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Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Minor players, major impact
With lots of reviews on the "big picture" of "The Two Towers", I wanted to make sure that two players got their props: Bernard Hill as Theoden and Andy Serkis (and animators) as Gollum. While Gollum has received lots of deserved praise for the animation, I think the animation grows out of the performance (on set and vocally) of Mr. Serkis. His performance is a wonderful interpretation of a character that could have played merely as unbelievable and irritating ...instead we get tragic, complex, and compelling. Mr. Hill's Theoden was joy, although his "possession" make-up was a bit over the top and unbelievable. Once back in command, Theoden's presence more than held his own with Aragorn. In fact if folks weren't so goggle-eyed over Viggo and Orlando, they might have noticed that Theoden stole a few scenes along the way...
Tripping the Rift (2000)
Hilarious, but be warned!
"Tripping the Rift" is a hilarious comedic send up of "Star Trek", "Star Wars", and pretty much any other science fiction film or television show that takes itself too seriously. Be warned that extensive profanity, extreme violence and brief nudity means that the kids, grandma, and anyone else easily offended or damaged should be kicked out of the room before this gets played. The computer animation is excellent and the voice acting is superb. I was surprised to learn that Stephen Root (News Radio, Office Space) and Terry Farrell (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) were among the voice actors. The music and sound effects editing are also quite strong. The trailer for the sequel has been released, so we can expect more fun from the creative, twisted folks who brought you Tripping the Rift.
Hannibal (2001)
Mixed bag
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you get a pulpy movie from a pulpy book.
Hopkins was quite good, as usual, but his performance edged towards camp and self-parody. Moore was fine as Starling but will forever be haunted by Jodi's prior take on the part. Liotta was completely unlikeable --meaning he played the part perfectly, but that doesn't mean I have to like him. Gary Oldman was excellent, but I feel he was hampered by the make-up. A thinner appliance would have been preferable to what he had to wear. Gianini wasn't given much to work with as Pazzi.
The infamous dinner scene played better in the book, but probably would have been too much for both audiences and the MPAA. How the MPAA signed off on what is presented baffles me. What follows the dinner scene to close out the film is a huge disappointment. The ending of the book that lots of people found objectionable is precisely the one that should have been shot. The revised ending is most unsatisfying.
"Silence of the Lambs" and the oft-overlooked "Manhunter" are better films, but "Hannibal" is worth seeing. I just don't feel it rose above the source material the way the first two films did.
After Dark, My Sweet (1990)
One of the most painfully dull films I've endured.
I wouldn't rent this one even on dollar rental night.