Change Your Image
BenderIsGreat
Reviews
The Libertine (2004)
Mixed feelings, but not in a good way...
I think most Johnny Depp fans will be amazed by this movie. Personally, I am a Johnny Depp fan, but I didn't find this movie quite as enlightening as I think it was intended to be.
I loved the story between John and Elizabeth Barry, the actress, because it was complex and beautiful in a lot of ways. It was interesting to watch their relationship change shape as he turned her into the actress they both knew she could be. I thought the sex scene between her and John was pretty much the only tasteful on in the film, but that made it even more important. The fact that it didn't have a happy ending also made it more emotionally charged, and admired that.
I know people can rightfully argue that this movie was intended for an audience that can deal with all the sexual stuff. That's probably true in some ways. However, I don't think any move should be evaluated based solely on how well it performed in its own particular genre. I mean, if I go to see a horror film and find that it's 90% horror and 10% plot, I'd probably be a little disappointed. It's kind of the same thing here.
No one's going to say that Johnny's acting as deficient, because it wasn't; he was amazing, as usual. In fact, the entire cast was pretty amazing. Unfortunately, a good idea and a good cast just don't automatically make a great movie. I think the impression the movie was supposed to make was lost a lot of the time in all the violent porno that was going on... Not that I didn't find the funny parts funny. Some of it was hilarious! But after I stopped laughing it just kind of dragged on and on, and after a while I was confused about where the whole movie was going. Then, at the end, Johnny's character really went into a downward spiral and took us with him emotionally. It was sad and disturbing and touching, but it felt like that was an entirely different movie from the first half.
The Libertine stars an amazing cast and displays a potentially interesting character, but boring and immature were two words I found myself thinking a lot of the time. The idea was great, the character even greater,... but I'm not willing to overlook its faults just because the last half hour didn't bore me or gross me out a little.
It's not like I don't know I'm in the minority. Of course I am. Still, this is one person's opinion. I hope I helped.
V for Vendetta (2005)
Emotional roller-coaster! ... left me feeling enlightened.
You know, I honestly didn't know what to expect from this movie. V for Vendetta isn't really the best title ever, and the previews were really vague,... so I was skeptical. Still, it was a great film with amazing actors who brought a futuristic society to life.
Natalie Portman delivered what I would consider to be the best performance of her life. I've never liked Natalie Portman much, but Vendetta kind of woke me up to her talents. She made everything that would normally be intense even MORE real, and it was emotionally draining (in a good way). Besides, anyone who shaves her head for a movie deserves the kudos.
I'll admit the idea of a world in which the government controls every facet of human life is kind unoriginal, but this made it a lot easier to relate to. I like the fact that they mentioned exact dates and years in the movie. At the beginning, it was a little confusing as far as exactly when it was all taking place, but it developed itself.
The character "V" was so interesting, too! He was so poetic and lyrical all the time, even when he probably shouldn't have been... It was what made me like him even though he was going around killing technically "innocent" people. He's strange like that.
So I guess my point is that it was a thoughtful, interesting, emotional movie with great actors and a hardcore guy in a mask. People looking for a cheap thrill will find more than they bargained for, but snazzy film critics should lay up on the scrutiny (just this once) and give it props. I would.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Narnia = Amazing
Looking for fantasy but not something too digitalized? Although Narnia does use a lot of special effects (I'd guess), they only add to the adventure.
If you go into the theater sort of skeptical, like I was, you'll probably get totally owned by this movie. Even for people who haven't read the books, or maybe haven't ever heard of it before, it's something to get excited about. For me, it was one of those movies you can't stop thinking about after you see it. The the set was done and how the actors were dressed really made this whole other world, and I spent most of the time in awe.
Basically, if you're pretty open-minded you'll most likely find something you love about this movie. It's fun to pretend for a couple hours that all these creatures and places could exist, to really get into the journey the kids go on. I thought this movie was going to be kind of childish, but it was so much more that I expected. From what I've heard, the books are just as great, or even better.
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
The best thing since indoor plumbing
I think what was great about Star Trek: Generations was the way it had me laughing one minute and crying the next! That probably sounds weird, but if you haven't seen Picard have an emotional breakdown before, it's kind of unsettling. I think the way good and bad events seemed to go hand in hand sort of emphasized the whole theme of "time waits for no one." Also, it was great to see the cast of the original Enterprise back in action, even if it's just Kirk, Chekov, and Scotty.
In this movie, a lot of characters have revelations; Picard realizes (in a stroke of Jean-Luc brilliance) that he doesn't want what he thought he wanted his entire life, Captain Kirk faces once and for all what he's famous for escaping, and Data gets closer to humanity than he's ever been. Even though it's no surprise to see Data with emotions--having seen that in tons of episodes of TNG before--it's still entertaining.
The ending was really sad for all of us Kirk fans, or for anyone who didn't want the Enterprise to get totaled. It was quite the ending, though! Guinan's innate wisdom saves the day again.
What Dreams May Come (1998)
Worth more than a second look.
"What Dreams May Come" was a beautiful story with stunning visuals and talented actors. And the rather unorthodox approach to Heaven was interesting to say the least. But as others have commented previously, I would have to agree that the ordering was often confusing and more than once even misleading. I'm sure the director/producer/writer or whoever had some reason for doing this, but I think it may have been one of those "easier said than done" moments on the drawing board. As far as the performance from Robin Williams, I was very satisfied. The part about his character that was less than satisfying was that he never made the audience form much of an opinion about him. Perhaps this was simply because not enough background information or sequential experiences were provided to us, neither of which were the fault of the actors. In my opinion, Robin Williams brought all he could to the role, which was more than anyone else could have done.
Where the visual appearance and elements of art come into the film (which is almost everywhere after his death), I was absolutely thrilled. I think that this can mean more to someone who takes an interest in art or to whom art means something more, because it involves you in the paintings and the atmosphere at a whole new level and in some cases almost makes you overlook the bad organization and development. But you don't have to know or like anything about art to be amazed by this movie. It just serves to make a connection where the producers may have failed.
So, because I was so impressed by Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr. and the colors and styles of the movie, I hold it in high favor. But I can see where it gets confusing and slapdash, and I too wish it had been put together better because I think they passed up the chance to make one of the best movies ever.
Life (1999)
A good reminder, but not quite an eye opener
"Life," in general, was a good movie to remind us how things used to be. It's always appealing when movies tell an important story using not-so-important characters played by really famous actors. If you approach this movie expecting it to be a major comedy, I think you will be disappointed. But if you're just looking for a FEW laughs (and maybe a good cry here and there), this is a pretty good movie. No matter how much you've learned about slavery and the south and everything relating to the setting of this movie, I think most people still tend to watch it and think "Whoa, were things really like that?" And to be honest, it's not really a bad thing. A movie that makes you think a little bit is usually a good thing. But, with that said, it's not an eye-opening, tear-jerking, life-altering film like some other classics (I won't name them all). I don't think they quite developed the relationship between the characters as much as they could have, and the friendship between the two main characters take much too long to form (in my opinion), but if you're even relatively emotional when it comes to films about oppression, you'll probably get attached to the characters and sympathize with their troubles. So really, it's no waste of time, and the worst that can happen is you don't find it up to par with your comedy taste.
A Night at the Roxbury (1998)
One of the best.
A Night at the Roxbury... I loved this movie incredibly the first time I saw it because it seemed to be the story of my relationship with my own sister embodied in a film. With such amazingly hilarious actors as Will Farrell and Chris Kattan, and also Molly Shannon, how could anyone pass up the opportunity to at least watch it once?
The whole idea of two regular, lazy, semi-lame guys trying to fulfill a small but radical dream while following the right paths in life is very appealing to me. But that's not to say it's not a film for adults... Indeed, there was some "profanity," but I'd say it was relatively minor and only added to the hilarity of it all. I think what really got me was the soundtrack for this film, in particular the recurring dance song "What Is Love?" by Haddaway. By the end of the movie, it becomes sort of an anthem. It's almost strange to find yourself watching these two younger men and their rich but meandering lifestyle and think "Man, I wish I could do that!"
Overall, I'd say this movie is guaranteed to make you laugh IF your comedy preferences are not too strict. And it's even better if you watch it with your friends, because it makes a lot of inside jokes! I'd suggest this movie to anyone looking for a good Will Farrell/Chris Kattan movie, especially if you have your own brother or sister to relate it to.
Finding Neverland (2004)
Unimagineable
To say the least, Finding Neverland was incredible. Somehow, you get really attached to the character of Mr. Barrie as Johnny Depp plays him. He just seems to be such an honest, nice guy who always just wants to help. And I think it helps that he is not overly passionate about any of the events in his day to day life except for his fun with the kids and their mother. Rarely do I go to see a movie expecting it to be wonderful and walk out thinking it was even more wonderful that I had expected. But with this movie, I really didn't have much criticism at all. Of course, it could be that I am biased because of my adoration for Johnny Depp, but I'd like to think that it was the portrayal of characters like J.M. Barrie and Peter and even the Peter Pan in Barrie's play at the theater. In fact, I think the magic was the best part, the part that really left an impression on everyone in the theater whether they liked it or not. The way you were suddenly placed into J.M. Barrie's imagination was so smooth a transition, either by a turn of the camera view or the blink of someone's eye, it was always more than you expected. And as for Neverland itself,... Well, I can see why it was so sought after.
Lord of the Piercing (2002)
Lord of the Piercing is worth a look...
Wow, I had no idea that was there until I read it on this message board... So, yeah, thanks; it was really funny! I think they could have done without Sarah Michelle Gellar, or at least they could have cast someone else in her place,... maybe a female comedian instead. But Jack Black was hilarious, as usual. They couldn't have found anyone to do his part as well as he did! It's really funny to see how they fit it all into the actual scene from the movie and make it look so real. I just wish I'd seen it on the movie awards... Not sure how I missed that, exactly. Anyways, it's kind of hard to find at first but its worth the extra remote clicking.