Phob2004 Reviews

The Majestic (2001)

They had the right idea...

[24 December 2001]

**spoilers** This movie had a great plot. Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey) is a writer, for movies. Sand Pirates of the Sahara, his new 'B' movie has just come out. Then suddenly he is accused of being a Communist, and after having a few drinks decides to go for a drive. While crossing a single lane bridge, an opossum runs out onto the bridge. Swerving to avoid it, the man's car runs off the side of the bridge, and eventually falls into the river below. After finally getting out of the car (his jacket was caught in the door, which he had to take off, which had his wallet in it) the rushing river slams him against one of the bridge's supports. Next we see him lying on a beach, which a large gash on his head. He is suffering from amnesia, and cannot remember who he is, etc. An old man finds him, and takes him into a local diner where everyone agrees that he looks strangely familiar. Harry Trimble (Martin Landau) sees him as he is leaving and recognizes him as Luke Trimble, his son. We learn that Luke never returned from the war, as well as many others. Then we come to some very slow parts of the movie, basically of everyone in town badgering "Luke", trying to get him to remember. Then come Adele Stanton (Laurie Holden), Luke's old flame. She too tries to get him to remember things, and he still does not. Later, `Luke', Harry and the rest of the Majestic's staff, with the help of the townspeople, reopen the Majestic. Now come some more very slow parts of the movie. The next big event is when Sand Pirates of the Sahara is shown at the Majestic. Suddenly "Luke" remembers who he really is... Pete Appleton, not Luke Trimble. Just then, he's informed that the something is wrong because Harry missed the reel change. Rushing to him, they find him lying on the ground. It ends up he's had a massive heart attack, and is going to die. Peter almost tells him he's not Luke, but decides not to. He then tells Adele after Harry's funeral, and she says she knew all along. The police, etc. show up in town to get suspected Communist Peter, and he has to be on a train in the morning. Then the movie gets slow once again, and before leaving in the morning he goes to the cemetery to put back the award that Harry had given him, thinking he was Luke, from the war. He finds Adele there. They fight about what Luke would've done in this situation. Then he leaves for the train station. Once there, 'Doc' (David Ogden Stiers), Adele's father, gives Peter a gift from Adele. He opens it on the train and it's the constitution. He is tried in front of a committee and takes a stand, talking about the America Luke fought for. He leaves and returns to work, where he promptly says what he really thinks, and leaves. He returns and receives a welcome from the entire town. He marries Adele, has a son and runs the Majestic.

It doesn't get much cheesier than that. I think that the movie had a great potential, but was made too long. But perhaps if it weren't that long, it wouldn't have had the same impact because the character's relationships wouldn't have developed enough. I could tell the people around me didn't enjoy it; they were continually checking their watches and fidgeting. It grew very slow at times. Although I didn't mind sitting through it, I would not see it again for a long time. I thought the acting was excellent. At some points in the movie it had a really great feel, almost reminded me of Pleasantville. Overall, I give this movie a 5/10.

Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie (1999)

I can't believe I'm the first to comment on this!

[19 December 2001]

Wow, I can't believe I'm the first to comment on Cardcaptor Sakura! Its an anime about a girl, Sakura, who finds a book full of cards. I don't want to give any spoilers, but its an excellent series I suggest purchasing. However, I wouldn't waste my time with the dub. The dub changes around the entire series, gearing it more towards a younger audience, and one it wasn't intended for. They mess up everything by combining episodes and dumbing things down. Many events are made less emotional and many relationships ignored (Yukito and Touya). Even the dub theme song is horrible. All in all, buy this series subtitled or don't watch it at all. Enjoy! 10/10

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

A masterpiece.

[19 December 2001]

This movie blew my mind, I loved it. I saw it twice and I've most certainly fallen in love. I can't wait until the DVD is released! The first time I saw it I was amazed. It had so many elements of a wonderful movie. First of all, it had humor. Teddy was the comic relief of the movie, and also told us some key facts. It also had its humorous moments in the beginning. Second, it was realistic, and I don't mean graphics. For instance, the Flesh Fair. If anyone can't see that really happening, then you need to take another look at how humans work. It pointed out human flaws unlike any movie I've ever seen. I could go on forever about how realistic the actions and reactions, etc. of the characters were. And Osment is amazing. No, that's an understatement. I couldn't believe what a brilliant actor he was. I've read quite a few complaints about the length, but I can honestly say I didn't mind sitting through 2 1/2 hours. In fact, I was glad to. I'm going to wrap this up now, because I could go on all night. All in all I give it 9.5/10. I took out .5 because I did think the ending was a little weak. But aside from that, this movie was brilliant.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Great... But for kids?

[19 December 2001]

**Mild Spoilers** I thought this movie was great, plenty of laughs and amazing graphics... But was it really a kids movie? Personally, I think Randall was quite frightening, at least would be in the eyes of a child. And a machine which latches onto a child's face and sucks screams out of them? Sounds a bit too scary for kids to me. I talked to a few kids about this movie and what they thought. From what I gather, smaller children seem unaffected by it while the older ones (6 or 7 year olds) were frightened, by Randall especially.

But to those of us who aren't children, this movie is very amusing. I can't seem to stop imitating Boo and saying, 'Miiiiike Wazowski!' Its funny and it has heart. I thought it lost its charm a little towards the end when Mike and Sully are exiled and are in the cave with the Abominable Snowman. Once they returned to Monsters Inc., however, it got better.

Overall, I think this movie is worth seeing, but I'd think twice about whether or not my child is easily scared before bringing them to it. I give Monsters Inc. an 8/10.

Camouflage (2001)

A must-have for Lochlyn fans...

[17 July 2001]

I ordered Camouflage online and I was really excited when it came in the mail. I am a huge Lochlyn Munro fan, which is what sparked my interest in the film. I popped it in my DVD player as soon as I opened up the package. I was not expecting much out of the movie. Leslie Nielsen narrates throughout the film, which is where many of the funniest lines come from. Lochlyn lived up to all my expectations; he was great throughout the entire movie. Leslie was also good. The acting was definitely not the problem with this movie. So what was the problem? The plot doesn't have too many flaws... It's consistent and makes sense, although there were some holes left unfilled. So if it's not the plot or the acting that's causing the problems, what is it? It's really hard to say. I thought some parts of the movie weren't necessary. Although the sexual content doesn't come near the amount seen in some movies (such as Scary Movie) I felt most of it wasn't necessary. I also think the movie lacked a certain roundness to it. Overall, I would recommend this movie only to fans of the actors in it. Although it isn't a bad movie, I think that if I weren't a Lochlyn Munro fan I would have lost interest and stopped watching during the movie. I give it a 7 out of 10.