Reviews
The World Is Not Enough (1999)
Typical Bond Formula
I am a fan of James Bond and liked this movie for what is was, a James Bond movie. This was one of the best Bond movies in a while. Pierce Brosnan was born to play James Bond.
With that said I think the movie as with each new bond film goes further and further beyond reality. I think its amazing that Bond can drive a boat through an open market and restaurant without killing anyone. And where do they get the bad guys from? They can't aim a gun to save their lives. Robert Carlyle did a good job as Renard. I was just disapointed with his character, they could have done a lot more.
John Cleese, R, was a welcome addition to M16 headquarters. I hope he will become a regular character in the future. He and Desmond Llewelyn play well off each other in this one.
The bond girls were great. Sophie Carlyle gave a great performance as Elektra King. Christmas Jones, played by Denise Richards, was fantastic. Whoever thought a nuclear physicist could look so good.
In summary if you like the James Bond series you will like this movie. There are no Acadamy wards in this one and the plot and actions sequences are a bit far fetched. Take it for what it is and you will have an enjoyable movie experience.
American Beauty (1999)
Socially Irresponsible
I can't believe I am about to say it but this movie was very irresponsible. They glamorized drug dealing and guns. I was surprised they stopped there and didn't glamorize statutory rape as well.
Other than that I did not click with any of the characters. The movie was funny in some parts and shocking in others. Kevin Spacey gave a good and entertaining performance.
I think this movie was over rated. Going in I had no idea what to expect but was shocked that so many people thought is was such a great movie. I just didn't get it.
The Insider (1999)
Is it over yet?
Is it over yet? That's all I kept thinking through the last hour of this movie. The story was good, but over two and a half hours, not that good. Its always interesting to ask a director what scenes he liked but had to cut out of the movie. There was no sweeping needed on this cutting room floor.
I must say that Russell Crowe and Christopher Plummer did excellent jobs. I think that they will both be nominated for awards this year.
The camera movement and quick zooms got to be annoying and distracting at times. This is common in Mann's films I am told. I just found it irritating.
Just the Ticket (1998)
The BBC News is more interesting and exciting.
I was on a British Airways flight from London to New York when I saw this movie. I wish I could have fallen asleep. The story line was very thin and the editing crew did their best to stretch it out as long as they did.
Gary, played by Andy Garcia, was such an unlikable character that I found it hard to be supportive of him. Andy's acting ability is good but not good enough to make up for the poor writing in this movie.
Andie MacDowell did a fine job with her portrayal of Linda, Gary's romantic interest. I can not say anything bad about Andie, I always enjoy her acting. The problem here is that the romance between Andy and Andie is so far fetched and unbelievable. The two do not make a good pair on the big screen.
The end of the movie was almost as much of a let down as the movie itself. A nod from the Pope and all is forgiven, come on. The event that allows this movie to have a some what happy ending and that the writers would expect us to accept it is pathetic. Gary does not change and only by the death of a dear friend does his situation get better.
There are tons of great movies that should be seen before this one. Don't waste your time.