Not really, I've seen worse

LEPRECHAUN: BACK 2 THA HOOD
(First Viewing)

A decent ending to a decent horror franchise. The opening scene with the storybook like illustrations were the best of the series. As is the case with Chucky, I wouldn't be mad if they ever decided to make another.

You've seen worse? A decent horror franchise? You've given seven-and-a-half stars over four films. (Dunno how you rate the first two, though.)

The first two I rated 1/2 each

And yes I've seen worse. Have you seen the CANDYMAN trilogy?

THE ROCKETEER 1/2
(First Viewing)

I had always been curious to watch this because I remember it being somewhat big as a kid. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more then I didn't care for Bill Campbell or his Cliff Secord/Rocketeer character. He never got me pumped up or excited enough to cheer for him. Jennifer Connelly and Timothy Dalton are the only ones who turn in performances good enough to speak of.

I was questioning you're "I've seen worse" in relation to your abysmal ratings. How can a franchise be "decent" when all six films amount to ten-and-a-half stars?

There's a serious contradiction going on there.

Last night i watched COOGANS BLUFF
A good old Clint classic. Slightly overlooked i think because it is'nt a western but good to watch tough,laconic Clint beat the big,bad city and catch his man
7 out of 10.

No, they were pretty decent. I enjoyed most of them except LEPRECHAUN 4: IN SPACE which I only gave 1/2. They were consistantly decent and at the end of the franchise, I'd say they were worth buying.

I think I'm misunderstanding your ratings. What does each one mean for you?

THE INTERPRETER (2005) - **

We're used to actors becoming directors, but Sydney Pollack is the rare case where an established Oscar-winning director became an actor, and a very good one at that as seen in his brief scenes in THE INTERPRETER.

Unfortunately, that movie also shows that Pollack hasn't shot a compelling good film since the 1970s. To be fair, I haven't seen OUT OF AFRICA but only because Meryl Streep getting syphillus doesn't intrigue me enough.

As a director, Pollack is good in stringing up the suspense and tension. The stakes are high, the chases are tout, time is running out, and the heroes are always running. Technically he made a quality picture that should have been a good fun popcorn jumper this side of NORTH BY NORTHWEST or any DePalma thriller.

Too bad the script misinterprets its compelling set-up. Nicole Kidman is a United Nations Interpreter working late one night at the UN when she overhears two men talking secretly. She claims they plotted assassination.

The whole clutch of the movie is, we the audience don't know this fictional language which she is fluid in, and that's what Secret Service agent Sean Penn has to investigate for the next 2 hours. Is she telling the truth or lying between her Crest-whiten teeth?

The problem is that Kidman's character is packed to the gills with emotional baggage of a back-story, we the audience never get much fun in playing this game because we know the answer already. Pollack tries some shenanigans about "forgiveness" to get around this fact, and it just doesn't fool anyone.

A shame because Penn is rather good. Whatever you agree or not with his politics, he can a great actor and I wish he would work more commercial fare. With the character's recent melodrama, he's full of rage, and with Kidman not cooperating, he's about ready to bite her goddamn head off, even if they are having a flirting relationship with ZERO chemistry.

Sometimes good actors just don't sizzle at all together. TORN CURTAIN anyone?

The failed romance in INTERPRETER reminded me of that Al Pacino picture SEA OF LOVE, which was about a cop falling in love with a woman that he suspects to be a serial killer. A nice flick because it worked as both a thriller and in body heat.

But damn, all that is nothing compared to the stupid ending. Would freedom fighters-turned-dictators like Fidel Castro or Pol Pot admit their failing, abdicate, and surrender to the local war crimes tribunal? You won't believe it until you see it.

I really wanted to enjoy THE INTERPRETER, to be excited and I was game for good ole spooks and conspiracies. Instead I found myself very bored.

Decades ago, the United Nations declined Hitchcock's request to film inside for NORTH BY NORTHWEST, but gave the clearance for this movie. Their taste in cinema is as useless as the institution itself.

I watched it the other night. I haven't seen the movie in years. Great eye with LaMotta as the bartender! There's also another bartender in the very begining of the movie who went on to become a very well known actor----Vincent Gardenia.

I agree, a totally awesome movie with some really fantastic acting by all that you mentioned. I love the way that George C. Scott acts in that movie. Scott may be one of the most underated and forgotten actors of his time.

Wasn't Scott a real bastard in that movie.

I seem to remember someone else who had a small part in that movie but went unnoticed. I can't think of who it is now.

Willie Mosconi? (the REAL greatest pool player).

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END 1/2
(Second Viewing)

After initially being against the casting of Chow Yun-Fat, I'm glad they went with him as the Asian pirate character. It could have been worse and they could have casted someone worse. Probably the weirdest in some parts of the trilogy but also most mature in terms of content. Better with a second viewing, so if you weren't blown away in the theaters, rent it and watch it again next week (maybe you'll enjoy it more a second time around like myself). If they ever do make a PIRATES 4, I can't see them doing it without Orlando Bloom or Keira Knightley, and sadly, that's exactly what they'd do.

Orlando Bloom is downright annoying. Keira Knightley is good eye-candy. They should make it R-rated and add more nude scenes in it

Maybe Michael Constantine? (Father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding)



Murray Hamilton ( from JAWS )

True, I can't argue this point. But at least these characters in the film gave some distraction to Captain Jack. Can you imagine PIRATES 4 being solely about Captain Jack and him out to sea for 2+ hours? I'd rather not.

Do people actually want a PIRATES 4?

I think Pirates easily lends itself to a homosexual reading.

It's a sailor-culture, at sea; and the feminine as Other is problematic. The pivotal, central relationship of the film is male-male (Depp-Bloom).

And you are right.

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE
(Second Vieiwng)

Again, I was glad the movie didn't tarnish the memory left by the show. However, as is the case with most comedies, it's not as effective the second time around because you're already aware of some of the jokes and gags. If you're a fan of the show, I'd endorse you on seeing this when it comes out in a few weeks.

I believe that he actually made THESE SHOTS for this scene.

I just HAD to watch that full clip. What a powerful ending!

BTW - That was Mosconi (with the white hair) who held the stakes.

I think I'm thinking of the guy who played in "The Sting", Dooley's sidekick. The one with the big nose. I think he was in the scene where Eddie hustles the wrong guy, and pays the price.

This was on at work last night but i missed a bit off it because i was actually doing some work
Great movie though....

Satantango**
Directed by Bela Tarr, this Hungarian movie is 7 hours long
Seriously, and without sounding irritated, I have no clue what the movie is about. I thought I could watch it in two sittings, but I was terribly wrong. I finished this over three days and 4-5 sittings. It is quite boring.
A small town inhabited by just some 10 odd people is cut-off from the main civilization by heavy rains. They hopelessly go on with their lives and wait for some cosmic turn of good events. There are several good things to be said about the movie however. Firstly, the camera perfectly captures the mood of an apocalyptic town, totally crumbling due to its passivity. Photography is mind-blowing in places (and also extremely irritating in some other places). The innovative editing technique that can be seen in Elephant (by Gus Van Sant) plus the tracking style of camera is a rip-off from this movie. I somehow lost a bit of respect for Van Sant because of this. The music is good too.

In the mood for love ***
My second Kar-wai Wong movie. This is easily among the most visually beautiful movies. His sense of colors and lighting is amazing. But the best thing about this movie has to be the music. Just mesmerizing. Though the story or theme is nothing new, the mood created is something to talk about.

A quick note on my new rating system (applicable to the last two movies reviewed as well). It was slightly arbitrary and instinct-based before. Now, it is a little more mechanical:

No Stars - crap/ludicrous/yawn yawn

* - More negative aspects than positive ones

** - More positive aspects than negative ones

*** - No/negligible negative aspects.

**** - A three star film with a personal influence.

DEATH RACE 2000
(Second Viewing)

David Carradine has got to be one of the smoothiest cats I've ever seen on the big screen. In the few roles I've seen him, he just carries himself with so much confidence and maturity. He is truly an amazing actor. It was also great to see Slyvester Stallone in a pre-ROCKY role; this is his earliest work I've seen. As for the film, it's basically a glorified grindhouse film that's so bad it's good. I am however looking forward to the remake, DEATH RACE 3000, staring Jason Statham.