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Reviews
Cars (2006)
Should have been a 30-minute short
If you're going to see this movie just for the animation, you likely won't be disappointed. But if you want to see something funny akin to Monsters Inc., you'll have to sit through an hour and half of ho-hum dialogue before anything really gets going. The last 30 minutes are pretty funny and the story finally comes together, but it doesn't save the movie. The end credits are funnier than most of the main feature. Two hours is just too long to sit and watch (albeit amazing) animation. The main contradiction in the movie is that the dialogue is aimed at little kids (too bad Disney bought out Pixar) but the running time of the movie is way too long for little kids.
Made (2001)
Close to the most annoying movie ever
A disappointing flick from the creators of "Swingers"...I was the only one in the room who could stand to watch it until the end (and I'm glad that I have a fast forward on my remote). Vaughn is comparable to Chris Rock in the way that he constantly yells throughout the film in a loud, relentless, annoying manner (Rock ruined "Nurse Betty" for me). Faverau could be funny but he didn't write his own role as anyone of interest. The reason I gave this movie a "1" is that there is only one remotely interesting scene (the bar in Brooklyn) and one interesting character (Jimmy the driver). Otherwise "Made" just didn't make it anywhere.
Nurse Betty (2000)
A good movie ruined by a Rock
"Nurse Betty" had all the makings of a good movie: an original story, interesting characters, some good talent (especially Freeman & Zellweger), and a great DOP. Unfortunately, the writers mistakingly believe that Chris Rock yelling at Morgan Freeman for two hours is somehow enjoyable. This was not a nice thing to do to an otherwise good movie. Even if you are misguided enough to enjoy listening to Rock screech his way through a movie, the writers let us down by giving him nothing interesting to say. Be wary of this flick -- if you don't like Rock, it's not worth your time.
Duets (2000)
Surprisingly fun
Through some misunderstanding I ended up with this DVD on my coffee table and decided it was worth a look...at least to see what father and daughter could put together. In several humourous plot lines which all meet at the end of the movie, Paltrow and Byrum create some clever stories and even touching scenes.
The real magic in this movie is behind the scenes though. Bruce Paltrow with his daughter, started this movie in the mid-nineties but it was put on hold when he developed throat cancer. Still recovering from a massive operation, he directed the movie to a successful completion. The other great thing is the casting. Almost all of the main characters sing their own songs and do a great job. The DVD has lots of extra info about Bruce's battle with cancer and more interesting material. Both the flick and the DVD extras are worth a look.
Artificial Lies (2000)
Worse than a sub-average TV movie
While the original screenplay may have been based on an interesting story, anything resembling a quality story was lost by the time this one got to video. The acting was flat -- worse than Melrose Place (this movies has two actors from that unfortunate TV series). Don't be fooled by the interesting story on the back of the video or by the fact that it came from BlackWatch Releasing (which often releases good stuff)...this lackluster flick is not worth your time.
New Waterford Girl (1999)
Allan Moyle's tortured teen returns
If there's one thing Allan Moyle seems to do well, it is directing movies of (and for) tortured teens (is there any other kind?). Pump Up the Volume and New Waterford Girl are good examples. Both show the angst and "suffering" I remember as a teen. Yet the humour of the time comes across well in each flick too.
Ultimately, NWG is worthy of praise because it will make you laugh; if you aren't laughing, you may have missed it -- there are a lot of regional inside jokes, some Maritime, some Canadian.
The Beach (2000)
A disappointing version of Garland's novel
To be honest, I haven't read the novel, I'm going on a friend's opinion of it. We both saw the movie and neither of us liked it. It starts out okay, but quickly turns into a scary ride through some weirdo's mind -- and it's not a very convincing ride at that. The worst about this movie is that they wrecked the island where they did the filming. I found this out after I watched it or I would have boycotted it altogether. That's my two bits.