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Reviews
The X Files: The Gift (2001)
Via Negativa Redux (Possible minor spoilers)
Arguments start not far into this episode, as a result of Skinner and Doggett's basic disagreement regarding what the facts are in the case of the missing X-Files agent Mulder. In a bizarre redux of Via Negativa, Doggett and Skinner pair up once again, absent Scully.
Which is not to say this doesn't feel much different in many ways, than that episode. To quote Muldernscully's review, "It has to be a good episode to not make me miss the presence of my favorite female FBI agent." I can't say Scully is my all-time favorite but she was before the introduction of Vivian Johnson in the pilot of "Without a Trace." Now Special Agents Scully and Johnson are probably tied in my book.
In this episode we get a continuation of season eight's major plot line: what is going on with Mulder? Suffice it to say this is a thoroughly engaging mystery for both the characters and audience, though I'd say most of the mystery regarding the episode's X-File is pretty much gone within the first few minutes: we're here mostly to find out about Mulder.
Many episodes of this show reveal that a small town is hiding something. This small town is no different, except that its mystery is certainly much more interesting than average. Roadrunners is also a great ep. from this season that pulled off the small town theme without becoming too boring.
In the Cut (2003)
Hauntingly, eerily bad
Meg Ryan and Jennifer Jason Leigh look like real people in this movie. That and the symbolism are about the only things that work in this movie.
I haven't read the book, but I have a feeling this is one of those cases where the book was much better than the movie. Sorry to see Meg, Jennifer, and Kevin Bacon signed on for this.
The problems are simple and easily fixed. First, when you set up a film, it's a make-believe world. That doesn't mean that the characters get to do whatever they want, though. They have to have some sort of behavioral logic to their actions. Jennifer Jason Leigh's character goes just a mite too far to be believable in that "I know I'm a psycho stalker, but I can't help it" schtick, Meg Ryan makes several illogical moves that make the viewer think, "I know no one who would do that," and the Kevin Bacon thing just throws the whole movie for a loop for no apparent reason, as nothing seems to be resolved in that subplot.
Meg Ryan paints a beautiful emotional landscape (which is often difficult for romantic comedy actresses to do) but sadly, the rest of the film and even her own character's actions fail to live up to this emotionally believable performance.
3/10, partially for how many times we've seen this plot in movies before. Come up with something more original please.
See Se7en, Don't Say a Word, or Sleeping With the Enemy if you want better.
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
A decent sequel with quite a few flaws
*Caution: Minor Spoilers*
Of course, after a movie like the Matrix, it either better be a very good sequel, or they just shouldn't bother. Here, we pick up around 6 months after the final telephone call of the first movie and attempt to wage a final battle against the machines. You expect smart filmmaking and a really great script, along with the stylization that made the first movie feel slick and stylish. I expected something equally as profound as the first movie, if not more so.
What you get instead is simply an extension of the first movie, although clearly a lot of changes are expected with our first trip to Xion. It definitely feels like a different movie.
Like the first, there's always some mystery just around the corner, but unlike the first, every time we start to get intrigued, another 15 minute battle sequence begins. Insulting. Yes, the Matrix is supposed to be about a battle, but every battle seemed poorly placed, interrupting the flow of the movie.
The best acting, as before, comes from Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne, although Moss was given less to work with this time around. However, the entire cast of main characters is shown up by near-flawless performances from the supporting actors: most notably, Monica Bellucci (For more excellent work by her, check out Brotherhood of the Wolf or Irréversible), as well as Robyn Nevin, Jada Pinkett Smith, and the late Gloria Foster.
Casting directors Mali Finn and Shauna Wolifson did quite an amazing job, especially on the female side of things, but the actors failed to live up to all they could be. In addition a better script was needed.
In addition, multiplying Agent Smith and removing him from the Agent pool could have been a good idea if it didn't, of course, result in the most senseless battle scene of the movie.