Reviews
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Great original idea.
I just watch Vanilla Sky for the second time. I am so glad when a movie comes out which isn't the same old crap. Vanilla Sky was a great original idea which kept you guessing throughout the whole movie.
Tom Cruise (shunned from a Best Actor Nomination) does an excellent job in his role as a confused, depressed man on the verge of insanity. The direction is amazing with the constant flashes and repeating of lines previously heard throughout the movie. Halfway through the movie you feel like you haven't even watch anything because you are so confused yourself. In this way you are drawn into Tom Cruise's character.
Seeing it the second time you pick up on everything, which just makes the movie that much better.
9/10
I also recommend Memento and Fight Club.
Resident Evil (2002)
Great transfer from game to film.
It's been quite a while since I first heard of the Resident Evil movie. Back when George Romero was writing a script, and Samatha Mathis from Broken Arrow was going to play Jill Valentine with Bruce Payne as Wesker, I was excited. Then things seemed to fall apart and the project was in my mind trashed.
Slowly things came back together. A new writer, director, cast, and so on help to bring my confidence back. Even though the cast seemed to lack a little bit, and the characters were not the same, I was still excited to see the movie when it finally came out this past Friday.
Although I understand this could not be considered a great movie, I was very much satisfied with the transfer to film of one of the greatest video games ever made. I was disappointed with the changed characters, but the story was very much there.
And the special effects and gore were excellent. I was especially impressed with the dogs in how closely they resembled what you see in the game.
Needless to say I was happy with the results, and look forward to the sequel. If it's anything like the video game series, it only gets better.
9/10
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
A Fantastic Film...for everyone.
It's really unfortunate that all people (including myself) tend to judge a movie, by who's in it, that it's based on a video game, or that it's animated.
Final Fantasy definitely did not on the outside appeal to most people for the second and third reasons to say the least. This is really sad because what was made here was, not only an amazing advance in film technology, but a very good story line to top it off.
I admit that I went to this movie for two reasons. 1. I like the Final Fantasy game series. AND 2. I wanted to see the animation. The story was just a bonus. If the film had been live action and preview the same way, it would have done well. If people could've seen Alec Baldwin, or Donald Sutherland, or Morgan Freeman as actors in it, then it would have done well.
This is a great movie people. It is a very good story, and the animation is almost real. I just hope that the $100 million dollar loss for this movie will not hinder the advancement of the animation technology.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Give me a break.
I'm sorry to all you out there who think that this is the second best film ever made. Shawshank, Godfather II, etc, etc. Obviously you've not seen these great films or just have no taste.
What I saw out of this film was 3 long hours of talking, then walking, then talking some more. Then every fight sequence seemed pretty much the same. "Oh no, it's the blah blah", boring fight sequence, someone dies slowly, then we'll walk some more.
Don't get me wrong it did have it's moments. The cinematography was good, so let's nominate whoever did this. Let's NOT nominate this for Best Picture because it was no where near the caliber film to qualify for this honor. I just hope the Academy is smart enough to recognize this.
Antitrust (2001)
Not for the computer illiterate.
I just have to say that this is the best movie I have seen in awhile. Part of this is that I am in the computer field, so I believe that has to have something to do with my enjoyment. Also I think that you can never go wrong with Tim Robbins. Anyway after seeing c**p like Lost Souls and Eye of the Beholder, it's about time I saw something good.
Lost Souls (2000)
A new amazing cure for Insomnia!!!
There is nothing to say about this movie. IT SUCKED. I love Winona Ryder, and that's the only reason it even gets a 1 out of 10. All the action you see is in the preview, so just watch that. Do not go see this piece of c**p. Go see Digimon instead. It's bound to have more action and mature themes than this 'G' movie.
Resident Evil: Code: Veronica (2000)
Another gem from the RE team.
I just can't believe that these games can get so much better, but they do. Unfortunately I had to rent a Dreamcast to play it, but even though I did beat it I can't wait to buy it for PS2. This is the only series of games that I must own all of them even if I have beaten them many times over. I hope they never stop making this type of game even if the series must come to an end.
Any Given Sunday (1999)
A close look at what makes a football team work...or crumble
Any Given Sunday takes a good behind the scenes look at a football team. It not only looks into the players, but the coaches, staff, owner, and even the medical trainers. It was very interesting to see how many things can go into whether or not a football team wins their games.
The Erotic Witch Project (2000)
Just like the Blair Witch
This movie is the funniest spoof I have ever seen. And better than any XXX movie ever. I hope to see the blonde in many, many more movies. I never thought that anyone could make a movie for this cheap that is this good.
Pitch Black (2000)
Great special effects, mediocre plot.
Pitch Black starts out on a positive note with awesome special effects. It takes several simple undeveloped characters onto a dead planet inhabited only by quick creatures of the night. Though the plot has much to be desired and isn't much different than the typical horror/suspense/sci fi movie (i.e. Deep Blue Sea), it still comes across as a watchable entertaining movie. It is well worth watching as long as you are not expecting much, and you thoroughly enjoy mind blowing special effects.
Scream 3 (2000)
Overall Good Sequel, but the Ending was disappointing
Overall I liked the movie well. The comedy was good and there was plenty of suspense. Unfortunately I don't think that ending was enough. Granted the killer(s) was(were) reasonable and made sense, but there was something missing. I don't want to say much and give anything away, but I just think it lacked a little.
Eye of the Beholder (1999)
Fairly interesting movie that just went nowhere
Eye of the Beholder is just one of those movies that is released off of the success of a previous movie i.e. Double Jeopardy. A movie that really has no point from the beginning "Eye" does keep you interested just to really disappoint you in the end. The whole time I was thinking "This is going to have an awesome ending" when suddenly the movie is over, and alas nothing happened. I wish that movies like this would be previewed as Independent so I wouldn't waste my time going to the theater to watch.
American History X (1998)
Even the worst people can turn their lives around
American History X has to be one of the most emotional well written films that I have ever seen. Filled with symbolism and Edward Norton in an excellent acting performance. This movie is a true example of a movie being shunned because of violent not pc content when in fact it should be seen by all people of any race.
American Pie (1999)
Disappointment of the "Unrated" version
Time and time again movies come to video claiming to be the unrated, uncut version. The same true for the latest release of American Pie. I love this movie, but when I saw it on tape claiming to be "The version you couldn't see in theaters". I was greatly disappointed. For of what I could tell only one 3 second clip was different even though the back of the box claimed more of Nadia, more Pie, and so on. I am just tired of being duped into believing that there is new stuff on these movies.
House on Haunted Hill (1999)
Start to finish, this movie goes from a 10 to a 5
House on Haunted Hill starts out as a very freaky and pretty scary film. With the story behind the house and the movie's main character played by Geoffrey Rush. Then even as the party moves into the house and the story develops this movie is a good quality disgusting horror flick. Unfortunately as it develops further the director misses out on the plot twist that should have been there and completely screws up the whole movie with his pathetic excuse for an ending. If you want to see this movie I suggest seeing it in the theater. At least than it will seem scarier and you can enjoy everyone screaming. I just don't think that this movie would be worth watching on video.
Fight Club (1999)
Very Original, Highly Entertaining, A Great Surprise
Fight Club isn't at all what one might expect it to be. This movie starts out as a comedy, moves into something straight out of a UFC tournament, then finishes with one of the most surprising endings I have ever seen. And it is not like the ending is just thrown out there. It was there all along, but you just don't realize it. Fight Club is a must see. (You have to see it just to see Meat Loaf with Boobs).
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
A realistic, genuine horror
First of all, those out there who believe that this movie was awful, watch it again.
Blair Witch is a highly original idea in a period of copies and remakes. A movie with genuine fear and horror, and a movie that can scare even the most hardened person. Complete with the realistic improvizational acting, Blair Witch is an early contender for Best Picture.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
A realistic, genuine horror
First of all, those out there who believe that this movie was awful, watch it again.
Blair Witch is a highly original idea in a period of copies and remakes. A movie with genuine fear and horror, and a movie that can scare even the most hardened person. Complete with the realistic improvizational acting, Blair Witch is an early contender for Best Picture.
Ravenous (1999)
Stunk, terrible, slow, and stupid
Ravenous. What the hell is with this movie? I went to see this movie, partially because of the mystery behind the preview, and partially because I wanted to see a little gore. What I got was a disgusting movie filled with a very slow plot, and the worst background music that I have ever heard. Honestly, don't waste your time with this one.
Patch Adams (1998)
Robin Williams at his best in a long time.
I am so glad to see Robin Williams return to form. I was a little leary about going to see this one after Birdcage and Father's Day, but Patch Adams was well worth it. A good mix of comedy and drama. The best I've seen since Forrest Gump.
Forrest Gump (1994)
The greatest movie ever written...brilliant.
All other movies bow down and worship. Forrest Gump is by far the greatest movie big and small screen. An outstanding plot with comedy, drama, and action all together. Follow Forrest through our nation's history as played by the one and only Tom Hanks.