FernAshes Reviews

Looking for Eric (2009)

Never knew what hit me

[9/10 · 20 September 2009]

I went to see this film as a colleague said it was good. I pretty much had no other idea what it was when I entered the theater.

The story is well narrated, put together in the "show not tell" method. You figure it out as you go along.

I found it fascinating on many levels. The character that Cantona plays adds depth and sparkle to the beginning of the story, when it all seems so lack luster. Seeing all the different stories coming together and seeing Eric pull himself together makes for a phenomenal story. At no point was I bored or did I lose interest in the movie.

It was only afterward that I found out who Cantona is and that he was even played by himself. The film completely worked even without knowing this beforehand.

Enjoyable, heartwarming and fascinating - I'll definitely be recommending this to friends.

King Arthur (2004)

Not quite what I'd hoped...

[6/10 · 31 July 2004]

I had hoped that it would be good... I'll sum it up like this: it had good scenes but wasn't all that great overal.

There were certain things that I thought extremely well done, for example Arthur's body language, use of the local scenery, the sounds of the drums, the way the themes of honesty and equality wove wonderfully through the film... And of course, the effects of the snow and ice, especially when the ice was breaking up. Yes, I'll admit I'm a horse lover but there was something entracing about the gracefulness of the horses... I think the director did a lot to make certain things visible yet still keep them subtle. Very nicely done, in my opinion.

However, and now comes the bad news: some things just weren't done as nicely as they could have been. For example, I knew that the movie was supposed to be a new take on Arthurian legend. However, by taking the road less traveled, the film makers took a larger chance: in my opinion they did not spend enough time on the Romans. For example, who built the great wall? What was the difference between the Saxtons and the Woads? Why did the Woads have purple skin? Why did the bishop have to go to Britian - just to give the release papers? Who was the Roman traitor? As you can see, there were an unfortunate number of plotholes.

I enjoyed the film, though had expected more and was rather confused at times. It's worth seeing for the themes, the acting, cinametogeaphy...The general feeling of the film - yet don't expect too much. The movie had excellent scenes but ddn't quite come together as a whole.

50 First Dates (2004)

Sandler's Best to Date!

[8/10 · 1 June 2004]

I had seen the trailer for this movie a while back, and had decided that it looked like one to watch. I can usually only watch Adam Sandler stuff when I'm in a certain goofy mood.

This one was great... very, very, VERY funny and well done, well thought about, if perhaps a bit cliché at times. Definitely enjoyable and definitely one to see!

Ones to pay attention to: the walruses, dolphins, penguins...

And you'll love 10 Second Tom... he's very entertaining.

Basically a very enjoyable film, not to be taken too seriously but to just sit back and laugh at Sandler's antics.

Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)

Surprisingly funny!

[7/10 · 30 March 2004]

Ok, just finished watching this movie.... and until about the last half hour, I was thinking "I don't ever need to buy this if I see it in DVD for sale..." Because I only buy the stuff that I really like. I mean, it was so absurd that it was absolutely hilarious (rabbit scene, bike scene, insult scene with fat lady) - but it still didn't quite make sense.

The end pulled it all together. Really. I mean it. Good movie - my boyfriend and I were both grinning at each other.

And then: WATCH THE CREDITS! Seriously: big surprise in store, not joking!

I give this movie a 7/10. I was going to give it a six, because I found it reasonable, but the end jumped up my score. A six is what I consider "mildy entertaining but not all that great." A seven is average but fairly good, an eight is great and a nine is fantasic. So this movie was definitely no slouch what so ever.

Seriously: don't watch it if you're going to be critical and boring: watch it, relax, and laugh. Remember: laughter is inner jogging! And you don't stop laughing when you get old, but you get old when you stop laughing. If thought about logically, then this movie is a sure cure to avoid getting old! ;)

Uptown Girls (2003)

Slow start, but definitely worth watching

[7/10 · 2 February 2004]

As I say over and over again, a film doesn't have to be a work of art (that few even understand) to be a film. The keyword here is entertainment. And I thought this film was entertaining, not be confused with a work of art, or anything with a higher meaning. I could lean back and just enjoy watching the two characters change.

I thought, when I saw what a low rating it had gotten here on IMDb, that it would really stink. But the story did appeal to me. I'm glad I watched it - I give it a 7/10, just because I enjoyed watching it. So my advice: watch it, but as usual, don't expect Oscar material.

Seabiscuit (2003)

Weak beginning, reasonably good end

[7/10 · 26 November 2003]

Personally I sat through the first half an hour of this movie asking myself, "what is going on here?" I found it very disjoined - it just didn't flow and it didn't make sense. After that, the story started to come together, but I still can't say that the first 30 minutes really enhanced the rest of the film. It did give some insights into the characters which explained their actions later in the film, but still I don't think it was entirely worth it.

Then we come to the later part of the film, where things start happening. Where we actually meet Sea Biscuit and such. It was interesting, though somewhat predictable.

I think one of the things that I liked most about this movie was the abstracted parts. It's based during the Depression and Sea Biscuit becomes a symbol of picking yourself up and continuing. Because if you don't, you won't go anywhere. If you do, nearly anything is possible. It's heartwarming... though I still think it could have been better. 6.5/10

Phileine Says Sorry (2003)

Mouth hanging open movie

[8/10 · 13 October 2003]

This was the first Dutch movie I've ever seen in the theaters. I've got the book, though I've only read the first couple of chapters. I suppose I really should go back and read it further, because it started out cool, I just got distracted.

The author of the book actually says in the movie that he likes the book better than the movie, and oh can I believe it! I really didn't expect anything like this... one of the main reasons I went was because a friend of mine wanted to go and stare at Michiel Huisman. I was seriously impressed. It had everything from fun to anger to.. how the actors dealt with the final scenes was absolutely breathtaking, sitting on the edge of your seat drama. Let's just say this movie has everything from throwing rocks through windows (don't ask) to pretending to come in a classy New York restaurant (as I said, don't ask) and a pornographic version of Romeo and Juliet (I think the only lines in it were: "Where for art thou, Romeo?" and a whole lot of groans...) and an absolutely beautifully shown character development.

Right. I'm practically rambling. I'll make my point. I enjoyed this movie. It had a bit of everything and I left the theater happy. I gave it an 8/10.

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

Just learn to suspend your reality-check

[7/10 · 3 August 2003]

I'm' surprised that this movie only got a 5.5 when I checked. I rather enjoyed it. It's a movie that you're SUPPOSED to suspend your belief of reality for - not take everything absolutely literally. I mean, it's sort of one of those tongue-in-cheek things - you're just meant to sit back and enjoy it. And I enjoyed it far more than, for example, Austin Powers 2 and 3 - #2 was just survivable but I did not like #3.

I'm certainly not really expecting this movie to get any Oscars - but there's a difference between enjoyment level and art. You can enjoy something without it having to win awards. So my advice: lean back, just relax and let things go!

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Impressive.

[8/10 · 5 April 2003]

I'm impressed. It was an all around good film. Perhaps I'm biased - Robert Frost's poem, A Road Not Taken, was quoted - yet so many other things were as well.

It's not about poetry. It's about how you look at the world. How you look, how others look... how you think, how you feel... and a warning to never, ever become conformist (though being conformist about walking is perhaps slightly exaggerated). Never become conformist - always make up your own mind.

I liked the music, as well. The bag pipes give a certain special touch.

I gave it an 8/10 - a high score for me.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Pretty cute

[7/10 · 22 March 2003]

I'd actually lost this film for a long time - in other words, I couldn't remember for the life of me what the name of it was. And I found that shame, since I thought it was pretty cute when I was little. As you can see, though, I found it.

Something hit me when I was reading through the comments: the people who can't spell, or can't write in full sentences or say "cool" or "rock" at least every three words all loved it. The people who were writing normal English didn't like it. I wonder if that's supposed to mean something? But to shoot my own theory to pieces, I do an awful lot of English proofreading - yet I liked it.

I actually watched Real Women Have Curves a while ago (pretty good film - I gave it a six because it needed a few loose ends tied up) and liked it. It's a movie about a Mexican American girl who goes to high school in Beverly Hills. The film opens when her mother is asking her to stay home and cook breakfast for everybody - on her last day of high school. The film continues like this.. but in the end, she actually learns something. You see true character development.

This week while I was home sick I watched Bend It Like Beckham. If you don't know it, it's about an Indian girl in England who is a talented football (soccer for the Americans) player, but her parents refuse to let her play. I could tell you a lot more, but I'll just make my point.

I compared the two movies in my head: what kind of vote would I give Bend It Like Beckham? Was it better than Real Women Have Curves or not? I finally concluded that Real Women Have Curves had more depth... Bend It Like Beckham was more cliche. But... no, I'm not done. I refuse to give Bend It Like Beckham a bad score - I actually watched it twice. So what's the difference?

A film doesn't have to be a piece of literature or whatever just to be entertaining. I was entertained by both, even though Real Women Have Curves definitely affected me more.

My point is that Hocus Pocus might not be a masterpiece - but it IS fun and entertaining. It may not have won awards.. but I think it's worth watching.

Thanks for reading my rant.

Simon Birch (1998)

Nice heartwarmer

[7/10 · 20 February 2003]

I originally saw this movie when the local movie theater needed people for fire drills - so they broke off half way through the film, hussled us outside through fake smoke, fake bodies, etc., then let us watch it - for free. Beforehand, I had no idea what it was about.

I was pleasantly suprised. It's one of those films that's good for all ages, all people, etc- I think just about anyone could relate to at least one bit of the film. A cozy night at home sort of movie.

Reign of Fire (2002)

Dark and gloomy

[7/10 · 23 January 2003]

Not a bad film overal, but the feeling I got from it was dark and gloomy. It's fun of dank underground holes and the like and you only see the sun at the end. I found it rather depressing, even with the good ending.

Not bad, though. I'm not saying it's the top film of the year, but it's not a flop either.

Save the Last Dance (2001)

One of my favorites

[8/10 · 23 January 2003]

This movie is so much more than a movie, as it addresses a number of different issues - which it works out between the characters. You've got the problems that happens when a close parent dies, when you are stuck with somebody you don't want to live with, the racial problems in general, then the black boyfriend/white girlfriend, the differences between style of dance (hiphop vs. ballet) etc.

To be honest - I'm not a huge fan of hiphop OR ballet. What I did like was the interaction between the music and the characters: it made the music.

And the performance for the dance school the second time - what a treat!

I'd watch this movie even if you have your doubts, because it's a crowd pleaser.

Dungeons & Dragons (2000)

Nice but no cigar

[6/10 · 23 January 2003]

Overal, the story could have been worked out better, only a few good scenes to balance out those where you just said, "Huh?" which adds up to a pretty silly movie. I will admit, some parts were very well done, like the scene in the maze and with the attack of the dragons. But the rest...even as a fantasy fan, I have to say this was a flop.

Gangs of New York (2002)

Rarely will I give a film such a high rating

[9/10 · 19 January 2003]

I am generally fairly strict about how I rate films. Rarely would I give a film a 9.

It starts out slowly, the first half of the movie. It actually does start with a bang (a battle scene) but after that, it slows down for the first hour or so. But it's like a good book - you have to set up the story for what's going to happen. Because after that first hour, it really picks up the pace. Scene after scene, the suspence of what is going to happen to all the characters that you've begun to understand and root for.

So many different themes run through this movie. I've come to the conclusie that it's just as much of a think-movie as a smash-and-bash movie. You get everything from revenge (as the Chinese say, when one starts on revenge, go ahead and dig two graves) to loyalty, power, fear (in more ways than one), even love - yet it manages to avoid the clichés.

Just remember, in this film: is the bad guy really the bad guy and is the good guy really the good guy? Is anybody actually ever right?