nera720

IMDb member since August 2001
    Lifetime Total
    10+
    IMDb Member
    23 years

Reviews

Diary of a Mad Black Woman
(2005)

A Good Balance
Having read previous reviews of this film before going, I was a bit skeptical of what the film would be like.

I had already seen the play and had been looking forward to the film version since I heard about it coming out.

Of course, I expected to laugh. Anyone familiar with the Madea character or had seen the trailer would know that, but I also knew there was a powerful story behind the comedy.

This story transcends race lines. It is a story of people who have been wronged and the strength they find in family, friends, their religion and within themselves.

The story coupled with the humor made for an enjoyable experience all around.

I was quite excited to see the mixed audience that came out to see the film today and even happier that everyone in the theatre seemed to enjoy this movie! I laughed and cried. Two things I generally do not do at a movie, even rarer at the same time.

Even though religion is discussed in the film, it is not done so in a way that would alienate people like myself, who are not religious.

Overall, this film had a story many would relate to and can be enjoyed immensely by those who go into it with an open mind.

Hitch
(2005)

Great Date Flick!
This movie is not too "chick flick" to scare a date into not wanting to go and just funny enough to make you smile as you leave the theater.

Hitch definitely wasn't my first choice for Valentine's weekend. I was thinking I wanted to see a horror flick, but because of the occasion I figured maybe this movie was worth a try. And I was happy I made the switch! The scenes between Will Smith and Kevin James were just hilarious. They worked really well off of each other.

And the well known food allergy scene had me laughing so hard I cried.

If you're a New York City fan there are plenty of sights and sounds to be in awe of. Hitch's apartment is just awesome! The whole mood of the film is just light, with just a little sap thrown in for good measure... Overall, it's a funny little flick that couples even ones that don't enjoy "chick flicks" all that much can get into.

The Grudge
(2004)

Got a good scare
I had been looking forward to seeing this one since I saw the trailers for it. One thing I can say is that I am so glad that the studio and producers of this film went out and got the man who created this wild story to come and keep the spirit of his original alive.

There were quite a few scenes in this movie where I was just totally freaked out. The sounds and visuals are just amazing!

Some parts even had me worried about going home and getting into bed (those that saw the movie would know why)... As a horror fan, I was not disappointed.

If you like a movie that makes you jump out of your seat, this one is definitely for you!

Shallow Hal
(2001)

Unexpectedly Funny
I had not seen Shallow Hal until I saw it on cable today. It was a movie that because of negative comments from friends that I thought maybe I shouldn't see it.

I wasn't offended by the humor or the funny "accidents" that seemed to plague Rosemary (played by Gwyneth Paltrow). The accidents were things that could happen to anyone and the teasing and name calling featured was, for the most part, similar to things I know I've heard before.

Deep down the character Hal (played by Jack Black) learned a great lesson in looking deeper inside a person for their inner beauty, instead of totally basing a relationship on the person's outer beauty.

It was a well acted and quirky little comedy. I enjoyed this flick more than I thought I would and would recommend it to others.

Life as a House
(2001)

One of the best I've ever seen...
Yes, I rented this one for superficial reasons (to watch Hayden Christensen), but I ended up loving this film and eventually adding it to my video collection...

I'm also a fan of Kevin Kline who turned in an amazing performance as an architect who finds out he is terminally ill and decides to spend his last summer building a home with his troubled son played by Christensen.

I am not typically into these types of dramas, but there was just something amazing about this film that was powerful enough to draw me in.

Hayden Christensen was great as the troubled son Sam... I underestimated him as an actor before seeing this movie... I had a bit more respect for his talent after seeing this one... He was moving...

Other performances that rounded out the overall feel of the film were turned in by Kristen Scott Thomas and Mary Steenburgen who provided some funny moments in the film...

If you love tear-jerking dramas, I would say this one is for you!

Shaun of the Dead
(2004)

Campy Good Fun
I had been waiting for this one for a while... I heard a lot about this movie on various horror movie forums I participate in...

This movie was great! I thought that the classic zombies (the non running type), humor and cheese made Shaun of the Dead a good campy comedy-horror flick...

The cast was well put together (I could tell they had some fun with this one) and the comic timing made for some good hard laughs from the audience...

Overall, I would say this one was a good date or group flick... Hilarious! I give it an A.

Near Dark
(1987)

Unique take on the old Vampire Myth
The twist of never actually calling the "monsters" in this movie vampires, yet they had the same qualities that a typical vampire does was definitely a welcome change...

The bar scene has to be one of the best I've seen in a long time...

Also there is a child vampire in the flick, who was almost more evil than Claudia (from Interview with the Vampire)... Loved him!

There was one element in the film that I thought was a bit lame, but it is a bit of a spoiler, so I won't post it...

Overall, this movie had an interesting storyline, wicked visuals, and a cast of vampires that you just loved to hate... Good flick... Grade A.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
(2004)

Captured by Potter Magic
I wasn't really a Harry Potter fan going into this film, but a friend convinced me to go, and I am sure glad she did!

The third installment of Harry's saga, shows that the children and the production have matured since the last films were released.

The darker theme and visuals coupled with the well written story kept me glued to the screen until the very end.

It was a little long, but the time seemed to fly by (no slow points in this one). It was funny, suspenseful and a bit cute at times. Everything a movie targeted more at children should be.

Even though there were some scary images, and the language honestly isn't as strong as the rating suggests, I'd give this film an 'A+' movie because it's something that the whole family can enjoy.

Cold Creek Manor
(2003)

Good but Not Great
The premise of the film's story was actually pretty good, but unfortunately it felt flat once you were sitting there watching it.

The beginning of the film was incredibly slow, and there just was not enough back story to really understand what was going to come.

Once the real point of the plot was revealed it was already more than halfway through the film, so the poor actors and director did not seem to have much time to get the climax and ending to work like it really could have.

The acting in the film was pretty good, even though I could've really did without Juliette Lewis' performance (I'm a Juliette fan, but I just had to say it).

Overall, it was pretty good, but nothing like the trailer showed.

I would suggest waiting for the DVD, or a cheap seat theatre before taking out the arm and leg that it costs to go to the theatre at a non-matinee time.

Joy Ride
(2001)

Thrills, Chills and One Big Bad Truck!
I just happened to be walking around my local video store, and noticed the absolutely gorgeous Paul Walker on the cover of this DVD.

Granted my original reason for picking up this flick had to do with its gorgeous leading man, however, after reading the synopsis I was ready for one wild ride.

This flick is quite a mind bender. The realism of the fear and the break up in between screams with some comic relief is what kept me watching this one over and over again.

After the rental period was over, I went right to the shelves to buy this scream gem!

Great performances were turned in by all in the cast, especially Ted Levine as Rusty Nail. He had my friends and I hopping off the couch screaming.

This is definitely a must-see for those into suspense-thrillers.

The Brotherhood III: Young Demons
(2002)

A bit disappointing
As a fan of David DeCoteau's "The Brotherhood" series, I was a bit disappointed in this third installment.

What disappointed me about this chapter in the series, was the storyline. I felt the actual plot did not flow well, and it made the story a bit hard to follow.

Although the plot was somewhat confusing, the visuals and acting did make the film more enjoyable.

The visual aspects of these films are amazing. The dreamlike imagery used gives an otherworldly and creepy feel that makes horror films just that more interesting to watch.

The players turned in good performances. I was especially impressed by the lead character's portrayer.

Overall it was a pretty decent film, and I'm looking forward to watching future installments of the series.

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