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Reviews
Outside Providence (1999)
Not your typical Farrelly Brothers movie...
After having read some of the negative comments about this movie, I have to wonder if these people saw the same movie as I did. (I also have to wonder where they learned to spell, but that's another issue). The movie I saw was charming, funny and warm. Not at all your typical Farrelly Brothers movie. For the record, I should say that I enjoyed all of the brothers' previous efforts, especially There's Something About Mary. But this one was different.
Sure, it had some of the Farrelly trade mark gross-out humor and a few phrases I'd heard in a couple of their other movies. But this one featured realistic, honest characters with realistic, honest performances. Part drama, part comedy, part romance, I found the whole thing to be very entertaining and well worth an evening at the movies.
Mystery Men (1999)
An enjoyable movie...
Mystery Men is no mystery. It's just a fun, enjoyable summer movie. I, for one, am glad to see Hank Azaria (The Blue Raja) get to strut his stuff in front of the camera for a change. And the rest of the cast was terrific. With Bill Macy, Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Ruebens, Geoffrey Rush and Wes Studi, this has to be the coolest, and most eclectic, cast in recent movie history. What's more, each cast member is given enough screen time to showcase their formidable comic talents.
Ben Stiller is especially funny as Mr. Furious. And after seeing Bill Macy as The Shoveler, I had to ask myself: Is there nothing this man cannot do? He does comedy (Mystery Men), Drama (Boogie Nights) and twisted suspense (Fargo), all with equal aplomb. This is definitely one of the most underrated actors in all of Hollywood.
As for the rest of the cast, well, who doesn't love Janeane? And Wes Studi is a riot dispensing questionable, albeit well meaning, advice as The Sphinx. Paul Ruebens' turn as The Spleen is nothing if not nauseatingly funny. And, surprisingly, Kel Mitchell holds his own against this talented cast.
The casting of Greg Kinnear as the sold-out, egotistical Captain Amazing was flawless. The only cast member who actually seems wasted here is Rush, who, as supervillain Cassanova Frankenstein, is not nearly as over the top funny as he could have been. Blame this on a script that doesn't give him much to work with, though.
At any rate, this is a very enjoyable movie with some tremendously funny scenes and well worth it for anyone just looking to escape for a couple of hours.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
A surprising treat...
I was horribly mislead by my local paper concerning this movie. One of the many critics at the Kansas City Star gave it a terrible review, saying it was boring. That reviewer should be sacked, but not just for saying the movie was boring.
After seeing the movie myself, I can honestly say that not only was it exciting and entertaining, but the reviewer made several mistakes in his review that showed he clearly either didn't see the movie or just didn't pay attention.
My quibbles with him aside, I enjoyed The 13th Warrior. I thought it was an interesting, original adventure of the kind that is rarely made anymore.
If I have any problem with the movie, it is that the characters are a tad underdeveloped. We learn more about them through their battle scenes than anywhere else. But I came out not even knowing most of the characters' names (save Antonio's), much less anything else about them. However, a few personalities do manage to shine through the mud and blood.
If you're up for a rip-roaring adventure with an interesting story, I highly recommend this movie.
Le dîner de cons (1998)
Subtlety is not dead...
...It has relocated to another country. This was a surprisingly funny, and subtle movie in a summer filled with movies that feel the need to beat you over the head with their humor. I never thought I would say this, but some American filmmakers could take a lesson from this hilarious French farce. Watching this movie, it's hard to believe it was made in the same country that worships Jerry Lewis. A very funny and worthwhile film with good performances all around matched by a clever script. I read that Steven Spielberg was so impressed by this, he is planning to make an American version with Robin Williams. All I can say is, well, at least it's not Jim Carrey.
UHF (1989)
What can you say about Al?
A lot of people just dismiss Al as a novelty act. But ask yourself, would someone who was just a novelty act have been making music and videos for 20 years? That's right, 20 years! UHF is a classic, if only for the video and song parody of Dire Straights' "Money For Nothing". Who else would think to use this tune as a way to retell the Ballad of Jed Clampett? The various movie and TV parodies are a hoot, and, of course, there is Michael Richards in the role that made him into a household name (at least at his parents' house, anyway), Stanley Spadowski!
Mickey Blue Eyes (1999)
Mickey Blew Eyes
If you're like me, when you saw the trailer for Mickey Blue Eyes, the notion of Hugh Grant pretending to be a mobster tickled your funny bone. Unfortunately, the premise that is played up in the trailer only takes up a small portion of the movie. Because of this, Mickey Blue Eyes ends up being an exercise in wasted potential. This was an excellent opportunity to tweak both the image of mobsters in movies and the image of Hugh Grant as the oh-so-very-British romantic lead. The talents of both Grant and James Caan are all but wasted here. Sure, there are a few funny moments, but many of them arrive courtesy of the supporting cast which features the very funny owner of a Chinese restaurant and an amusing turn from former Kid in the Hall Scott Thompson as an eager FBI agent. But the worst sin of this movie is its utter predictability. I saw every joke coming about twenty minutes before it arrived on screen. And the "surprise" ending won't come as a surprise to anyone who's ever actually seen a movie before. Bottom line: Mickey Blue Eyes is one offer you SHOULD refuse. But if you must see it, at least wait for video so you can fast forward through the slow parts.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Wow!
When I first saw the trailer for this film, I thought "ugh, here comes another bad Bruce Willis movie." Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Bruce. Always have been. He just isn't too careful with the roles he takes sometimes (Hudson Hawk, anyone?). That, plus this reminded me of that other movie he did about the autistic kid and the government codes and all that fun stuff. Well, this is most definitely NOT that movie! I could not have been more pleasantly surprised by this film. I truly enjoyed everything about it, from the slowly building chills to the Keyser Soze twist of an ending (I never saw it coming!) But I was most pleasantly surprised by the performance of Haley Osment as Cole. This kid was stunning. It is a rare thing to see such an emotionally honest performance from one so young. Two things kept going through my mind as I watched this kid: One, he deserves at least an Academy Award nomination. (yes, he was THAT good!) And two, this kid SHOULD have been Anakin in that earlier summer movie that claimed to be about a phantom. If you're looking for some special effects laden horror movie, go see the Haunting. If you're looking for a few REAL chills, great acting all around and a great story...see this movie!
Bowfinger (1999)
The funniest thing Eddie has done in a long time...
I just saw Bowfinger a couple of hours ago and I am relieved about several things. First, the movie was just as funny (if not funnier) than I thought it would be. It is a smart comedy that doesn't need to insult the intelligence of its audience or resort to flatulence humor (not that a well-placed fart joke can't be funny) in order to entertain. Secondly, I was relieved to see that Steve Martin hasn't lost his comic touch. Not that I was so much worried about that one. His book "Pure Drivel" was incredibly funny. I have been a longtime fan of Martin and I am pleased to see that he just keeps growing as an actor and getting funnier with age. Finally, I was relieved to see Eddie Murphy give a performance that reminded me why I ever thought he was funny to begin with. This is easily the funniest role(s) Eddie has had since I don't know when. His fast-talking, paranoid turn as Kit Ramsey is a scream, which makes his performance as the shy, honest Jiff all the more astounding. That he could give two performances so diametrically opposed in the same movie is a testament to his skill as a comic actor. For fans of Martin or Murphy, I have but this to say: SEE THIS MOVIE!!!
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Creepy!!!
I just saw this film a couple of hours ago and the more I think about it, the more it really creeps me out! First of all, it's an incredibly inventive idea for a movie, filmed in an inventive way. Secondly, and more importantly, this movie is a real spine tingler. Especially the freaked out, albeit abrupt, ending. You actaully find yourself getting wrapped up in what these characters are going through. This movie does what every good movie should do, it entertains thoroughly and leaves the viewer wanting more. Not to mention it will scare the pants off of you! This is something most Hollywood movies don't have a clue how to accomplish. LISTEN UP ASPIRING FILM MAKERS: Special effects and cheesy monsters are not the way to scare people. The imagination is the scariest special effect of all.
The Changeling (1980)
It gave me chills
Why can't Hollywood still make scary movies like this? My sister recommended this one and the title sounded like some cheesy horror movie with a bad latex monster in it. Was that ever a misleading title. This movie really creeped me out! If you've ever found yourself disappointed by Hollywood's latest slasher film (I don't CARE what you did last summer!!) or special effects extravaganza (The Haunting of WHAT?? Not me!), I highly recommend checking out this story of a man haunted by his own past as well as someone else's. Good performances all around and an intriguing mystery make this worth a look!