frigmeat Reviews

Event Horizon (1997)

Great premise, lousy execution(s)!

[21 February 2001]

On paper, this movie sounds really good. Set in the future, a ship with the ability to fold time and space for rapid travel mysteriously vanishes, only to reappear several years later. A crew is sent across the solar system to board the vessel and investigate, in the hopes of finding an explanation for the ship's disappearance. After a sufficient introduction to the characters and a couple of interesting sequences offering clues to the fate of the Event Horizon, what ensues is complete entertainment deterioration. There's nothing wrong with the acting in the movie, but they don't have much to work with after the "terror has manifested itself". The director goes for the "gross is good" parlay and ruins what could have been an effectively chilling pic.

Perhaps if the actions of the "dark side" in this show were delivered a bit more subtly, and if the dialogue and plot turns weren't so dang sophomoric in the latter half, I probably would have been trumpeting this film to all I know.

Crumb (1994)

Whew!

[29 January 2001]

It takes a lot of work to get through this film. Not because the film is boring or slow, but because it throws a lot at you. I wasn't too familiar with Robert Crumb's art, but through the course of the film I identified several familiar pieces I never knew he was responsible for creating. What a brilliantly odd and sometimes painfully truthful perception of the world he has in his extensive catalogue! I'm not what one would call a fan, nor is most of his material for my taste, but to watch him explain his structural and comic techniques, I was able to understand his mind that much better (again, more work). After seeing the film to its end and having endured watching R. Crumb with his "they can't be real" family, I was left stupefied, depressed, educated, inspired, and somehow uplifted. If you allow yourself into this movie, you will be moved.

Fantasia 2000 (1999)

Gorgeous!

[9/10 · 20 January 2001]

I can't stop watching it!!! Four of the seven new segments in this film are alone well worth the admission. Roy Disney Jr. sets the stage for a remarkable departure from the usual animated dreck that Disney has been bogged down by for the last half-decade (Toy Story aside). Disney have hereby restored my faith in them as leading the pack in animated cinema. I want more!!

"Pines of Rome", a marvelous piece set to the "story" of whales leaving the water and eventually the planet, is worth viewing several times for it's symbolism and exquisite look. "Rhapsody in Blue", by Gershwin, is given perfect treatment by a day in the life of New York City. The pace is quick and manages to give each character studied enough depth to make a very satisfying and touching ending. "Pomp and Circumstance", the graduation standard, is humorous and sweet. Creating a love story involving Donald and Daisy Duck into the story of Noah's Ark worked surprisingly well. "Firebird Suite"- WOW. This is the most incredible segment of the film. It's a PERFECT marriage of music and animation and MUST be played loud. Very emotional and powerful indeed.

I had to post another comment because I can't stress enough that it's a worthy successor to the original Fantasia, and Walt would be proud.

Fantasia 2000 (1999)

Liked it... a lot.

[9/10 · 22 November 2000]

Since the idea of Fantasia was to be an evolving piece, I found the inclusion of some computer generated animation in the right place here. Perhaps they could have done away with the celebrity segment introductions, but I LOVED almost every new piece. Favourites were Pines of Rome, Rhapsody in Blue (that was probably the best one), and Pomp and Circumstance. I don't remember the name of the final piece, but what a fabulous finale! Well worth the meager 74 minute viewing time, and listen closely to Angela Lansbury refer to Walt Disney's animation as "Walt Disney's AMINATION"... how did they miss that one?

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

Good premise goes south

[15 October 2000]

It's been a very long time since I've seen this movie, but the SFX were outstanding for its time. The brief synopsis: a simpleton becomes the subject of radical new experiments in a virtual reality based "higher education". But wait, there's more: before they can call the simpleton's progression a success, they realise they have created a power hungry cyber-monster. Still enthralled? Great: take this info and write your own movie, saving yourself the pain of watching this plot executed into nothing more than a corny B-movie flakefest. The second half of the film becomes boring, over-the-top, and takes itself far too seriously. Skip it and go straight to Lawnmower Man II: Jobe's War. No, WAIT... just kidding!

Jacob's Ladder (I) (1990)

A thinking man's horror film

[15 October 2000]

By far the most frightening film I've ever seen. That is not to say the movie fits into the "horror" genre, because it certainly does not. The perfectly plausible premise of a man experiencing demons and encounters with the notion of death are, thankfully, conveyed without much of your usual "spills and chills" technique. The viewer is taken on an exhilerating journey without having a clue where the story is going and the destination is more than worth the trip. Robbins is perfect, Culkin is just fine (thank you) and Adrian Lyne has put together one of the most beautiful and unappreciated films of the 90's.

Red Heat (1988)

STOOOPID and fun!

[15 October 2000]

I don't even care what anyone says, this is the quintessential buddy cop movie, made before the genre became quite so darn tired! Belushi overacts his way through a million one-liners, and Ah-nuld does his deadpan Russian with a straight face all the way through the movie. Little known supporting roles by folks like Gina Gershon and Larry Fishburne are also fun to watch. Very funny and very rentable.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

Easily the funniest film of all time!

[9/10 · 15 October 2000]

Without plucking any of the golden jokes from the multitude, I will safely say that I've never found a movie I've laughed over more. Sure, it's slapstick, but it has enough class to keep lame parody/spoof jokes to a minimum, and relies on smart dialogue (snicker) and sight gags for a perfect comedy. There is no fear of picking this one up and not enjoying it. I personally guarantee it!

Wayne's World 2 (1993)

Sad case of Mike Meyers "sequel-itis"

[4/10 · 9 September 2000]

Anyone who has seen the Wayne's World and Austin Powers series would have to agree: brilliant, hilarious movies made into painfully contrived sequels. Bigger budgets and more spoofs won't compensate somebody who enjoyed the very clever comedic situations in Wayne's World. Despite a few chuckles, I was thoroughly disappointed.

UHF (1989)

Non "Weird Al" fans (and other snobs) might be surprised

[8/10 · 9 September 2000]

Start to finish, this is a very entertaining and funny film that is still worth watching after several viewings. Almost all the TV show ideas that U-62 (the film's TV station) come up with are side-splitting. Sure, the acting is mostly bad, and perhaps the (very Al) Dire Straits parody should have landed on the cutting room floor. But overall, it is a perfect movie to watch when entertaining a room full of morons, and all will have a great time. I personally don't care for Weird Al's music, but I am desperately hunting for a video copy of this one.

Batman (1989)

Fine, fine fun

[9 September 2000]

Despite its few flaws (one being most of Prince's contributions), this film was a great time. Michael Keaton would not be my first choice for the title role, but he was hunky dory. Jack Nicholson was magnificent playing the Joker. However, this film is ALL Tim Burton. The mood of the film was surprisingly dark and strangely beautiful. Formatting the film series after the TV series wouldn't have been as successful. Mind you, the film series seems to have been heading that way!

Jacob's Ladder (I) (1990)

One of my favourites of all time

[18 June 2000]

The film is very strong on all counts. It's not a horror film, but frightening none the less. Tim Robbins (as always) was magnificent in a role that couldn't have been easy to play. While this film awaits its deserved recognition as a classic, see it and tell your friends you knew all along. Sad, beautiful, and creeepy movie.

Easy Rider (1969)

They put the "trip" in road trip!

[18 June 2000]

With wonderfully wacky transitions, one of the best soundtracks of its time, and an ample collection of beautiful American landscapes, this film still stands up. The segment in the graveyard was fabulous. Though a bit slow at times, this film successfully captures the dream of the hippie generation.