Change Your Image
shawnchittle
Reviews
2 Days in Paris (2007)
I fell asleep
I fell asleep during this movie/ It had some funny moments, but I did not connect with the characters at all. Goldberg was good, the parents were OK, but it didn't go anywhere and the screenplay was lacking. The writer-director-editor, etc Julie should have gotten some help. The scenes were too long and just plodded along. Had a few good moments but overall not a very good film.
The other reviewers nailed it: just did not feel for these characters and moreover the narration was totally unnecessary. Goldberg's character was not really jealous, he was just acting, the whole thing was forced.
I hope the writer-director does better next time out. It was a good effort but when you try to do it all this is what you get.
Cowboy del Amor (2005)
excellent, hilarious documentary
Documentaries are all about the subjects, or people in this case, they focus on. Good people, good documentary. Boring people, boring documentary. In this case, the subject of the film carries the picture from beginning to end, and you just never know what he's gonna do next.
This is a well shot and well edited documentary. The score is very very good as well. This film sheds light on how our two (US and Mexico) societies view relationships through the eyes of several participants, both on the Mexican (women looking for American husbands) side, and the US (men looking for Mexican wives) side.
Ivan, the star of the movie, is very entertaining as the Cowboy del Amor. At times you go from hating him, to liking him, to feeling sorry for him, all, it seems, in the span of a few minutes. He tries his best to hook up American men ("gringos" as he prefers) to Mexican women, for marriage (he's not running a whorehouse as he states emphatically). His "Ivanisms" and one-liners will keep you in stitches for the entire film.
For the most part he wants his clients (on both sides) to be happy and find lifelong friendship and companionship. But Ivan himself might have a lot to learn about love...
The Road to Wellville (1994)
Excellent slapstick comedy
I've recommended this film to countless friends, and the reviews are always mixed. I lived in Battle Creek for 3 years so perhaps it just means more to me.
This film was in fact shot in NY and NC, not Battle Creek, but they still did a great job portraying the romance of the early 1900's.
The performances are top notch and the actors in this film are give their best. It's a great film, but not a critically acclaimed movie.
Dana Carey could've had more lines, but what I want to know is what happened to the character actor who played him as a child, this kid was really great and could've been huge.
The one liners in this movie are classic. It's one of those films that you think is funny, but when you recall it at a later date, its even funnier.
So get a big, buttered bowl of popcorn and enjoy it for what it is! A hilarious tale of the wacky health craze of the early 1900's.
Gangs of New York (2002)
Great film brings history to life
Excellent film. would have liked to have seen it in NYC, settled for the West Coast. Brought the reality of anti-Irish and anti-African racism, even amongst the "northerners" home. All performances were great. Daniel Day Lewis' performance supposedly the best of his career. Amazing job, and that accent! He did such a great job with it (for a Brit, just kidding).
Seeing Henry Thomas again, not having seen him since 1982's ET, was fun, because I recognized him instantly. I liked the ending sequence (not spoiling here), because I've walked past grave markers from the 1800's and just passed them by. Now I will look twice.
Fail Safe (1964)
Gripping, critical look at the runaway technology of machines
Filmed in 1964, this movie must have been terrorfying to watch in the theater. Although unlikely, a technical malfunction does occur, sending the go signal to a group of so-called "Vindicator" bombers (in reality they were B-58 Hustlers) and because the Russians are jamming the recall signal (inadvertantly) all hell breaks loose.
This film really shocked me, especially the last 5 minutes. Those last 5 minutes are alone worth watching this film for. The lack of special effects means nothing. It's like "The Sixth Sense" it's all in your head and really emotional. The terror that must be going through the President's mind as he has to try and avert WWIII and offer up a viable alternative to the Russians is inconceivable.
This movie won't get your accolades for acting, writing, screenplay, but it was good enough for me to recommend it. Watch this, then "By Dawn's Early Light" because that film is basically a "Fail Safe" remake only much more modern (1990)
If you've ever been to New York City, or live there, this film will especially startle you. Yes, the cold war is over, and the themes in this movie will appear dated, but it still makes one think about just how close we came...