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Reviews
Girls Gone Wild: Doggy Style (2002)
Snoop Dogg and drunk girls...where's the Oscar?
"Girls Gone Wild" is generally pathetic with ugly girls who enjoy being made sex objects for men but this one was funnier than most because Snoop Dogg. He just spends most of his time smoking chronic and yelling obscenities. Most of it is flashing, with brief girl-on-girl action *yawn* 4/10
Baby Boy (2001)
Surprising...and dramatic
***POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD***
I can watch this repeatedly and I never get tired of it. Jody (Tyrese) is a 20-year-old African-American slacker with two children out of wedlock who lives with his mother in Los Angeles's infamous Watts. After having dramas (including abortions) with his 'baby mamas', his mother Juanita (A.J. Johnson) gets an ex-con thug boyfriend Melvin (Ving Rhames). Melvin tries to kill Jody and eventually, Juanita kicks him out of her house.
There are numerous valid conflicts in this movie. Meanwhile, Jody's girlfriend Yvette (Taraji Henson), the mother to his son Jo-Jo, is insecure and suspects Jody of cheating. They get into plenty arguments until she decides to rid her life of him. Rodney (Snoop Dogg) just got out of prison and stumbles at Yvette's apartment, clearly uninvited. After Rodney's attempts to rape Yvette, she confides in Jody, and they are back together. John Singleton's other movies about black men in urban societies are different than this movie, for what reason, I don't know. All I can say is that I was surprised by the drama and gritty reality in "Baby Boy".
Tomcats (2001)
FAILURE
I hated this vulgar piece of trash. It's absolutely appalled me how Hollywood could let a film like this be released. The plot keywords are ridiculous such as dominatrix-librarian and collapsed-testicle. It is demeaning to women, and the way it allows women to be treated is beyond my comprehension.
A bunch of sexist losers make a pact to see who gets married last....blah, blah, blah. After those fourteen words, who needs a plot? The female lead (Shannon Elizabeth) and supporting character (Jaime Pressly) haven't been in any recent films after this was released..wonder why??? Tomcats should be left for the over-ripe litter box and deserves a 0/10.
Bring It On (2000)
We're everything you're not!
Torrance Shipman (Kirsten Dunst) is the new cheerleading captain for the Rancho Carne Toros. They win championships and are definitely fearless until the new cheerleader Missy Pantone (Eliza Dushku), has intense deja vu when the Toros recite a cheer hauntingly familiar to Missy. Her intuition is correct. The Toros' previous captain stole routines from the East Compton Clovers, an urban high school in Los Angeles. However, after a humiliating confrontation, the Toros decide to change their routines, fearing their consecutive championships will be jeopardized.
Obvious racial tension put aside, "Bring It On" is nothing short of peppiness with the occasional flippant remark. Overall, "Bring It On" deserves a 7/10
Almost Famous (2000)
I'm with the band
It's 1970s San Diego, California and 15-year-old William Miller (Patrick Fugit) wins an assignment for "Rolling Stone" where he gets to go on a national tour with a rock band. Loosely based on Cameron Crowe's experience as a teen reporter, his 'alter-ego' William grows up despite his uptight mother (played by Frances McDormand) and rebellious sister Anita's (Zooey Deschanal) protests. On the tour, he meets beautiful 'band-aid' Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) and sympathizes with her feelings of degradation and hopelessness.
Hudson does a beautiful job and proves to Hollywood that she was her own woman, not depending on her royal Hollywood family for assistance. I give "Almost Famous" an 8.5/10
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Not for everyone, I admit
I found David Lynch's "Straight Story" rather vacuous, and "Twin Peaks" was somewhat intriguing, yes. Never a huge David Lynch fan, I was not eager to watch "Mulholland Drive" until my friend told me about the infamous *cough* scene about 1.5 hours into the movie.
The first twenty minutes were easy to follow...the car crash, her amnesia and Betty Elms's (Naomi Watts) annoying naivete coming to Los Angeles from Deep River, Ontario. She arrives at her aunt's home in Hollywood to discover "Rita/Camilla Rhodes" (Laura Elena Harring) in the shower. Rita has suffered trauma to the head and is unable to recall her identity. They begin a search, ultimately the names Camilla Rhodes and Diane Selwyn get thrown around until you forget who is who. Many of the scenes did not make sense. "Mulholland Drive" is an amnesiacal portrayal of surreal Hollywood...does anyone know what year this movie was set in? Some scenes it looked to be modern, others it was 1950s wardrobe and setting.
"Mulholland Drive" definitely does not follow the typical opening, plot, climax and resolution nor does it follow a conventional narrative.
My advice is to watch it, and be confused.
Amadeus (1984)
Utterly Amazing
"Amadeus" is my favorite film of all-time. Usually I am not a fan of historical dramas. The movie centers around Italian composer Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), who is committed to a mental institution after trying to kill himself. He blames himself for the death of the legendary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce).
Salieri's life and music is faint due to his jealously of Mozart. He is fascinated yet disgusted by Mozart...and wonders why God would use a vulgar, boorish child to be the best composer in history. I like the Director's Cut DVD better, which portrays Mozart's wife Constanze (Elizabeth Berridge) in a more dramatic, involved role. After seeing the prolific scene with Constanze and Salieri, you will see why Constanze carries such disdain for him. Salieri's self-worth is destroyed and he finally accepts he is merely a 'mediocrity'. After seeing this piece of art (I cannot just call it a 'movie'), I grew fond of classical music. The operas and plays were very realistic, as if you were actually in 18th century Vienna! The costumes were lavish, accents perfected, Prague setting majestic and the music was beautiful.
Overall, I give 'Amadeus" an A+
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)
Even I liked it....
Traditionally, "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" is a 'guy' game. As a sixteen-year-old girl, even I liked it! The game was somewhat hard to play at first, yet, ultimately, I come home every day from school just to play this!With many other games, you can get real bored, real fast. The game has a "Miami Vice"-like plot and theme, not to mention, the '80s music is great! I'll never abandon this game, the best game ever! I have no complaints.
Getting There (2002)
Unrealistic yet enjoyable
I have admired how Mary-Kate and Ashley have developed into such great actresses. Now, about the movie, Taylor (Mary-Kate) and Kylie (Ashley) Hunter celebrate their sixteenth birthday with a new car, a driver's license and a trip to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. They travel with some friends of theirs and this is when it gets unrealistic. They get lost about nine times by taking the wrong Greyhound bus, leaving their topless car in the parking lot with the keys in the car, and a lot of other stuff. If I got lost in the middle of the country, my parents would grab me up in no time! Overall, I liked it and it was a little more mature than their previous films. Another thing: How can a sixteen-year-old use their parents' credit card without the parent being around??
Monster's Ball (2001)
Indies are the best
This is honestly the best film of 2001, in my opinion. Albeit lots of sexual content, Halle Berry gives the ultimate and dignified performance of her career. Billy Bob and even the surprise cameo of Sean 'P.Diddy' Combs was great, yet Halle deserved her Academy Award. She was great. I loved the gritty realism of the setting and the honest, Southern characters.
Swimfan (2002)
Pubescent Fatal Attraction
This is "Fatal Attraction" meets "Can't Hardly Wait". Swim star Ben (Jesse Bradford) has a picture-perfect romance with Amy (Shiri Appleby) until Madison (Erika Christensen) comes around. Ben and Madison have a one-night-stand then Madison goes completely psycho with incessant e-mails, phone calls, pages and little gifts in his locker. Madison even goes to lengths as to ruin Ben's budding swimming future with an accusation of steroids and almost murdering an elderly man Ben works with at a hospital.
Madison yet refuses to see her and Ben's relationship for what it is (or what it isn't). The ending is predictable and teens films are beginning to tire me. See "Fatal Attraction" if you really want to see someone go crazy!
I Am Sam (2001)
all i need is love
"I Am Sam" is one of the best and underrated films of 2001.
Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) has the intelligence of a seven-year-old. He has a seven-year-old daughter Lucy (the very delightful Dakota Fanning). Child's Services take Lucy away from Sam and Sam hires (probono) lawyer Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfieffer) to defend him and get his daughter back.
The movie has a great script, real characters and although the film was filmed with handheld cameras, I thought the cinematography was extremely unique. I even liked the computer keyboard and high heel noises Sam heard while he was at Rita's law firm office. The DVD extras were fantastic, they showed how Sean Penn prepared for his role as Sam. He imitated mentally-handicapped people in a respectful and dignified way, I really thought he deserved an Academy Award his role. Michelle Pfieffer gives one of the best performances of her career and Dakota Fanning shines in one of her first movie roles.
"I Am Sam" will leave you feeling good inside, this is honestly one of the only movies I have seen where I left the theatre feeling good and seeing the world in a different way. The music, all of which is by the Beatles, is unique and I liked Dianne Wiest as Sam's neighbor Annie. To rekindle the human spirit, "I Am Sam" is the film for you.
Crossroads (2002)
Not Yet An Actor, Britney Shows Some Promise
This movie was good for Britney. If any REAL actors were to be in this film, their careers would plummet big time. The movie is quite unrealistic and Britney is seen dancing in her bra and panties within the first ten minutes of the film and then again at the prom!! The DVD specials were boring, so I just turned it off! Please, don't count on seeing Zoe Saldana, Taryn Manning and ESPECIALLY Britney in any movies soon. I didn't like it. I mean, who would take a road trip with two people they didn't like across the country?
Vanilla Sky (2001)
Looks can be deceiving!
I am a fan of Cameron Crowe's earlier works ("Almost Famous", "Jerry Maguire"), yet this movie was very complex and confusing.
Wealthy publisher David Aames (Tom Cruise) and Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz), a 'f--- buddy', sleep together, which turns into a nightmare when she finds out he doesn't love her because he somewhat dumped her for shy, inhibited Sofia (Penelope Cruz). After a horrible accident involving Julie and David, strange things start to happen in his life that are out of control. David's once handsome face is disfigured and he sees Julie, who supposed to be dead, almost everywhere he turns. The ending is surprising yet predictable. A great attempt of Cameron Crowe's, but could have been better.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Funny!
This film was hilarious and heart-warming without being raunchy and tasteless (i.e. "American Pie", "Scary Movie"). Reese Witherspoon's performance was witty, cute and vivacious as Elle Woods. I thought that she was a bit ditzy to apply to Harvard Law School only to win her man back, but by the end, she proved that she didn't need Warner Huntington III to complete herself. This film has a great motto for young girls: "Believe in yourself, a guy does not complete you"!
Valentine (2001)
So 1996...
Horror films are not that popular anymore. But "Valentine" proved to be stylish and suspenseful. My favorite character was Lily (Jessica Cauffiel) because of her curly hair. Um, the movie wasn't predictable like other horror films. It got panned at the theaters (unfortunately), but nonetheless, I did actually enjoy it!
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
The Fast and the Stupid
I rented this DVD with my guy friend. Of course, it was more of his kind of movie than mine because it's a "guy movie". Anyway, I thought that there'd be more action and more cars. However, I was disappointed. The plot (but then again, who cared about the plot?) was flat and the characters (except Letty) were pretty weak and fake. Overall, I fell asleep towards the end of the movie.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Titanic Rip-Off
This film is too long (3 hours), too sappy and overall not a good film. With the romance clouding up the real events that happened on December 7, 1941, I was immediately reminded of "Titanic". There is no real historical accuracy in this film and it was a high-budget waste of time and money. Another thing: It was just too dramatic and sappy...sound familiar?
Kate Beckingsale, who I loved in "Brokedown Palace" left a sour taste in my mouth after this flick. I highly recommend "Tora! Tora! Tora!" instead of this. If you love history, rent that..it you want romance and other distractions, get "Pearl Harbor".
Boys and Girls (2000)
Terrible
I begged my friend to go see this movie with me and she demanded I buy her dinner later that night. Why? Because I dragged her to a film that SUCKED. The ill-fated attempt to be sentimental and romantic bombed, as well as the no-name actors (ex. Freddie Prinze Jr. and Alyson Hannigan). Even Heather Donahue from "The Blair Witch Project" was in this movie. The first ten minutes was somewhat humorous, I hated it. I did like Claire Forlani...now, FORGET ABOUT IT.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Never Fall in Love
I liked Baz Luhrmann's previous works such as "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet" but "Moulin Rouge", in my opinion, was perfect, I'd give it ten stars if I could. It was a magnificent and breathtaking film. Kidman was born to be Satine and Ewan McGregor actually CAN sing. The film was a bit too dramatic at times and the cinematography was incredible..."Moulin Rouge" should have won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Baz Luhrmann should have had an Oscar nomination.
Some people criticized the cinematography for being too vibrant and colorful but that was the best feature of the movie. Normally, I do not care for musicals but this is more than 'just a musical'...it has elements of drama and comedy as well. Nicole Kidman was absolutely beautiful and she did a FANTASTIC job as Satine. "Moulin Rouge" was a large [array] of colors, music and the craziest, most gaudy sounds of music ever! The costumes fit the movie very well.
The music was great too. It was cool to hear Nirvana, "Lady Marmalade", "Material Girl" and Marilyn Monroe's calling card all at once. I also liked Kylie Minogue as The Green Fairy/Tinkerbell. Bottom line: I love this film.
Head Over Heels (2001)
Non-Smoking Supermodels and a Humping Dog...
I'm not a big fan of romantic comedies, but this was really cute and humorous. There were many funny scenes-- but it wasn't all fun and games. The models were not ditzy, they were pretty hilarious. I also think that Monica Potter deserves more publicity because she is a great actress.
Gossip (2000)
Wanna know a secret?
Being a huge Kate Hudson fan, I had to see this film despite horrible reviews. "Gossip" centers around three college students; Derrick (James Marsden), Jones (Lena Headley) and Travis (Norman Reedus) who start a sexual rumor about a virginal-yet-icy classmate Naomi (Hudson). At a party, Naomi and Beau (Joshua Jackson) go in a room alone and he leaves. Naomi is found passed out. Jones, Travis and Derrick circulate the rumor around campus that Naomi and Beau had sex, then that turns to rape. Naomi, being drunk, doesn't remember much of the event and believes that she was raped. Hush....no more, you have to see it for yourself!
My only complaint about the film is that it does not fit into a genre, is it teen or not? The actors are in their early to mid-20s (ideal for teen movies) and the ending was very confusing and WEIRD. Overall, it wasn't that bad. It's better that a lot of other, um, teen movies.
Scary Movie (2000)
Goofy Spoofy
Raunchy and gross humor is quite popular these days. But "Scary Movie" tops it. Most of the actors in the movie were unknown until this film, but they continue to get dumb, unintelligent roles. See what this movie can do to your career? Anyway, the movie is very funny and I was laughing throughout the whole thing. However, I saw this movie with my mother. Never make that mistake! I'm not going to say anything bad about this movie, because it was quite good. But outrageous!
Ghost World (2001)
Special girls....
Buddies Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) graduate from high school and have no idea what to do with their futures, yet this is not your typical high school/slacker movie.
After playing around with the "L.A. Weekly" personal ads, they trick a middle-aged man Seymour (Steve Buscemi) into meeting 'his lovely blonde that you met on an airplane' at a local restaurant. Seeing his disappointment and sadness, Enid develops a friendship with Seymour. They both like music and Enid starts to abandon her future plans, and Rebecca, to spend time with this man. Ileana Douglas, as the pottery teacher Roberta, gives a hilarious supporting performance.
Very cynical and dark...at times even funny! One of the most underrated and best films of 2001! If you like "Election", you'll love this!
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Beautiful and Airy
I had wanted to see this movie for a long time. Throughout the film, I felt as if I was floating in mid-air--hypnotized. The movie was sensual, listless, hypnotic and exquisite. I especially loved Kirsten Dunst as sexually provocative Lux Lisbon and suicidal, journal-writing Cecilia Lisbon, whom said in the beginning, "Obviously doctor, you've never been a thirteen-year-old girl." Overall, this is a beautifully made, elegant movie. I give huge props to Sofia Coppola in her directorial debut.