Movie Reviews & More
The Upside of Anger (2005
Who’s in it
Kevin Costner, Joan Allen, Erika Christensen, Keri Russell, Alicia Witt, Evan Rachel Wood
What was good
Kevin Costner as the aging drunk ex-baseball player (don’t worry, they don’t dwell on this over common casting) and Joan Allen as the neurotic mother who one day wakes up and her husband is gone. She assumes that he has run off to Sweden with his secretary and she is broken. I have always thought Allen was a very good actress, and Costner although you never really get pulled into his character, it is a natural fit for him. I really liked the messed up relationships between all of the characters in the movie, each of the girls and their love interests, Allen and Costner, Keri Russell and Allen, it was all so messed up it was funny. Plus the ending has a great big emotional twist that I would never have expected, such a small sub plot that is running throughout the background of the movie turns everyone’s world upside down, I like that.
What sucked
The fact that this movie is about messed up people. I imagine the average person would hate this movie. The relationships are unnatural, but the circumstances are unnatural so I don’t dwell on that. Would Allen and Costner get so close so quick after the father left, maybe. She needed someone to fill a void, to be there for her bitching, and to help even her emotions out around the girls who also need support. Most of the characters minus the girls are people you love to hate, they are devious, especially Costner’s production manager at his radio show.
Who should go see this
Kevin Costner doesn’t have a typical movie anymore, so you wouldn’t go to see this movie for that reason. I would say that if you like dysfunctional families, this is just for you. They are believable, human, lost, mixed up, and so neurotic it’s hilarious. I would say if you have a touch of a twisted sense of humor, you may like this. I wouldn’t let my parents see this, and I wouldn’t watch this on a Friday night, but I would watch this as a married couple and say, “Let’s never be like that.” I imagine it may be something like “The Family Stone” if I ever get to see that.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Who’s in it
Kiera Knightly, Matthew Macfadyen, Rosamund Pike, Donald Sutherland
What was good
This was a good love story. I gave Sarah heck about it through the whole movie, but the love story was engaging, and believable. We have a poor daughter, one of 5 who one day meets a man who seems arrogant, well to do, and unapproachable. His deeds support his demeanor, but over time the daughter starts to see beyond what other people think of him, and the few things he has done to see what he has done right, things that cannot be measured.
What sucked
The movie was slow getting into it. I think Sarah was patient because she knew the story, I did not, and I needed something to keep me engaged. I knew it wouldn’t be my type of movie because it is set in the 1800’s or prior, but I had a hard time relating to many things, one of which was how important a family name could be, even as important as wealth and class.
Who should go see this
I don’t know the play to know if this was a good translation. I did believe it when Darcy falls in love with Elizabeth, and I did believe that because he helped out two of her sisters in finding “love” or saving the family name, that she started to see who he truly was. I think my parents would like this, the scarce moments of humor are something the older crowd would laugh out loud at. I wouldn’t recommend this to my friends, but if you like a good love story now and then, this is right up your alley.
Domino (2005)
Who’s in it
Kiera Knightly, Mickey Rourke, Ian Ziering and Brian Austin Green of Beverly Hills Fame
What was good
How they made fun of Ziering and Green, for starters. The style of the movie, the color, the elements and how it was shot was different and engaging. The opening sequence was really sweet too. The story was pretty good, pretty basic and quite a stretch to believe at times, but still something you don’t see everyday. Girl from preppy family goes awol and becomes a hot bounty hunter.
What sucked
The movie didn’t really keep my interest in a lot of ways, the characters were hard to relate to, everyone was a tough guy and the interaction didn’t seem very genuine. Knightly looks good with a couple of guns, but you never believe she is the character. Plus, you have seen the previews where they keep repeating the dialogue “My name is Domino. I am a bounty hunter.” It’s annoying in the previews and equally so in the movie. It just seems to be a lot of disjointed violence, double crossing, and stupid characters that don’t know which way is up.
Who should go see this
If you thought the previews looked interesting, you probably should feed the need and just see it. But I think the previews were a tell all, and if you weren’t hooked then, then you probably wouldn’t be at all. I can’t think of anyone but college guy friends I might recommend this one to, otherwise this movie barely got three stars for me. I wouldn’t watch it again.
V is for Vendetta (2006)
Who’s in it
Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman
What was good
Everything obviously, check my rating. This movie is great on many levels, it was true to the story, it was a great translation to the movie genre, and it was very entertaining with a powerful message. Set in England in the future, in an England where people are ruled by why is implied to be a dictator and they don’t know how, one man in a mask sets out to make them remember freedom, to remember unopressed rule.
What sucked
For Christine who I went to see this with, it was a little slow to start. I knew what was going to happen, so I enjoyed the story buildup, and I didn’t think it was slow, but it isn’t always fast paced action and fight scenes. They concentrate on the story, which is so rare in movies today. A great literary work by Alan Moore, this is not about why the man in the mask as much as it is about symbol and his actions. Armed with only knives, this movie is about statements and not seeking out a fight. I will say the movie got quite bloody, especially at the end, so while parts of this movie can definitely be for an older child, it is like a light switch how violent parts can suddenly get. True to the story, of course.
Who should go see this
Everyone who has read the book. I wouldn’t recommend my parents to see this, but I think anyone from 20-30 could see this and enjoy it, there is a weird twisted romance that slowly develops, and you get to see some amazing knife play made by the Wachowski’s (Matrix). A nice use of effects that never once makes you think “Neo”, oh yeah, and the blow up Big Ben and Parliament in London, and that just kicks butt in a big way.
American History X (1998)
Who’s in it
Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Elliott Gould, Beverly D’Angelo
What was good
The whole movie is a powerful look into how a simple event and a couple of slanted view points can create hate against a race. A simple example of the power of words, the strength of a leader, and a group of confused young men can create such chaos and fear within one community.
What sucked
Nothing. Norton is supreme in this movie, believable in every ounce, he is this character. The movie does have one particularly violent act that will stick in your mind, and many other bloody encounters, but I don’t think it detracts from the story, whether it is necessary or not. A look into how white supremacists view themselves and those around them, quiet brooding at times, always a feeling of superiority, and calculated madness to dehumanize others who live in the same fear but haven’t had a sequence of events push them over.
Who should go see this
Everyone. When Norton stomps a robber’s life out on the curb corner, that is hard for me to watch. But I would own this movie, and if it wasn’t as violent I would show it to a group of students where applicable. This isn’t a removed story about people brought up in hate, but yet a normal white kid and how the death of his father fuels a nation of skinheads looking for answers, and how to make their lives better. Such a powerful racial message, you have to watch this.
Cruel Intentions (1997)
Who’s in it
Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Selma Blair, Ryan Philippe
What was good
If you like evil, seduction and devious teenagers who act 12 years more sexually advanced then they should be, then this is a good movie for you. I like it for the dark humor related to the content, and the beautiful people and the characters they play, the whole movie is kind of a tease.
What sucked
The acting isn’t the best, Philippe is hard to swallow most of the movie even though he does have some comic delivery. But this movie is really dated for me now. It does deal with high school type betrayal and lust and other adult concepts in young kids and can be hard to relate to or even believe.
Who should go see this
If you like those high school / college movies, this just isn’t the party type. This is not a date movie, and this isn’t a movie I would watch on a first time couples date, more of something that I would watch maybe if you really like Reese Witherspoon. She seems really young in this movie, but beyond that, if you like this genre you’ll like this but I don’t know who I would actually recommend this to among my friends, it would be very limited.
Chronicles of Narnia (2005)
Who’s in it
No one you know, many animated animals and Gabriel from Constantine
What was good
Very good job of bringing this story to life, from the main characters such as Aslan and the children, to the scenery and the fantastic sci-fi world, the wardrobe, the fully animated characters, etc. etc. Weta, that worked on Lord of the Rings, also worked on the costuming for this one as well. But really true to the book from what I remembered, and with Disney at the helm I think they watched over the intended audience. Having said that…
What sucked
Having Disney at the helm, and that this movie came after LOTR, I felt really bored through a lot of this movie. I know it is for kids, but I thought that it was awkward how far out of the way they tried to cut out most violence. Most of the violence is to animals, and they just fall over, and I am not saying you need that, but if you are going for a realistic subject for some of these animated characters, you need to go all the way not just pick and choose what makes sense to keep parents happy. Plus, this movie felt low budget at times, because watching this movie, it is hard to not compare it to LOTR, and in that class, you really have to equal or push new ground and that was hardly the case with this one. There were some funny green screen moments, and more tell than show at parts to really get a grasp for the characters especially the Ice Queen.
Who should go see this
I would recommend this to most people, because I think most will like this. Fun, adventure, magical and visual, and true to a great Christian based story. But for anyone who has particular taste you may not like this for your own personal enjoyment. Parents will love it, 20 somethings maybe not if you don’t have a Christian background and empathize in what the director was balancing.
