asrai82 Reviews

Bully (2001)

startlingly realistic

[3 February 2002]

i was very excited when this movie came out, being a fan of brad renfro's. and when i finally saw it, i was shocked. i sat mesmerized, as though i had been watching people that i could have been friends with on camera, kids that i see on the streets, teenagers who run around and actually plan that stuff out (whether they go through with out it or not is of no matter).

of course this horrifyingly realistic film is credited to genius larry clark, who seems to have this uncanny knack for knowing exactly (and i mean EXACTLY) how teenagers/young adults perceive life, love, sex, and sometimes ponder murder. the man who created "kids" (if you've never seen it, get off the computer and watch it-it will remind you of yourself or your friends, or if you're a parent, it will let you know exactly what your child really is doing) has magically done it again, capturing the shocking finale of a misspent youth.

there are many sad parts to "bully" (what marty receives for his crime), but to me, the saddest was realizing how many kids there are, out there, going through the same things-how many times have we seen this story on the news??? my rating 10/10

Bubble Boy (2001)

surprisingly amazing!!

[10/10 · 30 January 2002]

i had no interest in seeing this movie (admit it, it looked baaad), but one long, boring night, i decided to try it out. and i was completely hooked!!! it was probably jake gyllenhaal's incredibly sweet and innocent face, or maybe his high-pitched, adorable voice, or just the goofy haircut he sported that did it for me. it could have been the great job swoosie kurtz did as the religious, overbearing mother (and she was hilarious, trust me).

but most likely, it was how, regardless of how the plot seemed on paper or in previews, it all worked out to be, hands down, one of the best movies i have ever seen. the characters were incredibly well planned out (and they all pulled it off without a hitch) and the storyline was seamless.

even though some of the situations were a little mindless and overdone, like the niagara falls scene and the whole "cult" thing (can you say "zoltan" from dude, wheres my car?), it was well worth it. if youre just looking for something light and delightfully embarrassing(if you watch it by yourself you wone be so ashamed to laugh) to watch, with no sex or swearing(which was sooooo nice for a change), definitely watch it (or be like me and watch it over and over again)... if not for the actual story, then just for jake gyllenhaal. even if i hadnt liked the movie, i still would have adored him. my rating? an absolute 10+/10 :)

Duets (2000)

surprisingly well-done

[8/10 · 26 July 2001]

i wasnt too sure if i wanted to see this movie, as the thought of hearing gwenyth paltrow sing was enough to make me gag. it was my newfound interest in scott speedman that made me rent it, and i was so shocked! i was so impressed with the story, the acting, the singing (i regret my former opinion of gwenyth-what an amazing voice!!), everything! andre braugher and paul giamatti (in my opinion) definitely had the best on-screen chemistry ive seen in a long, long, long time. i cant even express how moving it was to hear the two of them singing otis redding's "try a little tenderness", and then andre braugher singing his final song...perfection!! the only disappointment was huey lewis and gwenyth paltrow's story line, which was completely inadequate, considering they were meant to be the main story line. maria bello was neurotic at its best (which she is great at doing), andscott speedman was adorably and beautifully naive and innocent, pulling it off without a hitch. i have to say i was so surprised that i enjoyed this movie, and even if you watch it and dont like it, i know that you'll at least fall for the music...who doesnt love a little redding?

A Knight's Tale (2001)

almost a ten!!

[9/10 · 25 July 2001]

as much as i love heath ledger, i was reluctant to pay $15 to see a knights tale in theatres...so i waited until i got the screener on video...and i realized that i should have seen this in the theatre! i have rarely ever been so impressed with a movie. the acting, the story, the scenery, the directing, EVERYTHING was absolutely amazing! i loved how there was such a perfectly even blend of comedy, romance, action, and drama in this film. and, as always, heath ledger lived up to my expectations as one of the most beautifully talented up-and-coming actors of this or any other generation. i wasnt too impressed with shannyn sossamon and the character she played, but she WAS good. i definitely have to recommend this movie to EVERYONE, as it was thrilling, exciting, intriguing, funny, sad, exhilirating, romantic...just an overall GREAT movie! definitely watch it!

Valentine (2001)

watch it twice...it'll change your opinion

[23 July 2001]

i had to see this movie twice to really appreciate it. the first time, i thought it dragged. i found the death scenes overdone and thought they were unoriginal. i was unimpressed with the acting, the scenery, the dialogue...basically, i was really disappointed. but then i had to watch it again, as i was compelled to see if there was something i had missed. and it was then that i realized i had indeed missed something. with the exception of the funeral scene (where i was still not impressed due to the lack of sorrow for their friend's murder), i really enjoyed the movie the second time. because i paid close attention the second time around, i really enjoyed the fresh and new acting styles of each actor, i found the death scenes to be interestingly artistic in style of death and scenery surrounding, and even though i already knew the ending, i found myself tracking who it could possibly be with the options they gave. and i must say, i absolutely LOVED the ending. i didnt expect or really understand it the first time, but the 2nd time...amazingly well done. i really do have to recommend that if you didnt enjoy this the first time, watch it again and pay close attention to everything. i bet youll like it the second time around, now that youre not trying to figure out who the cherub is...

Girlfriends (2000–2008)

i love it!

[12 July 2001]

okay. first of all let me tell you that i'm a 19-year old white female. i'm not usually into the so-called "made for african-american" tv shows and movies, with the exception of a couple...but i love this show!! up here in canada, we got a delay on the show (by a year or so), so i'm just seeing this for the first time. i didnt even know it was that old, and was disappointed that i missed so much. but i am impressed. i love the story lines, the actors, the reality with regards to the situations they get themselves into, and the way they deal with them. i have to say my fave is persia white as "lynn". she's great!!! her attitude rocks. i was a little upset to see that a lot of people didnt or dont enjoy the show, but its definitely not for everyone...all i wanted to say is that i think its great to watch if youre female, sick of having no men in your life, and you can make a night of watching it with your own "girlfriends"!!!

Dirty Dancing (I) (1987)

the one movie i can watch over and over and over again...

[19 May 2001]

i read a comment where someone was bashing this movie, and felt compelled to reply...dirty dancing is obviously not for everyone, but for me, it is the only movie i could never get sick of. i remember when it first came out on video, and my sister and i rented it nonstop. it took us over 10 years to finally find it for sale, and when we did, we bought it right away. for me now as an adult, it symbolizes true romance, innocence, and what our society seems to have forgotten. to do whatever is in your heart, no matter the consequences. to this day, it still brings back memories of my sister and i trying to dance like jennifer grey and cynthia rhodes, and trying to lift each other over our heads like in the final dance scene...and who could get over the music??? the hot, sexy dance scenes??? for me, this will always remain the one movie that still makes me want to get up and dance, tell that guy i like how i really feel, and dream for a hot romance with a sexy soundtrack...thats what the whole movie is about.