafaring epic).
I was all prepared to hate it or at least be bored silly...
But I liked it!
Sure, it had some predictable points, but fewer than most movies. Overall, it was extremely well done, with all the main characters economically but fully fleshed out. We understand WHY they behave as they do and care about what happens to them.
Try it... you may well have a great time.
Elf (2003)
We laughed and giggled and snickered and tittered...
So many movies start out with vigor and then bog down... This one held it's wonderful level throughout the movie and could easily become a classic.
It really was great. It manages to tell it's story without slowing the pace; yet it is not overwrought in "throwing the laughs" at you. While it does give homage to a number of other wonderful stories, it remains unique, imaginative, and fresh.
We laughed out loud a number of times and giggled and snickered and tittered etc etc.
Take anybody! It has such good clean fun... but somehow it is absolutely charming, pleasing to all ages, and just plain... well... FUN!!
Bruce Almighty (2003)
Trying too hard is the main feeling. Yet I did come out smiling.
Bruce Almighty was uneven, but mostly fun. It seemed to be trying too hard. Some of it was predictably Jim Carrey slapstick stuff, which just didn't feel didn't feel spontaneous. The movie spent alot of time trying to show Bruce as a totally narcissistic character who blames God for EVERYTHING (even mistakes of his own making) and yet it was trying to keep us feeling that Bruce isn't --really -- a bad guy, just a completely self-centered goofball.
Trying too hard is the main feeling of this movie. Yet I did come out smiling. Morgan Freeman (as God) was marvelous. I really liked Jennifer Aniston as Bruce's love-interest; she was a realistic character and we got to know and like her. The movie had a number of unexpected turns and was overall worth seeing. Even more worth seeing if you wait and see it "at the $1.50 theater".
The Dancer Upstairs (2002)
WARNING, SPOILERS Malkovich's Directoral debut Disappointing
The Dancer Upstairs was somewhat interesting in a very depressing poverty-stricken-Latin-American-country-presented-in-an-overblown-manner sort of a way... the too-long, lingering looks (several times!) at hanging bloody dead dogs, the many close-ups of people (including children) being destroyed by explosions and/or numerous gunshots, at the many types of degradation. It's about a revolution (tho we learn nothing about that, 'cept that THEY like to kill things...) but the movie was more about the (unrequited?) love that a married policeman has for his daughter's dance teacher and his resulting emotional despair. The only saving grace of the movie was the intensity of the star, who has that rare ability to hold your undivided attention in long close-ups. We feel his turmoil; he has lost his moral compass...
I expected more of John Malkovich's debut as a Director... and was severely disappointed in the results. I gave it 5 out of 10... and most of that for Javier Bardem's depiction of Rejas.
Chicago (2002)
The excitement, energy and joy of the movie captivated me.
I didn't want to go. My husband said I simply MUST see it: "All the Oscar talk, the critics raving, everything... It has to be really impressive!" I managed to avoid Chicago for a couple of weeks... then gave up and agreed to go. First up, there was the music. I don't like jazz. I thought I would have a miserable time... and I did... for about the first half minute.
Then the excitement, energy and joy of this movie captivated me!!! All the hyperbole in the world couldn't do this movie justice.
It was playful, imaginative, and so very vivid. I have raved on and on to friends (and even those "fleeting friends" we stand next to in the grocery check-out lines.) I cannot think of any scene in the movie without smiling. My mind continues to happily belt out the songs (even though I have enough sense to not try to sing along!). Guess I found out that I don't hate ALL jazz.
Gee, I am so very glad I saw it!! 10 out of 10 in my book.
And when a friend came for a visit, I took her to see it... she loved it and for me it was, if anything, even better on the second viewing!!
View from the Top (2003)
Lightweight Escapism (not that that's a bad thing)
If you want silly, fun stuff, this is the movie to see. Mike Myers was grand... nice to see him in a small movie. Gwyneth Paltrow predictably good indeed and Candice Bergen perfectly cast as the "big-haired mentor".
It was relaxing to enjoy a lightweight comedy/romance with NO BIG MESSAGE, just smiles and a large number of giggles. I gave it 8 of 10.
Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me (1992)
Strangest opening scene... then it starts to get weird!
Some of the most unusual dialog I've ever heard!! And delivered perfectly by all concerned! This film was grand, campy fun. Definitely unique!!
Just when you think you know exactly where the film is headed, it suddenly takes an oblique turn, with hilarious results.
Another member used the phrase: "Side-Splitting Sleaze..." I consider that comment accurate and a compliment to the movie. I totally agree!
The subject matter is adult and the language is often profane. These characters are... um, interesting people, who say and do what they want, when they want. So this film isn't for everyone... But, if you like strangeness and enjoy laughing, this is a great movie for you.
Slaughter of the Innocents (1993)
Set aside reality, get out a large dose of salt and enjoy.
The story has... well... huge holes! But the relationship between father and son made this movie worth watching!!
The young actor, Jesse, has alot of natural talent and is surprisingly believable in his role as this self-assured young man.
So, set aside reality, get out a large dose of salt and enjoy.
Return to Me (2000)
Even more likable than I had hoped
OK, I'm not a raving Duchovny fan, but I do find him warm and charming as an actor... so his being the male lead was a big draw on this movie.
Tho I've never been into "Chick-Flicks", I was curious how Duchovny would be in a "comic romance". Both my husband and I felt that Minnie Driver as the female lead helped to create a couple that was very good together.
The movie did go a little heavily into romance and drama for my personal preference, but there was enough comedy in the film (and more importantly warmth in the relationship of the leads) to make it a very pleasant movie.
The comedic skills of the actors portraying Grace's "extended family" also added greatly to our enjoyment.
The Secret Life of Algernon (1998)
Charming, warm and slightly twisted... my kind of movie!
We recorded this to "watch later". When that time came, I was busy as the credits rolled and didn't see the Title. Not knowing which movie was playing, I had no preconceptions about it.
I was very pleased with this gently-paced story of Algernon (an older man portrayed so very well by John Cullum) who lives quietly until several individuals effect his life. Both the circumstances and his viewpoint of the events are believable; his reasoning as to how to solve the resulting dilemma shows a simple, wonderful logic.
I strongly recommend this movie... an 8 on my scale.
Sexy Beast (2000)
May seem slow at first, but the tension builds...
Ben Kingsley's depiction of Don Logan is at once subtle and extreme (how he dos this, I don't know; he just does!!)
It is one of Kingsley's best movies ever. The story is unique and facinating; as it progresses, you too feel trapped by the situation.
Tho I seldom give really high marks to movies, this one rates a 10 with me!
O.C. and Stiggs (1985)
Unique, Fun & Funny
Tho this movie was uneven, the quirky humor was invigorating. I rated it 7, partly because there were some concepts I had not seen in movies previously.
The young leads were personable and presented their characters quite admirably. Their car itself becomes a personality in the show.
You will find several actors you haven't seen in years. (Some shine in the light of this movie; others, well... 'nuff said.)
The Music of "King Sunny Ade & His African Beats" was refreshing. The Juju Music was at the same time full of energy and joy... & was gentle almost like meditation.
If you are looking for a pleasant diversion, strongly unique in places, I highly recommend it.
Bamboozled (2000)
Tedious, tho some moments are riveting
Spike Lee took this very good idea and thru repeated and LONG montages destroyed this movie. Damon Wayans brilliantly portrayed a facinating TV Network Executive and Savion Glover, his very charming and talented friend, a Street Performer doing Tap-Dancing. The story is at once riveting (when these two men are interacting with each other or the other main characters); and then, when you are most interested in the byplay, you get "yet another" long, LONG montage, which I am sure is meant to "teach us something important" . It did. It taught me to NEVER again waste my time watching a Spike Lee movie.
At one time, I respected this director, but he seems to feel he must beat-the-viewer-over-the-head with a message which he has already presented so well early in the movie. He does this in so many of his movies; he has finally driven me away.