|
Castaway (2000)
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
PG13, 2 hrs. 23 mins.
Castaway, starring Tom Hanks in one of his harrier roles, was a rather enjoyable movie. It was nicely done, but the action
was a bit on the slow side. A little too drawn-out for our tastes. The ending was entirely exasperating! Maybe that was intended,
if so, congratulations on a job well done.
I have to admit that Ann and I both thought that this movie's one saving
grace was Wilson. Wilson is, well, a volleyball that the castaway man talks to keep himself sane in the years he spends alone
stuck on his island. The most memorable lines in the movie are when Hanks is arguing with Wilson, but all the watcher hears
is one side of the argument. Apparently, Wilson asked "Why?" Hanks character replies "I DONT KNOW WHY!" Pretty funny.
As
for a verdict? You'll have to make one yourself. We'd say it's worth a rental.
Rating: #7
Reviewed by: Jek and
Ann
07/01
The Musketeer (2001)
Directed By: Peter Hyams
PG-13, 1 Hr. 44 Mins.
Pegged as an adventure flick with choreography by the chaps who did Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon, this movie promises more than it delivers. With a fair hero, D'Artagnon, this film has some nice eye candy
but rather a convoluted and unclear plot. D'artagnon wants to become a Musketeer like his father and so travels to Paris,
where he must help the King's Musketeers regain respect and their duties. Things get mixed up when he must rescue the
queen and his own love, Francesca (whatever happened to CONSTANCE?).
The true jewel of this movie is not the lovely evil (though wasted) Tim Roth. Nor is it
the ever-lovely Catherine Deneuve (who looks better at about 60 than Mena Suvari). It's the choreography. Being
from Chinese masters of the art, it's just cool and the real point of the film. Although, there are some good lines.
My Score: 6.5
Reviewed By: Becky
The Truman Show (1998)
Directed by: Peter Weir
Rated PG
Truman was the Jim Carrey breakthrough. You can still see elements of his typical overacting ability, but he keeps it
on a real human level. Also this movie makes some incredibly real statements on freedom, the media, and human nature. Beautiful!
Well worth a rent or a buy.
Truman was born and raised in front of a live audience on T.V. He became a hit! He made
his adopted parent/Corperation very proud. And, all along the way, he didn't have a clue. Now he is starting to see the truth
and wants out, but will they let him escape? Or will they end it before it really begins?
My Rating: 9
Reviewed
By: -Mel.
The Musketeers (1948)
Directed by: George Sidney
Not rated
The was a merry movie! It was Cheese City, from top to bottom, but with the all star cast it couldn't fail to please. Some
of the more well known actors are Gene Kelly, Lana Turner, June Allyson, Angela Lansbury, and a young Vincent Price.
It was a grand romp through Alexandre Dumas's classic, The Three Musketeers. Gene Kelly showing some excellent athletic
ability throughout. It must be noted, however, that they didn't stick close too the book. If you are looking to cheat on
a book report (tsk, tsk), this isn't the one to watch. This is a movie for a cheesy night and a good laugh. Have fun!
My Rating: 7
Reviewed By: -Mel.
The Wiz (1978)
Directed by: Sidney Lumet, Rob Cohen
Rated G
If Judy Garland's musical version can be said to be focused on the plot of Frank Baum's classic, then this late 70's musical
version can be said to be focused on the social issues. Not just the social issues in the book, but other 70's issues as
well (i.e. rapid fashion changes).
This almost all African-American cast did a really good job with the music, there
was just too much of it. Usually in a musical the music accents the story. In this one the plot barely attempts to accent
the long string of musical numbers.
My Rating: 4
Reviewed By: -Mel.
Gigi, 1957
rated G, Directed by Vincente Minnelli
This movie was a classic long before I wrote this review and I am sure it will remain so long after I am done. Having said
that, I will continue.
Seeing this movie for the first time was a real pleasure. It is a simple story with brilliant
music, a star studded cast, and lovely cinematography. Its one fault is the simplicity of its plot, even for a musical.
Gigi is a young woman being trained by her grandmother and aunt for the life of a courtisan. During the course of the
movie she becomes older and jaded. The love of an older man she has always called friend finally brings her around to find
her own love for him. All ends well that began well.
This one rates: 7
Reviewed by: Melinda
Runaway Bride
1999, rated PG, 1 hr. 51 min
This movie is a modern classic. The lead role, a reporter played by Gere, writes of character archetypes in the column that
gets him into a lot of hot water and causes the plot to unfold. Perhaps it was meant to be foreshadowing of the movie, which
is full of small town archetypes. Anyone from a small town will recognize the characters, you may even be one! Yet these are
so down to earth and real in the movie it could hardly be called stereotypical as a whole.
Magie, a small town girl
played by Roberts, leaves men at the alter on a seemingly regular basis. When Gere comes to investigate the truth he too falls
for her charms. Will he be the next victim? Rent it and see! Its a movie good for the whole family.
I rated it:
9
Reviewed by: Melinda
Storm Tracker
A mind is a terrible thing to waste, and so is a good idea. Storm Tracker's basic concept is incredible, however in this case
that wonderful basic concept is wasted, drunk, and most likely stoned. Perhaps the writer's work died when the screenwriter
got to it. There are more loose ends at the end of the movie than we really wanted to take the time to count. Or perhaps it
is all because the main character a meteorologist/researcher/college professor is played by Luke Perry (who is too old now
to be a teen actor, and way way too young to be a college professor)
This movie broaches a long discussed topic-the
weather. Can humans really control it? Should we if we could? Why can't we just do something that nullifies a hurricane, or
at least reroutes it? But if we CAN reroute it, what stops us from using it as a weapon? Maybe weather should just be left
to God after all. In this case, of course, there are the usual fanatical military men and rogue C.I.A., using it all as a
weapon.
Great concept; terrible movie. The fact that it was obviously low budget ruined the magic. Really, how can
one make a realistic low budget hurricane without the blue screen being painfully obvious? And was it our imagination or was
that the same wave seen in Asteroid?
We give it a #2--don't bother.
Reviewed by: Ann and Jek
|
