Joey_Mac

Well, I was quite surprised when I saw that this little-known (or less than that) film only recieved a rating of 5 out of 10. The minute this movie was over, I hopped onto Amazon.com and ordered a copy for myself. I didn't even return it to the video store until my own copy came. I have never been this pleasantly surprised with a movie. The film starts off seemingly as just another teen movie where stereotypes and cliches abound. The humor even seems a little slapstick at first, not really my kind of humor. But once this film gets going, it doesn't let up. It takes you in and makes you look at things differently. Some of the quotes from this movie are the most touching and profound lines I've heard from a film since "The Breakfast Club" (still, my all-time FAVORITE movie), such as "When it comes to the ritual of growing up, sometimes you smile because you're happy. Other times, you smile just because you've survived. But hey, a smile is a smile." Those lines show that this movie goes deeper than just another teen flick and in the end, you have a feel-good feeling that stays with you for a while. I think that those of you who have viewed this film and gave it less than a seven need to view it again. But this time, look closer. . .let it take you in the way a good film should.

First off, let me start this by saying that the critics reviews of this film absolutely appalled me. Their reasons for these ratings appalled me even further! Critic called this film "so saccharine covered it will make you want to lose your lunch" and so "sweet and innocent it will make your blood boil." I guess a film with a lack of sex, drugs, and violence (although there is violence to a small extent) might really throw people for a loop. ..Apparently, emotionally-charged, wholesome films aren't enough for the medias insatiable appetite for obligatory breast-shots and sensless blood-shed. I mean, don't get me wrong, films such as "Boogie Nights", "54", and "Scream", all of which contain violence and/or nudity/sexual content, have all made their way onto my top 20 favorite movies of all time. I enjoy them just as much as the next person, but this film was a huge change of pace from what I'm used to seeing on the big screen these days.

I went to see this movie with high expectations for it to be a sappy teen romance, one that might even make me tear up a bit (I'm a sap for romance, i.e. "Bounce", and "Pearl Harbor"). What I got was so much more. SO much more. The film opens with a sequence that may mislead you a bit. I sat in my chair for the first 10 minutes thinking, "Oh great, could this be any more of a stereotypical teen flick?" Although I love movies like "Whatever It Takes", "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Boys and Girls", somewhat less-than-innovative teen flicks, I wanted more out of this one. It quickly begins to better itself with the introduction of Mandy Moore's character, Jamie Sullivan. In a very "Carrie"-esque fashion, she's the pretty "ugly" girl (another thing critics couldn't over look) whom everyone makes fun of and you feel sorry for. There is something special about her right from the very start. There are so many layers to her character and you want to get to know them all. By the end of the film, you do.

Throughout the course of the film, some of the most romantic movie moments in history (in my personal opinion) take place. See, Jamie has a to-do list, and as her and Landon (the incredibly cute Shane West) begin to fall for eachother, he tries to complete her list one thing at a time. One thing she mentions is how she's love to be in two places at once. So, he takes her to the middle of the road one night and tells her to stand in a specific spot. When she asks what's going on, he tells her she's straddling the state line--she's in two places at once. . .Now, call me a hopeless romantic, but I think that is the sweetest thing in the entire world (and my favorite part of the whole movie). He also proposes to her so they can get married in the same church her mom did (another wish on her list). By the end of the film, your heart is tied in knots and you don't know whether to be happy or cry. Jamie eventually unveils a life-altering secret to Landon that changes the pace of the entire film. If you get emotional easily like me (I cried in the first 20 minutes of "Scooby Doo" when the gang breaks up.. .), you will be as heartbroken as Landon. The film ends with a very vague feeling, and when I walke out of the theatre, I knew I couldn't wait to see it again. . .and again. . .and again. . .

Mandy Moore's acting is exceptional, if not better. I think she's an incredibly talented singer and now, I respect her totally as an actress ("Princess Diaries" just made me want to slap her). Shane West as always was great. We really get to see his range in this film. And the supporting cast does a fine job. I don't think this movie could have been any better! Since the movie, I bought the soundtrack, read the book, and already have my copy on DVD preordered at Amazon (July 9!!!) Please, ignore critics thoughtless reviews and check this amazing little film out for yourself. ..I highly reccommend it!

First of all, I'll let everyone know that I gave this movie (worthy of a 7) a 10 just because the overall rating deserves to be A LOT higher than it is! Secondly, everyone who gave this movie a bad rating needs to stop rating movies altogether. What's not to like about this movie that is charming, cute, innocent, and funny?? Fran Drescher may have been type-casted right off the Nanny, but who cares!!???!! What did you expect her to act like in the film!?! Were you expecting an oscar worthy performance!!!??? Did you think she was the next Gwyneth Paltrow, or Julianne Moore??? If you saw the previews and have half a brain, you would have known exactly what to expect. I had no expectations for this movie (nor should anyone have) besides a good laugh. And that's exactly what it delivers. Fran is absolutely perfect for the role of Joy Miller and she is even more charming and funny in this movie than Sandra Bullock is in Miss Congeniality (another great movie by all accounts, and I'm not downing the always fantastic Sandra). You people need to STOP ANALYZING MOVIES FOR WHAT THEY'RE NOT AND LEARN TO ENJOY THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE!!!!!!!!

I was very surprised to see the terrible reviews this film got on IMDb. I also saw this film at 6:00 a.m. on American Movie Classics and I was hooked from beginning to end. The whole movie just has a good feel to it and the underwater photography is gorgeous and at times, breathtaking. The shark attack may not have been "Jaws" material, but that's not the point of the movie. The acting was fine, regardless of what anyone says, and although it may not have been the most original movie ever, people need to just start enjoying movies for what they are. STOP ANALYZING MOVIES!! OR JUST DON'T WATCH THEM!!!! The movie has enough entertainment value to keep you interested and if for nothing else, see it for the underwater sequences. This movie is not half as bad as people make it out to be.

I've owned the first film in this series for several years now and it was a pretty good movie. But the sequel didn't really interest me that much until I heard Christine Taylor (The Brady Bunch, A Very Brady Sequel [Marcia], The Craft, Campfire Tales, Overnight Delivery, etc.) was in it. I love her more than words can say (although I must say her best work to date has gotta be her portrayl as Marcia in "A Very Brady Sequel", which is another one of those rare better-than-the-original sequels). But what a surprise!! Even aside from Christine Taylor, this movie is awesome and superior even to the first which was pretty damn creepy. There are a few more jump-out-of-your-seat scares in this one and the karate-chopping nun is a real card. I gave it 10/10 because it was an unbelievably enjoyable film. Also, being as it was that this was made a year before the Brady Bunch movie, I thought it was very ironic that someone refers to Christine Taylor in the movie as Marcia because she's innocent (according to this certain character). He calls her this in the car when they are first going to Hull House and this is strange considering one year later she ended up playing Marcia!! I recommend this film to almost anyone!!!

First of all, I must say that there's just something about the 80's that fascinates me. New Kids On The Block, Tiffany, Jessica McClure, the clothes, the hair-- and the Breakfast Club. I love all of it. I wish more than anything that it was still the current decade. The music and movies were the absolute top and this is a sterling example. This film is insightful, intriguing, probing, and thoughtful. It is the American Beauty for the 80's. The characters are well developed, the story is fast paced, never boring, and completely original, and the acting is superb!! The music is about as good as the movie, too!! The opening sequence with Simple Minds "Don't You (Forget About Me)" and a famous/infamous quote from David Bowie will forever stand out in my mind. I must say, my favorite character was Claire. Molly Ringwald was moving (not to downsize any of the other characters who were equally moving and well-portrayed) but she always seems to stand out. The ending leaves me with an indescribable feeling of overwhelming something that I just can't figure out. I've seen this movie about as many times as you've seen your reflection in a mirror! It is by far (in my book) the greatest movie ever made!!!

My grandmother bought me this film when I was 5 (I've always love scary movies) and even then I enjoyed it. The atmosphere is awesome and the story original and entertaining. I especially love the scenes where the RV is under attack in the desert. The rocks are actually convincing for such a low-budget flick. The acting is above average for these kinds of films and the music is eerie. This is definitely an uder-rated gem. I recommend it to anyone who likes these strange films from the late seventies, early eighties such as "Alice, Sweet Alice", "Poor Pretty Eddie", "Nightmare", "Hospital Massacre", and "Return of the Aliens, the Deadly Spawn". Definitely a classic!!

I first saw "Criminally Insane" when I was about six years old and I knew immediately I wanted it. I bought it from the video store for $30.00 when my grandfather finally convinced me I wasn't gonna find it anywhere else for sale (and now I realize I'll probably never find it for rent again either). My father soon talked me into trading it in for "Aladdin". I thought I would never see it again. Then I found it at Movies Unlimited and I own it once again. It is one of the best "bad" movies ever made. No matter what anyone says, it's entertaining. Even my mom couldn't deny that she enjoyed it! Definitely a classic.

I will be honest with you, although I love the horror genre, I must say many recent flicks have disappointed me. "Urban Legends: Final Cut" is one of the worst horror flicks I've seen in a long time, although I still give it a 5/10. Same with "Halloween:H20". You can't even compare it to the original. There was so much that could have been done with that movie too, but I still give it a 6 1/2/10. But then there's "Valentine", and despite what anyone says, it revives the classic 80's slasher flicks which I love and still manages to be modern. It's never crushed under it's own weight either. It has enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, enough humor to give you a comic relief (thus the sticking-her-head-in-the-toilet scene and the do-you-still-want-me-to-wax-it? scene) and enough originality to make it a cut above most horror flicks. Although, sadly, I must say that Denise Richards gives one of the worst performances I have ever seen! I thought she was great in "Wild Things" and "Starship Troopers", but this is just terrible!! See it anyway, because "Valentine" ,overall, kicks A**!!!!!!! 9/10

I couldn't have been more pleased with "Coyote Ugly". Being a huge New York fan, I loved the setting and atmosphere of the film. Piper Perabo was excellent as Violet and has a very promising film career, and Adam Garcia who play Kevin O'Donnel is my new fave actor. The songs, performed by LeAnn Rimes and written by Diane Warren could not have been any better (especially "But I Do Love You"). The trailers (although they are what made me want to see this film!!!) mislead you greatly, and I think that's why critics panned this film. The advertising leads you to belive there's no plot further than a bunch of scantily clad chicks shaking it on a bar, but the movie has heart and substance and is very positive in inspiring people to follow their dreams. I recommend this film to almost all tastes!!! 9/10.

Forget all the bad reviews, see this movie for yourself. It's not about the actors or how predictable it may be (although I thought she was gonna end up with Josh H. despite seeing the Jessica Simpson/Nick Lachey music vid a thousand times!), it's about the emotional aspect. This film allows you to like and relate to the character of Samantha (portrayed by the excellent actress, Leelee Sobieski) and at the end, you're left feeling depressed and angry over what happens (don't wanna ruin it!) The love scenes are romantic and original and overall, this movie is pretty good. 8/10.