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IMDb member since November 1999
    Lifetime Total
    5+
    IMDb Member
    24 years

Reviews

X-Men
(2000)

Finally - a cool comic adaptation
I'm sure I wasn't the only comic fan wary of the X-Men movie. I couldn't wait for it to come out but half-expected it to disappoint. So imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a very slick, well-produced film.

The makers obviously identified the problem of having too many heroes so reduced it five (and did well with their choices). Predictably, Wolverine steals the show. In fact Hugh Jackman turns in a first-rate performance as Logan - making up for my early disappointment when I heard last year that Russel Crowe turned down the role. Scott and Jean were both underused I thought and I didn't really like the dumbing down of Jean's abilities but they can develop. In fact the sequel should be even more impressive. This movie has defined the characters, culture and context very well. The next one can just be an action-packed romp.

Can you imagine a Bond-style opening featuring the X-Men? How cool would that be? And a very good way to introduce a new mutant or two (hint hint writers/producers).

Special mention for the 'cameo' mutant appearances such as Bobby, Kitty and Jubilee. Hopre to see more of them next time.

An X-L-ent film. Nothing too cerebral. Just great fun.

Gone in Sixty Seconds
(2000)

*yawn* They couldn't come up with one twist?
Quality cast. Cool car chase. Bit of fun.

Oh, and a complete lack of unpredictability. It's not realistic and I can accept that as it was kind of fun. But the foreshadowing would have been obvious to a mole.

Eadie was good. Ribiosi was good. Jolie was ok (tho a bit skanky).

Formulaic. Predictable. But fun nonetheless.

Joan of Arc
(1999)

Delightfully ambiguous
Critics have been harsh on this movie but for the life of me I can't see why.

The film was a wonderful exploration of the Maid of New Orleans and the life she lead. It explored the question of whether she truly saw the visions or whether she was delusional. More importantly it didn't answer the question, instead putting forwards the facts and raising the doubts in a delightfully delicious way. Dustin Hoffman's performance was superb.

The omnipotent ones (the film critics) were harsh on Milla Jovavich's performance yet I thought she played an uneducated but passionate farm girl perfectly. She was supposed to be ignorant of most matters - but strong in faith. A faith that Besson questioned subtly but well.

Ignore the critics. See and save this one.

Mission: Impossible II
(2000)

Cruise does a Bond movie
Seriously, this is like Ethan Hunt doing Bond. Yes, it's fun. Yes, it's flashy. Yes, the stunts are outrageous.

But is there a twist? Sadly no. Are we left wondering what will happen next? No. Not even close.

Maybe I'm being harsh but one thing I expect from MI is a twist or hidden things that are only apparent at the end. This version was oh so predictable from the very start.

Give us unexpected suspense for heaven's sake.

Though it was fun to watch it's lack of depth relegates it to the very lightweight category.

The Waterboy
(1998)

Forrest Gump meets Happy Gilmour
Okay, it's a silly movie, but you don't expect Shakespeare from Adam Sandler do you?

It's a boy meets girl, boy proves to be naive to the point of stupidity but prevails nonetheless, boy inadvertantly turns out to be a sports hero, type movie. Typical fare really.

On the negative side of things, Sandler's character actually grates at times and some of the slapstick is a little wearisome but the overall storyline isn't too bad though rather predictable.

On the positive side of things, some of the football scenes feature amazing tackles and action. And the performances of Henry Winkler and Fairuza Balk are excellent.

Predictable, a tad silly, but the Waterboy remains enjoyable.

Le Cinquième Élément
(1997)

Because she's worth it!!
A wonderful sci fi romp (a word not usually associated with the sci fi genre but not at all a bad thing). It's a playful film with the obligatory big guns, cute girl, cool aliens, amazing special effects and sweeping landscapes.

Throw in a very cool villian (Gary Oldman is simply one of the best bad guys there is) and outrageous costumes and you have The Fifth Element.

This light-headed movie centres around the existence of a new element we were previously unaware of. So far so good - that's a reasonably strong starting point for a plot. Then we discover this new (fifth) element is a gorgeous babe and we no longer care about the merits of the script. Milla Jovavich does a great acting job as a confused and english-challenged alie... er... element. Her performances have been criticised and I think some critics have brought along their previous opinions as baggage. Here she was great and not just because she exudes cute innocence and sex appeal (which she did with style). The Loriel girl definitely proved she's worth it.

Bruce Willis does the diehard thing again. Aliens get shot, Leloo discovers humanity isn't all roses, things blow up, heroes fallin love. What else do you want?

Les misérables
(1995)

A masterful and touching piece.
Quite superb. A simply entrancing story of hope and the human spirit. Masterfully crafted and told, it leaves you with a warm feeling inside.

One of only two movies I've been moved to stand and applaud at the end of. I wasn't at all surprised to have the entire cinema follow suit.

Back to the Future
(1985)

Let your imagination fly
A funny sci-fi? Unusual but here it not only works but does so spectacularly. A whimsical but very clever time travel story that bedazzles you leaving you wanting more.

The charasmatic Michael J Fox plays a wonderful bumbling high schooler searching for love, a guitar gig and his existence which he himself threatens to erase.

Clever and humourous references litter this fun flick; references which are further improved upon in the sequels. Views of the same scenes from different angles, different perspectives and different timelines abound.

Fun for the entire family.

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