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notoriousaurus
Reviews
Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Completely enjoyable movie.
Josie and the Pussycats was a great tv show and a great comic book before that. No one was more hesitent then me when I first heard there was going to be a live-action movie was going to be released then myself.
I was recently invited however to the Indianapolis advance screening of the film and was overjoyed. The characters were right on target with their cartoon counterparts. The costumes weren't there but the old cartoon costumes really arent new millenium material. The theme song wasnt played until the end credits, but at least it was played. The movie itself was funny and had great side-characters. The direction wasnt anything to write home about but i thought it was well done.
The music was great. It is suprising these days to see a "girl band" play instruments but these chicks do, and even if it isnt the actresses themselves playing and singing, whoever do ROCK! I have the soundtrack and it to kicks! There is a hilarious parody of boy bands called DuJour -- clever name. The actors who played this band obviously had fun with their parts. Seth Green especially.
It is not exactly what the cartoon used to be but it is a great little movie that even though as of writing has not been released to theatres, i will probably see again and will pick up on DVD when it is released.
If you can i would highly recommend you see Josie and the Pussycats. If you are into the current music scene (which im not) or if you are a fan of the old TV show/comic book (which i am).
I hope the movie is a success and we can see more of the Pussycats.
Spice World (1997)
Beautiful, simply beautiful.
It is a shame that most movies fail where an outrageous comedy such as Spice World succeeds. The back of the laserdisc that I purchased without seeing compared the movie as a cross between A Hard Day's Night and This Is Spinal Tap. You couldn't have a better comparison.
I am not the biggest Spice girls fan, but writing this review in 2001 long after their 15 minutes of fame are over, I can be a little less closed-minded.
Here is some questions that you in 2001 (and beyond) may ask of this movie:
1) Is this movie is funny?
Yes it is, I agree that if you liked A Hard Day's Night you will enjoy Spice World also. It is funny in the very same nature. A pop sensation gets into all sorts of trouble when they have to be both a pop-group and true to themselves. It leads to some hilarious sequences, some in a dream state.
2) Do I have to like the Spice Girls to enjoy Spice World?
It helps, looking back now on the "Spice phenomenon" of 1997-1998 I can think of no real reason why I disliked them, they are decent singers and each had their own distinctive style to them. It is funny in retrospect how much this group DID NOT share in the same style as the Backstreet Boys and N*Sync. The Spice Girls were separate entities, while today's boy bands aren't. The movie revels in this, each bit of dialog having wit and coming exactly from the lips of the characters that say them. Everything fits together beautifully and is seamless. Anyone with a sense of fun can enjoy this movie.
3) Does the movie have camp appeal?
Absolutely. You have many many fun and campy scenes. Hear Roger Moore say "A chicken without a head can only know where it came from, but cant see where it's going. Don't be that chicken!" or hear Victoria tell Geri how to help a sick boy out, "Why don't you take your top off for him?--I know I was just joking." To which Geri replies, "I know. No real point in that though, his eyes are sealed shut--Oh look NOW there open!" At it's very least Spice World has HUGE camp appeal and look for the hilarious Bob Hoskins cameo!
4) Is watching Spice World a religious experience?
No. But you will have a good time if you have any sense of humour, and that is what movies are all about. Check it out, I bet you will like it!
Peace out,
Shawn
The Second Comeback (1999)
"Jesus is back, and better then ever!"
This is a very entertaining short flick.
Basically it is about Jesus Christ coming down to visit us a second time. However things have changed over 2,000 years and making miracles just doesn't cut the mustard. So what do you do when you are not cool?...
GET AN AGENT and change your look.
Jesus becomes an Antonio Banderas look-alike and hilarious happenings commence.
7/10
Tear It Down (1997)
Pretty good independent!
This is a pretty damn cool direct-to-video flick.
It's all about this gangster who is after his ex-woman before she snitches him out. A mentally disturbed, and suicidal man ends up in the same place as the woman and saves her life from one of the gangsters hoodlums. In a way, she saves his life to because he has to remain alive to help her.
The whole film is set in a very run down apartment complex. It makes for some really interesting scenery. The place was definitely a beautiful building at one time and in each scene you can see how it has changed over time.
The acting was fairly well done for a movie of this budget and full of unknowns. I would recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of grittier independent pictures. This film even has a few slightly funny moments ala Reservoir Dogs.
I sincerely hope the creative team behind this goes further in their careers. Id really like to see how they progress in a few years from now.
7/10