Reviews
Flight 93 (2006)
Only see this if you have a LOT of time on your hands.
I admit that I am a sucker for American hero movies. However, this would be better as a made for TV movie than a movie anyone pays $10 for. While the story is obviously interesting (and obviously speculative) the whole film is very melodramatic, very spoonfed, with stiff dialogue, so so acting and an obviously low budget. As a two time Bush voter who only recently accepted the fact that he is one of the worst republican presidents ever, I had mixed feelings about seeing this movie, as it's target audience is who I used to be: a guy who rallied around our president at a time of tragedy (though I now know he didn't deserve it) and a guy who put a Support Our Troops magnet on my car (though I now know the best way to support them is bringing them home alive). I dunno. I guess if you want to honor the memory of the heroes of 9-11, read about them, think about them. You don't need to spend $10 to see this movie.
Closer (2004)
Pretty good, not great
I am a fan of movies like Welcome to the Dollhouse, In The Company of Men, Friends & Neighbors, Happiness, etc. I often like movies that show some of the ugliness that human beings possess (I know that I am in the minority on that) and that is what I like about Closer. Relationships can be quite pathetic, and this movie explores that. I'd say that, for better and worse, Closer is a slicker, more poetic and less gritty companion to the aforementioned movies.
Reading some of the reviews here, I think Julia Roberts and Jude Law drew in some people looking for Pretty Woman II or something. Trust me, there is nothing pretty about this movie. Personally, I found the language and sexuality extremely inoffensive.
Office Space (1999)
I have never worked at an office and this movie is still funny.
This is a solid comedy. It's not as potty-mouthed as Kingpin or Dumb & Dumber so it may not appeal to fans of low brow humor. Everyone I know who has seen this movie likes it, which says a lot about the execs that back burnered it into oblivion (at the box office at least). It's not as "laugh out loud" as some of my favorite comedies, but it is enjoyable throughout. 8/10
The Green Mile (1999)
For people who haven't seen it...
I thought this movie was great (9/10) BUT I can see people not liking it for the following reasons: 1. It is very long. 2. It has some "supernatural" elements to it. 3. It takes place on death row, so there are some execution scenes that are fairly extreme.
I see that some people have complained that this movie is sappy. Personally, I think there is plenty of darkness in this movie that keeps it from being sappy. All in all, I'd say it is like Shawshank Redemption meets the television show "Amazing Stories."
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Lots of action, not much substance
The original Matrix was a good sci-fi action movie, despite the predictably stiff acting we have all come to expect from Keanu Reeves. It seems like this time around, everyone involved wants to give you "more." You like Mr. Smith in the original? Well now you have 100 of him. You liked the slow motion, 3D effects in the original? Well, now you get to see that stuff 10 times as much. You liked the fight sequences? Now there are twice as many and they are all three times longer. The Matrix was a much better than most generic action movies (see Vin Diesel) because there was an interesting and intelligent story. The makers of The Matrix Reloaded forgot that. Definitely a disappointment. 6/10
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
I love music and movies. This movie is annoying.
This movie equivalent of a Las Vegas show... it aims to be a crowd pleaser with it musical medley of greatest hits... it seeks to overwhelm you with gaudy sets and over acting... it is not for me.
If your idea of good music is a wedding band or an Elvis impersonator, this movie is for you.
If you like visual stimulation with little substance, this movie is for you.
If you like the kind of movies where actors cross their eyes before they pass out, this movie is for you.
This movie is not for me.
Super Sucker (2002)
Good "dumb humor" movie
In the vein of Kingpin, Office Space and Airplane. Super Sucker isn't as funny as any of those movies but, considering it's budget, is still pretty impressive. Fans of "dumb" comedies will probably like, not love, this move.
The Hours (2002)
This year's Monster's Ball
Another critically acclaimed movie that bores me to death. It should be noted that this movie is aimed toward 50 year olds, the age of most critics. My friends and I are all in our 20s and we all felt the same way about this movie. The Hours deals with several different people who seem to have problems with depression. Where a movie like Pollock dives deep into the one man's problems, The Hours chooses to scratch the surface of several people's problems. Because of that, I never cared about any of the characters. In fact, I grew to dislike them.
Spider-Man (2002)
Another generic comic book movie
If you have seen any mediocre comic book movies (aren't most of them mediocre, except for Batman?) you will surely have no need to see this movie. It is exactly the same. Not awful. Not good. Nothing new. No surprises. If you have seen every movie on the AFI 100 or the IMDB top 100, MAYBE you have an excuse to see Spiderman.
Easy Rider (1969)
Very Over-rated Film
I think this is just a timepiece movie. Watching it in 2003, nothing about it stands up. I didn't care at all about the charcaters. I didn't care at all about the hippie's struggles with local hillbillies (EVERY rural local was portrayed as borderline evil). I didn't care about their free love or their drug use. I didn't care about anything anyone had to say. If this movie was made in 2003, I don't many people would like it.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Incredible movie
People make the mistake of chalking up "Requiem for a Dream" as a drug movie. It is a movie about different forms of addiction. Addiction to television, drugs, hope, etc. One of my favorite movies of all time. Excellent music too. I am going to use some comparisons here. I hope I do this movie justice.
It is relentless like "Bowling for Columbine." It definitely is an assault on the eyes, ears and mind.
It is visually stylistic, like "Fight Club." The visual effects are always appropriate and effective.
It is very un-Hollywood like "Memento." Very dark and edgy.
The music is sometimes very emotional and beautiful, sometimes very cold and harsh. Think "Run Lola Run" meets "The Piano."
Once again, this is an incredible movie.