Matt M. Reviews

Rain in the Mountains (2007)

I really liked it!

[10/10 · 7 November 2007]

I recently had a chance to see this film at the Moondance film festival. I thought the writing, directing and acting were all top notch. I especially liked the gentleman who played Eric...he brought a genuine authenticity to the film. I don't see any other IMDb credits for him, so I assume he's just a real guy, and it works.

The budget didn't seem huge, but the film looked good, and the production values were solid all around. Definitely a good use of resources.

All in all, a good story, well told, with interesting and unique characters. What more could you ask for?

You Can't Do That on Television (1979–2004)

saw it recently

[23 May 2004]

I have grand nostalgia for YCDTOTV and have been wondering for years why Nick hasn't shown it! To a seven year old, the short attention span sketches, empowered children and the general anarchy were the best thing on TV. Les Lye had some great adult characters which were common in any child's life: the goofy dad, the nebbish arcade store owner and the cafeteria chef who put the RAT in ratatouille. These were the type of authority figures we seven year olds wanted to get back at! And, thankfully, YCDTOTV offered a great revenge fantasy for any kid.

Unfortunately, I actually got a chance to watch the show recently and I could hardly sit through the first five minutes before shutting it off. It was horrible, and some memories are better left in 1988. Stay there, please: Don't bring it back!!!

Let's Bowl (2001–2002)

Why God Why?

[3 September 2001]

I accidently flipped this on, and my clicker actually commit suicide five seconds later. I would rather spend "quality time" with Michael Jackson then ever have this on my TV again, even if my TV's off. With this "Battle Bots" and the "Chris Wylde Show" Comedy Central has hit a new low. This stuff is almost as bad as something on MTV. Bring back Dr. Katz, or show some British Comedies. Crimminy!

Ghost World (2001)

Overrated, but interesting

[6/10 · 4 August 2001]

Overrated by sad critics who thirst for intelligent teenagers in their cinema, "Ghost World" is nevertheless an interesting, occasionally fascinating look at someone living in a complete state of oblivion - her life crumbling around her - with no real hope for the future.

I won't go into any points of the plot, because they aren't really germane to the film, which is more of a character study then anything else, sufficed to say,

Enid not only ruins her own life, but she takes everyone else around her down into her spiral. There isn't really hope for her, because she squanders her chances. It seems to me that she is really searching for stability, and a true, assertive father figure, as portrayed by her semi-love interest Steve Bushemi. She only asks him if she can move in and live with him domestically, after her father asks his girlfriend to move in with him. Bushemi, in turn, seems to be looking for something of the same, as his mother moves in with him to assume the role that Enid was going to, after Enid rejects him. These are lost, wondering characters, searching for a sense of stability they cannot find in their "Ghost World" of pseudo-everytings.

Still, I wasn't entirely convinced to like this film. Despite Burch's charisma, I really dislike a character that cannot find good in ANYTHING. She literally brings down everyone else around her out of her selfishness and self-hatred. As for Burch's cohort, the actress that plays her is too bland for the part, seemingly floating between Enid's world of self-hatred and a more straightforward world of compromise. A more experienced actress might have elicited some sort of reaction from me, but Johanssen is simply too young and too bland for the part.

So, it's really worth seeing this film for moments of wit and insight, but overall, it's something of a disappointment. It is worthy to note, however that it's directed with style, and edited slowly and gracefully. Not really worth the ten bucks, but go rent it.

Finally, to the NY Times critic who asserted that this was better then "The Graduate", you should be dragged out to the street and beaten with your own stupidity. I can't believe anyone would even put the two movies near each other in terms of quality. Very sad. Perhaps he has the hots for Burch. Nothing wrong with that...~

Genghis Cohn (1993)

Mediocre Movie Saved by Sher's Performance

[1 August 2001]

This movie deals with a Jewish comedian, killed in a concentration camp, who `haunts' his former captors by coming back and gradually turning them Jewish. There are some interesting themes here, and they are presented in an interesting manner, but the major failing of the film is the lackluster dialogue and rather insipid story arc. Worth a look if you are interested in the Holocaust from the `German guilt' perspective, simply because so few movies have been made on the subject. Also Sher's performance as the title character is pretty good. Very Alan Cummings.~

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

A movie that struggles to be intelligent, dark, comic and "Heartwarming" and fails

[1/10 · 30 June 2001]

This is Kubrick's unique vision mainstreamed by Spielberg's commercial instincts.

"AI" tries to be many things, and fails. An interesting premise, the idea really never gets through, because we don't really care for the robot. You don't ever really see him actually happy at his house, and we never really care for his parents, so his search to get back fails to engage the viewer.

Sure, it has pretty good effects (not great) and the camera work is excellent, but Spielberg has all the money he wants, so you should expect no less.

Still, I was engrossed by the film, until a point. About one and a half hours in, you sense the movie is over.

BUT IT ISN'T.

IT DOESN'T END.

Spielberg finds himself in a whole and contrives a "heart-wrenching" last 40 minutes, that is more cringe-inducing. My suspension of disbelief ended there and I found myself wondering why I was still in the theater. When the teddy bear...

---SPOILER----

Pulls out the lock of hair, I felt like I was going to vomit. And what's the deal with the only being able to clone one person once from millions of cells??? It doesn't make sense. Neither does spending money to see this.

Final mention to the teddy bear, which is a stroke of genius.~~

The Simpsons (1989– )

Put this baby to sleep

[24 June 2001]

I have been watching "The Simpsons" since day one, and it really pains me to see the state it's in now. The last three or four seasons have been horrid. Not like "I don't like this" horrid, but some sort of "intense raping" horrid.

The stories are awful, and the writers seem to know that, in the sarcastic way Homer says "The Simpsons are going to..." as if they are winking to their audience that know it's ridiculous. I think that Fox should find someone to take the show seriously, or at least breathe new life into it with Fresh ideas. The show is best when it's satirizing our everyday lives, but now it's just one wacky adventure after another.

I remember how I wished Seinfeld stayed on for a few more seasons, but I guess going out on top is really the way to go.

Do yourself a favor and try and find the Conan O'Brien episodes in syndication. Not that they ever show them, but once every few months they'll play one. How come out of almost 300 episodes they always play the same 50 in reruns??? It's crazy. If I see Bart steals a video game one more time, I'm going to hurt someone.

Fox: you are ruining a once great show!!!!

~~

The Young Ones (1982–1984)

One of the Greatest of All Time

[24 June 2001]

This is probably my favorite TV show of all time. It's combination of insane randomness and stupid poop jokes create brilliance.

I don't really have much to say besides any show that draws inspiration from The Marx Brothers and Monty Python and include music from Madness and Motorhead can't be all bad.

I wish there was more then 12 made. *Sigh*

Maybe they'll make a movie of this and steer clear of any "Bottom" sequels. Where is Alexi Sayle nowadays anyway? His show Alexi Sayle's Stuff was really cool.

Greatness! ~

Lost Highway (1997)

Dream Reality?

[23 June 2001]

I'll throw my 2 cents in here. This is an intruging film which I neither "love" nor "hate".

If I was to look at it as a filmed nightmare, then it is interesting. It has, to me, a feeling as a stoned note that Lynch wrote to himself or something that he dreamt. There is no "flow" to the film, it is a feel as if it was just interesting moments connected by celluloid.

If taken as a true "film" in the story sense of analysis, it falls flat as something that too intentionally vague.

Some will love "Lost Highway", some will hate it, and some will just throw up there hands and go "whatever"~~

The Believer (2001)

Very Good

[20 March 2001]

I was lucky enough to have worked on this film, and I just got a chance to see a screening tonight, and I have to say, it really exceeded my expectations.

The cinematography by Jim Denault is quite superb, accentuating the "real life" feel. The acting, mainly Gosling and Phoenix, is quite natural and realistic.

The editing sets the pace at brisk, which prevents the movie from becoming too talky.

Very good job from first time director Bean~

Futurama (1999– )

Funniest Show on TV now

[18 March 2001]

"Futurama" is probably the best show on Network TV now. It certainly eclipsed the Simpsons in terms of quality. The humor itself is very Simpsonseque (Mr. Groenig) but it still seems fresher, and newer.

I don't get to see the show that often, but when I do, I laugh out loud, which is unique, as I haven't done that since "Newsradio" and "Seinfeld" went off the air.

The Simpsons is still occasionally brilliant, but for sustained hillarity, tune in to Futurama, before fox finds out it's funny and takes it off the air~

The Pledge (I) (2001)

Pretty Good Movie

[23 January 2001]

Seeing the negative comments here disappoint me.

First off: Great acting. Del Toro, Wright-Penn, and various others in small parts shine...and Nicholson...well, I mean, what can you say about him? Simply Great.

I think why some people are disappointed is because of how challenging the work is. The fact that you are never really sure who is the killer is very interesting and keeps you watching.

Nicholson's character has some great nuances too. His whole motivation and plotting is simply fascinating.

Don't overlook this movie and see something like "Save The Last Dance" instead. At least you leave this one thinking~

American Masters: Waldo Salt: A Screenwriter's Journey (1990) Season 6, Episode 10

it's interesting...

[21 January 2001]

Geez, I've seen this about ten times in film school. It's still pretty interesting. Waldo Salt has written some great stuff, and some horrid stuff too. I think anyone who writes can see themselves in this man. If you want to visit the mind of a screenwriter, then I suppose this is a great place to start.

Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

Not as bad as some would say...

[7/10 · 6 January 2001]

I just saw this...

Firstly, Dafoe does a wonderful job; hammy, over the top, ect. But this is what is necessary for the part.

Others are adequate, although the accents shift embarrassingly.

The work kept me interested throughout. It is DEFINITELY not a horror film. It is a COMMENTARY on the reaches that some will go to make ART. There is alot of political commentary here, some NAZI stuff, especially at the end, but that was unclear. In fact a lot of the motivations, and several "points" of the film are unclear. Which, I suppose is it's major fault. Still;

7/10 ain't so bad...~

Blackadder (1982–1983)

Best of the Lot

[30 December 2000]

While all series of Black Adder are great, this is simply the best one. I can fully appreciate it after recently watching episodes from each seasons back to back. It's a lot more subtle and the characters are better defined then the future seasons, when the humor focused a lot more on "willy" jokes.

Plus Brian Blessed is great.

Best thing Atkinson's, or any of them, have ever done~

Doctor Who (1963–1989)

The Greatest Children's Show of All Time

[19 October 2000]

I grew up watching this show on PBS in the early 1980s. It was all things to me; at once it scared me, made me laugh, made me sad and basically just entertained me. I read the books and played with the toys.

When I was a teenager, I fell in love with it again. It's still a great show, even if it's a little "campy". So what if there isn't mind-blowing special effects? The stories and characters were great. I mean, isn't that all that really matters? (anyway, by the end, the s/e got much better) I also think that this show is the basis for most sci-fi that came after it (watch "The Deadly Assassin" then "The Matrix").

If you just want to start watching, find some Tom Baker Episodes. Then branch out. Everything is great, although some of those Hartnell stories can be a bit laborious to sit through.

It really catches a child's imagination. It's really good. It's really everything. Bring it back!~~~

Undressed (1999–2002)

Another mind numbingly horrid show from the people that brought you other mind numbingly horrid shows

[14 October 2000]

Was MTV created by Satan in order to exact some sort of retribution upon the human race?

My roommate last year would watch this occasionally. After watching a few minutes, my eyes would literally jump out of my head and go out to dinner rather then continue to be assaulted by ridiculous dialogue, idiotic characterization, vomitingly bad plots, and suicide inducing actors.

I don't know if, in the ENITRE HISTORY OF MAN, anything this bad was EVER created. Except maybe TRL.

This show, with all it's sex and debauchery, is perhaps indicative of society's moral downfall. I know this sounds harsh people, but it's the truth.

Can we have music on "Music Television"? Anyone? Hello?~

Veronica's Closet (1997–2000)

If this show was a person, it would be called Crappy McCrapface

[26 August 2000]

Simply horrible. Every single person at NBC should be beaten with their own ignorance to allow shows like this and "Suddenly Crappy" to continue, while quality shows like "Newsradio" are canceled.

No wonder there is almost no sitcoms on the air anymore. Get a beer, and veg out while the industry pumps you full of "reality based programming".

Why, God, why????

Hollow Man (2000)

OK...but predictable

[5 August 2000]

Hmm...I saw this tonight. The beginning was ok. I mean, the characters had some sort of wittiness about them and Kevin Bacon does have star quality. After the inital character development, it got pretty predictable in terms of storyline. From the start, I kind of knew what was going to happen all the way through the end.

Another thing that bothered me was the amount of suspension of disbelief that was necessary. I mean, in order to enjoy a movie, you need to forget the holes in the story and such. But there are so many times that you just can't believe that the characters are that stupid. Like, they NEVER wear the heat detecting glasses when searching for the invisible man. Also, the main characters should have died 1000 times. I just kept shaking my head.

All in All, wait for the VHS copy at the rental store.

Chicken Run (2000)

Wonderful piece of filmmaking

[5 August 2000]

In the tradition of all great British comedies, "Chicken Run" is a great British comedy. There wasn't a bad thing about it. The claymation is an interesting change from boring animation. The characters have a wonderful uniqueness about them, (they are very cute too) and there is a definate story here (unlike most movies now a days)

If I had children, this would be the first movie I would take them to see. It has great references for film buffs ("the great escape") and adults alike, yet children can still relate to the situations.

Great stuff from the guys who brought us other Great Stuff~

Picking Up the Pieces (2000)

Beautifully Shot, not so beautiful otherwise

[6/10 · 26 May 2000]

This movie was interesting. I love Woody, and the cinematography was quite, quite excellent, yet the film failed to get me involved. The script, although pretty original, ultimately failed because of its lack of structure. I would hasten to say (and I haven't checked yet) that whoever wrote this was a first timer.

The story of the miracle hand was suitable idea, yet I felt more could have been done with it. In addition, the direction (from a director I admire) was sloppy. Much of the acting (Fran Drescher???) seemed less then inspired, although Woody Allen was (and always is) very good comedically. Stone was ok in her brief appearance, and David Schwimmer, although HORRIBLY MISCAST as a priest, (could he be ANY more Jewish?) worked.

I think my major problem with the movie was a seeming lack of professionalism, which isn't to say it was bad by any strech of the imagination. Watching a movie like this, you sort of have to suspend your disbelief. Any attempt to take it seriously would ruin the movie (apparently much of the cast and crew didn't take the project seriously)

ANYWAY...tough call on this, but 6/10 is my vote~

Law & Order (1990– )

Good Show...Used to be great

[24 May 2000]

Hmm...I don't know about other people, but I think Law and Order has gotten REALLY STALE. I just finished watching the season finale, and they are really running out of ideas. When L&O tries to break new ground, it goes into ridiculous territory, like tonight's episode about breaking international laws to pursecute a murder suspect.

Now, the show was great when Chris Noth and Michael Moriarty were the stars. With Moriarty, you really got the feeling he was out for justice. I remember sitting with a friend during one episode when Stone was getting so into a cross that he almost stared crying--he was, and is, such a good actor---it's a damn shame he's been blackballed from the business. I really liked watching him with Richard Brooks. Now, I'm a big Sam Waterson fan, but I just don't like his character in L&O. He seems egotistical and out for glory. As for the other assistants, Jillian Hennissy was good, but I really enjoyed watching Carey Lowell, not only for her looks, but for her passion for justice.

Now with Noth, he was just such a presence, and he had such a good character who was multi-facited, that he was just a joy to watch. His repore was best with the great actor Paul Sorvino. George Dzunda seems like a real New Yorker, so he was also a joy to watch. Benjimin Bratt was too much of a pretty boy to really enjoy watching as a tough cop. The new guy isn't much better.

That said, Steven Hill is great and both Dann Florek and S. Epatha Merkerson are interesting as bosses.

So, my advice is to catch the re-runs and A&E, cause the new ones are really not very interesting~

The Uncle Floyd Show (1974–1995)

Great Show

[23 May 2000]

You know, to be honest, I can't really remember this show very well, other then it was one of my favorite shows on television when I was young. I so remember Oggie, I was such a big fan my brother made me a clay bust of him.

Whenever the show came on, I would run around the house screaming "it's the uncle Floydy show!" Another plus was that is was on right around the time Doctor Who was. So I was always watching that waiting for my favorite show to come on.

I saw Uncle Floyd recently and I was really suprised about how little I remembered from it. But still, I have enough vague childhood memories relating to it to last a lifetime~

Road Trip (2000)

Horrid Piece of Filmmaking

[1/10 · 21 May 2000]

I saw this "movie" last night, and I am absolutely agast to see the positive reviews here. I love comedy, but this movie was only unintentionally funny. There was not one redeeming joke in the entire movie, the characters were dull and underdeveloped (not to mention, I both despised and couldn't relate to them, no matter how hard the director tried to get me to)

I can't think of one time I honestly laughed. I like Tom Green, but his talents (such as they are) are wasted here. Juvenile gross-out humor only works when it's funny and/or balanced out by other sorts of humor. Neither of this happens in the putrid claptrap of a movie.

I hope the makers of this monstrosity are prevented from making another movie. I mean, seriously, when are they going to make a movie about/for teenagers that is smart and worthy of our viewing time. Hollywood really thinks teenagers are stupid and unable to be entertained by anything but farts and fingers up the bottom. I hope they are wrong.~

Small Time Crooks (2000)

Just like the old Woody

[7/10 · 2 May 2000]

I was lucky enough to see Small Time Crooks today, and I have to say, it's a really fun movie. It's in the same vein as "Take the Money and Run" or "Bananas", being that there is more emphasis of the goofy comedy of Allen's past.

It's very nice to see Woody making those funny faces he hasn't done in a movie since "Love and Death". He also changes his accent a little, and his glasses are new. It's a very nice rags to riches story, with great interplay between Allen and his co-stars, especially his "gang", and his seemingly "Honeymoonerseque" relationship with Ulman. Some jokes fall flat, and it lags slightly in the middle, but definitely a must-see for any fan of Allen or good comedy.