Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 23rd, 2004
”Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed…”. Yes we all know that familiar strain. Now…The Beverly Hillbillies is the movie adaptation of the popular television show. I was never a fan of the original show, but I can see its charm. And I’m not a fan of the movie, which doesn’t have much charm. Penelope Spheeris directs, and the deft comic touch seen in Wayne’s World is not evident here. There are only so many “fish out of water” jokes one can take in 90 minutes. When there are four writers...credited with the screenplay that’s a sure sign a movie’s in trouble. This movie adaptation is a little on the slow and clunky side and the jokes can be seen from a mile away.
The cast, however, is the saving grace. Jim Varney shows some nice restraint as the patriarch of this clan, Oscar winner Cloris Leachman is the perfect Granny, and Lily Tomlin turns in a fine quirky performance. These good characterizations are like bubblin’ crude, but the movie just lies inert.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 22nd, 2004
Synopsis
Ten years after the events of Epoch 2000 (didn’t see it? then be prepared to beconfused), scientist David Keith and his son (apparently the result of an immaculate conceptionthanks to alien intervention) are on the run from the Genesis Coalition (a well-funded group ofnutcases devoted to expunging all things alien from the world). Alien rock formations, called“toruses” (they look like frozen tornadoes) rise from the ground, and good guys and bad guysdescend on them to discov...r their secrets. Meanwhile, the world is on the brink of nuclear wwarafter the Chinese (for some obscure reason) shoot down a US/Russian defense satellite.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 21st, 2004
Synopsis
Meteors plunge to Earth in the 12th Century, unleashing a horde of dragons from outer space(!). They destroy the castle of nasty king John Rhys-Davies. He and a few followers take refugein the castle of a good and wise king, plotting to overthrow him when opportunity arises.Meanwhile, a lone-wolf hunter is conscripted into hunting down the dragons, with the help ofa disparate band (including a martial arts expert -- don’t ask).
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 14th, 2004
Synopsis
Janie inherits a strip club from her uncle, and is determined to put the club back in the black,notably by getting all her college friends to strut their stuff on the stage. But not everyone wantsher to succeed, notably one conniving stripper who wants to get her hands on the treasuresecreted somewhere on the premises.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 14th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 13th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 12th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on December 10th, 2004
After learning about lawsuits filed by two obese women against McDonald’s - accusing the fast-food giant of making them obese - Morgan Spurlock decided to eat nothing but food from McDonald’s for 30 days to see what would happen. Even his doctors didn’t expect the eventual results: Spurlock gained 30 pounds, became depressed, experienced a diminished sex drive, and teetered on the edge of liver failure. His doctors even warned him that failure to change his diet immediately would cause death - and he still had a week...to go.
Sprinkled throughout Spurlock’s quest to eat nothing but McDonald’s for a month are: interviews with people on the street, experts in the health industry, and executives for fast food companies. Spurlock goes deeper than just McDonald’s, which is fair, because McDonald’s isn’t the only fast food company out there making people fat today. Spurlock also explores school cafeteria lunches, marketing, and subliminal messages in advertising.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on December 10th, 2004
Spider-Man 2 is a superior film to the first. While it is rare for sequels to live up to expectations, there are rare moments in film history when the sequel may even surpass the first film’s quality. The Godfather Part II and Bride of Frankenstein are two well known examples. But for Every T2 there are usually 20 Jaws 3-D’s. Doc Ock was the perfect choice as the story’s villain; Alfred Molina was a wonderful selection to bring this fan favorite to life on the big screen. Peter Parker’s life is more multi-dimensional...here. It’s about time a superhero film showed us this kind of impact a hero’s choices make on his life. The f/x are nothing short of a miracle. I was a bit skeptical going into the theatre originally. It would have been too easy for Doc Ock to descend into camp or outright silliness. Of course, there are moments where the glimmer of camp shows its ugly head. I’m not sure what the bank was doing with all of those gold doubloons.
It was good to find Tobey Maguire back in action as Spidey. A fall during the filming of Seabiscuit caused severe enough back trauma that the film’s production was stalled as long as possible. It was so close that Kirsten Dunst’s real-life boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal was cast as an emergency replacement. Dunst is still the weak link in the cast. J.D. Simmons continues to nail J. Jonah Jameson perfectly. Sam Raimi manages to work in cameos from the deceased members of the first film, and let’s not forget another cameo by Raimi’s Evil Dead partner, Bruce Cambell. If you blink you’ll miss the traditional cameo by Spider-Man creator Stan Lee.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 8th, 2004
Synopsis
A minor fire (not the big scorch that case implies) breaks out in the forest, and is quickly extinguished. Nonetheless, there are clear signs of arson, and four teens are involved. The Ranger in charge of the area locks the teens in his station and proceeds to work on ferreting out the truth of what happened. And this fractious group has secrets they would rather not reveal. The film turns into a tale of relationships and coming of age.
