Once again my apologies for being late.I started this one late yesterday night,So it still counts.I'm writing a short writeup because this movie doesn't warrant me writing a long writeup.
Galaxy Quest(1999):
A fun little movie about washed up science fiction actor's who are sent into outer space to help save aliens who think they are the real deal.An interesting plot and it makes for some good Star Trek satire.Not really a classic,But probably Tim Allen's best movie.
The performances are decent for a comedy.Allen plays the washed up actor who still believes he's a big star well and Alan Rickman plays the bitter actor well also.It's also interesting to see Tony Shalhoub in a non-Monk character.The rest of the cast is not bad,But kind of average.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Too Much Monkey Buisness
Monkey Business(1952):
A comedy staring Cary Grant, Ginger Rodgers, and Marilyn Monroe(Albeit in a small role.). It's about a formula that makes you feel younger. Fairly simple plot for a fairly simple movie.
Now,when I say simple what I really mean is boring and this film is boring and a half. Now, I certainly wasn't expecting this level of mediocrity from Cary Grant, and Marilyn Monroe of all people,But it was there throughout most of the picture.
First off the humor is not funny at all. It seems they are going for slapstick comedy, when in reality it's just obnoxious rubbish the way the character's behave. Now I know kids are silly, But when Rodger's takes a swig of Fountain Of Youth Juice(That's what I'm calling it. ) she just acts dumb and like she's drunk or something and when Grant takes a drink of it he's suddenly witty(Make up your minds people.).I don't get how Grant gets fast comebacks(His comebacks are probably the only thing I liked in this film.) from the drink and Rodger's gets stupid.
Secondly, the story is really bland as most of the film has Grant trying to figure out what was put in the mixture to make it work and the other half is filled with madcap shenanigans(Now,if they went with Three Stooges type of humor it would have merit, But unfortunately they went with the type of thing you'd see in a Our Gang short and it didn't fit.). By the end of the film I was just so tired of this monotonous structure that I was tempted to stop the film early and I really wish I did.
Overall,a horrid picture and probably Grant's worst. I didn't laugh as nearly as I should for a comedy and I wasn't entertained enough for it to be a noteworthy picture. It takes the honors for the worst film I've seen so far.
A comedy staring Cary Grant, Ginger Rodgers, and Marilyn Monroe(Albeit in a small role.). It's about a formula that makes you feel younger. Fairly simple plot for a fairly simple movie.
Now,when I say simple what I really mean is boring and this film is boring and a half. Now, I certainly wasn't expecting this level of mediocrity from Cary Grant, and Marilyn Monroe of all people,But it was there throughout most of the picture.
First off the humor is not funny at all. It seems they are going for slapstick comedy, when in reality it's just obnoxious rubbish the way the character's behave. Now I know kids are silly, But when Rodger's takes a swig of Fountain Of Youth Juice(That's what I'm calling it. ) she just acts dumb and like she's drunk or something and when Grant takes a drink of it he's suddenly witty(Make up your minds people.).I don't get how Grant gets fast comebacks(His comebacks are probably the only thing I liked in this film.) from the drink and Rodger's gets stupid.
Secondly, the story is really bland as most of the film has Grant trying to figure out what was put in the mixture to make it work and the other half is filled with madcap shenanigans(Now,if they went with Three Stooges type of humor it would have merit, But unfortunately they went with the type of thing you'd see in a Our Gang short and it didn't fit.). By the end of the film I was just so tired of this monotonous structure that I was tempted to stop the film early and I really wish I did.
Overall,a horrid picture and probably Grant's worst. I didn't laugh as nearly as I should for a comedy and I wasn't entertained enough for it to be a noteworthy picture. It takes the honors for the worst film I've seen so far.
As we walk in fields of dreams.
My apologies that I didn't write this review yesterday.I watched it yesterday night and fell asleep before I could get to the computer.But, I did watch it yesterday(Well,I started it yesterday and it ended 12;20ish that night.)
Anyways,
Field Of Dreams(1989)
This is the story of a man named Ray Kinsella. One day while tilling in his cornfield he here's a voice saying "If you build it he will come"and that encourages him to build a baseball field. I would say that this is a pretty simple plot and not deep in storytelling at all. But that's not the movie's strong point anyway.
The movies strong points are it's emotional moments. The parts of the movie that focus on unfulfilled dreams and dreams to come are what makes this film magical and without those moments this would be popcorn fluff.
The parts are played well enough. Costner play Ray well, and James Earl Jones steals the movie with his hilarious portrayal of a has-been novelist(He's got quite a few neat little lines in this film). The actor's who play Ray's wife and daughter are very average however and really don't add much to the film.
This film might be a magical ride throughout, But it's not without it's faults. First of all the whole book banning scene in the school reeks of pretentiousness("Look at us we're taking a stand against book banning") . Also, Anne(Ray's wife) is way too much of a hippy and honestly annoys me in almost every scene she appears and the whole plot with her arguing with her brother over the land was not needed.
Oh, and there's the ending. That's just one of those scene's that just gets me to tear up and it's the perfect ending to the film. My only gripe is the whole cars in the background and the final scene being of the cars. I never got why they had to include the financial aspect as much when it came to the farm, But that's a minor gripe anyway and it doesn't really take away from the film.
Overall,a good film and defiantly worth my time.
Anyways,
Field Of Dreams(1989)
This is the story of a man named Ray Kinsella. One day while tilling in his cornfield he here's a voice saying "If you build it he will come"and that encourages him to build a baseball field. I would say that this is a pretty simple plot and not deep in storytelling at all. But that's not the movie's strong point anyway.
The movies strong points are it's emotional moments. The parts of the movie that focus on unfulfilled dreams and dreams to come are what makes this film magical and without those moments this would be popcorn fluff.
The parts are played well enough. Costner play Ray well, and James Earl Jones steals the movie with his hilarious portrayal of a has-been novelist(He's got quite a few neat little lines in this film). The actor's who play Ray's wife and daughter are very average however and really don't add much to the film.
This film might be a magical ride throughout, But it's not without it's faults. First of all the whole book banning scene in the school reeks of pretentiousness("Look at us we're taking a stand against book banning") . Also, Anne(Ray's wife) is way too much of a hippy and honestly annoys me in almost every scene she appears and the whole plot with her arguing with her brother over the land was not needed.
Oh, and there's the ending. That's just one of those scene's that just gets me to tear up and it's the perfect ending to the film. My only gripe is the whole cars in the background and the final scene being of the cars. I never got why they had to include the financial aspect as much when it came to the farm, But that's a minor gripe anyway and it doesn't really take away from the film.
Overall,a good film and defiantly worth my time.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Don't Play With Strangers!
OK, I watched this yesterday and I'm a little late with the post.
Strangers On A Train(1951)
Oh, man is this ever a choice movie.Such a solid plot, solid performances, and the way Hitchcock presents the scene's is simply incredible.It's just a testament to how well Hitchcock could direct a film in his day.
First off, Hitchcock does a spectacular job at directing here.There are just so many scene's here where you are on the edge of you're seat.It really shows how solid of a director he was and just how his movies shined above many other of his peers.
For example, the murder scene is a real visual treat.The music just lures you into the scene and the killer's walking towards the victim really builds the suspense.It gets to a point where you suspect the murder has happened and then you realise it was just Hitchcock tricking you.The whole scene just keeps escalating until the breaking point and every moment of this scene is just great.
Secondly,Robert Walker's performance as Bruno is really solid.He plays off the vibe of evil, conniving, murderer so well here.He talks so smoothly about murder that it seems like it's almost nothing to him.He just has that certain smugness that makes the character believable and really makes you hate the guy.It's really a shame that he wasn't in very many notable pictures.
Overall,a very tight picture and a very solid showing from Hitchcock.The performances were good,the cinematography was excellent, and I was entertained from the opening credits to the closing credits.This one's defiantly worth watching again.
Strangers On A Train(1951)
Oh, man is this ever a choice movie.Such a solid plot, solid performances, and the way Hitchcock presents the scene's is simply incredible.It's just a testament to how well Hitchcock could direct a film in his day.
First off, Hitchcock does a spectacular job at directing here.There are just so many scene's here where you are on the edge of you're seat.It really shows how solid of a director he was and just how his movies shined above many other of his peers.
For example, the murder scene is a real visual treat.The music just lures you into the scene and the killer's walking towards the victim really builds the suspense.It gets to a point where you suspect the murder has happened and then you realise it was just Hitchcock tricking you.The whole scene just keeps escalating until the breaking point and every moment of this scene is just great.
Secondly,Robert Walker's performance as Bruno is really solid.He plays off the vibe of evil, conniving, murderer so well here.He talks so smoothly about murder that it seems like it's almost nothing to him.He just has that certain smugness that makes the character believable and really makes you hate the guy.It's really a shame that he wasn't in very many notable pictures.
Overall,a very tight picture and a very solid showing from Hitchcock.The performances were good,the cinematography was excellent, and I was entertained from the opening credits to the closing credits.This one's defiantly worth watching again.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Can I get a Witness?
Ok.My Grammar skills are abysmal(I'll work on it.). Now that that's over with, it's time for the first film:
Witness(1985)
This here is one crazy mash-up. Harrison Ford,Cop Drama, and Amish People. What a wild mix, and it gets very convoluted at times. It seems like the full intent of this movie was to squish the plot of a cop drama, and add a Amish love story on the side. Not a good combination at all.
Here Harrison Ford plays a cop solving a mystery about another murdered cop, and the only witness was an Amish boy(Lukas Haas). Here's the real twist though:You find out who the killer is about thirty minutes into the film. Now, why would I want to see the rest of this film? To see Harrison Ford's interaction's with the Amish, of course!
Although he spends almost an hour with the Amish people, The plot plods along at a slow pace and Harrison Ford falling an Amish woman(Kelly McGillis) does not make the most intriguing plot.His few interactions with the Amish people are not very compelling either, and apart from breaking many of there rules they do not reprehend him. Sounds like a reasonable Amish farm.
The movie as a whole was just forced into it's time. If more time were used in the investigation process perhaps I would care,But alas I don't.Overall,a good waste of two hours, But popcorn fluff overall. Then again, it's Harrison Ford and the Amish people. What was I expecting?
Re-Watchability:
Maybe if I'm bored and it's on Television, But otherwise probably not. It just doesn't have enough in it to warrant a re-watch and it seems like everything is just squeezed into the movie.
Alright,enough if that.It's time for a brand new concept called "Where was this taped?".Here I will give out a few of the commercials that were on the tape and you, the fine readers at home, will have to determine what channel it was taped on and what year it was taped.First to guess gets an invisible box of popcorn sent via invisamail(It's like a no-prize.)
Here goes:
Perfect Crime:A commercial for an original program called Perfect Crime
Snapple Island:A commercial about a Snapple island,where the incredibly annoying
Snapple lady is queen.
Sunday Night Heat TV Block:Featuring The Big Easy, and La Femme Nikita
Sprint Red Yellow Pages:A commercial with monks chanting and hitting themselves with Sprint's red yellow pages.
Now,get to work on figuring it out.
Witness(1985)
This here is one crazy mash-up. Harrison Ford,Cop Drama, and Amish People. What a wild mix, and it gets very convoluted at times. It seems like the full intent of this movie was to squish the plot of a cop drama, and add a Amish love story on the side. Not a good combination at all.
Here Harrison Ford plays a cop solving a mystery about another murdered cop, and the only witness was an Amish boy(Lukas Haas). Here's the real twist though:You find out who the killer is about thirty minutes into the film. Now, why would I want to see the rest of this film? To see Harrison Ford's interaction's with the Amish, of course!
Although he spends almost an hour with the Amish people, The plot plods along at a slow pace and Harrison Ford falling an Amish woman(Kelly McGillis) does not make the most intriguing plot.His few interactions with the Amish people are not very compelling either, and apart from breaking many of there rules they do not reprehend him. Sounds like a reasonable Amish farm.
The movie as a whole was just forced into it's time. If more time were used in the investigation process perhaps I would care,But alas I don't.Overall,a good waste of two hours, But popcorn fluff overall. Then again, it's Harrison Ford and the Amish people. What was I expecting?
Re-Watchability:
Maybe if I'm bored and it's on Television, But otherwise probably not. It just doesn't have enough in it to warrant a re-watch and it seems like everything is just squeezed into the movie.
Alright,enough if that.It's time for a brand new concept called "Where was this taped?".Here I will give out a few of the commercials that were on the tape and you, the fine readers at home, will have to determine what channel it was taped on and what year it was taped.First to guess gets an invisible box of popcorn sent via invisamail(It's like a no-prize.)
Here goes:
Perfect Crime:A commercial for an original program called Perfect Crime
Snapple Island:A commercial about a Snapple island,where the incredibly annoying
Snapple lady is queen.
Sunday Night Heat TV Block:Featuring The Big Easy, and La Femme Nikita
Sprint Red Yellow Pages:A commercial with monks chanting and hitting themselves with Sprint's red yellow pages.
Now,get to work on figuring it out.
Friday, May 18, 2007
The Movie A Day Project
Hey, everybody and welcome to my blog(never thought I'd say that):The Movie A Day Project.Where I will simply try to watch a movie everyday for a year.It should be interesting to see what happens and if I can keep it up long enough I will have seen 365 movies in a year.
Now here's a quick tale on how this idea came about:
I was wondering what movie to watch one day,looked through my entertainment center, and found a bunch of movies my aunt gave to me that were on VHS. Upon seeing that there were many movies that I'd never seen, I decided to try to watch them all one at a time. Then it struck me, What if I chronicled what I watched and wrote reviews about it? I figured it could be an interesting to do on the Internet and I created this blog here to write about said films
Here's where you come in. You can post your thoughts/reviews here or anything you'd like in the comments section. Also,once I run out of movies from what I have I will look to you avid readers for some suggestions and perhaps I will watch a film you request(and believe me even it's cheesy I'll consider it it.). Also,if you request a film I'm not quite willing to buy,(I don't rent.I don't like the idea of putting money towards something and maybe liking it and paying for it again.), try to find it on T.V somewhere, and I'll probably watch it.
Now here's a quick tale on how this idea came about:
I was wondering what movie to watch one day,looked through my entertainment center, and found a bunch of movies my aunt gave to me that were on VHS. Upon seeing that there were many movies that I'd never seen, I decided to try to watch them all one at a time. Then it struck me, What if I chronicled what I watched and wrote reviews about it? I figured it could be an interesting to do on the Internet and I created this blog here to write about said films
Here's where you come in. You can post your thoughts/reviews here or anything you'd like in the comments section. Also,once I run out of movies from what I have I will look to you avid readers for some suggestions and perhaps I will watch a film you request(and believe me even it's cheesy I'll consider it it.). Also,if you request a film I'm not quite willing to buy,(I don't rent.I don't like the idea of putting money towards something and maybe liking it and paying for it again.), try to find it on T.V somewhere, and I'll probably watch it.
Anyway,it's time for me to get watching the first film.
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