For those times you don't want to write something lengthier in the "Review" section, give us your thoughts and ratings of your recent viewings.

Spartan

"Spartan" is undeniably David Mamet. While he's stepped outside his usual genre to something with a little more action, the dialogue is unmistakable. Unlike what I'd heard, Kilmer actually does bring much of the Mamet cadence to his line readings -- perhaps it's unavoidable with the structure of the writing. The film maintains the interest and Kilmer does a solid job as the stoic, hardened hero -- it's good to see him working with a director like Mamet.

Grade: B

Murder By Numbers ~ 7/10

Sandra Bullock gives a great performance as do the 2 teen boys. But I just don't like Ben Chaplin. Well, at least I have never seen him in a role that I like. Overall, the movie is good if ya like thinking. (which I usually don't LOL)

You beat me too it EPlayer, I was just about to start this thread.


Monster - 9/10 This was the 3rd time that I'd seen this and it doesn't lose any of it's power. It's been a while since I can remember an Oscar winning actress truly deserving their Oscar, but anyone who would deny Theron her's should be ashamed of themselves. A great film with a powerful leading performace and solid supporting cast. It still depresses the hell out of me though.

I have heard a lot of good things about "Spartan" EP. I am glad you liked it. I might try to see it if it comes out in my area. It is on a limited release right now correct?

Not sure if "Spartan" is only in limited release, but I wouldn't be surprised. For such a well-respected writer/director, Mamet's films never seem to open very wide. With this, "The Salton Sea" and "Wonderland", Val Kilmer's sure starting to get some better films again!

Daddy & Them

This is the troubled film from writer/director Billy Bob Thornton which got put on the shelf so long that his next directorial effort came out first. Frankly, I didn't find the dysfunctional, eccentric family very humorous, and the jealous fits of rage between the main couple proved tiresome.

There is a funny snippet in the extra features called "The Return of Karl", however, where Thornton goofs around as Slingblade's Karl with several cast members.

Grade: D+

(Viewed on DVD. )

Black Caesar - 7/10 One for fans of the genre only, although it does have a great soundtrack by James Brown.

50 First Dates - 8/10 I'm trying not to give it 10/10 just because Drew is in it and having Adam Sandler in the film helps that. It's a cute rom/com with Drew as adorable as ever and Sandler isn't as annoying as he has been in other films (althogh that could just be the Drew effect on me) Rob Schnider on the other hand...


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

Rob Schnider is still making movies? I wonder where his career would be without the help of Sandler? To be fair to Schnider though "The Animal" and "Deuce Biggallo" were ok films.

Stella Street: The Movie - 9/10 I didn't even know this existed but boy was I glad to see that it was on. This is one of my favourite shows and to see a feature length episode of it (which is basically what this was) was excellent. Very funny, great impressions and pretty surreal. I'm sure that it's not to everyone's tastes but as far as I was concerned, this was top stuff.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

Taking Lives

Pretty stylishly done, maintains your interest. Nice cast, red herrings galore.

Grade: B-

Phone Booth: 8/10. A very solid film that used the theme correctly. Good that it was short because it couldn't last much longer than it did. Really liked the ending and Sutherland was really good in his role although you didn't really see him in the film.

I have to say that I was impressed with Phone Booth too. Cracking little film.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Wow, what a tremendous disappointment! I really respect Jim Carrey's talent, but I found this film uninvolving. The premise is so interesting, but I was strangely bored and detached from the proceedings. I can't quite put my finger on why this was so for me, as the theme is certainly a thought-provoking one. I dislike Kate Winslet, but she wasn't the problem.

Grade: C-

Hmm. Now I dont know if I will see the movie. I respect what you say about movies EP and I dont know if I want to take the chance to see it. I have a friend who saw it last week and he really liked it. He went with some co-workers and they all didn't like it very much.

kenage, I'm always of the opinion that you should just judge for yourself. The critics are raving about this one, so maybe I expected too much. But we all have different taste and experiences so films strike us a different way. I say try it anyway!

On 2004-03-27 01:41 , EPlayer Wrote:


Mmmm... This isn't a total suprise to me, as anyone who read my thoughts on the upcoming films would know. Like Kenage I respect your views EP and we have similar tastes on many films. I'll probably still see it (as there's so little for me this year) but this has made me more pensive than I already was. I was having trouble with it because it falls into my "crap title=crap movie" theory, coupled with the Jim Carrey issue and now this review.... Not looking good.


MST3K: The Movie - 7.5/10 I really like this film, that is to say that I like them talking about the movie and not all the other crap that goes on around it. Very funny and a great takeaway+beer night with friends.


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I often wonder how I'm going to die. You don't want to embarrass friends.

Shadow Of The Vampire

Rating : 7,5

Comment :

I loved the performance of Malkovich and Dafoe.
Its a vampire movie, but yet it is different.
I liked it, but on the other hand I felt that there was something missing in the movie.

But nevertheless a good movie.

Like maybe some excitement? How about a reason to watch it? It presents as a story. It was a performance piece and the content it covered did not justify such a bland and silly concept.


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Hello, fellow American. This you should vote me. I leave power. Good. Thank you. Thank you. If you vote me, I am hot. What? Taxes. They'll be lower, son. The democratic vote for me is the right thing to do, Philadelphia. So do.

Very agreed! I liked this movie a bunch when it was released. It deserved to do much better. It was artistic, but not in an obtrusive way. It was exciting. It was to the point and the performances were great. Prolly a fav of 2003 for me.


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Hello, fellow American. This you should vote me. I leave power. Good. Thank you. Thank you. If you vote me, I am hot. What? Taxes. They'll be lower, son. The democratic vote for me is the right thing to do, Philadelphia. So do.