Two towers, the second movie in the Lord of The Rings trilogy, was a wonderful counterpart to the book.  I was worried that it wouldn't be well done, but Peter Jackson is pure genius.   The actors are very well chosen and the effects were not lacking.  Although, in some parts the graphics did make me laugh a little.  There were parts they added that were not in the book; which, I didn't understand, because there were enough parts in the book that they had to cut some elements from the book out of the movie.  No need for the adding.  Also, Arwen has been made a huge character, which only makes me want to cry, because she's only mentioned a couple of times at the end of the third book.  I think its because Liv Tyler is such a huge actress, but I was very disappointed by her constant apperances on the screen for no reason.  The elves were extremely wonderful in this movie, as always.  They make your heart race. Lots of elves mean there is quite a bit of elven language in this movie that they don't translate, which is quiet frustrating if you notice that sort of thing.  The action scenes are amazing, although it seems that Legolas gets all the really good moves.   The Ents are wonderfully done and give you a real fealing for the green side of Middle Earth, which is what everyone is really fighting for in the trillogy anyway.  All together, this was a wonderful movie which everyone should make it a point to see. 

 

I rated it:  a high nine

Reviewed By: Mary S. 

 

A horse is born wild and free.  Some seem just a little more fond of that freedom than others.  This horse is bound and determined, not only to stay free, but to protect his herd from the often dangerous world around us.

 

This was a surprising movie.  The horses don't talk, except for the main character's scattered naration, but that does nothing to hinder the movie in plot or flow.  Indeed, the artists drew everything right into their faces better than words could do!  And, if a silent movie scares you, the humans in the movie speak normally.  I would recomend this movie to anyone of any age as a good, wholesome, enjoyable movie.

 

I rated it: 8.5

Reviewed By:  -Mel. S.

 

   For a G rated live action movie, it was pretty good.  The kids even enjoyed it!  Absolutely no swearing, no violence, no sex and no nudity...what was Hollywood thinking?  But, I loved it.

   It's the story of real life science teacher/baseball coach (Dennis Quaid) who challenged his team to win Districts and he would give the major leagues a try...again.  He had been drafted as a young man but had a career ending injury to his shoulder and vowed never to play again.  In coaching, he decided to try to throw again...just to see.  After stinging the hand of his high school catcher, he pitched past a sign on a road that's set up to tell drivers how fast they're going.  He is downhearted when the sign says 76 mph.  As he walks away, the sign blinks and 96 mph shows up!!  Needless to say, his teams wins Districts and he tries out for the major leagues.

Great story...I'd give it an 8.

Reviewed By: Lisa W.

 

 

Reviewed By:  -Mel. S.

 

Ah yes, the movie of the year based upon the book of the century. The full story itself created a fantasy genre that pits earthy, natural good against a supernatural evil. This first installment is nearly a three-hour plunge into Tolkein's incredibly detailed world, introducing you to most of the major players while getting to walk with them on the first leg of their journey. The tale is of a god-like enemy named Sauron making himself a ring to rule the world and clumsily losing it in battle. Lost for thousands of years, the ring is discovered by a hobbit (Bilbo Baggins) and is passed on to his nephew Frodo. Gandalf the wizard, knowing the ring's origin, presses young Frodo to take it away to safety.

Yes, it is a movie based on a great book, and therefore drew all sorts of criticisms from Tolkein purists. There are parts missing, especially in the first third of the movie, but the film does something many often miss. It creates a feeling. You feel that Middle-Earth is real and that the odd creatures could have existed. I've read the book at least four times, read the entire trilogy just before the movie came out and I still enjoyed the story as if just being introduced. The visuals are astounding and the story is strong enough to please most critics. My only advice is this--if you know the story already, see the movie twice. The first time you'll waste orienting yourself in the story, but the second will be pure enjoyment!

I give it a: 10
Reviewed By: Tyler O.

 

Reviewed By:  Dave H.

 

 

 

Reviewed By:  -Mel. S.

 

Here it is! Chick flick of the year! Kate's ex-boyfriend is doing some experimentation with time. He's flabergasted when he falls into 1867; all his theories were correct! However, a bit of his research follows him home. Leopold, the gentleman of royal blood from the past, falls in love with Kate. How will they bridge the distance between them?

This simple story is told with a lot of heart. The likeableness of all the characters, the authenticity with which the parts are played, and a small twist in the ending really bring this one together. If your looking for something uncomplicated and honest, this is it. It would make a great date movie, or a later rental.

I rated it: 8.5
Reviewed By: -Mel. S.

G, 1 hr. 27 min.

 

Jimmy is an overzealous, confident kid just trying to fit in and...oh yeah...save the planet. This movie was a blast for the 10 and under crowd in the theatre with me. The computer graphics were innovative as were his use of carnival rides as spaceships.

As an adult, however, the predictability level of this film was a little over the top. I did manage to laugh out loud 2 or 3 times, so it wasn't a total loss. All in all, very amusing indeed.

I rated it: 9 (for kids), 5 (for adults)
Reviewed By: Lisa W.

 

Is this a wonderful life or what? This Jim Carrey movie feels like something out of an old Capra film. Carrey plays a man without a memory. The small town he comes to love calls him Luke.  He doesn't know his past is about to catch up with him.

Looking clueless and lost through most of the movie, this must have been a hard role for Carrey--an actor known for his overacting abilities. He does an excellent job here though, I cried.

I rated it: 9 (if your feeling cheesy), 7 (if not)
Reviewed By: -Mel. S.

 

Ocean's a quick paced story of an ex-conn out for a little revenge. Nothing vicious, just total and complete anilation. The greedy guy took his girl while he was in jail, now Ocean will take all greedy guy's money and hopefully the girl as well.

It's a simple plot with some lovely twists. At the edge of my seat the whole time, I walked away wondering what was part of the conn and what was what happens along the way. There's even a few questions about whether this is really the end! This is not a total guy flick (I'm a girl and I liked it), but it does have some nice explosions. I would call it a fun flick for now and an must-see rental for later.

I Rated it: 9
Reviewed By: -Mel. S.

 

Two monsters let a little girl into their world. Now two monsters must get her out! Quick, before anyone finds out, she must be saved!

This was an adorable movie. With the espected Disney all-star cast and the Pixar company's grafics it was hard to beat. It was a story for adults, as well as kids. And, that little girl! Who could resist such cuteness? It's another excellent film from the Toy Story people.

My rating: 8
Reviewed by: -Mel. S.

    

Anthony Hopkins plays a stranger who comes to lodge above the boy's house. It all starts when Anthony Hopkins' character asks the boy to look out for anything strange in the neigborhood and read his paper for him. What follows is a series of events that change the boy's life forever.

Based on a book by Stephen King, this was a thoughtful, impressive movie about a little boy who grows up. There is a confidence in this movie that comes through throughout. The only bone I had to pick with it was the ending. I thought the boy should have retained some of the abilities the older man shared with him, thus creating a feeling of continuation, a feeling that the special qualities of the man won't be lost when he is gone.

Rated: 8
Reviewed By: -Mel. S.

 

Harry Potter. No one still breathing can't NOT be aware of the controversy. Well, the movie is out, right in time for the various holidays at the end of the year. Funny, the movie came at the right time, after everything that happened this year. It's a happy movie. It's, in part, what we needed as a nation.

So, what's to say? It was done right. The screenwriters were faithful to the book as much as they could be--which keeps fans happy. The movie lacked a few certain plot points, but nothing detrimental to the story. The cast is perhaps the most carefully and perfectly chosen ensemble cast I have ever seen in a movie. Everyone was perfect for their respective roles.

As for the controversy. I'm a stalwart fan. I say, read the books and watch the movie before you DARE pass judgment on Rowling and her wizard lad. Magic is necessary to the story, but witchcraft is portrayed in a fantastical manner. I've heard most witches are rather offended by certain elements. Frankly, the morals of the story far outweigh anything negative. A Christian would do well to follow some of the morals in here--friendship, loyalty, forgiveness, bravery, selflessness. If one feels a conviction not to see or read Harry Potter, that is fine. Note, however, he is in the same vein as the Brothers Grimm, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and most fairy tales. For my piece, I recommend Harry Potter, if you wish to give it a go.

My score: 9.
Reviewed By: Becky P.

 

Being that I have not read any of the Potter books, and my good friend RC was paying, I went and saw Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. The movie briefly details the first 10 years of the young boy's life, which he spends as a normal non-magic human raised by his aunt and uncle. It goes into great detail about his 11th year, which he spends at Hogwart's school of wizardry and witchcraft. He is nearly instantly befriended by two other first year students Together, they cause enough trouble and break enough rules to be expelled, and yet because Harry is so famous in the witch world, and because every thing works out for the better, they dont get the boot.

I myself had a hard time buying the main premise behind his being famous. He was the only person to ever survive the wrath of the evil wizard Valtimor. Valtimor killed both of Harry's parents, yet could not destroy the infant Potter. Potter somehow has some mysterious wizardry gifts that no one can match, yet everyone seems to be able to explain them to him.

Other than that, I found the movie to be rather entertaining and funny. This however is in a way a problem. How you ask? Simply this, the magic performed in this movie is all the same sort of sorcery that any God fearing Christian has been commanded to stay away from. This movie makes using magic look fun and inviting, which I do believe can and will easily lead many children to investigate a life in the occult. It also seems to be a bit on the instructional side, showing how and what incantation to use to perform many of the smaller feats of magic, like levitation and unlocking of doors. The message of love makes your craft skills better, is a dangerous message to present to our youth. As a discerning adult, I could not bring myself to allow anyone under the age of 16-18 into a movie like that, without parental supervision, which would include a discussion after the movie, about the reasons why it is dangerous.

Rating: This movie gets a 9 on the secular side, for being a wonderfully made movie filled with humor, a couple twists, and a pretty much well laid plotline. On the Spiritual side, I must give this movie a rating of a 1, for being drivel that will simply rot the minds of those to young to handle it.

Reviewed By: Jason Smith,
Pacific Northwest correspondent
11/17/01

 

Having missed the first Rush Hour, I was a bit leery of rushing into the sequel. Only my amusement at previous Jackie Chan movies brought me through the theatre doors. Having said that, I am pleased to report a positive review. It was original and funny (not old jokes on replay or sequel "in" jokes). Even the plot was edible.

In the story, Lee and Carter start out on a police investigation in Hong Kong that appears fairly simple. Refusing to stay that way, the story drags them back to L.A. where a serious counterfeit king must be uncovered. Along with all that is the resolving of a father's death, giving the plot more human interest and depth.

This one rates: 8
Reviewed by: Melinda S.

The year is 2065, and Earth is, for all intents and purposes, demolished by spirits and phantoms. Humans live in barriered cities above the old cities, a bit like in 'Big O' (Cartoon Network, Toonami). Our main character, Dr Aki Ross, opens our story, hurtling into Old NYC to find a lifeform which may contain the needed sixth spirit wave. For months she has dreamed of a strange alien planet and its destruction. She knows the dreams are signals to the fate of her own planet and hold the key to understanding the phantoms. She works for one Dr. Sid, an elderly genius who discovered that the attacking phantoms contained the same sequence of spirit waves as humans. He believes in the spirit of the Earth, Gaia (as in Greek myth, yes), and believes these spirit waves hold the key to defeating the phantoms destroying earth.

The altercations between humans and alien phantoms aren't the only conflict here. One General Hein lost family to the phantoms, and he is obsessed with their destruction. He is an advocate of the Zeus, a huge bio-ethereal laser that can destroy phantoms. Dr Sid and Aki are dead set against this weapon, for they fear it would actually harm Gaia in the process of defeating the phantoms.

The dialogue is fairly unoriginal and often falls flat when it attempts humour, mostly in the guise of technogeek/pilot Neil, although he is truly a amiable sort. Most of the characters ARE actually stock characters, but--doggone it--they're LIKABLE. Aki is your typical heroine, with her own secrets. Gray is your stalwart lover. Neil is the sarcastic, and slightly lonely, techno-boy. Jane, another Deep Eyes member, is the tough, buff chick. Sgt. Ryan is portrayed as a muscular and honourable second in command. The plot is clichd in an anime sort of way, but enjoyable. The end is truly non-western, bittersweet and almost unhappy for individuals but hopeful for mankind, allowing characters to display their bravery, honour, and grace.

The true prizes here are the cast and the animation. The cast is amazing. Ming-Na as Aki, Alec Baldwin as Gray, Ving Rhames are Ryan, Peri Gilpin as Jane, Steve Buscemi as Neil, Donald Sutherland as Dr Sid, and the incredible James Woods as General Hein. Jean Simmons from 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Spartacus' even pops up in a small role.

The animation...is about as perfect as CGI can get right now. In some scenes, it truly looks real, from the landscapes to the mole on Aki's lip. Skin pigmentation is done very intricately. Hands have veins, and eyes have wrinkles. Incredible. I was nearly drooling. The kissing scene isn't bad either. So, yeah, check this puppy out.

My rating: On story--7.5. On animation--9.5.
Reviewed by: Becky P.

 

This is a darling movie! It's clean, good fun that makes it beyond the simplistic air of most G rated fare. It has a star filled cast, including Julie Andrews, Anne Hathaway, Hector Elizondo, and Caroline Goodall. Hector is especially charming and Julie Andrews plays a lovely grandmother/queen.

A girl in high school, Mia is the typical invisible teenager. Suddenly, she finds herself bound to be the next queen of Genovia, a small European country. Between the media circus that ensues, the princess lessons she takes with her grandmother, and the totally new life; Mia is not quite sure she wants to take the position offered. What will her choice be?

If you miss this one, it would make a good family rental for future months.
I rate it: 8
Reviewed by: Melinda S.

 

WARNING: sad movie, bring a tissue.

A.I. is about a computer boy who wants to be real in order to gain acceptance. Little of the plot can be given away without spoiling it. However, the boy goes through things a boy should never have to go through to gain what should have come a lot sooner: dreams. If you are looking for fast movie this is not it. Over two hours long, it drags on far longer than it needed to.

So why go see it? If you are a science fiction fan, or a fan of Asimov's rules of robotics, or if you just like the idea of artificial intelligence--go see it. It has wonderful special effects. (Could we get anything less with Steven Spielberg directing?) Haley Joel Osment does a marvellous job as the boy. Robin Williams also makes a pleasant surprise appearance.

This one gets a: #7
Reviewed By: Melinda

 

Avid Duchovny fans, Ann and I found ourselves sitting a theatre eagerly waiting for the opening moments of Evolution. Keep in mind that evolution (according to the all-knowing Webster) supposedly means developing/growing toward a more positive state of existence. (It can also mean the emitting of large amounts of gas, which actually happened on a rather massive scale.) We, however, walked out of the theatre afterwards with the distinct feeling that we had actually devolved.

Beware Sci Fi fans, this is not just another movie about large bugs, as some of the previews had lead some to believe. We came to the conclusion that it was actually a melding between M.I.B., Jurassic Park, and Planet of the Apes, with a little taste of Dumb and Dumber thrown in for dressing. After overcoming our initial disappointment we sat back and laughingly enjoyed the rest of the film (Well most of the rest of the movie. I personally could have done without seeing David's pasty white behind.)

Evolution is about two college professors, and a local pool maintenance guy, whose encounter with an asteroid teeming with alien life leaves their own lives turned upside down. The life on the asteroid starts out as amoebas, then quickly evolves into increasingly higher life forms. This process takes days, or hours, versus the millions of years that Evolutionists try and claim WE took to evolve (Do you really want to think you descended from a primate???). In the end the day is saved by these unlikely heroes, and their even more unlikely team using an even MORE unlikely substance. The ending made us wonder if the real point of the movie involved the eradication of interstellar dandruff.

Our final verdict? Rent it later, save your money
for Shrek. This rates a #5 on the scale.
Reviewed by: Jek and Ann

 

I went into this movie not knowing what to expect. It's a story about a girl who looses her mother, her dance, and her life all in one go. She must make her way in a new hip-hop world while finding her dance and herself. Entwined with all that is a Romeo and Juliet story with a...no, I won't tell the ending.

This is one of those movies that you watch, waiting for the end, but not in a bad way. One asks, will it be a typical Romeo tragedy? Or will it have a happy ending? I won't tell what happened, but I will say that I liked it. Also, her audition dance at the end is excellent! It's almost worth renting the movie just for that! The only thing is, if you don't like hip-hop you may want to skip this one. Except for her last audition song, you can not get away from it.
Hint: Also, if you can, rent it on DVD and view the deleted scenes!

I rated it: #8
Reviewed by: Melinda