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Reviews
Shut Up & Sing (2006)
Interesting
I'm not going to say that it's one of the most excellent movies ever made or that it's a total disaster either, because it's neither of those things. If there is one thing that this film stands out for the most, it is the right of the individual. Natalie really shouldn't have apologized for what she said, but she probably did it because of the anticipated backlash. This doesn't make her a bad person though, nobody likes to have horrible things thrown their way.
Although, the funny thing is, Natalie said something just about Bush and not about any of his compatriots. If Bush wanted to say something badly about Natalie himself, he could've. Instead, all of his little supporters jumped on Natalie's case for him. And he just stood back and said that they shouldn't be upset if people don't support them anymore. It's such a shame that people at the time that Natalie said what she said thought and acted like an insult of the president was an insult of the whole country. I think that idea is one of those things that this film is trying to put to rest.
One part of the film that really caught my attention was when that guy sent the ladies that letter which stated that Natalie was going to die at the Dallas, TX concert. Natalie, when she was shown a picture of the guy, said "He's cute," and both I and a family member could tell that the wheels were turning in her head. As if she were trying to figure him out, or something. Anyway the documentary itself offered an interesting look into the world of the sisters, and how the experiences affected them personally. It is worth a viewing or two.
Basic Instinct 2 (2006)
Give it a chance...It'll grow on you
On the day that this movie was released into theaters, a not-so-well known critic said that it "came up all wet". He said that the rest of the movie was good, but Sharon Stone's performance was less than desirable. Was it because she was an older woman getting the younger boys? Or was it because he expected her to soften up and act sweet? Perhaps I'll never know.
Anyway, it's a sequel; so of course it's not going to be as awesome as the original. Few sequels are. Now that that's out of the way...
The story line is tight, daring, and suspenseful. The acting is great. The music is incredible. The character Catherine Trammel is back to doing what she does best, which is toying with people's minds and luring them to their doom while she writes lurid and incredible books about it.
Some critics, and people in general, should hold judgment until they really look at what they're critiquing. This movie still might not appeal to some people, but it is definitely worth a view. I'll certainly be watching for the next Basic Instinct film.
Vertigo (1958)
Definitely Worth Seeing
The story follows a retired detective with an immense fear of heights, which is ultimately used against him in a spine-tingling murder plot hatched by a an old college buddy of Scotty's who wants to be free of his wife. Scooty is hired to follow his friend's wife and is subtly tricked into thinking that the wife is suffering from a delusion that she is another woman who ultimately committed suicide after her child was taken away by a rich and powerful man. Scotty becomes obsessed with his friend's wife, and after she dies, he slips into a silent depression. When he finds a woman who looks very much like the woman that he lost, he seeks to make her over to look like the woman that he lost. The rest of the movie is so good that I'm not even going to share it with you. You're just going to have to see it for yourself.
Everything from the shots, to the editing, to the acting, and the direction was wonderful. This film is one of my all-time favorites. It is absolutely irresistible. Anyone who hasn't seen it really should.
The Raven (2006)
Just awful, not even 'arty'...
It could've been a comedy if it were written and edited better and didn't have so much gore and sex. No wait, scratch that...It wouldn't have even made a good comedy.
A family member talked me into seeing this film. After I read the plot outline on the back cover, I had a change of heart and said "Okay, we'll see it." I wish I hadn't. A lot of what could have been meaningful dialog and action was totally wasted on building suspense for the dumb killer, who took too darn long on each kill. Toward the latter part of the film, both of us burst out laughing. It was all we could do to save ourselves from having our brains completely messed up by the stupid plot. The killer looked just plain ridiculous with his plaid pants and foo-man fingers. I almost wished for Michael Myers to come in and do away with him. The stupidity of the killer is outdone only by the stupidity of the victims. Only one of the victims even fought back for God's sake! And the dialog of the killer? "All B****es Must Die." What is that?! There is good nonsense and bad nonsense. This film is not even good nonsense.
If you pick it from the shelf, PUT IT BACK...
V for Vendetta (2005)
Every Vigilante's Dream...
The plot is like a giant web that connects all the characters and involves them, whether they wish to be involved or not. It is about a hero/villain named V who seeks vengeance against those who hurt and disfigured him. Evey Hammond gets involved in the plot when she tries to visit her boss and is almost hurt by fingermen. V rescues her and brings her with him to the site where he explodes the Old Bailey. After that, she is involved whether she wants to be or not, because the police think she is a suspect.
This film is intelligent and engrossing. I always come away from it thinking about the themes of the story and how they pertain to history. While this movie came out in the U.S, there was some talk about how it, and other films, were somehow protesting what the Bush administration was doing. However, I think that anyone who sees this film will get a kick out of it, whether they are the left-wing or right-wing.