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Piglet27
Reviews
Sweetwater (1999)
A 'Behind the Music' Movie
I just finished watching this TV movie & couldn't believe that people hadn't already began to comment about it. I loved it, personally. Amy Jo Johnson shows she's more than Julie (of "Felicity"), giving a wonderful performance. I have to admit, the working in of the reporter's storyline seemed a little inappropriate. They barely touched it, but tried to make it seem like a big thing. All in all, this was really good, I thought.
Runaway Bride (1999)
Cute.
If you like "Pretty Woman" as much as I do, this movie can do no wrong. If you're looking for a cute romantic comedy that isn't intellectually stimulating, but will make you smile and say "Aw", this is it. However, if you are looking for something with witty, smart jokes and depth, this isn't it. Roberts & Gere are wonderful, though their chemistry has decreased over the years. A cute movie worth watching, but definitely could be one you can wait for it to be on video.
Notting Hill (1999)
One of the best romantic comedies in a while.
I adore this movie, it is one of my favorites. It's wonderfully sweet, amusing, well-written, and well-acted. I can't think of a single thing wrong with this movie, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
This is definitely one of those romantic comedies that will make you say, "Aw, how sweet." The press conference scene (no spoiling the ending to those of you who haven't seen this movie yet) was really charming.
Not only is this sweet, but it also, unlike most of the romantic comedies today, is funny. William's friends and family are all hilairious, from his sister Honey to his friend in a wheelchair Bella (note- on the review on the front page, they say Honey is in the wheelchair. That's his sister). His roommate was beyond hilairious. I was repulsed and yet cracking up at the same time.
One of the best things about this movie are the wonderful performances. Julia Roberts shows us why she is the biggest money-drawer in films today. I was near tears when she told William how she is "just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." Hugh Grant makes a surprising comeback from a string of really bad movies. He was charming in every way and completely believable at the same time. All of the supporting characters were well acted as well, especially Rhys Ifans, Spike, the roommate. I can not say enough about this man- he's hilairious.
You need to see this movie. Multiple times.
Pleasantville (1998)
One of my absolute favorites.
I figured this would be a "cute" movie, but it's really a lot more. It's a movie that I got a lot out of both times I went to the theater to see it, and get more out of it each time I see it on video.
The premise sounds corny enough- two teens from the 1990s are transported into a 1950s black and white sitcom. However, this movie has so much more depth, in telling us, as Tobey Maguire's character, "Bud", says, "You can't stop something that's inside of you." My father, when discussing this movie argued that they taught that sex made the people "colored", and hence better. But it wasn't that (after all, as Reese Witherspoon's character pointed out, she had sex before them & didn't get colorized at first). It instead teaches us not to be someone you aren't. When you're true to yourself, you become "colorized".
This movie is also made better by the wonderful performances of everyone from Maguire and Witherspoon to William H. Macy and Joan Allen. Also, little literary allusions- like the "To Kill A Mockingbird" court room scene, are wonderful little bonuses.
All in all, I can't say enough good things about this movie- it's wonderful.
Music from Another Room (1998)
Very good!
I heard about this movie because since I am one of maybe five people who enjoy the TV show "Two Guys & A Girl", I saw that Richard Ruccolo is in it. He ended up having one line- "Have a nice day." And that's if you were paying VERY close attention. But was I disappointed? Nope. This is a wonderful movie with a great script & charming premise. Jude Law is one of the best young actors in Hollywood today & makes it apparent in this movie. The scene with the quarter and the end is absolutely wonderful. Gretchen Mol can't act. But the majority of her scenes are with Law, and he can act well enough for both of them, so all is okay. Jennifer Tilly is wonderful in her supporting role. I really recommend this movie. It's not very well known, but is really a wonderful romantic comedy.
Wild Wild West (1999)
Oh, SO bad.
I wanted to like this movie so bad. I was going to see it with a friend of mine who I don't see often. But this was so horrible. And I mean really, really horrible.
First of all, I don't think the effects are all that great. I mean, sure, they're okay. But they weren't anything to write home about. And effects are never enough to carry a movie. The directors of this movie apparently didn't know this.
The worst part about this movie is how incredibly mind-numbingly insipid it is. I was so bored out of my mind, I tore apart my soda cup to keep my brain from melting away. The script obviously was trying to appeal to the Intelligence Impaired, and those of us with an IQ were left bored to tears.
I truly pity Kenneth Branagh & Kevin Kline. Both are fine actors who will have to live with the shame of this movie forever. They did good jobs, I suppose, but how well can someone do when they are only seen from the torso up, as Branagh was? Kevin Kline was stuck with a character showing little to know development or depth, which is a shame. And I truly believe someday people will realize Will Smith is not a good actor. Attrative, yes. Good at fights and stunts, yes. A money-drawer, yes. But talented, no. Salma Hayek is a talented woman, but she too has a role with absolutely no depth. Seriously. We kept learning new things, including in the very last minute, which would completely alter her character.
So don't even bother with this one, folks. Besides, you get the overall effect of the special effects from that terrible music video which is always on.
Election (1999)
Oh, come on.
I am ashamed to say that I was interested in this movie. I'm a large fan of Broderick's, and the premise sounded interesting. But I was so incredibly wrong that I am still hitting myself in the head for this one.
A lot of people are saying that finally movies are portraying high school life as more than the recent films, like "She's All That" and "Ten Things I Hate About You", have (but for the record, I loved those movies)- an endless stream of pretty people going to parties, drinking, having fun, and getting the girl. And while I'm glad that Hollywood is realizing that high school is not like that, I'd also like to hope that there is a happy medium between that and this. First of all, the sexual elements were so in your face that I was embarrassed. Anybody with any morals whatsoever would be, I hope.
This movie did have some redeeming qualities. Chris Kline (I think that's his name) did a good job in his debut as the dumb, yet lovable, jock. Matthew Broderick is a favorite of mine, so anything with him in it isn't too bad. But his character was so horrible that I really felt sad for him. His acting was good, but you leave with such a feeling of disgust towards him that his talent is overshadowed. But most of all, Reese Witherspoon really surprised me with her wonderful performance. Who knew she could act? She really epitomized the character of Tracy, with the perfect voice, attitude, facial expressions, and body movement. She was really wonderful.
So yes, this movie did have some good factors. But as a whole, I'd say skip it- the blatant, perverted sexual elements throw the whole movie off. There has to be a good, accurate portrayal of high school life out there somewhere.
Movie Stars (1999)
Could not be any worse.
I have to admit, an interesting premise & plot line made this seem like it might be interesting. I was so wrong. I caught the first episode last night and didn't even crack a grin, and I laugh at everything.
First of all, this has to be one of, if not the, poorest written sitcoms ever. If I were a script writer for this show, I would change my name in shame, if not change careers. There is no better way to describe the jokes on this show, other than bad. Just flat out bad. I think the writers are aware of this & lean on their ability to name-drop. And they do. A lot. The writers thought of an "ingenious" way to do this, of course. The first five minutes were a scene in which Jennifer Grant's character, Jacey Wyatt, received a multitude of muffin baskets from various other celebrities, including Calista Flockhart. Anybody could tell that this scene served no purpose other than showing, "Ha ha, look, we can talk about famous people." It was pathetic.
The only thing worse than the writing is the acting. Harry Hamlin plays a bad actor, Reese Hardin. The only part where he seemed to fit character was when he was acting as acting. He showed absolutely no depth and played it as annoying, rude, and macho. There was no liking his character. Jennifer Grant was not too horrible. She didn't reek of inexperience & poor acting skills like other cast members did. But she seemed to flow through her little speech about her tough life with no remorse or emotion. The actress who played Reese's daughter, Lori, Marnette Patterson, was awful. I've disliked her acting since "Something So Right". She was bratty & obnoxious. Granted, the character is supposed to be, but there is a limit to how annoying people can be.
All in all, I would completely skip this show. Reruns would be better, trust me.