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Reviews
Where the Toys Come From (1983)
Incredible and underrated children's movie
I had this on VHS when I was a little kid, and it was one of my favorite movies. The most enthralling part of the movie is that it is "live"-action as opposed to animation, which gives the movie a much more realistic feel to kids. A large portion of the movie is just toys along with music, and all the different types (vintage toys, windup-toys, early video games) are showcased. It also shows how toys are designed and made in a factory, so the movie is educational to a point as well. If I was able to find either of the main character toys, I would buy them in a heartbeat. A great movie for kids, I give it an 8 out of 10.
Derailed (2005)
great film with substantial plot twists abound
"Derailed" is the account of a stereotypical "good guy"'s entrance into a world of deceit and betrayal. Clive Owen is a white-collar desk jockey with a demanding wife and sick child, a home life that seems strained and problematic. When he meets a woman on the train, they begin to develop a relationship that ends in an affair. However, the film is not a romantic romp full of secret desire. The plot takes a huge twist and Owen begins to attempt a balance between his normal family life and one full of desperation and crime.
At first, I was averse to seeing this movie, assuming it was one of the "chick flicks with suspense" that tend to plague the theaters from time to time. it has a slow start, giving you a chance to understand the situation Owen is coming from. However, it becomes riveting and suspenseful when everything changes in a hotel room. The film is filled with exciting twists and turns, and they are not cheap, empty ones that leave the story a mess (read M. Night Shyamalan). It is a legitimate thriller that will keep you shocked until the credits roll.
I did have some trouble believing Owen's wife. She did not seem very realistic, a terribly stereotypical bitchy housewife, but with poor acting skills. However, she plays a minor role in the film. Xibit's acting skills were not prime either, but he too plays a small role.
With a tedious yet understandable introduction and a few poor characters, the film is not without flaws. But the relationship between Aniston, Owen, and Cassel is incredibly unique and a thrill to watch.