The idea behind this movie was a good one. The story could have been good. Still, someone managed to screw things up. I felt like the character development during the first hour was drawn out far too long. Once you had the point of what was going on, it was beat into your head a few more times just in case. Also, the style of the movie is horrendous. Slow motion and jerky camera flashes completely destroy any tension or emotions that would have been built up by the actors. Denzel is a fabulous actor, yet I felt absolutely nothing for his character. Dakota Fanning is a remarkable child prodigy, yet in the end I really didn't care what happened to her. I would have to say that really the only good that came from this film is that it makes the Punisher look good...
Reviews
14 Reviews
Tolkien is rolling over in his grave...
16 December 2003
Well, the movie started off pretty slow. The middle was pretty slow. And the end was well... slow. There was not a single moment out of the entire three and a half hours that I felt any tension (except for the encounter with Shelob, but that's only because I'm terrified of spiders...) The seige of Minas Tirith reminded me of the battle of Hoth, but not nearly as dramatic. Jackson's device to build emotions is to have the characters stare at each other for a long period of time, sometimes in slow motion.
In the end, it seems to me that there were different people that worked on each of the three films. I thoroughly enjoyed the Fellowship of the Ring. It had everything - two battles in which you actually cared about the characters. With the extended DVD there was great character development. And there was a comedic value. The last two films have had none of the above. I can only say that I am glad the movie was made as some of the technical achievements during the filming are amazing. But that's it.
In the end, it seems to me that there were different people that worked on each of the three films. I thoroughly enjoyed the Fellowship of the Ring. It had everything - two battles in which you actually cared about the characters. With the extended DVD there was great character development. And there was a comedic value. The last two films have had none of the above. I can only say that I am glad the movie was made as some of the technical achievements during the filming are amazing. But that's it.
House of 1000 Corpses
(2003)
A giant walk through a haunted house, but is it good??
11 April 2003
As a huge fan of Rob Zombie's music and horror flicks, I couldn't wait to see this film. When I first saw the trailer two years ago, I went crazy. Then the delay because of a looming NC-17 rating made me nearly cry. Now finally, what do we get for our long periods of suffering? Not much. The dialog is bad, which is to be expected out of any good horror flick. The story is sub par, also to be expected. But what gets me is that this movie is not scary. It isn't suspenseful, gory, anything. It is a bit disturbing because of what the creepy family do to their victims, but more or less it is just plain dumb. It is like a walk through a very expensive haunted house, but without the suspense. The only part of the movie that I enjoyed was when the projector brainwrapped and burned through the print. After all the other nonsensical things that had happened, we all just assumed it was part of the movie. If you really like blood (which there is some) and naked dead people, then this movie might be for you. Otherwise wait until one of your crazy friends buys it and watch it for free. 2/10
The Scorpion King
(2002)
Where's the action???
28 April 2002
I don't care that The Rock is being compared to Arnold. Arnold's movies have always done well because of one thing. A big dose of violence. In The Scorpion King, the story wasn't special, the acting was subpar, but there was NO action. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed with this film. If I wanted to watch a boring movie with bad actors, I'd watch Joshua. But that's another story...
Joshua
(I) (2002)
Where to even start....
28 April 2002
I have to say that this is the worst movie I have ever seen in my entire life. There is no plot. There is the obvious religious theme, but the characters just go from here to there for no reason. Tony Goldwyn and F Murray Abraham did a good job with their parts, its just unfortunate that they really didn't have much to work with. All of the supporting cast was a joke. As for the music, none of it seemed to fit. From the opening song to the end, it just wasn't very cinematic. And lastly, for the message it self. According to the same religious beliefs that brought us this film, if the second coming of Christ were to happen, the world would end. So, in making this movie, the creators committed blasphemy. Interesting, no??
Booooooooring
20 November 2001
I have never read any of the books, and this movie definatly did not make me want to. The scenery is great, but there was nothing else in the movie. The quittage match everyone is raving about was utterly pointless. It in no way developed the storyline. Actually, nothing developed the story until about two hours into the film. What's with the quittage match anyhow? Why do you get points for something that automatically makes you win the game?? Robbie Coltrane and Alan Rickman at least give something to watch. They both delivered great performances. Too bad they didn't have much to work with. Had this movie been cut to about an hour and a half it might have been tolerable. But as it is, there is too much wandering around for no apparent reason. How children can sit through this is beyond me. For fantasy movies, give me Lord of the Rings. At least I know there will be something in that one. And lastly, anybody know why John Cleese got top billing in the credits????
Along Came a Spider
(2001)
Freeman can't save this monstrosity
26 April 2001
Morgan Freeman is a fantastic actor. In this movie, he once again proves why he has such a prolific career. When he is onscreen, your attention is drawn to him and you want to believe what he is saying. Too bad the writers didn't give any thought to the rest of the script. When a bad guy doesn't really have a motive to do what he is doing, why should we be afraid of him? The original plot didn't make much sense as it was, and then a plot twist is thrown in that was in no way foreshadowed and was completely pointless. (They even took a sequence from Die Hard 3.) The acting is good, but not worth the two hours of agony.
Saving Silverman
(2001)
Trailer once again kills the movie
2 February 2001
When all the fun in the movie is revealed in the trailer, the movie tends to be not that good. I expected a laugh a minute, but instead got a laugh every 10 minutes with a thin plot threaded inbetween. Jack Black is a very funny man, but he can't keep the evil Amanda Peet from ruining the movie once again. Worth a shot since nothing else out right now is worth watching, but go while its still matinee prices....
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure
(2001 Video)
Not bad, but not quite good
24 December 2000
All in all, you could never really surpass the original Lady and the Tramp, one of Disney's best films ever. This movie seemed to lack charm. The music was good, but didn't feel like it belonged. The characters were nice, but the characterisation seemed a bit rushed. The voices were all done quite well by the likes of Mickey Rooney and Allysa Millano. The animation is of course superb. They were even able to throw some CGI in with traditional animation. I think it is probably a good thing this is a straight to video project, because that's where it belongs. If you are a true die hard Disney fan, you might enjoy this one, but most casual movie watchers will probably pass it up.
Godzilla 2000
(1999)
Toho's answer to Hollywood???
18 August 2000
I must say that when I saw the previews for this movie, I was very excited. I have never been a huge fan of Godzilla, but have enjoyed several of his movies in the past, until Hollywood got ahold of it. Now with Godzilla 2000, Toho could take the series back to where it needs to be...a guy in a rubber suit destroying cities. When I actually saw this film however, I was gravely disappointed. It starts very slowly. Godzilla attacks for a minute, then is not seen again for 40 minutes. The story doesn't make a lot of sense, especially toward the end. A lot of random thoughts are thrown at you, and you are supposed to understand where and why they fit, but they don't. I was impressed by the ending though. The way it was done is probably one of the coolest last couple of minutes I have seen in any movie. All in all, I am glad I didn't have to pay to see this movie. It might be worth checking out if you are a Godzilla fan, but those who just want carnage might want to look elsewhere.
Entrapment
(1999)
What a disappointment
8 June 1999
I never really wanted to see this movie in the first place. The only reason I did was that my date and I were waiting for Toys R Us to open up on May 3rd at midnight and we needed something to do. Having seen all the other films playing at the theater, we decided to watch Entrapment. Not even a fourth of the way through the movie I was ready to leave. The story was really slow moving, and very shallow. Foreshadowing works to a point, but when you know how everything is going to happen before it does, you are drastically overdoing it. And by the the way, Sean Connery is what 60 or 70 something now? Come on.
I am usually very open minded when going to see a new film. I can usually sit through pretty much anything and have a good time. Entrapment was different. If I hadn't paid 7.50 to get in, I probably would have left in the middle of it.
Definitely not worth watching.
I am usually very open minded when going to see a new film. I can usually sit through pretty much anything and have a good time. Entrapment was different. If I hadn't paid 7.50 to get in, I probably would have left in the middle of it.
Definitely not worth watching.
Good opening to a new saga
5 June 1999
What a movie. Outstanding effects, decent acting, and a terrific setup for events yet to come. Many people criticize Lucas's storytelling abilities. I feel that he did a magnificent job in setting us up for Episode 2 and 3. He had to create new characters and locations, while still making us believe that we were watching a Star Wars movie. I think he succeded. As a stand alone movie, The Phantom Menace may not be one of the greatest films of all time. (Unless you are a true die hard such as myself) But as an opening chapter of a new story, it is fantastic.
Another criticism many people have is that there isn't enough characterization in Qui-Gonn or Darth Maul. I don't feel that there really needed to be that much development there. The characters that will continue the saga were developed perfectly. These two characters were merely placeholders to help develop the other characters personalities and future identities.
All in all, I was very pleased with The Phantom Menace. I didn't expect it to be better than the original Trilogy, and I wasn't wrong. If you like Star Wars, you won't be disappointed. Even if you don't, it is still a very fun movie to watch.
Another criticism many people have is that there isn't enough characterization in Qui-Gonn or Darth Maul. I don't feel that there really needed to be that much development there. The characters that will continue the saga were developed perfectly. These two characters were merely placeholders to help develop the other characters personalities and future identities.
All in all, I was very pleased with The Phantom Menace. I didn't expect it to be better than the original Trilogy, and I wasn't wrong. If you like Star Wars, you won't be disappointed. Even if you don't, it is still a very fun movie to watch.
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