Archived Movie Comments
Lord of the Rings was wonderful! I've been waiting over 25 years for a good Hobbit movie! I really enjoyed this well-done story of the Lord of the Rings. The scenery was wonderful and I was quite taken with the actors' overall performance. Am looking forward to the continuation. I have started re-reading all the books, started with the Hobbit, and the Fellowship of the Ring, now on the Two Towers. If you are a Hobbiton fan, this film is a must see!
Kate and Leopold We've just come back from seeing this lovely, romantic movie! A New Year's Eve treat! I love time-travel stories, and this is a great one, slightly reminiscent of Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve, only not quite so tragic. Meg Ryan plays Kate, a hard-working marketing executive, who hasn't quite got love right, but it is her ex-boyfriend, and upstairs neighbor that introduces her to the love of her life, even if she doesn't quite know it yet, Leopold. Leopold is played by Hugh Jackman, who I must say, is quite handsome and dashing, but a complete stranger to me. If he has been in other movies, I've missed them! But then, I've missed a lot of movies in the last few years. The writers have taken the time-travel and space time continuum theories, and put them together with a very romantic story. This story takes a dash of old-fashioned valor, and mixes it with contemporary madness, and lets us see how nice it might be to have a little bit of old-fashioned valor and how it is what makes us feel romantic in our modern world. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and highly reccommend it!
Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone (American Release entitled Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone) This movie has been highly anticipated and anxiously waited for! By children and adults alike! It doesn't disappoint! For those who haven't read the Harry Potter books, this movie will still hold excitment and adventure! The movie is very accurate and true to the book, there were a couple of things that were condensed to help the movie along. One must always remember that movies and books are different mediums and the way a story can be developed and told is different. A book has the luxury of being able to be as long as it needs to tell the story and to have little asides, a movie doesn't have the same luxury, but I don't think any true fan of the books will be disappointed! The effects were amazing, and very believable, the chess set was so real and then there's Fluffy! I loved the Quiddich match! The actors that are playing the parts have been born to them! I have been of fan of Robbie Cotrane's since I saw the original British series, Cracker, the American rendition sucked ( to use a very literay and technical term!). I think the problem with that is that is that the character and the things he does are very British, anyway, I love Robbie Cotrane's performances and he is the perfect Hagrid! All are just perfect and Daniel Radcliff as Harry is perfect, HE IS HARRY! I loved it! Now we are all anxiously waiting for book number 5 and movie number 2!
Frequency stars Dennis Quaid and is just wonderful. If you like a good story with a twist of time travel, then you will enjoy this movie. It isn't so much time travel as it is bending timelines. I don't want to spoil it for you, but it is a lot of fun, excitement, sitting on the edge of your chair, smiles, and tears. I highly recommend this film! See it!
End of Days with Arnold had great special effects. I know the actress Miriam Margoles and I will have to ask her what it was like to beat up Arnold! The movie takes place the last few days before the turn of the clock from 1999 to 2000. Many doomsayers were saying the change to 2000 would bring about doom and gloom, and not just because the computers were supposed to foul up. The end of days is when Satan returns to the earth in full force. It was a well done production and provides some great Arnold action. It is worth seeing. My husband says that on the "fingernails digging in my arm" scale it was a 5, but I did jump out of my seat a couple of times!
I have always been a big James Bond fan. I am one of the ones who think Sean Connery is just as sexy now as he was as James Bond 30 years ago. I also loved Roger Moore as James Bond. I remember him as The Saint and I think he was a great Bond, very tongue in cheek. The very first time I saw the TV program, Remington Steele, and saw Pierce Brosnan, I said to whomever was in the room, "Bond, James Bond!" And I was right. I think Pierce Brosnan has just the right amount of suave debonaire-ism about him. I did not like Timothy Dalton at all. He just wasn't classy enough to pull it off. But Pierce Brosnan has that special something that it takes to be a great Bond. Roger Moore had it, and of course, Sean Connery had it. I loved The World Is Not Enough. It of course has action in it, and Bond is once more sliding down a huge structure. There is a lot of action, which we have come to expect with Bond, and great gadgets. Driving the freeways of Los Angeles, I sometimes wish I had his BMW! I am a Cracker fan, and so was thrilled to see Robbie Coltrane. I am also a fan of Hamish MacBeth and The Full Monty, so you know I thought it great to see Robert Carlyse as the bad guy. I won't give it all away for those of you who haven't seen it yet. This Bond reminded me a lot of the older Bond movies, a great bad guy, great stooges, and of course, the girls. I wasn't disappointed, and I don't think will be either.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Thomas Crown Affair. I am not sure if I have ever seen the original with Steve McQueen, but I definitly want to rent it and see it. I really like Pierce Brosnan and I think he adds such a great dash of panache to his parts. Note to add: I just saw most of the original Thomas Crown Affair on AMC, and thought it was great! Worth renting.
I am not a big Bruce Willis fan, but I did very much like the Sixth Sense. I would like to see it again. I would like to once more see the scene where he meets her at the restaurant for their anniversary. I'm wondering how different it will seem now that I have seen the movie once?
I, along with millions, was anxiously awaiting Star Wars: Episode I. I waited for the crowds to subside a bit. I enjoyed it and thought it was fun. I haven't seen it a second time, but that is only because my life has become so busy since my April wedding that I don't have time for much of anything extra! When we were dating we went to the movies every week, until we bought a house! So I will definitely see it again. I liked the costumes and special effects. I wasn't sure though about the beginnings of R2D2 and C3P0, I'm not sure anything in Episode 4 would have led us to believe that Darth Vader (Anakin) built him. They didn't seem to know or remember anything about Tatooine. Anyway, I enjoyed the movie and am looking forward to Episode ll and lll.
During the 4th of July weekend we saw The General's Daughter. I thought it was a gripping thriller. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. This movie, however, is not for the faint of heart. It drives right down to the soul of parental love, or lack thereof, and the perception of duty. I have never been a John Travolta fan, but have liked him quite a lot in some of his recent films, Michael and Face Off. I thought he was superb as an Army investigator. I am looking forward to reading the book.
Saw Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock. She is another of my favorite female actresses. It was a good movie, but I really did like the book better. But I enjoy any movie with Sanrda. I'd say it is a good renter.
Zorro came out recently after a lot of hype. I like Anthony Hokins, although I would never have thought of him as Don Diego, even an aging one. But I thought he was quite good. I know there are a lot of women out there drooling over Antonio Banderas. Alas, I am not one of them. Many think he is quite handsome, perhaps, but in my mind Guy Williams is Zorro and is 100% better looking than Anonio. Now on to comments about the movie, it was fun. It was done well and the actors were good. I'd say it was a good renter or cable (satellite) view.
I saw Ever After with Drew Barrymore. I absolutely loved it. I thought Drew was terrific. Also, I don't have his name, but Prince Charming was a winner! I have added it to my video collection.
Saw The Saint. Thought it was a great story. They did what the makers of Mission:Impossible should have done. Kept to a great story. Val Kilmer was a good choice. At first I wasn't sure, I liked him as Doc Holliday, thought he should have received an Oscar for that one. But the previous images of the Saint didn't fall in line with him, but he was great, I don't know who would have been better. The make-up artisans should be congratulated and an award most definitively is deserved. Liked Elizabeth Shue in this also. Always have enjoyed Adventures in Babysitting and Hearts and Souls is a favorite of mine. The bad guys were great. You really hated them! Loved the touch at the end with Roger Moore! I hope they make more! Go see this movie! NOTE: I now have this on tape and it is a regular on my rotation!
Finally saw The Mirror Has Two Faces. It was entertaining if not slightly disappointing. Saw it at the 1.50 movie in Wichita, Kansas.
Also saw The Beast and the Beautician, or whatever that movie was called. For some reason I have never cared for Timothy Dalton's performances. Don't exactly know why. SHE needs voice and elocution lessons. Also some acting lessons while she is at it. (Gosh, I'm being so mean today.)
Finally had a chance to see My Fellow Americans. I enjoyed this movie. Great performers and an amusing story. I think we all love snipes at the White House. Speaking of the White House....
Saw Absolute Power. I had read the book and couldn't put it down until I finished. I was curious as to what changes would be made in the story for the screen, after all, it is a Clint Eastwood movie. I thought they did a pretty good editing job of taking out the side stories, although I missed the boyfriend/lawyer character. I even had him cast in my mind. Anyway, it is a good movie. I was intriqued by the choice for President however, I know he is a friend of Clint's, but the book does describe the President has handsome. Even though I like Gene Hackman as an actor, I wouldn't classify him as handsome. But it worked. I guess an argument would be something like power is sexy or whatever. But, you have got to read the book even if you see the movie.
Never got around to writing about Michael with John Travolta. Have never been much of a Travolta fan (having never been into disco) but I really enjoyed this movie. What a great fantasy. My kind of angel. Cute story. There is a part in it where they (the characters) are driving to Chicago (I think) and along the way the angel has to stop in some little town that has The World's Largest Frying Pan. Well, recently I was in Kansas and drove from Wichita to Dodge City (in search of Matt Dillon - but this will be a story for my travel page) and on the way to Dodge, I saw a sign about the World's Biggest Hand Dug Well. So, of course, I had to stop. Pay a buck and walk down some not very sturdy looking stairs to the bottom of this well. (I'll go up in an airplane and jump, but I hate going down into the earth or looking into great chasms of deep water - don't ask me to explain. Can't.) Anyway, I did it because it reminded me of this movie. Oh well, I guess you had to be there!
Saw Mars Attacks yesterday. Very strange movie. Remember, it was made by Tim Burton. Good effects of course. But a very strange movie. Visit their site. Lots of screen savers and wallpaper and other information.
Saw First Contact with the Next Generation crew. Enjoyed it. Good cinematography and great effects. I liked the story. I did miss Spock and Scotty and the first crew of course. But I think Picard and crew will do just fine.
101 Damations, the live version, was cute and a lot of fun. Great family movie. Of course, the puppies were absolutely adorable.
I'm not a big Mel Gibson fan, but I thought he was terrific in his latest movie, Ransom. It was terrifyingly real and kept you gripping your chair arms all the way to the nitty gritty end. I like Rene Russo. I thought she did a great job. You may remember her from Clint Eastwood's In the Line of Fire.
First Wives' Club was a good one. I liked it. If you missed it, it is a good one to rent. Or catch it on satellilite or cable.
Saw the movie Extreme Measures with Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman. It was excellent. A great suspenseful thriller with current, up to the minute, headline news elements. Great photography. Good acting. Gene Hackman was excellent as a doctor with good intentions gone over the edge. Hugh Grant gave a great performance as a doctor faced with moral healing over medical healing. If you were a doctor, and you only had one operating room available, and two patients, one a junkie, one a police officer, who would you operate on? Personally, I'd operate on the cop. Most are good. All junkies are bad. But then we're getting into my personal opinion page territory. Anyway, this is a very good movie. Worth seeing in the theatre.
Saw the movie Jack to day. It had it's special moments. I don't think any other actor besides Robin Williams could have pulled it off. I enjoyed Bill Cosby as "Aristotle". While I think RW is the only current actor that still is a "child", BC is the only actor/adult, I think that, although is definitely an adult, still knows how "to play". Perfect casting. I think it has a great comment to all of us, to just enjoy our life and live it to the fullest and try to keep our child-like wonder and awe. We all grow up all too soon. Of course, this is a comment coming from someone who resists growing up. Just ask my nieces and nephews! Although I am their parents' "big sister", I'm the one who plays two square! I read a review by someone in the Times and it reminded me of an old movie I had just bought at a discount warehouse store a couple of days ago. Remember an old TV show from the 60's or 70's, Please Don't Eat the Daisies? Well, it was taken from a 1959 movie of the same name. It stars Doris Day and David Niven. The Niven character was a drama teacher, turns drama critic, turns creep. You should rent it. It expresses what most of us feel about critics, those who can't do, critique(and quite badly, with extreme prejudice).
I don't think I can say enough great things about the movie Courage Under Fire. Denzel Washington is one of the top 5 actors around and he has just shown it one more time. This is a good, tough, compassionate movie. It tells a good story and doesn't pull any punches. I vote it for the Oscar.
Twister, of course had great special effects. The previews were excellent and got everyone jazzed up to see the movie. The movie itself, however, should have been left unmade. The previews were the best part of the whole film. The "love story" sucked. I think it would have been a much better documentary. The storm chasing sequences were the best part.
Speaking of unmade, or at least unreleased movies. Earlier this year, (1996) forever, it seems, I was seeing previews for a movie, the name of which I can't remember, that I do not think has ever come out, or if it has, I've missed it. It was a movie with one of the Baldwins, a boat explodes, a child is found, and evidently taken in by the Baldwin character and his wife/etc. No one was supposed to see the boat explode and there was not to be any survivors. Anyone recognize this? Know the name? Did it ever come out? Oh well.
Just came back from Independance Day. Great effects! Fun sci-fi story. Thought the acting was okay, perfect for a sci-fi thriller like this. Fun to see Data (Brent Spiner) again! Not as an alien actually, but when you see him, he could be!
I loved Eraser! If you are an Arnold fan, it is the perfect Arnold movie! It has excitement from the beginning right up to the very bitter end! Tthere are some great Arnold scenes, one of my favorite is when he comes up through the floor! If you haven't seen it yet I haven't spoiled a thing for you because it will surprise you!
I saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame a few days ago. The animation is wonderful of course, it is a Disney film. When I heard Disney was doing Hunchback I wondered how they'd adapt the novel. The novel isn't a kid's book you know. Seeing the film though has made me dig up my copy of Hunchback and re-read it though! I'm also going to re-read Les Miserables while I'm at it.
Thought The Rock was great! It looks as though every stunt driver and special effects guy in Hollywood worked on the film! Poor Ferrari! Sean Connery was wonderful, loved the repartee with Nicolas Cage. Good action and excitement!
The Quest with Jean-Claude Van Damme. If you like all that kick boxing and fighting stuff, this is the movie for you. The fights were choreographed well. Great build up to boo and hiss the bad bad guy. Good adventure. Also was JCV's directorial debut. (I think. I noticed he directed and do not recall hearing about him directing before.) As you may have guessed, these pages aren't meant to be factualy informing. Just mildly entertaining! Roger Moore made a good scoundrel type.
Saw Primal Fear. Gruesome violence at the murder scene. Not for the squemish. If you're the type to close your eyes at the scary parts, I'd suggest this would be a good time to do it. The story keeps you guessing, right to the end. I've never been much of a Richard Gere fan, but he is quite good in this as a smarmy, stereotyped, slimy lawyer.
As for The Last Dance, I guess the acting is good. Another film preaching against capital punishment. The victims don't have a chance to straighten up their lives. (I told you in the first part of my home page there'd be personal opinions!)
Was looking forward to the Mission Impossible movie(Absolutely loved the television show. Sure wish the repeats were on in my part of the world). I think they should have stuck to telling a good exciting story, like the television show did. Sorry, but Jim Phelps is no traitor! Had some good, exciting scenes, but should have just stuck with an exciting story.
If you would like to get the video of a movie I've commented on and add it to your own collection I've included a link to Amazon.com for your convenience. Yes, I do get a percentage of sales, and all proceeds, if any, will be donated to the Animal Companion Village animal shelter in Long Beach, California.
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Elizabeth
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Updated November 24, 2001