Mixed Nuts 1994
A Steve Martin film that came out last year, follows the antics of the
staff of a telephone helpline on Christmas Eve. There are a lot of
bizarre characters in this film and they all jump into this big pot
together and Steve Martin is stuck in charge. Not a really funny film,
but one that attempts something new. Yet even attempting something new,
it is definitely out of the Steve Martin movie mold.
Mi Familia : My Family 1995
For some reason, I had no idea what this movie was about and had no real
interest in going to see it. But it was a treat by my parents who came
to visit, so I saw it. And I am glad I did. Definitely a worthwhile
film. It recounts almost a hundred years in the life of a
Mexican-American family and of Los Angeles itself. It gives a
perspective of the Mexican-American experience which seems more likely to
be true, as opposed to our Cheech and Chong and Born in East
LA preconceptions. By movies end you realize that you really came to
know the characters, not just watched actors.
Houseguest 1994 (on video)
A film I saw originally in the theaters, I recently saw again on video.
This movie would be funny just for the songs during the closing credits
alone, but definitely a movie to see in its entirety. There's always a
laugh coming at you with this film, its soaked with them. Sinbad has a
way of just stepping through a scene and leaving humor behind. The film
is a satire of itself, never letting you take the characters
seriously, or laughing at you if you do. The Vanillia-Icelike punk is a
laugh and a half and to me (my own opinion) the teenage daughter is
attractive in an albeit morbid kind of way. Rent it!
Little Odessa 1995
This is a film you probably won't find in your local theater, but it is
much better then most of the films which are. Tim Roth, playing a
small-time hitman coming home to visit a falling apart family who
believes he's dead, is wonderful. This film put me in a very "grey"
mood. Not sure what that means, but I do know it had a definite and
profound impact on
me, sort of what i assume people felt about Pulp Fiction though I
didn't feel it there. There is more then just violence here, there's
internal struggle and pain. A hearty recommendation.
Natural Born Killers 1994 (on video)
Ok, I remember seeing this film the first time at the dollar movie
theater. I was never in a hurry to see it. The only reason I saw it the
first time was because I wanted to "experience" what everybody was
ranting and raving about. Cinematically, it is very interesting. There
is a definite drop-kick of the media culture we live in. But as a
satire, I think it is lacking. I must recommend Man Bites Dog if
you have any idea of seeing this film.
Disclosure 1994 (on video)
This film did not intrigue me when it originally hit the movie theaters.
I even had the opportunity to see it on the big-screen free at a
convention I went to, but did not. The sexual harassment plot seemed
like more pain then it was worth. But upon watching it (and getting past
the first half of the movie) I was given a pleasant surprise. An
unexpected set of plot twists made this movie worthwhile.
Waterworld 1995
Ok, I don't care how much money was spent on this film, it didn't make me
want to see it any more. I wanted to see it for the production design
(which is why I go to see most of the non-comedies I see). It was
impressive design wise. Not very impressive otherwise. Maybe it is just
that I am thoroughly unimpressed with Kevin Costner and his 3-hour
epics. Anyone else would have been better in this film. And was it just
me, or was Costner incompetent at killing the little girl? He did two
stupid things which almost got her killed, yet he failed. Oh well.
The Net 1995
In my opinion, this movie could be seen as two movie: a computer-thriller
and a suspense movie. As a computer-thriller, it was so-so. At first
the computer stuff was hokey (the online chat was terribly unreal) and
then later on it was just too technical. As a suspense, it was ok. It
got my heart beating at times (normally it sort of just sits there in my
chest unused). And it was always enjoyable to see Sandra Bullock in a
bathing suit.
Virtuosity 1995
A much better techno-movie then The Net in terms of integrating
current (and future?) technologies. The bad guy was very bad. The good
guy was very....so-so. Once again, the production design impressed me,
the music was good, and I didn't laugh too many times at the plot (it was
a comedy wasn't it?:).
Species 1995
Should have taken my roommates advice, and believe it was gonna be bad.
But I thought that the, yes production design, would be impressive.
Well, it wasn't. And even the item (or pair) that my roommate went to
see it twice for was (were) not that impressive, maybe because I didn't
find her very attractive. Felt like it was The Partridge Family does
Sci-fi. But it's just MY opinion.
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