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This film
has it all, an amazing cast of martial arts legends, terrific cinematography,
fabulous music, and killer special effects. So why did it seem slightly
lacking? It is part romantic drama with two intense love stories, star
crossed lovers, one set torn apart by honor, the other by family duty.
But it is also part classic kung-fu, right down to the timeless plot
lines of avenging one's master and the requisite tear-away restaurant
fight scene. For a kung-fu movie there was just too much talking, and
for a romantic period drama, there was too much silly and contrived
fighting.
Overall
score = B
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| This modern
retelling of The Odyssey by the Coen brothers is the kind of film where
the audience is compelled to clap at the end, though I've never quite
understood why they do that. One day my desire to stretch my legs will
be less than my curiosity on the clapping thing and I'll turn to the guy
next to me in the theatre and ask. This movie is funny, well written,
had great art direction, good acting and a great soundtrack. Only negative
marks were for suprisingly shocking depictions of animals being injured.
Shocking because of there realistic nature versus the cartoon type violence
of kung-fu movies. Nothing graphic though, so don't even think of letting
your squeamish stomach prevent you from seeing this. Worth a full price
ticket - go splurge.
Overall score = A
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Classic,
one of the best rock movies ever. The remastered sound and picture bring back
the genius of the picture. They just looked like they were having so much
fun! And you will too, check it out.
Overall score = A |
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This is
the funniest Chan ever, it also has some of the most amazing kung-fu fights
of Chan's career. From the first fight done entirely while crouching underneath
a train, to the 100 ax wielding assailants in the restaurant, to the fire-throwing
finale, Chan demonstrates he is the best movie action-hero in the history
of the martial arts genre. The best comedic moments go to the female lead,
who I can only compare to Lucille Ball. She steals every scene she's in
(mostly) without throwing a punch.
Overall Score = A
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The man
in the rubber suit is back for this latest Godzilla installment - and
this one is NO HOLDS BARRED! Classic stuff: cute kid, totally lame bordering
on non-existant "scientific" explanations, evil nemesis also sporting
a sassy rubber outfit, and alien "air-port" hacking of Tokyo, which
led to my personal favorite quote, "It is the end of civilization!"
Okay, it is funnier in context. So much better than that abomination
made-in-America Godzilla film they foisted on us a couple years' back,
but this film shows why they tried it.
Overall Score = B, as in B-movie
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X-men
was a very fun, entertaining, and well written movie. Solid acting,
good special effects (keeping the gross-out factor down to a minimum).
Characters play well with alienated youth and run with sissors, ah,
knives, ...metal claws? What do you call those things of Wolverine's
anyway? In fact, the only beef I could come up with isn't with the movie
but the premises from the comic book itself. I.e., any mutation that
would instantly kill the mutant and/or anyone around him without the
use of a prosthetic device, is a FAILED mutation. I'm thinking Cyclops
here.
Overall Score = A-
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Ethan
Hawke's Hamlet was an interesting experiment, but ultimately a failure.
They cut out so much from the text that the story barely made sense.
Too much of the film time was spent watching Hamlet narcissistically
pose and play with his digital camera. Sure, movies are suppose to "show"
not "tell," but with such a dismal cast of players, most of the scenes
really fell flat. The only audience who would appreciate this has got
to be young girls who are their to drool over Hawke, and identify with
Ophelia, whose role was reduced to a "my father doesn't undestand me
and humiliates me in public" type pouting.
Overall Score = D+
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Critics
hated this one, I liked it. No cute children or robots, a bit more gore
and suspense than you'd find in a Disney flick, and the animation was
well done. Especially the part in the ice-field. It was so "Lady of
Shanghai." It did lose some points for the really bad soundtrack, and
lack of realism. Case in point, guys flying though space, no suits,
holding their breath. Hello? They'd implode. I guess they must have
written themselves into a corner or no one thought to ask Dr. Science
on that one.
Overall score = C+
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This just
rocked! Fun fun special effects, surprises, and action sequences that
were just beyond belief. A roller-coaster ride from beginning to end.
Woo's touches made the sequel better than the original. Okay, it still
had a few problems with the plot, and the use of technology was unrealistic,
but that only proves that it really was an "impossible" mission.
Overall score = B+
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This film
was everything a summer movie should be. Action packed, funny, well
written, unpredicatable. Very cool use of random items as kung-fu devil
weapons including my favorites, a horseshoe and a rack of antlers. Outtakes
weren't that great, mostly just Jackie Chan flubbing his lines because
his English still sucks, but I realized how he did the film is someone
would say the line, and he would just repeat it. He must be an expert
on Phonics by now.
Overall score = A
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Very fun
movie. Edge of your seat action. No obvious instances of over-acting
however opportunities for gratuitous nudity were not taken advantage
of. I mean this is suppose to be ancient Rome - the atrocities the Emperors
are so fondly remembered for were kept to simple attempts at fixing
fights. Hell, that happens now! Where were the midgets? Where were the
elephants? Oh, I guess a few innocents were crucified if you want to
get picky about the atrocity count, but they didn't really show anything.
Still, I did get an Amazon warrior chick in a gold breastplate - so
the score goes up a notch for the Xena factor.
Overall score = B+
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