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Freddy Got Fingered (2001)
Pathetic!
Oh my God, where do I even begin when reviewing something as bad as this. How about to say that at a voter standing of only 3.7 out of 10, Freddy Got Fingered is the most over rated film in the entire IMDB.
As someone who does like crude and gross out humor, when done right, I still found this to be the most pathetic attempt at a film I have ever seen. For a start lets begin with the plot. Tom Green leaves his parents home to become an animator. Tom Green returns. Tom Green and his dad get into many heated arguments - thats about it for plot. The rest of the film revolves around Tom participating in the kind of bizarre behavior that has made him famous - only this time its way more over the top. Masturbating horses - licking the bone of a friend's broken leg as he screams in agony, swinging a new born baby around by its umbilical cord are all part of the 'comedy' of Freddy Got Fingered. And none of this actually has anything to do with the 'plot'.
Consider those above as deterrents instead of spoilers.
The Tom Green show is funny for ONE REASON - and ONE REASON only. The joke is on the unsuspecting public. Tom Green's antics are only funny for his ability to carry them out in public and for his complete lack of embarrassment. In this film the antics are scripted. Those on the receiving end of these antics are actors. Therefore it is NOT FUNNY, as the only thing that makes this guy funny is canceled out. I still can't believe that the people at 20th Century Fox couldn't figure this out. The fact that they actually sunk huge amounts of money into this film is not only sad, but offensive. Did anyone involved in this movie actually think this would be funny?
In short - the worst film I have ever seen. A lot of people use that term as a knee jerk exaggeration to describe a film they didn't like. This is no exaggeration. My previous all time worst film, Glam, maybe even deserves awards compared to this (OK maybe that was an exaggeration). Hopefully this is the last time that Tom Green will ever get to make a movie. If Fox gives the go ahead for Freddy Got Fingered 2, I'll trash the set myself.
Valentine (2001)
Nothing new here
Its plain to see why the makers of Scary Movie found it so easy to spoof these 'teen slasher' movies. They are so unbelievably formulaic. And if Valentine had been released a year or so earlier, I'm sure they would have been spoofing this film too - that's if they found any actual original material to distinguish it from the Screams, I know what you did last summers, and Urban Legends.
Valentine offers nothing new to this genre, except a better than usual ending which, of course, leaves lots of room for the inevitable sequel. As always, a masked psychotic killer stalks a bunch of beautiful young women, killing the main character's friends, one by one, in typically over the top style. Lots of T&A on display, no character development, bad acting, and overly elaborate bloodshed.
The thing I can't stand about these kind of movies is that they pass themselves off as 'who done its?'. The thing is that they aren't because the motive is only revealed once the killer has unmasked, and tells the main character who's friends have now all been murdered. Usually something that was never made at all clear during the film anyway (eg. main character's mother's uncle's fishing partner kicked his friend's father's dog). Everybody still left alive throughout the film is a 'suspect', but they are more 'Red Herrings' than suspects. As we all know at this point the main character manages an implausible escape and kills the unmasked psycho killer after the motive is revealed.
Valentine followed this formula almost to the letter. ***************SPOILER!!!!!! (mini spoiler anyway)*************** In Valentine the motive was not revealed, but more, left for you to think about given that the film didn't quite conclude in the typical 'teen slash' way. The issue is only part resolved, and the goal of the lead killer may or may not have been fulfilled by surviving the bloodshed and killing almost everybody. Will the killer want more, or were the demons truly vanquished?
This still didn't make Valentine a good film, instead it simply saved it from being as bad as usual, which still doesn't count for much. To anybody thinking of making another film along these lines, please don't. Originality is so important, and its hard to see any originality coming out of this genre.
You Can Count on Me (2000)
Loved it
This is a great film. It wasn't flashy or sensationalistic, like so many of its peers are when they need to get a point across. Instead it was intelligently written, and superbly acted.
There is a quality about this film in which the viewer feels compelled to relate to the characters, and what they are going through, even if the viewer has never shared any of those feelings.
Laura Linney, gave a great performance. She should have been given the Oscar runner up (behind Ellen Burstyn of course). To me she was a good person, trying to be a great role model for two kids that she needed to be. Her dedication in parenting her son, and in some regards her wayward brother compel her to lose grip on other elements around her (her work and love life). Mark Ruffalo was also brilliant. He brought about the sense of lack of direction that so many of us feel, better than anyone that I can remember. When on screen at the same time, Linney and Ruffalo were great. I love to see it when two great actors complement each other, instead of one out shining the other. The scene that the two share in the restaurant near the beginning of the film is an absolute gem.
I would recommend this film to anyone. I found it to be a very worthwhile and rewarding film. I give it a 9/10
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Brutal and excruciating
The only thing more baffling than how movies this bad could ever be made is how movies this bad could go to #1 in the box office. I despair for humanity at times. The Wedding Planner features a rehashed and unoriginal plot, poor acting, no funny moments, and a ridiculous scene where Jennifer Lopez is prepared to risk getting flattened by a runaway dumpster in order to pull her shoe out of a hole in the street. riiiiiight!
Glam (1997)
What was this supposed to be?
If anyone who has seen this movie has any idea what on earth this was then please post a comment because I am absolutely baffled. 'Glam' is the most incomprehensible trash that I have ever seen.
The only thing that I can think of is that the director wanted to criticize Hollywood for its lack of spirituality. But if you were to make a movie of this theme, would you make it like this?? I hope not. Sex, offensive language, drug use, violence. This would be the Natural Born Killers approach to wallow in the things that you claim to be criticizing. I got the feeling that the strippers scene was added for no other reason than that the director wanted an NC-17.
The movie itself is painful. The direction is terrible. The use of brash colors makes the film hard to look at. Yet the worst is the characters who are mostly a bunch of strange pathetic retards who just wont shut up. All they do is talk talk talk, to themselves mostly, repeating themselves over and over until you just want to throw a brick through your TV just to make them shut up. It did seem to be dreadfully acted, but seeing as I have no idea about what the director wanted to do with this film, perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Maybe they put in the years best performances as annoying, loud mouth, deliberate bad actors, in movie made to make you think it had a point. See the film, and you'll realize that is a lot more plausible than you might have thought - but then again, for god's sake don't see the film!
Without a doubt, the worst film I have ever seen. Tony Danza - what happened to you sunshine?
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
The most mind blowing film I have ever seen
After watching Requiem For A Dream at the cinemas, a friend and I had to help a girl out who looked like she was about to collapse. This movie left her in such a shocked state that she was unable to walk out on her own until about 10 minutes after the credits had stopped rolling.
This is one incredibly disturbing film.
Natural Born Killers, Se7en, Kids, Man Bites Dog, 8MM, Clockwork Orange, Bad Lieutenant, Silence of the Lambs - none of these films left any real mark on me. But Requiem effected me more than anything I have ever seen.
Without going to into detail that so many others below me already have, I'll outline what makes this film so unlike anything you have ever seen. It operates at an emotional level that no other film has ever matched. The acting is absolutely stunning, and the directing, editing and musical score create an ambiance that is completely new. These factors take you into the lives of the four very likeable main characters. You see their dreams, you aspire with them, and you take the downward spiral to oblivion with them as well.
10/10 Requiem For A Dream really should have swept the oscars this year.
The Way of the Gun (2000)
The most violent, gun-crazy action flik of the year
I loved it!!!
I now have to say that I'm a huge fan of Christopher McQuarrie. Usual Suspects was brilliant, so was this for completely different reasons.
There were a few elements in The Way of The Gun that stood out to me. Firstly, there are no good guys. I loved the way that early in the film they actually elude to how the good guys always win, yet as it goes along you start to realize that there aren't any. Good guys are so boring.
The filming was excellent. Kind of reminiscent of Three Kings, and the way that movie used a lot of light, pastal colors to really enhance the story. There was just something about the filming in this movie that made it seem just that bit more realistic and gritty.
The twists and ironies. I have a feeling that the strong violence in the way may have caused some people to over look the intelligence of this film. Despite what some say, it was very well written.
The acting was great. Especially from the main two. Del Toro was suave as always, and I didn't know Phillippe could play such a nasty thug.
But the best bit about the way is the attention to detail. The kidnap and slow car chase scenes were incredibly well done. Perhaps the most authentic pieces of gun play you will see in a Hollywood movie this year.
9/10
American Psycho (2000)
A brilliant dark satire
After reading so many bad reviews from people who obviously didn't get this film at all, I feel I have to set the record straight. American Psycho is a satire. A very dark and horrific satire, but still a satire.
American Psycho, the book, is the most mind-blowing piece of fiction I have ever read. It is a very cleverly written book, yet the violence depicted is so explicit that I found it hard to continue reading in parts. The film is only for those with thick skin, but compared to the book, its Disney.
Those who criticize the film for not being as violent as the book obviously fail to realize that if it was, it would have been banned in every country on the planet. While the majority of violence happens off-screen, I don't feel that this is in any way a disgrace to the book.
The best part of American Psycho is not the violence (which serves mainly as a distraction), but the narrative from Bateman, and the opportunity to go inside his head as see what pushes him over the edge. Patrick Bateman is a very wealthy, handsome, young, intelligent Wall St yuppie in the late 80's, who seemingly has everything. So the question put to the viewer is: What would turn a man like Bateman into such an angry, evil, sadistic psychopath? The answer is: The society and people around him.
Bateman's world, and that of his friend's, who all share similar lifestyles to him, is one that is dominated by image, one-upsmanship, and, most importantly, rampant materialism. From the examining of business cards, to demanding of having reservations at top restaurants even when not hungry, to Bateman's flawless knowledge of fine business suits, it is the never ending excessive materialism of the New York yuppie which drives Bateman insane. As Christian Bale quoted of his character "with Bateman the clothes really do make the man".
While Bateman comes off as a completely ruthless man who is a master of everything in his environment, in reality its completely different. The materialism which consumes Bateman and his friends, also leaves them nameless. Often, Bateman is mistaken for someone else by a colleague of his. It is only Bateman's bloodlust which makes him feel like an individual.
For those who have never read the book, and watch this movie for the first time the twist at the end (the most redeeming twist ever) may seem ridiculous. However, this is a film that when watched for a 2nd time will make complete sense. There are so many subtle hints throughout this movie (such as in the opening titles when what appears to be dripping blood in fact turns out the be decorative sauce on one of Bateman's ultra expensive power lunches) that will seem so obvious the 2nd time, but were understandably ignored the 1st time around when confronted by Bateman's violence. Remember, this entire film is narrated though the eyes of Bateman, so things are not always as they seem.
All in all this was an amazing film. The acting was flawless. Christian Bale absolutely stole this show. To get inside Bateman's head and do it this convincingly was quite a feat .The imagery was deceptive and clever, and the musical score fitted the film perfectly.
10/10 - the best film of 2000
p.s. does anyone else find it extremely difficult to even imagine Leonardo DiCaprio playing Patrick Bateman? No way could he have pulled this off.
Dead Presidents (1995)
Powerful, but so so violent
I think the title of this film, as well as the associated art work was a bit misleading. For the most part, this film is not about an armed robbery. In fact, you have to wait for a looong time before a robbery is even mentioned.
This film is a gritty drama about a few young black kids from the Bronx who finish school and go straight to fight in Vietnam. The film does have some war scenes from Vietnam. This is where the strongest, most upsetting violence is so you are a bit squeamish, it might be a good idea to press fw at this point.
The boys make it back to the Bronx a few years afterwards. They are not welcomed and there is now very little opportunity for them. This is essentially the point behind this film - that America turned its back on those who served it during the Vietnam war. With hope running out, they devise the plan for a big armed robbery.
All in all this is quite a good movie. If you were expecting an out and out action movie, this isn't what you expected. It's a slow moving drama with some very brutal violence and a lot of expletives, but its also a very powerful story with some exceptional acting.
Watch it, but prepare to be confronted by it.
7/10