What Did You Watch Today?

[Numbahs]

In America - *** or (6/10) - (Y)

The exact opposite of what I was expecting. They could only beat me over the head with the dead son so much before I started groaning every time they mentioned him.

And before I go to it tonight for a third time...

Spider-Man 2 - ***1/2 or (7.5/10) - (Y)

[Jook]

Shrek 2. 4/10

Shit shit shit.

[Ananas]

Hellboy - 7/10

In a year filled with comic book adaptations, Hellboy and Spiderman 2 so far stand alone as the only ones that haven't been disappointments. This one comes from director Guillermo Del Toro, whose super cool Blade 2 made over eighty million dollars and has already spawned a soon to be released third film. Hellboy is the brainchild of Mike Mignola, the artist who has worked on everything ranging from X-Men and Daredevil to The Avengers and Batman. The on screen adaptation reportedly remains remarkably truthful to the original comic, and from that truthfulness spawns the wit and charm that makes comics so popular. Ron Perlman is a natural lead in the film, while talented co-stars like John Hurt, Selma Blair, Rupert Evans and Karel Roden make it much easier to lose one's self in the illusion. Perhaps this is archetypical stuff here, but it's still very good. Thumbs up.

[Ananas]

The Prince and Me 2.5/10

Finally a movie to give competition to New York Minute. Certainly from a computer that prints out scripts based on a template comes The Prince and Me, a film that somehow manages to portray the Royal Family as dumber than the British one. Sure, it's Denmark that the film bases it's faux Prince Charming, but we all know he's a fictional William, whereas the father is a fictional Charles. We also know that Julia Stiles has worse delivery than Jessica Alba. To be honest, only two things about this film interested me: 1) my passion for awful movies, and 2) the fact that extensive filming was done at my school. However, this isn't one of those fun awful movies. Instead of a wacky poor quality film that strikes out at every corner, this is a lame duck generic rom-com that strikes out at every corner. It's no fun when they strike out without trying. Thumbs down, the second worst movie of 2004 so far.

[ROC]

Liar Liar - 7/10 or (**1/2) Not as well done dramatically as Bruce Almighty, but certainly hilarious.

[Timmoru Suzuki]

Spider-Man 2 - 8/10

Very good film. Better then the first? Its funnier then the first (some nice 'in' gags too), but maybe not better. The first stands better as a one-off film, whilst Spider-Man 2 has the definate feel as being a continuation of a series, and definetly feels like its there to set up future films, almost in a soap-opera way (Spider-Man 3 and 4 have been announced), and this makes it's impact as a one off film less great then it otherwise could have been. It almost takes some of the emphasis off Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus, and onto setting up things for Spider-Man 3.

It is a very good film though, and a great sequel. The scenes with Spidey flying through New York are ace and some of the scenes of Spider-Man falling almost make you feel like you are falling with him.

PS - The Comic book style opening sequence which acts like a 'previously in Spider-Man' is fantastic.

Edited July 19, 2004 by timmayy

[Ananas]

Baadasssss! - 8.5/10

In this slightly fictionalized 'making of' themed film, Mario Van Peebles follows the making of "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song", the movie his father used to break down racial stereotypes that had become all too prevalent in mid-20th century cinema. Van Peebles directs and stars as father Melvin, who, after achieving success with the box office friendly but racially stereotypical hit "Watermelon Man", decides to direct and star in a film that tries to break down those stereotypes. The film follows the filmmaking process and the many issues that arise with a mix of political conscience and humour. Rounding out the cast is filmmaker turned actor Ossie Davis, TV star David Allan Grier, and up and comer Joy Bryant, all of whom deliver terrific performances. It's great to see a film that has more than just entertainment on it's agenda, and this film certianly does more than entertain. It sheds light on the dark points of late-60's to early 70's cinema, which exploited minorities for cheap laughs. I think perhaps the best part of the film is that it makes no attempt to cover up Melvin's lesser points; such as his irresponsible shortcomings as a father while making the movie. Thumbs up, and a resounding recommendation for anyone who wants to be royally entertained but not have their intelligence insulted.

Edited July 19, 2004 by Jar Jar Beatnik

[reyrey619]

The Perfect Score-7.5/10 Much better then expected. Basically an updated version of The Breakfast Club. And having Scarlett Johansen in a movie is a big plus.

The Recruit- 6/10 What...the...fuck? Pacino is great in this movie, but the movie takes so many plot turns(expected plot turns at that) and it just makes this movie way too confusing.

Casino- 9/10 Great movie. Possibly the best performance from Deniro and the best performance from Sharon Stone(even though her character was extremly annoying). This is one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time.

Strictly Business- 6.5/10 I caught this one at around 12:30 last night on one of the HBOs after Casino was done. Enjoyable, but if you don't like Tommy Davidson, then you won't like this movie. BTW, Halle Berry was hotter earlier in her career then now.

Secret Window- 5/10 I thought that a movie starring Johnny Depp and John Turturro adapted from a Stephen King novel would be great. I was completely wrong by this one, and it was just way too predictable which took alot away from it.

[ROC]

Bad Boys II - 5.5/10 or (**) Ain't it fun how Michael Bay messes up his films with unrealism. This movie is hilarious but due to Bay destroying his action scenes and the running time (which should've been cut by at least 30 minutes), I cannot give it a good grade at all.

[Ananas]

Sleepover - 2/10

Bow down New York Minute, and worship the worst movie of 2004! I'm pretty sure nothing this bad is going to be released in the next 5 months or so. There will be no movie which with perfect precision paints women as smart and men as dumb. There will be no movie that suggests it's okay, even desirable, to have a most likely illegal relationship with an older dude, or makes cool driving as well as drinking underage. Most importantly, there will be no movie that has absolutely no entertainment value. I'm excited to see a new champ crowned, but I'm afraid that nothing else this stupid will challenge it this year. Thumbs so far down that the tips of my fingers are touching molten rock.

[BlackFlagg]

The Last Boyscout - 7.5/10

[ROC]

Not Another Teen Movie - 7/10 or (**1/2) It's actually a pretty solid parody of teen movies.

Jerry Maguire - 8.5/10 or (***1/2) One of my favorite Tom Cruise movies and one of the most well acted and scripted of his films.

The Tuxedo - 6/10 or (**1/2) The movie is pretty meh but Hewitt is charming enough to hold your interest.

Edited July 20, 2004 by TheROC-Revolt

[Johnny Latino Heat]

The Shining (Stanley Kubrick version): 6.5/10

Kinda boring, actually, until Jack goes psycho, then it starts to get cool. I also didn't like some of the changes they made to the book, but I can live with them.

[TMM]

Spider-Man 2: 9/10

I thought it was brilliant. I liked the way the did certain things, some I thought were excellent. Best film of 2004 so far...

[Ananas]

The Whole Ten Yards - 3/10

Sequel to a movie that wasn't really funny the first time, The Whole Ten Yards is a dull, dreary comedy that goes from bad to worse in 90 minutes. I can't remember a movie in which the characters were this one dimensional. Bruce Willis as the oddly effeminate hitman. Matthew Perry as the goofy chickenshit he's played in every other terrible film that has been unfortunate enough to feature him. Kevin Pollak as the generic Lazlo, non descript mob boss. There isn't anything to this movie beyond the surface. Every minute or so the writer attempts a back and forth in the vein of Abott and Costello's "who's on first" and fails. At the end of the film, you have the distinct feeling that you're coming away worse off than before it started. A truly terrible, and almost pathetic sequel. Thumbs down.

[ROC]

Beavis And Butthead Do America - 8/10 or (***) One of my personal favorite movie, and a great way to adapt one of the funniest cartoons of all time.

Identity - 9/10 or (***1/2) This is my favorite movie of '03 for the fact that it has a good plot that carries you one way and surprises you by going another. The third act is a very good act that changes the film immensely (the best way to put it without giving anything away). Also, Ray Liotta movies share a certain watchability as well.

[cthemason]

Pulp Fiction - 9.5/10

Ghost World - 7.5/10

Species 2 - 6/10

[Hellfire]

I, Robot - 7.5/10

[Ananas]

*SPOILERS AHEAD, YOU WERE WARNED*

King Arthur - 5/10

Normally I give non-descript reviews so as to not ruin the movie, but the problem is that the issues I take are with the plot. The idea for this film was that of a historically (and because of that quite obviously un-magical) movie. Because of this, certain things (namely Lancelot's mortality) were changed from the book. What I can't stand about this is that there are numerous complaints about the film's accuracy. Apparently they couldn't even do that right. So, if they obviously didn't put much effort into making the film historically accurate, then why did they make sure to have the script as unlike the book as possible? This accuracy shit is stupid, you have the book right there as a guide, so just use it! Nobody is taking history lessons from this movie. Keep Lancelot alive, and have a successful (and likely much better) series of movies. Arthur without the magic is just a disappointment, despite all the good that was in the movie. Thumbs down.

*/SPOILERS*

PS The soundtrack to the film is amazing, for anyone who's into that kind of stuff.

[Numbahs]

Barbershop 2: Back In Business - **1/2 or (5/10) - (N)

To be honest, I laughed really hard at some parts...which is more than the first one could do for me. But it was bland and I got real tired of it about 30 minutes before it ended.