wizard42

The whole problem with this film is the length of the book it is based upon. Trying to cram over 700 pages into two hours ends up being very frustrating to those who love the book. While the writer of the screenplay manages to hit all the highlights, he leaves much out. The director makes some unfortunate choices as well, too many swooping soaring camera shots, and a final battle that is very rushed, and hard to follow since he chooses to use special effects with people disappearing into a swirl of light/sand regularly. This does not match the description of J. K. Rowling and ends up just being a confusing mess, rather then a climatic moment. Had the director paced the final scene better it might have worked. The character development is uneven. Harry is developed fully, and we truly sympathize with his teen angst, and anger at the world, although the latter could have been developed better at the beginning. Minor characters such as Neville, and Luna are fully developed, and Neville really grows up nicely in this film, but Ron, a major character, is nothing more then a bystander in this film, and is given virtually nothing to do, this may be because Grint is the worst of the kid actors. Hermione gets a few shining moments, but is again reduced to the role of bystander, which she is anything but in the book. Watson remains the best actor of the kids, although Radcliffe is slowly growing into a very good actor in his own right. The majority of the rest of the regular cast have one or two scenes each, and that is it, making almost no use of a very talented group of actors and actresses. The result is the weakest film in the series so far, and it is very disappointing indeed.

Well, this movie was far better then I thought it would be. Having not liked the Matrix trilogy I went into this movie thinking that I would at best find it a good action flick. I was very surprised by the film. It helped that the Wachowski's did not direct it, as they aren't very good with actors. Hugo Weaving gives a brilliant nuanced performance behind a non-moving plastic mask. Limited to only his voice, and body movements to express the thoughts and feelings of his character, he allows us to see the tortured soul that is the protagonist of the story. We feel his pain, his love, and his sadness, all without seeing his face. This truly is an Oscar worthy performance, although I doubt he'll even be nominated given the type of movie this is, and when it has been released. Natalie Portman is equally strong. I always knew she was a good actress, despite the Star Wars trilogy where her performance varied mostly because of horrible directing and an uneven script. But given a good script and a meaty role she shines, and this movie is not exception. The vulnerability of her character, and her struggle to overcome her fear, and be truly free, is portrayed with remarkable skill. The rest of the cast is solid, with Stephen Rea giving a particularly good performance. The only problem is there is no depth to the villainous Chancellor, or for that matter in any of the bad guys. While we get a deep understanding of the protagonists, we only get a superficial rendering of the villains. The cinematography, is gorgeous, with some great stunt and special effects work. The movie moves along at a good clip, and I was surprised at how long it was, it did not seem like I had been in the theater for two and a half hours. This must be attributed to the directing, and editing, which keep the movie humming along, with no real slow moments. Yes, there is the requisite comic book violence, and you must suspend disbelief fairly often, but the movie is truly worth the time and lots of fun. As noted, I was surprised at just how good a film this is, and it is the actors along with very good directing that makes this film so good.

This film is painful to watch most of the time. However, it is so bad, that anyone with even a little taste in cinema will start howling with laughter. The director clearly used as few words as possible to direct this film, and the acting is truly awful, making this film unintentionally funny. Ted Wass actually does act in the first scene and in the last, both shot on the same airplane, leading me to suspect that those were filmed before he met his co-star, the truly inept Tanya Roberts. After meeting her, it is apparent that Wass realized just how bad an actress she was, and gave up trying, producing a monotone performance for the rest of the film. Tanya Roberts may have been good looking but her acting range is limited to one expression where she screws her face up in an effort to look like she is concentrating (I thought she might just have been constipated throughout the filming since that is what her one facial expression suggested to me). The best actress in this whole mess, Elizabeth of Toro is killed off only a quarter of the way through the film, which brings the level of acting way down. The production clearly was filmed on a shoestring budget where they couldn't afford to re-shoot anything. Even the casual viewer in the theater is able to spot the wire the model helicopter is being guided by when it crashes (your not supposed to be able to see that), and there is never any kind of a herd of animals on screen in this African jungle movie, just one of any type at a time. If you watch carefully you will see the occasional shadow on the ground which doesn't belong to any actor in the scene(it must be a crew member's). The plot is blindingly obvious with absolutely no surprises or dramatic tension. The script is also very poor, with cheesy dialog running throughout it, and you can predict lines and jokes far in advance of their being said. Actually, the limited script helps as it means you don't have to suffer through Roberts trying to speak. So go to the film and laugh at it, and learn what not to do when producing a movie.

This is the story of two films. The first is a juvenile, film filled with men referring to women in very insulting terms, and trying to take advantage of women whenever they can. The second is a sweet and very good romantic comedy about two people finding each other. The first film is pretty bad, and surprisingly not funny. The second is excellent, and surprisingly funny. If the filmmakers had just spent more time on the second film, this could have been a very good film. Unfortunately, it is bogged down by the first half of the film, which includes finding humor (or trying to at any rate) in a man who is always cheating on his girlfriend, a man who thought he had a serious relationship which lasted all of two months and has scarred him for the last two years. It also contains a guy who might have been an interesting character, but who we have zero back-story for (he is the only one who really seems to be trying to help anyone out throughout the film). We also have two stereotyped Indian or Pakistani's who just pop up every now and then for no reason whatsoever. The funniest scene in the film comes at the end with the dancing and singing to "The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius" and "Let the Sunshine in" from the movie hair. That scene truly makes you laugh out loud. It's too bad the rest of the film is not so great. The lead in all of this, is actually a likable guy, and that is the films saving grace. Once the film moves to his wooing of the female lead, and the two finally get together it becomes a good film, unfortunately it takes far to long to get there.

I went to this film with very high hopes based on all I had read about the film, and was very disappointed. Yes it contains a few laugh out-loud moments, but for the most part it fails to deliver. The problem is that Owen Wilson is playing the same exact character yet again. While it was funny the first few times out, the character needs to change and grow up, it's no longer amusing. The script is for the most part forced, particularly the predictable way the movie ends. None of it seems to be real. The humor that could have been garnered from the eccentricities of the Treasury Secretary's family (the Cleary's) led by Christopher Walken, is lost because we have to spend too much time on the juvenile delinquent leads. As a result your left with two movies, the juvenile one, which the filmmakers seem to want to make, in which the leads crash weddings (and a funeral which is really sick and not funny), and the one in which a zany family is on display, which the filmmakers throw away. Frankly, I preferred the zany family. The musical backdrop for the film is also jarringly inappropriate at several moments, and this definitely distracts from the film. On the other hand Walken is bright and amusing, and Rachel McAdams has a few genuine moments as Clair. Unfortunately there is little chemistry between her and Wilson, and the romantic moments seem forced. However, her portrayal of a young women torn between familial duty, and wanting to chart her own course is very fine, it just doesn't belong in the juvenile comedy the filmmakers wanted to make. All in all a disappointment, although the family comedy redeems the film, and makes it watchable.

This film speaks both against the horrors of war and the atomic age, while tickling the viewers funny bone. The movie is not afraid to tackle subjects ranging from nuclear holocaust (the earth blows up at the beginning of the film) to mind washing using Nazi ideology, and religion (the scene with the two rabbis/priests is hilarious). If you are easily offended by any of those subjects being used humorously then this is not the movie for you. However, if you want a good laugh, and don't feel that any subject is taboo then this is a good film to watch. The animation style is simple, but the story moves along at a fast clip. With a whammy of an ending, which you can only partially see coming, this film will keep you entertained all the way through.

Yes you get hear variations of the same joke over and over again. you'd think it would get stale and boring, but it never does. This is in part because every version told is different, and unique in its own way. Also, you generally only get snippets of each version, your imagination gets to put together the rest, and in part because this is a wonderful cast of comedians, who are all very funny. You have to stay through the credits to catch Conway doing a very funny bit, because the movie is so overloaded with talent they had no where else to put him. A wonderful bright witty and original documentary. Well worth taking the time to go and see. Just be aware that while a woman's mammary glands get pixilated out, there is no bleeping of the foul language that is used throughout the film.

Finally a Batman movie that gets it all right. Christian Bale is the first actor who can play both roles, Batman and Bruce Wayne, perfectly, and is truly believable as both. Michael Caine is the best Alfred since the Television series. Liam Neeson, while not a traditional Ra's Al Ghul, is great. Gary Olman's Gordon, a cop who still believes in justice, is also a brilliant portrayal. The only weak link is Katie Holmes, who I generally like, but who never gets a handle on her character. With great special effects, and solid directing this is the movie that true fans have been waiting for. Morgan Freeman's Lucius Fox, a later addition to the cannon, is a wonderful character. At last we have a full explanation of where Batman gets all of those wonderful gadgets. If you are not a Batman fan, or a fan of movies derived from comic books, you may not enjoy this film as much. The viewer is required to suspend disbelief, when confronted with an insane asylum placed on an island in the middle of the city, and when dealing with the abilities of the Batman, as well as of some of his opponents. But, it is all great fun, and the action is fast-paced, with plenty of character development. This is probably the must see movie of the year.

Frankly, after all the talk about how good this film was, and how Lucas had finally gotten it right, I went in to this movie with far higher hopes then I should have. I was to put it mildly disappointed. The movie is completely undone by Lucas' inability to direct actors. Yes the effects were fantastic, and the action and pacing were great. But the story line and acting left much to be desired. Anakin's decision to join the dark side should have been gut wrenching. It should have been given much more time to mature. To be frank, it really should have been started in the last movie. Instead it is reduced to a ho-hum moment, where he just seems to say "Allright, I'll be evil." It needed to be far more then the shrug of the shoulders that it becomes. Hayden Christiansen tries to convey conflict in Anakin via a series of twisted grimaces, that don't really work, and fail to truly reveal any internal conflict that may be occurring. Natalie Portman is reduced to a supporting role, and not a very interesting one at that. All she does is cry and worry throughout the film, not at all like the woman of action we saw in the first two movies, and her death scene is given very short shrift. Jimmy Smits is completely wasted in a bit role that barely makes sense, and Samuel L. Jackson, while he does get a great death scene, is once again missing in action throughout the film, seeming to phone in his role. The only actor who rises above all of the muck, and is the saving grace of the movie is Ewan McGregor, who puts on a marvelous performance despite Lucas.

I will not g into all of the plot and time line troubles that this movie creates for the whole series, they are serious, and truly harm the work as a whole. I will, however, once again commend Industrial Light and Magic for a superior job. Yoda, once again rocks, and the rest of the effects are very powerful. Too bad they were wasted on this movie, it would have been nice to have had a film that really had great acting, directing and effects.

This movie is a really solid first outing for a future franchise. The film spends a lot of time laying the ground work for future movies, and while it is not entirely faithful to the comic books it is a great rendition. Let's face it, in the original comics, Sue was wimpy, with very little to do, it wasn't until later incarnations when she really gained power. The heart of the story has always been the human Ben Grimm struggling to come to terms with the Thing, and trying desperately to fit in. The movie and more importantly Michael Chiklis do an incredible job portraying this angst. Chiklis work is extremely powerful, and all the more impressive when you consider the costume he's wearing and the limited range of facial expressions it permits him. The movie gets the edgy banter/rivalry, love/hate relationship of the Thing and Human Torch down perfectly. Chris Evans is surprisingly capable, if one dimensional, as the Human Torch. Jessica Alba's performance was solid if unspectacular, and her lack of emotional range seems to hold back the performance, but she manages to give Sue, far more strength then the comics ever did. This is a Sue who is competent, and knows what she wants. Ioan Gruffudd proves that he really can act with a Reed Richards who is a hesitant brainiac, again unlike the Richards of the comics who never questions either himself, or his role as a leader.

The effects work is good, although a little less then spectacular. Clearly no one had any idea of what to do with the space storm at the beginning of the film. The effects for the heroes, the Torch and Mr. Fantastic in particular are very good, and the suit works well for The Thing, retaining the feel of a comic book drawing.

I wish the director had moved things along a little quicker, and that the confrontations with Doom had been more action packed, and longer. But again, this movie was designed to set the stage for everything that will follow. As with the X-Men, I'm sure movie two will have more action, and be quicker paced then movie one was. As it is though, they have done justice to a comic book I loved as kid.

This movie is a fascinating version of the original Orson Wells story. The suspense is maintained right through to the end, with plenty of scares along the way. The ending is, unfortunately, a lame cop-out, although necessary. The fact is that Spielberg developed the aliens to the point of invincibility, which made it hard to create a "hollywood" ending. Instead of letting the aliens win, Spielberg finds a lame way around the problem, and then explains it very poorly. The effect work was, as is usual for ILM, superb, and all the more impressive when you consider that they only had seven months to produce them. The acting is spotty. Cruise never really develops his character enough for us to truly see and believe the changes he goes through while facing this challenge. Dakota Fanning is hurt by the script and the direction which bounces her between being wise beyond her years, and a screaming helpless terrified kid. Tim Robbins on the other hand plays a really great nut ball survivor. Nearly all the actions taken by humans in this film ring true, as people run alternately towards and away from danger. However, not everything rings true, why if no cars will start, and no planes can fly, would video and television cameras continue to work? I realize that is a nutpicky question but it is just one of many that are raised by the film. On the whole I enjoyed the film a great deal, and heartily recommend it for those whose stomachs aren't queasy, and who enjoy a good suspense action flick.

If you are a fan of any of the original works (radio, books, or television) that this movie is based on subtract one and half stars from the above rating. Frankly it is hard to decide where to begin when discussing this film. The acting is mostly solid, although Zooey Deschanel's Trillian doesn't really work (which may just be a function of the script as she ranges back and forth between competent, and not-so-competent). The directing is straight forward, and while the director may linger a little to long on the opening shot of the book, it works. The problem is that the changes that have been made to the storyline do not work. Yes, in the first series, and first book, there was an underlying love triangle between Arthur, and Trillian, and Trillian and Zaphod. However, it has always been made very clear, that Arthur's interest in Trillian is not returned! This is for a good reason. Trying to turn this into the Arthur loves Trillian story, which the film does, is not successful. It takes too much away from the main point regarding the building of the Earth, and it's role as a super-computer. Turning Arthur Dent into a hero (demanding that they go rescue Trillian) and then turning him back into a hesitant nebbish later in the film doesn't work. If your protagonist is going to grow mid way through a film and goes and saves the day, then he can't go back to his old ways. It is pretty obvious what happened here. The studio chiefs, who, ironically enough, are perfect matches for the imaginless bureaucratic Vogon's, decided that they needed to mainstream the movie. As a result they demanded a love story. They also demanded more action, hence Trillian needing to be rescued. What they in turn created was a mess. The movie retains enough of the original material, and some very nice quirky additions, to work, but it is not put together as capably. It's a real shame because the original material had a great deal of appeal, and a very loyal fan base. This movie could have expanded that appeal, and the fan base, but I suspect that it will not do so.

This film turns stereotypes upside down by introducing a folk singing right winger. With parody songs that are incredibly witty, this film pays homage to the great folk songs of the sixties, and seventies. At the same time, it makes fun of campaigns, with Vidal's left wing Senator being accused of pedophilia when he is caught on tape bringing his daughter and her friends to school (like any good parent does). When Robert's fakes his own assassination attempt, in order to win the election it is the ultimate vile, evil trick, that can be played on an opponent. The movie shows, by parody, just how low our political process has sunk. The pacing of the film is superb, and the acting is first rate. A truly enjoyable film.

This film comes closest to what life is like on a real baseball team then any other film ever made. Costner's Crash Davis is a very realistic portrayal of an older player who is just trying to hang on, smart enough to guide other players, but not smart enough to know that his time has passed, and that he needs to move on. Like many players, he is unwilling to stop playing the game he loves. While it is hard to believe that a player as dumb as Tim Robbins, "Nuke" Laloosh is shown to be would ever exist, the movie is realistic in having the organization bring in an older experienced player to help coach him, and show him the ropes. Such things do occur all the time. The love story, between Sarandon and Costner is also very believable, and really helps to move the movie along, as Crash finally grows up and becomes a man, with all the commitments that come with that. Reality, wins out in this film, and it does so with a great deal of heart. The direction is fluid, and keeps the story and the action moving along, without getting bogged down. All in all a fine film.

This is a charming little comedy. The cast is first rate, the script witty, and the concept unique. The premise is absurd, which is part of the films appeal. There are two major drawbacks to the film. It doesn't show how the buzz is truly generated for the film within the film. It shows the buzz building, but doesn't explain it. This is in part required by the absurdity of the plot but it would have been nice for a realistic build up to have occurred. The other problem is that, like so many comedies, the creative team had no idea how to end the film. As a result, you get an ending that is abrupt, and which only partially builds on what went on in the film. It makes sense for the leads to end up together, but not for Mary-Louise Parker's character to end up actually directing. It would have been truer to her character for her to still need Martin Donovan's character as a front. These complaints, however, do nothing to take away from the enjoyment of the film.

I just saw this film, and got a chance to meet its very talented lead actor/director/co-writer. Peter Reigert is a very genuine man, what you see on the screen is really him, and he has a marvelous touch for comedy. The camera work was solid, and he seems to have had absolutely no trouble with self-directing, something which can be very tricky. This film is a wonderful comedy, with a great big heart. In the end you will laugh, and cry a little. You will enjoy it. It has a highly talented cast, and a marvelous script. The only reason that I can see for it having trouble finding a distributor is, as Mr. Reigert himself says, that Hollywood has no idea how to market this film. It is a character study with no big action pieces, and frankly they categorize it with Woody Allen films (which they also have no idea how to market). The trick is that this is art, in its purist sense. Because it is art, no one can tell you what to take away from it, or how to experience it (as Mr. Reigert pointed out when asked). Everyone has to go and see it for themselves to come away with the film's meaning and message, and not everyone will come away with the same one. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in a good laugh. It really is a shame that no one is willing to distribute this film.