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chrissyt1986
Reviews
Instinct (1999)
Hopkins steals the show...yet again! inspiring and heartfelt.
I picked up this movie on DVD for a very reasonable price, I'd heard of it but didn't know anything about they plot or who starred in it. I was sold on the fact Anthony Hopkins is in it and curious about how Cuba Gooding Jr would play alongside an incredible actor like Hopkins.
Hopkins for me in this movie once again proves how brilliant he can be in a challenging role, he is effortless, natural and subtle even when he doesn't speak, his eyes, his movements pour out emotion and feeling. He raises what could have been an average movie into something heartfelt and inspiring. I really wanted a big scene with Hopkins in-which he verbally took his performance over the top and blew it out of the water with intensity and drama but I was more than happy with the softer more subtle side of his performance.
I soo wanted to love Cuba Gooding Jr performance in this movie, he has a very easy to watch and enjoyable quality about him which iv found in all they other movies iv watched starring him, however in this movie at times I felt as though at times he was a little bit out of his depth. To go up against an actor the calibre of Anthony Hopkins you really need to be able to stand your ground and bring more to the table as far as depth and intensity and I didn't feel that from Cuba. At times it felt as though he was trying to hard and was trying to match Hopkins in the performance stakes. Don't get me wrong he did a great job and was enjoyable and I commend him on his efforts but it felt as though there was something missing in his performance.
The plot wasn't my cup of tea but it won me around and totally had me engaged me. The scenes with the Gorillas and Hopkins, were touching and beautifully directed.
Overall, this movie is definitely worth watching, its easy-going, warm and touching but at times brutal and harrowing. Its an engaging mixed bag of emotions that rolled up make for an inspiring and entertaining movie which delivers ultimately an important message
Monster's Ball (2001)
Could have been brilliant but....it isn't
Iv just finished watching this film and it left me SO disappointed as I had really high expectations.
First off Halle Berry is brilliant in the movie and you really buy into her character and her emotions and heart-break, she's effortless in what appears to be her comfort zone. Billy Bob Thornton is brilliant in the movie also, I've not seen him in a lot of movies but based on this I have become a fan, he's very convincing and again effortless. My problem with this movie is that it failed to be compelling and the story seemed rushed. The movie is very dreary and depressing, it plods along, the story lacks any real depth, there's no outstanding part in the film that makes you sit up and take notice. They infamous sex scene made the film no better and felt un-justified especially the long length of time it was on, a talented actress like Halle Berry lowering herself to do something like that made me cringe in all honesty. They could have made it shorter or cut away after they started they initial moves. The oral sex scene again felt totally un-necessary and just took away from the drama and emotion in the film.
I found myself relieved when it ended after a very weak ending that left me wondering why I wasted my time watching the movie, damn high expectations! Did Halle deserve an Oscar, I personally don't think so, she was very good but not outstanding she was in her comfort zone and didn't really push herself to an Oscar worthy performance. She played the role by numbers nothing more, nothing less a thousand other actresses could have played the part, it wasn't a stretch for her in anyway in my opinion.
The Majestic (2001)
easy going, warm hearted, moving above all else....touching
I hadn't heard of this film before I bought it but reading a couple of the reviews on here I decided to give it ago but didn't expect much.
Overall I found this movie to be easy watching, touching and moving. Its very straight forward and an easy to enjoy film with a plot that keeps you enthralled. The characters are warm hearted espessially Martin Landau who for me is excellent, he gives a gentle performance and I found him effortless. Jim Carrey proves he can be subtle and in this movie he really allows himself to open up and show a different heart felt side to him that's really inspired and moving.
My only flaw is that at times it feels to mushy and the characters are to light hearted which is a little bit sickly sweet but this doesn't takeaway from the fact that this is a excellent, inspired film...
The Deep End (2001)
Did I Miss Something? Terrible....Rushed Movie
I had really high expectations before watching this movie, the reviews I read on both here and the cover of the DVD really had me excited. I love nothing more than a solid crime thriller but I was left really disappointed after watching this.
The film seemed to rush everything to the point were I thought I'd missed something. The acting was terrible, it was like watching a bad TV movie. Tilda Swinton is wasted in this movie and seems to be just plodding along. The relationship with Margret and Alek is sooo bizarre one minute he's blackmailing her and 30mins later they are the best of friends. She falls for him without there being any reason for it happen. There's very little in the way of a police investigation over the death of Darby which seems very unrealistic. I still have no idea how Alek and his partner managed to get the video in order to blackmail Margret that all seemed very rushed as well.
Very disappointing! it could have been soooo much better