Change Your Image
redwing1499
Reviews
Gabriel's Rapture: Part One (2021)
Just like the book, I only had one complaint.
Just like Inferno, everything was beautifully done. Acting, directing, cinematography, story. Only minor things are left out for timing. There are 4 books total in the series, I've read each one 9 times and have been a fan since 2015. Giulio and Melanie have off the charts chemistry you've never seen on screen before. (This is often why some people in the fandom wonder why they are not a real life couple) My only complaint was that Part 1 stopped at the end of Chapter 11. There are 2 more films and 59 total chapters in the book, the next 2 parts will have to be longer as there is so much more to cover. Any book fan knows we haven't even scratched the surface of the roller coaster of this book. I look forward always to parts 2 and 3.
Transformers (2007)
Love it, hate it-no way anyone can say it was not entertaining
Movies like Transformers are a double edged sword. On the same list as all superhero films, avant garde films like Pulp Fiction or Brokeback Mountain, or straight family films like Shrek or any Pixar film, you either love em or hate em. My husband is a huge fan of the cartoon-I am a product of the 80's and always watched "My Little Pony" and "Strawberry Shortcake". Transformers was for boys. I never watched it but I knew who a few of the characters were.
I didn't expect much from the film-I thought Michael Bay, bad actors, cheesy lines and pretty good effects. I really underestimated it. Actors were good, not many cheesy lines, effects "off the hook" ( i never use that word). You've never seen effects like this before. Un-freaking-believable.
Love it or hate it, just see it truly to be entertained. Most people expect films to change the world, I go to escape reality. Get your mind on something else for 2 & 1/2 hours. Best film of the summer next to "Knocked Up"
Thank You for Smoking (2005)
I never stopped laughing
Finally a funny movie about a social and cultural "issue" that does not take sides and paints just an original, fresh outlook. Hand Aaron Eckhart any award you can-he does it so effortlessly.
Most movies these days are pure and complete garbage (who still finances this crap is beyond me). But not this one-most of the world agrees and promotes the fact that cigarettes are poison. It doesn't matter what you think of tobacco. Eckhart can take your opinion and put it back in your face. Like I said, nothing you think matters about the subject. Just watch and enjoy a socially neutral cinematic experience.
Whether or not you smoke, watch the film.
Seinfeld (1989)
Groundbreaking entertainment that is still hilarious
When Seinfeld was on the air, my mother and I had a tradition. I was in college when the finale aired. Thursday nights after dinner, we tuned into NBC to laugh our a****s off. Before she died, my grandmother loved it as well.
Jerry is not even that funny, it is his supporting cast that are spectacular. Kramer steals the show as well as George and his neuroses. Seinfeld also wrote and co-created the show, and that is where he shined. His inexperience as an actor is apparent throughout the series but he made up for it with the writing and the co-creation of one of the best series ever on TV.
The Gift (2000)
Under-appreciated great film about people and their lives
Cate Blanchett got my attention in Elizabeth and The Aviator. But she was mesmerizing in this film. Her "gifts" are amazing and she uses them for a good purpose. Another standout was Giovanni Ribisi. He was so tortured and conflicted but he pulls it off effortlessly. A true victim of abuse. Raimi is a really good director and he knows how to respect and appreciate the actors in his films. I read Tarot cards myself, and I do have some "gifts" given from my grandmother but I don't have visions, my dreams are what I base some future decisions on. People really are as gifted as she was in this movie. The film has a few story lines but mostly this is a movie about people, and others in their lives and the things that happen to them. It is spooky and the ending was quite a twist.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)
I am a junkie and CSI is my heroin
This is my absolute favorite show on TV (as of right now). It has great stories, a likable cast and good attention to detail. Yes, CSI's are not detectives but it makes for great drama. Usually they are not involved in interrogation and arresting suspects. Everything else is pretty realistic. They employ real life forensics experts for accuracy. In fact, some cases have been inspired by real life crimes.
For example, the 4th season episode "After The Show" was based on the murder of model Linda Sobek in '95 who was murdered by her photographer.
I have seen every single episode and there are no more than a handful I thought were less than stellar. Essential Thursday night viewing-if I am not home, my Tivo always tapes it for me :)
The Family Stone (2005)
The only thing i hated was Sarah Jessica Parker
This was a fine, enjoyable dramatic/comedy that had a really good cast with the exception of casting SJP. She did not fit in at all-her performance was awful. Diane Keaton was wonderful as usual, and there were some funny moments with Rachel McAdams who I loved in The Notebook and Mean Girls. SJP was so wooden and stiff and her character was a cold hearted B****. I wouldn't have cared had we never seen her character again after the first 2 scenes-the dinner table scene was awful as well-her comments were clearly racist, bigoted and homophobic.
Aside from the 1 casting mistake, it was a very good dramatic film with some sweet funny moments. The Stones made for a good cinema family. If you like good drama, you should enjoy it.
The Green Mile (1999)
It's why we watch movies
I've been a movie buff for a long time and I've seen a good amount of movies, but there are less than 100 I can say I remember fondly. This movie stands out in so many ways. The direction, writing and acting are all 5-star. Duncan's performance is one of those that many people have compared to that of Jesus Christ. I'm not a religious person, but I'm going to agree with my previous sentence I just wrote. He is God in this movie. It's what he does, he "helps it, is all." He only uses it to help...never to hurt. What was very surprising is that Hanks did not receive an Oscar nomination for his performance. The best scenes were with Duncan and Hanks. Although, the film had so many wonderful scenes. I still cry at the ending. I've only cried at 5 films in my life.
ANybody who didn't like the film obviously felt it was either too long or too overly sentimental. It's a shame that some view it that way. It is a work of art.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Not impressed
I had high hopes for this film and I was so disappointed. It was nothing like I thought it would be. The story was not believable, the characters had grown tired and the dialogue was bad.
They even looked like they were tired of playing these characters. Nothing was exciting, there was no comrade re, and it seemed stiff.
I understand that they had a new director. This is what happens when you switch gears like that. Ratner did not have Singer's vision. It was like he didn't know what and who the characters were.
There may be some decent films this summer, and people are going to see it no matter what I say about it. But if you want to spend your time on something good, save 2 hours of your life and don't bother.
Scent of a Woman (1992)
Next to Godfather Part 2, my favorite and Pacino's best performance
Thank god the Academy finally recognized Pacino in 93, since he was completely snubbed in 75 for Godfather 2. His performance would be on my top 10 best male performances of all time, next to PS Hoffman in Capote since that was a brilliant performance. When an actor plays a blind character, there are ways to tell if he is really looking at things or if he is just faking. With Pacino, you really believed he was blind because he never appears to look at anything, and he is extremely perceptive. Blind people rely on their already heightened other 4 senses anyway.
The movie also has some great lines from Pacino as well. It's a serious drama, but there is a lot of comedy too. I would give it my highest rating-10/10. Enjoy it
Nine to Five (1980)
One of the best movies ever! In my Top 10
This is one of the funniest comedies ever next to Caddyshack and Friday. The cast has great chemistry and the way they torture their boss is hysterical. Anybody who has worked in an office can relate to the story. I think we've all had a boss like Hart. Nowadays, he would probably be sued for sexual harassment and fired, but it was tolerated back in the day. I was only 2 when the film came out but I found it on video as a teen and now own the special edition DVD. The best parts are the chemistry between the 3 ladies. Lily Tomlin (who i adore) is a standout as Violet and Dolly Parton does a fine job in her first movie ever. I dare you not to laugh!
King Kong (2005)
Just because it is long doesn't mean it is bad
Yeah the first thing out of everyone's mouth is it's 3 HOURS LONG! Who cares? Is your attention span really that short? Most directors like Peter Jackson (who directed my 3 favorite films of all time) tend to "burn out" on their next projects but this was not the case here. Yeah, we've all seen King Kong from the 30's starring Fay Wray. The point wasn't that he could make it-it's that Jackson could make it even better. I felt like I was on the island the whole time. Kong looked real-none of him looked CGI.
One gift that Jackson possesses is his ability and instinct to choose good actors. Lucas wishes he could, Spielberg does better, but Jackson always chooses actors that compliment his vision and ideas. Watts was perfect as the damsel- I felt bad for her the whole time. Adrien Brody (who is incredible in his own right) also shines here as the lost and disenchanted playwright Driscoll. And we all love Jack Black..but he made his role sympathetic and kind of slimy as well. His attempt to "disillusion" and "save" Kong make you wanna slap him but we all let him get away with it anyway.
Yeah it's a big budget film, but I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It needed a little editing here and there but the time flew by. Like LOTR, it was 3 hours going on 20 minutes.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Open your mind and see it no matter what your views on anything explored in the film
I've been hearing about this movie for weeks and curiosity killed the cat with me. I was expecting a movie about 2 men who simply get together just for fun because they enjoy each other's company. To be honest, my assumptions were very pedantic. This is unlike any movie you have ever seen. It is not about being gay, it's about loving another person so much that being without them hurts them as much as it hurts you. I know that a lot of people wanna put labels on it and argue about it until next year but you really have to see the film before you judge it. Like the 2 main characters, it takes a lot of courage to play a gay man when you are straight and I think they deserve props simply for their willingness to do it and making it a believable story. I'm a straight woman and I fell in love with Heath and Jake.
This may be the best 2 & 1/2 hours you spend at the theater for a long time. You won't regret it.
House M.D. (2004)
Next to CSI, the best drama on TV.
There are 3 shows each week that I cannot miss: House, CSI and Desperate Housewives. The former 2 I adore but the women of Wisteria Lane occasionally I can see what's coming. House is one of the best new shows to hit the airwaves since Sex and the City back in 98. I've been a fan of Hugh Laurie since Black Adder Part 3 and I always knew he was a great actor. He's so handsome too! i LOVE scruffy men. I'm only a 27 year old female so he could be a father to me, but he is still hot! His supporting cast is also great as well, I adore Cameron and Wilson is very good too. It doesn't hurt that Foreman and Chase are also very hot. I love the CSI approach to the patients and figuring out what's wrong with them, there have been some awesome cases. House is a prick, but he grows on you like an old bottle of wine. Keep this one around for a while Fox!
Family Guy (1999)
Only the best cartoon on TV ever
This is the only cartoon that i have ever consistently laughed at unlike The Simpsons which has 5 episodes in a row that totally suck then it may be funny sporadically. In all of the episodes ever made, there are only 3 or so that i thought were less than excellent. Seth Macfarlane created a show that is not afraid to offend or upset anyone and that's why we love it. There is absolutely no shame in any minute of all the episodes. I think any show that can make you gasp with a half-jaw drop expression and then 10 seconds later you are laughing so hard you might pee in your pants is worth a second glance.
If you aren't addicted after one episode, give it one more chance. Trust me it is worth every minute.
10/10
Six Feet Under (2001)
God I loved this damn show
One of the best dramas EVER. Period. Alan Ball wrote one of the best movies ever made (American Beauty) and his level of genius continued in full effect with the creation of this show. The cast is brilliant and the best character is Nate. I've never been a fan of him and Brenda but I love the rest of the cast including Claire, David and Ruth. Nathaniel Sr also makes brief app and the appearances and they are awesome. If you haven't gotten HBO, rent the DVD's. Each episode has a person who winds up at the funeral home later and the deaths are morbidly funny and sad at times and incredibly morbid and tragic at times. The finale had the best 10 minutes I have ever seen on TV in years. 10/10 It will be missed by many :(
The Upside of Anger (2005)
I didn't just love it- I related to it
For the past 8 years, Hollywood has been on an extremely sharp downfall with the movies they choose to make. But every now and then, they actually stop being so parasitic and say yes to a script and director who actually took more than 24 hours to write the screenplay.
We all know where Kevin Costner has been since Dances With Wolves. NOWHERE. The reason he was so believable with the role of Denny Davies was because THAT IS WHO HE IS NOW. His best role since DWW. Now Joan Allen who has never taken a misstep with her career scores another (hopefully another Oscar nomination as well) solid gold hit. Watching her I was watching my mother 12 years ago. Maybe the similarities hit even more close to home because my mother had 3 daughters, in the film Allen's character had 4. Believe me, all 3 of us are smart asses and we have challenged our mother every day.
Upside of Anger will stick out in my mind for 1 thing: the fact that it brings back 17 different emotions from the dead in all of us.
The fact is this movie came at the right time. I haven't completely lost all faith in Hollywood and the money making machine. But we need more character driven films like this.
If you watch it and don't feel anything, I recommend that you see a doctor because that condition of yours could get a lot worse.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Funniest of the summer
I love Vince Vaughn and I knew him and Owen would knock it out of the park and I was right. HIs "relationship" with Gloria in the film is the highlight because she is a wild one with him. We see the ending coming a mile away but that's not why we love it. It's fresh, witty and utterly hilarious. While not as beat around the bush as Dodgeball or Anchorman, it delivers the raunchy and not so subtle humor that lacked in the other 2. This one didn't pull out any stops with the humor. There is nudity, language and utter humiliation. Owen is trying to be gentle with everyone and everything, but Vince gets a smackdown, "raped", shot at and body slammed. Don't miss it.