Change Your Image
traveler7575
Reviews
The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000)
Try looking a little deeper.
Wow! So many negative comments and poor reviews on this movie!
People, please, we all know that Audrey was one-of-a-kind and no one can possibly look or act exactly like her. Just accept that and realize that this movie is intended to give us a brief glimpse of her (early) life's experiences. It's not a documentary!
I, for one, see a kind of special, youthful innocence and love-for-life in Jennifer Love Hewitt -- similar to that same sweetness that Audrey was famous for. I would like to think that there are others who also see this quality in her. Ok, so she doesn't look like Audrey -- grow-up / get over it -- how many film biographies can you name where the actor/actress was a perfect clone of the subject?
If you can be intelligent enough to look beyond detailed physical comparisons of hair and body, you may just discover a very entertaining piece of work that shares some interesting details you wouldn't have learned from just watching "Roman Holiday" or "Sabrina".
Overall, I think JLH naturally demonstrates that child-like exuberance and enthusiasm that was Audrey. I was equally impressed by her ability to copy some of Audrey's mannerisms. Good job J-Love !!
My recommendation: Give this movie a look. I'm going to buy it and give it it's rightful place as the epilogue to my Audrey collection.
Mermaid (2000)
Child Prodigy
A warm, touching movie that has a fantasy-like quality.
Ellen Burstyn is, as always, superb.
Samantha Mathis has given many great performances, but there is just something about this one will haunt your memory.
Most of all, you've got to see this amazing 5-yr. old, Jodelle Ferland. I was so captivated by her presence, I had to buy the movie so I could watch her again and again. She is a miracle of God's creation.
Judging by the high IMDB rating, I'm not the only one who was mesmerized by this young actress.
Duets (2000)
Very sweet and satisfying
Quite frankly, I don't understand why this movie isn't rated higher on the IMDB. Could it be that the majority of the viewers responding are "children of the 90's" who cannot appreciate any music that pre-dates hip-hop and rap?
This movie does a great job of weaving together the lives of many different people who are on the road to discovering themselves. It does this in a very sweet and satisfying way by developing characters that almost anyone should be able to identify with.
First-rate acting by all, especially non-actor Huey Lewis, who does a great job here. I found Gwyneth Paltrow's character particularly unique and quite different from anything I've seen her do before -- an adorable combination of innocent / timid little girl, self-sufficient woman of Vegas, and budding song-temptress.
The best treat of all -- that most of the actors do their own singing and they're so good!!
Maria Bello just sizzles and smolders. Paul Giamatti is astounding in his rendition of "Try a Little Tenderness". And Gwyneth, what a pleasant surprise, has the voice of an angel. You're left thinking, "These people could be cutting records if they wanted". It's no wonder the producers wisely decided to release this sound track on CD.
Sci-fi and action-junkies should skip this one. However, if you have even the slightest capacity to feel emotion, to relate to real people experiencing real-life pain and pleasure, you will like, maybe even love, this movie.
Don't wait, you'll be rewarded, I promise.
Roman Holiday (1953)
Absolutely Audrey at her best.
If you're not an Audrey Hepburn fan, this movie may convert you.
Her performance here defies description. At this stage in her career, she is so genuine and pure -- yet to be influenced by too many acting lessons or too many directors.
Her natural talent displayed here is nothing short of magical. She begins this story as a precocious teen, resenting her royal responsibilities, and gradually blossoms into a very worldly, very sensual young woman.
I defy any man to watch this movie and not fall in love with her.
Sling Blade (1996)
Poor showing for Billy Bob
I'm sorry, but the plot, content, and yes, even the acting in this film left me feeling just plain disappointed.
Maybe I was influenced by the fact that I had already seen Billy Bob Thornton in a number of later movies before renting this one. So I already knew him to be an intelligent and talented actor.
Now, to see him pucker-up his face in mimic of a severe underbite, stare off in the distance repeatedly mumbling, "I reckon, ummm-hmmm" and suddenly, wow, I'm so convinced that he's a mentally-challenged murderer?
The way he portrays this character is just outright corny.
John Ritter, a brilliant actor, in this performance shows all the signs of struggling with a bad script and poor direction.
The one shining star in this film is Dwight Yoakum. He is most convincing as the menacing, abusive, alcoholic boyfriend.
The ending, however, can only be described as trite.
Ruby in Paradise (1993)
Like watching paint dry.
First, let me state that I am a big fan of Ashley Judd; that's why I was curious to check out this, her debut role. No argument that her talent is apparent and her performance excellent. I guess I can also see how the professional critics liked the aesthetic content of the story. However, I like to think that movies are meant to entertain us and that is where this movie fails.
By the halfway point, I found myself thinking, "How much longer do we have to watch a bored shop girl, idly standing around a deserted souvenir shop, rearranging the merchandise?" It seemed to go on forever!
Then, I thought, maybe this is one of those movies where the director tries to lull the audience into a relaxed state before hitting them with some dynamic event. No such luck. The movie continues it's bland, boring, uneventful story all the way to the end.
I'm not saying this because I'm an action-junkie. I like all kinds of movies, especially romantic-comedies. But I expect to be entertained.
Add the fact that the cinematography and sound quality are comparable to your neighbor's bad home movies. Depressing!
I just don't get how anyone could like this movie. Zero-entertainment value. The longest 114 minutes of my life.