Doug's Movie Club! 2001 Reviews
Here are some of the films that Doug's Club has reviewed over the year 2001!
But first, the Doug rating system:
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Whatever, Daddy-O. |
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El Sucko ! |
[12/29/01]
What the hell was I doing seeing this movie, you wonder? Well, I was in Indiana and
the only lil' theatre in town was showing this and some other movie which I had already
seen. Well, I have to say (and I use Indiana-speak) that this here film is better
than a kick in the head with a frozen boot! Jim Belushi is a bit o' fun here -- but on a side
note, I predict that new stupid TV series of his is going down fast.
[12/22/01]
I don't really know the book too well, but the movie is excellent!
I was so enjoying the movie that I didn't even pay attention to my watch
and before I knew it 2 1/2 hours passed! I looked at the time and thought,
"Gee, how are they going to wrap this film up in the next ten minutes?"
And that was when it ended on a damn cliff-hanger! I forgot they have
2 more a-comin' 'round the mountain when they come.
[12/15/01]
This movie stars that guy who has the broken nose and acts kinda goofy. You know,
the kid who was with Jackie Chan in that cowboy movie? Anyway, he is pretty good
in this, and you always gotta love that Gene Hackman! I especially like that scene
where he is behind the enemy lines. Ha! I slay myself.
[12/08/01]
I really had to struggle to not let that stupid Barbara Walters special (and,
frankly, all the media hype) bias me into hating this film. However, once I saw it,
I forgot about all that and really enjoyed the show! Clooney is a kick, and all
those other supporting cast members do their part. Of course, if they all took
their normal salaries, this film would have cost $300 million to make. Perhaps all
the damn overpaid CEOs these days could take a page from that book, eh?
[12/04/01]
I like Vince Vaughn, and he is pretty scary and all, but the movie falls flat somehow.
Travolta is becoming a but overexposed by now, so that certainly adds to the annoying aspects --
oh, and I guess the kid bugged me a bit. It was a good surprise to see Buscemi pop up, as he
always makes me feel good about my own personal dental hygiene, but in the end -- the big
El Sucko!
[12/01/01]
Redford plays a retiring CIA guy who all the young bucks seem to dismiss -- but the old
guy still has a few tricks up his sleeves. Redford, by they way, is a walking advertisment
on why you should use sun block. Anyway, the movie kept me on the edge of my seat, and
the methodical steps Redford takes are quite satisfying. Oh, and for you broads out there,
I think Brad Pitt takes his shirt off -- but don't quote me.
[11/20/01]
This movie was pure pleasure to savor, as the director really takes his time
to tell the story and focus on the small details. Even the smallest props are
finely detailed and thought out, and it does a good job meeting expectations one
gets after picturing all this in the mind's eye when reading the book.
Surprisingly enough I only saw a few people dressed up like wizards and wearing
hats and such. And no, wise guy, I wasn't one of them.
[11/16/01]
David Mamet gets a bit too cocky with his dialogue in this movie, and the
characters come off as a bit smarmy like the kid in 6th grade who studies the
dictionary just to use some fancy words to impress people.
It is humorous to see Hackman paired up again with Delroy... oh, and DeVito too!
It is quite a departure from Get Shorty, but comes with its own set
of high points. Lots of fun twists kept me guessing, and the heist itself is fun
to watch. Hackman proves he is still a tough character in the movies ... and also
in person!
[11/07/01]
In all, a pretty good film that just made the thumbs up from me. I liked the
ambiguity the story provided, plus it was fun to watch Kevin Spacey get
hypnotized. In fact, that's a good way for an actor to beef up any role. Just
have their character get hypnotized and then earn that Oscar, baby! Or, eat
a banana with the skin on it.
[10/29/01]
Not only is this movie a rip-off of The Matrix, but they had the
audacity to call it "The One", when that is the main character in The Matrix!
Well, it is no where near as good as it's inspiration, and in fact it is a bit stupid.
The two things I liked was, well, the fight sequences of course, but also the very last
scene where Jet Li is out to make everyone his bitch in a high security Escape
From New York type prison.
[10/22/01]
The theatre where I saw this movie posted it on their marquee as "Fe Monkey,"
which amused me greatly! Brought me back to my old chemistry class days,
where I burned Bob's hand with a bunsen burner by accident. Sorry, Bob.
Anyway, thie Wu Ping film kicks a whole lotta booty; tremendous
fighting scenes, a good story line, and a number of humorous moments
make this sub-titled action flick a winner.
[10/14/01]
Willis and Thornton have a reasonably good repartee in this what you might call
"buddy" film, but the ending is quickly rigured out within the first 10 minutes
and the middle only has a few interesting points. Bobby Slayton, our own Bay Area
comedian, plays a TV reporter -- which is an amusing casting choice since his
voice sounds like an 80 year old grandmother who smokes 20 packs of cigarettes
a day. Unfiltered cigarettes.
[10/7/01]
This film should be called SerenDOPEity if you ask me! It is a bit formulaic (is
that a word?), slightly predictable, and let me ask right now -- doesn't John Cusack
have enough money yet to buy some nice clothes? Seriously, this guy dresses like a damn
vagabond in almost all his films. I guess he turns the wardrobe lady away and says,
"No, no, no, my character would never wear that nice collared shirt and pants. I'm going
with a ratty t-shirt and jeans that are too tight for me, coupled with some black boots
that are 2 sizes too big for me, and a long black or brown trench-like coat. Yeah,
that's the ticket!" Guess what, pal -- you're in your thirties now. Suck it up and stop
dressing like you did in Say Anything. The saving grace here is Kate Beckinsale,
who is refreshing and real.
[10/2/01]
Denzel does a wonderful job portraying a cop who does what it takes to keep the
streets safe for... well, for him making some money offa some criminals! His partner, Ethan
Hawke (who does a commendable job also) is a goody-two-shoes who has a hard time actually
believing the things he sees. I got involved in the film, putting myself easily into the
shoes of the rookie as he goes through his "training". Filled with some good twists,
some great shoot-em-ups scenes, and very satisfying acting, this film
is da bomb, dog!
[9/2/01]
They should take that mandolin and smack Nick Cage upside the head until he convinces me
his accent is real! Actually, it gets better as the film progresses. I always thought if a
movie has an actor doing accents, they should film the beginning scenes last, so the audience
gets their first taste of the accent after the actor has it down. I have to admit that Penelope
Cruz is particularly saucy, and gives a good performance. But nothing much new in this film
that you don't see by watching The English Patient and then Saving Private Ryan.
Except the mandolin, which is nice.
[8/28/01]
This film is not really in the horror genre, I guess you would call it a psychological thriller,
except there are not many thrills in it. In fact, the bulk of the film is slow, tedious, and bland.
I was going to give it a damn thumbs down until the end woke me up and gave me a tasty twist! And no,
it had nothing to do with Kidman getting naked.
[8/19/01]
Not a bad sequel, as far as action movies go. You gotta love that Jackie Chan, although
his films of late seem to have less and less actual martial artistry. So toss in
a wise-crackin' partner to distract the audience and you've got a good formula!
The broad from the Crouchin' Tiger movie is in this, but the screenwriters
give her a lame endscene. I will say this though -- the film has some of the best
outtakes at the end credits that I've seen!
[8/12/01]
Not much of a party -- well, except for when they pop ecstasy and swim in a pool naked.
But everything else is tense and a bit annoying. Some of the dialogue is smartly written,
and I enjoyed when the characters gave the couple their individual wishes, but that
Jenny Jason Leigh is downright grating at times. And there is a bunch o' those times
in this movie!
[8/5/01]
Well, the F/X are good in this film, but unfortunately there is no new ground broken
(if you don't count the pterodactyls)
in this rehashing of the first two films. And the whole premise of the film is annoying,
where some stupid humans get stuck on the island again, and run around try to avoid
being eaten. "They can think! They set a trap for us!" Ahhh, shuddap! Pour some salt
on yourselves and lie in a bed of parsley so we can go leave the theatre already.
[7/31/01]
I love that Tim Burton, and he doesn't let me down in this "re-imagination" of
the original. The film pays homage to the old in a number of scenes that I got
a big kick from; keep an eye out for them! This version is nice because it
gives you a reason as to why there is such an ape-run planet anyway, and the ending
gives room for a sequel or two, which I look forward to. So a simeon thumbs up
from me.
[7/22/01]
Listen to Nancy Reagan on this movie and Just Say No! You'll be tempted to say
yes, I suspect, because most of you out there like "Julia Movies", or "Cusack Movies",
or, I bet, some even still like "Billy Cystal Movies" even after My Giant.
Well, don't be fooled -- they all suck a big egg in this lousy disappointing film.
And if you're the kind of person who is reading this and says, "Oh yeah, Doug, think you're
so smart betting that I like one of those actors?", well for you Christopher Walken
is also in it. He doesn't suck, but his part does!
[7/19/01]
That darn perky Reese Witherspoon is great in this Clueless meets
Soul Man comedy about a blonde going to law school. A lot of the
film is standard Hollywood montage shlock, so due to lack of originality
I really can't give it a thumbs up, but it was still enjoyable.
[7/16/01]
It is certainly a pleasure to see Ed Norton (he actually prefers "Edward", but
you know, I think he should count his blessings people don't call him "Eddie")
and Bobby DeNiro (but I say if DeNiro can deal with people calling him "Bobby",
then Ed should deal with being called Ed) paired together in a film.
I didn't really need to see Marlon Brando in a fat suit (what, that isn't a
fat suit?) running around like Jiminy Glick, but he is only a minor distraction.
I personally enjoy a film like this that focuses on details and strings out
the suspense, and it does a great job. The ending is a fun moment, and leaves
you wanting more.
[7/9/01]
No doubt about it, that Jet Li is one tough ass-kicking
mo-fo! This movie definitely
has a hard edge to it, and as he has mentioned in various interviews -- it is rated
R for a reason. But even so, some woman sitting behind me in the theatre brought
her 12 year old daughter to see this movie, and at one point I heard the girl
cry out, "Mommie! That man's eyes are bleeding!" Maybe she should have taken
her daughter to see Shrek instead. Anyway, the only sour part of this film
is when that skinny broad Bridget Fonda does a bunch of whining and crying
to add drama to the picture. Come on! This ain't no Ordinary People,
this is an ass-kicking Jet Li film!
[7/3/01]
To sum up: Peh! Horrible! What, you want more details? First, that stupid guy
who does those "show us your cans" 7-Up commercials co-stars in this. Second,
the script is okay for the first 15 minutes, then turns horribly lame. Third,
that damn Dan Akroyd is in this film, which to my counting, makes his 22nd cameo
in a film this year alone! I am sick of seeing his mug pop up like an unexpected rash.
Not that I get rashes, mind you. Anyway, Duchovney should stick to X-files sequels
next time. PS: If you're 8 years old, you may like this movie. But, if you're 8,
you shouldn't even be browsing the 'net, you punk! Go back to watching
Sponge Bob Square Pants
for cryin' out loud.
[7/1/01]
Haley Joel Osment was, as usual, brilliant beyond his years. And Jude Law
was hilarious as a robot gigolo.
But that's all the praise this 3-part, meandering rough draft merits. First,
the movie begins with the obnoxious and ridiculously far fetched assumption
that global warming actually occurred, melting the earth's ice caps and
causing water to cover much of the planet; this plays no important role in
the film. Discordant themes are never tied together, not even with
Spielberg's flashy special effects. The mixed Mad Max/Gladiator bit with
machine-hating motorcyclists covered in neon shark-shaped lights made me
blink and wonder if I were watching a B- movie at 3am on Cinemax II.
Finally, bringing robot-aliens into the 3rd part of the picture (when I'd
thought the movie had ended) was the worst form of Deus ex Machina cop-out I
could imagine anyone tacking on to that incomplete piece of crap that
Kubrick left behind. Wait for it to come out on TBS. Then, look forward to
the commercials.
[6/24/01]
First, let me say that I have played the video game and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Given that, I enjoyed the movie because they incorporate the moves that you
use in the game, like the rolling and shooting while diving. Also, the mansion looks
just like it does in the game and Jolie does a great job with the guns and
all. However, even though the movie is great F/X wise, the story cops out
by not building a good plot and character development, and instead just goes
the typical route of rapid location changes and generic world domination driven
bad guy. And that stupid robot in the beginning should be replaced by a good
obstacle course in the back yard like in the game. One thing about her guns --
and I really mean guns in this case -- she shoots these big-ass
Desert Eagle .50
automatics, one in each hand with no sweat! What's up with that?! I actually
shot one of these crazy guns myself at a shooting range and that sum'bitch
pops right out of your hand if you don't hold it with a damn death-grip. But
hey, other than that I think the movie is pretty realistic :)
[6/10/01]
Just so people don't get too used to seeing Travolta is movies these days, he
throws us by growing a little goatee-like beard that is a vertical stripe.
I don't know what the hip kids call this, but I'm sure there is some slang name
for it. I just found out that there is a new way to dance that kids call "Freaking",
or maybe it is "Phreaking", but probably not since that is a hacker's slang for
making free phone calls. Anyway, it is some new type of dirty dancing that has
uptight parents in an uproar. So look out! Oh yeah, the film. Well, it didn't even
have a freakin' swordfish in it, which is my favorite meal these days. But Halle
Berry shows us her cans, and who can knock that?
[5/27/01]
People say this Shrek character's face is patterned after Eisner, a guy so
well known in show business that he doesn't need a first name. Big deal pal,
I don't need a last one. Anyway, they must not like this Eisner guy much, or
maybe he is just plain ugly? Well, the film is great, great voices, great
inside jokes for adults and kids who watch too much TV, and a great song finale
during the credits. So I guess I'm saying it's great. Oh, another interesting tidbit
of useless knowledge; Mike Myers taped the voice through an entire first cut
with no accent, then said "Hey, let's try Scottish now!" -- they all liked the
second cut the best.
[5/20/01]
I like that Renee Zelfigger, or whatever her name is, a whole bunch, and she's
tops in this movie about a girl who is a little overweight, smokes a lot,
and has some trouble dating I guess. In any case, it is great to see Hugh
Grant get punched out! Oh, and some other parts are pretty humorous also.
Certainly go see it if you are a broad who can't get dates.
[5/13/01]
I knew a guy named Harry once, and he was a dick! Same here, as this Harry
pulls some crazy fecal matter on everyone he meets, but comes off as a nice
guy at first. Ladies beware, most guys are like this. Anyway, I like that scene
where he screams in his car a lot.
[4/29/01]
I had first thought this film would have some good spy-type action in it,
but it is ALL talk! The damn thing could have been a play, for christ's sake.
But once you resolve yourself to this fact, you end up enjoying the actor's
playing off one another, and the plot even. What a shocker!
[4/15/01]
You thought the first one was campy, well guess again Skippy -- this sequel
outdoes the campiness tenfold! I managed to focus on the interesting F/X
instead of the lame, toungue-in-cheek, shmaltzy storyline. I got a big kick
out of the media talking up this film as starring "The Rock", that dopey
wrestler, and then when you watch the film he is only in it for 20 seconds,
and then they just computer generate his mug for the last minute. What a rip-off!
If I was one of those
hillbilly WWF fans, I would give someone a serious
figure-four-leglock for tricking me into seeing this film.
[4/1/01]
A nice use of reverse time-flow, done in 5-10 mintue chunks. The story can
be confusing to follow, but it keeps you wanting to know more. Two of the
actors from the Matrix are in this movie, which is cool, but I really like
that Guy Pierce from L.A. Confidential, who does a good job changing
roles here. One thing though; instead of tatooing all that junk on his chest,
shouldn't he have just used a 512-bit encrypted PGP-key in his PDA?
[3/18/01]
Not a bad flick; some people said they thought there was too much "star power"
in this film, which I think is a stupid thing to say. What, your small mind can't
handle seeing more than one person you just saw on Entertainment Tonight?
Anyway, I really liked how they did flashback sequences in black and white, and
I especially liked how that stoplight was used frequently as a metaphor for the
character's lives. And don't you film students plagiarize me, either!
[2/19/01]
A naughty french woman comes to town with her illegitimate child and stirs up
a mess o' trouble by feeding people chocolate and being nice to them. Sounds
a bit boring, huh? Well, if you read the book beforehand it takes on another
dimension and is quite enjoyable. My friend Dom knows french woman who are awfully
more naughty than this one, so I don't see what the big deal is, but I liked it!
[2/6/01]
Yep, the rumors are true -- this is a one-man-show for Hanks, and he does indeed befriend
a volleyball. I thought that knowing these two salient facts would ruin the movie
for me, but it didn't! I really enjoyed the slow pace the movie takes, especially how it
lingers on the sounds of waves crashing as Hanks stands there looking like a dope.
And you have to respect his method acting as he grows a scraggly beard and runs around in
a loin cloth. For a moment, it reminded me of the old Hanks in Bachelor Party!
[1/31/01]
No, this is not a film about fraternity hazing. It's a film with that old, fat,
Lara-Flyn-Boyle shagging, eyebrow-raising Jack Nicholson. Oh, and it sucks!
It could have been pretty good, mind you, but Sean Penn had to try and make it artsy.
Well, he screwed it up and now it sucks. The ending in particular sucked. I liked Robin Wright
though, who reminds me of a waitress in this Chinese restaurant up at Lake Tahoe.
[1/22/01]
A splendid indie film that you can savor as it spins a brother/sister tale.
The brother does a great job playing the lovable screwup, and the sister does
a good job shagging Matthew Broderick -- who seems to play this loser role in
a lot of films lately. I didn't mind seeing him take a shower in that fun
Ferris Bueller, but now, seeing his pasty, white, flabby... ew! Don't even
remind me. And the kid in this is a refreshing treat -- even though he is
related to the evil Macauly Caulkin.
[1/22/01]
This movie is a bit like an underflated basketball. Hard to dribble, and not a lot of fun.
Okay, maybe that is a bad analogy, but the bottom line is that I was disappointed.
You can't help but compare this film to Good Will Hunting, which is too bad, because
this film loses out in such a comparison. Connery plays a good curmudgeon, but he can't
pull the film out of the ordinary -- although my favorite part is when you see his
photos up on the wall from when he played Bond. The new kid does a commendable job, so hey --
kudos to him!
[1/19/01]
Everyone seems to be amused by the name of this film, but the film is a lot funnier!
Pitt of course does a great job with his wacky accent, and in fact you're bombarded with
a number of humorous accents throughout. The squeeky dog, the fast travel-by-plane cuts,
the smart dialogue, and a good twisting plot make this film a keeper!
Oh, and this film thought of a pig scene before
Hanibal, which,
by the way, is going to be a thumbs down without me even seeing it.
[1/14/01]
This long, slow moving, drab film has a nice cast and is smartly filmed (I especially like
how they make Mexico look even draber in those scenes), but the story is a bit lacking.
Michael Douglas is okay I guess, but why the hell is he the main actor? He's on the screen
half the time of that Del Toro guy (doesn't his name mean The Bull or something?) and doesn't
act half as well as him. Anyway, a bit of a let down, with a few redeeming moments. Oh,
and drugs are bad, mmm-kay?
[1/09/01]
A kick-butt martial arts film with a plot. And everyone has been invited.
Southern Crane, Iron Fist, Jade Fox, and all their friends join the fray
in a movie that adds an actual story and character development to
tightly choreographed fight scenes on land and in the trees.
Except for a few (cough, cough) fantastic flying scenes, you will
become entrenched in the characters and you might even forget
the movie is not in English!
[1/7/01]
My favorite parts of this film are the ones with Michael Caine -- he does his best work in
this since Jaws III! Seriously though, he's good. Bill Shatner is a bit amusing also.
Sandra Bullock, though, did her best work in While You Were Sleeping and doesn't get
naked in this, so I'm givin' it a thumbs down, dammit!
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