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5/10
NYC Tourism, pre 9/11
5 January 2005
I don't care who you are.....you cannot dislike Tom Hanks, or even think that this movie is totally a chick flick. It's a whimsical movie that paid a high tribute to NYC. This movie was put out prior to September 11, 2001. It was the kind of movie that you watched, and suddenly wanted to go to New York and take a look around the upper west side and see for yourself it's mysteries, and rituals.

Remember when an instant message would startle you? Remember when you wandered into chat rooms and actually enjoyed doing so? Remember when you could spend hours and hours online and not think about the damage to your circulatory system? Yeah, me too! Now post 9/11 and post dial up connection for many of us, we watch the movie and marvel at how stark the AOL program looks. We see them dial up and think.....yeah, once that was the only way to connect.

We watch this movie, and we look for glimpses of the World Trade Centers. We know that building them back will eventually happen, but nothing will ever replace the way those buildings stood, and the majestic and formidable skyline that they painted for Manhatten. Those of us who are avid readers marvel at the books that are introduced in the movie, and smile recalling our days of youth when we read those same classic children's books.

We discover New York in the fall, and it's crispness. We see New York in the spring, and marvel out how much more alive everything seems no matter what time of the year it is. We see glimpses of winter, but even that does not deter the largest city in the USA from tourism, shopping, and daily strife. We get a sense of career driven people that seem to live, eat, breathe, and sleep work. Even to see them at a social gathering shows that they are there to make important contacts or be noticed in some sense of the word. We see a character who is an absolute introvert--that being Frank. We see the extroverted Meg Ryan trying to hold the relationship together, and not really sure why. Then we see what happens, and because she is not able to write boring narcissistic Frank off, she turns to the "dream of someone else" and discovers that there is nothing more powerful than the written word.

Modern technology in the internet has brought us back to the power of the written word. We can churn out notes, and communications quicker this way than by writing and mailing them via snail mail. Still this revelation is not without some hang ups. The internet legally is still etching the boundaries of what is permissible. In addition, there is a whole new breeding ground for trouble and perversion. Still, watching You've Got Mail is a positive and cheerful side to this stunning technology. It is a testament to the ever improving world of software, computers, communication, and life in general, while still holding onto the foundation of strong literary skills and classic books.

This movie holds a place of honor on my video shelf!
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The Outsiders (1983)
Timeless Classic
5 December 2004
If you haven't seen this movie by now.....what planet are you living on? Seriously. Released in 1983, this movie was a goldmine for the actors that were in it. Just about all of them either became part of the Brat Pack, or busted out solo on very lucrative careers.

Based on the novel of the same name, The Outsiders offers a look at a world filled with pain and strife no matter which side of the tracks you come from. Racial tension can come from your own race. Basically, people just don't get along sometimes, and for reasons that they do not always understand. Fighting solves nothing, but what else is there to do in a small town that borders big cities, and plays host to people from cut and dried walks of life?

S.E. Hinton wrote this novel when she was 16 years old. The book is sound, and the characters easily identifiable. The movie does well with the adaptation, but because it is geared towards a certain age group, can come off cheesy to adults.

It was great to see that Ralph Macchio can do something besides Karate, Tom Cruise does more than dance in his underwear, Patrick Swayze can fight with the best of them when he's not Dirty Dancing, Emilio Estevez can be young, and yet look so old. Rob Lowe had other friends besides the brat pack, C. Thomas Howell can pass off blond hair, and let's not overlook the lovely Diane Lane here! A performance often forgotten about is Leif Garrett before he became a teen heart throb.

If you have pre-teenage children, this is a movie that they should cut there soon to be adult teeth on. No matter what walk of life you are from, you will find something in this movie that you identify with.

Promise.
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Classic 80s for all Generations
5 December 2004
Ah the Breakfast Club. Although I am a child of the 80's, I came along at the tail end of Generation X. The cast of The Breakfast Club were actors that I looked up to as a child, and still enjoy as an adult. I remember my own mother was a big fan of this movie, even though she was an adult with children.

Of all the "Brat Pack" movies, this remains my favorite. Even over two decades later, the movie still holds generations of people captive and sends us all into deep thoughts of our own glory days when we thought that life was BS, and that we had it tough. We were just a few years shy of seeing how tough life would be once we escape the protective circus tent known as high school.

Over and over you hear people wishing that a sequel to this film had been made. I am very glad there was not one. Surely we can't imagine this would have been a happily ever after for these characters. They came together one day, but like most high school relationships, all good things must come to an end. The closest thing to a sequel for this movie would be "St. Elmo's Fire" and again.....all good things must come to an end.

One thing that I loved most about this movie was the tell tale showing of intelligence in the least thought of places; the school janitor. The movie portrayed the janitor as being a hell of a lot smarter than the assistant principal. I have found in my life's experience this is quite believable. It's also sad. I believe that those employed by the education system could learn a very important lesson about young adults and the way their minds work. Youth knows when it's elders have forgotten how to see things. Youth knows how to use that against them. The moral is simple; stay young!
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Low Down Dirty Amusement
5 December 2004
I found this movie to be quite over the top. Sure, the mass destruction is reminiscent of the Blues Brothers. Sure, the action and hype is quite over-rated. That's what makes Keenan Ivory Wayans the talent that he is. I find that I like to watch this movie when I am down in the dumps and in need of a distraction.

Jada Pinkett (later Smith) shines in this role. I have a sneaking suspicion that she's quite a lot like this character in real life. She made this movie, and I think it launched her for future good acting roles. Girlfriend doesn't ride Will's coatails, she's established on her own in my book.

The characters in the movie needed to be taken at face value, that was all they were worth. If you took an instant dislike to any of them, you were supposed to. The plot is a no brainer, and the jokes were quite funny even if you view this movie excessively. You WILL catch yourself wandering around saying lines from the movie....a true mark of a decent film.

I recommend it for a burst of energy on an otherwise boring weeknight. Happy viewing.
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Copycat (1995)
Copycat?
2 December 2004
This movie remains a favorite of mine, although it has taken several viewings to figure out why. In the end, it's the good acting by the cast that saves it from being a total let down.

Holly Hunter shines as a police detective, tough, but still feminine. Aloof, but still accessible to those that take the time. Will Patton starts off good as a detective you like to loath, but then wimps out in the end with some unimaginative epiphany of why Hunter's character loathes him. That could have been avoided.

Sigourney Weaver. What can you say about Mrs. Weaver? Another good actress that tends to get lost in roles that fail to accent her acting chops. This role was more suited to her than the likes of Ghostbusters, Alien, and that horrid movie where she was a super hero of sorts. Unfortunately, she's confined to her apartment, so we are forced to focus on her mind and verbal wits only. Dermot Mulroney thankfully has been in better roles than this movie, but he did well as the Detective Cassanova that his role called for. There is a sense that he and Weaver's character had some sort of intimate liason somewhere in the mix, but the film's director got cold feet in 1995 and didn't bother with showing an "older woman, younger man" romance here. Pity. It might have made things interesting.

Harry Connick, Jr. Wow. What a performance! My goodness, I did a triple take on his role as a killer/stalker/freak. His voice to me was more frightening than the "gotcha" moments of the film with the tinkling annoying warning music. The last I have seen of him was Hope Floats and most recently Will and Grace. Another waste of talent, one hopes he gets a new agent or something! He should have expanded on this!

All in all, it's a good movie. Stretched thin in some places, but timeless overall. Definitely one that you'll revisit from time to time when there is nothing else on!
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The Objects Lost Me
2 December 2004
I think I really wanted to like this film. Unfortunately, there were many elements that I found very cumbersome to the overall story/plot, or lack thereof.

The cast was really good, Dermot Mulroney, Glenn Close, Joshua Jackson. The idea of studying individual lives that share connecting threads is one that I usually find enticing. There were some deep seated demons within the group of characters. Among these demons, there seemed to be no consequences for their actions. I think the movie is incorrectly titled. There were no tangible objects within the film. At one point, you see Mulroney clinging to a stupid baseball mitt that he steals, what the heck was that all about? There there is his son that has a sexual relationship with a Barbie doll knock off. Hello, strange waters I choose not to swim in there.

Then there is Close attempting to win an automobile for her daughter, who makes it 71 hours into the competition, then suddenly gives up the fight because it's an automobile accident that caused her son to be in this paralyzed coma he's in through the whole movie. Incidentally, I'm not sure why the boy wasn't in the hospital here? A very weak plot is stating the fact kindly.

In the end, this whole mess of interwoven threads not unlike the silly friendship bracelet woven by a little girl who you think is a boy through most of the movie, is never completely tied off. The movie ends with this strange idea that it's okay to steal, murder, masturbate, have relationships with dolls, invite another young child to touch your private parts, cheat on your spouses, drink and drive, be irresponsible and promiscuous, and then wonder why you are depressed over God having a "wicked sense of humor" here?

I'm sorry that it kept me up in the wee hours of the night and I was crippled by my inability to look away from a car crash.....pun intended.
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Style and Class are still very much alive! (spoiler alert)
11 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
What is a bored acquisition to do, he is unable to find a woman that can keep up with him on her own without hints on who he is. This is a movie that had messages on many levels, and was an absolute joy to watch. We are in the know as to who did it, but what we didn't expect was to discover why.

We suspect it is because someone has too much money and time on their hands. Perhaps, but do look deeper, you'll be glad you did. I cannot say enough about Rene Russo, although it is my opinion that a better leading man could have escalated this movie higher. Denis Leary gives one of his best performances as a lead detective working with Russo's character, and Frankie Faison is not to be overlooked either in this movie. The cameo nod to Faye Dunaway should help bridge the time gap between this movie and it's predecessor, and further update it's setting to present times. A classic, perfect for an impromptu date night.
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Chicago (2002)
Chicago, A tribute to the Roaring Twenties
11 October 2004
For many of us, we know only of the Roaring Twenties through our perusal of history. Chicago helps us catch a fictional glimpse, while sending the message of true reality: Justice is unheard of, it's all about glitter. Appearance means everything.

The actors that are cast in this movie were cast very well. Richard Gere and Catherine Zeta-Jones did not disappoint, and Renee Zellweger, who knew she could sing and dance! Excellent break out performance for her in a career that we thought had already burst at the seams. Queen Latifah's talents are showcased in this film as well, and not surprisingly, she is an absolute delight. I personally celebrate the day this talented woman began acting in addition to musical pursuits. I look forward to a continued fruitful career from this star!

The diamond in the rough in this movie is John C. Reilly. His performance of "Mr. Cellophane" blew me away, and lent that sympathetic note to an otherwise callous and cruel Chicago landscape. Personal favorite songs and performances for me are "Cell Block Tango" a sure fire energizer, and "We Both Reached for the Gun" a naughty glimpse into the world of the newsmedia puppets on a string, not unlike today's issues there.

I highly recommend this movie to any adult. I would definitely put the kiddies in bed for this one. Ladies, your husband or significant other will enjoy the show, plenty of scantily clad ladies dashing around. This film deserved the Oscar that it received.
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A look into Harry's World
11 October 2004
What a glorious look into the world of Harry Potter! If you have not read these books prior to viewing this movie, then you are selling yourself short of a magical experience. The movie condenses the book into a manageble timeframe, yet retains the over all golden tones of the beautiful wonder that Harry sees on his journey into an unfamiliar Wizard's world. With a keen sense of logic, and an unparalleled deliverance of an addicting storyline, this movie entices your imagination in ways that you never dreamed were possible. You will find yourself wishing with all your might that such a universe existed! A true delight for all ages, The Sorceror's Stone is the introduction to a long series of movies into Harry's world. Here we see it all begin as a young wizard learns of his past, embarks on the present, and etches out his future all in the blink of an eye.
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Sleepers (1996)
When the system fails (spoiler alert)
22 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Sleepers is an account told by one of it's characters, the talented and wise Lorenzo Carcaterra. This movie sticks with the book, and makes wide use of simple narrative to convey the story without over extending the viewing time of the movie. The director was careful to avoid actually showing abuse and the horrible things that happened to the boys in this movie, choosing instead to allow what you don't see to fully impact the horror of the scenario.

The setting is Hell's Kitchen (present day Clinton, NY) and the backdrop is the uneasy and violent mix of races living in this neighborhood. Four friends find their lives irrevocably altered one hot summer day when a prank goes horribly wrong. The Judge sentences them in an exemplary fashion to an upstate Juvenile Detention center with apparent notoriety of harshness. The punishment did not fit the crime. The boys were too young to have been sent there in the first place, this made them easy targets for the events that unfold there after.

Half a lifetime later, the movie shows you what that type of young start can bring to the lives of these boys. Two of them have made something of themselves, the other two sought out a life of crime and shake downs. There is an old saying that you reap what you sow, and the opportunity to harvest presents itself when a chance encounter opens the door to one of the best and most justified revenge plots that I have ever read. In short, not only did the system fail these individuals as boys, but it failed to note there is no point in stopping inevitability. Using the same system that closed the door on them, two of the Sleepers gleaned revenge on four guards who deserve much more in the here after.

This is not a movie for children, or for young and impressionable minds. If you have been a victim of the system you identify strongly with the themes here. If you have never seen justice fail, then you may be skeptical or aghast at the story, but take my advice; it's better that way.
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It begins, and ends the same
14 September 2004
I am a huge fan of Jimmy Gandolfini, so this short film amused me greatly because of it's shortness, and abruptness. Gandolfini often gets stereo-typed in bad guy/mafia roles, but he also is usually a bad husband in movies as well. This one is no exception, but it's amusing to see he's "married" to the actress who plays "Charmaine Bucco" on the Sopranos. We fans can take creative liberty and say this is what would have happened had he married this character instead of Carmella perhaps?

It's is interesting, but predictable. In the end, did he learn a lesson? Nope, and what is amusing is that is human nature! When it's all laid out for us, we continue with our behavior patterns as though nothing ever happened.

Still an excellent short flick, and one that I recommend to anyone who loves a short but to the point family situation story.
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Inspiration is never in vain
28 August 2004
I think that it is safe to say that life kicks in many ways. Ups and downs, sideways, even extreme left and right. Julia Roberts in a biographical role was delightful! There were many comments about the rough language, but let's face it....this is the language of the new millenium. We ALL swear at some point. Robert's portrayal of Brockovich can be summed up by saying that no matter how much life kicks you down, and no matter how hopeless the outlook may look....KEEP TRYING. Don't give up without a good contestation. That being said, it is very admirable to see someone leading a hard knock life and realizing that there are people out there that have it much worse. Rather than in passing say that is sad, Brockovich set out to try to right a wrong that has been plaguing our entire country for decades.....destruction of our natural environment that brings on massive illness to a population. She enlisted help of professionals, and acted as a go between with each party lending encouragement, and relentlessness in the pursuit of justice--for lack of a better term. Life is precious, and priceless, it's time we all thought that over in the now.
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Runaway Bride (1999)
Like fine wine, time is of the essence
28 August 2004
Until Runaway Bride came on the scene, I didn't realize how dated Pretty Woman had become! Fans of Pretty Woman will delight in the thinly veiled references and homages that Runaway Bride serves up. This is a fun film, very tongue in cheek in it's delivery. The first viewing of the film may seem a little flat, but after watching it subsequent times, you get a definite feel for the dance that is perfected here. That is what I look for in a movie; can I watch it over and over and still delight in it?

I took absolute delight in the setting of this film more so than anything. The movie refers to the town as Hale, Maryland. The actual town is Berlin, Maryland, absolutely gorgeous and located more to the Northeastern part of the state. Setting is everything here because you focus more on the characters and the small town atmosphere than the glitz and glitter of a major city. The character Maggie Carpenter is not unlike women of her generation--perhaps we tend to marry later in life now more than ever because we don't want to make that mistake that ends in divorce. Maggie doesn't know what she wants out of life, but she has enough sense to get down to the minute and realize a mistake. Her timing is rough, but it manages to avoid divorce lawyer, right?

Drink in the backdrop of the movie, and enjoy the main characters and the strong ensemble cast in this enticingly amusing tale of love and romance redefined.
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Cast Away (2000)
The first shot is the best
28 August 2004
You only truly get one shot at experiencing this movie. The first viewing is important. It is a very satisfying and intriguing plot that develops slowly and steadily. You may think this has all been done before, but stand corrected here and now: what a difference Tom Hanks makes.

This is an emotional rollercoaster ride through a series of events, and just when you think you can't cry anymore, along comes Helen Hunt to further reduce you to tears of love lost through no fault other than time. Absence not only makes the heart grow fonder, but it makes the heart lament the lost time that can never be recovered nor the bridges broken be repaired.

The movie has my respect, because I fell in love with an inanimate object; Wilson. I am not ashamed to admit I cried over Wilson! I dare anyone to say they didn't feel a tug over that one! You are lying! Wilson was an involuntary symbol--I won't embellish further, but a symbol none the less.

Tom Hanks reportedly lost quite a bit of weight during the filming of this movie--the whole things was put on hiatus for a long time period to facilitate this feat. Amazing! He shines bright in this one, but in my book, Hanks is always shining.
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Southern Fried Delight!
28 August 2004
What the world needs to know right now is the South is run by the woman! Enough said. This movie, set in Louisiana, is a testament to how things really are in the south. Small towns, and groups of southern woman who are honest and forthright with each other, and don't need to embellish the storylines of their lives.

An amusing note about these movies is the way all scenes take place on a backdrop of an event or holiday. They come full circle to Easter....a sign of rebirth and redemption. That should be noted. The cast is just stellar....Julia Roberts in the early years, the ever resilient and awesome Sally Field, staunch and blunt Shirley MacClaine, and the dignified and distinguished Olympia Dukakis. This movie is Dolly Parton's best acting effort in my opinion. Add to the cast and solid background and plotline, and palpable evolving character lives, and you have a wonderful and all time classic that time will never diminish.
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Secret Window (2004)
Definitely spoilers in this one!
15 August 2004
Warning: Spoilers
My first gripe is that on the DVD the deleted scenes were so good, I am irritated they edited them from the movie in the first place.....particularly the ending.

"Secret Window/Secret Garden" is the short story this movie is based on that you will find in the book "Four Past Midnight." What I found interesting is that the story was a spin off of the King novel "The Dark Half" and the author's note before the story is well worth reading for some background information into the window concept. Stephen King's books rarely translate well into film. This movie was no exception, it was quite predictable. It's simple to predict off the bat what the deal is here with Depp's character. What saves this movie from disaster is the fact that Johnny Depp can lend his own brand of eccentrics to the character, and make his quirks and idiosyncrisies pure entertainment. He delivers, and does not disappoint!

It's all about that fine line between fiction and reality, which only writers of fiction should know about.....this time, the revelation was shared with the unsuspecting public.....when in doubt, shooter!
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Paycheck (2003)
Could there have been more ties to the conspiracy? Spoiler alert!!
15 August 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I was skeptical about watching this movie, initial feedback on it's theatrical release was lukewarm at best. I found the movie interesting though. Perhaps it's poor box office performance was due to the fact that you are constantly thinking through the movie. I find that movies that require coherent thought instead of mindless tuning out often do poorly at the box office and well in DVD sales.

Paycheck could have picked a better film title. It was not about the Paycheck, and I found that although that being the driving force behind him focusing on the "clues" he left behind post memory alteration to be quite shallow in an otherwise deep plot. In the end, I suppose payment was inevitable, for this character didn't work for free even if he acted in noble fashion on his "I must save the world" mission.

Affleck performs well, and the ever ethereal lucidity of Uma Thurman drive this thriller to pleasant heights. The flat color tones of the set, wardrobe, and make up are reminiscent of The Matrix to me--down to a subway setting, and imagery of bullets.

One thing I cannot escape is the hidden wonderment of the FBI involvement in this flick. The hint of "preemptive" strikes against nations that the US viewed as future issues to National Security struck me as an obvious tweak on current international relations in present day times. Due to the possibility of archiving, let me solidify this thought into one word: Iraq. Were the FBI in cahoots with this outfit that created this Einsteinesque look into the future?

I think I enjoy the movie because it drives home a point that I have been firm about my whole life; if we knew the future, we would not be able to gladly attain it patiently. It would forever alter our natural course. Director Woo is to be commended for making a futuristic movie grounded firmly in the present. Rather than physically portal humans to the future, it merely uses the mind to reveal the hidden truth, it's Back to the Future in reverse.
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Oh, the possibilities!!
15 August 2004
I am firm that this movie would have flopped without Helen Hunt in the leading woman role. I do not believe that anyone but Hunt could portray the vulnerability and intelligence of today's career before romance women. That being said, I think that Mel Gibson has come full circle in his acting career with this role as well. Gibson shows us all that being a ladies' man doesn't mean you are good at it. It merely means that often times you go through women so fast, that you rarely know whether you were as good as you thought you were. They don't call it a one night stand for nothing!

Set in Chicago, I was surprised to see some similarities to NYC. In fact until I really looked at the surroundings, I thought it was NYC. First movie I've seen trick me like that!

I believe most men, after viewing this film, will realize they are much better off NOT knowing what women think. We are a very complex gender, capable of thinking 7 or 8 things in a given moment. Men tend to think about isolated thoughts one at a time....we ladies are actually envious of men in that respect, I'll admit it!
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Possible spoiler review
18 July 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Individuals electing to watch Ocean's 11 are in for a treat. Be warned, you will likely need to watch it more than once to catch all the information. The plot moves quickly, and the set up for heist is intricate, as well as fascinating. The actual culmination of the heist is broken up though, and I found that a bit frustrating to have a review of key elements after the fact. The rapport between Brad Pitt and George Clooney is excellent. There is a distinct feeling that the cast enjoyed working together on this film. The lavish background of Las Vegas coincided quite well with the lavish theme of thievery here. If you are going to plot out the job, make it big. One thing I found interesting is there was never an estimate of what the cost of this heist was, and whether or not that figured into the net winnings of the participants. The scenes involving some young and popular sitcom actors learning poker from Brad Pitt will remain amusing to review from time to time as these up and coming actors gain notoriety in the coming years. I think that Julia Robert's role in this was understated, though. You learn very little about her character's past, present, and future. For example, how did she come to be in Vegas from New York? How did she meet Andy Garcia's character? What do they have in common, because on the surface there doesn't appear to be much. I think the only issue I have with a movie such as this is simple; a movie that entices you to think had better deliver. We are forced to use our minds as we watch this, therefore we come up with several sets of question marks about holes in the plot. Barring that, it's a entertaining ride backed by a strong Soundtrack.
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Keep your eyes shut for this one
18 July 2004
Eyes Wide Shut to me was a movie that even after reading the book, I was still confused. What some may think of as artsy, I think of as soft core pornography. Nicole Kidman shines in spite of a complex, and uninformative storyline. It was designed to shock, and borderline startle you. The only thing that startled me was the jolting notes of a piano here and there throughout the movie, that began to grate on my nerves as the end drew near. Perhaps this movie led to the demise of Kidman and Cruise's marriage. In my opinion, it is more because Kidman was an underrated actress until she got out from under the shadow of her now former husband. The movie, however did not lack in an all star cast. Sobeliski's breakout performance in this movie is one worth noting. I did find the apartment showcased as the couple's living space to be worth looking over. Many of the details there were stellar. Perhaps it could give Martha Stewart a run for her money in decorating tips?
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Interesting thoughts on the Caribbean
5 July 2004
I dragged my heels on seeing this movie, and I was sorry that I did. Johnny Depp is hysterically funny as Captain Jack Sparrow, a shipless pirate who dodges capture deftly, if not haphazardly. Supported by Orlando Bloom as a reluctant son of a pirate, the two embark upon a quest to rescue a lovely lady, and capture a ship who's crew is under an interesting curse. The action was very well executed, and the plot kept you going through the over two hour movie. A testament to it's character is that you really do not notice the time passing. Johnny Depp shows us again why he is an acting force to be reckoned with, choosing obscure and lucrative roles for our imaginations. This particular character is like none other than he has ever played. New viewers (or even returning viewers) should pay close attention to Depp's facial expressions, particularly in scenes where the focus is not on his character. Special effects usage was eye opening, and Orlando Bloom is moving right on up the ladder of his career with solid steps upon the rungs.
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Recommending Harry Potter
5 July 2004
The third installment of the Harry Potter series is decidedly darker than the first two. It is entertaining none the less with a new director at the helm. The characters and the actors that play them are growing. What is most profound in this movie is Harry's discovery that he can take care of himself. He conquers his lack of confidence in himself, and proves to we the viewers once again why we are captivated by this series written by J.K. Rowling. I recommend to anyone that they not skip reading these books. The movies are a joy, but they cannot convey the important details that the books flesh out for you. In the movie, there are several things that are not connected for the viewer. These will be things that will come up in future movies, so it will be interesting to see how they sort that out in the future. Daniel Ratcliffe is quickly becoming a handsome young lad as well, this will be the first glimpse into the cult following I suspect he will head up in coming years.
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True Story Epic of how things appear
5 July 2004
One thing that I can say about Black Hawk Down from a personal point of view is the setting is the year that I graduated from High School. It was quite amazing to learn later how a mission could go so wrong so quickly. Incidentally, this was a good break out role for Orlando Bloom, as the catalyst for kicking off the storm that ensues in Somalia. The action sequence is much like Pearl Harbor in that is conveyed to you a sense of endless time that the fighting commenced. There are many moments where the viewer is left aghast and horrified, wondering when it will end, and how much more can possibly happen to our fellow Americans as they attempt to get themselves out of this chaotic mission gone askew. I was fooled into thinking that Josh Hartnett was a main character here, but he is part of an excellent ensemble cast of people. Tom Sizemore remains an underrated actor, his performance in this movie was once again stellar and complete.
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