The Brothers McMullen 1995
For some reason, the previews for this movie looked good. Well, the
movie was even better. A romantic comedy, the romance part seemed real
and not to depressing and the comedy part was very funny. I like films
that don't drip from the Hollywood mold and this one doesn't. A fresh
cast and a dresh approach this movie is definitely one of the better
movies of the summer.
Fresh 1994? (on video)
With all of the movies depicting the rough life on the city streets, one
starts to lose hope. This movie is about a young boy who hasn't lost
hope and who plans his way out of the ghetto with the mind of the chess
pro his father trained him to be. As with chess, pieces have to be
sacrificed along the way, but it is necessary to save the king. I liked
this movie, not a cheery film to watch, but important.
Hackers 1995
I never go in to these computer movies expecting it to be realistic. I
know that a Unix environment would make for horrible visuals. I went to
see this film for the production design and sound (as always) but also to
see how hollywood depicted these "hackers." And they did it with a very
distinct fashion/attitude. I don't expect short hair on women is much of
a sell when it comes to middle america, but it worked for me. A visually
pleasing movie if not a little ludicrous at times.
Milk Money 1994? (on cable)
This movie just happened to be on when I was over at a friend's house.
Not a huge Melanie Griffith fan and this movie didn't make me any more
so. Ed Harris is pretty cool though he plays an idiot for the most part
in this film. Sometimes I wonder how people can act so stupidly, but
then that adds the drama that people see these movies for (as well as
seeing Griffith in short skirts I suppose). Anyway, maybe a film for the
background when you are doing meaning housechores some day, but not much
otherwise.
Killer Instinct 1994?(on video)
Oh boy was this a mistake. If I was really smart I'd just leave it off
this review thing and forget all about it. A really awful movie. Half
soft-porn (ala. Up All Night on USA) with the woman who stars in Wierd
Science (on the very same channel). The other half of the film is some
sick and twisted killing, boiling of bodies in acid, etc. I felt sick to
my stomach. Miss this please!
Seven 1995
Brad Pitt!!! oh what a hunk. no wait, i am just kidding. But this is
definitley not a comedy. With hollywood trying to outdo each other with
the most violent and twisted films/villians, this movie starts off where
Hannibal Lector left off. Multiple murder, torture, and mutilation
(often shown) and a very tragic and upsetting ending. Definitely not a
movie for those people who get upset with the thought that man is so
capable of violence and evil. it was upsetting to me. Still a powerful
movie, and one worth seeing (whereas Killer Instinct was just gratuitious and
worthless). The title and end credits were innovative and appealing, and
if there was ever an appropriate place for a harsh industrial song, it
was the end of this movie with a cut by David Bowie.
Blue 1993 (on video)
Having already seen the last of the color trilogy, I finally went and rented
the first two films. As things were, I didn't get around to watching
this film until really late one night and so I sort fell asleep in
parts. Overall, a little bit of a disappointment. Maybe the first film
is not always the best film in a trilogy. Still good to see, maybe in
order, it will make it a climactic experience.
White 1994
Much better then Blue this one I stayed awake for. A Polish man
gets divorced by a wife who only wants sex. He goes home penniless to
Poland where he builds up his fortune in shrewd, shadowy dealings then
wills it all to his ex-wife. I won't spoil it all for you, but I really
got into the character of the Polish hairdresser. Do see.
Devil in a Blue Dress 1995
Basically a vehicle for Denzel Washington to....I don't know what.
Devoid of any real life, this is a running monologue in Denzel's head
which we all can spend money to listen to and watch. The lady who plays
the devil in the blue dress really holds no real spell, at least not over
me as she is never developed. So all in all, a really poor movie.
MallRats 1995
There are some things I find amusing (outside of this funny movie) and that
is the fact that I saw Clerks in the small, independent movie
theater in
town. But once that hit its cult popularity, the sequel came to the big,
commercial theater. Everyone is expecting flocks of people to see it.
But those same flocks didn't see the first one. And though the film is
in color this time, the filmmaker hasn't changed any, so the film still
appeals to a small section of people. No not surprisingly, after a week,
the film moved to the commercial discount theater in town. I will be happy
to see it move back to the independent theater and run -- sucessfully --
for many weeks.
As for the film itself, it is different then the first one.
Clerks had a central nuclei, of two guys and two stores. It never
really reached further then that, and was sucessful. Mallrats
expands its range. It still has the two central male characters, but it
expands to include more minor characters (including Silent Bob) and to
encompass and entire mall. As long as you allow it to be different, you
will laugh.
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