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Cruel Intentions (1999)
A slick, merciless and entertaining adaptation.
For the longest time, I have been dying to see this film. When I saw the trailer on "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," I was instantly hooked. It seemed like this year's "Wild Things." I love both films equally. "Cruel Intentions" is a very sexy and slick update of "Dangerous Liaisons." Now, I haven't seen "Dangerous Liaisons" or the other versions, so I guess I can't give a full-fledged opinion. However, this film had a great cast.
Sarah Michelle Gellar went back to her "All My Children" days of playing a malicious character. She oozes menace and sensuality beautifully. Her style shined through her wardrobe, which was beautiful as well. It was quite shocking how vulgar she was, compared to her character on "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." Whenever I think of her most classic line in the movie, ("I want to f---!"), I burst out in laughter because I could never have imagined those words coming out of her innocent, little mouth. Her best scene was towards the end when she persuades Ryan Phillippe to do what she wants him to do. I won't reveal what is he she makes him do, but the scene was all about power, control and sexuality. She dominated on all three counts.
Ryan Phillippe really impressed me in this film. I'll never forget his innocent performance in "White Squall," which was just as wonderful as this one. I found him quite hilarious trying to act tough in "I Know What You Did Last Summer" being that I have only seen him in "White Squall" before. He was so-so in "54," but this role was more tailor-fit for him. He was cunning, cool and intense in this picture and I hope this makes his career go further. The best scenes in the film are between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe. They have progressed, dramatically, in their acting abilities since their previous outing together, "I Know What You Did Last Summer."
And Reese Witherspoon, I can never say enough about her. She is such an amazing actress. Her character in this film was the most rewarding and honestly portrayed. I have been a fan ever since "The Man In The Moon" and an even bigger one with "Fear" and ESPECIALLY "Freeway." She is one of the best, versatile and most beautiful young actresses around.
It's REALLY too bad that Joshua Jackson didn't have a bigger part in this movie because he has the most memorable line: "The only reason I let him keep up this charade is because the man has a mouth like a Hoover." Here, he broke out of his "Dawson's Creek" character which he didn't do so successfully in "Urban Legend" and "Apt Pupil." He is great, my favorite character on "Dawson's Creek." I would have loved to see more of his character because he was so hilarious in that supporting role.
A slight downfall was the performance of Selma Blair. She's not a bad actress, in fact, I think she's very good. It's just that her character was supposed to be naive, instead she came off as being mildly retarded. Sometimes, I just wanted to slap some sense into her. Maybe that was Roger Kimble's intention, however cruel it may be.
Perhaps the ending could have been different also. It was all right, but it could have been handled in another way that may have made it more powerful and emotional. You'll know what I mean when you see the movie, if you choose to.
All in all, this is a great-looking, well-acted motion picture experience. While it may not win any Academy Awards, it had great cinematography, costumes and actors. This is such a fun film that I may see again in theatres, if time will permit me to do so.
Waking Ned (1998)
An over-hyped bore.
My problem with some movies is that I see them because of all the hype it's given. It happened with "The English Patient" and I hated that. This film literally put me to sleep. I have nothing against films with Irish accents. "The Brothers McMullen" was a great film. I couldn't understand most of the dialogue so it made me lose interest. It had the potential to be a good movie, but it appears that it was aimed at an audience opposite of mine. I hope I will see better Irish films later on in my life.
Down in the Delta (1998)
Nice film about common problems in an African-American family.
A lot of the issues in this film were dealt with nicely. Alfre Woodard is a wonderful actress and does a great job of making a transaction of her character. Wesley Snipes makes a worthy appearance that's a break from his action-filled career. The problem it has is its ability to distinguish the true importance of "Nathan." Some of the camera work is amateurish, but the intentions were in the right place. Overall, a job nicely done by poet Maya Angelou.
Varsity Blues (1999)
Very entertaining and funny film.
At first, I came into this movie thinking I was gonna hate it. The trailers weren't that exciting and the premise is not original. Often, good movies have bad trailers. However, this is not original. On the bright side, it was a very entertaining and funny film. I expected to be annoyed with James Van Der Beek's souther accent like i was with Adam Sandler's in "The Waterboy." His acting was pretty good considering how much of Dawson Leery was in his system. "Dawson's Creek" happens to be my favorite show of all-time. I find it interesting he takes the different route of his co-stars of the show and does a film like this instead of a horror film. Smart, I might add. I recommend this film to anyone who wants a good laugh and just great entertainment with a simple story. The first great film of 1999.
Patch Adams (1998)
A funny and shocking experience.
I was thoroughly surprised by this film. By all the bad reviews it received, i thought i was gonna hate it. But "Patch Adams" is one of Robin Williams' best movies, along with "Good Will Hunting" and "What Dreams May Come." He's a great actor and was perfect for this role. The funniest part was when the bus-load of doctors came to the hospital and the legs were sticking out the door. I was really shocked and saddened when a character met an unexpected and tragic fate. However, it ended typically, with the hero coming out on top, as expected. It wasn't a let down, but the trip there made it worthwhile.
Elizabeth (1998)
A great performance by the Cate Blanchett.
Cate Blanchett rocked in the role of Elizabeth. She had one of the most convincing and powerful presences I have ever seen on screen. The film was pretty dark, which took a bit away from the overall experience. I liked the scenes with her and Joseph Fiennes, of the magnificent "Shakespeare In Love." His eyes are so intense, he's a perfect match for her. This is one of the best films of the year.
Stepmom (1998)
One of the year's best.
This was a great showcase for two great actresses at one of the best roles in their careers. Ed Harris is one of my favorite actors and he never disappoints. The children were great. The daughter was so good being just a stuck-up, whiny bi***. The son had some of the cutest moments. I love the line when he said he was "tel-pathetic." It was sad, touching, funny and beautiful-looking. Highly recommended.
Gods and Monsters (1998)
Effective and well-acted film.
This is a very good movie with great performances by its three lead actors. I hope this film wins awards for its message and depiction of one of the strangest directors of our time.
A Civil Action (1998)
An OK film.
This was a good film but it reminded me too much of "The Rainmaker," which I liked more. John Travolta was good as usual, but an obligatory role for him. A lot of the pacing was slow, but it had a lot of comic parts. I did like it, but not enough to match the hype going around it. It's a typical courtroom drama for me.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
The Best Film Of 1998. Should be this year's Titanic oscar winner.
This is the best film of the year, before the very powerful, "American History X." This movie was wonderful to look at, well-acted and well-written. Gwyneth Paltrow is one of my favorite actresses. She is well-spoken and combines beauty and intelligence in her roles. Newcomer Joseph Fiennes was remarkable and came to the role of William Shakespeare with passion and wisdom. And Judi Dench rocked as the Queen, establishing herself once again as a commanding presence on screen. Ben Affleck is a great actor too, but it appears he's just Ben Affleck being Ben Affleck. The whole cast is a dream and they all collaborate to bring one of the best films i have ever seen. A tip of the hat to everyone, notably director John Madden. This was a wonderful experience and hopefully, it will get oscars for what "Saving Private Ryan" won't pick up.
The Faculty (1998)
An entertaining suspenseful and comic thriller.
This movie was fun. It wasn't original and that was its downfall. However, the way it was handled was original and that's why I loved it. The dialogue is a huge factor in it. Kevin Williamson is one of the best screenwriters in Hollywood now and his self-referential lines are classics. I love when the characters talk about famous people and movies we have all seen. It makes the characters more realistic and like people we know. My favorite line was the references of Neve Campbell and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Robert Rodriguez makes another great flick after "From Dusk Till Dawn." His camera angles are amazing and I love how his characters in his movies shoot guns. The score added to the effect of the action on the screen. My favorite character in the film was the one played by Clea DuVall. Her character was smart, brave and tough. She reminds me of one of my best friends and i love her for those very same characteristics. Clea DuVall gives the best delivery of a line in the movie: "No... f***ing... way!" Elijah Wood, I think, is one of the best young actors of our generation and has been great since i first saw him in "Radio Flyer" and "The Good Son."
One of the creepiest things in the movie was the teacher played by Piper Laurie. She looks EXACTLY like my drama teacher from high school. It was so creepy. My and my best friend went crazy about that for days. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but, what is up with Josh Harnett's hair? It was messed-up in "Halloween: H20" also. Is it a fashion statement? Was his hairdresser just never available for him?
Rapper Usher Raymond served no purpose in the film, except to draw in a few little girls and call Elijah Wood an "anal probe." Anyone could have played that part and it would have the same impact. I'm not saying Usher is a bad actor, he just had an underwritten role and played it so stereotypically. The special effects were awesome, although, they were obviously special effects. The pool scene at the end was awesome.
I had a lot of fun watching this film. Yes, it is predictable and it isn't entirely original, but it was fun. And, the overall thing I loved about this film is that it doesn't leave it open for a sequel. That really ticks me off. If this film is successful enough to the point where the makers wanna make a sequel, that's fine. But don't leave the ending open for one. There has been too many bad movies for that lately. Kevin and Robert, keep up the good work! You two are the bomb!