sammy105 Reviews

New in Town (2009)

Cute movie with horrible directing

[6/10 · 24 December 2010]

*spoilers alert* The.... main attraction in this movie was watching the world-class actors like Zellweger struggle to give some decent flow and put color into the life-less and horrific directing by this guy. He's done 8 movies total, nothing big like this film.

The ending feels like.... it's fast-forwarded, frankly. I was reeeeally looking forward to seeing how Zellwegger would adapt to MN after moving from Miami, how her love with the guy would work out, who will move and where. Many, many questions left unanswered. And... the lack of camera movement is annoying! WHo makes a silly movie like this and leaves a camera still for 20, 30 sec at a time? Someone needs to give this director Movies Making 101.

Léon: The Professional (1994)

A timid masterpiece, one to take your breath away better than most academy award winners today

[10/10 · 30 May 2007]

This movie simply put is a cinematic masterpiece. Rarely does a movie get me to... practically sob unstoppably almost from beginning to end, but this one did. Every detail is licked, the music not only flows along with every moment, but adds a good deal of content all on its own.

Luc Besson, unlike most directors nowadays it seems, has an excellent take on child phychology, right up there with Stephen King himself. A child is shown here not as a fragile creature in need of constant looking over by adults, but more like a member of a society like any other red-blooded American. The fact that kids are susceptible to practically all the dangers that adults are today is portrayed in the movie very well.

The movie does not have scenes that attract attention by asking the actors show weakness, to cry, to express feelings with words, but everything is done in situations, music, and cinematic tricks of different kinds.

This is not a movie to make one feel gooey and tender on the inside, but rather to provoke a spurt of emotion that hides inside every one of us. Not the kind that's felt by watching a romance flick. This is something different. Modern movie makers have quite a few things to learn from Besson. Movies like this one can change our skewed outlook on life and... make us born again.

Angel Eyes (2001)

Very powerful, though incomplete, plot; well-casted, too

[8/10 · 19 March 2007]

Out of all the JLo movies made so far, this is the only one that seems to... dig deeper than the surface of human emotions. The writer, and maybe the director, must've had more than a vague idea of where they were going with this film. Some scenes cause me to tear up, which is a rare commodity for any simple romance made in the last... 10 years.

Jennifer Lopez is asked to play more here than the typical pretty girl who makes her way up, in one way or other, like the movies she normally lands. This took quite a bit of insight and understanding on her part, possible even an emotional connection to the movie to nail the part. Keeping all that in mind, the male main character seemed to get an even better idea of what's asked of him. The way he carried himself was almost dead-on, though possibly even overdone at times (but I blame the director for that).

That said, what worked even more is the chemistry the two had going on. Never before have I seen Lopez's eyes light up the way they did with James. It seemed like they'd truly sunk into their roles, and the interaction between them felt chillingly real.

What was truly underdone, however, is the family abuse issues that Lopez's character's family was going through all through the plot. This didn't seem like a movie about civil issues, and therefore the parts where they went into detail about family violence seemed a bit... off- the-wall to me. At the very least, if there was a serious connection between violence and maybe the reason Sharon became a cop in the first place, they sure failed to show it.

This movie, hands down, I believe, needed more insight and more beyond-the-surface conversations. It needed less words and more visuals. It was mostly well-written, but needed some touch-ups. The transition of Catch from his old life to the estranged new one was very meekly done. There could've been more about his family, how good a father he was could've been shown, even in flashbacks. More details for the backgrounds of both characters could be in order.

But mostly, though this film is very underdone, and some parts made me laugh at them more than with them, I end up seeing it again and again, and it still acts as a tear jerker to me. I'll say it again - Lopez seemed to find herself in the right place here, where much more than her natural charm was put to the test. Give this movie a try, it's.. not like the rest, not like many movies made today.

Rocky (1976)

Power and very down-to-earth, which beats anything sci-fi in many ways

[8/10 · 2 February 2007]

Well, I must say, I always liked Rocky myself, but only saw the original after the Balboa movie came out. What moved me most about it was not the fighting, not his "ugliness" that some people say makes it more realistic and easier to related to; my favorite aspect of Rocky was the transformation the girl Adrian makes throughout the movie, her character, her look, her whole self. This, I believe, was what Stallone truly wanted to point out, even if he didn't admit to the tabloids - I think he wanted to say to the world that it's not the beautiful, extroverted women who truly deserve attention at times, but women like Adrian who live quiet, but shaky, mistreated lives and don't allow themselves to be heard. Realizing this throughout the movie put tears in my eyes, I won't even hide it. The reason this movie deserves Best Picture I think is because it focuses on the more positive human traits - love, honor, respect, etc, unlike Taxi Driver. No matter what movie I see about crime in whatever shape, I'm never left with the heartwarming feel I got from Rocky. And I guess the media agrees with me: look at the movies that Hot Shots - the 'mother of all movies' - chose to allude to to show a true love memento - Rocky, Superman, and... Lolita, was it? Anyway, the part when she rushes over to him after the fight was a huge climax that summed everything up superbly. I even expected that it would be her doing that that would get him to win, because that would've increased the voltage of the scene many times over, I think.

Clerks II (2006)

Smith's unorthodox and crude humor brought tears to my eyes; in a good way

[10/10 · 5 August 2006]

This is a movie unlike any movie. In many aspects it's practically an experimental. The director doesn't use many of today's cinematic tricks with camera, lighting, etc. Instead, the movie is made to express the director's personal opinions about today's society, movies, discrimination, even the difference of opinion in regards to bestiality, the part I leeeeeeast expected from the movie.

However... when put all of it together, all the quirky jokes, the comments that place the movie on the line of offensive and brutish, and might even shake up a few civil rights organizations (at least get their attention), the result is pieced together in such perfect harmony with itself, such admirable ambiance, love, and companionship, that even some simple immature parts of it put tears in my eyes; I couldn't help it.

Rosario Dawson has undoubtfully made her way up in Hollywood. Everyone seems to want her. She has looks and personality, the smile to melt an icicle, and a kind of tomboy charm that's replaced the one of Marylin Monroe for many years now, I believe. Therefore, she's made many movies now based on the old school way, movies where she had to force emotion, etc.

But it is this raunchy comedy that her talent has been give the run for its money. It doesn't take an expert to see the kind of easy and lightness with which she played her part. Kevin does not require his actors, I strongly believe, to express something they don't feel in the script. He seems to rather give them their lines, which practically make the movie and put his stamp in it, and tell them to do as they please.

In the end he comes out with strangely the only movies whose "corny" parts don't bother me, and I'm not afraid to shed a tear or two. The reason for that is Mr. Smith builds up the emotion in the viewers carefully, explaining all his reasoning, literally, for why the movie ends up the way it ends up. He doesn't throw his cheesy music. Not what I call cheesy, at least. Alanis Morissete's songs has almost as much insight to them as Kevin's movies themselves. He chooses her music for a reason, not just to... make the audience cry.

I hope he keeps up with her jokes, even make them as offensive as possible. I'm Jewish myself, and I practically wish that he would include more of those kinds of jokes. There are plenty of places in life one can get offended to jokes about his background. Smith's movies aren't those places.

If anything, he actually shows why it's ironic to get offended at things - the characters who get offended don't show up in the movie again. But it's what offended them that stand in our minds.

You Stupid Man (2002)

Simple and underdone, but not unwatchable

[6/10 · 11 April 2006]

I was at first surprised on the simplicity of the movie. It didn't seem well thought-out, for one thing. When Kremnoltz's character comes up to his girl's trailer and sees it rocking back and forth, he chooses to disregard it and walks right in, which seemed very odd, period (this happens at the very start of the movie, no spoiler). It was the continuity of the scene that seemed not right, that he showed no emotion about what may be going on inside. The conversation about stars the couple keeps having was seems to live in a world of its own, like a story inside a story. These things are what I'd expect in a sitcom or soap opera. The dialogues here go by very fast, often without leaving the audience to sink in the words. There are a few points to the movie, but they were hard for me to remember for most things said didn't seem to add up to anything. I rented the movie for I'm a huge fan of Milla and expected to be impressed by her performance, nonetheless. That I was. Somehow, she managed to pull off the ridiculous jokes and coy punch lines. I hope that someone else makes a simple comedy with Milla in it, but takes some time to write it and even keeps less dialogue but more camera work to express a point, because Milla has the skills to pull off a very quality movie, which this sadly wasn't.

Prime (2005)

Witty and thorough, but a bit vague...

[7/10 · 25 March 2006]

I agree with a lot of other reviews on the site about the movie being different from a typical romantic comedy. While "Monster-in-law" and every other simple-minded movie made lately is injected with endless simple-minded jokes to pass off the main fragment of time without boring the audience, Prime shoots for jokes only at certain scattered parts which need sharpening.

The main dialogues are, indeed, very thought-out and made sincere enough to pay close attention to and learn something from. The problem with the movie is, I have to say, the director's lack of experience with movies, which I assumed after watching it. Many scenes did not flow well into each other, and a lot of them started with a character talking the very minute the scene begins, messing with a smooth continuity of sound.

These are things the director could work on if given another professional to work with, one with more experience. One could argue that the movie wasn't about tricks with the camera and editing, but I disagree. A movie, above all else, needs to be pleasant and enjoyable not just with sex appeal and humor, but with the aspects of it that don't stand out to the audience right away, but make the movie seem choppy and undone.

Even more than that, what I meant by "vague" in the subject was that there was a need for more character development. We know very little about the main characters except that Dave's an artist and Rafi is a photographer. Character development happens when they are shown with a group of friends or relatives, in a setting where the audience learns whether a character is a leader or follower, whether they're strong or weak-minded, etc. The movie scene in the beginning was far from enough to introduce people to the movie, and needed more depth to it, if anything.

The ending was also vague for I wanted more than to know whether they will in fact stay together. A serious plot about relationships will give a good hint at why the ending is unhappy if such. When the movie ended, I stared at the screen wondering what the point of the movie was, and what the last scene was meant to represent.

All together, however, the reason I felt like ripping this movie to pieces was because I couldn't help but enjoy it and can almost visually instruct how better to make it. In his mind, the director/writer knew where he was going; but was unable to back himself up with enough movie content. Good luck on the next one, pal!!!

Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

The least thought-out plot of all time, but enjoyable

[6/10 · 9 February 2006]

The cover of this movie makes it look like a typical teen movie, one much less ridiculous than the way it actually came out. After seeing this, I actually yearn to see "Coyote Ugly" for one, since even though not all jokes there were funny either, it had at least a credible direction. Josie and the Pussies (couldn't help it) take a mild shot at sci-fi, which is what truly blew me away. The basic fundamentals of the plot are actually pretty intriguing. If a director like James Cameron took script like this and chose to make a suspense thriller out of it, it might actually come out to something decent. The idea does seem relatively original. About the seriousness of the message in the movie, there certainly were many of them. However, just the fact that Rachel Cook's character ended-up saying all the "main points" plainly to her friends had made the messages a lot less credible. A movie's supposed to carry the messages within the plot, Mr. Director!!! Not say them in plain Enlish in case the audience didn't quite understand them, heh. However, the acting here was far beyond my expectations. The creativity, though very primitive and misleading, was outstanding. The jokes, however, were so ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh, whether in pity or not. So, if you're looking for a movie that will confuse you to the point where you feel like you're looking at a Picasso painting, and you do end up with a lot of colors and good music in your head, then check it out. It will give you a good night's sleep at best.

Wedding Crashers (2005)

Just a few steps behind a Mel Brooks film

[10/10 · 6 February 2006]

OK, maybe I overexaggerated on the title of the review by comparing it to the master himself, but it was waaaaaay above the typical romantic comedy made in the last few years, maybe the whole decade. I actually have to disagree with the other reviews which said that the movie hangs strong mostly because of the actors. This is among the most witty-written simple comedy I've ever seen. The setup is rather typical, though the main idea is relatively new; at least it hasn't been copied too many times, and none that I can think of. This is also one of the few films, if not the only one, where Christopher Walkens was cast, but as brilliant as he is, his talent wasn't as put to the test as much as usual, and the movie does not live because of it, but because of the excellent plot. He just makes the great lines sound exactly as they should sound, which is what he's good at. The two main characters are great. And some of the lines seemed to be written with a thought of how they would sound with those particular actors, I believe. Last but now least, this is a rare comedy for the corny parts actually feel solid and relatable (for lack of better word). As much as directors love to overdo the romance and the music and crying that goes with it, this director kept it with only the necessary elements; no extra emotions. Never thought such a simple comedy could get me so plugged into it. But it did. So, watch it! Never know when the next decent romance will come. :)

The Haunting (1999)

Whether original or not, one of the best-written thrillers

[8/10 · 26 January 2006]

I've only seen the second half of this movie, for the most part; but I've truly enjoyed it. I always enjoy a movie that uses the supernatural to its advantage, so to say. Instead of just throwing a ton of good graphics around with barely any connection between them, here everything is well-put together. Even the ending has more of a psychological and moral meaning than most of the ghost movies I've seen lately. I realize it was a remake of a 60's movie, however, and the original always has a bit more insight than a remake, so I'll probably watch the original version now, and recommend anyone to do the same. However, if all else fails, the graphics and real-looking ghosts that this movie dazzles us with would certainly overcome the its 60's roots.

Brokedown Palace (1999)

One of the most powerful movies I've seen; grabs inside and touches one's soul

[10/10 · 3 January 2006]

Being one of the most powerful and moving films of all time this movie pulled me into the plot and kept me there, smiling along with the characters on a positive moment and holding my breath on a recession in the film.

The choice of casting was insanely accurate. Claire Daine's liveliness and upbeat flamboyancy had made us do more than sympathise with the characters, thinking that they do have something of a heart of iron to go on in the shithole jail.

Kate Beckingsale's sweep-off-the-feet charm and stunning beauty makes one's heart drop to the ground in the realization of the future the situation was to take away from the high school graduate she was playing. The innocence, however, she generally gives off makes the viewing experience even more breathtaking.

Bill Pullman's persistent, yet calm traits that he's dazzled us with for almost 20 years add up perfectly in the equation. The last scene where he takes Alice's hand behind bars has such a thunderbolt effect on one's emotions that I can never watch the movie with friends, for simply break down. Yes, I did have to share that.

And what sums it all up are the songs, mainly "Silence" by Sarah McLachlan. The last time I've seen the movie I began to listen for the words more carefully, and found them to be very in-line with the plot.

In the end, the movie seems to reach deep inside the soul and pull it out, leaving nothing left unreavealed. It reaches deep down inside enough for the viewer to understand oneself in a way life's everyday experiences simple cannot do. Simply having to imagine the sincerity of the decision the girl has to make in the end makes one question their whole existence. "What if?" To those who've already seen the movie, I'd recommend "Splash" and the "Flight of the Navigator". Here, the characters are also faced with life-altering decisions and the movies are powerful enough to express the gravity of both sides the decision entices.

See this movie, though. Missing it would be missing a once-in a lifetime performance. Even if your reaction isn't as strong as mine. You may find your own little message that'll change your life.

The Upside of Anger (2005)

One of the biggest mix of misled emotions I've seen yet

[5/10 · 1 January 2006]

This was, unfortunately, one of the least enjoyable films I've seen lately. Not ever, but lately. The characters don't seem real and are damn near impossible to associate with. Can't speak for Kevin Constner. He actually managed to take the inconstructive dialogue given to him by "Shep" (the director who plays a radio producer in the movie) and make most of it believable. Yet, most of the dialogue and the supposed "anger" did not seem natural at the least. The outbursts were as disproportioned as possible. I feel this was the aftermath of the writer trying to mix a load of raging emotions, some his own and some misdirected from the plot, into a movie about everyday issues but without a tight general plot to trail the movie along a single straight road. Instead, it goes in circles around the mother's unresolved anger, the daughters' unexplained anger in most parts, and Kevin's character kind of hiking around, in and out of their lives. The twist in the end, which I won't give away so people new to the film can still read this, strengthens the plot and therefore deviates the movie from the proposed "comedy" genre. I wouldn't call it a comedy either way, since neither of the jokes made me laugh; heck, half of them had the characters burst in laughter at odd times, as if to tell us that these are the funny parts. To the director, if you want to make a more believable movie on the subject, then stop calling it a comedy, and get deeper into the characters' personal lives (not just the mother-interactions). There would be more than one outcome people will perceive, so showing a school project done by a character is not the way to help carry out the message. If it worked, the message will have told itself all through the movie. But based on the other reviews, the movie did reach a lot of other people. Not me. Too much bitterness, even for an angry mother.

Dirty Love (2005)

More controversial than Jenny could ever expect :)

[7/10 · 30 December 2005]

Damn, did this movie arouse clashing opinions!!! I've never seen people bash a movie so hard before. I've never seen people bash others for liking one so hard before. For this, no doubt, I give McCarthy credit!! Hehe. Yeeeaap. Movie-wise, this was underdone for Jenny seemed to have written it in a single day, if not in just a few hours. The dialogues were attention-grabbing, but not a single joke was done to hte core. Everything was left to hang. Mostly, however, what I liked about the movie was the directing job. I don't see what other reviews meant by a "bad directing job". I can think of endless movies that really did not hold my attention at all. This movie, for some odd reason, had at first made me want to throw the remote at the TV, but then watch it again and again. The particular mix of off-beat comedy with off-beat sex appeal with misplaced comedy (the American Pie guy belongs in AP, or in an equally intriguing plot) had triggered something inside of me that actually made me completely change my mind. Jenny has a lot of energy and a very bright soul, I'd say. She just couldn't make good use of them. If this is her ex-husband's first attempt at directing, however, I'm very impressed and he should look at numerous scripts next time.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Solidly made and focusing more on facts than on generic scare tactics

[10/10 · 28 December 2005]

My initial outlook on watching the movie was that it would scare the hell out of me. That it did, and I suppose watching possession movies alone in a dark basement may not be the smartest thing, hehe. Strangely, I can mostly take it. Anyway, the basics of it were that the acting was accurate, the horror was believable and breath-taking, and the directing was skillful enough to put us in the right mood. What I found ironic was that the girl they'd put in the main role didn't seem like the right type at first. When I first saw her in her room telling her mother she was accepted to college, I was taken back by her innocence and humanity, no doubt. I didn't have second thoughts on her ability to portray the role correctly, but my thoughts were on her personal effects from this role. In the special features, the interviews with Jennifer carpenter were almost sad, I thought. The girl's voice trembled; she looked pale. Even though that's not necessarily a bad thing that the actress herself seemed freaked out of the project, it made me look at the movie more sympathetically than I expected to. I started wandering if the girl was that thin before the filming, or if she had to starve for the role. My conclusion is that compared to Linda Blair, Jennifer Carpenter did not have the natural evil in her to come out; the sufferings looked real as they could get. I wasn't upset about the lack of demonic faces throughout the film; watching an innocent girl tortured was bad enough. And sadly, the film wasn't only about the portrayal of suffering: Jennifer seemed overtaken by the role and maybe even shaken up by it, which added to the effect of the film from her own fears. But that was just sad. I would recommend this film to others, though not to be watched alone; the only thing I'll add is that the filmmakers kept stating in the after features that the movie was closely based on the real story. But why was the name changed as well as the location? The story is really based on Anneliese... something, a German college student. I guess I'll now be waiting for a movie even more closely based on the truth, using the real name and everything. Either way, this flick will take you right into the horror, so grab your teddy bear, strap on your seat-belt, and don't scream too loud (hehehe...)

Random Encounter (1998)

A seemingly low budget, soap-opera of an action movie

[5/10 · 17 April 2005]

When I had just seen a few minutes of this, about fifteen minutes into the beginning, I had stuck on and watched the rest, mostly to check if it is in fact Elizabeth Berkley. I had a few doubts, since I now feel she might have gained just a few pounds since "Showgirls". It makes her no less sexy, for sure, but made me wonder. Now, for the review, I could not stop asking the same question: "is this a TV movie or a TV show"? I couldn't settle on it being a typical motion picture because of the blandness of the camera work, lack of a spark in the acting styles, and the same damn music playing at the off times all through the film. Truly, the music did not match the emotions hardly at all, and did not help the movie, period. The only thing that gave this movie a bit of color was the main guy character's talent, the mystery he was able to show with every move and every word. Elizabeth Berkley... well, she has grace, style, height, and the incredible uncommon charm that seemed to get her in the movies in the first place. In Showgirls those were a deadly combination. In Random Encounter, she had to damn near get a makeover to portray the dullness of the office worker she played. Neither did it work nor was she the possibly the right actress for the movie. Unless the director would loosen up a lot and let her smile just ONCE during the film with the killer smile she gave her ride in the beginning of Showgirls. That's what am talking about. That would have flipped the film up-side-down, I tell ya.

Love Me If You Dare (2003)

Enchanting, creepy, loving, and hauntingly romantic

[13 September 2004]

This movie is sure to stand out in a crowd. I've noticed that European movies are typically more... creative, I believe, than American ones, and I don't give a damn whose toes I'm stepping on here. I'm entitled to my opinion. A lot of the recent American movies, like the American Pie series, whatever you want to choose, concentrate on chucking stupid and hardly laughable jokes at the audience, which you laugh at for a second or so, and then wonder why it's really funny? The point is, however, that movies like American Pie don't leave as much of a trail behind them in the movie history as do movies like Vanilla Sky, Minority Report, and certainly Love Me if You Dare. This movie had it's hits, a million attention grabbers, and a load of creativity to sum it all up. The dream that the boy has in the beginning, with the clouds, toys and people with weird faces puts the movie on a far higher scale of remembrance than a hundred others. What concerns me about it, also, is that many other reviews I just read about it scorned this movie because they disliked the characters, because they thought the characters were mean and unfair to others in the movie. But isn't that the exact thing that makes a movie good? Such participation by the audience in the plot? A truly boring movie makes you feel like you're being shown a low quality puppet show. Either way, I give this a five star.

New Nightmare (1994)

Curious, a bit scary, and even funny.

[18 March 2004]

I have been a huge fan of the nightmares for years now. First time I ever heard of them was from a friend back in Russia who told me I'd get scared out of my mind. I could not watch it, however, since we didn't have a VCR or cable back then. That was about 10 years ago; I've been in this country for over 9 years, and seen all of the series. I didn't get as scared as the kid said I would. But this set of movies made a better impression on me than any other horror movie I've ever seen. I thought that they had an abundance of imagination and creativity, as opposed to "Scream" where people kill each other because of stupidity. Ironic that both are made by the same director. This last one, however, wasn't quite what I expected. The problem wasn't that it shows all the previous victims as themselves, but that it doesn't leave one off wondering. I just don't believe in watching a movie where everything is spelled out for you. And that was what the series have excelled in so greatly. This last one seems to be afraid to let us think that Freddy can really hunt us out on the street, that if we happen to visit the studio someday, we're still not safe from his sharp finger knives and rubber skin. I think this was Craven's way of letting us laugh at the movies for once instead of just sitting back waiting to see what the next confusing horrifying thing is to be brought on the screen. He may be trying to say that it's time to start thinking constructively and as a whole instead of just sitting at home and worshiping him for drawing us pretty pictures of unreal monsters. That's just an idea. No one truly knows what was his intention of making a movie that purposely kills the very mystery he created. Anyways, I'd give it 2 stars out of 5. Also because I believe a movie should be either a supernatural one or not. Here it jumps back and forth. That messed with my feelings and hurt my image of the series in general.

Empire of the Sun (1987)

very touching

[24 February 2004]

This movie certainly stands out. Even for those who'd think of it too corny, though I wouldn't bet on finding too many, the music alone pushes this film right onto a wall of fame. I have always thought strongly that is it music even more than camera tricks that make a movie worth watching and entertaining. This movie proves my believe firmly. I am sure I'm not the only one who gets thrown nearly to tears by the time the kid finds his parents at the end, and won't even recognize them for all the time and hardships he went through, while in the background a very pretty song is played, one the boy himself sings in the beginning. That is the true mastery of Steven Spielberg, that is what makes him one of, if not the best filmmaker of our time. Aside from Spielberg's accreditations, the boy chosen for this movie was very on-track and fitting tightly to the role. He had brilliantly succeeded in making himself look as pathetic and helpless as he could get, but never losing the glimpse of hope in his eyes. Every scene, I believe, was portrayed in the boy exactly how it was meant in the movie.

The only thing I slightly regret about this project is not being completely filled in on the history. I still haven't completely understood why the whole story happened, why Japan (I believe) was being invaded. I know how bad I know history, but I know there are thousands more like me who depend on movies like this one to learn. In the end, I recommend this movie to everyone, period. Spielberg has his unique ability of making a movie attractive to all kinds of viewers. It has a little of everything and never fails to entertain, no matter how quiet or corny it gets.

The Fifth Element (1997)

The best sci-fi thriller I've seen, one not based on cruelty.

[10 January 2004]

This is, unquestionably, the best and only truly respectable sci-fi action film I've seen and deeply enjoyed. An exception here would be Terminator 2, but that movie is much more intended to make you as trigger-happy as possible. "The fifth element", on the other hand, is more just a marvelous computer-effects movie made to made you laugh, cry where applicable, and fall in love momentarily with the all the down-to-earth characters, no matter how much the plot tries to convince us otherwise.

My favorite thing about this movie, the fact that makes it peasant to watch over and over, is that despite of it being a sci-fi, there are no scenes in it at all that can typically give us a bad stomach, bring us nightmares, and just typically mess with our heads more than we would willfully allow them. The strategies used to prove this movie to be set in the year 2214 (not 2300) are the out-of-this-world car designs, appartment designs, airport designs, the flying ship-looking machines that come to your home to bring you food, and the clothing designs. Some of these may be a big extreme, but they are accompanied by very good humor, letting the audience know they are meant as a joke. In addition to that, the directing job for this movie is simply perfectuous (hope that's a word). Every scene is edited not too long, not too short. We're never for a second left hanging on unanswered questions or dull moments. Sometimes the plot thinkens and gets a bit confusing, but all the dialogues are done not too seriously, so the viewer knows that even if he or she misses the "main point", there will still be enough camera tricks and effects to explain and fulfill the final movie effect by the director. That's why this movie stands out so much for me. And, last but not least, Milla Jovovich... This girl had acted so simply and "without a care in the world", that I actually believed she was seeing everything for the first time. Not mentioning her great charm and beauty, she had kept us on the edge of our seats just by the little smirks and voice inflections (again, hope that's a word) she used to be something other than human. The first time I saw her smiling like that I had a feeling she was in some way different at nature than other actresses I've seen trying to accomplish that kind of charm, but never getting there. Then I went online and found out she's from Kiev, Ukraine. Just FYI. Anyways, this movie is worth watching for everyone, especially if you like fight scenes but don't prefer seing people being sliced in half with their insides falling out (like in Ghost Ship). If you want a good thriller that will make you all jolly on the inside instead of disturbed, this may be your only answer out on the Hollywood market right now.

Splash (1983)

Magical and heartwarming

[5 December 2003]

This is by far one of the most superfluous movies I've ever seen. Not only is it so very impeccably accurately directed, but it creates the most incredible sense of romanticism, one that works with almost no corny scenes at all. Darryl Hannah is not only so remarkably beautiful, but she manages to completely erase anything that doesn't completely flow with her character, and show herself utterly as a woman who is just as everyday and simple-minded of a mermaid as any other. Also, all the important and strong parts of the movie which are very often far overdone were just right. I only wish the movie didn't lack the technological disadvantages of 1984. This is a must-see for everyone! Darryl Hannah simply must play in more down-to-earth movies like that. And she needs to again play an everyday person, since many of her movies don't stand by that fact. Now get up your butts and go watch it! No, now! Go! J/k.

It Takes Two (1995)

A family/kids movie, but made like a real motion picture

[26 January 2003]

I saw this movie back when I was 12; I liked it then, and still wouldn't mind seeing it again. Like all kids' movies, this movie has just a few corny kid moments that older viewers, especially teenagers, wouldn't prefer. But, unlike countless other movies, "The Parent Trap" included, this movie doesn't let all those annoying little things, like "I love you, honey! I love you with all my heart!..." get too far and make the viewer want to put a grim on his face and turn off the TV. They do it by using great acting skills by countless ingenious actors and actresses, and by not having a moment of nothing, but smiles, hugs, and extra-corny laughter get too long.

Also, another advantage this movie has over "The Parents Trap", is that even 'though the main characters are both young girls, and one is an orphan in a group home, they are never portrayed as completely helpless, and in need of adult supervision; throughout the whole movie, all the adventures and gigs the girls think-up and go through they do with the help of no one, but themselves, and constantly help each other when either would get in a tough spot. The reason this is such a big advantage for this film is that in most real life, and most movies we see, all the main action is done and held by adults, and kids are treated as little and somewhat spoiled helpless creatures, who can't take care of themselves. This fact, often unconsciously, bores and sickens the audience, sometimes even bringing feelings of disgust towards kids. But in this movie, this problem is dealt with masterfully. Not only do kids here do things all on their own, but many times the adults, when in the same situation, look up to to them for help and advice. I thought this movie was made with a beautiful plot, truly great acting, very nice camera work, and, very importantly, very good character development: enough time is taken to introduce every important character's life before getting anywhere near the main idea of the movie. I would, personally, give this movie a 10/10, hands down.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Best action movie I've ever seen

[10/10 · 4 October 2002]

Terminator 2 is possibly the best action movie ever made. Not only does it have very skillfully played-out action scenes, but it's also filled with some of the most incredible melodies I've ever heard, a factor that, simply, counts for at least 35% of the total excitement and feelings that the movie brings. In addition to being very well made, with no dull scenes whatsoever, this movie actually brings up some interesting questions. In one scene, John Connor looks at two little boys fighting, and asks a robot: "We're not gonna make it, are we? People, I mean?" and it replies: "It's in your nature to destroy yourselves." I don't think one realizes right away how deep this small comment really goes, way beyond even the main idea of the movie, with all the time-traveling. In addition, unlike many other movies, every scene seems to last long enough to really give the viewer the exact feeling of freight, sympathy, or just exhiliration that the director or writer really meant by it.

I, too, remember that actual August 29th, 1997; I was actually a bit scared of some truly devoted fans to start some ruckus. But nothing happened.

That is, also, another thing about this movie: it is the only movie I know that predicted an incident in the very near future, which made it even more sci-fi-like. Finally, this seems to be the best movie for each actor who stars in it, and whenever I see them anywhere else, I trace them back to this movie before any other. This is a five-star, 10/10 achievement! If you're a fan of hard-core action, sci-fi, and a little bit of comedy, this will be your favorite movie, as well.

S1m0ne (2002)

An absolutely genuine performance

[10/10 · 28 August 2002]

This movie completely blew me away. It is the first movie in a long time, when a woman's beauty is actually presented by charm and pure human sympathy, instead of sex, obsession, etc. The utterly remarkable beauty of Rachel Roberts, the absolutely brilliant acting by Al Pacino, combined with some of the outermost limits of today's high technology graphics, and the very innocence and beauty of the film bring out feelings of simpathy, charm, perfection and sadness in the audience (in my opinion).

At no time in the movie were negative aspects of a human personality introduced and carried out to the end (like greed, hate, jealosy, and scorn): love, compassion and understanding were shown to be the much stronger bonds. I must add that the only thing I disliked was the melody heard at the first few seconds of the movie: I thought it needs to be just a tad less depressing, because the movie was simply not as sad as the idea you get by listening to it. However, it did have an excellent plot, enough scenes to bring out all the right reactions the story was meant to bring out. I would easily give the movie five stars, at least four and a half, and I truly think Rachel Roberts ought to star in more magical films like this one, bringing tears out in the eyes of the audience.