Stumanji
03-16-2004, 01:16 PM
In this thread, I'll post up the reviews of movies as I see them. I watch a lot of films, so this post may grow and grow.
Grading:
A+ = An instant classic. You'll tell your grandkids about this one.
A = A truly remarkable film. You have to watch this.
A- = A highly enjoyable movie with some very minor flaws.
B+ = A very good movie, should give you something to do on Friday nights before the LAN.
B = A good theater movie and worth the $22.50 for popcorn and soda as well.
B- = A good movie to see in theaters if you've already watched everything else.
C+ = A so-so movie, that has its ups and downs.
C = Worth watching, but make it a rental.
C- = Have someone else rent it, then mooch off them.
D+ = Watch it if it's free, and if you've really got nothing better to do.
D = You'll feel guilty if you actually sat through the whole thing.
D- = Get ready to cringe at this suckfest.
F = Make someone watch this film as punishment.
Key: Title - Format of the Film - Grade - Review
Kill Bill Vol. 2 - Theater - A - Okay, this may be a bit of a biased review. I bought Kill Bill Vol 1 on Tuesday, and I watched it three times in three days. The first film is terrific. It's so unusual, that it's refreshing. The second half of the Kill Bill movie is different from the first. I'd rather not ruin it for you, but if you hated the first one, you may actually like the second one. If you loved the first one, you may not like it... but you probably will. This film isn't as action packed, or over the top... but that's what makes it refreshing when compared to the first. And, you will laugh when you see this movie. There are very funny moments.
PS - David Carradine is a bad ass.
13 Going On 30 - Theater - B+ - This was a surprisingly enjoyable film. The premise of the movie kind of turned me off since it's been done so many times before, but it was a unique take on the "Glimpse of What May Come" story. It's rather funny, and the 80's pop culture references are always enjoyable. And, heck, who would turn down a chance to see Jennifer Garner in tight clothing for 2 hours? PS - Andy Serkis (aka Gollum) appears in the film.
Envy - Theater - C- - It is with a heavy heart that I report this one. Jack Black. Ben Stiller. Rachel Weisz. Christopher Walken. So much potential for great comedy. But, there wasn't much great comedy. I laughed probably three times during the flick, and I did something I usually never do in a movie: I actually checked my watch. That's never a good sign. I'd wait for a rental on this one.
Troy - Theater - A- - I had mixed feelings walking into the theater. I wanted this movie to be great, but I had the feeling that it was going to be an over-hyped cheese-fest. I was wrong. It really is good. It's a "Cliff's Notes" version of the story, but it's very entertaining, and the battles are reminiscent of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Runs a little long, but with a story like this, you have to expect that.
The Day After Tomorrow - Theater - B+ - Yay for disaster films! I gotta admit, it was better than I expected. The pacing is pretty superb and the visuals are insane. The acting is right on par, and as you should expect from Roland Emmerich (Godzilla, Independence Day) lots of things are destroyed and the destruction is intercut with those moments meant to make you sad. But, how sad can you be watching Los Angeles get destroyed? I mean, seriously?
Fun Fact: Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Dennis Quaid's son in the film, was considered for the role of Spider-Man/Peter Parker.
Gothika - Widescreen DVD- B - Spooky. This is one of those movies that had me on edge for most of the film. The "scary" moments are well done, in the classic "slow reveal" way. The movie went places I wasn't expecting, which is a good thing. The ending was surprising but troubling, plot-wise. Good enough to rent on a dark stormy night while watching all alone.
The House of Sand and Fog - Widescreen DVD - C+ - This was a unique movie in that the hype for it probably spoiled it too much for me. The movie is presented in a manner that has the viewer sympathizing for TWO opposing characters. This isn't a common approach in story-telling (though it has been done) and it's easy to see why: you're supposed to sympathize with both characters, but you end up choosing one over the other. Problems. Good though, just not great. Except the acting - that was great.
Shrek 2 - Theater - B - Pretty funny, but it could have been better. There were a dozen laugh-out-loud moments in the film, but I was hoping for more LOL moments, personally. I didn't think it was better than the original, for a couple reasons. One, they rely too much on pop-culture references in this film (yes... more than the original did) which will make it dated real fast. Second, the story wasn't quite as original as the first film. But, it's enjoyable with some pretty big laughs.
Word of Advice: If you choose to watch this film in theaters, I suggest a late showing, on a weekday -- avoid the little children.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Theater - B - If you're a die hard HP film fan, then you may be a bit turned off by the film. The new director took plenty of visual liberties with the story, changing much of the landscape of Hogwarts, and costumes as well. Overall, it's about 85% faithful to the book, with much of the changes probably coming from time constraints. There were some scenes that were not included that I would have loved to see, but oh well. Overall, it was pretty good, fans of the book won't be disappointed.
The Chronicles of Riddick - Theater - B - I bought Pitch Black about a week before I saw this film to refresh my mind on Riddick. The story is a bit grand on scale for this kind of character, and I think it would have made a fitting third installment. That said, I'm curious to see how this will tie in to the follow-up (if indeed the third film is a follow-up and not a prequel). The film is entertaining and action packed, about what you'd expect. Diesel may not get an Oscar, but he plays his part well. Didn't enjoy the ending, much, but I enjoyed my time in the theater.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story - Theater - B+ - There is a way to prepare yourself for a movie like this: don't have high hopes. I didn't, and I really enjoyed myself. I thought the film was hilarious. I think it's going to be one of those movies like BASEketball, Super Troopers, and Dumb and Dumber that gets funnier each time you watch it. The supporting cast is hilarious. Stiller is right-on with basically the same fitness-obsessed character he played in Heavyweights. A good movie to laugh at.
Grading:
A+ = An instant classic. You'll tell your grandkids about this one.
A = A truly remarkable film. You have to watch this.
A- = A highly enjoyable movie with some very minor flaws.
B+ = A very good movie, should give you something to do on Friday nights before the LAN.
B = A good theater movie and worth the $22.50 for popcorn and soda as well.
B- = A good movie to see in theaters if you've already watched everything else.
C+ = A so-so movie, that has its ups and downs.
C = Worth watching, but make it a rental.
C- = Have someone else rent it, then mooch off them.
D+ = Watch it if it's free, and if you've really got nothing better to do.
D = You'll feel guilty if you actually sat through the whole thing.
D- = Get ready to cringe at this suckfest.
F = Make someone watch this film as punishment.
Key: Title - Format of the Film - Grade - Review
Kill Bill Vol. 2 - Theater - A - Okay, this may be a bit of a biased review. I bought Kill Bill Vol 1 on Tuesday, and I watched it three times in three days. The first film is terrific. It's so unusual, that it's refreshing. The second half of the Kill Bill movie is different from the first. I'd rather not ruin it for you, but if you hated the first one, you may actually like the second one. If you loved the first one, you may not like it... but you probably will. This film isn't as action packed, or over the top... but that's what makes it refreshing when compared to the first. And, you will laugh when you see this movie. There are very funny moments.
PS - David Carradine is a bad ass.
13 Going On 30 - Theater - B+ - This was a surprisingly enjoyable film. The premise of the movie kind of turned me off since it's been done so many times before, but it was a unique take on the "Glimpse of What May Come" story. It's rather funny, and the 80's pop culture references are always enjoyable. And, heck, who would turn down a chance to see Jennifer Garner in tight clothing for 2 hours? PS - Andy Serkis (aka Gollum) appears in the film.
Envy - Theater - C- - It is with a heavy heart that I report this one. Jack Black. Ben Stiller. Rachel Weisz. Christopher Walken. So much potential for great comedy. But, there wasn't much great comedy. I laughed probably three times during the flick, and I did something I usually never do in a movie: I actually checked my watch. That's never a good sign. I'd wait for a rental on this one.
Troy - Theater - A- - I had mixed feelings walking into the theater. I wanted this movie to be great, but I had the feeling that it was going to be an over-hyped cheese-fest. I was wrong. It really is good. It's a "Cliff's Notes" version of the story, but it's very entertaining, and the battles are reminiscent of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Runs a little long, but with a story like this, you have to expect that.
The Day After Tomorrow - Theater - B+ - Yay for disaster films! I gotta admit, it was better than I expected. The pacing is pretty superb and the visuals are insane. The acting is right on par, and as you should expect from Roland Emmerich (Godzilla, Independence Day) lots of things are destroyed and the destruction is intercut with those moments meant to make you sad. But, how sad can you be watching Los Angeles get destroyed? I mean, seriously?
Fun Fact: Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Dennis Quaid's son in the film, was considered for the role of Spider-Man/Peter Parker.
Gothika - Widescreen DVD- B - Spooky. This is one of those movies that had me on edge for most of the film. The "scary" moments are well done, in the classic "slow reveal" way. The movie went places I wasn't expecting, which is a good thing. The ending was surprising but troubling, plot-wise. Good enough to rent on a dark stormy night while watching all alone.
The House of Sand and Fog - Widescreen DVD - C+ - This was a unique movie in that the hype for it probably spoiled it too much for me. The movie is presented in a manner that has the viewer sympathizing for TWO opposing characters. This isn't a common approach in story-telling (though it has been done) and it's easy to see why: you're supposed to sympathize with both characters, but you end up choosing one over the other. Problems. Good though, just not great. Except the acting - that was great.
Shrek 2 - Theater - B - Pretty funny, but it could have been better. There were a dozen laugh-out-loud moments in the film, but I was hoping for more LOL moments, personally. I didn't think it was better than the original, for a couple reasons. One, they rely too much on pop-culture references in this film (yes... more than the original did) which will make it dated real fast. Second, the story wasn't quite as original as the first film. But, it's enjoyable with some pretty big laughs.
Word of Advice: If you choose to watch this film in theaters, I suggest a late showing, on a weekday -- avoid the little children.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Theater - B - If you're a die hard HP film fan, then you may be a bit turned off by the film. The new director took plenty of visual liberties with the story, changing much of the landscape of Hogwarts, and costumes as well. Overall, it's about 85% faithful to the book, with much of the changes probably coming from time constraints. There were some scenes that were not included that I would have loved to see, but oh well. Overall, it was pretty good, fans of the book won't be disappointed.
The Chronicles of Riddick - Theater - B - I bought Pitch Black about a week before I saw this film to refresh my mind on Riddick. The story is a bit grand on scale for this kind of character, and I think it would have made a fitting third installment. That said, I'm curious to see how this will tie in to the follow-up (if indeed the third film is a follow-up and not a prequel). The film is entertaining and action packed, about what you'd expect. Diesel may not get an Oscar, but he plays his part well. Didn't enjoy the ending, much, but I enjoyed my time in the theater.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story - Theater - B+ - There is a way to prepare yourself for a movie like this: don't have high hopes. I didn't, and I really enjoyed myself. I thought the film was hilarious. I think it's going to be one of those movies like BASEketball, Super Troopers, and Dumb and Dumber that gets funnier each time you watch it. The supporting cast is hilarious. Stiller is right-on with basically the same fitness-obsessed character he played in Heavyweights. A good movie to laugh at.