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Reviews
Ghostbusters (1984)
Whoa!!
If I was to be asked what my favourite film of all time was then my answer, without any hesitation, would have to be Ghostbusters!
A lot of my friends critisise the film, saying there are too many jokes and the whole idea is frankly unbelievable. But if they would JUST use the idea, however stupid, of a gang of guys who zap evil "Class-5-full-roaming-vapours" ("Real nasty ones too!") then let the idea lead them into the fantasy world I think they would appreciate the film more.
It was billed as a comedy, and I think if it is viewed as such and not a seriously "deep" story then it is a really fantastic movie, well worth watching whenever possible, and remains, at least in my view, a modern classic.
Dawson's Creek (1998)
Absolutely awesome!
I missed the first couple of episodes of DC and when I didn't hear any kind of feedback about the show I assumed it was a bit of a damp squib. Then I caught a Sunday morning repeat after Hollyoaks and I was hooked!!
The whole idea is so simple, the lives and loves of a gang of teenagers in a small town, but it is done so brilliantly and convincingly that you can really believe in the characters, sympathise with them, and laugh with them.
My favourite character has got to be Pacey Witter, although my favourite "babe" has got to be Joey! The characters are all well explored and well developed, and although they do at times sound more like psychologists and less like teenagers I just think the show is awesome!
Wild Things (1998)
Well, Bill Murray was good...
I didn't really know what this was about when I hired it, but about ten minutes into the movie I'd already figured out pretty much everything which was going to happen.
Sure, Neve Campbell was good (As usual!) and there was a good mix of sex, violence and the occasional dose of humour injected by the unflappable Bill Murray,and Kev Bacon (The look on his face is priceless when he's filming at the poolside!).
But on the whole the plot was transparent and some of the acting was quite hammy, especially Theresa Russell. Still, I did quite enjoy it!
Nuns on the Run (1990)
"We're not women...we're nuns!"
Why does everyone dump on this movie?! I think this has got to be one of the most successful comedies ever made, even funnier than most of these nineties British comedies everyone raves about!
It's just so stupid, yet it's so funny. Just seeing Robbie C. and Eric I. walking down the street carrying briefcases with "Halleluijah!" playing in the background cracks me up! And all the throwaway lines ("Got any booze?"), all the little stuff you miss first time round, that's what makes this film a classic.
Definitely a fine effort.
She's All That (1999)
She's all that...but is she really?
Are American high schools like this in real life? Populated with token nerds, token fat kids, cute babes and pube-pizza eating morons? God, I wish I lived in the States!
I approached this film with not too many expectations, but came away pleasantly surprised. The Brock Hudson character really got on my nerves, but it was good to see Sarah Michelle Gellar (However briefly) and the acting of the principles was extremely good. It does seem to be one of those films which is not extremely memorable though: I can't remember a single witty gag which stands out in this film!
On the whole, I enjoyed the experience of sitting through this film, it was witty and the gags were well done and the soundtrack was brilliant. I'll certainly have it on my shelf when it's released on video and I can now say for absolute certainty, SHE'S ALL THAT...
The Living Daylights (1987)
Shaken, but not stirred...
From the opening of this film you could just tell that Dalton was a different kind of Bond to his predecessors. And to be honest, I liked it!
For the first time James Bond was portrayed as I imagined him to be from the original Fleming stories. The dialogue was sharp and witty, and Dalton carries along the story with a mix of dark humour and gritty moodiness which really works!
Sure, he's not as good as Brosnan, but for the period this film is certainly one of the best of the eighte...sorry, nineteen movies and although the plot is quite complicated it is by far the best in terms of character and making Bond a "real human", as opposed to the "foppish Englishman" of Moore and the invulnerability of Connery.
By far one of the best...
Stargate (1994)
So that's how it happened...
So, that's where the pyramids came from!!
Forget the "Cutting edge" SFX of the time. this movie really is first rate. The acting is good continually, and Kurt Russell especially shines as the rough tough troubled past Action Man character with one of the best lines in movie History ("Give my regards to King Tut, A***hole!"
This is brilliant attempt by Devlin and Emmerlich to bust into the action genre with just a little hint of soul searching and an examination of ourselves as a species which really comes off well.
Passenger 57 (1992)
Why doesn't anyone like this film?!
I'm sorry for appearing sad, but I think this early take on aero-hijacking recently done to death by the likes of Nicolas Cage, Kurt Russell and Harrison Ford is actually really good.
Sure, I didn't like all of it. Some bits were downright stupid but it is actually quite a well plotted film. Ignore the inaccuracies (Marshals transport prisoners, not the Feds) but the whole idea, for an early SERIOUS attempt at the Aircraft -capture-saved by one guy-genre is very well done and once again gives Snipes the chance to show what a good all rounder he is.
Freaked (1993)
I'm a mad scientist son, not a miracle worker...
Quite simply, I love this film! It's whole premise is unbelievably stupid, but it works! The great Die Hard II villain William Sadler and A- Team head honcho Mr T are obviously working to pay the rent or something, but Alex Winter as the arrogant freak and the "Ernee-Julee" just cracks me up every time!
Just the Freaks themselves: Sockhead played by the Brilliant Bobcat Goldthwait and the "humin Wurm" ("I'd sell my soul just to be able to wipe my own a***.") are enough to win over even the toughest of critics. Two thumbs up!
Skeeter (1993)
Utter Tripe
I approached this film with my usual open-mindedness, then wished I hadn't bothered. The whole idea was clever, giant mosquitoes and the "first mosquito" perspective was well done but the characters were quite uninspired and their motives seemed rather pathetic. Definitely not worth £2.50 from Blockbuster.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Oh my Gad!!
This film has got to be one of my favourite films of all time- from the time I saw it, I wanted to be Swashbuckling action Hero Indiana Jones. It was ultimately the "Indy" series which inspired my interest in archaeology, although I later realised that most archaeologists DIDN'T carry guns, whips, kill baddies and get off with beautiful women (Hey, I was young, OK?)
But still, I think "Temple of Doom" has got to be the second best in the series (I prefer "Raiders") and I just think the tight action, the excitement of the mine cart chase and the death defying finale over a croc-infested river have got to be some of the most classic scenes in movie history.
Sure, Kate Capshaw gets on my nerves ("Oh my Gad!" repeated ad infinitum) but otherwise I think the character of Indy is well explored and gives Harrison Ford the chance to shine as a real hero character.
Coincidentally, due to my height my driving is invariably compared to that of "Short Round", and all of my friends think the Indy series are among some of the best films ever made.
Frankenhooker (1990)
well...
How can anyone not like a movie containing exploding guinea pigs and people sucking down Super-Crack and then exploding?
Sure, it's cheesy, but hey, it's still an extremely amusing (if stupid) film. Thumbs up!
Howard the Duck (1986)
Unnecessarily slated!
How can everyone say that Howard the Duck is such a terrible film? From the moment of its beginning, the humour and the entire premise of...well, a duck stuck in the States is just really quite amusing! Sure, Tim Robbins and Jeffrey Jones ham it up as the bumbling scientists, but I think the film, if not taken too seriously, is really quite brilliant (If a stupid idea) and I would not hesitate to watch it at a relevant opportunity!
The Great Escape (1963)
Meanwhile, we dig!
Well, right from the start I've loved this film and I quite simply think it's the best piece of cinematic action, adventure and display of comradeship that you can get. From the opening establishing scene, to Steve McQueens quite infeasible but dead good bike jump, this film is a roller coaster ride of suspense, action and friendship which is both moving, funny and exciting. This film really is a cinematic masterpiece.