Movie Reviews & More
Airheads (1994)
Who’s in it
Adam Sandler, Judd Nelson, Brendan Fraiser, Steve Buscemi, Michael Richards, Chris Farley, Amy Locane
What was good
This is a fun goofy concept, three band guys take a radio station hostage to get their music played. They can’t break through, Fraiser keeps trying to sneak into major radio exec. offices but this time sneaking in leads to some rash thoughts and before they know it they are making demands for football helmets full of cottage cheese. The juvenile reasoning is humorous, and the supporting cast is perfect.
What sucked
The movie isn’t too dated, just the stars of the movie in this movie. I think if anything, this movie doesn’t have the lasting lines that other comedys have, and Fraiser as a lead is funny, but Fraiser has always had problems defining if he was a funny man with heart, a funny hero, or just a complete idiot. Without that strong lead character I think that the weight is equally spread among all of the characters
diluting the whole movie somehow.
Who should go see this
If you like SNL movies, Chris Farley has a smaller part, and this is one of Sandler’s first movies with some of his less polished goofiness that he created on live tv. This is a good Friday night party movie, not a lot of thinking, good humor, and a short movie to boot, if you were in high school in the 90’s, you should find this movie entertaining.
Prime (2005)
Who’s in it
Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman, Bryan Greensburg, Jon Abrahams
What was good
The humor, there was a good amount of it. You’ve seen the commercials for this, the handsome Jewish kid who’s new non Jewish girlfriend is his mother’s patient. What you don’t see is his best friend doing ding dong pie throws at random or ex-girlfriends, it is pretty hilarious. Plus there are plenty of scenes that Uma Thurman pulls off singly in the therapy sessions that will make you laugh, sometimes painfully.
What sucked
It didn’t stand out to me. It ended up being very mediocre without a great ending, I was left wanting more. I never really got pulled into the emotions of their turmoil, whether I could empathize or not.
Who should go see this
Girls that live love stories might see this, but it isn’t a great one. Both of the main characters are easy on the eyes, so if you like either one of those, Uma is eye candy for the men. But otherwise, the concept was good, it just never worked out into a whole solid movie and I wouldn’t recommend renting this one for more than a dollar.
Fun with Dick and Jane (2005)
Who’s in it
Jim Carrey, Tea Leoni, Alec Baldwin, Richard Jenkins, Angie Harmon
What was good
The movie was hilarious, and the first to have a situational comedy about the big dot com’s and what happened to people when they went bust. In this case, it is fictional Globaldyne, and Jim Carrey one day after being promoted to VP of Communications is thrown into a nosedive that ends up with him losing everything.
What sucked
Not too much. Jim Carrey does a nice balanced mix of being a normal person, and being a funny man. He gets more off the wall as his circumstances appear more dubious. But if you don’t like Carrey, you obviously would stay away from this. But other than Liar Liar, this is the most I have ever heard Sarah laugh at a Jim Carrey movie, so that is a sign.
Who should go see this
People who love Carrey, and Leoni is equally funny. She doesn’t hesitate when they start to steal money, and is the perfect compliment to making Carrey work, from the robbing costumes, to the outlandish stuff they both do to make money, etc etc. Everyone should see this, it is funny, short and to the point, and a movie you could watch a bunch of times.
Walk the Line (2005)
Who’s in it
Joaquin Pheonix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts
What was good
Everything obviously, check my rating. A sad story, but liberating in a way, about Johnny Cash’s life, and what he endured, and inflicted, and everything along the way. From humble beginnings and an emotionally abusive father, to drugs and addictions, to true love and peace from the past, this movie covers a lot of ground.
What sucked
Nothing. I felt bad for Cash, but he did have problems that were self inflicted. I did feel embarrassed for him too. But that is a great movie, to make your viewers feel such strong emotions. Reese was great, I know nothing about June Carter, but she was so cute and southern, and truly a saving angel for Cash. The women tend to do that in these movies. It is just a great movie.
Who should go see this
Everyone. This is America history. You may think Cash is country, but not in the modern sense of the word, and I really got into some of the music beyond the June Carter written “Ring of Fire”. You’ll laugh, cry, feel some great things, and be entertained the whole time, although it is always hard to watch someone destroy themselves, Cash does come out of it and continue to be successful.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Who’s in it
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint with Jason Isaacs
What was good
Such a beautiful imagination and universe. I saw the first movie and was less than impressed. But as these movies get darker and older they appeal to me more. The magic, the wizardry with all of today’s great technology rolled into one, very visually stimulating and you are held there wanting to know where it is all leading.
What sucked
Not too much. I didn’t give this a perfect rating because I think, this is definitely a translation of the books and unless you know what is up with the books, you may be lost. There were parts where things jumped around and were left without resolution that I know the readers got it, but I imagine had to be cut to get the movie shorter. That is fine though, make it more entertaining and force people like me to read the books, that is how it should be.
Who should go see this
Everyone. There is a little of everything. Romance, spellbinding worlds of creatures, magic, props, locations, everything is just head spinning. This one had more of a Lords of the Rings feel to it for me, and I don’t know why, so there is another audience who may enjoy this. I think it is truly a magical movie and concept and everyone should at the very least start in on this series with this movie.
The Deal (2005)
Who’s in it
Christian Slatner, Selma Blair
What was good
Selma Blair. She was cute, likeable, a sweet girl that you wanted to believe could exist on Wall Street.
What sucked
Slatner’s acting. I don’t think that Hollywood knows what to do with him now that he is clean, I am surprised he even gets roles. In this movie you don’t get any background about him, you are left trying to figure out throughout the movie if he is a tool, or a nice guy trying to do something good, every other minute or so.
Who should go see this
No One. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. Neither casting is big. The plot is kind of interesting to think about, it is a few years in the future, gas prices are over 6 per gallon and it is illegal to trade goods with the arabs states. What would politicians do to get the gas supply to people, and who would they kill? The movie is really disjointed and told not shown, so by the time you figure out what is going on, you don’t care.
Beyond Borders (2003)
Who’s in it
Angelina Jolie, Clive Owen, Teri Polo, Linus Roache
What was good
The last third of the movie, once the rescue missions are out of Africa and into Cambodia or old Russia. This is when the story becomes less about saving the people that are lost, and more about the two main characters saving each other.
What sucked
This is a dynamic movie and engaging, it is just covering content that isn’t entertaining, and that is the sick and dying in poverty stricken nations. The reality of it all is very depressing and disturbing to watch. Clive Owen was like every other character he has been other than King Aurthur, outspoken, brash, take whatever he wants, etc. etc. So, I don’t have anything particularly negative about the story, it is just not a movie I would watch again.
Who should go see this
I don’t know. Those who are interested in movies about humanitarian aid. I suppose this would be something for a fan of Jolie or Owen, Jolie does a good job acting, it isn’t too typical of a role for her, plus we know that this is the role that changed her views on life and led her to adopting to sons. She falls in love with Owen, the doctor after he breaks into a richy rich party in London, for his passion of saving lives and for his broken spirit, but it isn’t even really a love story. So, I would say, pass on this movie.
