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shawndevin
Reviews
Spider-Man (2002)
Lots of fun
This is a very fun movie. Quite enjoyable. The biggest problem is that the 'romantic' dialog at the end of the movie has got to be the worst I have ever heard in any movie bar none. They tried setting us up to believe the scene with events happening in the movie, but it just doesn't fly. I would say the movie is a 'must see' for the summer, just close your ears at the end of the movie so you don't hear the lousy dialog in the 'tender moment' at the end. Apart from that, the movie really is lots of fun to watch! :o)
Get Real (1998)
A touching and realistic portrayal of growing up gay
This film is actually a rather brutally plain and honest look at what it is like growing up gay. They treat the subject kindly, without trying to candy coat or cover up the way real people behave. If you are a parent of or a close friend of someone gay (or even if you happen to be gay yourself) then I strongly recommend the film. The acting may not be 100% top notch for all performers, but the characters are believable and likeable and the story is entertaining and touching.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Beautiful Photography, slow story
When I saw this movie in the Theater, I was the only person laughing. Half of the audience walked out on the movie after the first 15 minutes. Most likely because they were bored. Personally, I enjoyed the photography, some of the music, and a lot of the jokes (which tended to be very dry and low key). This is not a movie for everyone. This is very much an art film.
Sien lui yau wan (1987)
A really fun hong-kong action/adventure horror/comedy.
A fantastic film. If you enjoy the Hong Kong action adventure film genre and are in the mood for a light comedy with some outrageously silly effects then this film is a definite must see! I cannot recommend this film highly enough. Please remember to check your brain at the door when you watch this film though.
Evil Dead II (1987)
The funniest horror film I've ever seen
This is a very silly film. Lots of fun. I almost wouldn't call it horror at all. More sort of a very gothic looking comedy. An excellent piece of comedy/horror, just check your brain at the door before watching this one.
Aliens (1986)
A sequel that is better than the original.
The first Alien film was designed to be Sci-Fi, Gothic, Horror (the first of that genre). James Cameron designed this film to be a Sci-Fi, War film with a little bit of horror thrown in on the side. You never see one of our heroes or heroines die on-screen. There is only one person who dies on-screen, and that person was only introduced to the film 2 minutes before they die. Despite that, this is one seriously suspenseful film (particularly if you have seen Alien). The special effects are outstanding in spite of having a lower budget than the original Alien. I dislike horror films as a general rule, but this is one of my favorite films of all time.
Brazil (1985)
Imagine George Orwell's 1984 performed by Monty Python
This has to be one of the funniest black comedies that I have ever seen. Some of the humor will only be caught or appreciated by people who study film (Or have seen "Bronenosets Potyomkin "). Warning, this is a very dark film. I often found myself laughing at the film and feeling like I ought to feel guilty for laughing because what is happening to the people in the film actually is pretty horrible. But it was funny because it was presented in such lopsided manner. This is not a film for everyone, but great to watch if you are a student of film.
Tonari no Totoro (1988)
Beautiful animation.
This film has some of the most beautiful and realistic animation I have ever seen. Many of the backgrounds are so well painted that they like they are photographs. I was told that after the violence and mass destruction in his previous film `Tenku no shiro Rapyuta' (`Castle in the Sky: Laputa'), mothers in Japan were distressed that they had taken their very young children to see the film thinking it was going to be just a kiddy film. Supposedly, this film is his response to their outrage. This is the kiddy film to beat all kiddy films. There is no villain in this film. None. In spite of that, the story does not suffer at all. I personally found the story to be quite charming, very entertaining and totally unique. I must confess however, that I cannot stand the American voices used in the English dub of this film. If you have a chance to watch it in the original Japanese with subtitles I strongly encourage it.
Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta (1986)
Outstanding example of Japanese Anime
This is the film that got me truly addicted to Anime. The quality of the animation is very good. Definitely the best clouds I have ever seen in an animated film. The story and characters are WAY above par. An outstanding film. This is one of my favorite films of all time. A very fun film!
Rock & Rule (1983)
a very well made, cult, animated film
A very well made animated film that has garnered a cult following. The animation was groundbreaking for its day. The film features music by Cheap Trick and Blondie but the songs never seemed particularly awe inspiring to me. I enjoyed the storyline, and the post-apocalyptic style of the film worked well and fit with some of the humor in the film. The animation is very psychedelic in the way it is presented, and this unique added a lot to my enjoyment of the film. Overall, I thought it was a very fun film.