Reviews

Okay, this is not a real movie. It plays more like an old film student project complete with campy "special effects", cliche plot (the bank is trying to reposses the farm, let's stop them), and poor dialog and acting. Why would you watch it, then? Because of the Machado brothers. Even though the fights are staged and sometimes poorly executed, it is fun to watch the Machados demonstrate real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). They had to include the flashy moves such as flying armlocks and Judo flips because this is an action movie. What makes these fights different from your typical action fights are that the techniques used in the film are the actual BJJ techniques you'd learn in a BJJ class.

The graininess of the film and poor acting will cause even the most devoted action junkie to laugh this movie off. This movie is really for fans of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Machado brothers who spout old one-liners like "this is bullsh%&." There are some nice fight sequences showcasing the BJJ style. Only recommended for martial arts fans who are currently fascinated with BJJ.

Just the face the fact right up front: This movie borrows heavily from the Matrix. The hairstyle, the clothing, the kung-fu fighting, the whole look of the movie. Heck, Christian Bale even tries to look like Keanu. Okay, we get it. Whoo hoo. you're a genius for pointing that out.

Now, go rent/buy this movie. The mood of the picture is bit darker than the Matrix, but the fight scenes are amazing!! Yes, it even includes a gun fight at close hand-to-hand combat range! Truly amazing!

I like that one reviewer's complaint that the story was just too unreallistic because hand guns would never be able to take out military issue rifles or something like that. Yeah, I agree, the Matrix's story was much more realistic. :roll eyes.

The intent of the film was good, however, the execution lacked the emotional punch that could have resulted from the storyline. We've seen the subplots before: the angry officer sympathizes with the foreigners, the big misfit befriends a young boy, the rebel in the crowd shouting out against the system..etc.

This is a quiet film and while not that bad, it didn't seem to capture the elements of "camp life" well enough to give me a sense of the refugee's fear of leaving the safe camp and starting a new life in America. There were moments in the film that had potential, but overall, it seemed a dull cinematic experience.

Not much happens in this movie. Go see "Heaven and Earth" instead.

While not as complete as First Contact and borrowing heavily from Kahn's plot, ST:N is an enjoyable action packed movie. What started out as a movie that seemed as though it would surpass First Contact because of the dark "evil" villains and the intriguing cloning premise, it seemed to be edited down to cater towards the Bruckheimer explosion action crowd. With a few more key story and character development scenes, this film would have been one of the very best in the series.

The similarities between ST:N and Wrath are no coincidences. Wrath of Kahn is hailed as the best of the series and the film-makers wanted to make sure this one captured that appeal. What was lacking from this film, however, is more character development and suspense. Nevertheless, there are some tense battle scenes and spectacular special effects; perhaps the most ever in a Star Trek film. One very good scene involved a standoff between the wounded Enterprise and the enemy ship face to face which brought some needed life to the second half of the movie.

Overall, the first hour or so of the movie was right on target. Dark, mysterious, scary; not knowing what to expect from this villain. Tom Hardy was excellent in this role. The second half of the movie was exciting from a CGI / special effects / pure action standpoint, but could have used more plot development to complete the effect of the whole movie.

Still, a rewarding experience and one of the most intense battle scenes ever for a Star Trek movie. There is a stretch of time in the second half were it seemed they were going for the Black Hawk Down effect where the story, plot, and characters were secondary to the battle. Not necessarily a bad thing, but to make that work, they should have added more character scenes to other places in the movie. Still 8/10 from me.

This movie received alot of negative reviews. The "special effects" were cheesy, especially the background car scenes. You could tell the actors were in a prop car in front of a blue screen. The editing was rough an alot of places.

I actually didn't hate it as much as I thought I would after reading all these "worst film ever" reviews. Maybe that is what it takes. Expect the worst and you'll think it is "okay".

Slater is good in this one. Kilmer is over the top but good as the quirky bad guy. I had fun with this movie. I thought it could have ended better, but overall, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever seen. It has the predictable "get me out of here before the bomb explodes" scene and the double crosses and such so don't expect anything new. If it comes on cable, you may want to check it out if nothing else is on. I wouldn't recommend going out of the way to rent/watch it though.

This movie didn't live up to the hype. I was expecting a hard hitting action packed chase film. What you get is a 3 or 4 minute dark chase at the beginning, a 15 minute daytime chase at the end and a 2 more short 2 minute "chases" scenes in the middle. The middle chases aren't really anything special: one involves a Cadillac SUV and some security guards, the other is more of a smash up scene between a Humvie and a cop car. The first chase had potential, but nothing exciting happened. There is alot of style in this film, but not enough to recommend the movie as a movie alone. The last chase scene is too confusing and not well directed. So, as a movie, it played alot like a made for TV film. Not much violence, not much action, no sex scenes, so maybe the kids will like it.

I did however, give it a 6. Why? Because the DVD is another story. If you can find this DVD for less than $20, it is worth the purchase. Here's why:

First, you've got the menus. I usually hate animated menus that take awhile before it allows me to select my choice. In the case of this DVD, however, I loved the revving sounds and the soundtrack as the gritty car graphics spin around on the screen.

Next, the trailer. This movie has one of the coolest trailers I've ever seen. It's better than the movie. with the DVD, you can watch it over and over again.

Next, the extras. There are a few documentaries that take behind the scenes of the movie. There are the cast interviews one with Jerry talking about what a producer does. These are short, but interesting features. You can listen to Dominic Sena talk about why he chose certain chase sequences and think to yourself, "yeah, cool, but you didn't do a good job implementing it.."

Next, Eleanore. A custom 1967 GT-500 Shelby Mustang. This car is the sexiest thing on the planet. If you haven't seen her, search on Google for pictures.

Finally, the engine sound of Eleanore. With a decent surround sound system, the final chase scene will come alive. Even though the sequence itself is fairly standard, the surrounds and the subs kick in to make it more exciting. Trust me, the idle Eleanore engine sound alone is worth the purchase of the disk; I wish I could have a DVD of just that engine sound..

Moulin Rouge surprised me. I'm sorry I missed it in the theaters. Outstanding visuals, hip soundtrack and great performances by Nicole and Ewan make this movie a must see. As a musical, this movie plays like a live action bugs bunny cartoon complete with outrageous comedy bits and dazzling visuals. If you liked O Brother!, you will most likely enjoy Moulin Rouge. Don't go in expecting Evita. Expect lots of fast camerawork, incredible sets, great special effects, and a contemporary songlist and you'll be set to take in this wild adventure.

So Blockbuster video had this thing on sale for $5.00. I said, "what the heck, that's the price of the rental, so why not buy it." Looked like a low budget action B movie from the cover of the DVD. WRONG. no action, poor acting, dumb story, a COMPLETE waste of time. trust me. stay away. don't be fooled by the cover. This movie will have you kicking yourself for renting it. STAY AWAY. 1/10.

I find it funny that most of the negative reviews on this board come from people exclaiming that CTHD is worse than the countless other kung-fu movies they have seen. That is where the comparison is flawed. CTHD is not a kung-fu black belt theater film. It has on its surface, kung-fu fight scenes and swordplay and magical powers, but on a deeper level, this epic is a much more complex story. It tells of hidden feelings and search for truth in one's journey of life. It tells of wrong choices made in life and the yearning for freedom and independence. CTHD contains thoughts of societal pressures and the guilt one experiences when trying to please others and not one's self. Of dual indentity, both symbolically as well as literally.

Sure, the fight scenes are spectacular, but the interplay between the characters and the troubled emotions displayed as they relate and hold back their inner conflict is priceless. CTHD was the best film of 2000.

Sly looked cool and tough in the trailer and the poster and the cover of the video box. He's a little girlie man in the movie. This is one of the worst "action" movies ever made. The director didn't know how to move it along. It reminded me of a cheap movie called "the swap" which was called something else and had footage of a young Robert DeNiro in it. You know the movie I'm talking about, you saw it at Suncoast for $6.99 and almost bought it because it had a big picture of Robert DeNiro on it. THAT movie is better than this.

Really, I'm not kidding. DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE.

This movie wore me out. The imagery is shocking and will leave you frightened and feeling confused. I did not like this movie. I admire the effort put into making the film and applaud the performances and the cinematography. However, it is a difficult film to sit through. An interesting and tragic story, "Beloved" should be seen only by those who loved the novel. I have not read the book nor do I want to after seeing this film. If you have not read the book, are not a die-hard Oprah fan and are not sure whether you will like this movie, skip it. Trust me, this movie is not worth watching unless you are a big fan of the novel and are prepared to endure the imagery..

Hugh Jackman nailed the part of Logan/Wolverine. Didn't think anybody could do it, but he nailed it. I also enjoyed the young version of Rogue and of course Ian McKellen as Magneto.

I'd like to say that you don't have to be a fan of the comic book to enjoy the movie, but can't. I think certain fans of sci-fi action will enjoy the X-Men; others will find it predictable.

Visually, the movie offers a few neat effects, but nothing at the caliber of The Matrix. Still, X-Men is worth a look. It is fun, fast paced and Jackman's performance is one to see.

Lee's He Got Game displays similar gritty street imagery as his earlier Clockers. While not as captivating as the earlier movie, He Got Game, does elicit a raw sense of power and visual style which should please movie-goers. Those looking for a combination of fast breaking basketball sequences and slam dunk music video highlights will not find what they want in this film. While the movie does include a few basketball scenes, it focuses more on the human story of choice, responsibility, societal pressures, and heroism. He Got Game is a tough, human drama, flawed in some of the dialog, but with an outstanding performance from Denzel. Lee's in your face film-making once again shines through in this urban father-son relationship film.

Insurrection features a wonderful score during the opening sequence and throughout. This added to my enjoyment of the film. I have to admit, the battle sequence between the Enterprise and the S'ona ships is too fast, poorly edited and unimpressive. Overall, however, I enjoyed the performances from Stewart and Donna Murphy and the light-hearted tone of the film. While not in the same league as First Contact, Insurrection is a satisfying Sci-Fi film which feels more like a good tv episode (with great cinematography). Don't expect FC and you'll do fine with this movie.

Glad to see that I'm not the only person that liked this movie. Walking out of the theater, I thought this movie was a great experience. I loved the visuals and the performances. when I read what the critics wrote about it and how so many people hated the film, I couldn't understand why. This film is a great movie to watch. Branaugh did an excellent job. Because of the sweeping visual scenes, I recommend catching this film on a widescreen tv, you won't regret it.

Many people have expressed their dislike for this movie. That is understandable. EWS is not for everyone. However, I believe the film to be a worthy companion piece to Barry Lyndon. Slow, yes, but still overall captivating. The mood, set perfectly by the score, lighting, and set designs, brings the viewer on a dark, wonderous journey. Clear your mind and expect to be taken on an epic adventure, meeting strage people, walking downtown late at night, with your mind not quite in the right place. EWS is worth a look..

One Tough Cop has a terrible title, but is a fun movie. More like a made for TV movie than a theatrical release, it nonetheless is entertaining. Chris Penn and Baldwin turn in good performances and the story, although cliche, is good enough to keep your attention. I gave it a 7/10.

Forget all the negative hype! Many were expecting another Star Wars or ROTJ with a wise-cracking Han Solo character playing off a beautiful princess. Episode 1 is about style and visuals. Lucas sacrificed character development and intelligent character interplay with amazing visuals that will blow you away! I'll take the hyperspeed Pod racing scene over Solo/Lea flirting any day.

This movie breaks new ground. Some die-hards complained about the CGI. This movie has the best CGI to date. The final battle scenes, played in three arenas were brilliant! So many things are happening visually in each shot that you HAVE to see the film more than once just to appreciate the effects. Buy this movie now. So what if it is not DVD. So what if you're going to end up buying the DVD in six years again anyway. Episode one is a true masterpiece of visuals and epic action sequences. You'll watch it again and again and again.. give it another shot in the privacy of your own home..

After reading many rave reviews about this film and Roger Ebert giving it 3 1/2 stars, I thought I'd catch this film on Showtime. It was an interesting film; however, it lacked the power and drama I thought I'd be getting out of this plotline. The acting was above average, but the story just didn't grab me as I thought it should have. If you've got time to spare, you may want to rent it; however, do not go out of your way to see it.

If you liked "Get Shorty", you'll love this film. While not as good as the former, Analyze This is great entertainment. DeNiro shines as the stressed out mobster in this hilarious film. It's lightweight entertainment, but entertaining nonetheless. Buy the DVD as there are extras on the disc including a blooper reel and full length commentary by the director and another channel with DeNiro and Crystal. See it today!

I can't believe this film didn't score higher in the ratings. This film is one of my all-time favorite movies. Ever. Cage has remarkable comic timing! The scene at the airport ticket counter is priceless! This is a great film with excellent performances throughout. It never slows, never lets up and tickles your funny bone all the way till the Elvis' come to town. A highly recommended rental if you have not seen it yet. This movie is a guaranteed winner.

Despite what the critics say and these negative comments show, there is something to see in Spawn. It is a visual film; Yeah, it's corny, and not dark enough for true Spawn fans, but it is fun and some of the effects are great (although it looks like they ran out of time and got some kid with a Vic-20 to program that last hell scene). Overall, it was enjoyable, mindless action.

Do not rent this movie. I ended up buying the "previously viewed" tape of this for $4.00. That was close to the price of a rental, so thought, I might as well buy it. I'm tossing it out after I finish this review. The movie which stars Lowe, is a music video with few lines of dialogue, slow moving shots and poorly done editing. I thought I'd be seeing a mindless action flick, which is what I wanted to see, I didn't even get that. This movie is an exercise in slow moving shots, no script, close-ups, terrible edited, and a poorly developed plot. I can't believe that is actually ends with a scene in which they think the audience cares about the characters. By the end of the movie, we still don't even really know who they are. Believe the hype, stay away.

I bought the DVD and am glad I did! I took the word of all the reviews I've been reading and it does live up to the hype! The fight scene at the end is incredible. Gone is the really silly stuff from Operation Condor. This movie would have been a great theatrical US release. oh well.

But yes, is there an alternative version? no lion or rhino scene on the DVD. Did it get cut from the US version?

This is Spike Lee's best film to date. This movie is an absolute must-see for Spike Lee fans as well as fans of crime dramas. The direction is right on target with the performances sharp and hard-hitting by everyone all around. Great camera work, great soundtrack, great performances, great story. Clockers is pure hard-hitting, gritty, concrete film-making. See it!!