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Titanic (1997)
9/10
Anti-DiCaprionism, anyone?
3 July 2000
Warning: Spoilers
I think this was a great film. Truly an achievement in filmmaking. Superb technically, and in the story department it was above average. I think part of the fun of hating it is that people are annoyed by DiCaprio. Okay, understandable, but come on, even he can't ruin an otherwise great movie that much!

I know, I know, all those detractors say that the plot was simplistic and predictable, but, hey, simple stories are the best. It's not how convoluted the plot is, but how you tell the story. All stories basically boil down to boy meets girl, loses girl, gets girl, boy versus bad guy, and boy versus nature and various combinations of those. This story has all these elements, and though the characters weren't terribly deep, they were consistent. I really can't stand all these hip, modern movies that have these "truly original characters" that have nonsensical quirks, and get involved in contrived plot twists for no good reason. (think "Swingers". Plus, the visual aspects of the film were just masterful. I mean, did you notice the dissolves between the present and the past?

And let's not forget all the little details that Cameron put in, showing all the scenes with the minor characters, they really made you care for the at the end when the ship sank. you gotta admit, the sinking was intense.

**SPOILER**









Lastly, the very end was the most emotional part, for me. No, not when Jack dies. I'm talking about when the old Rose goes to sleep, and the camera pans over all her photographs on the bureau. Seeing that really gave you a sense on how rich a life she led, and made the events on the Titanic that much more poignant. It tied the past and the present together nicely, and you cried for her not because you're sad that she went through such a horrible disaster or that her lover died, but you kinda cry for joy because she survived and you know she lived life to the fullest, the way we all should. Not to sound cheesy or anything, but that is the most touching part of the movie to me. Anyway, I gave it a 9/10.

One big peeve, though. I wished they stuck with an all-orchestral soundtrack didn't have that skinny bitch Celine sing on it. But hey, that's capitalism, right?
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New Blood (1999)
4/10
A Real Yawner
1 July 2000
A poor rip-off of Tarantino and Steve Soderbergh. You could see everything coming from a mile away, and all the fancy cinematic tricks, such as flashbacks, looping chronology and those annoying mini-freeze-frames whcih occur throughout the movie don't help it one bit. Worst of all was Nick Moran's acting. I don't know who he is, but he seemed like he was reading his lines from the first time off a cue card. It was like watching him in a fifth-grade play. I'm sure this director could do a lot better, with maybe better material next time. After all, it's only his first movie. I'd give him another chance. But that Nick Moran yahoo, he's better learn how to bus tables or mix drinks. BTW, Carrie-Ann Moss looked superb.
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10/10
Best Prison Movie Ever? Heck, Best Movie Ever. Period.
1 July 2000
Okay, I will not reiterate what praises others have said about this movie. I think it's brilliant and touching, and others have expressed this more eloquently than I can. See for yourself.

I just wish IMDB had a 1 to 100 scale for rating movies, instead of 1 to 10. Then I could give this movie a perfect 100, while giving something like "Cinema Paradiso" a 94 or 95. As it stands, I gave both movies a ten, but I think Shawshank is a shade better, and I wish a new ratings could reflect that opinion.
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9½ Weeks (1986)
6/10
Kim looks hot, the soundtracks not
2 June 2000
I first saw this movie in junior high, i think, and i was in awe. I mean, Kim Basinger and that strip tease scene! Now, after watching it again, I think the movie was good ion large part due to her. The little psychological nuances of teh film didn't really interest me, and i thought the cheesy pop songs throughout the soundtrack were vastly annoying.
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Gladiator (2000)
8/10
If only Star Wars was half as good...
12 May 2000
I just saw the movie, and I expected about two hours of good, fun entertainment, with plenty of action, breathtaking fight scenes and special effects. It certainly delivered. But, what was surprising was that it was actually a touching movie. Russell Crowe really shows his chops, and I actually believed that Maximus was the most noble man on earth. Phoenix also gave a good protrayal of a very flawed man, not just a one dimensional evil villain. Last, but not least, I am in awe of Ridley Scotts expert direction, his attention to detail and extremely stylish touch.
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10/10
I can't give enough praise for this movie
2 February 2000
I can't give enough praise for this movie! It was touching, emotional, romantic and magical. As well as being a great love story and tale of friendship, it is a great homage to classic cinema. At the end, what Alfredo gives to Toto, it is the definition of true friendship. Truly magical!
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8/10
Vastly underrated
13 December 1999
I don't know why this film got such a bad reputation. I watched it the other night, and I didn't know beforehand what the plot was or the premise of the movie. I thought it was a straightforward action movie. All I knew was that it got terrible reviews, but I thought , what the hell?, I've got two hours to waste.

You know what? It turned out to be a REALLY GOOD MOVIE. okay, so it's not on the same level as Godfather, or Shawshank, but I thought it was as interesting as Matrix, sans special effects. Remember, this was made in 1993!! Plus, its surrealism and postmodernism, along with the self-referential tongue-in-cheek humor, is now found in movies such as Being John Malkovich, Fight Club, eXistenZ, and others. Last Action Hero was ahead of it's time.

I think it's a must see for any serious movie fan, critics be damned!!!
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10/10
Do not see this movie if you have a heart condition!
12 August 1999
I won't say anything about the plot. The less known going in, the better! But if you have any free time at all this summer, go and see this movie, preferably at night. Very well constructed film, amazingly inspired acting by Haley Joel Osment, and overall CREEPY as hell. In the seat behind me, some girl gripped the arms of the guy next to her during a particularly scary part, and they didn't even know each other. You could feel the whole theatre collectively hold their breaths.
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Groundhog Day (1993)
10/10
Great thoughtful comedy
9 August 1999
In addition to all the praise that this movie has received from the other reviewers, I would like to point out that the philosophy of this movie runs pretty deep if you look at it carefully.

Is it just me, or does the Bill Murray's predicament in the movie seem to a metaphor for the whole Buddhist belief about reincarnation and breaking out of that never-ending cycle by letting go of desire and achieving Nirvana? Bill Murray is forced to relive the same day and he only moves on when he discovers the compassionate side of himself and stops being selfish. And, it took many many lifetimes for to do it, just as Buddhists believe we come back many many lifetimes.

Just my observation.

Regardless of at what level you choose to view this movie, it's a must see.
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