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Reviews
Ratatouille (2007)
Back to Disney Classics
Well I must admit, its been a long time since anything from Disney has been worth watching. I absolutely loved this film, original, fun, entertaining and joy to watch. The detail and research that have gone into this production are to be recognised, a job well done. Believable characters with emotion and heart. The music and backgrounds were fantastic, I really thought I was in France. Truly brings out the style that is uniquely France. Culture, passion, cooking and well mannered. A great film to show kids all different types of food and how anything if you put your mind to it can be created. If you have ever seen Lady and the Tramp you love this film.
Spin the Bottle (1998)
5 friends get together for lake side fun
I must admit, I didn't read anything about this film before I watched it so I had no idea what to expect. The opening scene with the young kids playing together, that was beautifully filmed and the story opened up from there without too many complaints for the rest of it. I loved the connection between all five main characters, the way they worked off each other for either positive or negative resolutions. There was a very good scene with Ted and Rachel about half way through that really explored Ted's background, well written. I probably wouldn't have chosen Mitchell Riggs to play Ted. No offense but he was too plain for this roll, lacking passion. As someone who was suppose to bully his friend all through school I would have expected someone with a little more of an edge, just hidden slightly and coming out at the end, well that just didn't happen. As someone who was bullied at school, I could not foresee Ted really bothering me all that much. The remaining main characters each added their own bit, loved it.
Defying Gravity (1997)
Excellent story, so so acting - it all evens out
Lets just get the negatives out of the way. The acting wasn't that great. Yes the actors were "pretty" but they needed to have another look at the script instead of the mirror. I just loved the story line, the plot, it was really well thought out. I read it was based on experiences of real life so its not so surprising it all came together well. Another user commented on gay themed European films versus US. I tend to agree. European films make you think and the acting is generally better. US films rely too much on the "pretty" side of things. You may get some question marks popping up in your head thought-out the course of this film. There were stages I couldn't really get a feeling for what the character was going through, what they were feeling and thinking, it was then left up to the script to fill in the blanks. First half of the film was OK, it started slipping about 3/4 the way through but made up for it at the end with the hospital scene and the kiss which I was waiting for, for quite some time. Couldn't help but walk away feeling good about it, so thumbs up. Worth watching, just wish I was the director and made a few scenes more "alive".
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Good work by Jake, Heath back to the drawing board
I loved this film and would have loved it more if Heath's role had been played by an actor more suited to the whole "in the closet gay man". Jake's a top performer and just like so many of his other films the word depressive comes to mind. Jake is really suited to these rolls and somehow separates the similarities in them for each film. While there certainly was a lot of media attention surrounding this film, both good and bad, it probably helped it, in terms of attracting a larger demographic. Unfortunately there are better "gay" themed movies. One that comes to mind is Shelter (2007). Acting level is pretty much on par. Overall the ending certainly leaves you feeling moved and you'll end up loving Heaths performance but he certainly didn't do it himself.
The Wonderful World of Disney: Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House (2002)
One word, crap!
I'm not even going to waste my time on this. All ill say is that Home Alone 3 had a bigger budget and was 10 times better than this will ever be. However we have to write a certain amount to get this to comment so I guess ill have to point out a little more. The idea of going back to the original family was probably this films best part, and then it pretty much stops there. Where do I start. Nothing matches up, not the house, the ages, the backgrounds, the anything. Worst acting I've ever seen. If you are a fan of the Home Alone series and loved Macaulay Culkin's performance why would you subject yourself to this disaster? If you find yourself out shopping one day and come across the boxed edition, buy it, get it home and throw the 4'th one in the bin, or better yet, recycle it so it can be made into something worth printing onto.
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
If it only wasn't for Alien 3
This movie was certainly much better then the disaster of Alien 3 and would have done much better if that movie had never been made. Unfortunately that's not the case and somehow Ripley needed to be brought back from the dead. That's the weakest part in this movie. The connection to Earth is something that Id hoped for seeing that the first Alien movie noted that the cruiser was on a course back to Earth. That tidy up those lose ends. Much the same to Aliens in terms of the plot but not the best support acting. Winona Ryder was not a good choice, hated every bit of her acting. Not suited to this style at all. Weaver once again great but clearly a change from the first film, a lot less heart, tougher and stronger but I put the blame down to having to bring her back from the dead. Its a bit of a hit and miss. If you're a fan of the Alien films you may or may not like this but what ever you do, skip right past the third one.
Copycat (1995)
Mind over special effects
Well this movie came out before the current trend of overdone special effects movies. Mind over special effects. If it keeps you guessing and if you have to think, you'll come back again and again to see it. This movie certainly delivers, adding up clues to solve the problem etc. I remember watching this movie one night and they mentioned the Zodiac killings. Zodiac was coming out in the theatre at the time, so I put it down on my list of must see. Having watched this movie over and over I was really hoping Zodiac could deliver on the same level. It did and created this connection between CopyCat and Zodiac and I believe that comes from the connection of the Police Department. Both are on the same level even though they are some 12 years apart in production. Sigourney plays a great role, strong, believable and independent of the other actors. The stand out performance for me though was that of Holly Hunter. Clearly one of her best pieces. If you have watched CopyCat and are looking for something new, Zodiac is the ticket and if you have seen Zodiac you'll want to see this one.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Great movie, a little too drawn out towards the end
Well I had great hopes for this movie and it didn't disappoint. Heath Ledgers role was the best I've seen from him. Its a pity that he is no longer with us to see the popularity of this movie, however people are clearly feeling more for this then they should be because of Heaths death. Great supporting actors, not to much over acting but a bit notable towards the end. It was great to see the process of catching the joker was played out pretty much like its suppose to go, the cops catch the bad guy and the DA prosecutes with the help of Batman. That's where I thought it would have been a great time to finish the movie, the next 45 minutes after that I lost all interest. Unfortunately like so many movies today too many special effects and non believable circumstances make it a real let down. I would have loved this movie more if it didn't go for so long. Would recommend seeing it, but not a favourite in my books.