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Reviews
CollegeTown USA (2003)
Solid docu-comedy with real info for the interested.
Collegetown, USA, is an ongoing series that probes college campuses for the real dirt on what students should expect upon arrival. Make no mistake, the majority of it is comedy, and certain bits damn near had me on the floor.
But there is real info here, too. Important factoids such as tuition, dorm costs, academic focuses, and honest looks at the student body, are all a part of the show. There's very little inhibition to what the host, Christopher Underwood, will ask (or even do) to engage the students. A lot of it does involve drinking. But a lot of college involves a lot of drinking for huge swaths of students. So this isn't a bad thing; it's honest.
As the host, Christopher looks the part of a kid in the college scene.. This is hugely important, I don't know how well it would work any other way. He's charming and funny, without being mean or intimidating.
The writing is solid, though some bits are noticeably funnier than others. The production values are low, but they don't need to be any higher for the goal of the show: comedic info-tainment about college life.
I've managed to see a few episodes now, and I hope to see more. Count me as a fan.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Everything it needs to be.
Taken on it's own merits, meaning not to be harshly compared with the book it's based on, this series has to be one of the ten best things in cinema history.
There are story elements in the book that are missing in the series, as everyone knows, and Return of the King is no exception -- particularly, in my mind, the final scenes.. For the amount of time that Peter Jackson felt he had to tell this ending of the film trilogy, however, I feel it's everything it needs to be.
The important thing is that the heart of the story is intact, complete, I think, with all the meaning and emotion that could be transferred to celluloid.
I've read a complaint or two about the ending being too long. To these remarks I can only express bafflement. It's a discouraging sign of the 'mtv generation', so to speak, that once massive conflict has been resolved that the credits must then roll. This is something like a 10.5 / 11 hour event all told. 20 extra minutes of denouement is not only acceptable, it's demanded. Do not blame the film for your attention problems, for the fault is with your own stunted sense of interest.
In my mind, I would have liked even greater time spent in finishing the story...More literal-minded fans of the book itself will probably agree..not to spoil the story for those unfamiliar.
The battle sequences are, in a word, incredible. The performances are uniformly strong. The story itself is full of heart and the truth of what it means to be a man (and woman), the lengths we go to for fellowship, and the strength we can summon in our darkest hour.
My particular favorite moment in the film, as of the moment of writing this rather glowing review, is Eowyn's dealings with the Witch-King. But I was predestined to enjoy it, as I found it a great moment in the book as well.
Jackson and his team spared no expense in their labors. The cinema-appreciating public should do the same to support their finished product.
Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)
Movie: Inept Bland Action vs Nonexistent Story (2002) SPOILERS
This movie wasn't the worst I've ever seen...But as action movies go this 'gem' needed a lot more. I'm not an action snob (or any other type of movie snob for that matter), but this flick couldn't cut mustard.
The premise is....Well to be honest it's a little sketchy what the premise is. They lay it out for you, but you don't really care.
I don't know what pipe people have been hitting when they claim high-end action sequences are a part of this film. I can count maybe two nice, short, small sequences. Not worth $10, in my opinion.
If Kaos wanted to go for some solid over-the-top action, he should have gone whole hog. Instead we're treated to underwhelming hand-to-hand combat (The high point, Liu vs. Park, should have been phenomenal..instead it was a snoozer), explosions you've seeen before (big, bright, and boring), and inexplicable logic (what was the deal with the motorcycle chase? Was that supposed to be exciting? Could Banderas not, after years and years, at least have gained a clue that his wife might not be dead?...I won't go on..).
The performances are fine, not that anyone has much dialogue to work with. I heard Banderas did a lot of his own stunts for this. If so that's cool and all, though I wish it was for a more memorable movie.
I didn't know this was loosely based off of a video game. That does explain the two-dimensionality present.
Long story short (too late), this was an interesting idea spoiled with uneventful action and poor editing. If you do see the movie I think you'll agree that a lot of stuff hit the editing room floor that could have elucidated the plot in a more clear and interesting way. The trade-off is that it would probably be slower paced...But in comparison with what they have now that could be okay.
My Best Friend's Wife (2001)
Just fine
I enjoyed this film, and it did actually make me think about relationships, specifically monogamy and such. The writing and direction are clever at times, and the performances are uniformly efficient at telling the story. That's the best and worst I can say about it, meaning nothing was really stand-out, but nothing was *wrong* per se, either.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Refreshing
Every now and then a moviegoer needs to be throttled and jolted into the realm of 'something different', where old preconceptions of what makes a piece of cinema great are shaken and new ideas form. For me, Requiem was just such a movie. This is not a happy, heroic, inspiring movie. It's gritty, nauseating, and visceral. And that's what it should be. This movie, to me, is about void. Complete apathy mixed with despair, and occasionally glimpsed moments of hope. On a less pedantic note, I simply think the cinematography, direction, editing, and most of all the performances in Requiem are just great. Here, in particular, we see Marlon Wayans escape the confines of just being a 'funnyman', we see Jennifer Connelly prove without question that she's a strong talent (just now being really recognized by the industry, prior to this she had some real token-female roles), we see Jared Leto prove he's not a pretty-boy...and then there's Ellen Burstyn, a remarkable actor inexplicably kept from Academy Award glory (for what it's worth). This is probably my favorite movie. I have voted another movie or two higher (I voted this movie at an 8), but that is because with those I could repeatedly view them...Requiem gets to me, under my skin, enough that I can only watch it every now and then. Enjoy!