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Legally Blonde (2001)
who would have guessed
This was actually kind of an enjoyable movie. I never would have guessed. First of all, it's a Reese Witherspoon movie. There is nothing wrong with her exactly, she just never seems to be involved in good movies. i.e. Cruel Intentions, Freeway, Election and American Psycho. Secondly, it co-stars the repeatedly brutal Luke Wilson. i.e. Soul Survivors, Home Fries etc. However, somehow this movie overcomes those two details to be a rather enjoyable little flick.
Legally Blonde is the story of Californian blonde bombshell Elle Woods(Reese Witherspoon). Elle decides that getting into Harvard Law School is the only way to prove to her ex-boyfriend that she can be serious, thereby winning him back.
I really thought that this would be a mildly funny movie worth the two dollars that I was spending on it. However, my friend failed to mention to me that Luke Wilson was in it. My friend Dr.ben knows that I can't stand Luke Wilson! Naturally, when I read his name in the opening credits, I became a lot fearful. However after the fact, I have never seen Wilson so absent of annoyance. I actually liked him in this movie. He didn't come across like a dufus.
Reese Witherspoon was really cute. Her character is such a nice person, and it was nice to see Witherspoon play someone like that. It was really easy to sympathize with her.
It also has a small part from Ali Larter (American Outlaws,Final Destination and Varsity Blues). She's pretty, but someone should have told her that Legally Blonde was a comedy. Oh well, she was pretty.
This is really just a fun movie. It's no Adam Sandler or Chris Farley comedy (unfortunately), but it had its fair share of chuckles. I wouldn't waste $12 on it, it's not exactly a movie that will create conversation on the ride home. But for a cheap laugh, this is just what the DR. orders.
Don't Say a Word (2001)
what a waste of a good idea.
"Don't Say a Word", is the perfect example of good idea gone cliche. It is the story of a successful psychiatrist forced to retrieve important information from the mind of a patient in order to save his daughter's life.
Michael Douglas plays Dr. Nathan Conrad, psychiatrist, husband and father. He agrees to take on a colleague's case , with no idea what's in store for him and his family. Soon after meeting his patient Elisabeth(Brittany Murphy), his young daughter is abducted. To get his daughter back, he must convince Elisabeth to reveal six important numbers that will lead the abductors to a jewel worth ten million dollars. To raise the stakes, Conrad is given until 5pm the same day to do it. No problem!
I can't help but be disappointed, because this could have been a really enjoyable movie. All of the pieces were in place, a strong premise and good actors (Michael Douglas, Famke Janssen, Oliver Platt and Brittany Murphy who I had never heard of until now). Unfortunately it also had every Hollywood cliche except for the token "take time for gratuitous sex". It could have been so much more.
I was disappointed that a girl being so afraid and unstable in the beginning could be won over so quickly. I don't care how charming Michael Douglas is (and he must be exceptionally charming to marry Catherine Zeta), the movie should have spent much more time with him struggling to get through to Elisabeth. I loved watching her in the beginning with her "I'll never tell" that you've probably seen in all of the previews. Unfortunately they spent too little time with Douglas and Murphy in combating roles, and too much with Douglas as her father figure.
I also love Oliver Platt. He is great in everything he does. Unfortunately here he only does it for the first half of the movie. Apparently he had somewhere else to be for the second half of shooting, because he was basically dropped from the movie at the mid-way point, along with his entire story line. Use him or lose him, just don't do it half way through a movie!
Finally, we have a cop who is a waste of space. Take her off the screen, use that screen time to expand Dr. Conrad's time appealing to his patient, and then you'd have had a really interesting movie.
Overall, it isn't a bad movie. It just isn't as good as it could have been either. Save it for cheap movie night, don't get your hopes up for anything original, and enjoy the performances (especially Brittany Murphy). Dr.'s orders.
The Others (2001)
It could have been so good
Nicole Kidman stars as a single mother of two, left alone in a large mansion as her husband goes off to war. Their home is completely isolated and it is constantly smothered in fog. To make matters worse, their home has no electricity, and her children are deathly allergic to sunlight. In the first five minutes, this movie had all its ducks in a row, to create a chilling thriller. It could have been so good, but writer/director Alejandro Amenabar failed to turn this wonderfully eerie setting into a scary movie. It was like the haunted house that looks creepy and scary from the outside, but has nothing frightening once you get inside.
Early on in the movie three strangers approach the house seeking work. Grace(Kidman) welcomes them in to work, commenting that her previous staff had recently disappeared. Immediately we are aware that there is more to these three than we are being told. Grace's daughter Anne has seen people in her house that nobody else can see. Are there ghosts? Or does an simply have an active childish imagination? The remainder of the movie seeks to answer these questions, with Kidman's character seeming to lose more and more of her sanity along the way.
There are a few very excellent qualities about this movie, the first being the previously addressed setting. Also there are very strong performances throughout this movie, which is extremely important sice the movie revolves around a very small cast. Firstly, I am not normally a Nicole Kidman fan, and so to say that she was fine, is to say that she did not annoy me. That is quite a compliment in itself. Secondly, her children are wonderful. Particularly Alakina Mann in the role of Kidman's young daughter. There were scenes between her and Kidman that I thought that she completely stole. Finally, Fionnula Flanagan as the elderly maid Mrs. Mills held this movie together. Every time I got bored and disinterested, she would come on the screen and renew my interest. I know that these are not familiar actors, but they were wonderful with what they had. The problem was that they had very little. This movie plods along with nothing really happening.
The one other very strong quality this movie offers, is the final ten minutes. These final minutes are wonderful and priceless. I only wish that all of the writing leading up to it had been as interesting. Unfortunately I can not recommend sitting bored for 120 minutes, only to enjoy 10 of them. If that ratio is fine with you, then enjoy those last ten minutes.
Ultimately this is a movie with much promise, much potential, but sadly lacking in substance. Thrillers must either create tension, or scares, and there are too few of either one for me to recommend this movie. Wait until it's out on video and then you can fast forward as necessary. Dr.'s orders.
Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Never saw it coming!!
I went into this movie, primarily because the friend that I was with had seen everything else. I am SO glad that he's such a movie geek!!! Jeepers Creepers was fantastic!!
I love movies, but most of all I love creepy, thrillers. Unfortunately most of the time I have to be satisfied with brief moments of suspense, because quality thrillers are so rare. This movie had me on the edge of my seat for the first 45 minutes, and highly interested for the other 45. I haven't felt such tention in a theater since the first time that I saw the "Blair Witch Project". JC gave me the type of fear that I haven't felt since I was a child watching "American Werewolf in London". And I can't believe that it came from "Jeepers Creepers"!!!
"Jeepers Creepers" is basically the story of 2 siblings traveling home from school for the holiday. Of course they decide to take the long way home, on the mostly deserted highway. Unfortunately for them it's not completely deserted. They meet up with a freak show villain, and spend the next hour and a half (movie time)running for their lives.
First of all, this movie was great because it involved a brother/sister team. No love interest, no sexual tension, but rather a brother and sister fighting for one another. Gina Philips and Justin Long(from tv's Ed) play Trish and Darry, sister and brother in big, BIG trouble. It was a really nice change from what we always see.
Secondly, I was thrilled because the writer/director (Victor Salva) understands that sometimes what we don't see is scarier than what we do. For the first 45 minutes when the tention was strongest, we don't quite see into the villain's truck, or he's just a little too far away to see clearly. We are scared by our own imaginations, and by the horrific sounds created by the creeper's truck. That was when this movie was at its best.
Unfortunately about half way through this movie, good ol' Victor seemed to forget this philosophy, and the energy diminishes as we see and understand more and more of the villain. Too bad, this movie could have been amazing.
I admit that there are holes in this movie, like "what's with the 23rd days and the 23rd years, but ultimately the holes don't matter. This is the type of movie that you see for atmosphere and tention, not plot and cohesiveness. Because of that, this movie was fantastic..It was way more than I was expecting. I thought that the central characters were just fine, and the direction was great. He used sounds and unknowns, rather than special effects and explosions. Nicely done, I just wish he'd been reminded about half way through to stay with it. He was on his was to creating a horror classic!!
Oh well, it was 45 minutes of more fear than I have experienced in a long, long, time. Another 45 minutes of solid entertainment, and an ending that had the nerve to stay true to the rest of the film. I was really good, and I never saw THAT coming!!
Rock Star (2001)
After the Musketeer, this was a breath of fresh air.
After seeing the Musketeer, it's difficult not to be too flattering to Rock Star. Afterall, Rock Star offered me everything the Musketeer didn't; entertainment. Mark Wahlberg's follow up to Planet of the Apes comes in the form of Rock Star, a story of self discovery set in the 80's world of drugs, sex and rock & roll. Wahlberg plays Chris Cole, the front man for a band dedicated to covering his favorite band "Steel Dragon". Cole repeatedly refers to his band as a "tribute" band, and spends all of his time matching the looks and sounds of Steel Dragon. Eventually all of his work pays off, as the lead singer of Steel Dragon leaves the group, and they are suddenly in need of a new front man. That is where Chris Cole comes in. Renamed Izzy, Cole steps in as the new lead for the real Steel Dragon. The movie goes on, and Cole is forced to choose between making his own music or making Steel Dragon music. He's also faced with the decision to be with a woman who loves him (Jennifer Aniston), or having a new girl in his hotel every night. In the end I don't need to tell you which choices he makes. While Rock Star is a fairly predictable movie, it is also very enjoyable. There were moments that felt like Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous", but you are never drawn deep enough into these characters to achieve the excellence of that movie. I also could have done without the nudity. I suppose it served it's purpose, but it somehow seemed out of place in a movie with this much heart. That being said, I laughed, and when the scene was set, I got a little emotional. Mark Wahlberg shows us all of the heart and feeling that he held back in "Planet of the Apes". He is a subtle actor, but he is very effective in this, as we see his battle to become his own man. Jennifer Aniston has star quality written all over her. If only she would let someone else choose the movies that she gets involved in. This is the first movie I can remember her in, that didn't suck. "She's the One" and "Picture Perfect" were not exactly star vehicles. In this movie we see the gifts that she has. She's like Julia Roberts in that when she starts to cry, you can't help but get welled up. Guys, you know what I'm talking about!!! She's beautiful, and you can't help but cheer for her to be treated right. Finally, I'm looking forward to picking up the soundtrack to this movie. For any youth of the 80's, there will be instant flashbacks to bands like Motley Crue, Poison and Warrant. Oh, those were good days. You haven't heard music until you've heard it from 5 guys with long hair and eyeliner. Steel Dragon had some strong tunes, I just wish that they had been a real band when I was growing up. The final song done by Chris Cole is also fantastic and worth the price of admission. This was a really enjoyable movie, just don't expect to carry it with you like "Almost Famous". Spend your $10, and enjoy.
Se7en (1995)
quite simply the greatest thriller EVER, if you've got the stomach for it
Thrillers are my favorite type of movies, and this is my favorite thriller, so basically this is more or less my favorite movie of all-time!!!! Brad Pitt has become an awesome actor, not content to rest on his prettyboy image, and you just can't go wrong with Morgan Freeman. To top it off, you have Gwyneth Paltrow posing as Pitt's wife, and a cameo by one of my favorite actors, who I sadly cannot reveal. Se7en is the story of two detectives (Pitt & Freeman), trying to catch a patient and determined killer. John Doe (played by someone whom I cannot name), bases his murders upon the writings of Dante and his idea of seven deadly sins; gluttony, greed, pride, sloth, lust, envy and wrath. The detectives must catch Doe before he completes the 7 murders and disappears from the public eye. What can be said about this movie, other than "SEE IT"? It is dark, it doesn't pull any punches and unlike most movies it stays true to itself right through to the end credits. Many movies for box-office success will sugar-coat their endings at the expense of the story. That is not the case here. Here, they go the whole nine yards and it pays off in every way. Pitt and Freeman are great opposite one another. While Pitt is youthful and energetic, throwing caution to the wind, Freeman is experienced, calculated and thoughtful with each move. They have a strong screen chemistry that only heightens the payoff in the final scene. Gwyneth Paltrow, while not carrying a lot of screen time, rings true in each scene she appears in. She is not only beautiful, but has a presence that is very strong opposite greats like Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Se7en has set a new standard for movie thrillers. It is not filled with camera tricks or long chase scenes down dark alleys (although there is one. It relies upon an intelligent story and fantastic performances. It is a classic for fans of this genre for all-time.
The Musketeer (2001)
Hey, if we were meant to laugh at it, WAY TO GO!!
If this movie was a comedy and I just didn't know it, then way to go team!! This movie had me chuckling AT IT from beginning to end. Unfortunately it wasn't the kind of laughter that was satisfying. It was the kind that says "man this is unbelievably bad. I can't believe that this movie got made!" This movie experience sadly rates as one of the greatest disappointments of this year. Like many other people, I had high hopes for this movie, and was I let down. I would start this review with a synopsis, but I don't want you to think that it sounds cool, and then go and spend money on this trash. And so I will head straight in to all of the problems with this movie.
Firstly, Tim Roth was in it, which SHOULD HAVE been a good thing. But he showed none of the villainous charisma that he laid on in Planet of the Apes as General Thade. He showed up, read his lines through an eye patch, and cashed in at the bank. Secondly, I hate to be so shallow, but would someone either teach Mena Suvari to act, or at least send her to a dentist about that gaptooth problem. If you can't act, you better at least look good. Sorry but Mena, you don't do either. Thirdly, When fight scenes are choreographed, we understand that the hero will win, but at least let your villains put up a reasonable fight. Here we have villains who call it quitting time in mid chase. They looked like sprinters pulling up lame in the middle of the race. And, "oops, that fire is at least a foot off the ground, better turn around. Don't want to take any chances." I mean give me a break! I will admit that there was a stretch of about 5 minutes in the middle of the movie where I was amused. Anyone reading this that has seen the movie knows exactly which spot, because it was the only decent one in the movie. The musketeers infiltrate the castle to protect the king, and are disguised as butchers and bakers. It made me laugh. I also found myself laughing as I watched a heroic scene involving D'Artagnan's exhausted horse! This movie was terrible from beginning to end, and the remarkable action scenes that this movies is being built upon are so poorly filmed and edited that they are no more enjoyable than the wretched acting and dialogue. Please, for the love of all that is good and descent, SAVE YOUR MONEY! That is what the DR. is here for, to save you the pain that I endured on Friday night.