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Reviews
The Job (2001)
Law & Order, only funny
To me, the style of this show is ala Law & Order. You know the humor I'm talking about? When the two lead cops are trying to out-dry-wit each other? The Job is pretty much just like that, only it's always just like that. Not much drama, unless it's the setup for some more humor. Amen to the producers for leaving out that $%@#ing laugh-track! I -- yes, I -- will decide what is funny and what is not. My only complaint is that the story lines are a bit "flighty." They don't ever seem to wrap anything up, and they don't finish last week's story this week. Things are just left hanging. But hey, that's the way they want it, that's the way they write it, then that's the style of the show. If they made it EXACTLY as I'd want it, then every darn show on TV would be Seinfeld. Hurray for the varying styles on TV! I like The Job.
Zoolander (2001)
A good laugh (when America needs it) BUT...
A good laugh (especially in these times) BUT the story takes place in New York city, along with the NYC skyline and I found myself looking for the non-existent twin towers. Since they obviously edited OUT the towers, I wish they coulda just edited IN an entirely fictitious city altogether.
SPOILER -- And this was exceptionally clear in the very last scene which ended the movie with a huge, wide view of NYC with no towers! -- END SPOILER
But it was silly/funny. Definately worth the 90 minutes of my life!
Planet of the Apes (2001)
non-stop action, non-existent story, marginal.
Compared to the original, it has much better effects, much more realistic looking scenes and ape-suits. But the story just falls flat.
Essentially, the story runs along so darn quickly that the hero never seems to stop and think. He never considers options, he never hesitates for a moment, and he never takes a wrong turn. As a result, the audience never stops to think, or worry, or wonder.
Because the story is racing, the characters are never developed.
What we want is: a roller coaster ride, where riders are hurled and twisted and turned and jerked around, with lofty highs and gut-sinking lows.
What we get is: a rocket ride, shooting at a target 2 miles away, straight ahead, with the end always in sight and closing quickly.
It's okay, but not great. I was left longing for Charlton Heston's (the original film) agonizing, pondering gaze. We *FELT* him struggling with the situation. We felt his pain. Not so here.
It's a rental.
Memento (2000)
Awesome, for the intelligent viewer.
The action and quirky wierdness of "The Usual Suspects" with the action (but not so bloody) and interesting dialog of "Pulp Fiction." Where Pulp Fiction had two buddys sharing odd conversation topics throughout, Lenny, in Memento, just talks to himself.
I knew a guy who hated Pulp Fiction because he couldn't follow the plot. You know, the way the end is at the beginning? If that's you, then don't waste your time on this film.
Yes, the story is told in a very odd way. If you can handle it, don't ask any more, just GO SEE IT. I don't feel compelled, as some people do, to tell you exactly how the story unfolds. Figuring that out is half the fun of this movie.
I promise you, you'll be THINKING ABOUT IT FOR DAYS after you see it. All the questions raised in the film are answered, but they're not easy. It'll take a few minutes to a few days to settle your brain over it. The word "profound" comes to mind. Not many movies do that. This movie is like peanut butter stuck to the roof of your brain.
Enjoy