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purposedriven2002
Reviews
20 Minutes (2023)
Sit back and enjoy the ride
The concept for '20 Minutes' is the Hawaii missile alert warning that came in 2018. I remember hearing about this on the news. All the brave people in Hawaii! As a Christian, this movie is very profound and is a total must see film - you cannot miss this movie.
All in all, 20 Minutes is a bonified masterpiece. I normally don't say that about a lot of films because I have been critical in the past with movies of this genre (disaster). Edited splendidly by J. Michael Rosen nd directed with gusto by Tim Chey, "20 Minutes" has the real feel of a true Best Picture Nominee (if it wasn't for the Christianity which is what makes this film work!). It also kind of serves secretly as a public announcement about the dangers of a future missile from a deranged dictator from guess what country?
"20 Minutes" is dangerous, epic, exhausting stuff and when it does move closer and closer to its conclusion, we get the pleasure of seeing two surfer friends come together to escape from the missiles destroying everything in its path. I've gotta admit seeing these two talented actors on screen gives me goosebumps. Oh heck, the whole film gives me goosebumps. If you love Christian movies and want to escape, "20 Minutes" is pretty serviceable. Just get a big bucket of popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride. I promise you will leave a changed man for God!
I'm a Christian movie review critic by trade (just FYI)
The American President (1995)
I like Michael Douglas
Douglas is a great actor
He can play a cop, banker, and now President
The cast is really great and they "jelled". I particularly liked Michael J. Fox's performance. Michael Douglas seems very natural as the President, the sign of a great actor (and excellent casting). He plays a widower who begins to date a woman (Annette Bening) while he is the President. The story has a lot of humor as the press grabs the story and all of a sudden, the "romance" becomes front-page news. The story moves along nicely and has no trouble keeping your interest. It's such a fun film that I was sorry to see it end. Look for a good performance from Richard Dreyfuss as Senator Bob Rumsen.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Lots of profanity ruined the film.
The trend these days in comedy is to use profanity as much as actually speaking. Almost every foul language imagined was used in Wedding Crashers when you really didn't have to go to that extreme. 40-Year Old Virgin did the same thing.
Almost no one, unless their in Hollywood, uses this much profanity. If you had a foul mouth at work, you'd soon have the boss telling you to cool it. If you used this much profanity with friends, you'd have none...unless you work in Hollywood.
But if you look at Bruce Almighty, Meet the Parents, Shrek, Anger Management, Big Fat Greek Wedding, etc. they still did killer business, but didn't resort to 'gross foul language'. Disappointing considering the director of 'Wedding' did the much much better film 'Shanghai Knights' that had almost no foul language yet was 20 times funnier.
The point is that in Middle America, where most decent people live, the only time someone swears is when their really mad.
People over 25 are gradually waning from going to the theaters anymore. The population grew last year by 5% to 360 million Americans. Yet the box office attendance has declined 20% since 1990. Hmmmm.....
Jerry Maguire (1996)
10 out of 10
I first saw this movie at a theater and cried all the way through. Phenomenal film that touches and makes you laugh. Similar to 'Cool Runnings'.
We need more films like this. Hollywood is a desert with terrible films.
This is a beautifully sentimental movie that illustrates two people as they hate each other, then like each other, then love each other over the course of Jerry's sports career. There are many classic moments that are hard to forget.
The performances in this movie are very good and were cast perfectly. I recommend this movie to everyone that is in the mood for a GREAT love story.
Elizabethtown (2005)
Nowhere near as good as "Jerry Maguire"
Many flaws filled the film. Surprising considering the brilliant and perhaps best working director in Hollywood, Cameron Crowe.
The shoe thing never sold me. I think Reebox sued Cameron and Sony after 'Jerry' when Cuba Gooding shouted 'F...Reebok!'
But I don't think this is the way to get back at a shoe company. I think another cutthroat and more believble industry would have related to people better.
I was never convinced that Orlando Bloom was going to kill himself. If this were a broad comedy, then suspended believability can be stretched, but not this.
Also, Bloom never convinced me as an actor that he going on a road trip for his life.
Jerry Maguire I gave a 10 and this a 5.
Fakin' Da Funk (1997)
Definitely worth seeing again.
I very much enjoyed this film when it aired repeatedly on USA Networks. The film elevated the 90's comedies to a new standard, especially in integrating cross-cultures before its time. The funny thing is now many colleges and universities have 'Fakin' Da Funk' as a required watching in their multi-cultural classes, thus proving the film has steady legs even 10 years later.
The entire cast was exceptional and you could see they had a blast filming the movie. Duane Martin was wonderful as the antagonizer and Pam Grier was amazing as the mother to the Asian kid. Also John Witherspoon was truly hilarious as the unsuspecting neighbor having to now host an exchange student from China.
Phenomenal story, well-written, and very well made.
Overall, 9/10.