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The Visit (2000)
POWERFUL
This movie will change the way you think.
Sent to jail for a crime he didn't commit, Alex (HILL HARPER, He Got Game) must now fight to win his parole. His fight, however, is not with the prison authorities, but with himself. From behind the jail cell bars Alex looks on at the middle class life he left behind and his brother Tony (OBBA BABATUNDE, Life) who now has everything Alex does not. Visits from his parents (BILLY DEE WILLIAMS, MARLA GIBBS), his childhood sweetheart (RAE DAWN CHONG) and the prison psychiatrist (PHYLICIA RASHAD) start to rebuild Alex. Each visit teaches him to love not just the world, but himself. As this spiritual adventure of the heart reaches its unexpected climax, Alex shows us how we can all become better people when we face the demons inside us.
I really, really love this film, and think I am much better off for having seen it.
Irish Eyes (2004)
Beautiful!
'Irish Eyes' or 'Vendetta' is an action-packed crime-drama that follows two Irish-American brothers in Boston from childhood to adulthood as they rise to power on opposite sides of the law.
The story begins in 1955 at a shipyard in South Boston. John Phelan, a burly dock worker with a thick Irish brogue, argues with two Mafioso over the strongarm tactics of the Italian-controlled union. The altercation turns physical and John, an adept pugilist, sends his enemies away limping. The following morning John kisses his wife and sons goodbye. As he exits the house, bullets rip through his chest as the two mobsters casually walk away. SEAN (Daniel Baldwin) and THOMAS (John Novak) watch as their father lies dying in the street.
Eight years later, Sean and Thomas have taken completely different paths in life. Thomas studies with ambitions to make something of his life while Sean hangs out on street corners and dabbles in petty crime. Thomas eventually leaves for college and Sean, after a botched bank robbery attempt, winds up in prison.
The early 1980s: Sean Phelan is fresh out of jail. Irish gang wars have bloodied the streets, and like a moth to a flame, Sean soon finds himself climbing the ranks of Boston's Irish mob. Meanwhile, Thomas is just as hungry for power and recognition on his side of the law. Now a District Attorney, Thomas is mentored by his father in law, Jack McGuire, a man with enough clout to help Thomas rise through the ranks of city politics.
Their paths eventually cross in an unfogettable way as they're both forced to make decisions that will change their lives forever.
Tail Sting (2001)
Tail Sting will Infect you with Thrills
When a crate of genetically-created scorpions are transported from an Australian research center to an American pharmaceutical company, the insects are accidentally exposed to unrefined air and their thyroids respond by creating fast-working growth chromosomes.
Soon, the scorpions have grown into dangerous mutant arachnids. Crippling the aircraft, they attack the crew and passengers and knock out the communications system while the Queen scorpion forces the flight crew from the cockpit. As the airplane cruises blindly in autopilot over the icy Atlantic, the control tower loses contact with them altogether...
As time runs out, land is still far away. Don't be so quick to fasten your seatbelt!
A fascinating, intriguing story.
Savage Island (2004)
A Classic
Savage Island's raw savagery will scare the hell out of you! Trust me.
When the boy of the estranged Savage Family is run over by some city slicker tourists, Pa Savage wants revenge, and he'll stop at nothing until he gets it.
This is a real horror film with some truly wonderful horror moments.
Also, the negative review clearly comes from someone who lacks proper knowledge of film. The filmmakers chose the lighting and camera-work in order to reflect the dark, murky, and egdy mood of the story; in other words, to obtain a certain aesthetic.
In fact, the film has won SEVERAL horror film festival awards.
Pale Blue Moon (2002)
Nothing Blue About this Red Hot Movie!
This movie is one of those rare movies you can watch over and over again.
Here's my synopsis:
From the dark side of the moon, they came for him. They always come in threes, never twos, never fours and under no condition do they ever come alone. These aliens, Mor-gons or Moonies, are staging an invasion to take over the human race.
Under the pressure Simon Applewhite is coming undone. He is arrested in Giddings, Texas, while tampering with a radio tower in an effort to block alien communication to the moon. No one believes Simon, least of all John Lefsburg, the detective in charge of taking Simon to the mental ward.
Simon believes he was infected by the creatures when he was young. He decides to kidnap the goddaughter of the man he believes to be the ambassador of the aliens before she too is infected. John Lefsburg is faced with the decision to either stop Simon or to believe in him.
A film about the unreal realities that abound through our universe, Pale Blue Moon will take you on a trip you'll never forget.
Parasite (2004)
Deliciously Creepy!
I highly recommend this film.
I wrote down the synopsis as I think it may be helpful:
The costs of decommissioning an oilrig after its lifespan has ended are huge. Yoho Oil believes that it has found a solution that allows defunct rigs to be decommissioned safely by developing an enzyme that feeds off prevalent harmful commodities. A cleaning crew is assigned the task of spraying the Johnny Alpha rig with the enzyme. They have 24 hours to clean it and lay explosives that will release it from the seabed.
The rig's interior is sprayed with the enzyme, but, in its depths the bacteria are reacting with the remains of the oilrig's dead cat and a breeding ground is forming fast.
With the rig soon doused with bacteria, crew leader Hansen radios to the helicopter to pick them up. The reply comes back that a storm is approaching and there will be an overnight delay. Accustomed as they are to such setbacks, the crew makes the most of their situation and hold a party~ But something is moving in the lower bowels of the rig.
Kim and Jacob go to the roof of the rig and are getting more intimately acquainted when they notice a stream of slime dripping from above them and hear screams from below. Carefully they make their way to the noise and are shocked by what they see!
In the depths of the rig, there are giant parasites and they are growing rapidly, moving onto puddles of bacteria continually growing in size. Gio catches up with Kim and Jacob and they try to catch a vicious parasite but it spits acid in Gio's face. Kim goes for help as she recognizes this as the beginning of a mutation over which they have no control.
The power suddenly runs down and the rig is cast into darkness. By torchlight the remaining group start to construct makeshift weapons out of the backpack tanks.
Each carrying 'flame thrower' packs, they go to the generator room but discover that the cables that support the power have melted through in many different places and are covered in slime. Jacob slowly extends his hand towards the comer and touches something slimy and horrible.
As he pulls back his hand his flesh bubbles painfully and he is hit in the face by a thick spray of acid. The parasites are certainly in control!
There is just one way to be sure that all of the bugs are killed; the rig must be blown up. But where can the remaining team hide?
If you like scary, suspenseful movies, you'll love PARASITE.
Now & Forever (2002)
A Touching Story that Endures in Your Heart
Against a backdrop of clashing cultures, John Myron and Angela Wilson find each other and over the years form a powerful bond. One tragic night, John rescues Angela from a wicked act of betrayal.
Faced with its aftermath, Angela flees town, unaware that she has put into motion a dramatic and intense string of events that will forever change the course of their lives. Harboring a secret, John guides Angela to a shocking realization that will uncover the past.
Now & Forever is a dramatic contemporary love story combining elements of spirituality, heart and integrity. They say sooner or later all love stories will end; Now & Forever is the exception...
A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL FILM.
The Marksmen (1997)
Wonderful Film-making!
This movis is in the tradition of 'Rocky' and 'The Karate Kid.' It tells the story of Tommy Madden (JAY SCHILLINGER), a small town hero forced home upon the death of his mother to face a past he'd rather forget.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of scenic Wisconsin, THE MARKSMEN is a universal story about returning to our roots. After a four year absence, Tommy faces a grieving father, Hank (STEVE KANALY), an unscrupulous coach, Sam Weber (MARTIN KOVE) and his former high school sweetheart, Allison (MARTHA BYRNE).
Can Tommy rebuild his relationship with his father? Can he face his old girlfriend and explain why he left without a phone call or a letter? Finally, can he raise his arms once again in triumph against a foe who knows the deep secret that pulled him away from all he ever truly loved? Can he and all these people finally hit "the mark"?
It's only by facing his fears and trusting those he cares about that Tommy soon realizes there really may be no place like home. I give the filmmakers a lot of credit here because this part was very effective.
You see, running away is always easy. And, it's worked for Tommy in the past. When he stands on the field of life amongst his peers and the group of men who trust him, can Tommy make the right decision or will he flee into obscurity? Beautifully photographed with a soundtrack you won't forget, THE MARKSMEN is a must see!
The Limb Salesman (2004)
Awesome!
The disgraced doctor, Gabriele Goode a.k.a. The Limb Salesman, regenerates limbs on the black market. So this guy actually buys and sells limbs for a living. What a concept. I looked it up, and there are actually people like this. Gnarli!
When Gabe travels to the water mining regions of the north to heal the cherished daughter of a wealthy water miner, dark family secrets are revealed, and Goode is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice.
And get this, Gabe's got a mechanical heart that disallows him to feel too much. Far out! What happens when he starts to fall for the daughter? Get ready, get set, 'cause this movie's gonna knock your socks off!
Hungry Hearts (2002)
Delectable and Delicious!
Miles La Rue, our trusty hero, shows up for his chef gig thinking it's just another big party cooking for the rich and famous.
Handsome and clever, Miles is a world renowned gourmet chef, who's as well known as his clientele. But this week's blow out will change the course of his life forever.
Miles arrives at a luxurious Beverly Hills house to cook for a dozen party goers, but only four women show up. This doesn't stop them from eating all the incredible delicacies Miles has to offer and then some.
He wants his food to be appreciated, but this is ridiculous. The party continues and these beautiful women, all best friends in the throes of mid-life crises, keep eating with voracious appetites that go well beyond a simple need for food.
Miles slowly grows to understand: they're eating like there's no tomorrow because there literally's no tomorrow. This is their final hurrah, their last blow out. Miles tries to get out of the hectic situation, but the women know the popular chef has a secret, and are not afraid to use it against him.
Hungry Hearts is one of those fun dark comedies that overpowers your sensibilities with biting wit and hilarious insight.
Bottom line: Like a fine, smooth glass of Cabernet Sauvignon ;)
The King's Guard (2000)
Truth and Honor in the Days of Yore
This fine Medieval tale will fill your heart with a longing for the noble days of knights and castles!
Fleeing from an attack on the Castle, Princess Gwendolyn takes refuge in a ruin with the surviving members of her entourage, including seven of her father's elite King's Guard and their leader, Captain John Reynolds. She's managed to escape with her dowry, a treasure chest filled with gold. Finding themselves surrounded by fifty bandits, lead by the evil Lord Morton the royal party discover that the notorious traitor Augustus Talbert is fighting with the bandits. Talbert had been the former commander of The King's Guard, a man who had mysteriously betrayed the King.
He chases them through shire, wood, and meadow as the fight of good and evil wages on eternally. Who will win?
A Crack in the Floor (2001)
Stellar Film
This one of a kind, brilliant horror movie starring Mario Lopez, Tracy Scoggins and Gary Busey will scare the bejesus out of you. A group of hikers happens upon a seemingly deserted cabin out in woods. Little do they know the unthinkable awaits them. A deranged and isolated man, Jeremiah, who's last contact with civilization came 33 years ago, sees them, stalks them, and...
And there's the greatest scene with Gary Busey in which he plays a country bumpkin who's a few cans short of a twelver. Gives new meaning to the term "chickenhead." Think Hannibal Lecter, if you know what I'm saying.
Don't wait to see this orgasmically exciting and wonderfully horrific movie! That is, if you dare.
The Godson (1998)
HILARIOUS FUN
This is a great movie that you will enjoy over and over again. My brother and I saw this movie a couple of years ago and we still can't stop talking about it.
This is definitely a must see movie. It's one of those movies with a lot of great lines that you end up memorizing and that eventually become part of your vocabulary.
And like usual Dangerfield lives up to prodigious, talented self, God rest his soul, and delivers an outstanding performance. There's just so much to like about this movie. I could go on and on forever, but won't. Check it out for yourself and you will see.
Flight of Fancy (2000)
AYE CARUMBA!
Is Talisa Soto beautiful or what?
I would watch this movie just to see her, even though it is a family film. Besides starring Talisa, the film is actually great.
I bet that it will FLY YOU TO THE MOON like a Frank Sinatra ballad.
It's even the winner of the prestigious Hollywood Film Festival award for "BEST FAMILY FILM." Flight of Fancy fulfills the dreams and imagination of the viewer like a jaunt through Alice's Wonderland. Heartfelt and warm, this film will have you wishing for more, and loving every minute of its splendid story. Great acting, too.
In a word: OUTSTANDING!
Dunsmore (2003)
Like taking a wild ride on a CRAZY BULL!
This movie is a heck of a lot of fun!!!
Here's how it breaks down:
The death of a feared and hated man leads to a conspiracy of silence in this drama. Walter Taylor (Kadeem Hardison) is an investigator from the state attorney general's office who is sent to a small Southern town to investigate an unusual murder. Ronny Roy Pritchett (W. Earl Brown) was a town bully who could intimidate just about anyone into giving him what he wanted until he was found outside a local tavern one night with 40 shots in his body and no witnesses who would say they saw or heard the attack. With the help of cheerful but ineffectual Sheriff Miller (Rus Blackwell), Taylor begins questioning citizens about Pritchett, including his two wives (Jeanetta Arnette and Alicia Lagano), who have decidedly different memories of their late husband, and Mildred (Talia Shire), the wife of a local pastor who was murdered a few weeks before Pritchett. In time, Taylor begins to piece together a picture of Pritchett's REIGN OF TERROR in the town, as well as his brutally violent relationship with former Sheriff Breen (Barry Corbin). Directed by Peter Spirer, who previously made several respected documentaries on hip-hop culture, including Beef, Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel -- The Life of an Outlaw, and Rhyme & Reason, Dunsmore rocks out like rockstar!
Bottom line: you'll want more, more, MORE of Dunsmore!
Detour (1998)
A SMOKIN' GOOD MOVIE
Danny is brought into a scheme by his trusted friend and confidant, Ziggy Rotella to steal 1.2 million dollars from a warehouse safe owned by tough mob boss, Gianni Grasso. But the inside job turns out to be a trap set-up by Ziggy's informant, Mo Lasker.
The safe has already been cleaned out and worse. Grasso and his thugs show up to catch the apparent thieves. Guns are pulled, bullets fly and Danny and the gang narrowly escape a brutal shoot out.
Now on the run from Grasso and his cruel son, Rosy, Danny decides to go his own way and takes refuge in his hometown of Ellenso, a place he ran away from ten years ago.
This movie rocks and if you rent it or buy it, I promise you won't be disappointed!!!
Dark Asylum (2001)
AMAZING FILM!!!!!!!!!
This suspense filled movie about a diabolical, insane killer, a helplessly trapped psychiatrist, and a caught up in the mix janitor gives new meaning to the term astonishing! The doctor, played saucily by Paulina Porizkova, becomes trapped in an insane asylum at night with no way out. The deranged lunatic, performed admirably by Larry Drake Jr., hunts her down, as they play cat and mouse. Meanwhile, a hapless janitor, played brilliantly by Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club), tries to help the doctor, and survive the night. Will the sun rise before "The Thrasher" catches the doctor and janitor?
Rent or buy this exciting movie and find out!
Also: great directing by Gregory Gieras.
Clubland (1999)
Very Impressive!
What a movie! Rarely do we see in motion pictures such raw and honest reality as we do in this movie.
This sexy film about stardom and the difficult choices that come with it, explores the morality and consequences of a rock star life, and the sacrifices it takes to get there.
You will not be disappointed by this very worthy film, which is by the producer of Thelma and Louise. As well, a fascinating and moving soundtrack complements the film. A great job of acting the lead by Jimmy Tucket. Heck, Steven Tyler even makes a cameo.
This movie is simply great! Whatever you do, don't miss it.
Centipede! (2004)
Check this Film Out!
Centipede tells the story of a group of adventurers who find themselves trapped inside the Shankali Cavern with a giant centipede lurking and out to kill.
When the story begins, the main character, David, is about to marry and give up his adventurous lifestyle. But Jake, his childhood chum, talks him into one last caving expedition in the deep and treacherous Shankali Caverns. David and his trusty friends arrive in India, then enlist a local guide to take them into the underground caverns.
By campfire, the Guide offhandedly tells of the mysterious legend of the Shankali Cavern. Intrigued, the group wakes up early the following day and races to the cavern to begin the adventure. But danger lurks in the crevices close by: dark, horrible, grave danger!
This film has horrible, villainous creatures that will send chills up your spine! The characters are fresh, the settings are amazing, and the overall feel is outstandingly creepy.
Seriously, you've got to check this film out!
Butterfly Man (2002)
Pristine!
Butterfly Man is a touching and complex movie about the despair and hope of a British backpacker who finds a deeper sense of purpose in the colorful and beautiful world he experiences in Thailand. The visuals of this movie will make you feel that you are in an island paradise yourself, as they're filled with prelapserian visions of purity and sweetness.
Plus, there's a truly wonderful theme underneath the movie: the dangers of Colonialism and expansion, and the exploitation that such endeavors come with. I really liked this movie.
The two main characters, Adam and Em, acted expertly by Stuart Laing and Napakpapha "Mamee" Nakprasitte, share a passionate bond, one that will make you believe in the redemptive and soulful power of compassion.
The Bay of Love and Sorrows (2002)
Wonderful!
What a great movie. I just finished watching this after renting it at Hollywood Video. I couldn't wait to come on line and comment on it. The best part is the characters. They're so real. You get the sense that this could happen to you and start thinking what would I do in this situation? Plus the cinematography is great. I mean, there's all of these truly beautiful scenes on the Bay, and it's just great. The scenery and backgrounds are just sublime.
The story works well, too. A lot of films seem contrived with unbelievable events, but when you see these real characters and watch their lives unfold you really get the sense that this could happen. So if you haven't seen this film, I highly suggest that you do. In a word, it's WONDERFUL!
Valami Amerika (2002)
An Amazing, Heart Warming, Unforgettable Film!
You think you know America, well, guess again? After watching A Kind of America you will know a whole new America and laugh yourself silly. It's a really great movie about the funny parts of life that we all live for. The main actor is so funny with his facial expressions and the way he acts. It's like watching a European Charlie Chaplin or Woody Allen. Plus, the girls are sexy, and I don't mean the kind of sexy that makes you turn your head, I mean the kind of sexy that blows your eyes out of their sockets!!! I don't know much about directing, but the movie seems to have a nice, natural rhythm. You know how a lot of films feel choppy or sloppy? Not this one. It's really great. It's also cool because it makes fun of Hollywood, which is like Hollywood making fun of itself. Right? So check this one out, I guarantee you'll love it!
Bug Buster (1998)
Everything but Bugged Out: HILARIOUS FUN!
This movie ROCKS! Get ready to go bug hunting! With a stellar cast that includes Randy Quaid, George Takai from Star Trek and that goofy Scotsmen from Star Trek, too, Bug Buster is non stop fun.
Bug Buster combines goofy humor, great acting, and powerful storytelling. It is a timeless tale about bugs and the intricate world they inhabit. On the surface, the film is about just this, bugs, but upon deeper inspection the film comments on the tenderness of the human heart and the comprehensiveness of human compassion. Don't miss this touching tale about so much more than insects.
But in the meantime, get your insecticide and Raid and get ready to kill some bugs!
Beeper (2002)
Fantastic!
When Dr. Richard Avery's son is kidnapped while attending a professional convention in India, he must endure a 24 hour nightmare. Supplied with a beeper containing a text display through which instructions are sent, a desperate Avery is ordered on a wild and dangerous journey in a foreign land.
This is the basic set up of Beeper, but get ready for a jet ride because Beeper is non stop thrills and action. Just think, what would you do if someone you loved was kidnapped? Scary as heck, but it happens all the time in foreign countries. And all people can do is hope and pray, unless you're brave like Dr. Avery. He's a kick ass hero! Check this film out!