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Reviews
Dreamcatcher (2003)
Dreamcatcher
Stephen King threw a curve ball to Lawrence Kasdan, director and writer of Dreamcatcher, and Kasdan struck out.
The concept behind Dreamcatcher is in fact a very 'cool' idea, but is not totally executed in the best way possible.
Miscasting, underwriting, and overacting plague this film, and it does lack because of it. he direction is mediocre and nothing particularly extraordinary happens..
But putting all that aside, there are some highlights. Jason lee as Beaver Clarendon is both hilarious and tragic. The special effects are also very good, and at times Morgan Freeman seems pretty darn nuts, which says a lot about his devotion to the character.
Overall, Dreamcatcher is a very bland movie, but if you are a fan of the book, it's worth a viewing. There are good things, and bad things, but then again, it's only a movie. It's entertaining and for my money, that's all that counts.
The Mist (2007)
horror as it should always have been
In Frank Darabont's 'The Mist', we find ourselves locked inside of a grocery store with about 20 or 30 other people. And there's a catch...
You can't leave, or else you will die.
Stephen King's original story captured the minds and imaginations of hundreds of thousands of people, including mine, with the thought of monsters in a mist. You're being attacked by monsters, you know that. But what do these monsters look like? You can't see an inch in front of your face in the mist.
Darabont, the masterful director behind such amazing films as 'The Shawshank Redemption', and 'The Green Mile' made a great film once more.
It captures the claustrophobic feeling, the thought that once you run out of food, then what will happen? What if the plate-glass window in the front of the store breaks? What if these things get in? And just to put the cherry on top: watch out for the religious nut, Mrs. Carmody.
The film has one downside: the music towards the end. To me, that's the only thing.
Yes, it's true the ending is depressing, yes, it's hopeless. But if you think it's too hopeless, too depressing, then you've got to spend sometime on a place I like to call earth.
In the words of Jim Morrison, "No one here gets out alive." Recommeded: The 2 disc DVD has a black and white version of the film, I prefer that.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
When you wish upon a star...
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a truly enlightening and amazing film. The awe and mystery of the story is so, well, awesome that you lose yourself in the film. The cinematography is simply brilliant, the directing superb and the acting was wonderful. People often complain that this was a boring film and that it was a cop out at the end. These are generally people who are of the generation (as I am myself) who grow up on movies like 'Saw' and '300'. They don't quite comprehend the film...But let me just finish with this: At the end of the film, my mouth was open and I was leaning forward with awe...and I didn't even realize it. Steven Spielberg you were right on the money with CE3K.
10/10
Superman Returns (2006)
Superman Returns
I went to see Superman Returns on opening night with a few friends, who were all as eager to see the Return of our favorite superhero. When the music began to play it was such an exciting moment for me, in fact I am ashamed to admit how excited I was (it's just too dorky). Anyway, with the doubts that anyone can replace the great Christopher Reeve, I don't think anyone is replacing him, and frankly, I thought Brandon Routhe was a great Superman as well as mild mannered reporter Clark Kent. Kate Bosworth was an excellent Lois Lane, yes, much different from the Margot Kidder performance, but it is different in an appealing way. And Kevin Spacey was the perfect Lex Luthor, in my opinion. His performance was magnificent. The acting was great and so was the cinematography. Bryan Singer directed and co-wrote this film well. The CGI was good, nothing to complain about. And one thing I do have to complain about is how so many people think that this film is bad. The story was not perfect, but it was a descent Superman story. Maybe it's a little far-fetched that people don't realize that Clark and Superman both return to earth at exactly the same time, but then again, this isn't reality, it's not a documentary. In the end, I thought this was an excellent return for Superman. I recommend it.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Amaze Yourself: See Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia is an amazing cinematic experience. You sit there and you are completely drawn into the story. The cinematography is simply breathtaking. David Lean and his crew sat out there in the desert, day after day to capture whatever shot they needed perfectly. The acting is superb. Peter O'Toole is amazing as T.E. Lawrence. He plays a reluctant hero, who is eventually thrown off his rocker by his power. And yes the film is something like four hours long. And it is also true that those of you who have short attention spans may hate this film and claim it is boring. That is what today's movies have done. People think that something like 'Smokin' Aces' is amazing. I just generally feel bad for them that they don't have the capacity to view something like Lawrence of Arabia. Everything was good in this film. The score was fantastic. The cinematography was excellent. The actors were nothing short of perfect. The battles were all done in reality, which gives the film a sort of richness. Something that films like '300' lack.
If you have any doubts about seeing this, let me just say this. I couldn't get it out of my head for three days, it was that mind blowing.
It is a necessity to see Lawrence of Arabia.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
One of my own personal favorites
The Shawshank Redemption...where to begin? This is one of the best movies I've ever seen, it is an artistic masterpiece, both in story and it's visual elements.
I am a fan of the Stephen King short story from Different Seasons (if you have not read it, go out and do yourself a favor!), and I was very pleased with Frank Darabont's take on the story. It remains true to the story, and even improves it, I think.
The acting was also spectacular. Tim Robbins was phenomenal in the lead as Andy Dusfrene. He plays a great confident and quiet man, who has a hope, even when everything is stripped from him (the short story was in the section: 'Hope Springs Eternal').
Morgan Freeman is also great in this film. One of Frank Darabont (or is casting director) great improvements to the film. In the story, Red, who Morgan Freeman plays superbly, is an Irish white man. I like it a lot better with Morgan Freeman. I can't imagine anyone else. And I cannot forget about the supporting cast. This film didn't have a bad performance.
I really recommend that you see this. It is a cinematic masterpiece that will please anyone who has a heart. Please, do yourself a favor and see this great film by the great Frank Darabont!
Ed Wood (1994)
One of Burton's greats
This film was a great film about a bad film maker. Edward D. Wood Jr., was a crappy film maker and alongside his faithful morphine addicted acting friend, Bela Legosi, he makes many bad films. This film is basically honoring Ed Wood and his enthusiasm towards making films. In some scenes, Bela uses some profanities, and people argue that thats not what he was really like, but I don't care, it's just a movie.
I definitely recommend this film to anyone and everyone.
Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Martin Landau and Jeffrey Jones were great in this film. And so was everyone else in this film and who worked on this film.
My rating: 10 out of 10
Comic Book: The Movie (2004)
Great film
I don't know why people don't like it...but if you are a comic geek, like me, you will love this film. Trust me. It all deals with Hollywood wanting to adapt a revamp of a golden age comic character, Commander Courage. When Mark Hamill's character gets involved he tries to get them to go for the golden age character but runs into some obstacles...so anyway, I like it, thought it was great...plus it relates to me because of my hatred for what Hollywood does (sometimes) to comic characters and remaking classic films and turning them into crap. I suggest it to comic lovers...some non comic geeks might find it too boring.
Green Arrow Fan Film (2004)
It's really kind of bad
my favorite superhero is Green Arrow, so I know I really should love a Green Arrow film. But I didn't. I would've enjoyed it if it didn't just focus on him killing everyone. They should've shown him SAVING people, or at least show his face. I don't even think the guy had Ollie's beard or mask. If you're really curious, check it out. It's not amazing. Day light would've been nice too. And Ollie didn't say a word. Not one word. The crooked cops were the only ones to speak. What is going on? Does anyone know how to make a good superhero movie?
This is a major disappointment after viewing the film with high expectations.
I really feel like a lot more could've done though, but there were some good aspects of the film. For example: The arrow-cam. You'll know what i mean when you see it, if you decide to at all.
*** out of 10
Batman: Dead End (2003)
Yeah, right, "good film"
Awesome, awesome. I'm talking about Bat's and J's look in the film of course. The story, wtf is going on. OK, so Bats chases Joker down after he escapes from Arkham. But then comes along .....
ALIEN? This guy came out of nowhere. Honestly he grabs joker, can't eat him that fast, and then attacks Bats.
Keep in mind this all "just happens" to be happening in an alley in Gotham.
All of a sudden, Predator pops out. Shoots alien in the head, attacks Batman. Soon there's a whole army of Predators. ? This all happens in 7 minutes. It utterly cool looking, but horribly told. Take my word for it, if you want.
*** out of 10