Brock-4 Reviews

Spider-Man (1967–1970)

Most faithful adaption of the spirit of the 60s Spiderman comics!

[30 September 2003]

The music, the mood, the voice acting - everything was great, and some of it is timeless. Some of it is dated, true, but it is the best cheesy fun out there! I can't think of the voice of Spidey or JJJ without thinking of this show - which had AMAZING music - very moody and fun! Try it and love it!

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

The thinking-man's eye candy

[9/10 · 15 May 2003]

Matrix Reloaded enhances and develops the Matrix lore and universe, both in terms of effects and storyline. The heavy and long philosophical discussions may not be for all viewers (and the do go on a tad too long), but respect the intelligence of the audience as a whole. The slow first third is forgiven once the car chase starts, and the awesome visuals and unpredictable plotline heads in an engaging and entertaining direction - literally leaving you hanging, waiting for the next installment. Cool!

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Totally redeems the franchise after MENACE !!!

[10/10 · 16 May 2002]

I thought it was amazing! The sheer spectacle, it's like they filmed a documentary about the rise of an empire in another galaxy! Sure, there's some wooden lines and cliches, but if you can't get excited about some of the scenes in this movie, you are not there to see a STAR WARS picture! Spiderman (who I always liked) eat your heart out !

Planet of the Apes (2001)

A Devolved Reimagining of Apish intelligence

[5/10 · 27 July 2001]

All the intelligence of the original movie, its surreal philosophical confrontations, and its meaningful indictment of human stupidity have been lost. This was a good effects film, but it doesn't even come close to the original POTA film. Rent the original instead.

Unbreakable (2000)

Not the Sixth Sense, but a groundbreaking, down-to-earth new approach to superhero mythology

[10/10 · 24 November 2000]

Go see it. Do not expect 'The Sixth Sense 2'. It's slow for the first two-thirds (but still interesting), and the last third brings it all together with a surprise ending that will make you want to watch it again form the start. The more I think about it, the more I really, really like it.

The 6th Day (2000)

FUn Arnold movie that made me, a twin, think new things about cloning.

[8/10 · 19 November 2000]

A good movie that got even better towards the last third, a rare event in a Hollywood action movie. The subject of cloning was well-explored, and the situations handled with some real validity. Of course there was alot of 'Arnold-style' action, but that's fun too!

Really a good Arnold movie, better than End of Days, sort of like a variation on Total Recall meets Multiplicity or something....

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Really Stinks. Really Stank. Really Stunk.

[1/10 · 19 November 2000]

Anyone who has a heart that, as a kid, was touched by the wonder-filled, magical fable of the original animated Grinch will feel obligated to punch out Ron Howard if they ever meet him in real life. They took a pure and innocent tale we all loved and turned it into a hollow, lifeless piece of marketing, a movie that was more an unofficial sequel to the Mask, or the worst parts of the Batman films, than the simple story it should have been.

Jim Carrey was exquisitely Jim Carrey, but even if he is the living embodiment of a cartoon, his casting was a disservice to the movie. Catchphrases, sexual innuendo, pithy references to current events and attitudes - these things are appropriate for 'youth-oriented product positioning', not a timeless fable of childhood innocence. The film needed much more in the way of wonder than it did potty humor and snappy jokes.

Of course, one can't ultimately blame Ron Howard, because he was raised in Hollywood - his childhood may actually have been like that.

Excalibur (1981)

The best treatment of Arthurian legend EVER!

[10/10 · 20 August 2000]

Pure epic mythology realized in grand scope and great detail by a fine filmmaker. EXCALIBUR has stood the test of time as one of my all-time favorite movies, even more than STAR WARS (I know, I know!). If you have any sense of nobility and love timeless battles, ageless quests, eccentric neuromancers, and great acting, rent and watch EXCALIBUR - it far outstrips FIRST KNIGHT etc...

PS. Whoever else in this list who thought Nigel Terry (King Arthur) did a bad job, you are totally wrong. He was amazing, with a depth of character and a sense of noble leadership that I have not seen equalled in film to this day.

Fight Club (1999)

An intensely hip psychological trip of violent, 'revolutionary' ideas

[9/10 · 21 October 1999]

An intense film filled with disturbing, hip, and provocative scenes of violence, nihilism, and anarchy, FIGHT CLUB will almost certainly appeal to men more than women. Nevertheless, it presents a compellingly primitive imperative (and philosophy) in the character of Tyler Durden, whom we find charming despite his extremism. It also presents a few twists and turns in a cleverly written script which addresses the valuelessness and sense of dispossession felt by the unfortunate generation categorized as 'X'. Two thumbs way up for director FINCHER, and everyone in the film.

The Iron Giant (1999)

It made me feel like an imaginative little boy again

[9/10 · 30 August 1999]

It made me feel like a boy again. I loved the wonder of the film, the look, the animation, and the message. It's nice to see an animated film that is both adult and yet still enjoyable by children (as well as the kid in every adult!)I'm going to buy the book and track down the Pete Townsend musical, too. Thoroughly recommended!

Starship Troopers (1997)

A subtly satirical action-fest!

[9/10 · 17 June 1999]

Great movie - biting satire, unbelievable action. It looks like the GAP-meets FASCISM as the director exploits and satirically lampoons our culture's obsession with violence by making what Entertainment Weekly called an "ironic blockbuster".

The Ninth Configuration (1980)

Makes philosophical subjects as dramatically quotable as Pulp Fiction.

[15 June 1999]

An amazing, philosophical film that makes the subjects of 'the problem of evil', 'the existence of god', and the subject of madness as dramatically interesting and as cooly quotable as Pulp Fiction. Intelligent, desperate, well acted and riveting. It has no compare.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

It has that STAR WARS feeling!

[10/10 · 19 May 1999]

I was afraid TPM would fail to capture the same feeling of exotic place and time that has spanned galaxies and lodged itself so firmly in our imaginations - but I was wrong!

The story was very STAR WARS, better than Return of The Jedi, but not as good as EMPIRE or STAR WARS. The effects, in quantity and for the most part quality, were far beyond any blockbuster ever. And there were several key surprises, too!

Altogether, ignore the critics and believe (most of) the hype!

I'm giving this movie two body parts up (my thumbs, my thumbs!)

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Antz (1998)

Amazing effects take a passenger seat to a good story

[8/10 · 4 October 1998]

A great movie, amazing CGI effects. It ups the ant on how well actors are integrated with their CGI counterparts. The story is quite good - the best I've seen from DREAMWORKS, and on par with TOY STORY. Let's hope A BUG'S LIFE, which I've been waiting a long time for, and which supposedly has its heart in a better place, does as well.