Change Your Image
plotrow
Reviews
Maggie and Annie (2002)
Not bad for an indie film
This movie, while predictable and even overly-sappy at times, is nowhere near as bad as some of the other reviewers would lead you to believe.
Keep in mind that this is an indie film, and as such, lacks any of that overly-produced, Hollywood sterility, the exact thing that separates "indie" from "commercial" movies in the first place.
Granted, the camera work is a bit amateurish in places, the movie could have stood to have been trimmed in length just a tad, and more than a few scenes will lead you to easily guess what is going to happen next. But again, that is the very thing that gives an indie film much of its charm, in my opinion.
The acting was actually pretty good; about the only characters that seemed a bit flat were Maggie's lesbian friends. But, I think that had more to do with flaws in the script, rather than any lack of acting ability on the part of the actors.
Give this a watch and enjoy it for what it is: A genuinely sweet and rather touching love story.
The Craft (1996)
Strictly for teens or those who don't require much from a movie
Granted, I knew that I was taking a chance when I decided to watch this movie, meaning that I knew from reading reviews by others that this might not be my sort of horror film. (And I'm a huge horror and supernatural movie fan).
The main problem that I had with The Craft is the fact that so much that is really important to the integrity of the film is left unexplained, such as how these four girls got their power in the first place.
You will do much better by watching such horror greats as Carrie, and even Tamara rather than wasting your time on this film.
Gran Torino (2008)
Classic Clint Eastwood
Let's face it, if you don't like any of Clint Eastwood characters, you are not going to give this film the sort of credit that it deserves.
But regardless of how you view Eastwoods's career going into it, you will still laugh, cry and enjoy watching it immensely! I saw this in a theater with a packed-to-almost-overflowing audience (there were actually people standing on their feet watching the move at the back of the movie house). The laughter from the crowd in the funny places was loud and genuine and the silence from this same large group was complete during the more poignant ones.
At the end of the film, the entire audience clapped during the credits.
This is not a perfect film, but it is damned close. Clint Eastwood gives one of his best performances *ever* in this film and with only a few rare exceptions, virtually carries every scene.
The only scene that felt a bit too scripted was the barber shop scene with Walt, Thao, and Barber Martin, though it was still damned funny! Even if you don't love Clint Eastwood, you will love this movie. And if like me you are an Eastwood fan, you will experience one of his finest moments on film.
Bravo, Clint! Thank you for giving it your all once again.
Witchboard (1986)
Surprisingly Bad Movie
Before you consider what I have to say, know that I came onto this IMDb entry and read the entire collections of reviews left by people who both loved and hated this movie.
After reading all the reviews, I was torn between whether to watch it and not to watch it as some people gushed over this film, while others said it was just awful. I decided to go ahead and watch it as I often find that reviewers don't always get it right on here, in that I sometimes end up disagreeing with the consensus assessment of a film.
Well, this time the people who hated the movie got it exactly right! This is a seriously bad horror film. It is in no way scary and the scenes that are supposed to be big scares fall completely flat. (I've seen made-for-television movies that were scarier than this, and I usually can't stand TV movies). You can see the setup for a "scare" coming from miles away and when it happens, all you can do is shake your head in wonder at why the directors thought it was going to spook anyone. To make matters worse, the same setup and scare is used over and over again. So I was left shaking my head multiple times.
Do yourself a favor: stay far, far away from this one if you don't want to have to come back on here and read this: I TOLD YOU SO!!!
The Mist (2007)
The Mist-ake
I'm giving this one two stars, one for the CGI work done on a few of the monsters and one for the acting done by a couple of the actors. All of the other deducted stars are for bad editing, bad directing, and the numerous "done to death" clichéd scare tactics that dominated this film.
The sad fact here is that a great many of the actors in this film could not act act at all, while others acted well in certain scenes and then totally dropped the ball in others. The only actors who I felt remained consistent throughout were Marcia Gay Harden as Mrs. Carmody and Toby Jones as Ollie.
It is obvious to me that most of the budget for this movie went toward the CGI effects, while the editing and casting staff were on a tight budget. The CGI, though good in a few places, looked very, very silly in others (the spiders would have been better used in a Harry Potter movie and the thunderstorm at the start of the movie was so very obviously computer generated that I groaned inwardly).
This film is bumpy and inconsistent and downright silly in some places. (In fact, the crowd I watched this with in the theater actually laughed out loud during a few scenes that were supposed to be scary).
I'm a big fan of both Stephen King and of certain other films based on his work. And I loved reading this story and own the book. But the movie version is very disappointing and I tried very hard to give it a chance.
Case Reopened: The Zodiac (1999)
Great Overview of the Zodiac Case
This is a well-produced and factual overview of the infamous Zodiac murders case that took place during the late 60s and early 70s in the San Francisco Bay area of California.
This documentary combines recreations of the actual murders (very well done and not overly-sensationalized), along with relevant commentary from police officials, investigators and researchers.
The presentation sticks to the case's basic facts and paints a picture of an exceptionally cold-hearted killer whose propensity for violence was surpassed only by his incredible ability to play the media and to constantly adapt and evolve, a tactic that allowed him to stay several steps ahead of the police at all times.
Included are examples of the correspondence that the Zodiac killer sent to San Francisco Bay area newspapers and a discussion of how one of the killer's many cryptograms was finally deciphered.
Also included is a full discussion of what is known among researchers as "The Radian Theory," a discovery that is perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the entire case (and one which may explain the killer's bizarre motives for the crimes).
Highly recommended to anyone who has an interest in true crime and other sorts of unsolved mysteries.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
They are Coming!
This movie is set in Santa Mira, California, a small town that has been invaded by alien seed pods from outer space. These pods have the ability to create copies of human beings, ones that look exactly like the originals, but which are in fact mindless and emotionless shells that become part of an insidious plot to destroy mankind! Dr. Miles Bennell discovers the horrible truth behind the alien invaders and their plot to destroy our world, but his warnings are dismissed as the ravings of a madman.
Fast-paced and wonderfully paranoid, this film has been seen as an analogy for everything from the threat of Cold War communism to the mob hysteria, fascism and witch hunt atmosphere of red-baiters such as Joe McCarthy. (Modern analysis also includes parallels to the fear of viral contamination, the loss of self through the programming of religious fundamentalism, and even the brainwashing of people into mindless consumerism by corporate advertising).
They're Coming!
Over the Edge (1979)
The way the 70's REALLY were!
The kids are not all right in New Granada!
This film very accurately portrays what life was really like for many teenagers who lived in the suburbs during the 1970s.
Growing up, my own life was very much like those of the teens in this movie: I was a teenager in the mid-70s and I lived in exactly the same sort of constantly under-development, suburban wasteland where whole mobs of kids were pretty much left to their own devices by parents who were too busy chasing the American Dream to notice what we were really up to; a place where there was easy access to lots and lots of cheap drugs and alcohol, and where boredom reigned supreme (remember, these were the days before the Internet, VCRs, or even home video games).
If you were ever rebellious and grew up during the same time period and in the same sort of suburban community, then I guarantee that virtually every character in this movie will remind you of someone you knew back then (maybe even yourself!).
Dazed and Confused (1993)
My Teen Years Captured on Film!
I went to see this movie when it was on its original run in the theaters and was completely blown away as I had no idea what it was all about until after I was in my seat watching it.
Dazed and Confused portrayed exactly the way I remember my teenage years and damn near every character in this film resembled someone I knew back then (and if you grew up during the same era, you will probably see yourself in this film, too, and maybe even your old car).
Along with "Over the Edge," this movie has to be the most accurate portrayal of what life was like in the 70's for many high school kids all across America (the hip and stoned ones anyway, I guess I should add).
Probably not for everyone, but definitely worth a look, even if you don't agree with the drug use, sexual humor and/or defiant attitudes.
Billy Jack (1971)
Stick it to The Man!
Billy Jack is one of those films that seems to have absolutely no middle ground with people, i.e., one either hates it or loves it.
I fall into the latter category.
Although Billy Jack was shot on a shoestring budget and contains some of the worst acting -- and singing -- ever recorded on film, I love everything, and I do mean *everything* about this movie! It will appeal to anyone who is: a) a major fan of the sixties; b) who still believes in the "peace and love" idealism of that time; c) those who love movies with scenes that are aimed directly at invoking your most basic emotions by way of manipulating you with cheap and shameless sentimentality.
Billy Jack panders to your sense of utter outrage at blatant hypocrisy and injustice, and invokes the hippie/flower child fear of living in a truly hostile environment infested with mindless townspeople and hateful rednecks.
Stick it to the man! Highly recommended!