Movie Recaps 2002 – 2003
(17) Movie year (in order of preference)
Lilo and Stitch
4/4 Globes
Disney’s previous new genuine
addition, Atlantis seemed somewhat incompletely, effortless and lacking.
And I’m going to have to say that Lilo and Stitch—completely blows the
sunken continent it out of the sunken ocean. What can I say? Disney has
redeemed itself through this movie and has shown the world, or at least to
me, that it still has the spirit to make moving films through animations
and with new creations (indeed all the previews in this video were
sequels of past works). Despite the advent of more high-tech looking
animated films, it looks like old-school cel animation is going to go on
strong. I always felt CG, which though crisp and sharp, lacks the warmth
of cel animation. I’m glad that Disney still has what it takes to
satisfy my more idealistic side, which as of late hasn’t seen much
light. Another thing I liked was the universality of the film. What do I
mean by that? I mean that its not just the little kids that will enjoy it.
The humor is far reaching, and the emotions are true for all, which seems
to give the movie a level of mature kids entertainment; something that
they could watch and still enjoy years later (unlike many current
kids TV shows). Good Disney movies always had that. (Laugh) I guess I’m
just a sucker for happy movies.
007 DIE ANOTHER DAY
4/4 Globes
“Amazing” is the one word to
describe this addition to the 007 legacy. The story is a typical Bond
film, not much meaning but just right kind of plot. As usual, there are
the fine Bond girls about the film, and of course the fine
cars. To those complaining about the less than godlike plot or the Bond
style fighting, I really have nothing to say—its all just personal
preference, but I don’t see why anyone can’t enjoy the all-fun deus ex
machina story of a Bond movie once in a while. I really have no major
gripes about this movie, other than that the Ferrari and the Lamborghini
at the end that get tossed into a muddy North Korean farm from 5000 feet
in the air. The technical aspects of the movie were just as impressive.
The visuals, and the CG effects—like the fiery explosions and especially
Icarus, which were seamlessly integrated to the point where it is
indiscernible, were especially impressive. The sound effects were also
first-rate, but the volume maybe was a bit too high, but still fitting
nonetheless. Pierce Broznen plays an excellent Bond this movie, and after
this, I've come to accept as true that Bond indeed will live forever.
JOHN Q (2002)
4/4 Globes
This movie really touched me on a
personal level, because my dad had a transplant himself, and I think one
of the messages that the movie is sending is certainly true, and is an
issue that needs attention. My family had all the insurance coverage
needed for his liver transplant, and after seeing this movie and the
documentary accompanying it, I see how lucky we were. I think that the
writer and director did a great job, and the actors, especially Denzel
Washington were amazing. After seeing Training Day, and the strong acting
that Washington had in there, it was hard to rethink him as a father, but
he did it.
A RING OF ENDLESS LIGHT (2002)
4/4 Globes
A Ring of Endless Light is about
dolphins and their telepathic abilities. Victoria is a smart girl that is
given the gift of sensitivity (specifically, the ability to communicate
telepathically with dolphins). I really liked the way the movie portrayed
the concept of ancient dolphins returning to the sea for the truth and
beauty, and the connection it made with death… though I feel kind of
stolen. The idea of dolphins communicating telepathically and them
returning to the sea was one of the key concept. But in any case, I think
this was a wonderful movie, and one of Disney’s better works.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF
SECRETS (2002)
2.5/4 Globes
This seemingly uncommitted second
installment of the Harry Potter movie series was somewhat of a
wholehearted disappointment. I personally see it as a failure, in terms
successfully transplanting Rowling’s original brilliance onto film. It
supposedly “improved” on the first movie by discarding many of the
“slow” scenes, and it did succeed in upping the pace. But I guess
Columbus didn’t realize that those “slow” scenes are actually what
make up a great deal of the “other part” of the movie—the
characters. These scenes are much less about special effects and action,
and more about the characters and their personalities. Consider the fact
that there is virtually no real character development in this
movie, a subsequently lot less personality is in the characters; it seems
almost as if Radcliff (the actor of Potter) really is just “acting”.
What the first movie somewhat accomplished was the connection with Harry
and the viewers, one of the few great qualities that it had to show for,
but here, it is sadly and fatally neglected. The lack of that connection
took away the truly captivating element of Harry Potter and left behind
this movie: a sad attempt to bring alive a good book through the nonhuman
elements of special effects and action alone. After I saw the first movie,
by greatest hope was that the second installment would bring what the
first movie lacked. Just let it be known now that I won’t be hoping for
as much from the third installment. One last thing: sadly the Chamber of
Secrets is the last film that the extolled Richard Harris is featured in
(he passed away only a week before the film’s opening)—his truly rich
character added that marvelous pinch of magic in an otherwise lackluster
film.
Movie Recaps 2001 – 2002
(16) Movie year (in order of preference)
BLACK HAWK DOWN (2002)
4/4 Globes with the Star Award and
the Seal of Excellence
Black Hawk Down is a movie with pretty
much down to the core of modern warfare. It brings up strong thoughts like
“Why would anyone let this happen?” and solidifies the good principles
that the UN peacekeepers had when in Somalia. It also tells well the story
from a soldier’s level, just doing one’s job. The best thing is that
it tells that, even though it may not make sense from a logical point of
view, there are reasons for making sure that no one is left behind. Just
to save two people that a whole convoy might be diverted. It makes one
have hope about the strength of the goodness in humanity, even in times of
war. An excellent movie that will go down in history.
BRAVEHEART (1995)
4/4 Globes and the Star Award
Braveheart is one of those movies that
just as pure as a movie can get. It doesn’t show off graphics, it
doesn’t try to give that extra string of emotion, it just is a
“pureblooded” movie. And it is one not to miss. Mel Gibson’s acting
and directing is superb, and the story is one not to be forgotten. Though
the movie is a little lacking in character, it more than makes up for it
by every other aspect.
THE PATRIOT (2000)
3.5/4 Globes and the Star Award
The Patriot is a great movie. Though
based loosely on history, the movie follows a very similar format to
Braveheart—except that it does it better. All the emotions are in right
as they should be, and this time—since its closer to home, it has more
of an impact. Mel Gibson’s didn’t die this time, but he did as good a
job, if not better than in the “other”
sad-ass-rebels-fight-and-win-freedom movie from five years before. It is
Braveheart with character, in the Revolutionary War. And yet, for some
reason, I just can’t seem to give it 4 globes. Still, one of the best of
its kind, and certainly a must see for the year.
THE COLOR OF FRIENDSHIP (2000)
3.5/4 Globes and the Star Award
This is a touching movie about Marhee,
a young white girl from South Africa on a student exchange to the U.S.
There she lives with a black family and develops a friendship with the
family. It is a well-told movie about friendship and apartheid from the
hopeful youths’ point of view.
ALONG CAME A SPIDER (2001)
3/3 Globes
Along came a spider is a
mystery/suspense thriller that has a smart head, but no sense of
direction. It starts out okay, nice action scene in the beginning to keep
you interested, and then the kidnapping sequence is executed pretty well.
In fact, all the way up until the end of the subway scene, everything is
an easy 4 glober. Morgan Freeman has weight in his acting; his very
presence adds to the elegance of this movie (as much as any movie he’s
done). He is the perfect person for the role of Alex Cross, detective,
profiler, writer. As is the actor for (KIDNAPPER). The plot is great for
the first half, and it keeps you hooked onto the story. The problems begin
when the unexpected things begin to happen. When Megan Rose is kidnapped
from the kidnapper, is the point of destruction. The scenario of a guy
wanting to commit the greatest crime of the century is pretty “out
there”, but it leaves for an interesting story. There are connections
that are quite farfetched, but that is forgivable. But when the guy is
killed by Cross, everything about the guy wanting to commit the crime is
thrown out the window. This guy was really smart and was a great villain,
and his kidnapping was an excellent scenario for a thriller like this, but
then they had to throw it out and make a new scenario that is a whole lot
worse. What’s the point? All that build up for what reason if you’re
not going to follow through? Just to keep you confused and in
“suspense”? They seemed to have wanted to create an even more
suspenseful experience, but they failed on that mark. The climactic boom
is but a whimper, compared to all the build up. Too bad, it would have
been an awesome movie.
SPIDERMAN (2002)
3/4 Globes
Spiderman. I never really had much to
say about this one comic book character, until now. I personally say that
this movie wasn’t that bad. It had amazing SFX, that some people for
some reason fail to acknowledge. Tobey (???) plays a good
Spiderman—acting well, and is a pretty convincing one at that. Kirsten
Dunst’s (who plays Mary-Jane) physique is—um well, pretty nice, after
seeing her last in “Bring it On,” this time, she’s a full blown
adult, not that it matters (hee hee). Anyway, most of the movie is fine,
EXCEPT THE ENDING, where Kirsten is giving Tobey her “I Love You”
speech. That’s where the movie drops from a 3.5 to a 2. But, considering
all the good points of the movie, I give it a descent 3 globes.
LOLITA (1961)
2/4 Globes
This is one… unusual movie. The
relationships between Lolita, Humbert, the professor, and everyone strikes
me as just plain strange. The movie just left me with a feeling of
puzzlement. What is it that really happened between Humbert and Lolita?
Did they really have more than just a stepfather-stepdaughter
relationship? It all just confuses me deeply. The intended audience was
definitely not for me, or my generation, but I can sort of see the appeal.
It is really a sad movie, but also very weird. There is little
connectivity between the sections of the movie, and as a whole, it leaves
me feeling very empty, and bland. There is very little character in the
movie, and although I may not have been the intended audience, I certainly
can’t give it “nice points” because of that. In any case,
“Lolita” is a strange movie, and I don’t think I can really
recommended it to anyone.
JURASSIC PARK III (2001)
2/4 Globes
Jurassic Park 3 is definitely the
unlucky of the trilogy. Not only has it suffered through bad directing,
bad story, bad plot, bad characters, and bad movie experience; it also
collapses under the weight of its own name. Jurassic Park was a hands down
hit. It had the best of everything, and was worth being the best movie of
1993. The sequel was also bombed 1997. It didn’t have the originality or
creativity as the original, but it had everything else. People loved it.
But this disgrace… to call it a prostitute of its name would be
elevating. It is a movie that really shouldn’t be one. It is bad enough
as it is, even without having the Jurassic Park name to live up to. But
with it… Very disappointing. We’ll just pretend this movie never came
out; the Jurassic Park name is too good to tarnish with this piece of
crap. Of course no movie is all bad… at least this one had plenty of
pretty model and CG dinosaurs, not to mention, wonderfully copy-pasted
music from the first film. Overall, it should be happy that it got the
money it got. It certainly didn’t earn it though.
