What Did You Watch Today?

[Ananas]

Alfie - ***

From director Charles Shyer comes Alfie, a modern reinterpretation of the classic Michael Caine film that was nominated for 5 Academy Awards in 1967. This time around, Jude Law plays the role of Alfie Elkins, and this must be his third movie in less than three months to see release. This is a truly multidimensional character, and Law plays it soundly. Susan Sarandon also gives a noticeably good, if less crucial performance as the man eating Liz. The acting is solid, and the writing is tolerable; the only problem with this movie is its pacing. It feels as if they tried to accomplish too much in the first half, and the second seems rather short winded. There is a period of about 20 minutes that drags, and this is mainly because of the dramatic shift in tone halfway through the movie. However, this wickedly funny romantic comedy is sure to entrance the fairer sex on its romantic end, and captivate the male audience with the bevy of beautiful women. A flawed comedy that succeeds enough to warrant recommendation. Thumbs up.

[Ananas]

Taxi - **

From the director who brought you Barbershop, Taxi is an action comedy starring SNL alum Jimmy Fallon and renaissance woman Queen Latifah. What this film really is, however, is another one of those movies that manage to go 90 minutes without one original moment. Almost devoid of completely devoid of real "action", the movie relies on its comedy, and even that isn't very good. At some points I got the Bad Boys II vibe, at others Fast in the Furious, but mainly I got the sense that my intelligence was being insulted. Jennifer Esposito hasn't stopped being hot though. So I guess that's one bright side. Thumbs down.

[public enemy]

Groundhog Day - 8.5/10

...Always a classic.

[St. Dubb]

Funny Farm - 5/10

I think I used to like this movie, but I found it kind of boring and really not that funny..but maybe it's because I've seen it so many times.

One of these days I will stop being lazy and put the pictures like everyone else does these days.

[Mick]

MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME: 6/10

Cool because it's Mad Max, but couldn't live up the presitge set by both Mad Max and Max Max 2: The Road Warrior.

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA: 8/10

Classic. 'Nuff said.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: 10/10

The Debut of Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman. Although graphically quite poor, it's set the stage for what is arguably the greatest animated show targeted to mature audiences.

[Ananas]

I Heart Huckabees - ***

When movies involve wide sweeping satire, they walk a fine line between wit and sacrilege. In my opinion, Saved! overstepped that line, and managed to alienate America's largest religion. With I Heart Huckabees, David O Russell takes a satirical look at the world of existentialism, and creates a wide variety of the archetypical characters used in movies that revolve around this often overlooked school of thought. To portray these characters, an exceptional cast including Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Wahlberg, Jude Law and Naomi Watts. These actors elevate the film greatly, even in moments that are thin on actual content. The screenplay is often brilliant, yet dull at other points, and the film runs 5-10 minutes too long. I also felt as if there were a few moments in which the existentialist was mocked more than likely deserved, although their is an applaudable amount of discussion regarding the topic within the film. All in all, while a few moments were less than flawless, I Heart Huckabees is a rewarding drama/comedy that warrants a viewing for anyone who wants to be entertained without having their intelligence insulted. Thumbs up.

[Numbahs]

Team America: World Police - 8/10

I told you I'd see it a 6th time....

The Grudge - 4/10

2nd viewing, still bad.

[Darloboy]

Shark Tale - 8/10

I thought it would be dull, but it was actually really good. Small children should be banned from cinemas though.

[Blehschmidt]

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

I liked it in theaters, and I liked it on DVD.....then again I am a Zombie fan!!

The Punisher (the new one)

Enjoyable....could have been better....could have been much, much worse!!

[Numbahs]

I Heart Huckabees - 8/10

3rd time, still like it just as much as the first.

[Gabriel]

The Grudge

5/10

Horrible film. Story was all over the place, and I wasn't impressed at all. Aside from a few jumpy moments, there was really nothing of note. With that said, this film would probably have garnered a lesser rating had I viewed it alone. At least 2 of the 5 I gave it came from the fact that I was accompanied by a very beautiful woman, who had my attention more than the movie did.

[public enemy]

Alien vs. Predator - 5/10

Edited October 27, 2004 by public enemy

[cauti0n]

The Eye - 8/10

The Eye is a Japanese thriller about a young woman that gets a cornea transplant, and inherits the ability to see ghosts. Seriously scared the shit out of me, which is not that easy to do. Thanks to this movie, I will never again ride on an elevator alone.

[ROC]

Undercover Brother - 7/10 or (**1/2) A pretty funny spoof of those famed 70s blaxploitation movies. Dave Chappelle steals it with his lines.

The Cat In The Hat - 3.5/10 or (*1/2) Were it not for the cat suit, makeup and set, many fans would be misled to think they're watching Austin Powers 4, especially with Myers' Dr. Evil-esque laugh that he does during the whole film. In any case, it just plain sucks.

Color of Night - 4.5/10 or (*1/2) A meh film that just turns into softcore porn after the first hour. Watch if you like Bruce Willis way more than you should.

[Ananas]

Being Julia - ***1/2

It is a great challenge to make a period piece that remains entertaining throughout, especially when that movie doesn't happen to involve a war. Being Julia instead focuses on an early 20th century English actress having a nervous breakdown. Annette Benning stars as Julia Lambert, the ultra talented English actress in a businesslike marriage with Michael Gosselyn, played by Jeremy Irons. Instead of a breakdown of the plot, I think there's too much to be said for Benning's performance in the film. She is truly brilliant in this role, and if her spot on performance doesn't earn her an Oscar nomination, there's something wrong with the voting Academy. The rest of the film is perfectly enjoyable, and the musical numbers are just as good as one could expect to see in the seemingly endless number of musicals from the past few years, but it's clear that Benning's performance is what elevates it. On screen Annette Benning plays an actress with a phenomenal gift. After watching the movie, it's clearly a case of art imitating life. Thumbs up.

[Numbahs]

X2 - 8/10

[BlackFlagg]

Dawn of the Dead 2004 - 9/10

[The Hardcore Canuck]

Team America: World Police

9.5/10

Honestly, just about the funnest movie I've ever seen, only outdone by The Holy Grail.

[Numbahs]

Saw - 5/10

Just got back from it. Chalk me up as disappointed.

I'll admit I knew the "twist" before going, so there went that surprise....but I think it made me like it a little more. It's over-acted(to the extreme in some cases), it's not even a little semi-creepy, and the last 10 minutes kills the movie.

Still, it has some good ideas and I enjoyed some of it. (Notice I used "some" a couple time) I think it would've been better if it was done like Phone Booth, where they stayed in the room the whole duration of the film. Every flashback/side-story drags down the pace and made it seem(at least to me) like we are watching a film that has a LOTR-style runtime.

Kinda enjoyable, although the lame acting might drive some people up the walls. See it if you've already seen some of the other movies that have been playing for a while.....

[ROC]

Saw - 5/10

Just got back from it. Chalk me up as disappointed.

I'll admit I knew the "twist" before going, so there went that surprise....but I think it made me like it a little more. It's over-acted(to the extreme in some cases), it's not even a little semi-creepy, and the last 10 minutes kills the movie.

Still, it has some good ideas and I enjoyed some of it. (Notice I used "some" a couple time) I think it would've been better if it was done like Phone Booth, where they stayed in the room the whole duration of the film. Every flashback/side-story drags down the pace and made it seem(at least to me) like we are watching a film that has a LOTR-style runtime.

Kinda enjoyable, although the lame acting might drive some people up the walls. See it if you've already seen some of the other movies that have been playing for a while.....

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