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Austin Powersfest 2002
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Welcome to CT MOVIES
This is a site for the people of the Lakelands to come to to get a real opinion on new films. The reports will take you through entire film experiences, to get the state of mind of the viewer. Mainstream films, indies, DVD, we'll talk about all of 'em. Got an opinion on a film? E-mail me at c_tmovies@yahoo.com or find me on AOL I.M. screen name: NolimitDoug.
2/5/03 DARKNESS FALLS review. Good flick. Scroll down for review.
2/5/03 BIKER BOYZ review. Scroll on down to see it.
2/4/03 SHANGHAI KNIGHTS review. Scroll down to be enlightened.
2/4/03 FINAL DESTINATION 2 review. Scroll down to check it out.
11/15/02 8 MILE review Scrol down to see it.
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Daredevil rages on Feb 14 ______________________________ "Final Destination 2" review
Saw this last night, 2/3/03. It was me and Pohlman. Caught the 10 pm show at the REI Cinema. I had been jonesing to see this sequel, and Pohlman (scurvy dog) had already seen it on opening night. He had no problem rubbing it in that he had already seen it. So it was with a little convincing that he went back and saw it again, with me this time. We went to Pizza Hut before hand and hashed out the world's problems over peperoni and cheese. Then we headed over to the theater. AS FOR THE MOVIE:
Surpasses the orginal. Period. If you like suspense films, if you like horror films, if you like gore, then get your tail to this film. It was just and entertaining film, and that's all there is to say about that.
The plot deals with death and it's design. IF you cheat death, it WILL come back to claim you. Anbody that knows anything about the first film will know this about the second film.
The acting is strong in this one, though it is mostly unknowns in the leads. Ali Larter is back as Clear Rivers, reprising her role form the first film. In this one she is much more cynical and jaded by past events. Its a bit of a departure for Larter, and she handles it well.
The star here though, is director Richard Ellis' special effects and death scenes. He shows you, literally, 5-10 different hazzards that may kill the characters ina given situation, and then leaves you to guess what might happen. The result is a jamboree of expectations, thrills, and surprises. It had the audience laughing one minute and shrieking the next. And isn't that what movies are supposed to do? Make you laugh, scream, have fun??
So, yeah, I liked this film. I was thoroughly entertained for 90 minutes. Between this and "Darkness Falls", some life has been breathed back into the horror genre the last few weeks.
Overall:
8 0f 10
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"Shanghai Knights" review
A first.
For the first time in the history of this site I have actually gotten a review up BEFORE a film comes out, thanks to the sneak preview of "Shanghai Knights" Jan 25. Saw it on that day with my wife and Brian "Ass kicking boots" Collins. We caught it at the Hollywood 20 in Greenville. The auditorium was sold out for the 7:30 show. Being a fan of the first I was definently curious about this sequel. AS FOR THE MOVIE:
Another in a string of movies I have seen lately that I would classify as "entertaining". Not good. Not award winning. ENTERTAINING. Throughout "Shanghai Knights" I just sat there with a goofy grin on my face, watching the old fashioned action comedy play out in front of me.
The acting was solid, of course. Jackie Chan, as "Chon Wang" is just unbelievable. Still busting heads and doing his own stunts at his age. He has a great comic timing as well. Also he pays homaqge to "Singin' In The Rain" in this one, WHILE DOING KUNG-FU! That is insane. Even my wife gives props to Chan, and if anyone knows my wife and her film tastes, you know that's saying something. Owen Wilson plays the funny man here, and of course he does it well. Owen Wilson, as "Roy O'Bannon" is a performer who is just about guaranteed to deliver the goods it seems. He is such and odd visual sight, whith his lanky frame and crooked nose, that it almost makes you laugh just looking at him.
Director David Dobkins has a pretty good eye for things. His depiction of turn of the century England, is grand, but not overtly so. The fight scenes are staged well, but a couple of them (like oh, I don't know, THE CLIMACTIC ONE) are a bit short. Dobkins is not a name you'll probably see listed with the biggest projects, but he is a serviceable director.
So, if you liked the first one, or you like Chan or Wilson, or if you like action/comedy or..... Ah hell, if you like to have a good time at the movies god see "Shanghai Knights"
Overall:
8 1/2 of 10.
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"Darkness Falls" review
Saw this one last Tuesday (1/28/02), caught the 10:15 show at the REI in Greenwood. It was Pohlman and I. Like "Final Destination 2", Pohlman had already seen this one and had highly reccomended to me. After I had pummeled him for a while, I said "Sure, I'll go along". So we headed off, grabbed some popcorn and ducked inside the auditorium. AS FOR THE MOVIE:
See, it seems all the truly creepy movies of the last few years have been rated PG-13. Think about it. "Sixth Sense", "What Lies Beneath", "Signs", "The Ring", and now "Darkness Falls". Man, this one took me by surprise. I was expecting something more akin to "Phantoms" or "The Mimic": A film promising chills but failing to deliver. Well "Falls" is not that. If you are looking for a film that embodies "creepy", perhaps you might like it.
Director Jonathan Liebesman provides plenty of scares revolving around the plot of well...an evil tooth fairy. Actually, it's an evil witch they call "tooth fairy". It's actually the ghost of Matilda Dixon, back to seek her vengeance on the people of the town of Darkness Falls. And that she does. This film is like a chiller from the 80's. Good creatture effects, cheesy dialgue, and some real scares.
The acting is, admitedly, so-so. Chaney Kley pleays the lead as Kyle, and like you probably are, I was wondering, "Who the hell is Cheney Kley?" Well he is a bor b-movie actor brawny and good looking, but delivers his lines like a dead fish. The young man who played the young Kyle was actually a better actor. Emma Caufield plays the female lead, and she does a much better job. She may actually become a star, we'll have to see.
But the acting did not take aay from the film much. It was just a scary film. Pohlman and I had a great time. The sound kept the whole audience on the edge of their seat. Sound is actually a character in this film, it's done so well. Also, there were several times when the witch seems to be actaully a model, rather than CGI. That was endearing to me.
I wish there were more small, pointedly scary flicks like this out there like this one. It was #1 on it's opening weekend, so perhaps we will get to see more.
Overall:
7 1/2 of 10
"Biker Boyz" review
Saw this one recently, 2/5/03, at the REI cinema. It was just me, as I had the day off work and had just gotten out of school. I just had some time to kill and wanted to catch a flick, so I cught th 1:30 matinee of "Biker Boyz". I actually wanted to see it, though Pohlman and my wife, and hell everyone else I know had no interest in it. It made million last weekend, so I figured what the hey. ON TO THE MOVIE:
Well, anyone with eyes and ears could see that the name of the film should not be "Biker Boyz", but "Fast and the Furious on Motorcycles". Throw some minor stars and a music star in a flick about racing souped up machines and watch the crowds roll in. Well, not exactly.
The film is basically about Kid, played by Derek Luke, trying to take over Laurence Fihburne's character as "King of Cali", the title bestowed to the best motorcycle street racer. There are some good moments, but....
It just adds to nothing. Sure it had some cool moments, but nothing groundbreaking. And the parade of minor stars: Fishburne, Luke, Kid Rock, Kadeem Hardison, Lisa Bonet, Djimon Hounsou, Larenz Tate. They just kept coming out of the wood work. But nobody took hold of the film.
Also, the film was 15-20 minutes too long. Not at the end but there were scenes dispersed throughout the film that we could have done without. It just did not have the "umph" if you will. Director Reggie Rock Blythewood has a decent eye for certain stnuts and such, but this film is a dud.
Overall:
5 of 10
I'm glad I caught a matinee
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Shanghai Knights opens Feb 7 _________________________________ "8 Mile" review
Saw this one on 11/13/02. It was me, My Lady Friend, and Pohlman. Caught it at the God awful Crosscreek Cinema. My feelings on that theater are very bittersweet. Love it and hate it. Anyway, I'm a big Eminem fan, and an old school hip hop head. I was really looking forward to '8 Mile'. Grabbed some pocorn and headed on in. AS FOR THE FILM:
It was outstanding. Really. Director Curtis Hanson really turned out a film about friendship, loyalty, and following your dreams. He just disguised it in the world of underground hip-hop in the mid 90's.
As I'm sure you know the film is the semi-autobiographical tale of Eminem's life. Or as it is, a week in his life back in 1995. Slim Shady is a natural actor. He did a marvelous job in the lead role as "Rabbit". The guy really is quite fascinating. I'm eager to see what his next role will be. Mekkhi Phifer plays "Future", Rabbit's best friend. Mekkhi is one of the consistently solid black actors of his generation. Brittany Murphy plays Rabbit's flame of the moment,and she does ok. She's a little too pretty to be playing the role she is, but that's a small gripe. The rest of Em's crew is played by unknowns, but they do quite a good job, they really seemed like friends.
The star of the show for me was the soundtrack. The background music was all circa 1995 hip-hop. Tupac, Biggie, Method Man, Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang. Good stuff. My head was bobbing all the while. Hell, everybody's head was bobbing in the theater.
In all, it was a really good film. If you like hip hop, or even if you don't, give it a try. It is a worthy film
In all
8 of 10
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