up2u Reviews

After Life (1998)

The Great Beyond

[10/10 · 5 July 2006]

This sobering Japanese fantasy has a delicate veneer, but beneath that lies an extraordinary power.

Taking place in a kind of subway stop between life and the afterlife, the movie charts the efforts of a crew of technicians who attempt to faithfully reproduce the one memory that the recently deceased wish to take with them into forever. That's all they will have with them. Gently but with great confidence, the movie slowly examines the interactions between the workers, the guests, and their own miniature conflicts in choosing those memories with exquisite tact but honesty, as well. Listen to the man who does not know if he has had any memorable moments in his life.

A rapturous film, and a life-changer.

Sherlock Jr. (1924)

A World of Possibilities

[10/10 · 5 March 2006]

Not only is this Buster Keaton's best film, but it is among the greatest achievements in the history of cinema, period. While it is not a feature-length film--and thus barred from most critics' lists of great films--it invented just about every single basic special effect known to movies (except for morphing). The story itself, about a film projectionist who desires to become part of the movies, and then does, by walking right onto the screen, made palpable the desire that we all have to be in the movies: To get the girl, to be an action hero, to outsmart the bad guys. Keaton invented meta-cinema before anyone even had a phrase for it.

This movie has entered our dreams.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Bad Love

[8/10 · 11 December 2005]

Brokeback Mountain is almost like "Boys Don't Cry" with the genders reversed. Both movies demonstrate, beautifully, the irony of a land in which the most sociologically restricting of areas are often the ones with the most wide open of spaces. Here is the love story of two men who cannot be in love with each other, and not just because society doesn't allow it; they can barely say aloud what they are. The second half of the film slows down the momentum and gets a tad episodic, but the overall effect is extraordinary. Ang Lee has been cinema's foremost chronicler of repressed emotions for the past decade, but never before has he allowed those emotions to explode and resonate with the clarity and force that they do here.

Boys Don't Cry (1999)

The Bluest Eyes in Texas

[10/10 · 15 November 2004]

This explosively powerful film is easily the best film debut since "12 Angry Men" (1957), and it also the best movie of 1999, hands down. The story of

Brandon Teena, nee Teena Brandon, a Nebraska woman who set out to fulfill

her dream of living as a man, must have been nearly impossible to tell. After her identity was found out by her "friends" shortly after her twenty-first birthday, they raped and killed her, as well as the friends she was staying with. This savage hate crime was smeared all over the tabloids and looked as if it were doomed to become a diluted TV-movie of the week.

Thank God for director/co-writer Kimberly Peirce. She miraculously strips away all the sensationalism to bring Falls City, NE and its residents to life so vividly that its nearly surreal. This is not a movie with witty one-liners and a chunky screenplay filled with big ideas, but this is one of those rare films that celebrates the human spirit with none of the sentimentality of swill like "Life Is Beautiful" or "A Beautiful Mind". Even better, Peirce transcends matters of

gender identity and captures the essence of Brandon's soul (incarnated by

Hilary Swank in an Oscar-winning tour de force), yearning to be its true self. What is beautiful about the relationship that Brandon found with Lana Tisdel

(the equally mesmerizing Chloe Sevigny) is that Lana is far more intelligent and spiritually evolved than her family and friends. She recognizes that Teena is both male and female; not "a man trapped in a woman's body", but a person

who has risen above the limitations she was born with. Although the last half- hour of the film, which unflinchingly depicts Brandon's rape and murder is nearly unwatchable, Peirce and co-writer Andy Bienen still manage to end on a

hopeful note. They depict with stunning clarity the meeting and lovemaking of not just bodies, but hearts and minds. Teena Brandon was too beautiful a spirit to survive amidst the cruelty in America's heartland, but in Lana Tisdel she

found someone she could soar with, however briefly. Brandon Teena had the

courage to be himself, and Lana Tisdel has the courage to be herself. God bless them both, and God bless the cast and crew of "Boys Don't Cry".

Run Lola Run (1998)

Wow!!!

[10/10 · 2 April 2001]

Run Lola Run has got to be one of the most dazzling and inventive films

I've ever seen. I highly recommend this film to anyone who has the

maturity to handle a film where the characters <gasp!> don't speak in

English. It's snappy and fun, and in only 81 minutes, it speaks volumes

about peo

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

2000's best film was not made in America

[10/10 · 6 February 2001]

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a visually stunning, overwhelmingly powerful achievement that dwarfs any other film made in the year of 2000. Its combination of dazzling fight scenes and early-Hollywood style romance eclipses anything else this year. This is a film of epic proportions, without the oppressive running time of your usual epic film (this clocks in only at 2 hours and 8 minutes). The performances of the film's lead actors are so heartfelt that subtitles aren't even necessary -- the characters' thoughts and feelings are evident on their faces. And the fight scenes are a brilliant display of pyrotechnic imagery like no other film previously. Maybe Ang Lee will finally get the recognition he deserves come Oscar time.

Romeo Must Die (2000)

Good, but could have been better

[7/10 · 24 September 2000]

Someone else on this board commented about how they were really disappointed that CGI was used, and that it distracted from Jet Li's outstanding martial arts abilities. He was right-- and as a result the film comes off like a wannabe Bruce Lee flick. At least the acting is good, though: Jet Li and Aaliyah are appealing and Isaiah Washington and Delroy Lindo are two very good actors giving very good performances (now if only they could convince DMX that he shouldn't act)

Almost Famous (2000)

The best movie I've seen this year

[8/10 · 16 September 2000]

There's almost nothing better than a movie about music-- and this film is one of the best. I cannot truthfully say that this movie did a wonderful job of portraying the frenzied, sweetly doped up world of the early '70s because I wasn't alive to know that era, but it is incredibly well-written and well-acted (the entire cast is outstanding-- when's the last time THAT happened). You must go see this amazing film. Cameron Crowe rocks!!!

Total Recall (1990)

Terrific science fiction

[8/10 · 10 April 2000]

Total Recall is a totally unique film with wild visuals, good acting and a better story. The film's plot keeps twisting and turning in ways that are entertaining without getting rid of logic, which puts second-rate wannabes like The Matrix in their place. This, like the Alien saga is science fiction at its most inventive.

Scream 3 (2000)

Williamson's last scream

[5/10 · 5 February 2000]

Hey, I gave this a 6 out of 10. A good film, but not as good of an ending to a great series as we needed. If you want to see my in-depth review of Scream 3, go to External Reviews and click on the "Movie Navigator Explores Scream 3" link.

Respectfully, Sam Levy

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Tim Burton's best movie

[7/10 · 28 November 1999]

I didn't feel that way at first, but in retrospect I really do think it's his best movie. The plot is secondary to the visuals, but it's done well. Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci give thoughtful, romantic performances as a detective from New York City and the beautiful villager he falls for while investigating a series of gruesome murders the town believes is being executed by a faceless spectre riding on a horse. Whilst everything he knows as a scientist falls down around him, his love for her and her faith in him remain constant. And this is not the innocent Sleepy Hollow of Washington Irving's tale-- this is a farmtown overflowing with adultery, witchcraft, and murder. And THEN, there are the visuals. The film is filled with images that are vintage Burton: Ichabod (Depp) puts on investigating glasses, and the left lens is twice the size of the right; the staggering Tree of the Dead, whose branches twist in grotesque angles and stream with blood; and the Horseman himself, who lops off heads cleanly and with precision, has a decidedly otherwordly style. Overall, this is a gorgeous film brimming over with high comedy and winning romance. The identity of the person in cahoots with the Horseman is no big surprise, but getting there is the fun in this.

Go (1999)

Pulp Fiction lite

[7/10 · 11 April 1999]

Well, pretty much any teen movie of the 90s is something else lite, but this film is really well made. An array of interesting characters chat Tarantino-style about assorted trivia. Among the most interesting characters: Timothy Olyphant plays a charmingly menacing drug dealer; Sarah Polley is a supermarket clerk trying to double cross said dealer; Desmond Askew charming as her nutty British co-worker; and Scott Wolf parodying himself well as a gay soap opera star. The three stories are wound up well: Even the predictably disastrous trip to Las Vegas is a success. The three stories play over the same period of time and are all entertaining. Kudos to Katie Holmes for breaking out of her annoying stint on Dawson's Creek and displaying the talent everyone knew she had. GO to the theaters now.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Awesome show!

[10/10 · 15 March 1999]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the most satisfying teen show on television. It's miles ahead of Party of Five and Dawson's Creek. It takes problems that real teenagers deal with and turns them into a supernaturally metaphoric creation. Plus, the show doesn't turn its back on teenage characters once the shock value of their unique aspects wears off. The other reason why it's the best show on TV? The actors don't have actor-ish presences. Watching other shows, I say to myself, oh that's Neve Campbell/Katie Holmes. But on this show, the actors completely disappear into the show. Go Joss Whedon!

Clueless (1995)

Like, totally awesome

[8/10 · 15 March 1999]

This downright hysterical modernization of Jane Austen's Emma had me rolling on the floor with laughter (it's a good thing I never saw it in the theaters). The screenplay was perfect, peppered with keen observations and terrific slapstick humor. Alicia Silverstone is perfect in the lead role (and gorgeous to boot). Not one moment in this movie failed to entertain me. Fantastic!

The X-Files (1993–2018)

THE BEST TV SHOW EVER

[10/10 · 15 March 1999]

This is the most powerful, emotional series ever. It is more cinematically filmed than any show on television (and most likely the reason why the movie, although good, was disappointing.) The plot lines are suspenseful, and the relationship between FBI Agents Mulder and Scully (wonderfully portrayed by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson) creates more drama, humor and tragedy than any of those so-called "real life" shows like Party of Five or Dawson's Creek. This is the definitive example of why television can occupy the highest plane of art. My thanks to Chris Carter for being the genius he is.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

This was so good!

[8/10 · 31 January 1999]

A touching comedy about the way people feel about each other from one minute to the next. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is good in an Oscar-winning turn, but Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger are even better. I can't believe they didn't win. Dorothy's little kid is so adorable.

Varsity Blues (1999)

PRETTY GOOD FLICK

[7/10 · 27 January 1999]

This isn't the best movie I've ever seen, but it was entertaining. James Van Der Beek and Amy Smart were mighty charming as the only two people (let alone kids) in town not obsessed with football. The Dawson's Creek star has a lot of cheesy heroism to preach at the end but he makes it seem natural. And Jon Voight was great of course. The whole movie was pretty predictable (right down to the fat suicidal drunk named Billy Bob) but it was still good. My grade: B

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

I LOVED THIS!

[10/10 · 27 January 1999]

This is a hysterically funny film, as good as any Monty Python film. Kevin Kline deservedly won an Oscar for his flawless performance as an outrageously egotistical and stupid jewel thief. Jamie Lee Curtis is just as funny as one of the other jewel thieves who is double-crossing everyone in order to get the diamonds for herself. And John Cleese is amazing as the barrister caught up in the whole process. One of the most original, clever films I have ever seen.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Really good

[10/10 · 19 November 1998]

A genuinely original thriller that seems to tap into our psyche and knows how we talk. All the situations seem real enough. The acting is great (Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, in particular) but the movie seems to have no point. If you want to see a GREAT movie on the same subject, see Fargo. It probes deeper into morality and desperation and is also a lot funnier.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

Re: it was okay

[5/10 · 18 November 1998]

It wasn't scary or gory enough. but it had its moments. Then again, of course, Jennifer Love Hewitt can redeem any film

Urban Legend (1998)

Not bad at all.

[7/10 · 25 September 1998]

This spin-off of Scream is the most original slasher film since that, telling the tale of a serial killer making urban legends become real on a college campus. Scary and entertaining, though higly predictable (you could guess the killer, the victims and the survivors off the top of your head). Good performances by Alicia Witt, Joshua Jackson and Rebecca Gayheart, although Jared Leto seemed a bit stiff. A nice scary movie that is very enjoyable. Make sure to buy popcorn for this one!

54 (1998)

Pretty good

[5/10 · 23 September 1998]

The details of the club aren't as excessive as I expected but it's still pretty good. The acting (with the exception of Mike Myers, who never comes off as anything but a hopeless drunk) is very good. Ryan Phillippe is really charismatic, Salma Hayek is touching and Neve Campbell and Breckin Meyer are impressive in wasted roles. Still, it leaves u wanting more...

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Competent slasher film.

[6/10 · 12 September 1998]

Kevin Williamson's follow-up to his smash hit Scream isn't as good as Scream but it is pretty good, nonetheless. Slasher film conventions aside, it's a very well-acted study of four kids who have to deal with the past. Jennifer Love Hewitt is very good (not to mention GORGEOUS and SEXY!!!) in the lead and the other three players do well to support her. Not bad and it is scary. Check it out

Scream 2 (1997)

Not bad.

[8/10 · 10 September 1998]

The first one was brilliant but its material is easy to repeat and it's originality runs out quickly. Given that, this was as good a sequel as they could have made, although the media references stopped about halfway through. Great performances from the survivors (Courteney Cox and Jamie Kennedy, especially) and the newcomers (Elise Neal and Jerry O'Connell are very charming). If you aren't tense during the cop car scene, you should have your pulse checked.

Scream (1996)

My 5th favorite film of all time!

[10/10 · 10 September 1998]

This sexy, funny, scary slasher movie spoof is a representation of my generation. Taut, tense direction from Wes Craven and a hilarious pop -culture savvy script build a fantastic roller coaster ride about real kids brought up on the horror movies we were and what they would do if they were trapped in those cliches. Strong performances from the entire cast, particularly the four leads: Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Drew Barrymore and Courteney Cox. Don't watch this alone!