PeoplesBadmash Reviews

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Line up all 'em Oscars...

[10/10 · 10 December 1999]

The reason this movie isn't good is that it is THE BEST! Easily the finest movie I got to see this year, BWP knocked my socks off like no other "horror" movie has ever before! I refused to watch it at first when a friend told me about it, but then he talked me into watching it, that too all alone, very very late at nite, after turning out the lights! And that is the ONLY way to truly enjoy this movie: alone by yourself, late late late at nite, and no snacks!! I DARE you to not be scared!!!

Forget special-effects, forget background music, forget everything you've been seeing in movies for the past 20 years and prepare to be shocked like never before!

If BWP doesn't win all the Oscars, I'll never forgive Hollywood. I MEAN IT!! This is a not-miss flick, do NOT pass it up, do NOT miss it and DO NOT INSULT IT! A masterpiece in every aspect, THIS is how you do a "horror" movie! The performances are EXTREMELY well-done and very natural! Brilliant!!!

(from 5): *****1/2

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

Not a bad movie.. only the WORST!!

[11 October 1999]

I remember experiencing this really satisfied feeling somewhere deep down inside me when this movie finally ended, and all I can say is.. STREET FIGHTER FANS, REJOICE! If you thought that Van Damme movie was aweful, you ain't seen nothin' yet! Even though Mortal Kombat is one of the lousier video games out there, and even though I despise its existence, MK:ANNIHILATION is something I wouldn't wish to my worst enemy!

I really wish I could say more, but why waste time when I can convey my message/review in just one short sentence: THIS IS ONE KORNY PILE OF KRAP! When they said "Nothing can prepare you" they sure said it, even though I wonder if they knew what they meant.

I was gonna give this, um, "movie" a rating on a 5-scale, but I don't think it deserves a ZERO.. but that IS the lowest score I can think of...

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you REALLY want to enjoy this movie, try stomping on it, driving your car over it, tossing it into a blast furnace, smashing it as hard as you can with a sledge hammer for as long as possible, among other things.

Get Shorty (1995)

From the makers of a movie comes another...

[9/10 · 6 October 1999]

Get Shorty was one of those few rare flicks that I thoroughly enjoyed, although it was a short-lived enjoyment. The movie is fast, reasonably short in duration, and very, very, very entertaining! The performances are brilliant, extremely entertaining and hilarious to say the least!

Travolta shines as Palmer, Russo is fantastic as always, Hackman and the "bad guys" are absolutely terrific, and DeVito adds his two bits, and there's a winning combination if there ever was one! If you're in the mood of a short, smart movie, you cannot be disappointed with Get Shorty!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ***1/2

Return to Oz (1985)

A classic by all means...

[10/10 · 6 October 1999]

This is the very second movie I saw. Yessirree, right after Mary Poppins, and I truly got the shock of lifetime! I had never seen the original Wizard of Oz, but maybe read it somewhere, but I really can't remember, I was around 7 or 8 then!

But let's get down to business! Strictly in terms of the movie itself, "Return" is an excellent movie, and I cannot see how or why it got lousy critic reviews! Maybe that's because it ignores the essence of "Wizard" which was more appealing to children, but "Return" is a more mature movie, and I think it is definitely easily more gripping and far much more entertaining than the first "Oz".

At any rate, keep in mind that when I was 8 years old, I was really really scared, but later on I came to realize the power of this movie. I saw it earlier last month and I enjoyed it as much as I did all those 12 years ago. "Return" is not just for kids, this is not a silly song-a-thon! It's one helluva chiller, so don't pass this up, folks!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****

Die Hard (1988)

As hard as they come by... or is it?

[7/10 · 28 September 1999]

This is the first Bruce Willis movie I've seen. Is this really the benchmark for action movies? That's what I've heard and read but I really find that hard to believe. I had a lengthy discussion with a good friend who thought I was nuts or something, but naah, somehow somewhere I think Die Hard missed the appeal that was there in Lethal Weapon!

Die Hard is an OK action movie that could have been better if Willis were a little less reluctant and the bad guys looked like real bad guys. But anyway it was entertaining and nicely done. Some stunts were brilliant, but I'm not giving anything away! If you haven't seen it yet, you should now! Infact, I think even I'll watch it again! The way everyone's absolutely raving about the Die Hard series, I'm thinking I must've missed something!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ***

The Base (1999 Video)

Utterly Base-less...

[21 September 1999]

A futile attempt at making a movie. In other words, the perfect manifestation of how a movie must never EVER be made. EVER.

I've never been a pure action-movie man or a Dacascos fan.. infact, after watching this laborious waste of time & money, I doubt I ever will too!

Take a hint. Let this one go by silently.

Oomph!-meter (from 5): [what?! are you kidding?!]

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

Oh this isn't mah style bayybee...

[8/10 · 21 September 1999]

Yessirre, when I saw AP1 I swore silently to myself "if there's one movie I will NEVER watch, it's AP2" ..BUT it so happened that I got to see it anyway two nites ago, and all I can say is that... this is one incredibly funny movie! This is one HILARIOUS movie! It's a laugh-fest from start to the end. Although I was not in the mood of enjoying it at all, no matter what ANYONE said, but somewhere in the middle of it, I found I was actually enjoying the damn thing!

Dr.Evil is back, and he's still a loser, and this time his plans get personal & it's up to the hero Austin Powers to save the day, kick Dr.Evil's butt, get the girl and never "beehaayyyve!"

But you can never enjoy this movie as it should be enjoyed unless you watch it with a group of friends, otherwise it's really not even half as funny as everyone is raving! Make sure you watch this with a group of 3 or 4 friends and you'll have a wonderfully entertaining, sickening & gross time! All the same, I still think the original AP is absolutely horrible.

Oomph!-meter (from 5): [with friends] **** [all alone] *1/2 [with your parents] ummmm...

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

About as mysterious as Jaywalking...

[1/10 · 17 September 1999]

I saw this movie soon before the release of its sequel. What the real mystery is that I fail to understand what the heck is so praiseworthy in this bogus "comedy" flick! It is absolutely unfunny (except for three - count 'em, THREE - very hilarious moments) and downright sleep-inducing.

Do NOT avoid this movie. The rest of the world thinks this is something spectacular. And if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! I prefer to stick with Myers' "Wayne's World" which I think is far much more tasteful AND FUNNY.

Oomph!-meter (from 5): *1/2

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Not one of the better movies I have seen...

[10/10 · 17 September 1999]

Indeedy-do, the original Blues Brothers is not one of the better movies that I have seen.. because it is one of the rare BEST MOVIES I have ever seen in all 21 years of my life! Even though I have constant disagreements with some of my movie-going buddies, I think this movie stands out MILES AWAY from the rest in the comedy genre! It's unique and it screams of the American culture of the soon-to-be-past millenium! In short, this is one extremely special movie which I will definitely never EVER forget to the day I expire!

This is the first John Belushi movie I've seen, and I can only imagine the wackiness of SNL of the days gone by! Dan Aykroyd is as brilliant as ever, much younger and slimmer than his Ray Stantz character in "Ghost Busters" that he did later on. Aykroyd is one of the best performers out there today, he is simply entertaining! And Carrie Fisher is EXCELLENT!! Forget Star Wars, this is Fisher at her best!

The best thing about the Blues Bros is the smart inclusion of classic great musicians of yesteryears, cleverly mixed with zany dialogue and some excellent songs, and some of the wackiest slapstick-style comedy ever, and the result is so beautiful you almost forget the stoooopid story-line! You just gotta BE IN THE MOVIE to truly enjoy it! I'm not much for music OR movies, but the Blues Brothers is one movie you cannot afford to miss! Keep an eye out for Spielberg :-)

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****1/2

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

The bitter end (hopefully)...

[1/10 · 14 August 1999]

It was very sad to see Ripley sacrifice herself in Alien3, but this movie changes my opinion completely! It is darker and far much more despairing, hurtful and depressing that the previous movie in the Alien-saga. I saw it just once and have successfully completely forgotten everything about it!

Weaver and Rider may (or may not) have given solid performances, I don't know, and I really do not wish to know. For me, the Alien-saga begins with Aliens (the second movie) and ends at Aliens. Period. And there can be no stopping that.

If you're looking for weak, or next to NO humor, a depressing story, repulsive and disgusting special effects and absolutely NOTHING to feel good about in the end, and an overall major disappointment, I would recommend this..this..thing.

Oomph!-meter (from 5): *zilch*

Hard Target (1993)

Finally, an excellent Van Damme flick...

[9/10 · 14 August 1999]

I haven't seen many John Woo films..okay, so I haven't seen any John Woo films, but Hard Target was the first one, and now I intend to watch ALL John Woo projects!

As for Jean Claude Van Damme, yes, I have seen most of his movies, of which I've found just two that are truly amazing, Bloodsport being the first and now Hard Target. Woo's sensational directions and Van Damme's martial artsy-stuff blend so sweetly, you just have to see this movie to believe it!

Van Damme gives one of his better performances (mostly because he has to move more and speak less) and Henriksen and Vosloo are truly very evil bad guys. The story isn't much to write home about, but Van Damme's accent is fun and so is the bad guys' dialogue. The music is excellent, it is just perfect, complementing the feel of movie absolutely perfectly. The action sequences are astounding and fresh, and Woo's slow-mo camera-work is too good for words! One of the better action movies I have seen.

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ***1/2

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Third time's a charm...

[8/10 · 14 August 1999]

BTTF3 is the last (to-date) movie in the BTTF trilogy, wrapping it all up neatly. Well, not really neatly, there is some amount of confusion, but I won't bother about that because the whole series is such a lot of fun!! You have GOTTA see all the parts!

Anyway, it is kinda sad to see Doc leave Marty (and the "present") and going where no man has gone before, but at least this is one trilogy which was actually fun all the way, and it never let up anywhere! Unlike the Alien-series, which is so bleak, and the Star Wars-series which is utterly boring, and the Lethal Weapon-series which finally runs out of gas, the BTTF-series is pure rock & rolling all-out fun from start to finish!

As in all BTTF movies, once again the direction is superb, the casting is excellent (because it's the same), the performances are really fun (with the exception of the Jennifer Parker character, which I think Claudia Wells played better than Elisabeth Shue) and the whole thing is just darn fun!! DON'T PASS THIS MOVIE (OR ANY OTHER OF THIS SERIES) UP!!!!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****

Predator (1987)

Arnie is the meanest predator of em all...

[10/10 · 14 August 1999]

Arnie delivers his best ever performance in Predator! He gets the role that suits him best and he plays it to perfection! Nobody but him could ever have played Dutch better!

Predator (waaaay better than its sequel) is an excellent sci-fi action movie in every way. The performances are great, the casting couldn't have been better, the music by Alan Silvestri is stunning, the direction is perfect! It's a perfect movie, and I think it's Arnie's best! Yessirree, even better than the Terminator-movies!!

Very solid, very gripping, very intense, very spectacular!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): *****

G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987 Video)

Where's the sequel? Where's the sequel??

[10/10 · 14 August 1999]

Another blast from the past, Hasbro does it once again along with Transformers The Movie! G.I.Joe the Movie is also way better than the TV show and once again this is strictly for G.I.Joe-fans! Great animation makes the TV show seem like putty! The song finally sounds better than the lame-o TV show theme-song, but it sounds even better in the end without the lyrics! A must-see for all G.I.Joe fans!!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****

The Transformers: The Movie (1986)

Their brightest hour (and a half)...

[10/10 · 14 August 1999]

Transformers: the Movie is like a dream come true for any true Transformers-fan, my brother and I included! We couldn't believe our eyes when we first saw it all those years back when we rented it! Of course, after that I could never get a hold of a copy for my personal collection. Until last year. And when I saw it again, I was AMAZED! No no no, I was SHOCKED! This "movie" is a zillion times better than the regular Transformers show on TV (animation and soundtrack-wise) and is a revolutionary phenomenon in the Transformers Universe, and, well, I dunno, I think it's far better than Ghost in the Shell (Manga Video) any time of the day!! But that again is only because I've been a Transformer-fan since I was 8! And yes, this will only seem sensible if you know who/what the Transformers are!! Otherwise, be my guest, go watch ANYTHING ELSE!!!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

All's well that ends well...except Lethal4

[10/10 · 13 August 1999]

Lethal 4...what can I say? I was expecting a HUGE blockbuster, and what do you know, it DID top the box-office charts too! But for WHAT? A weak plot and an extremely dull new character and the pg-13 version of the movie absolutely ruined the whole show for me! I've searched everywhere possible, but simply CANNOT find the R-version! What kinda fun are Riggs and Murtaugh if they're not loud and abusive?

I will always be a Lethal Weapon fan to the end, but Lethal 4 just signalled the end, which is a pity. The story is a little weak. OK, it's very weak. Jet Li makes up for the weakling bad guy in LW3 but that's about it. What's hard to believe is that Riggs and Murtaugh ARE finally too old for this #$%@ but alas that is the bitter truth. When I accept that, I might give this movie one more chance. I've seen it twice and have been left with a bad taste in my mouth both times. Partly because it was the kids-only no-swearing pg-13 version, and partly because I just can't accept the guys are ... OLD! How come Russo doesn't look aged? Kahan looks as young as he was in LW2! Anyhow, darn, I'll miss the gang. Except that new guy.

The weakest Lethal Weapon, but it IS Lethal Weapon nonetheless.

Oomph!-meter (from 5): **1/2

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)

Better than the original?...YES!!!

[10/10 · 13 August 1999]

I bought TMNT2 a long long long time ago, and when I saw it again some months back, it surely brought back some fond memories. To say the least, the Turtles always seem to liven things and bring the kid out in me, which is a GOOD thing! I found this movie to be the best throughout the series, particularly for its tendency to move constantly from the dark side to the humorous side, which is why I love the Turtles so! Original laughs, great animatronic stuff and pure fun!!! This is one sHELL of a movie! If you're a true Turtles-fan (as far as the superb cartoon-series and the great videogames go), you will LOVE TMNT2! ohhh is that the same Kevin Nash, the guy from wrestling???

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****

Aliens (1986)

Pinnacle of excellence...

[10/10 · 13 August 1999]

I just watched Aliens for the zillionth time this evening and I just HAVE to give my comments...

Aliens (or Alien 2) is simply the best James Cameron movie. Period. Reading another user-review a little while back, I felt compelled to comment on this brilliant masterpiece! It is true that there are two Aliens-factions out there, one following the original Alien, Alien 3 and Resurrection, whereas the other group is a die-hard Aliens-follower and DESPISES the other movies in this series. I myself am part of the latter, but that is only AFTER I saw the series for myself and hence deduced that Aliens is such a powerful movie, it does not even need a prequel or further sequels!

Agreeing with another reviewer, I found this movie very much lively and very much "alive" as it had so much I could personally relate to! The characters are extremely well-developed and well-cast..no, PERFECTLY cast!! Biehn and Paxton give their very best performances, Weaver is just excellent, Rieser is truly evil, and Henriksen is the only person who looks like an android anyhow! The rest of the gang is just too mean and just too bad!

I have to admit, I own not one but TWO Aliens VHS-tapes, just in case something happens to one copy, and am planning to order the Special Edition soon! And in case you don't get it yet..GOD I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): *****1/2

Back to the Future (1985)

A MUST MUST MUST-SEE!!!

[10/10 · 13 August 1999]

Yet another classic 80s movie! It seems most of the good movies were always made sometime in the 1980s! BTTF is the first movie in the brilliant original trilogy, and is indubitably the best of the three!

Smart writing, excellent performances, memorable soundtrack, terrific special-effects and just about everything you can ask for in a highly enjoyable ride that you will remember for a long long time is in this beauty of a movie! I remember seeing it for the very first time over seven years ago and I couldn't care less about it, but when I saw it again last month, I've been watching it regularly around twice a week!!

BTTF is a fast-paced laugh-fest, unlike the many comedies out there, and it is a MUST MUST MUST-SEE! Fox is great and I doubt if the movie would have been even half as enjoyable if Eric Stoltz (who was replaced by Fox) played Marty McFly! Lloyd is absolutely amazing as the hyperactive Doc Brown, but the show stealer is Crispin Glover as the wimp father of Fox's McFly! His George McFly (from 1955) has just gotta be seen! Biff Tannen is played PERFECTLY by Thomas F. Wilson, and last but not the least, Marty's mom is just pure and simple WONDERFUL! Lea Thompson did an excellent job as both the Lorraines! This is one terrific feel-good movie! Be sure to watch the whole series!!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): *****

Wrongfully Accused (1998)

Nielsen's career is wrongfully abused...

[6/10 · 12 August 1999]

Leslie Nielsen is one of my all-time favorite comedians, and his effort in this movie is listed as a performer (actor), which is about the only plus-point of this movie! It's at least better than Nielsen's previous two movies, Mr.Magoo and Spy Hard, both of which were HORRIBLE!!!

Wrongfully Accused spoofs The Fugitive (and Harrison Ford) and does a neat, though weak, job. Richard Crenna is fun, Nielsen is excellent, but something feels left out, as if the movie is incomplete. Or maybe its just because I was expecting more of a Naked Gun 44.4444 rather than Wrongfully Accused itself!

Nielsen is excellent in the typecast role he always plays, but after his brilliant Naked Gun-series his acting career has been quite constantly wrongfully abused, which is a shame. But give credit to the guy, he still works to force laughter out of the audience even out of the lame scripts and terrible stories he's being handed lately! Where are Zucker and Abrams when you need them?

Oomph!-meter (from 5): **1/2

Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

Third time's a charm...

[10/10 · 12 August 1999]

Lethal Weapon 3: The magic's here to stay

Though it's an entertaining fast-paced movie, LW3 doesn't quite live up to its predecessor. The magic is definitely back, Riggs and Murtaugh are once more "teamed" with the pesky Leo Getz, and Riggs gets another shot at his "love life" in Russo's Lorna Cole. Personally, I think the Cole character is great, but Russo tends to overact a bit, but nonetheless gives an enjoyable performance!

If you're a true LW-fan, there is no way you cannot enjoy this movie, except for the fact that the bad guy was horrible. I mean, who buys that old ex-cop-trash anyway?! Other than that, Riggs and Murtaugh are extremely fun, Getz's annoyance factor is a major plus, and Gibson and Glover prove once again that they are the best duo around! Batman and Robin should plan their retirement, gimme Riggs and Murtaugh anytime!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ***1/2

Ghostbusters (1984)

To miss this movie is a crime...

[8/10 · 12 August 1999]

This is a great great great movie, one of my very favorites! And there's not just only one thing that makes it great, it's a combined all-out team effort!!

Murray's Venkman is hilarious, and Weaver, Aykroyd, Ramis, and specially Moranis (who is a laugh riot!) etc are equally refreshing! This is an exciting, fast-paced, special-effected action/comedy CLASSIC! A definite entertainer!!

Apart from the performances, the direction is brilliant, the soundtrack is absolutely perfect, the special effects are amazing even by today's standards, and the theme song is indubitably THE most popular theme song of them all! So if you haven't guessed yet, to miss this movie is a crime!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****1/2

The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)

Sellers out-clusoes em all...

[9/10 · 12 August 1999]

Whoever hasn't heard of Inspector Clusoe (darn, I always confuse that spelling with Crusoe) must get out from under that rock they've bean living beneath! Forget Jim Carrey, forget Eddie Murphy, Leslie Nielsen, Jerry Lewis, Buster Keaton and even Chaplin: Peter Sellers is THE comedian of this century!

Extremely hilarious sequel to the equally wacky Pink Panther, "Return" is a MUST-SEE! It's a genuine all-out laugh-a-minute from the very first glimpse of Sellers to the end! The ending is a bit of a letdown though, and it certainly made me feel a bit glum...because the movie had finished! I've had this classic with me since I was 7 or 8 years old and it's been one of my favorites since then! Do NOT pass this up!!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ****1/2

Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (1994)

If it's Animated, it's PERFECT...

[10/10 · 11 August 1999]

Capcom, Street Fighter and I go a long way back, so I really don't need to praise this masterpiece. A rule has established firmly in my mind that if it's Street Fighter and it's by Manga Video, it's AWESOME! Period. If you haven't seen this movie by now, watch it NOW! If you have seen it, you aren't appreciating it enough: WATCH IT AGAIN!

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ********** (excusez moi)

Crying Freeman (1995)

One of the best "to-movie" films

[11 August 1999]

Although I haven't seen the anime yet (I've been looking for it before I even knew the movie was made), I know I'm going to like it. A lot. Crying Freeman is based on the anime series released by Manga Video, and it is one of the BEST "to-movie" films I have seen yet! This movie deserves a lot of praise as it shows how a movie should be adapted from another platform, unlike some others that I do not wish to mention.

Good performances, excellent directions, and most of all, the slow pace of the story reflects the "animesque" feeling almost perfectly! Dacascos at what I believe is his best.

Oomph!-meter (from 5): ***1/2