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1/10
3000 Miles to Crapola
25 January 2002
This film is completely dreadful. Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner lead a group of Elvis impersonators in robbing a Vegas Casino. The film has all of the usual action film cliches, like double crosses, and characters who fire guns and DON'T seem to run out of ammunition. The worst thing about this film is the interaction between Kurt Russell and Courtney Cox. They had absolutely NO chemistry. It's film that people aren't supposed to take seriously, but it's still bad. Avoid this mess at ALL costs.
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5/10
Not The Great Film That Folks Make It Out To Be
25 January 2002
"Lord of The Rings" is an enjoyable film, but it's not the great film that folks make it out to be. For the most part, the film is way too long and, at times, it's drawn out. The special effects are a bit too much.

What makes the film watchable is the beautiful photography, and the solid performances from a first rate cast. This is the first film of a trilogy, and I suspect that the best is yet to come.
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10/10
Get Ready To Feel The Rush
23 October 2001
The Fast And The Furious Is A Action Thriller That Just Keeps On Coming. By The End You Will Say Wow! The Writing Is Just Fantastic. Great Acting By Paul Walker And Vin Diesel. Diesel Is The One That Just Stands Out All The Way Through The Movie. I Must Say That He Is A Rising Star But Be On The Lookout For Is Upcoming Action Movie XXX Don't Let The Name Fool You. Now See The Fast And The Furious In The Theater Or If Is Not In The Theater Then See When Comes To Video. This Movie Is A Action Gem Enjoy. ****
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10/10
After Hours, Kubrick Style.
30 July 2001
Warning: Spoilers
Stanley Kubrick's last film "Eyes Wide Shut" is a film that is filled with beauty, danger, and ambiguity. The title of this film should have titled "Fear and Desire" because these are the two basic emotions that dominate this superb work of art.

WARNING! POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise play Alice and Bill Harford, an affluent Manhattan couple. He's a doctor and she's an unemployed art curator. They have a young daughter and everything seems to be perfect, until one night during an argument while they're both stoned on pot (Alice more than Bill) Alice reveals a sexual fantasy about a Naval officer that she saw while she and Bill were on a vacation in Cape Cod. Of course, this revelation shocks Bill, and makes him jealous (the image of Alice making love with the Officer fills Bill's head). It is then where the fun really begins where Bill goes on a strange and comic journey (similar to the Scorsese film "After Hours") wandering the streets of Manhattan where the daughter of a dead patient of Bill's (who wants to have sex with Bill in front of her dead father), a prostitute, some drunk College kids, and the very young daughter of a costume shop all come on to him sexually. Bill's journey takes a more bizzare turn when ends up at a mansion in the countryside (He takes a cab to get there which is film's most humorous moment) where an orgy is taking place. From there is where it gets dangerous for Bill and possibly his family because of his journey and the things he has witnessed.

While watching "Eyes Wide Shut", the writings of Kafka came to. Bill is an Kafka-like character because like Kafka characters, he's filled with anxiety and torment in an atmosphere of fantasies, dreams, and unsettling realities. But ultimately this film is really about chances missed and opportunities avoided presented in the form of an erotic daydream that is enhanced by the film's stunning visuals. Kubrick and cinematographer Larry Smith do an outstanding job playing with grain, bright lights (backlighting, underlighting), and strong primary colors giving the film an odd, erotic and melancholy tone.

The performances are solid, particularly that of Nicole Kidman who really bares her soul( and her body in the film's opulent first image)in the revelation that rocks her husbands world. We really believe her as a wife who feels she's been taken for granted and possibly jealous of husband's success as a doctor. Her last line in this film is filled with irony (and totally Kubrickian) that is a fitting resolution for a couple going through some problems.

Although, this film has been dismissed by most people now, it will stand the test of time and be hailed as a masterpiece like every other Kubrick film. But for now, my eyes (and head) are wide open enough to see that it's masterpiece and will continue to see it that way.
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Croupier (1998)
9/10
A Pure Gem
29 July 2001
Croupier is a pure gem of a film. Directed by Mike Hodges(Get Carter - 1971) and starring the actor from the BMW Films, Clive Owen, Croupier tells the tale of an aspiring novelist(played by Owen) who gets a job as a BlackJack dealer (The Croupier) at a London Casino where things aren't always what they appear to be. Through the film's splendid voice over narration, he uses his experience working at the Casino as material for a book.

The best things about this film is how it details the job of the Croupier, and the atmosphere of the Casino itself. We really get an education on how things work there. Also, what's good is the film's performances, especially that of Clive Owen. His brooding eyes and observant manner is totally perfect for the character he plays.
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10/10
A Thrilling Joyride!
27 July 2001
The Fast and the Furious is a thrilling joyride of a movie that's full of spark and vigor, even if the script is full of cliches. The movie (and it's title) is kind of a throwback those 1950's exploitation flicks that where shown in a double or triple feature (along with cartoons) in a neighborhood theatre. The movie deals with L.A. street racers and an undercover cop who's investigating the leader of this group of racers who may be involved in a string of highway truck robberies. The plot has been rehashed from other films, but it's the action that really get your attention to the point that you could really care less about the plot. It gives you everything you could ask for in a popcorn summer flick. I was pleasantly surprised.

Another thing that surprised me was how good the acting is in this movie. The young cast of Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, and Michelle Rodriguez do a fine job, but the real star of the movie is Vin Diesel. With his steely gaze and Lee Marvin-like voice, Diesel has a mixture of machismo and vulnerability that commands attention. He is an actor to watch.
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10/10
The First Great Film of the 21st Century
20 July 2001
Great films have a cornucopia of emotions, thoughts, and ideas which in turn provokes intense discussion amongst moviegoers. A.I. is one those films, and not surprisingly most people that have seen this film are divided in their opinions. Either they loved it, or hated it. But whatever the opinions may be, it has us talking. And for that, Steven Spielberg has done his job as a filmmaker.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOLIER ALERT!

A.I. is the first great film of the 21st Century. It is filled with ambition, ambiguity, joy, wonder, melancholy, and terror that's a result of the strange but refreshing mixture of the styles and sensibilities of two great filmmakers - Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg. Based on the short story "Supertoys Last All Summer Long" by Brian Aldiss, A.I. is about a robot boy named David (played brilliantly by Haley Joel Osment) who longs to be a real boy. Inspired by the story "Pinocchio", David, with the help of a robot named Giggolo Joe (played by Jude Law, who is a hoot!) goes on a dangerous quest to find the Blue Fairy whom David believes can turn him into a real boy. David's quest leads him to places like the bawdy Rouge City and ultimately Manhattan which is completely underwater because the polar ice caps have melted. There in Manhattan is where the quest comes to a climax, leading to an Oedipal ending that is both sweet and sad. It's the main sequence of the film that's the most talked about.

The film's photography, art direction (Rouge City and Manhattan looks awesome!), and special effects are first rate. This film should be a best picture nominee at next years Oscars.
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Snake Eater (1989)
1/10
The Worst Movie I have ever seen!
14 July 2001
Words can't simply describe how awful this film is. I watched it on video last night, and I simply could not believe what I was seeing. Basically, "Snakeeater" is about an ex-military man (Lorenzo Lamas) and his search for his kidnapped sister who has been held captive by Deliverance-style Rednecks. The film's acting, writing, direction, photography, and editing are deplorable along with a song called "Soldier" that has to be one of the worst theme songs of all time!

However, there is one treat. "Horshack" (Ron Pallio) from "Welcome Back Carter" is in the film playing a laughable bad guy. Otherwise, please avoid this mess at ALL COSTS.
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One of the best films of 2000!
25 November 2000
GHOST DOG is strange, funny, moving, and easily one of the best films of 2000. Forest Whitaker is wonderful in the title role, an assassin who lives by the code of the Samurai and his quirky and violent involvement with New York mobsters. The film is filled oddball characters, beautiful symbolism, and unexpected moments in which some are downright funny. I couldn't help but to smile throughout the films' two hour running time. The Academy probably won't listen, but GHOST DOG deserves at least an original screenplay nomination. It is a true original. A 4 star film! Don't miss this diamond in the rough!
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