reviewId int64 363k 588k | userId int64 33.9k 15.9M | itemId int64 1 1.42M | rating float64 1 10 | title stringlengths 1 10.9k ⌀ | content stringlengths 81 11.6k ⌀ |
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585,666 | 783,721 | 295,552 | 6 | Rare birds . Well done movie . | Rare Birds tells of a hapless Newfoundland restaurant owner / cook ( Hurt ) whose remote seaside restaurant is suffering from insufficient patronage due to a lack of advertising . A quirky friend ( Jones ) hatches a plot suggesting Hurt report the sighting of a nearly extinct duck to encourage bird watchers to flock to his eatery thereby stimulating his business while he's being stimulated by thoughts of his comely waitress ( Parker ) . . . etc . A fun and earnest flick which trudges through it's wry tale relying on understated tongue-in-cheek humor and quirkiness for entertainment , the film includes other salients such as a home made submarine , 22 pounds of cocaine , some much coveted sheet lights , and an RCMP SWAT team for additional substance . Overall , " RB " is a warm hearted little flick for those who don't mind off-kilteredness and the absence of the usual Hollyweird appurtenances . ( |
586,987 | 783,721 | 290,210 | 6 | Strange and forgettable . | Max is about a Jewish art dealer in post-WWI Germany who befriends a nervous , neurotic , and unlikable little wannabe artist named Adolph Hitler . From there it invents history and tells a story which is curious at best . Unfortunately , for a film which usurps unlimited license over history , " Max " just isn't sufficiently entertaining . The film creates a fictional character ( Cusack ) and then doesn't do anything particularly interesting with him all the while dabbling in Hitler's life with contrivances which are probably less interesting than recorded history . In short , " Max " invents a relatively insignificant character in Rothman , builds a story around him , then proceeds to fizzle . Passable fiction which shouldn't be mistaken for history . ( |
586,628 | 783,721 | 91,983 | 6 | A little something for everyone . | Something Wild tells what happens when a sedate professional family man from the burbs ( Daniels ) runs into an unabashed , unbridled babe who lives life fast and loose ( Griffith ) . The result is a fun little odyssey with some sex , romance , drama , comedy , action , etc . : A little something for everyone in this not-to-be-taken-seriously flick . |
586,997 | 783,721 | 35,423 | 6 | A pleasant little diversion for romantics | Kate and Leopold is a light hearted little romantic comedy about an English Duke ( Jackman ) from the late 19th century who travels through time and happens across the love of his life ( Ryan ) in the present day . Overall the film is a good production . However , the time travel thing makes it a bit unwieldy , squeezing the juicy stuff between a protracted setup and denouement while making the suspension of disbelief considerably more difficult than with conventional plots . Nonetheless , the film moves along quickly , spares us the usual dose of Kodak moments , and tightly knits its clever but cumbersome story . A fun watch for romantics and a possible disappointment for skeptics . |
585,880 | 783,721 | 190,611 | 6 | Hogan's Hookers | Pantaleon y las Visitadoras tells of a gung-ho Peruvian Army Captain ( del Solar ) who is ordered to staff a small corps of happy hookers to improve morale at remote Amazon jungle military outposts . The extremely efficient , straight laced , married Captain , however , finds he has his hands full ( in more ways than one ) once his troop of hotties ( aka : Pantyland ) is deployed . With mixed reviews from the critics and respectable marks from the public , this fun little Peruvian dramady gets off to a slow start , runs a tad long at two hours , and is sexy , silly , sweaty , and sepia , making for a lukewarm watch which will appeal most to foreign film freaks into flicks from south of the border . ( |
587,137 | 783,721 | 245,573 | 6 | Whatever | XX / XY is a relationship flick about an FFM trio of young adults who become close , drift apart , and then rediscover each other years later only to find their reunion raises issues about mate selection . The film is a naive drone of chick flick yammering which fleshes out the core characters superficially leaving the audience to marginally engaged voyeurism . It does , however , paint a somewhat realistic picture of the trade-offs life requires as opposed to wandering into romantic fantasyland . An okay drama-lite for the less than middle-age crowd . ( |
586,927 | 783,721 | 201,901 | 6 | Slow starting , cute little sorta romantic comedy | Just One Night tells of a professor ( Hutton ) , in San Francisco for one night before his pending nuptials , who loses a shoe and , while in search of same , hooks up with a voluptuous disgruntled Italian wife ( Cucinotta ) and spends the night with her wandering around bumping into quirky characters , philosophizing , etc . while looking for the shoe and falling into friendship somewhat more than platonic . This fun , light hearted and easy going little romp starts slow . Those with patience will be rewarded as the film does gather momentum and sorts itself out in a most delightful way in the end . A journeyman flick at best , " Just One Night " is pleasing , simple no-brainer entertainment-lite for bored romantics . |
586,699 | 783,721 | 280,665 | 6 | Like so much wax fruit | Femme Fatale is more bloated , slick nonsense from De Palma who should probably stick to directing and stop writing lead balloons . A stylish flick , " FF " has little to offer beyond its good looks , not unlike a bowl of wax fruit . The story is a convoluted mess in which De Palma plays with the time domain , a cheap movie making ploy , punctuated with some gratuitous sexiness , violence , and serious silliness all serving to blow holes through the film's credibility . A conglomerated mess which seems to be trying to be intriguing while only managing to be confusing , this film mixes French and English languages and flashes forward seven years twice , stumbles over itself several times , and ends unsatisfactorily . Very forgettable Voila-wood stuff . ( |
586,879 | 783,721 | 222,375 | 6 | A fun little journeyman flick with a twisty-turny plot . | Sleep Easy Hutch Rimes sticks Steven Weber at the center of a convoluted , busy plot as a small time womanizing insurance man who wants no more than to keep his business afloat and his bed at the Sleep Easy motel warm while the women in his life have other agendas involving intrigues and murder . What this light drama lacks in big time Hollywood production appurtenances , it makes up for with a clever story which it delivers with a snicker and a sneer . An okay watch . |
586,247 | 783,721 | 94,716 | 6 | Suspense , irony , and drama about people at war | The Beast ( a tank ) tells the saga of a band of Afghan warriors in foot pursuit of a crippled Russian tank across Afghan desert . The film , a drama with some action and no large scale battles , manages to whet the interest , build suspense , deliver some wartime ironies , and provide slivers of insight into what war in Afghanistan must be like - something much more relevant today than during the Russian occupation . An interesting film which doesn't take sides most likely to be appreciated by guys into war dramas . |
587,139 | 783,721 | 269,746 | 6 | For voyeurs only | What Time Is It Over There is a laconic study of three characters : A man hawking wrist watches on the streets of Taipei ; his widowed mourning mother obsessed with her late husband's spiritual return ; and a Taiwanese babe who goes to Paris after trying to buy his watch . The camera of this virtually scriptless flick methodically follows these characters as we get to know them simply by watching what they do - none of which is very interesting . To the extent the audience can " feel " their pain and loneliness , this film has something to offer . However , I suspect most filmgoers will quickly lose interest in this slow moving , uneventful , peculiar , minimalistic art flick with little to offer . For voyeurs , arthouse film devotees , critics , and dilettantes . ( |
587,258 | 783,721 | 278,500 | 6 | Missing something | Oliver Parker's " The Importance of Being Earnest " seems only worthy to the extent that it embodies the epigrammatic genius of Wilde the playwright . To the extent that it embodies Parker's own ideas and translation to film , it is all downhill . The result is a reasonably enjoyable watch which is missing something - perhaps a combination of things such as tempo and timing , a touch of class , a sense of authenticity , etc . The film does make annoying excursions into the surreal , the music is overstated , and the casting questionable . Regardless , the film is worth a look by Wilde enthusiasts and others interested in Brit period flicks . All others should pass on this one . ( |
585,683 | 783,721 | 113,808 | 6 | What marriage and Miami have in common . | Miami Rhapsody is a conversational light-hearted chick flick with Parker at the vortex of a Miami's family's many relationships . The film focuses on the Parker character's musings , contemplations , reflections , and conclusions in an easy going , unpretentious , gentle , and lively way . A must see for Sarah Jessica Parker fans and an enjoyable low cal flick for all others . |
587,515 | 783,721 | 113,896 | 6 | Que bueno | My Family peers into the lives of three generations of an East L . A . Mexican-American family moving through time from generation to generation . Focusing mostly on the core family group which chooses to reside in the same house in the barrio and spending most of the time with the male family members , the film gives a skewed view of the Mexican-American condition . However , it does a good job of showing what life was like for one family albeit melodramatic , stereotypical , and contrived for dramatic value . Lacking the verve , passion , color , and creativity of Showtime's " Resurrection Blvd " ( though both share some cast members ) , " My Family " is an okay middle-of-the-marquee watch for anyone interested in Mex-Am issues or family stories in general . ( |
586,909 | 783,721 | 144,178 | 6 | A excellent film if you can buy into it and overcome the tedium . | Dreaming of Jospeh Lees , a good , earnest and artful shoot , tells of the coming of age of a rural English girl and her conflict over a tentative romance with a close friend while yearning for a less available kissin ' cousin for whom she's carried a torch since childhood . Over all a good film , this story lacks substance , spends its time poorly , toys with the audience in a fraudulent attempt to whet interest in the absence of a solid story , and is too far out of the mainstream to be popular . Nonetheless , for those patient few who can buy into the characters , " Dreaming . . . " will be a very satisfying watch . |
585,656 | 783,721 | 196,216 | 6 | Small Time Crooks with big time laughs for Woody fans . | STC is a fun romp through the up and down life of a small time bungling thief ( Allen ) and his ex-stripper wife ( Ullman ) . This unpredictable film features Allen's signature nonstop stuttering dialogue and situational humor mixed with some site gags . Most will regard this as a funny above average film . A must see for Woody fans . |
587,353 | 783,721 | 197,213 | 6 | Cute comedy fare | Adrenaline Drive , a misnomer , is about money and a shy guy and a not-so-shy girl who have it and a handful thugs and one real badass Yakuza dude who want it . A busy , fun , and creative little flick , " AD " works well in the beginning and slowly wears out as it plods sweetly but doggedly towards its conclusion . Worth a look for those into Japanese films . ( |
587,344 | 783,721 | 226,771 | 6 | The final farewell | Homicide : The Movie is a TV flick which continues the defunct TV series and , given its less than sterling reviews , probably concludes it as well . The film , which tells of the investigation of a shooting of a Baltimore mayoral candidate who also heads the homicide squad ( Kotto ) , pulls together most of the cast of the successful 1993-1999 TV series with reprises from many including cameos from the dead characters . " Homicide : The Movie " requires such a familiarity with the TV series for a complete understanding of the characters ' background and history that familiarity with the series is almost a prerequisite for the film . Furthermore , as a stand alone piece , the film just isn't that good . " Homicide : The Movie " will play best as a farewell to loyal viewers of " Homicide : Life in the Streets " . ( |
586,829 | 783,721 | 187,393 | 6 | A corny epic but entertaining . | Those who can abandon their sense of logic and knowledge of history may become sufficiently absorbed in this wannabee epic about American revolutionary freedom fighters to endure its 160 minute run time . " The Patriot " is a formula flick where the good are very good and the bad are very bad and no one ever has to reload . Melodramatic , historically inaccurate , improbable , contrived , but , nonetheless , entertaining . |
585,909 | 783,721 | 144,168 | 6 | Finally , the truth behind Watergate ! | Dick retells the Nixon / Watergate saga with two ditzy 15 year old females ( Dunst & Williams ) leading the way as " Deep Throat " explaining many of the mysteries such as the missing 18 . 5 minutes of tape , etc . as they uncover the truth behind the scandal as the President's official dog walkers . Cute , fun , and kookie , " Dick " is 90 minutes of PG-13 silliness and a fun romp for those who remember that bit of tainted American history . |
586,599 | 783,721 | 280,590 | 6 | See Ryder kiss Sandler ! | Mr . Deeds tells of a wacky , naive small town guy , Mr . Deeds ( Sandler ) , with little respect for fame or fortune who inherits $40 billion and has to deal with the responsibilities and media attention which accompanies his inheritance . Ryder plays a tv producer after the inheritance story who happens to fall in love with the Sandler character , something which pushes this flick from romantic-comedy into the realm of fantasy or sci-fi . In spite of its hard-to-swallow romantic side plot , the film offers nonstop in-your-face silliness and nonsense which should make it a fun watch for fans into Sandler's brand of deadpan kookie comedy . Non-Sandler fans can expect a lukewarm result . ( |
587,146 | 783,721 | 102,307 | 6 | Past its prime | Light Sleeper tells of a burned out on-call Manhattan , NY drug dealer ( Dafoe ) with an upscale clientele who works for a woman ( Sarandon ) who dreams of going legit with a cosmetics business . This film is earnest in its attempt to tell a plaintive story about a man stuck between a junkie's history and a job with no future . However , " Light Sleeper " is also fitfully hokey in its presentation which is bland , stagey , contrived and doesn't provide a solid forum for its character-driven tale . Worth a look for fans of the players and those who haven't yet had their fill of flicks about the recreational nose candy business . ( |
586,280 | 783,721 | 265,459 | 6 | See what happens when you read too much Deepak ? | One Hour Photo sticks Williams in the center as a creepy loner who runs a one hour photo concession while living vicariously through the pictures of the families whose photos he's processing . An unsatisfying flick , " OHP " is an obvious synthesis with a contrived and surreal hospital clean milieu , a heavy-handed score which overstates the substance , paper thin characters we're not given to care about , and an ambiguous conclusion which makes no clear statement of purpose . Nonetheless , " OHP " has scored decent marks and is probably a three star watch for those into weirdness for weirdnesses sake . ( |
585,996 | 783,721 | 311,730 | 6 | Is it over yet ? | Roman Spring . . . is a theatrical teleplay which revolves around a recently widowed wealthy American actress in post-WWII Rome ( Mirren ) , a handsome Italian gigolo ( Martinez ) , and his pimp ( Bancroft ) . . . oh , yeah , and a bum ( homeless person ) . The film moves like molasses uphill as it delivers its meager story with heavy histrionics , minimal believability , and yammering ad tedium . Too long , too presumptuous , with an unsatisfying conclusion and poor psychodynamics , " Roman Spring . . . " is a lukewarm small screen watch which will have limited appeal . ( |
586,417 | 783,721 | 308,772 | 6 | A junkie flick by any other name . . . | . . . is still a junkie flick . Such is " Pure " in which Eden , a ten year old son of a heroin addict , occupies nearly every scene as the film explores the highs and lows of the mother / son drug tainted relationship . The opposite of " gritty " , this sugar coated Brit flick delivers a solid performance by Parker as the mom / junkie who has to go through the obligatory lifestyle decay , agonizing withdrawal , courageous recovery , pitiful setback , etc . However , the film does little to distinguish itself and those who have seen junkie flicks before may well get the feeling " Pure " is not sufficiently creative or unique to make the viewing time well spent . ( |
586,560 | 783,721 | 331,468 | 6 | Am I the only person on the planet who liked this flick ? | Cold Creek Manor tells of a family of four who move from NYC to a run down rural estate with a tell-tale history . With no spooks or paranormal nonsense , no screaming nightmares , no black cats screeching as they leap from the shadows , this film avoids horror and sticks to the suspense / thriller drama genre as it follows Mom ( Stone ) , Dad ( Quaid ) , and the kids from edgy to creepy to scary to thrilling , gathering momentum as it works through a less than inspired story . With a good cast and solid production value , " Cold Creek Manor " plays well as a B-thriller but peaks and ends predictably . Burned at the stake by the critics and stoned by the public , this flick is by all rights a real turkey . So , for what it's worth ( and it ain't much ) , I enjoyed it as some mild no-brainer escapism . Recommended for drama junkies into thrillers but keep expectations low . ( |
587,264 | 783,721 | 289,374 | 6 | Pure corn | The Outsider tells of a beautiful Quaker-type pacifist woman ( Watts ) who's sheep-ranching homsteading husband is murdered by a cattleman's henchmen and is then visited by a wounded gunslinger ( Daly ) who just happens to quote scripture , play the harmonica , and is , of course , reeking of testosterone . In this eminently predictable , hackneyed story , the woman must nurse the man back to health and then reject the temptation to have him turn his six-shooters on the men who killed her husband and some other temptations which go with a widow living with a virile man in the same house in the boonies . . . well , you get the picture . Nothing new in this no-brainer from Hallmark & Showtime . Good old fashioned PG13-type ( some sex , nudity , and violence ) entertainment worth a look for anyone up for a melodramatic Western . ( |
587,403 | 783,721 | 239,986 | 6 | Relationship soup | Sidewalks of New York is an emotionless quasidocudrama study of man / woman relationship set in Manhattan with the focus on three relationship ; one coming together , one falling apart , and one which is neither . Obviously tailored for the young adult audiences , the common undercurrent is sex though the film is rather tame and offers no nudity with chit-chat , repartee , and conversation being the order of the day . An okay product with a decent cast , " Sidewalks . . . " will appeal most to voyeurs and younger people who haven't been through the relationship mill many times over . |
587,419 | 783,721 | 157,208 | 6 | For Huppert fans and French film buffs only | School of Flesh tells of the ebb and flow of a sex / love relationship between a well-to-do middle aged woman and a handsome young bisexual male hustler . In typical French fashion the pair of star-crossed protags are locked in constant maneuvering in order to better define the limits of their relationship and their influence over it . Though the film is very well acted and directed with Huppert exuding expressionless controlled intensity , the underlying story seems somehow worn , unoriginal , and lacking the psychodynamics required for audience satisfaction . Recommended only for Huppert fans and aficionados of French cinema . ( |
586,397 | 783,721 | 117,665 | 6 | Overkill | Sleepers is about four boys who grow up in Hell's Kitchen , get sent to reform school , are abused by the guards , and seek revenge as adults . The film offers a good cast with all the trimmings but falls apart in story . It has plenty of 1970-80's pop songs for those who can get nostalgic over them . It has a tease at front and back ends for conspiracy theorists claiming its preposterous story in true . However , it runs too long , gets too convoluted , and is sorely lacking in credibility raising more questions than it answers . For those who find the subject interesting and can tough out a long film with brain disengaged a good watch awaits . All others may want to think twice before committing to this long winded Hollywood-by-the-book tale . ( |
586,559 | 783,721 | 90,180 | 6 | Dead and buried in Hollywood | To Live and Die in L . A . tells of a T-Man who will stop at nothing to settle a score with a counterfeiter ( Dafoe ) who murdered his partner . A moody and very Hollywoodish action / drama , this film does little to distinguish itself , save one very good car chase , and plays out like just another cop vs bad guy movie . Petersen is too generic and vanilla and acts like a hyperactive Secret Service agent on meth . Funny money freak Dafoe is too stereotypical and acts like he's trying to be the personification of evil on ludes . The story is flawed with plot holes aplenty and obvious histrionics and the principal protag Petersen is too bad to be good , leaving the audience with no one to root for . Nonetheless , this flick received excellent reviews from critics with Ebert giving it a top four stars . Personally I couldn't remember anything about the film after 20 years , though I have vivid recollections of Friedkin's earlier " French Connection " . " Live & Die . . . " is fodder for TV action junkies but too old to be state-of-the-art and not good enough to be a classic . Watchable but passable . ( |
586,024 | 783,721 | 300,214 | 6 | Incipient boredom | Morvern Callar is somewhere between a slice of life film and a character study . Though anything which could possibly spoil this very limited film appears in the plot outline and critical reviews , just to be safe . . . SPOILER ALERT ! ! This marginal film goes something like this : Callar ( Morton ) finds her writer boyfriend dead from suicide , disposes of the remains , rips off his manuscript , sells it , the end . That's the whole story . To stretch it into 96 minutes , writer / director Ramsay had to show Callar brooding , pondering , partying , bathing , eating , having sex , traveling , hanging out , etc . In other words . . . " Morvern Callar " is crammed with inconsequential filler which serves only to build some depth into a rather uninteresting character in a somewhat interesting circumstance . Nonetheless , " Morvern Callar " is a critics darling with good marks from the public at large . The art is good , the sound not so good , no CC or subtitles ( on my DVD ) , cast limited , acting good but easy , locations okay , and sundries all good . Recommended for film buffs , UK or Euro pic lovers , and Morton fans . ( |
586,818 | 783,721 | 113,720 | 6 | I thought it would never end | All Things Fair has much good to offer . However , it flunks on story with a full hour dedicated to painfully slow character / plot development which focuses more on tedious trivialities than character depth . About an hour into this unnecessarily long filler-filled film the plot breaks loose when the protag , an early teen student , kisses his teacher and finds her all too receptive to his advances . From there it's in and out of the sack while dodging the teacher's husband and the advances of one of his school mates who wants to loose her virginity to him . If that weren't far fetched enough , given the boy's almost complete absence of charisma or personality , the teacher goes through a hard to swallow change of character - as we've been led to understand it - while the film grinds on with a complicating subplot having to do with a brother and WWII . When the end of this 2 + hour coming of age flick finally arrives it leaves us with a trite moral which seems to be : Don't grow up too fast as things will get complicated soon enough . " All Things Fair " may play well with film buffs into Scandinavian minimalism . However , for audiences in general , this flick is a very pretty example of too little too late . ( |
586,876 | 783,721 | 261,289 | 6 | Serve me some too , please . | Serving Sara tells of two process servers in a race to see who can serve opposing sides in a divorce first with the result that the female side of the legal matter ( Hurley ) spends considerable time with her server ( Broderick ) thereby setting the stage for this romantic comedy romp with a clever premise but a less than original screenplay full of contrived silly situations . " Serving Sara " serves up plenty of Hurley eye candy with the comedy coming from Broderick , Cedric the Entertainer , and Pastore . Lukewarm fun for romcom junkies only . ( |
586,109 | 783,721 | 324,133 | 6 | The hole in the Ozon layer | In spite of Rampling and a very good performance by Sagnier , excellent execution , and all the perks of Canal + , " Swimming Pool " plays out like second rate Hitchcock . The ingredients include Rampling putzing around for about 20 % of the flick , miscellaneous conversation for 20 % , some low level drama for about 20 % , some filler 20 % , and 20 % meat and potatoes . The only mystery in this mystery is what the hell is the film about ; something which become sadly evident when the film reaches it's unsatisfying conclusion . An audience scam , a cheap shot , and probably the worst French flick I've seen in a long time . ( |
587,401 | 783,721 | 236,034 | 6 | A very British romantic comedy with the emphasis on comedy . | Born Romantic uses the revolving door approach to studying the relationships of a half dozen quirky characters and their romantic relationships which are in various states of disarray . Full of wry British humor , lots of salsa dancing , and with a cab driver playing a sort of " Dan Cupid " type , " Born Romantic " is considerably more clever than its recent American counterpart " Sidewalks of New York " , although they are at different ends of the romantic comedy genre . A fun and funny watch for those who enjoy British films . |
585,834 | 783,721 | 239,949 | 6 | Jeez , am I the only one who liked this flick or what ? | If you want the plot for " Say It Isn't So " look elsewhere on this site . I couldn't pass up the opportunity to raise my hand in praise of this whacked-out romantic comedy that had me laughing ' til tears streamed down my face . " SIIS " leaps from one absurdity to another for the whole run time with no lulls and lots of unabashed nonsense , crass humor , site gags , pratfalls , etc . I defy anyone to call this film predictable as , though we all know that somehow the lovers will get together in the end , you'll never guess the closing " kicker " . A fun , under-rated , and tightly knitted romp which is long on comedy and short on romance for people like me with an off-kilter and wacky sense of humor . |
587,296 | 783,721 | 166,175 | 6 | A pleasant comedy / drama with a minor genre conflict . | Twenty-five years ago , George , a Pakistani immigrant to England , married an English woman who bore him seven children . " East to East " picks up George's story as he's beset with a clash of cultures and befuddled trying to maintain his native old world traditions amidst his flock of " new age " kids . This humorous film makes a couple of severe excursions into serious drama which seem in conflict with it's intended comedic purpose . However , viewers unvexed by the mismatching of genres should thoroughly enjoy the film . |
586,340 | 783,721 | 311,648 | 6 | Thanksgiving grunge | Pieces of April servers up fragments of a story taking about 20 minutes to reveal its plot or lack thereof . It slowly pulls itself together and about an hour into it we become aware of the genre ( dramedy ) , the tweaked stereotypes , the contrivances , lack of depth , and its most of all , the poor development of the airheaded centerpiece , April ( Holmes ) . With strokes from the critics and a lukewarm reception by the public , " POA " is not shabby for a directorial debut and one-man-band indie but there are many films which should be viewed first ( eg : What's Cooking 2000 ) . More forgettable than entertaining , " POA " is recommended for Holmes fans or a video rental when " Lost in Translation " is not on the shelf or on broadcast when those who aren't engaged can change channels with impunity . ( |
587,361 | 783,721 | 196,229 | 6 | Here's my " Magnum " . : - ) | Zoolander slampoons those people we all love to hate . . . fashion models . Especially , the male fashion model . Ben Stiller in the company of his parents and a whole bunch of miscellaneous celebs in bit parts , plays an empty-headed and narcissistic top male fashion model , Derek Zoolander , who is topped by an even topper male fashion model played by Owen ( the nose ) Wilson . Yeah , Stiller and Wilson playing fashion models : Funny premise , huh ? With a kind of 007 ( that's Zoolander's IQ ) assassination plot thing going on , brainwashing Zoolander ( no detergent required ) , a runway " walk-off " and other nonsense , this flick bulges with stupid , silly , nonsensical humor . Depending on - your - sense of humor , this film may wear itself out early or leave you craving seconds . Most will find LOL's aplenty with one helping sufficient . |
586,587 | 783,721 | 102,220 | 6 | Kiss this ! | Sean Young gets a double Razzie nod for sleepwalking through her dual role in this journeyman thriller which sticks Matt Dillon out front as an upwardly mobile man who prefers to murder his way to the top of the corporate ladder . Full of contrivances and asking many questions while providing few answers , this mediocre rehash of a 1956 thriller makes for little more than a nominal couch potato no-brainer . Okay to zone to . ( |
585,697 | 783,721 | 166,252 | 6 | A middle of the road middle-aged romantic comedy . | The Love Letter tells of a middle-aged book worm ( Capshaw ) who discovers a draft of a love letter bearing the simple salutation " Dearest " and assumes she's the intended recipient . The letter , left lying about , is rediscovered by others who make a similar assumption allowing the infectious prose to spawn romance among the populace of a quaint little New England seaside community . Sledged by about half the critics , " TLL's " somewhat sappy and contrived screenplay is offset by its quirkiness and middle-agedness . A so-so production , " TLL " will likely resonate most with middle-aged females and more mature audiences . |
585,794 | 783,721 | 280,720 | 6 | Inept fun | In " The Guru " , an East Indian ( Mistry ) comes to America with the hope of making it big in Hollywood , stumbles into a porn studio , and then into a fortuitous position as a high priced guru . On the upside , " The Guru " is crammed with pop hit singles , has a pair of babes ( Tomei & Graham ) , and is so good natured as to be hard not to enjoy at some level . On the downside , the film is just plain marginal silliness and a lame foray into the burgeoning romcom genre which bursts into musical song and dance numbers for no good reason . Fun but inept , " The Guru " should have some appeal for Bollywood enthusiasts and fans of the principals . ( |
587,126 | 783,721 | 183,718 | 6 | A journeyman , typical made-for-tv product . | The life of Rocky Marciano takes a beating in this made-for-tv flick which is fraught with melodrama , over acting , a mediocre screenplay , distortions of fact , and obvious attempts to wring emotion from the audience . The film features an excellent performance by Favereau in the title role with fine supporting talent none of which can save this fast-track to success Hollywoodish formula approach to the exploitation of the life of a boxing legend . Come on . . . do we really need another boxing flick where every punch sounds like a sledge hammer hitting a sandbag ? |
587,162 | 783,721 | 117,739 | 6 | Earnest , sincere reality film out of the UK | Stella Does Tricks tells of a Scottish teen female's struggle to escape a life of prostitution . Sans the glitzy appointments of the usual tinsel town fare and exploitive sex and nudity usually accompanying the subject matter , this austere film focuses on the real problems of the principle ; addictiveness of easy money , low self esteem from childhood abuse , etc . With excellent performances all around , especially by Mcdonald ( Stella ) , this film's only flaw is annoying dreamlike flashbacking which is too often ambiguous in an attempt to be poetic . Good stuff for those into sincere , earnest , hardworking reality pix about the socially disenfranchised . |
587,558 | 783,721 | 117,718 | 6 | So what's wrong with sentimental , Roger ? ? | The Spitfire Grill tells of the influence of one young woman ( Elliott ) on the people of a small town in Maine . A multifaceted , soapy , and unabashed chick-flick , this critically panned audience pleaser is sentimental almost to a fault . From its sepia tinged warmth to its Norman Rockwell stereotypes to it's plaintive orchestral score to its contrived storyline , etc . , this flick is out to tug at your heart strings and jerk that tear from your eye . Sentimentalists should kick back , turn off brain , and enjoy . All others , find something else to watch . |
586,868 | 783,721 | 280,760 | 6 | Coulda , shoula been better | Igby Goes Down is a condescending , pedantic , darkly comedic misanthro-pic about a rich kid ( Culkin ) who has too little love and too much attitude . . . etc . In spite of its critical plaudits ; excellent acting ( no stretching ) ; and slick , dialed-in synthesis , this film really sucked . Personally I was bored with it from the get go , utterly and completely detatched , and toughed it out with a piecemeal watch . What could have been a good drama was scuttled with a black skew , much too clever script , obvious but purposeless stereotyping , an unabashed absence of humanity , and zero audience empathy . Good fodder for self indulgent critics , buffs , dilettantes , etc . For those who just want entertainment , forget it . ( |
585,963 | 783,721 | 265,343 | 6 | A wonderfully festive kaleidoscope | Monsoon Wedding splatters the screen with ebullience as a very westernized East Indian couple and throngs of family members in New Delhi convene for that universally most happy of occasions . A fun and festive flick with all manner of family issues expressed in and among the wedding preparations , this plotless film is a delightful hodgepodge of busy goings-on full of handsome folks in anxious anticipation the festivities . A delightful " happening " , " Monsoon Wedding " will score best with viewers into foreign films or with a specific interest in East Indian culture . ( |
585,671 | 783,721 | 94,476 | 6 | Generic biopic | Hemmingway is a typical biopic with a very generic feel . Keach carries this flick on his back and his worthy costars work hard as well . However , the film never seems to dig into the psyche of the enigmatic , robust , large-living author but presents him as a two dimensional character who is all too pat . Scripted , stagey , and with the melodramatic feel of a 40's film , " Hemmingway " tells the story but can't seem to shake it's stiffness . In one scene , for example , during the Spanish Civil War , bullets crash through the window of Hem's lover's hotel room . Shaken , she gets out of bed and obviously kills time waiting for Hem to arrive . When he bolts through the door they stand right in the line of fire and embrace while we sit knowing all to well if it wasn't a movie they'd be long gone to safety . And so it goes from scene to scene , contrived and cued and missing many opportunities to show us such things as his plane crashes , his car wreck , his sub hunting , Nobel and Pulitzer benchmarks , etc . while spending it's time jumping from Paris to Pamplona to Africa to Key West to Cuba , etc . and from wife to lover to wife to lover . . . etc . And okay watch for those who want to learn something about Hemmingway via film even though more can be learned about the man with much less time simply by surfing the web . As for entertainment value , this one is marginal . ( |
587,220 | 783,721 | 204,946 | 6 | A peppy pepper-upper . | Bring It On is another Dunst bop flick which shows her as the new captain of a HS cheerleading team which is fraught with problems . Lively and unpretentious teen fluff , " Bring . . . " has all the nonsense , silliness , and stereotypes required to please it's market . What more could any producer or audience want ? |
586,331 | 783,721 | 257,493 | 6 | All Alda | Club Land tells of a bitter , small time , aging New York nightclub talent booking agent ( circa 50's ) , played by Alda , who has family issues with his son / protege ( Weber ) . Claustrophobic , noir'ish , and plaintive , this solid , well scripted and acted story relies heavily on an excellent performance by Alda for entertainment value . A must see for Alda fans and an okay watch for all else . |
586,538 | 783,721 | 218,864 | 6 | Got milk ? | Buying the Cow is a somewhat stiff , run-of-the-mill , mating game romantic comedy ( emphasis on comedy ) full of vanilla actors in plastic roles , somewhat herky-jerky , band-aided with a couple of side plots , which does deliver some funny moments and finally connects with a little romance in the end . The film's conglomerated story has to do with a woman with marriage in mind who wants a commitment from her significant other who fell in love at first sight years ago and is reluctant to marry . . . . etc . Much of the film is cliche stuff we've seen before and there's little fresh creativity to be found . Nonetheless , the film's heart is in the right place and it should provide a modicum of entertainment for young adults and suckers ( like me ) for the romantic comedy genre . |
586,426 | 783,721 | 269,499 | 6 | Near miss | My Wife is an Actress is all about a man who becomes jealous of his wife's handsome costar when she's required to do boudoir scenes . A so-so romantic comedy with precious little romance , this flick fails to focus on the central question which asks : How do you know if your wife is cheating de facto , in heart or mind , while she performs in bed with another man for the cameras ? Instead , the film ruminates about the jealous husband and the tentative wife with occasional excursions into a whole side matter about circumcision which contributes nothing while managing to conjure up a few delightfully clever scenes . With good art , excellent camera work , and solid performances , this half English , half French flick makes for a nominal subtitled watch best saved for broadcast . ( |
587,492 | 783,721 | 179,182 | 6 | An under-hyped , under-rated love it or hate it B-flick sleeper | Forever Mine is a somewhat flawed telling of an interesting and unpredictable love triangle story which is built around a solid core cast of under-rated actors ( Fiennes , Mol , and Liotta ) . The film , which takes place over 17 years during which a Florida cabana boy struggles with an evil politician for possession of his wife , begins as a romantic melodrama and turns into a darkly obsessive war of wills . " Forever Mine " suffers from low budget appurtenances ( music , sets , props , etc ) ; an uneven flow which runs in the beginning and crawls through the middle ; and an unnecessary murder which serves little purpose ; etc . Those who can overlook the ragged edges of the film will be rewarded by some excellent performances and an evocative and compelling drama while , as the extremes of IMDB . com's users ' perspectives indicate , the more analytical viewers will react quite the opposite . An earnest and interesting love it or hate it sleeper . |
587,410 | 783,721 | 117,284 | 6 | A fun little flick about wannabee crooks gone right . | Palookaville tells of three schmucks who are determined to be crooks but somehow just can't seem to mastermind even a simple burglary . Surprisingly well scripted , acted , and directed , given the plot , this film develops and maintains the integrity of it's inept principals while walking a tightrope between comedy and drama , avoiding falling headlong into either genre . An enjoyable little flick for channel surfers . |
586,065 | 783,721 | 232,083 | 6 | Would you like some roofies with your chocolate ? | Let's get real people . " Nightcap " just ain't that great . After reading some of the critical comments on this film , I decided there was as much projecting going on by reviewers as by the people who cast the film's imagery on the silver screen . Chabrol or no Chabrol , " Nightcap " is awkward , mechanical , scripted , incredible , unbelievable , monotonous , and has an unsatisfying conclusion . Yes , it has an up-side too including Huppert , Huppert , more Huppert and some intriguingly ominous undercurrents , etc . However , there's just too much wrong with execution and too little payoff in the end to make this film a worthwhile subtitle read for most non-French audiences . In short , this is like some really bad early Hitchcock . Recommended only for critics , French film devotees , film fest groupies , Chabrol fans , and the like . ( |
585,872 | 783,721 | 125,022 | 6 | So-so fun fluff stuff | The Heartbreakers tells of the misanthropic misadventures of a mom / daughter team ( Weaver / Hewitt ) of con artists who prey of the male libido and ego . The mom / daughter team offer eye candy and little else while the comic relief comes from " marks " Liotta and Hackman . A so-so romantic comedy with the emphasis on comedy , " Heartbreakers " is a moderately fun way to wile away 2 hours if not taken seriously and expectations are kept low . |
586,667 | 783,721 | 106,447 | 6 | Where's the plot ? | Bodies . . . , a well crafted flick with a good cast and good acting , is a non-story which looks at a couple of days in the lives of four ordinary young adults ( 2 males , 2 females ) struggling with some rather pedestrian issues while depending on one question to hold viewer interest . . . Where's the plot ? The whole film is a character study of people who are not sufficiently interesting to make the film a memorable watch save fans of the principals . Okay but lacking in substance . |
587,380 | 783,721 | 209,013 | 6 | An old story and a superb performance by Holly Hunter | Big management grinds poor workers with boot heel followed by rebellion and unionization . There's nothing new in Showtime's telling of this old story about hollow dwelling coal miners in Harlan County , KY . Nonetheless , Hunter bails out this well made but potentially monotonous film with her powerful performance as a spunky and dauntless coal miner's wife . A must see for Hunter fans . |
587,131 | 783,721 | 117,261 | 6 | No shtick , Sherlock . | Original Sin is an almost 3 hour British t . v . miniseries " old school " mystery which centers on a murder at a waterfront publishing firm , numerous clues , and equally numerous suspects with the inscrutable Commander Dalgliesh ( Marsden ) and his trusty sidekicks hot on the trail . A rather convoluted mess of a story which is not particularly engaging given its length , viewers may find the conclusion to be too little too late . Recommended for those who have viewed the other films in this series , preferably in chronological order . Those unfamiliar with P . D . James ' novels or this series of films should begin with the oldest first and work forward from there . The DVD I watched had no subtitles or CC and I did have some trouble with the audio and the dialects . ( |
585,854 | 783,721 | 102,095 | 6 | A fun little action comedy worth a look . | If Looks Could Kill tells of a high school French class's trip to France and one student ( Grieco ) who gets caught up in an international spy drama through mistaken identity . A fun little action comedy with not a single dull moment , this flick lampoons 007 films as its tale of comic intrigue unfolds . A silly no-brainer on cable with a little something for everyone . |
587,217 | 783,721 | 293,437 | 6 | Why mess with perfection ? | The Music Man tells of a worldly traveling salesman and scam artist who unwittingly infuses the people of a small Iowa town with hope and dreams while he suffers from the low self esteem which supports his chicanery . A suspicious and cynical librarian justifiably distrust him until she sees the goodness in his work and instills in him a sense of self worth turning him into an honest man while he restores her faith in people . Viola ! Love . This story is beautifully told in the huge hit movie of 1962 and , now , in the 2003 redux . This t . v . version has good legs and offers solid musical and dance performances and production value . However , it suffers from poor casting , halfhearted acting , and pales when compared to the original . If you haven't seen " The Music Man " , watch the 1962 version first . If you have seen it , you'll likely be disappointed by this rehash . After all , why mess with perfection ? ( B ) |
586,512 | 783,721 | 109,731 | 6 | Not Chabrol's best work | L'Enfer peers into the lives of a married-with-kid couple who run a resort hotel . She is beautiful and vivacious and he is jealous . As the film wears on , it appears we're supposed to believe the husband's jealousy slowly morphs into insanity though we're increasingly confronted with what seem to be his visions of his wife in compromising situations until the end when circumstance and a messy montage leave us confused and not knowing what to think . The result is a superficial story of a man being consumed with jealousy and some underlying theme which serves only to confound and make the denouement unsatisfying . An okay drama recommended for Chabrol fans only . ( Note - The DVD is watched had poor quality remastering with less than true color ; the speckles , zits , and lines of dusty and scratched film ; and abrupt cuts which appeared to be poor editing . |
587,298 | 783,721 | 280,949 | 6 | Long on style , short on story . | Miranda , misbilled as a romance / thriller ( no thrills in this flick ) , is really a dark romantic comedy about an enigmatic woman , Miranda ( Ricci ) , who beguiles a male librarian ( Simm ) with her haunting beauty and mysterious ways . Long on style and short on story , this film spends most of its time with the title character , of course , which Ricci plays well . The film crashes , however , on story as Miranda is really a pain in the a and not something we , the audience , are inclined to wish on the more likeable Simm character . Meanwhile , bits and pieces of a story are doled out with the dots never really connected at the end making anything beyond the romantic quest little more than window dressing . Recommended for Ricci fans or dark comedy weirdos . ( |
586,899 | 783,721 | 257,044 | 6 | Disappointing . | Road to Perdition is a gangster flick ( circa 1930 ) about a Tommy gun goon ( Hanks ) who is also a loving , caring family man . He has a score to settle and , with his young son in tow , goes off to take on a top local mobster ( Newman ) . Lopsided in favor of showcasing auteursmanship over audience appreciation , this drab , moody flick is an overhyped , artful shoot with a good cast which moves along at a snail's pace as it delivers its only marginally interesting story ultimately ending with a laughable scene reminiscent of something from " Lassie " . Oh happy day ! I will have to defer to critics and public alike who gave this flick high marks as I personally was disappointed , double-timed through the boring filler , never could make the buy-in , and gave the flick an undeserved for B-udget only . ( |
585,944 | 783,721 | 106,469 | 6 | A tinseltown take on Chicano gang / prison life | Bound by Honor circles interminably around a trio of East L . A . Chicano gang members through decades of life . Overwrought , over acted , uninspired , and fraught with foibles and plotholes , the film spends too much time wallowing in the numbing excesses of prison gang life and politics unable to escape the varnish and tarnish of a Hollywood contrived shock-value execution . Even if we needed another prison gang flick , which we don't , this flick accomplishes too little and runs too long wearing its characters down to nubs instead of fleshing them out with insights into familia , community , heritage , and church . Worst of all , we're not given anyone to care about leaving us with three hours of mechanical detachment . ( Note - The version I Tivo'd included a lot of " Spanglish " with no subtitled translations and no closed captions . |
587,188 | 783,721 | 289,635 | 6 | Adam who ? | Young Adam is all about Joe ( McGregor ) , an ordinary working stiff employed as a deck hand on a Scottish coal barge , who knows more about the dead body he and his mate fish from the waters than he lets on . That's about as interesting as this well crafted exercise in tedium gets as we watch the laconic and stoic Joe enjoy the sexual favors of every woman he encounters without so much as a " by your leave " . When all is said and done we're left with the impression that the women of Glasgow can't wait to drop their skivvies for fresh meat and the Scottish criminal justice system consists of little more than pompous mental midgets . This foreign flavored artie dramatic fabrication received nominal reviews , some local awards , and a love it or hate it reaction from the public . Fodder for foreign film freaks only . ( |
587,035 | 783,721 | 265,666 | 6 | Good stuff with narrow appeal . | The Royal Tenenbaums tells of a disenfranchised aging patriarch's ( Hackman ) attempt to reclaim his dysfunctional family of peculiar , self-absorbed , laconic , and idiosyncratic people . A meandering brut farce , the film sports an excellent cast and good technicals and art . However , it's peculiar nature is just enough off center to make any emotional buy-in impossible and just enough near center to make more than an occasional tongue in cheek unlikely . " TRT " is fodder for film buffs , dilettantes , and critics and will likely receive a lukewarm reception from the public at large . Just more proof that creative is not necessarily good . B-Note : I rented the DVD but couldn't find anyone else in my household to watch it . Caricatures are easy but portraits are difficult . This is a film of Caricatures . |
586,021 | 783,721 | 311,429 | 6 | Whaddawaste | The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen pulls together a motley bunch of extraordinary people from fictional literature ( Tom Sawyer to Jekyll-Hyde to Captain Nemo to Etc . ) and sends them on a super hero mission to save the world from global war . This comic book film builds a story , creates a hero / nemesis combo , sets the stage for lots of action and then buries the whole thing in an XS of FX . It's not long before the brain forgets who's who , what the characters are trying to accomplish , who the bad guy is , what the films about , and finally who you are and why you are watching . Simply put this critically slammed flick is a waste because Norrington & Co . didn't know when to quit . More proof that the equation less = more is a math lesson too often missed by action / fx flick auteurs . ( |
586,305 | 783,721 | 304,678 | 6 | All about a director directing a film and little more . | Sex is Comedy is an open ended light drama about a film director , Parillaud ( Nikita ) , working on a film toward the sex scene between her young male and female leads . There's no story in this film which simply shows how a director might work with her cast and crew while trying to squeeze , cajole , or otherwise evoke the nuances she desires from the a recalcitrant male lead and his reluctantly willing partner while wrangling cameras and crews and the foibles which beset a film director at work . This film conjures some insights into what being a film director involves and the hard work required of cast and crew while making a film and , I suppose , the techniques and methods of this film's director , Brelliat . There are similarities between the sex scene in this film and that in another Brelliat film , " Fat Girl " , which is little more than noteworthy . " Sex is Comedy " doesn't walk on the edge of pornography as do other Brelliat films and will be of most interest to those interested in film direction Brelliat style . ( |
585,674 | 783,721 | 339,357 | 6 | Boooooooring | Marie & Julien is a well crafted but painfully monotonous subtitled French flick which will put your patience and ADD to the test . Know that I gave up on this 2 . 5 hour flick at the 90 minute mark out of sheer boredom . The most interesting character to that point was Julien's cat which entertained itself while Julien tinkered with clocks in his home / shop and Marie , well , Marie just sort of remained fascinated by some room in the house and stared at the ceiling a lot . Yes , there was a blackmail thing going on but it was almost incidental and so very civilized I've been thinking about who I can blackmail . Whatever I may have missed couldn't have made up for having to sit through a couple of poorly done sex scene and every pokey and piddly mundane and pedestrian thing those two rather unlikeable characters did with their time . Just be careful before committing 150 minutes of your life to this flick . ( |
587,224 | 783,721 | 192,071 | 6 | A good fun-flick for the 13-16 female crowd . | Get Over It is a silly little teen romantic comedy with a little bit of everything for the pubescent female . The flick includes some slapstick , situational humor , funny characters , and , of course , the requisite puppy love affair . At issue is not will Dunst hook up with the newly estranged and reluctantly footloose Foster , but rather when . Combine some funny shtick by the hilarious Martin Short and some really ultra-hip permissive parents played by Kurtz and Begley with a spritz of musical theater and I all spells fun for teens . " Get Over It " doesn't take itself too seriously and is what it is . . . a no brainer for bops . |
586,232 | 783,721 | 117,364 | 6 | Pompous drivel | A novel has a distinct advantage over a film . The novel can describe a character while the reader's imagination provides the substance of that description as individual as the reader him / herself . In film , however , the director ( casting ) must provide the description and substance and we , the audience , are robbed of the ability to assign face and form to that character . In " Portrait . . . " , Champion fills in our blanks for us with " Boxcar Bertha " and " Olive Oil " and that fat and vulgar lady from the Johnny Carson show , etc . In other words , Champion simply assembles a stellar cast , presupposes we have no association to these actors , and then assumes we'll devour what she has served up in spite of dreadful miscasting . After all , big names mean big boxoffice and one can always fall back on commercial success even if they fail in artistry . In " Portrait . . . " , a knock-off of a mediocre short novel , we're given a bunch of Americans speaking stilted dialogue with California accents or California by way of Sydney or whatever ( with some exceptions ) . We see Kidman performing mechanically , as though uncomfortably marching to the director's crop , as she portrays a woman of with no charisma or personality and yet with numerous suitors who for whatever reason are in love with her . Champion goes on to insult us with a clip of black and white film , circa " Charlie Chaplin " which comes out of no where , etc . . . etc . . . etc . The only thing " Portrait . . . " has going for it is wonderful costuming , cinematography , and locations . Better period films are not hard to find . . . period . |
586,745 | 783,721 | 274,309 | 6 | Critical mess | 24 Hour Party People is another film which reaches critical mess with a vast chasm between the salivating film critics and a dumbfounded public . A very smart docudrama about a very boring subject with an even more boring , trite , and conceited story , " 24 Hour . . . . " follows Coogan through the genesis of a Manchester , England punk band ( sort of ) . Bottom line here is , if you never heard of Joy Division , New Order , Factory Records , or Tony Wilson then you probably won't care about this film . I don't listen to punk , never attended a rave , etc . and was pretty much bored through-out the film . It's clever quirkiness ( sheep herding goose , poisoned pigeons , etc ) is the only thing which kept me awake and mildly amused . For 24 hour party people only . ( |
585,869 | 783,721 | 280,870 | 6 | If Snipes sniped at a sniper , could the sniper snipe a Snipes ? | Not in " Liberty Stands Still " ; a taught drama in which Liberty ( Fiorentino ) is a powerful , well connected corporate type who is held hostage in public by a sniper ( Snipes ) secreted in a building and armed with a sniper rifle , a remote controlled bomb , a cell phone , and oodles of hi-tech gadgetry . The film is a stylish and highly improbable chess match drama in which Snipes spends much time talking with Fiorentino via cell phone as he asserts his agenda and Los Angeles gets busy trying to deal with the threat . Character development is spread over the run time and the conclusion is somewhat less than satisfying . However , the kinetics , visuals , drama , and spy stuff are sufficient to make " Liberty . . . . " a worthwhile and interesting escapist guy-flick . ( Note - Though filmed in Vancouver according to this website , the film shows frequent aerial shots of L . A . |
585,801 | 783,721 | 187,696 | 6 | A cut above the average horror flick . | Anatomy tells of an attractive young female medical student who attends the University of Heidelberg where she discovers an ancient secret society of doctors who practice human vivisection . The film is an artful shoot with great anatomical props and a story which is a little more intelligent than typical American horror flicks where hockey masked hulks go around butchering teenagers . The video release I watched was also very well dubbed . Overall a cut above your average horror flick and an mildly thrilling and suspenseful watch for most . The last two words of the film are particularly telling . |
587,364 | 783,721 | 192,111 | 6 | What'd you expect , " Citizen Kane " . . . duh . | Head Over Heels , a slight cut above the usual teen romantic comedy in creativity while rather ordinary in execution , is a fun little romp with Prinze and Potter trying to get together amidst constant clashes of interest including a gaggle of super model roomies on Potters ' side and a gurgle of nefarious dudes on Prinze's side . Toss in a dog which loves to try to hump Potter ( understandable ) , some sharpshooting dagger throwing , a little potty humor , skullduggery , pratfalls , and other nonsense and you have a lively little no brainer for those who don't take this genre too seriously . |
585,733 | 783,721 | 261,534 | 6 | Life's a bitch and then you . . . | . . . get your braces off . " My Horrible Year " tells of a young woman's indomitable spirit and courageous struggle against being 15 . . . and having braces . . . and the chicken pox . . . . and twin baby brothers . . . and parents who may be getting divorced . . . and sundry other appalling , disgusting , and terrible afflictions . Allison Mack manages to exude sufficient energy and personality as the centerpiece of this film to bind all the fun , campy , teen comedic situations together into an enjoyable romp through year 15 . A fun watch for anyone who is 15 , is going to be 15 , or who was 15 and can still remember what being 15 was like . |
586,058 | 783,721 | 209,109 | 6 | Like so much Chinese food . | Londinium is a journeyman comedy set in London which is all about the core cast , two couples , all friends ( Binder , Firth , Jacob , & Hemingway ) and their struggle to find happiness in their relationships . Like so much Chinese food , the film is unsatisfying and inclined to leave the audience yearning for more substance by film's end . Sans an emotional anchor , the audience is left to play voyeur to the on screen antics as the players dutifully make their way from beginning to end in a bland screenplay with an incongruous stringed musical score out of the 40's . " Londinium " offers some mildly amusing moments , some quirkiness , and makes for an easy going small screen watch for mature couples . ( |
587,297 | 783,721 | 183,523 | 6 | A solid flick in a difficult genre . | Mission . . . offers the audience a good cast , good special effects , good sets , some excellent production talent , and an interesting story . It builds from a hokey backyard barbecue opening to an outer space technodrama and waxes in the denouement to a ponderous fantasy . Overall the flick is solid entertainment . If " Mission . . . " has a problem , it's the daunting task of crossing the left-brain / right-brain barrier ( most people are one or the other and not both ) in a difficult genre . |
587,311 | 783,721 | 269,347 | 6 | A whole lot of running around | The Hunted tells a story of an expert survivalist and military special ops killer ( Del Toro ) who become a loose killing cannon and has to be taken out by his mentor / teacher ( Jones ) . The result is one long hunt-chase flick with Jones in pursuit of Del Toro through the woods , in the river , all around the town , etc . Shot in the Pacific NW , the film features some beautiful scenery , good cinematography , and solid performances by the two leads . However , " The Hunted " is a meager story at best as , without all the busy running around , it distills to about a 20 minute movie . Good stuff for those into one-on-one manhunter flicks , survivalism , escape / evasion , etc . ( |
585,910 | 783,721 | 170,260 | 6 | If less is more , this is a very big little movie . | Morgan's Ferry is simple movie about simple people in a simple place and a simpler time . At the center of the story is a spartan middle-aged spinster and her austere , deep South , backwater existence . When she crosses paths with an escaped convict on the run , the awakening within her is thing of grace and beauty to behold . |
587,562 | 783,721 | 94,317 | 6 | Ah yes ! Feel the boredom , the monotony , the tedium ! | Many films , most rather bland by cinematic standards , have been made about the antics of idle rich Brits living abroad estranged from their homeland during the days of WWII . Though most such films have dealt with Italy's Tuscany area ( specifically Lake Como ) , " White Mischief " is another such flick which slogs tediously through seemingly endless moments of uppercrusty decadence until finally and almost reluctantly getting around to . . . drum roll , please . . . the Murder ! Telling a true story which is not even a footnote of a footnote in African history , this long on talent and short on story flick conjures up too little , too late . A mediocre watch at best which will be most appreciated by those into period dramas about Brits abroad . |
587,368 | 783,721 | 362,129 | 6 | Old news | Seeing Other People is all about DINKs Alice ( Nicholson ) and Ed ( Mohr ) who have lived together for years and decide to try other sex partners before tying the knot . This obviously contrived premise yields an abundance of the same old relationship problems we've all seen before a zillion times giving the film the familiarity of old news as opposed to old friends . On the downside , this conversational flick uses a plethora of stereotypical side characters and plenty of not-so-subtle sex talk for filler while Ed and Alice are clumsily making their last ditch effort to get some " strange " . On the upside , the writing is sufficiently insightful and fresh to create enough moments of humor and fun to make for a worthwhile small screen watch . With average marks from critics and public , " SOP " will play best with younger adult females . Keep expectations real . ( |
586,537 | 783,721 | 289,668 | 6 | The absence of synergism | Between Strangers tells of three women with something in common . They are all laconic , slothlike zombies moving from scene to scene as though they bear the weight of the world on their shoulders . Though this film offers a good cast and execution , it is little more than a trio of short subjects with an unfortunately bland and overly ponderous result lacking the only reason to make one film from three stories ; synergism . ( |
585,776 | 783,721 | 113,947 | 6 | Flat | Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud is all about a beautiful Parisian working woman ( Emmanuelle Béart ) and the men in her life . Suffering from marital ennui Nelly estranges herself from her husband and takes a job typing memoirs for an older Monsieur Arnaud as he dictates to her in his drawing room . During the course of the film we see a handful of miscellaneous characters come and go while Nelly has dinner , types , goes to a party , types , takes a swim , types , an does many more very mundane things . I was extremely disappointed in this film given its fine cast and excellent pedigree . An unfortunate drone of inconsequential busyness which ends abruptly and offers no reason for audience interest save sheer voyeurism , this film makes Nelly out to be a person without a single interesting thought in her lovely head . All in all , " Nelly and Monsieur " plays out like a whole lot of very nicely done nothingness . ( |
587,532 | 783,721 | 269,329 | 6 | How do you say " yadayadayada " in French ? | Alias Betty , a mediocre French flick which tells of a woman whose son dies and is replaced with a kidnapped kid by her mother and the ramifications of same and examinations of the goings-on in the lives of the people connected to the principals , this flick is a choppy and bland bit of nervous monotony and little more . Combine that with a subtitle a second such that it's difficult to study facial expressions and mannerisms and " Alias Betty " simply isn't worth the effort required . Recommended only for French film enthusiasts , French speakers , and fans of the principals and Miler's work . ( |
586,768 | 783,721 | 101,969 | 6 | A good ( yawn ) movie . ZZZzzzzz . | Grand Canyon , which doesn't have anything to do with the Grand Canyon , peers into the lives of a handful of Los Angelinos like a kind of polished soap opera potpourri . This easy going , well crafted flick with excellent acting talent is guaranteed not to rattle your cage as it juxtaposes the have's and the have-not's as though trying to make some vague social commentary . A sort of meandering contemplation on adult issues , " Grand Canyon " is yet another example of a good movie in need of a good story . |
587,289 | 783,721 | 183,503 | 6 | Optimistic , austere , and mildly entertaining | Me Myself I is a minimalistic , lighthearted film about the schizophrenic introspections of the centeral character . Save a charming and sometimes whimsical look at some ordinary lives , a good performance by Griffiths , and excellent musical punctuations , this enjoyable film offers nothing new and risks being labeled a " chick flick " . |
586,001 | 783,721 | 343,135 | 6 | Can a hippo change its spots ? | Stiller is an insurance company risk analyst who lives a conventional and highly organized creature-of-habit life style . Anniston is the antithesis , digs Salsa dancing and exotic food , has a butt tat , and lives in a NYC grunge flat . The film begs the questions , can these two opposite people fall in like , lust , and maybe even love and find happiness ? " Along Came Polly " is wall-to-wall fun romcom fare which is short on rom , long on com , and full of site gags , stereotypical comic side characters , and nonstop in-your-face silliness . Not the most creative thing to come along since " There's Something About Mary " , this little viva-la-difference flick was slammed by the critics and whined over by the public . Nonetheless , it should make for a fun tube watch for sofa spuds if expectations are kept within reason . ( B ) |
586,218 | 783,721 | 335,438 | 6 | The usual suspects | Starsky & Hutch is a lukewarm comedy knock-off of the 70's hit buddy cop TV series of the same name . Those who remember the original Soul / Glaser duo will likely enjoy this flick more than those who don't as the film relies heavily on nostalgic blast from the past music , disco dancing , period slang , 70's clothing and hair styles , S & H TV lampooning , etc . Regardless , " S & H 2004 " is watchable and even recommendable though off par for both Stiller and Wilson . Worth a look as no brainer small screen comedy entertainment about a couple of wacky plain clothes detectives who can't seem to do anything right but still manage to save the day in the end . ( |
586,917 | 783,721 | 117,477 | 6 | Only half witty . | Ridicule is a not-to-be-taken-seriously French period piece ( circa 1780's ) which tells of a young hydraulics engineer who seeks royal funds to drain foul marshes to protect peasants from disease . His problem is to work his way into the King's court where the witty repartee of aristocrats rules the day . The film is an excellent period production though a bit stilted , somewhat bland and lacking passion , and not as witty as one would expect a film about wit to be . Most filmgoers will likely be bored with the meager story and so-so humor . Recommended for devotees of Euro period flicks only . |
585,631 | 783,721 | 196,603 | 6 | A heart warming musing on a century of black experience in America | Having Our Say brings new meaning to " coming of age " as it tells the story of two black American sisters , both 100 + years old . Carroll and Dee make a delightful centerpiece for this film which , through a series of flashbacks , recounts their growing up and growing old in a racially divided America . A highly sanitized film , " Having . . . " is a light hearted reflection on the black experience . |
586,763 | 783,721 | 366,551 | 6 | Gen-Y crass comedy | Harold and Kumar Go to Whitecastle tells of two ethnic buddies and wannabe yuppie potheads who take a road trip to the not-so-local Whitecastle burger joint becoming involved in all manner of nonsense along the way . The story isn't particularly important as the film is more a conglomeration of misadventures which beset the duo as they run afoul of a bunch of street punks , cops , a really weird tow truck driver and his hottie wife , and more . Chock full of gross-out and potty humor , T but no A , blatant vulgarity , silly situational comedy moments , and some unoriginal stuff borrowed from other films , this raucous road trip flick is not for the sophisticated and will play best with " boomer babies " and the college crowd . ( |
586,380 | 783,721 | 109,665 | 6 | Okay drama for sofa spuds | In " Dream Lover " , a prosperous architect ( Spader ) marries a too-good-to-be-true woman ( Amick ) and gets more than he bargained for and possibly more than he can handle . Done as a darkish comedy or light drama , this psycho-suspense flick features an interesting premise , okay performances by the principals , some blatant silliness compliments of Miller , and lots of semiserious drama . Full of plot holes and improbabilities , be sure to dumb yourself down for " Dream Lover " , stick around for the punchline ending , and enjoy . ( |
586,051 | 783,721 | 226,430 | 6 | A mildly compelling B-flick with limited appeal | Shadow Hours is a well shot , well acted , impatient B-flick which gets moving quickly and keeps up the momentum throughout . Although the film is a journeyman production at best , it creates a curious mystique by asking more questions than it answers and keeps the audience guessing to the end and beyond . Weller's character is particularly compelling as he mentors a recovering addict , Getty , on life with a series of tours through the decadent underbelly of Los Angeles nightlife . Not for everyone , some will find this film provocative and will be looking forward to better offerings from this auteur in the future . |
586,702 | 783,721 | 94,226 | 6 | Old school Hollywood melodrama | The Untouchables tells the tale of G-man Elliott Ness ' campaign to unseat Chicago mob boss Al Capone ( circa 1930's ) . Given the Hollywood clout behind this flick ( De Palma , Mamet , etc . ) , the film is surprisingly lackluster and fraught with overacting , staginess , some hokey scripting , and fictionalizations . Nonetheless , " The Untouchables " will make an entertaining couch potato watch for those looking for no-brainer gangland melodrama . ( Note - Connery garnered both a globe and an Oscar for his role which didn't involve any special tests of his abilities . Go figure . |
586,993 | 783,721 | 117,442 | 6 | Good drama , mediocre history . | HBO's " Rasputin " is an Emmy winning retelling of an old story around which swirls as much legend as fact . The film stretches the emotional and dramatic moments while condensing the history as it goes for the viscera with Rickman painting a sensationalized portrait of the enigmatic and shadowy title character . A stuttering drama dumbed down for prime time audiences , " Rasputin 1996 " should be an entertaining watch for those who like a little history with their television dramas . |
587,067 | 783,721 | 101,898 | 6 | Love me tender | Flirting is a lukewarm sequel and another chapter in the life of writer / director Duigan's character Danny Embling ( Taylor ) who falls in love with a beautiful African girl ( Newton ) , both residents of his and hers Aussie boarding schools . A coming of age flick , this restrained and pleasant love story treads softly and with tenderness , ignoring its potential for sexationalism , as it focuses on the young racially mixed couple in and among just so much period and boarding school filler . Okay stuff for anyone in the mood for a flick about young love in bloom . ( |
586,907 | 783,721 | 129,414 | 6 | Full metal bra | A Soldier's Sweetheart has Sutherland as a hunkered down Army medic in Vietnam telling an incredible tale to a disbelieving comrade . The tale , which is the bulk of the film , is about his experiences with another soldier ( Ulrich ) at a sort of mini-MASH outpost who manages to have his civilian sweetheart ( real life spouse Cates ) from home brought to him " in country " where the pert female finds herself enjoying her unauthorized vacation-of-sorts in war torn Vietnam a little too much . The film plays out as a sort of tall tale as it begs the question is the story fact or fantasy . . . a question it attempts to answer in the conclusion . An obviously budget conscious made-for-tv flick full of time consuming uneventful filler , the film flows like molasses though it does wax curiously if not interesting if not suspenseful . An okay watch for those into girl power and Vietnam war spook stories . ( |
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