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Reviews
The Skeleton Key (2005)
Rather disappointing
I went to this film, based on the reviews, expecting to see a classic "thriller." Instead, what I got, was something painfully predictable. If you pay attention to the movie as it goes along at all, you can guess that Caroline (Kate Hudson) is going to end up being a victim, and you can guess that Violet (G Rowland) isn't what she is cracked up to be. The ending was set up to be a great finish, but, instead, all we get is something painfully easy to predict...and the fact that it just screams "sequel." It didn't wrap up well for me. The movie is filled with a lot of moments where you think you're going to jump out of your seat, instead...you are painfully let down.
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
Not a bad flick. :)
I have to admit, watching Patrick Bergin in this movie gave me the chills. He plays the role of a mentally "unstable" and abusive man so well...the looks he gave and his eyes had me afraid of him. Granted, there are several "holes" in the movie compared to the book, you can't help but root for Julia Robert's "Laura." She seems to have planned her escape from her abusive husband so well, and yet a few careless mistakes tips him off. Ben seems to be the kind sole she should have been with all along. I did have to wonder though - for a dead woman, "Laura" was not very careful about keeping her looks covered up or altered - when she first leaves she cuts her hair a little bit? Made no sense. Still a good watch, though - you can't help but cheer for her in the end.
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D (2005)
Patience needed to watch
Oh gods, where to begin? I was begged, I mean, begged, by my six year old niece to take her to see this movie when it first came out. I am forever grateful for the discount cinema. Aside from loosing about an hour and a half of my life, I was out less than $5. She loved it, I couldn't wait for it to end. The movie starts almost like a bad after school special. Max's parents are fighting, and his mom, one day, tells him to make sure he comes "straight home" after school...they live across the street from it. He has a teacher that tells him in no uncertain terms to "stop dreaming," and seeing George Lopez as both his teacher and one of the bad guys was just a bit much. I have never been so eager to get out of a movie in my life, so fair warning if you go - be well rested and very patient. It will be the longest hour and a half of your life.
At First Sight (1999)
A worthwhile visit
I happened to come across this movie one night on cable. I have to say I'm sorry I didn't see it in the cinema. Val Kilmer did an excellent job playing a blind man, and the struggles it entails as he adjusts from his dark world, to a seeing one, and having to adjust to loosing it all again. I could't help but get wrapped up in his struggles to adjust, the frustration he feels when he tries to adjust to the seeing world and what Amy (Mira S) expects of him as his eyes begin to fail him once again. I was surprised to see, at the end of the movie, that it was based on a true story. Hats off to Val Kilmer for job well done - he was very believable.
Red Eye (2005)
Very disappointed
I managed to luck out and see this movie on a "sneak peek" night, and I'm glad, because I would have been rather upset had I spent money to see this.
I miss the days when Wes Craven made movies that made my skin crawl. This film was very easy to predict, right down to the stabbing in the neck with the pen.
The first part of the movie seems to drag a bit - you can figure out what's up rather early on. I have to admit, I simply loved Jayma May's character, Cynthia...she and her wide eyes managed a giggle every time from me.
The film also plays a lot of old clichés over & over - terrorists wanting to kill a high ranking gov't official, with the classic shoulder rocket launcher. We get an impressive explosion - but remarkably, with no one getting off the floor, no on is killed.
Save this one for a rental.
The Thing (1982)
Saw this many years ago
I give this a 10 of 10 because I saw this many years ago, when I was 9. (Yes, I know a 9 year old shouldn't see this, but that's a whole other story.) Anyway, this scared the crap out of me and I have never been so scared - to this day I cannot see this without all the lights being on in the house. I remember at the time I saw this, we also had a family pet that was a German Shepard. The dog in the movie, if memory serves, was also a German Shepard. After seeing that "thing" come out of that dog I couldn't go around ours for months. I suppose the original fear of the movie has stayed with me all these years, but for me, the scare factor in this alone warrants a 10 of 10.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
This was fantastic
I found this version much more enjoyable and true to the book than the original. The cast was well chosen, the visuals and effects were amazing...I could go on & on. I was very impressed with how much this one stayed close to the book. For those nay sayers that think it's a "slap in the face to Gene Wilder," get a grip. This movie isn't a tribute to Mr. Wilder, it's not supposed to be like the original. It's a tribute to Mr. Dahl, the original writer of the book that inspires it all. And it's a fine tribute, at that. I was lucky enough to see this at a 'sneak peek,' and would gladly see it again. I only gave it 8 out of 10 stars because it did take a bit of a wild turn towards the end of the movie. This is a great movie and enjoyable for both the young & old alike.
Ice Princess (2005)
Family friendly
Once again, I had the joy of watching another movie before it hit wide release. "Ice Princess," while being a good family movie with a positive underlying message, was a bit lengthy and drawn out. It was indeed full of clichés, and the story honestly felt like it was more deserving of an after school special than a big screen release. The ending was all but too predictable, with Casey and her mom coming to a great understanding, tears begin shed, and we all just want to hug each other. It's the movie to see for a positive message, (never be afraid to follow your dreams, and don't try to live up to someone else's), but if you are looking for a way to kill off about two hours, there are far better ways - like a dental visit.
The Pacifier (2005)
Pleasant surprise
I have to admit, when I first saw the previews I thought, "no way." But, after getting some 'sneak peek' tickets to the movie, I thought 'why not?' Vin Diesel did a fine job with this movie. It's something I'd take my nieces and nephews to see. He demonstrated that he's got what it takes to share the screen with co stars much younger than him, and those not even human. (Gary the duck.) After it was all said & done, we get to see a side of his acting 'chops,' that I personally thought didn't exist. At the end, when he is saying his good bye to Lu-Lu, I was waiting for him to cry. I have to admit, I was surprised that there were so many laughs in the movie - the cinema, as we exited, had nothing but positive things to say...I didn't hear a single negative comment.
Hope you enjoy!
White Noise (2005)
Disappointing
If you scare easily, this is the perfect film for you. Otherwise, don't waste your time. It drags at first, and the last half is the most exciting...and it becomes predictable when "Anna's ghost" is warning "Johnathan" to "go now!" and he doesn't, which leads to his own death. I will admit, though, I was impressed with the way EVP was explained, however...the rest was just a waste of the talent of Michael Keaton, who clearly did the best with what he was given. The first words I heard when the lights came up in the cinema when I saw this, (on a preview night), were "there's two hours of my life I will never get back."
Beyond the Prairie, Part 2: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder (2002)
What a shame...
I saw this and have to tell you, I was very disappointed. I'm a longtime fan of the works of Mrs. Wilder, and feel strongly that this, if anything, was shameful to her memory and legacy. It is painfully obvious that the books were not read in great detail (or at all.) Perhaps it would have been better with different people in the roles (none of them were very believable). I watched it all the way through, hoping that something would come out of it to redeem it. I know not everyone would agree with me, but it just seems to be a bit of common sense that if you are going to make a movie about what someone has written, try and stay true to the writers words.