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ErikaHaines
Reviews
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Great!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a great movie. What makes it spectacular is that it is true, which makes more humor of the humor and the movie. It is comically spectacular, I could barely get a breath in at times. Don't get me wrong, it is no Austin Powers... I say this movie is great for any age. But to really appreciate the full blow of the movie, the late teens or older seem to be a proper crowd. It is chock full of cultural humor and absolutely tons of fun. I voted it an 8, because although it is a 10 for what it is, it is no Lord of The Rings, no The COlor Purple, if you catch my drift. Go see it, it is hilarious and will get you thinking about your Windex!
The Bumblebee Flies Anyway (1999)
Come on, now.
I think some replies here were a little bit harsh on the movie. Mind you, this is a movie critic's haven, so I can understand. But let's try to level here.
First of all, I knew when starting this movie that it was going to be an indie, low-budget, sort of film, so I wasn't expecting some kind of Lord of The Rings or COlor Purple. I also knew not to expect anything too complex--in my experience with movies such as these, there is more there than just a simple, plausible plot that appeals to everybody. I knew going into it: Hey this is an Elijah Wood movie. Now everything I have seen him in, with the exception of Flipper, has been in some way great, and always told a great or complex story. Summing up all of those conclusions, I went into the movie knowing I shouldn't try to apply any other movie criticisms to it until I had seen it all the way through twice in order to fully catch the drift of the movie.
That being said, the movie was fair. I don't think it is the greatest thing he has ever done; it in no way compares to the Ice Storm or Lord of The Rings. However, I think the end of the movie sort of pulls everything together and helps me to see why Elijah might've chosen to do this movie.
Here is what I liked: The ending, the one that leaves everyone questioning a few things; the sarcastic kid, Billy, and his acerbic sence of humor; the thought processes of Barney Snow (Elijah Wood seems to have mastered the subtlety that is required for this role; Most people here complained that Barney was too apathetic for someone who knew nothing about his past or future, but I think it reflects some of Elijah's character in there too. At the end you see Elijah's happiness restored, when he is able to let go of everything (the very last scene), but throughout the movie it is quiet, subtle nuances; the introvert in Elijah shines through, and I think it is fantastic, and almsot mysterious.) I also liked Mazzo, I think he was a great actor in this movie, and the role worked well with him.
Here is what I disliked: The romantic scene with Rachel Leigh Cook when he finds out she is leaving for Europe...I think their chemistry is terrible, and I don't think the actors are to blame--I think the casting directors are to blame. EW and RLC can both be great, Elijah much more so than Rachel Leigh Cook, but I don't think they worked well together at all.
Suprisingly, I think he and Jordana Brewster from the Faculty had a better chemistry. Also, I think there was too little effort put into the love story. It was like...out of nowhere...they were in love...which is okay sometimes, as long as the characters' feelings are out in the open, but their feelings weren't out in the open. It made it seem strange that the cover of the video box was Elijah and RLC hugging; to me that wasn't the greater message of the movie. THe cover should have been Elijah as the central figure, and then, perhaps, the supporting characters behind him, sort of blended into the background.
Overall, I rate it an 10 for Elijah, Billy,and Mazzo. I rate it a 7 for Rachel Leigh Cook, and I rate a 5 for that silly romantic scene that just didn't flow well with the movie(though I rewound and rewound a few times there...). I give a 9 to the ending because I like enigmatic things but it didn't flow perfectly either. Overall, that's about an 8.
The Color Purple (1985)
Superb
You know, every now and then there comes a movie so profound and touching in nature that it makes one wonder why other, less-significant movies are even made. The Color Purple is one of these profound movies: deep, and spiritual. The Color Purple is why movies are made: to tell an amazing story. This movie was made a year before I was born, so I only now have the pleasure of seeing this movie. I first saw it a couple years ago and since have been profoundly impacted by this movie. Not only are there great lessons throughout the movie, about women overcoming unjust circumstances, but it is a great lesson in Karma. That ending is just about the most powerful I have seen, with the exception of some scenes in the Lord of The Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring. I have a sister and I don't know how I would go on knowing I wouldn't see her for so long, or whether I would ever see her at all. The Color Purple shows the power of family, the power of friends, the power of laughter, the power of being freed from a restricted life. It is, in short, about the powers in life. Though it is a long movie (it seemed about three or so hours), it is time well-spent, and you won't regret it.
My advice for going into this movie is, well, be ready to cry. Keep an open mind, though, and let yourself feel the full force of the movie. I have never cried more for any movie, so guys, if you plan on watching it with your girlfriend, don't expect to be able to sit through it without some waterworks. It's okay, though. Real men can cry.