Dfredsparks Reviews

Twist of Faith (2004)

an individual family's struggle with a global problem

[7/10 · 29 June 2005]

I found this documentary to be well done, saddening, but also in the end inspirational. It seemed at least that this family committed to working things out even though things were difficult. I also found it to be a stinging indictment of the conduct of church officials, conduct unfortunately not limited to this particular circumstance. In my opinion, the Church as a body has not done nearly enough to express its sorrow and regret at the wholesale lack of action taken against known child abusers. I think that the RICO statutes should be used to prosecute many church leaders who took part in these cover-ups. The Church in Rome basically acts like none of this happened and still wants to hold itself out as some sort of moral authority. I don't buy it.

Carmen Jones (1954)

Cant believe it took me so long

[7/10 · 23 November 2004]

to see this amazing film. I thought Halle Berry did a great job in the Dandridge biopic, but after seeing Carmen Jones I don't know if she could do Dorothy justice. This woman was amazing in this film. she RADIATED sex appeal and I could see why her performance was groundbreaking. Otto Preminger directed and shot a beautiful film, and contemporary actors, especially black actors, should set the performances in this movie as highwater marks to shoot for. Pearl Bailey was amazing in addition to the two leads, Belafonte and Dandridge. Joe Adams as the boxer and the woman who played Cindy Lou also gave great performance.

Again to see black actors in this time period given a chance to perform a full range of characters was really amazing. In a lot of ways this film is more progressive than the drivel of black genre films coming out of Hollywood today

The Stepdaughter (2000 Video)

I definitely rooted for the Stepdaughter

[25 June 2004]

not a great film by any stretch of imagination but also not the worse of this B movie thriller genre (what? no Billy R. Moses?).I thought the villainess was passably convincing and compelling and I absolutely rooted for her over the daughter-from-hell good daughter...I dont know if it was the acting or the role but she really really annoyed me. The actor playing the "slow" brother gave a performance that was insulting to special people everywhere (even in comparison to Cuba Gooding Jr and Sean Penn). I so wanted this to be a bad guy wins movie. The actress who played the mother wasnt bad..i know I have seen her but cant place her name right now

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Best of the Next Generation Movies

[7/10 · 23 December 2003]

though that might not sound like much of a compliment. I would actually put it third in all of the Star Trek movies behind Wrath of Khan and Search for Spock.

Great action with the borg and James Cromwell is excellent. Alfre Woodard adds to the strong cast

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Peter Jackson did it right

[9/10 · 22 December 2003]

well I guess Tolkien did it right first. Other directors/filmmakers should take note. This is a reason to make a trilogy, a story arc that is told over three films. In addition to enjoying the acting, the story, and the visual, the moviegoer gets to experience a personal sense of completion; after investing part of the last three years of our lives in this series..we have personally reached the end, as have the characters in the film.

I found the picture to be very moving. And I dont really understand all the talk about multiple endings; there is only one ending..when the words THE END appear. There are a lot of stories here, and each deserves some sense of closure (including the ones that will have to wait for DVD).

We should all have a friend like Sam...in a lot of ways he was the spirit of this film, and it appropriately ended with him

Trapped (I) (2002)

Just Plain Trashy

[19 November 2003]

I am about one hour and 17 minutes into this 2 hour movie and I am so ready for it to be over. This is nothing more than hackneyed, cliche-ridden TV Movie tired thriller dribble. Kevin Bacon and Charlize Theron, whom I have respected in other roles, are just tortuous to watch. I think it may not be their fault; they didnt have much with which to work.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Violent, but very very good

[8/10 · 12 October 2003]

Quentin Tarantino has a very unique mind; and it is apparent from the opening sequence of Kill Bill. I dont want to say to many specific things, because I enjoyed so much of the entire experience that I dont want to give away any of it. This movie is stimulating on all levels; visually it is pleasing to look at; the storyline is compelling, shocking, funny at the same time. The acting is as good as it needs to be. Overall, if you have a mind to really appreciate good filmmaking, you shouldnt miss this one

If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000 TV Movie)

first segment outstanding

[14 August 2003]

Vanessa Redgrave moved me to no end in the first segment. a great story for people to go back and reflect on as the battle lines are being drawn on the issue of gay marriage. But the second two segments have not held up as well upon repeated viewings. I often just watch the first segment and then change the channel. The other two are not horrible, but the first ITWCT was stonger across the board.

If These Walls Could Talk (1996 TV Movie)

Unforgettable

[7/10 · 14 August 2003]

This film shows up as well now as I did when I first saw it in 1996 and was amazed. All those in the "demi moore can't act" camp should check out what she can do with the right material. She delivers an amazing performance in the first piece, giving those of us who dont remember a glimpse of the pre-Roe v Wade situation for women who found themselves in a less than desirable situation. Sissy Spacek is brilliant as ever in a lighter, though heartfelt and often ignored situation of a mom deciding whether one more child is what she wants. The final segment knocks me off my feet. Kudos to Cher for pulling together great actors and great stories.

Drumline (2002)

nice visuals

[6/10 · 13 July 2003]

A guest of mine rented this movie recently. I hadnt really had a compelling desire to see it. I have to say i enjoyed it more than i thought i would. There were some nice visuals, especially the quick motion shots of, I believe, Morris Brown's band invading the field like ants, and the twirling of the cymbals overhead. Some of the music and dance sequences were nice, some better than others. But the plot was somewhat trite and predictable, and the dialogue was mundane. Plus, I think that Spike Lee's School Daze and the television show A Different World gave previously unexposed large audiences a glimpse of black college life, so its not a completely novel subject matter, which would make up for the lack of originality in the plot. In other words, this movie was not an unpleasant experience but i wouldnt necessarily rush to see it again

Drumline (2002)

nice visuals

[6/10 · 13 July 2003]

A guest of mine rented this movie recently. I hadnt really had a compelling desire to see it. I have to say i enjoyed it more than i thought i would. There were some nice visuals, especially the quick motion shots of, I believe, Morris Brown's band invading the field like ants, and the twirling of the cymbals overhead. Some of the music and dance sequences were nice, some better than others. But the plot was somewhat trite and predictable, and the dialogue was mundane. Plus, I think that Spike Lee's School Daze and the television show A Different World gave large audiences a glimpse of black college life, so its not a completely novel subject matter. In other words, this movie was not an unpleasant experience but i wouldnt necessarily rush to see again

Normal (2003 TV Movie)

HBO does it again

[8/10 · 19 March 2003]

There are things going on on the surface in this film that will be foreign, and even repellant to a lot of people. But hopefully those who are thoughtful will be able to look beneath that to find a message that we can all hopefully relate to..the idea of loving the soul of a person regardless of their appearance and loving someone selfishly and completely. I could not relate to Tom W's characters gender identity issue nor could I put myself in jessica lange's character's position of dealing with all that. But I was moved by how much these people truly loved each other. The actors did a great job handling a subject that could have easily slipped into the farcical or maudlin. Another good hbo movie product

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

what was the big fat deal?

[6/10 · 20 February 2003]

i saw this movie, and while it is not bad, I fail to see what the hype is all about. i watched this with my brother and his wife and we found it to be extremely slow and somewhat boring. I liked the tender moments between the brother and sister (you dont see that too often in movies) and the were some funny moments but overall i find it to be very overrated.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

pure doo-doo

[5/10 · 5 February 2003]

Weird and disjointed does not always equal unique and profound. that sums up my feelings on this lynch film. Naomi Watts is just bad and little people popping out of blue boxes--just ridiculous. If you want to see a better LA crime story, check out LA Confidential or even mulholland falls or devil in a blue dress..if you want to see a compelling lesbian relationship story see High Art or Gia..but this one doesnt excel in any aspect

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)

overlooked gem (minor spoiler included)

[7/10 · 25 January 2003]

I really enjoyed this screen adaption of the prolific Walter Moseley's first novel. Generally, it was nice to see a piece on this historic period focusing on blacks on the West Coast, as opposed to the usual settings of the South and NYC. Also, the racial issues were handled with enough restraint that I could watch it (i am generally too angered and upset by period pieces with racial issues to enjoy them). Denzel gives a great performance in a much better vehicle than the one for which he finally won a Best Actor Oscar. Jennifer Beals is also convincing, thought my knowledge of her real life biracial heritage sort of ruined her character's surprise revelation in the movie for me. Lisa Nicole Carson gives an effective albeit brief performance, but the show is definitely stolen by Don Cheadle as Mouse. ("if you didnt want him killed why'd you leave him with me?"). I had the pleasure of seeing him off Broadway in Top Dog Underdog, and i think that this film was his breakout role. Overall very enjoyable.

The Prophecy (1995)

not perfect but enjoyable--might contain minor spoilers

[7/10 · 30 December 2002]

i think it was an original concept..the idea that the angels would become jealous of man. With the onslaught of subpar religio-horror movies that followed the (un)holy trinity of the genre, namely the Omen, Exorcist and Rosemary's baby..it would be easy to dismiss one as yet another weak imitator. But Christopher Walken is mesmerizing (I love when he says "I will NOT allow some talking monkeys to take my place"!) I think Elias Koteas and V Madsen are very competent in their parts, as is the little girl who plays Mary. We even get a surprise appearance by the always delightfully insane Amanda Plummer, and an early look at LOTR star Viggo M in an odd twist as Satan helping the heroes. And like pulp fiction's infamous Ezekial quote, it does a good job of passing off a made up biblical verse as the real thing

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

what can i say that has not already been said

[9/10 · 19 December 2002]

Saw this on 10/18 at 1pm and the theater was full. This movie gave me goosebumps, never witnessed anything like the cinematography here. Gollum will force the Academy to come up with a CG performance category. "his" performance was amazing. I cannot wait until Return of The King. Knowing what will happen in the story, I cant see how the third installment is not gonna be the biggest event in Cinema history.

Westworld (1973)

great memories (MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS)

[5 December 2002]

i remember watching this on television in the late 70s as a kid. This movie will always be how i remember brynner(well this and 10 commandments)> This is a great sci-fi flick and didnt know it was michael crichton's until now. I will never forget (SPOILERS AHEAD!!!): the image of yul's mechanical face and the female prisoners getting electrocuted by drinking water

Galaxy Quest (1999)

A lotta fun

[8/10 · 2 December 2002]

If you were at all a star trek fan you have to find this one amusing. A graet send up of all the space cliches, plus an exciting and touching back-story with the aliens. The actors seemed like they really enjoyed themselves and had great chemistry. A fun and touching enjoyable little story

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (1975 TV Short)

great memories

[28 November 2002]

I am 34 now but I remember watching this when it came on television in 75. My whole family watched. This was a great adaptation..I remember being so afraid of the snakes and really wishing i had a pet like rikki. This is a great film, high drama and scary but appropriate for kids

Millennium (I) (1996–1999)

Glad I am not alone

[20 November 2002]

in having been impacted so profoundly by this television series. I so looked forward to Friday night and hadnt watched television on Friday night since Dukes of Hazzard and Incredible Hulk was in the lineup. Millenium was awesome television and what more can I say about Lance H. Amazing actor playing the role he was born to play. Yes, season 3 was definitely weaker but that doesnt prevent this from being one of the best shows on television. I couldnt believe how unceremoniously the show was taken off of the air, announcing right before the episode that this was the series finale. Millenium, Frank's Place, and Sports Night go down in history as my 3 most under-appreciated, phenomenal shows

Fresh (1994)

The Most Underrated Film of all time (may contain spoilers)

[8/10 · 20 November 2002]

This film doesnt come near receiving the credit it deserves..i was happy to see it at least has a 7 on IMDB. Sean Nelson should have gotten the rave reviews and academy award nomination for this work that mr haley joel osment got for 6th Sense. This kid was incredible, as the focal point for a gritty story about life in the south bronx, and how the chess games he plays with his father (Samuel L at his subtlest and best...) provide an analogy for his strategy to get he and his sister away from the drugs and poverty of the projects. Giancarlo esposito and nbushe wright give stellar performances, and Fresh's friend Chuckie is a definite scene stealer. There are some disturbing scenes here, especially a playground massacre with child victims. All in all a powerful and seamless story.

Unforgiven (1992)

Between this and Titanic

[6/10 · 19 November 2002]

I dont know which one mystifies me more in terms of getting more credit than it deserves. I am usually not so out of sync with everyone else when it comes to recognizing good films, but I have never understood the big deal about Unforgiven. It was entertaining, but hardly a classic film and definitely not the best picture of the year.

The Godfather Part II (1974)

best of the best

[10/10 · 19 November 2002]

Must be the best sequel of all times (edging out Empire Strikes Back). Brilliant concept of simultaneously telling the story of a father and son at the same age. The scenes are breathtaking as we go from Sicily to New York to Lake Tahoe to Cuba. The cast members from the original maintain their superb performance level and new castmembers Lee Strasberg and Michael Gazzo turn in outstanding performances as Hyman Roth and Frankie "Five Angels" pentangeli. One of my five favorite films of all time (along with Godfather I, Silence of the Lambs, Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas)

The Godfather (1972)

Awesome Film

[10/10 · 19 November 2002]

I did not become a fan of this film until the early 90s when I saw it on video tape. This film is definitely a masterpiece. Its a film I dont get tired of watching. The characters are compelling and the actors are superb. Definitely one of my five favorite films, along with its incredible sequel