Reviews

Here is a test for sci-fi writers. You must write a script where:

1. The car always starts. 2. People DON'T start searching for the vampire 30 minutes before sundown. 3. There ISN'T a storm during the climatic ending. 4. Someone DOESN'T go into the house, open the door (box) whatever, after being told NOT TO. 5. Pollution doesn't play a part in the monster's growth. 6. All the 'bad' people DON'T get eaten; some of the 'good' people do. 7. The kids aren't so precocious you WANT them to die. 8. The adults actually make sensible decisions. 9. The characters take precedence over EFX. 10.EFX are less...not more.

Here is a test for sci-fi writers. You must write a script where:

1. The car always starts. 2. People DON'T start searching for the vampire 30 minutes before sundown. 3. There ISN'T a storm during the climatic ending. 4. Someone DOESN'T go into the house, open the door (box) whatever, after being told NOT TO. 5. Pollution doesn't play a part in the monster's growth. 6. All the 'bad' people DON'T get eaten; some of the 'good' people do. 7. The kids aren't so precocious you WANT them to die. 8. The adults actually make sensible decisions. 9. The characters take precedence over EFX. 10.EFX are less...not more.

I've tried to watch this film all the way through 3 time. Fell asleep every time. Finally, on the 4th try I made it...unfortunately. This movie is why I intensely dislike outer space sci-fi. Too many people trying to make a 'meaningful' movie in space. A little too Camus for me. No...a LOT too Camus for me. I didn't care about these people one way or the other. I didn't care about Clooney's fantasy, reality, or anything in-between. I didn't get it. I'm not embarassed that I didn't get it. I'm GLAD I didn't get it. This movie is the epitomy of a director masturbating on film...and not very well. This is MORE than ten lines. They've got to change this rule. Some movies, like this one can be summed up in ONE line. It stinks.

Bears almost no resemblance to the book (unfortunately). Two of these kids are big enough to have jumped the grandmother AND the butler and gotten the hell out of there. They wander around like meek little mice and refuse to question their mothers sanity. They make half-hearted attempts to escape but not really. The boy is the worst when it comes to standing up for the kids. They let this bible-thumping crazy grandmother reek havoc on their lives and their mothers (who's already nuts). She's (the mother) already allowed the grandmother to pay her back for what she considers 17 years of sin. It just goes on and on till the writer and director have decided they're never going to get the book on film. They shrug their shoulders and walk away from the film at the end. This might be a great re-make in a few years with a well-thought-out script, a good director and especially a good cast.

I wish I could use just one line. I wish Richard Harris had never done this movie. I wish the Whale had eaten Charlotte Rampling. What to do what to do. A killer whale is chasing me because I killed it's baby. How about...MOVE TO ARIZONA! Unless the whale has some frequent flyer miles to use up, or a railroad ticket handy, it's not going there. But that's too logical a thought for this man. No, he going to do the macho thing and see who's the biggest fish in the sea. I was rooting for the whale all the way. But, this is the 70's. I'd hoped we'd be seeing more sensible, thought provoking movies by now. But 'B' screenwriters haven't learned much. This IS ten lines.

I pity the people who have become so dependent on efx, blood, gore and technology they can't appreciate a movie like this! They have lost a major part of their lives...imagination. They may regain it but not if they can't appriciate a movie like this. Cain and Duvall deliver their expected greatness. Osment (contrary to some statements) DOESN'T still seems like he's doing A.I. He's very good as a teen in transition. The animals play a major part in this fun movie, too. See this movie. But put the jaded adult away for awhile. This in extra writing to use up the ten lines. I've said it all. What more can I say? This IS ten lines! Your verw comments is screw up!

OK, that's it! When are we going to demand of the Sci-Fi channel that they stop making this crap?! Komodo was fair, but THIS....IS....CRAP! It's an excuse for a little T&A and a lot of bad acting, writing, and directing. It's not even worth a review except I'm hoping this will save a lot of people some money should they decide to rent it. This movie has NO REDEEMING QUALITIES!

To say Johnny Depp is amazing in this movie is an understatement. He is remarkable...from his slight, drunken slur to his swagger. How he changes his voice to play Captain Jack Sparrow is the stuff awards are made of. It never falters. His screen presence is everything in this movie along with Geoffrey Rush'. I've love Edward Scissorhands to From Hell starring Johnny Depp...but this is the icing on the cake. I really hope they DON'T make a sequel unless someone takes the time to write one that's really good...and then if Depp doesn't do it, it's pointless.

This film has been put down a lot (I suspect by people who have grown jaded and lost their imagination), but it is amazing. The sets and costumes alone are worth watching the movie. Terry Gilliam's mind is a wonderful place to live. It holds every fantasy as a child you put in secret little boxes and hid from adults. You can do anything in this movie. Forget Universal laws. They don't exist here.

As with all really good movies you're going to get some nay sayers; critics who are certain they could have witten it better; cast it better; or directed it better. Just go! See Alec Baldwin give a definitive performance. See William H. Macy prove he is not just good...he's great. See Maria Bello eschew glamour for acting. And, see the supporting cast REALLY support.

This is a simple story turned inside out and upside down. It is the result of too many sweets before bedtime; or a bad ham sandwich. I'll never eat frog legs after this! You stare at the screen, mouth agape, and try to take it all in. You can't. It's surreal cinema at it's best. You wouldn't want a steady diet of this but until now you haven't even had that option. Can't stop humming that damned tune.

There's a movie channel in LA called 'B' Mania. You can see some of the worst 'fun' movies on it. They wouldn't dare show this one. I expected Richard Moll to lapse in his 'Bull' character at any moment. The CGI is bad, the acting is bad, the movie is bad. Period.

I was doing okay with this. Cheesey, but okay. Then, Julia Campbell started shooting the (bad CGI ants) with a shotgun! Mitch Pillegi played it straight, trying to give it his all. Definitely give this one a pass unless you have absolutely nothing to do some night and are bored out of your mind.

Where to begin. How about the CIA hero who's has at least 3 opportunities to stop the bad guy...but is afraid to. No hero here. Or the fact the efx (which are horrible) can't decide how big the Octopus is. Sometimes it's bigger than a submarine...then a cruise ship. Then, it's 3 times the size of a cruise ship. Make up your mind! Next, we hear a lot about there's an octopus attacking us BUT WE NEVER SEE IT (which is a blessing). Rivaled only by Octopus II for 'cheese'. Couldn't even have fun laughing at it.

Have just finished Angels In America. It's almost impossible to comment on this work right now. We are almost never graced with fare like this on the lowly TV. This isn't a mini-series...this is the best movie of 2003, in any media! Mike Nichols has taken Tony Kushner's miraculous play, added Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Emma Thompson, the remarkable Justin Kirk, Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Shenkman, Jeffrey Wright and a remarkable supporting cast and allowed them to run with the ball! With a crew that any director would kill to have (espcially in the design/art department), and cinematography. Nichols lightly guides the play through what could be pitfalls to a superb climax. There are not enough superlatives to say what these people have done. No one BUT NO ONE should ever play Roy Cohn again. Al Pacino says it all and puts a 'finis' to the character. Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, and Mary-Louise Parker are above reproach in their performances! Justin Kirk (Wow!), Ben Shenkman, Joe Pitt and, especially, Jeffry Wright are so 'on the mark' it's almost scary. I'm highly suspect about the motives of anyone who doesn't find this one of the most soul-searching experiences of their life.

Haven't even finished part 1 and I can already tell you...if you miss this you will be missing one of the greatest events in entertainment history. No, not entertainment, profound, soul-searching drama with a cast who doesn't just perform, they give you 200%. They are flawless! And Nichols direction is mesmerizing.

Why do reviewers on here try to review this movie like it's a film? This a Hollywood MOVIE!!! Not a film. Schindler's List is Film, Vertigo is a Film! There's a big difference. JAWS was a movie (one of the best ever made). Schindler's List was a Film (one of the top 5 ever made). Movies are for having fun...Films are for exercising your gray matter.

Where oh where are the movies like this, which let you use what little gray matter you have left after watching the new spate of drivel films. Every now and then you need to see a film like this which isn't wrapped up in a cute little box, replete with bow. Watch this with a group of friends then sit back and listen to and watch the show...after the show. You gain a lot of insight into your friends when you hear them discuss this film.

All I could think of through this incredible film is that I hope the Whites who did this to these people had a horrible and painful end, preferably staked out on an ant hill and their bodies shredded. This is very much like the American Indians were treated. Someone on here said they couldn't see or believe how this could happen. I suggest this person read their history books or, better yet, go visit these two remaining women and tell them it's a lie. Boy, do whites love going into denial about these things. I've been to Australia twice and found the Aborigines (who weren't corrupted by the whites) to be amazing people. They have survived having their lands stolen, turned into slaves, and treated worse than animals...even today.

In this case 'understanding' is truly the boobyprize. One thing I'm sure of is, all the 'nay sayers' on here watched the entire movie and didn't turn it off...because, once you start watching, you can't stop. Spader is mesmerizing. So, too, most of the other actors. What Cronenberg is doing is making us look at our voyeur tendencies. How many people do you see whiz past an accident without looking? If everyone told the truth, were they to come upon one of these scenes in real life, they would watch. They may not like this fact, but to deny it is to negate themselves as living beings.

Great direction and cast. Try to figure it out if no one's told you what's going on. Cusack, Liotta and the rest do an incredible job. Art direction is superb as well as cinematography. All combine to make a really fun movie to watch. I recommend this to all people whose brains function.