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TStormJack
Reviews
Uncle Buck (1989)
Uncle Buck, Mom Sucks
You know what bothered me about Uncle Buck? I'll tell you.
So, the last time we see the mother of the family (before the happy ending of the movie), 15 year old Tia is telling her how horrible Buck is. He left the kids alone, he drinks, and all that. The mother (I forget her name and don't feel like looking it up) talks to Buck and in the middle of trying not to cry, tells him that he is relieved his is there. Now obviously she isn't, but do they show her talking to the husband and telling him that they need to go home? No. They told Mac Culkin that the grandfather was doing better. But I guess not enough for them to leave and protect their family. Fine. THEN, when the parents finally do come home, Tia is standing there and gives her mother an uncharacteristic hug. Now if I was a mother (and I might never be), and my daughter gave me a hug like that after telling me such horrible things about Buck, I'd think "holy sh!t, he raped her," or something equally disturbing. But no. And the mother isn't even concerned about the strange woman that Buck has in their house. Nor does she even seem to care that Buck is sleeping with both young children.
A mother like that should be locked up.
Oh, other than that I liked the movie.
Boston Legal (2004)
Ally McPractice
A healthy medium between the wildly eccentric Ally McBeal and the less-than-comedic presence of The Practice, David E. Kelly's "Boston Legal" (formerly Fleet Street) is a nice break from the recent slew of high-tech dramas on TV. Boston Legal relies on smart dialogue rather than gripping story lines, gadgets and different locations. The Practice began to struggle until James Spader's Alan Shore was brought in, and many were upset to see it end with him leading the way. Spader is now allowed to do the same for Boston Legal, without being in thew shadow of a long -running show. William Shatner also gives the same light-hearted performance he did when ending The Practice. This witty dramedy hopefully will be able to last as long as it's predecessor.
Gigli (2003)
Better than most say
Geez, 2.1? Come on, how many of you rating this movie have actually seen it? Sure it's not GOOD, and Affleck really could have done this without that over-the-top tough guy accent, but it's not a 2.1.
If anything. Jennifer Lopez half naked, stretching, and talking about vagina is worth a 4.
This same story could be told a little differently, starring Angelina Jolie and Orlando Bloom, and it would be one of the top 100 instead of one of the bottom 100. I think the attention from the real life Bennifer ordeal had a lot more to do with this movie than people actually buying tickets and giving it a chance.
While it isn't necessarily a strong piece of film, I don't know that such a low score and bad publicity are in the right.
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
What it should be.
While the technical aspects and special effects of this film should be highly praised, it is the writing that really sets it apart. Cheesy puns in a comic book can be funny on occasion, but many times they offer no more than filler to get to the next panel. The characters (especially Jonah Jameson) have witty dialogue and great timing, the we-have-to-say-it catch phrases and puns aren't too over the top, and tiny little plots that have nothing to do with the big picture are entertaining in themselves. Spider-Man 2 gave characters that didn't shine in the first movie a chance to, and let us get to know the others better. Octavius/Dr. Octopus was solid both as a hero and villain, we got to see more of Aunt May. She may be the real masterpiece of this sequel, as she is not just the old lady to be saved, but the one who saves Spider-Man.
Jersey Girl (2004)
Not for the judgemental
The problem with movies like this is not the movie itself; but the audience that creates the bad publicity based on a pre-judgement. Jersey Girl has recieved bad reviews just for what it is not - Clerks. Kevin Smith, despite the press, is not a one-note singer. He can do a lot of different things and he has done so, from off-the-wall weirdness in Mallrats to a complicated love affair in Chasing Amy. If people go into this movie waiting for Jay to come out and start rapping about marijuana, then they are going to be disappointed. That's no reason to trash the movie for what it is. Jersey girl is a story about a father and how he grows up with his child, and that's it. It has some very funny moments and some sad ones, as life always does. Watch the movie as a movie, not just to see a Kevin Smith film.
Hidden Hills (2002)
Poor Paula Marshall
I don't know if she picks the shows herself or someone else does it for her, but there have been some bad picks lately. Hidden Hills is the latest. In what looked like a funny show from the commercial, it ended up being a mix of other failed sitcoms. First of all, narrated sitcoms don't work. Neither does using the television as a telestrator. It didn't work for Inside Shcwartz, it won't work here. Marshall and the other attractive females in the cast can't overshadow the lack of comedic talent.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Funniest of the 5
All of the films have their moments. This one is just a series of moments. People who havent seen the other 4 movies or don't know the characters may be a little confused as to how Jay and Silent Bob know these people like Banky and Holden (Chasing Amy), but it's still funny. This is how Smith writes, he can make smart humor that is even smarter and funnier to people on another level. And now that he has tied up most of the loose ends, he can move on in his career.
Chasing Amy (1997)
my favorite movie
This movie is perfect. It's a brilliant mix of comedy and drama. The writing is fantastic, and the acting is really good. I've watched this movie so many times, and the director's commentary of it at least twice. There are the obvious references to Mallrats and Clerks, but if you haven't seen those or don't like them, the movie works anyway. I'd reccomend it to anyone.
Swordfish (2001)
Not too bad
The movie as a whole is pretty good. Good action sequences, a plot that's not too predictable... things a movie should be. However, the story is told from ending to beginning to middle - back to ending, to finish it off. It makes it just a bit hard to follow, so if you're captivated by all the explosions and forget about what was going on at the beginning (er, ending), you might have a tough time getting everything into perspective. But the movie was enjoyable.
Antitrust (2001)
Very good movie
This movie was very entertaining. It was pretty easy to follow the whole way through, but it had a lot of plot turns that made you think "Woah, so that's why!" and things like that. It was almost as if the movie was making the viewer believe things that weren't true, and twisted everything around 180 degrees. It really lived up to the title. Ryan Phillipe did a good job and Claire Forlani and Rachael Leigh Cook were both great, and gorgeous as usual. Go rent it.
Little Nicky (2000)
Pretty funny
I rented this movie and expected crap. I mean, did ANYONE give it a good review? So I'm watching it and finding myself laughing. This movie really wasn't all that bad. It wasn't great either, but as far as the reviews went, it was better than most made it out to be. The DVD extras are good too, lots of deleted scenes and a 25 minute behind the scenes special, so check those out.
Freddy Got Fingered (2001)
Well...
Parts of this move were hilarious, and parts were really dumb. You can tell Tom Green had a part in writing this movie. I'm not sure he would be a good actor if he had to act out a normal part. But hey, there are always going to be actors like that and movies like that. I really didn't agree with the casting of Rip Torn. I thought he was the worst one in the film. A lot of times you could not understand what he said, or he was just acting really bad. So I'll rate this one in the middle of the scale.
Devil in the Flesh 2 (2000)
Damn!
This movie came a bit too close to trying to be a softcore porno, but it worked. The acting was good, the story was good. I didn't see the first movie with Rose McGowan (though I plan to) or the one that was made in the 80's. I guess they're all the same story, but it would be fun to compare. Not a bad movie at all. From the opening credits, you can tell it's not a blockbuster... some of the best movies are like that.
Clerks (1994)
Wonderful Movie
This independant film by Kevin Smith is surrounded by realism. Kids selling pot outside the store, customers and employees hating the enviornment, stupid customers with stupid questions. There is really no plot to it. If you had to pick a plot, it's basically that Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) gets stuck working the entire day on his day off, due to the boss going to Vermont without telling him, and the day that follows. This is not a movie for people who expect a storyline. It's just a funny movie that deals with something most people hate. That's what some people don't realize about this one. They spend too much time waiting for something extraordinary to happen. It won't. The movie is in black and white and made with a small budget. The acting is great and the situations are easy to relate to. Spend the money to rent this one, but just enjoy it for what is is. Otherwise you will be dissapointed.
Tommy Boy (1995)
Hehehehe
I'm not a huge fan of David Spade. I think he's funny sometimes but I wouldn't kick myself if I missed an episode of Just Shoot Me. I felt the same about Chris Farley. But the two of them together in this movie (as well as in Black Sheep) were very funny. Farley is very convincing as a dumb guy, and Spade's wit goes well with it. To put it simply, the actors played themselves in the movie. Farley plays a man who has to take over his father's company after his death. And when was the last movie you saw where the main plot of the movie was to sell brake pads? This movie held the now classic Farley "You're drivin' down the road" speech, and hearing it never gets old. Neither do the entire car scenes (The singing, the deer and the gas station). The love interest, played by Julie Warner, interested me as well. Wink wink. However, every movie has the part that was a little too much, and this was probably the "10" reference to actress Bo Derek. But the movie had great dialogue, and that's what it comes down to when making a great comedy.
UHF (1989)
Wow!
Possibly the strangest cast ever assembled in a movie. "Weird" Al Yankovic, Victoria Jackson, Michael Richards and Fran Drescher. That in itself is pretty funny, right? Weird Al plays a man who gets control of a television station (which was won in a poker game by his uncle). He's been fired numerous times by different jobs, and is about to quit looking. He is at risk of losing his girlfriend, and he's just going insane. The movie is one of those where when you're bored, it will always make you laugh. What's funnier than bad TV? The movie has a few of those great scenes like "Uncle Nutsy's Clubhouse", where it's impossible not to laugh when you know what's going to happen. Richards was far from Seinfeld fame at this time, and he is great in this as well, playing a janitor that comes out as the hero in the end. And, you can't forget the cameo by comedian Emo Phillips!
Clue (1985)
Brilliant
This may be the best movie based on a board game, ever. Not that I know of any Monopoly movies or Chutes and Ladders movies. But this movie is slapstick funny, and in my opinion it's one of Tim Curry's best roles. The movie has some people in it that I really don't exactly follow the careers of, or even like that much (Madeline Kahn and Martin Mull), but they're pretty funny in this one. For those of you who don't know the plot, it's about this party where people are invited, and the host of the party ends up dead.. more people die, blah blah blah. So they have to figure out whodunnit. Just like in the game. In the game of course there isn't much more to it, so the movie adds a little bit of dark comedy to it. The rooms are a bit different, but it stays pretty close the the game's version. Anyway it's a must see if you like those kind of movies. It is a very witty and well-written comedy for it's time.
Remember the Titans (2000)
An Excellent Movie
Sure, it may be the typical underdog sports movie, and the typical underdog football movie. And some may think that the racial issues are the only thing different. While that may be true in some aspects, this movie is just plain wonderful. I almost didn't see this movie. I saw the Replacements, but I passed on this one until now. I'm glad I picked it up this time. They say there are no small parts, just small actors. Well, there were none of those in this movie. Everyone from Denzel Washington to Ethan Suplee was at their best. This movie was sad, happy, exciting and entertaining. I usually have some bad comments on movies, but not this one. And I really don't like football.
Chocolat (2000)
What the?
I haven't seen this movie. It's just another example of a major company taking an idea from other movies and recieving the praise that the others should have gotten. This movie is obviously a rip off of two movies: Simply Irresistable (Sarah Michelle Gellar makes food that makes people feel her feelings) and Woman on Top (I dont even know the plot, but I know a girl makes food and everyone fawns all over her). I refuse to see movies with such blatant ripoffs as this movie did.
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998)
Great work
The silly title alone made it difficult to sit down and watch the pilot. But this show has not only been able to keep its great chemistry with new characters, but each of these characters brings so much to the show. All actors are great, and the plotlines are very well done. I wasn't really pleased with how the silent episode turned out, but the idea was a good one.
Save the Last Dance (2001)
Not Again
To me, this movie is just trying to steal an idea from "Center Stage". A young girl wants to be a dancer, people say "no way, you suck" and stuff like that, the girl triumphs. At least thats what I think. I haven't seen the movie. Let me guess, though. About halfway through the movie, she wants to quit, and one person says "you can do it!" (Might as well make it Rob Schneider from Waterboy) and she says "yeah, I can" and she tries harder and makes it.
Am I right here?
Bring It On (2000)
A little too predictable.
At the beginning of this movie, I figured they would win first place, because most sports movies happen like that. But when I saw that their main competition was a black team, I knew who would win. They couldn't risk the african-american community accusing the movie of being racist. It wasnt a bad movie, but kinda predictable.
What Women Want (2000)
Not too bad.
I probably wouldn't have seen this movie if my date didn't choose it. But I must admit, it was better than I expected. The romantic stuff was pretty sparratic and kinda left to the ending. The movie was predictable, as most are nowadays. But it was pretty funny. It didn't have me in tears laughing, and it wasn't too sappy (heck it didn't even make my date cry) to scare off male viewers. All in all, I didn't think was such a horrible movie.
Meet the Parents (2000)
Overrated
This film was given hundreds of hours of commercialism, and like many movies, it gave away the funniest parts. I laughed while watching it, sure. However, given the reccomendations and the critics love for it, I was expecting better. They seemed to try and over-do the comedy. The zipper gag in "Mary" was over the top, but it was less expected and a lot funnier. I think they tried to do that with this movie (i.e. the cat, the fire, the ladder, the urn, etc.) I'd see it again, but I'd probably wait until it was a 5 day rental for a buck.
Scary Movie (2000)
Oh boy..
I must admit, a hilarious movie. However, too many penis jokes and a little too much sexuality for the 5 year olds that somehow got in with their parents. Although, parodies don't usually mention the exact titles of the movies they are spoofing, that was disappointing. I'd see the movie again.