tringwood Reviews

Paris Blues (1961)

Great soundtrack - Above Average Drama

[8/10 · 20 June 2021]

4 great actors do well with a solid script is always watchable. And then add music by the great Duke Ellington you a movie I can't turn of.

News of the World (2020)

Slow only for those with attendition defiecet disorder

[8/10 · 3 May 2021]

The biggest complaint I hear this movie is "slow". I prefer major studio movies before 1980 or so. And part of the reason is the pace, back when movies where not just a series quick cuts with disco/techo soundtrack.. "News of the World" never lost my attention. It is well paced. It's well acted and a sold script. It has a nice soundtrack. Is it THE movie of all time? No. But one of the better movies I've seen from a major studio in a while.

Hillbilly Elegy (2020)

Amy Adams' character just too much

[6/10 · 1 January 2021]

Yes I grew up in poor white country. The Bev's in my world end up sleeping in cars on a friend's farm because families Now I think the problem is the movie fails to develop her much past her extreme behavior given Bev a non-believable one demisonal feel - or her family was much more tolerable than any i've met.

Jailbait (2014 Video)

Misogynistic fanstasy

[2/10 · 7 September 2020]

Misogynistic to the core. A depraved person's desire on abusing women put on film. Jared Cohn must be one stick mother****. Sara Malakul Lane is beautiful and I hope was willing participant in this piece of trash. I was looking for another movie with her in it for a reason. but 1/2 way through this I couldn't keep watching - it was just just too sick.

Manifest Destiny Down: Spacetime (2019)

Fun, Original, and Quirky

[8/10 · 23 May 2020]

I am a sucker for quantum physic comedies. This is engaging and fun.

Everyone Says I Love You (1996)

Funny As Woody Gets

[8/10 · 12 March 2005]

Near the end of this film when Woody is "dancing" with Goldie Hawn who is floating with help of some wire I realized by guts were hurting due to laughing so much. And this was the 2nd time I watch this film this winter, and at least the 6th overall. Yea there is no real plot. But each time I watch this it gets funnier and sweeter - with wonderful music. The number of seconds that pass in this film which aren't worthy of your full attention can be counted on one hand.

Okay I love Woody. But this is at the top of the game. Not the same as the Woody from 60's and early 70's but just as off the wall and funny. You just can't be ghost dancing and singing and telling you to "Enjoy Yourself"

By the way it's rate "R" for a one short scene blip of a rap band doing a version of "I'm Thru With Love" adding of course the require use of a profanity - which of course had me laughing.

Choke (2001)

Choke Choked

[4/10 · 3 January 2003]

Hopper has never been worse as if he felt as this movie is worthy of only a grade B performance and he delivers a rather good one. Outside of Madsen and Hopper the acting is horrid; you've seen better at your local high school. The sound and at times the editing and camera shots are low end of B-movies. The scene with the peeping tom is of movies greatest gratuitous nudity scenes I've ever seen (it doesn't even come close to fitting in the movie). The script was probably a great 10-page outline, but when it comes out to a full-length movie there are more holes in it then the dead bodies Madsen left behind. I do have to say Hopper dressed in a nice suit driving the Hummer had me laughing out loud, but I don't think that was the intent. Yes there is a little style, and Hopper can always draw my interest. However the interesting plot concept never pays off and you are left wondering why you wasted your time watching this.

The Last Debate (2000 TV Movie)

Missed the point?

[6/10 · 17 November 2002]

Okay this is a TV movie, and there is a reason director John Badlam isn't a household name. There are many pot shots that could be taken about the script, the editing and the some choices from the director. Personally with in that context I thought the acting was quite good. But the point of the movie everybody tends over look: We have mixed entertainment with our politics to a degree it is at times impossible to figure out where one starts and other begins. The movie asks is this blending of that line harming our democracy? And while the point and even the story could have been better told, the point shouldn't be over looked due the movies technical limitations.

The Hot Rock (1972)

Very entertaining

[7/10 · 24 September 2002]

Not deep, but Zero, Segal and Redford take this movie from the fluff pile to the fun pile. Script is good with fun turns, but this is a movie in which the stars shine and shine brightly. The combination of a good script with good acting makes this better than most, but hardly a classic.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Silly

[9/10 · 23 July 2002]

This movie is SILLY.

SILLY.

SILLY.

Some folks don't get silly, but for those who do you'll be watching this over and over and over again. I hardly every watch movie 10 times, but this one I have since I got it on DVD and I'm still watching it. There is so much going on, so much flat out SILLY humor.

This humor is the lowest of the low, silliest of the silly. But it has NEVER been done to such perfection.

Let yourself just relax, let down your PC guards, and laugh yourself silly. If you don't find this funny don't blame Kevin Smith, blame your parents for making you so uptight.

Silent Tongue (1993)

Good, thoughtful movie

[8/10 · 10 March 2002]

I find it rather odd that anybody who loves movies would find this movie slow or dull. The characters are wonderful. Complex characters, each contains both virtues and self serving vices; each at times you feel pity for what has happen to them, yet feel pity for what they have done. There is no end, for what the father has done in the name of his son can never have closure. Mixed with top notch acting, a gripping musical score, perfect sound and wonderful cinematography by under rated Jack Conroy this movie works as a feast for the not just the mind but the eyes and ears as well. Hardly a second passed by where I was not entranced by the spirt of this film. Slow to those fail to understand the each moment in time begins a anew, for each moment is this movie changes a character and in turns changes the story. Perhaps a few scenes went on a few seconds too long, and one can find faults here and there regarding all but the greatest works, but in this movie the faults are mainly hidden by the strengths and story which should leave you thinking about the human heart for some time to come.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

Silly.

[6/10 · 2 February 2002]

Silly for sure, an attribute which is either positive or negative depending on your mood. There are some darn funny jokes floating around this movie. It is more of a satire than an parody of camp movies in the style of Meatballs, and when it works you laugh out loud. When it doesn't you groan out load. Good for the times you want a silly comedy and not much else.

Coven (2000)

Not bad, not good

[4/10 · 29 December 2001]

I don't get those who trash "Coven". It is a legit attempt at movie making, and while I can't rate very high due the fact there are many technical issues with this film and some issues with the script, it still is better than most low budget thrillers I have seen. I've seen worse acting in other low budget movies, and while not Oscar material, the acting for the most part doesn't hinder the movie in any way. No I can't do better, but rated against Orson Wells or Woody Allen this is okay at best. Rated against all the stuff he had go through to get this made and his lack of a budget it is a quite amazing piece of work. I'd like to see Mark with a real budget and real actors - the results can't be any worse those some stuff coming out of Hollywood already - and if he delivers on the promise he shows in this movie it would be at least entertaining.

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Beautiful, but confused

[7/10 · 23 December 2001]

"Moulin Rouge!" starts like "Rocky Horror" meets "Head" abet with a serious tone. By the end an over the top "Shakespeare In Love" set to bad cover songs had invaded the musical. Yes this movie in look is as beautiful as any movie. Yes the performances are first rate. But it's confused state left the camp and laughter muted, and the drama ineffective. It tried to be all things a musical can be, but ended up as a mere entertaining tale that has been better told by others. A+ for vision, a C on making that vision into a reality.

Starship Troopers (1997)

Camp meets Special Effects

[7/10 · 16 December 2001]

I know this movie wasn't meant to be the great camp movie of all time, but it is. Some of it suppose to be serious. I probally agree with those who give this movie at 0 more than 10, but for two hours of pure fun this movie is hard to beat. Silly to the point where it pure enjoyment. Nice special effects and performances, but the customs, make up and design is what makes me laugh the most! If it wasn't suppose to be funny, they made that way despite themselves.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

A Piece of Art

[9/10 · 15 December 2001]

What is a great movie? Old movies direction and blocking were the theater's with minor variations. Not too many movies really throw away that convention. Like "Pi" director Darren Aronofsky is the star of this movie by not being bound too much by a concept of a movie. Some dislike it when the direction over takes the performance or the story. For those who love color, sound and sight; for those who love a some great edits that creates a montage unlike anything produced before will find a treat here. The subject is dark and story (which is out in front) and performances (Burstyn and Leto in particular) are first rate, but the real star is Darren Aronofsky.

Not sure this makes a great movie, if you think of "High Noon" or "Citizen Kane" (great movies to be sure) as the only style that a "movie" can be. Aronofsky's style does limit the ability to develop characters, but this style also ties two stories together in subtle and not so subtle ways that a character driven movie is unable to do. The story of addiction in many forms, shown side by side is striking. Most movies are about the characters, but "Requiem" is, for good and bad, is not bound by that concept. It is about what the characters are going through. This gives Aronofsky great freedom which he uses with great ability. This is a great series of moving images with sound. It is nearly impossible to resist. It is at least a very good piece of art, but I am not sure if it is a great movie.

Flawless (1999)

Hoffman, DeNiro and a good script

[7/10 · 14 December 2001]

Quicky summary is that the script has too many tangents and awkward spots for this to be a classic film. But there are some great moments, some great lines and I can watch Phillip Seymour Hoffman in anything. Add another good performance by Robert DeNiro. Add all those qualities together and if even not a classic movie, it is a movie worth watching (more than once just for Hoffman IMHO).

Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)

No Context

[5/10 · 2 December 2001]

A series of stories connected only due the violent nature, location and time. No context is given on if this time period was really more violent than others, or if this era was more violent in the nation at as a whole. Assuming this was abnormal there is no attempt to explain why this would take place. A very well done series of real life stories, sometimes a little graphic, with no context.

Better Than Chocolate (1999)

Just dang good

[8/10 · 30 November 2001]

Alright this movie has some cliches, a little regarding about gay people, but mainly in plot development. But if you can past than you'll find lots of great lines, good acting, some good characters (and IMHO good multi-level characters), some funny moments, some tender moments, and a so-so ending (not bad, but a great ending would have made this movie a classic). For people who like just a good movie and understand what the topic matter is going in, I highly recommend this film. It made me smile over and over.