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Reviews
The Sum of All Fears (2002)
I can't believe people liked this
The plot was dumbed down, I suppose so that it could fit into under 2 1/2 hours. Regardless of the reason, the outcome was a poor, flawed plot with virtually no room for any character development.
Frankly, it sucked.
CBS Schoolbreak Special: Contract for Life: The S.A.D.D. Story (1984)
A gem of a film.
I first saw this film in my driver's education class in high school. I was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of William Zabka (you remember him as Johnny Lawrence from "The Karate Kid"). I didn't think much of the rest of the film, as I was watching it in class and no doubt had some homework to do.
A friend of mine from college saw the box lying around in a movie bin at a local video store and he saw Zabka's picture on the cover, so he decided to buy it for me as a joke because he knew what a fan of "The Karate Kid" I am. We watched it and we were fascinated by a few things: the blatant overacting; the relationship between David Shaw, the new transfer, and Lucy Wilson, the high school sweetheart who "likes to maximize rejection"; and the use of the word 'forgetaboutthem'. Upon subsequent viewings (and there have been many), we found even more interesting the film's social commentary as depicted by Shaw's relationships with the African-American (Marcus) and the homosexual (Reynolds).
An interesting sidenote to the social commentary is the discussion of drinking and driving and the devastation it can cause - to a family, to a hockey team, and to a new kid's relationship with the (now former) captain's ex-girlfriend.
In all seriousness, though, if you are a driver's ed teacher, please show this film to your class. It demonstrates the formation of a great group which has now changed its name to Students Against Destructive Decisions, and it shows how drunk driving can impact so many people so terribly. As a joke to your class, point out some of the things I mentioned in this review, especially about William Zabka's role and the homosexual tendencies of Reynolds, and I'm sure your class will watch more intently.
The Karate Kid (1984)
Some things you may have missed from the best movie of all time.
I assume most people who are reading this review have already seen the film (after all, who hasn't?), so I'm going to focus on some thinks that you may have missed when you did see it.
Johnny is rolling joints in the bathroom at the Halloween dance.
Daniel tries really hard to swallow Ali when they kiss outside Golf 'N Stuff.
Daniel has never been as excited in his life as he was when he scored against Ali playing bubble hockey. Just look at the face he makes.
Freddie Fernandez's shirt at the beginning of the movie says, "Makin' Bacon" and portrays two pigs doing it.
When Daniel and his mother are eating at the Orient Express, you can see Bobby talking to his Cobra Kai cronies and then run back to them when he sees that Daniel is in the restaurant.