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Reviews
John Q (2002)
Funniest Non-Comedy of the Year
I'll probably come across as heartless in writing this review, and that's not what I'm going for. My wife began laughing at this movie about five minutes in and I got mad at her for not giving the movie a chance. Well, I soon joined her. I guess this movie just didn't sink in with me.
It's not that the premise of the movie is that bad. The idea of someone making a movie about health care reform doesn't bother me at all. The thing that bothers me about this movie is that it uses cliche after cliche ad nauseam. Why did the director need to make it a Mack truck in the first scene? Why did the director make the "bad" doctor unsympathetic to the world until he was forced to change? Why did Ray Liotta need to be so over-the-top glory hungry? Why was the broadcast journalist the way he was? And the best question of them all, why did Denzel and Robert Duvall waste their time by being in this movie?
This movie was just poorly directed, that's what I've decided. You can obviously tell there are some good actors to work with, but much like what George Lucas does with his actors in his films, this director somehow managed to mess things up a little. I felt at times that I was watching an intervention program instead of a movie.
I felt bad sitting in the movie with many people who actually enjoyed it. I really tried to give it a chance, and I guess I can understand how this movie could be enjoyable to others, but it certainly didn't work with me. Pretty brutal movie if you ask me.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
You've got to be kidding me!
I had never seen any of the Star Wars series of movies until my
husband dragged me kicking and screaming to see Episode 2. My
husband tried to get me to sit through Episode 1, and I started to
sit through it, then to lie down through it, and the next thing I knew I
was snoring.
While Episode 2 had more critical acclaim and some have said
George Lucas has recaptured the magic of the series, all I can say
is "You've got to be kidding me!" I felt like I was watching a
big-screen two-hour version of the video game Super R-Type,
minus the fun.
The acting was, in a word, horrendous. Poor little Hayden
Christensen, (or is it Paul Walker? Oh they're the same) must have
gotten lost on his way to the Boy Band tryouts. He's brutal, flat out
brutal. Maybe it's not his fault though, because every actor in the
film (except for Ewan McGregor who does just fine as usual) looks
like they are performing in a 7th grade school musical, and a bad
one at that. Samuel L. Jackson, Natalie Portman, I'm ashamed of
you. You're better than that.
As for SPOILERS, don't worry, because there is no plot to spoil.
Well I guess you've got the political dissension ... blah blah blah ...
painful love story ... blah blah blah ... and Yoda with a light saber.
Other than that, great plot.
I'm not impressed at all with this movie and frankly don't
understand what all the hype is about. I'm scared to watch the first
three movies and even more scared to find out people waited four
months outside to watch this movie. 2 out of 10, 2 standing for too
long and too stupid.
Best in Show (2000)
Hate dogs, love the movie
I hate dogs, well hate is strong, but I don't like dogs. And to think I bought this movie without ever seeing somewhat makes me ill, but I was so pleasantly surprised by this mockumentary. There are parts where I was laughing so hard, but more parts where I couldn't believe that the characters were saying what they were really saying. Big time kudos go out to Fred Willard, I think more dog show broadcasters should be like that, and Parker Posey. Posey and her husband provide several moments of hilarity, most especially the scene where she couldn't find her dog's toy. HIlarious. Christopher GUest captures a lot of the magic from Waiting for Guffman, and I think it's funnier than Guffman. The deleted scenes are absolutely hilarious, particularly the nearly 10 that Guest cut out of himself. Great movie.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Fantastic movie
It takes a rare movie to get better each time you see it. O Brother does that and then some. The first time I saw it, I have to admit I had never seen anything like it. Then I wanted to see it again, and now I'm up to double digits with this great movie, the Coen brothers' finest movie they've ever done, with Fargo and Hudsucker Proxy coming in a tight second and third for me.
George Clooney gives the performance of his career playing Ulysses Everett McGee, a fast-talking know-it-all escaped convict who really doesn't know that much at all. Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro are the perfect sidekicks for Clooney, particularly Nelson and his portrayal of Delmar, a loyal albeit uneducated fellow escapee. John Goodman is my favorite bit character as Big Dan, perfect. It reminds me of his part in Raising Arizona, he's just a perfect actor for this role. Coen brothers' favorites Holly Hunter and Charles Durning also provide memorable performances.
Joel and Ethan Coen are masters of their trade. It's not like they try to win Academy Awards every time they make a film, they just try and tell a story that they want to tell, and it's entertaining. It's a loose adaptation of the Odyssey, and I mean loose for all of you Homer fanatics. It's just great.
The most amazing part of this movie though is the coloring. I've watched how they got the dusty feel to the movie and I am still in awe just thinking about it. The coloring does become an important part of the movie. Great great movie.
Rushmore (1998)
He wrote a hit play
"I saved Latin, what did you ever do?" This is my favorite line in the whole movie full of favorite lines. How about the OR scrubs line? Anyway, Jason Schwartzman made me laugh just looking at him portraying Max Fisher. Everything about this movie made me laugh. Bill Murray at the birthday party, Bill Murray blocking the basketball shot while talking on his cell phone just to name a few. I find myself laughing almost two minutes before each "funny" scene because I just can't wait. Hilarious movie. Sure the movie is a bit different, but that's what makes it good. After all, Max Fisher wrote a hit play.
Domestic Disturbance (2001)
A disturbing movie
This movie was just trifling, right from the start. I tried to give it a fair shake, but repeated examples of terrible acting (let's just say the kid won't win an Oscar) and even worse writing (watch the step dad and kid play catch, brutal) just wouldn't allow me to. I saw the trailer and expected it to be a tense thriller, with a lot of suspense, but all I could do was laugh, and feel bad for doing so. The only reason this movie got a rating as high as it did (3), was Steve Buscemi's role in the movie. Buscemi is great as always, but enough to save this movie.
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Great cast, even better movie
I haven't seen the original version of this film, but watching this version of Ocean's Eleven was the most fun I have had in the theater in I don't know how long. George Clooney is becoming one of my favorite actors with his performance in this and O Brother Where Art Thou?. Brad Pitt and Matt Damon are impressive and look like they are having fun. I've never been a huge Julia Roberts fan, but she plays the part well and the rest of the cast is perfect. The plot is great, the casting is great, and the music is great. The movie had twists and turns and reminded me of one of my favorite movies of all time, Sneakers. It really is a great movie!
Unbreakable (2000)
Getting better with each viewing
I loved The Sixth Sense and so when I went to see Unbreakable on opening night, I had built up the movie so much that it would have been tough to meet my expectations. When I walked out of the theater, I have to admit I was disappointed. Then I saw it again, and I liked it more. Now I own the DVD and I love this movie. I don't own The Sixth Sense and don't plan on it. Unbreakable is so much deeper than Shyamalan's previous work and his camera angles and scripting are so innovative. The opening unedited train scene is just unique and you have to give credit to a man that is willing to try something new. He lets the characters and their emotions tell the story, not wordy dialogue and special effects. It's better than Sixth Sense because it stands as a good movie without the ending (which I like). A great movie.