|   Six movies in the last two weeks.... | tugmcmartin
Aug 26, 2003 12:18 PM | | I haven't posted in a while, so here goes....
Chicago: Huge disappointment for me. Maybe it was the fact my wife harped on it so much, or that it got so much hype and recognition during the award season, but it just didn't go over well with me. Maybe i'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to movie musicals, where i prefer to see the song and dance numbers performed on a normal set and not done so theatrically as in this movie. The artistic quality of the numbers was great, but in the context of the movie as a whole, i didn't like them. I felt like i was watching a play, which i guess in a way i was, but i was expecting more of a "movie"... not a play recorded for a movie release. The acting was okay throughout. Nothing great. I can't figure out how any of the those performers got nods for Oscars. Actually, John C Reilly i could see, but the others didn't do anything special in the acting realm, IMO. 2.5 stars out of 5.
Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys: Starring Keiran Culkin as the "ringleader" of a misfit cast of catholic school boys who seek to torment their nun/teacher played by Jodi Foster. Interspersed with cartoon/comic-book vignettes throughout, was a bit of a coming-of-age film. There was also a love story thrown in for good measure, but it didn't work for me cuz the viewer never really got to understand the female portion of the couple. 3 of 5 stars.
Analyze That: If you've seen Analyze This, you don't need to see Analyze That. Same movie, different mob scenario. Nothing new at all, but watchable. 2 of 5 stars.
Old School: Freaking funny movie that made me want to go start my own fraternity. Great comedy bits by Will Ferrell. That guy can make you laugh just by looking at you. Luke Wilson played the same character he always plays, so that pretty boring. VInce Vaughn played a great married father holding onto the dream of being single and responsibility free. He had some great lines as well. Will Ferrell made this movie work. Without him it would've been another lame attempt at Animal House, ala Van Wilder, American Pie, Porky's, and Revenge of the Nerds. Great comedy. 4 out of 5.
Secretary: Starring James Spader as a neurotic attorney and Maggie Gellynhall as a more neurotic young lady who gets hired as his secretary. The relationship that results from this office space pairing is oddly interesting as it goes from employer/employee to husband/wife. Beautifully shot film with great characters. Great movie for when you want to see something different than the hollywood norm. 4 out of 5.
Man From Elysian Fields: Starring Andy Garcia as a struggling writer who becomes a male escort (hired by Mick Jagger) to pay the bills, unbeknownst to his wife. A pretty slow and sappy story that goes exactly where you expect it to, but takes too long to get there. Is it just me or is Andy Garcia incredibly over-rated? He's so drab and boring in everything he's done. If it weren't for the unexpectedly good performance from Mick Jagger, this would be just another average film not worth watching. 2.5 out of 5 (woulda been 2 out of 5, but Mick's performance adds a half).
T- |
| Old school | This Guy
Sep 2, 2003 2:51 PM | | I saw this in the theatres and bought it on DVD the first day it came out. Will Ferrel is hilarious and Vince Vaughn surprised me how funny he was. When I saw this in the theatre i wasn't expecting much of anything, but i was laughing through-out the whole movie. I can honestly say I never saw a funnier movie. I do agree will ferrel made the movie, he had the best lines and executed them very well. You should buy the new dvd "SNL best of Will Ferrel", that too is really funny. I definently reccoemnd this movie.
-Joey |
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