drac's Talk

The Others

This film has got to be one of my all-time favorite scary movies. Make sure you wait until well after dark, turn off all the lights, light a candle in the corner of the room, and sit all by yourself under a blanket in the darkness to watch this movie. It will add so much to the mood of the night. The Others has an old-fashioned horror movie theme, just like a classic haunted house movie that radiates suspense and the supernatural, but with a modern twist. Although there are only a few shocking moments in the film that make you jump out of your seat, they are there, and will definitely surprise you. The atmosphere of this film is so creepy and so well maintained, even the slightest scare will have you pulling the blanket over your eyes as you scream in fear. It's not the scares so much that give you the chills, it's the atmosphere, look, sound, and feel of this movie that are amazing and very well thought out. This film is made for those who enjoy simple ghost stories and things that go bump in the night. Like any good psychological thriller, this movie touched on the most basic of fears, such as fear off closets, half-opened doors, strange people, and a large old secluded house. The only twist to the old fashioned psycho thriller is instead of fear of the dark, it's fear of the light that keeps you interested. The Others does something that many scary movies these days do not...it makes you think. As you watch the movie, and keep trying to guess where the writer is headed, where this story line is going, you will not be let down a bit when it gets there, and you figure it all out. The twist at the end is well worth the wait!!! Nichole Kidman's performance is brilliant. Her character is so well written, well thought out, and well planned, it's the perfect role for her. It seems to me that she has never played a roll quite like this, and she mastered it. She makes you feel what she feels and fear what she fears. The children actors are magnificent also. The young girl leaves you trembling in terror multiple times and is so believable, it's like she's been doing it for many years. If you have not already seen this movie, I definitely recommend that you skip the $3 - $4 rental fee, pay $10 extra dollars, and buy the damn thing! It's well worth it!!!

Benny & Joon

This story is based on the sweet, innocent, uncommon love that forms between between Johnny Depp's character (Sam), a young man with a great imagination, and Mary Stuart Masterson's character (Joon), a girl who is a passionate painter with a mental illness. She is taken care of by her brother (Benny) played by Aidan Quinn, who is overprotective and always concerned for Joon. The actor's performances in Benny & Joon were very believable and sincere. Depp and Masterson did make a great pair, and the chemistry was wonderfully played out. I would liked to have seen more of Julianne Moore in this film, she could have added much more charm to the movie had she had a bigger part. I must say that this film was not extremely well written, or directed. It is some what boring and slow at times, but at others is very entertaining. It would be a great movie to watch on a Sunday morning curled up on the couch. Seeing this movie once was enough for me, but if it was on cable, I'd sit down for it. I wouldn't pay the $3 to rent it again, but if you haven't seen it, it would be worth it.

A Beautiful Mind

Not very often is there a movie that moves me in ways that a real-life experience could, but A Beautiful Mind has done just that. The extremely convincing performance of Russell Crowe was outstanding...his best ever. He takes you into the mind of a well thought-out, fascinating character, providing a look into life like you've never experienced it before. He takes you from sanity to insanity and back again. His character is forced to balance insanity with intelligence, and that doesn't come very easy. Russell Crowe proves himself once again as one of the best actors of his generation. He is my absolute favorite, and this movie is just another example of why he has won me over. The movie is extremely interesting, dramatic, romantic, and tragic. Jennifer Connelly's performance was without a doubt wonderful. She proves that she is one of the most amazing, naturally beautiful, actresses there are. This movie is on my top 5 list, maybe even my all-time favorite. I can watch it over and over and still be amazed by the acting. I recommend this to everyone who has not seen it, and for those that have...watch it again, you'll enjoy it all over again. . Definitely a buy!

What Lies Beneath

This film is one of my favorite supernatural mystery films ever! You get creeped out from the moment the spirit of Harrison Ford's mistress shows here face in her watery grave. From that moment, you know you will not be let down. Michelle Pfeiffer's performance is with out a doubt, one of her best. You get the feeling that she put her heart and soul into becoming her character. The role is played wonderfully. Harrison Ford also does a magnificent job. His character is extremely two dimensional, and he masters it like he's done it a million times before. They make a great pair, and I would love to see them together again. The atmosphere and mood of this supernatural thriller / horror film are very well planned. There are some truly startling moments when something suddenly jumps out. The ghost-based part of the movie is definitely creepy to say the least. The scenes in the bathroom and at the lake are the best. This movie is well acted, and very well directed. Watching this movie at night, at home alone, in the dark will definitely add to the spookiness. What Lies Beneath is an awesome thriller. It will leave you wondering and in surprise the entire movie. Highly recommended!!! Worth the buy!

August Rush

I am indifferent about this movie. I was not at all satisfied with writer's efforts. The beginning jumped around a lot. I don't think it was thought out very well. Also, I was not satisfied with the fact that Keri Russell's character never saw Jonathon Rhys Meyers' character again after she found out she was pregnant. In this day and age, if she wanted to have located him, she could have. Also, the fact that the father of the girl did what he did, made me want to vomit, and was not at all believable considering the movie was not set in the 40's or 50's. Baby's being born, then adopted out without the knowledge or consent of the mother is just not possible these days. Like I said...very unbelievable. I was however extremely impressed with the music, and how they used music for more than just a background. Music played a major role itself in the movie, and I loved that. As far as the acting goes...it was okay. Every time I see Keri Russell in a film, it reminds me of Noxzema?LOL. I know it was a long time ago, but I still picture her Noxzema commercial every time. She is an okay actor, not one of the best, nor one of my favorites, by far, just okay. Jonathon Rhys Meyers however, was wonderful. I have never really paid much attention to him before this film, but watching August Rush, I realized what a good actor he is, and what a great actor he could be. Robin Williams was out of his realm a bit with this movie. He is one of my all-time favorite actors, and did a great job portraying his character. However, I would much rather see him play the good guy, not the bad guy - or in this case...mostly bad guy. Freddie Highmore is a remarkable child actor. I have seen most of his work, and I have to say, he is extremely talented. He has a very bright future ahead of him if he can stay focused and away from all of the bad influences that Hollywood has to offer. Overall, I would say give this movie a chance. I think it's one worth renting, but not worth buying!

Black Hawk Down

BY FAR ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE WAR COMBAT MOVIES EVER MADE. TRUE STORY INFACT, AND IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HATE BILL CLINTON'S MILITARY RELATIONS, YOU WILL AFTER SEEING THIS MOVIE. EIGHTEEN US SOLDIERS AND OVER 500 SOMALIANS WERE KILLED DURING WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN A 30 MINUTE SEARCH AND CAPTURE MISSION. EVEN SO, I REALLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE. I'M A SUCKER FOR COMBAT MOVIES, AND THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST MODERN COMBAT MOVIES MADE. IT FULL OF ACTION, AND NOT A DULL MOMENT IN THE ENTIRE MOVIE.

Edward Scissorhands

Edward Scissorhands is by far one of the best movies ever made. It is for sure Tim Burton's best ever! He is quite the genius, and this movie proves that. Also, Johnny Depp at his finest! Winona Rider did a splended job as well. The main character, Edward, is one of the most thought-out, well=planned characters to ever to portrayed on the big screen. He is charming, mysterious, different, and weak, but strong in his own way. This is a must see and worth adding to your collection.

The Butterfly Effect

LET ME START BY SAYING THAT ASHTON KUTCHER IS DEFINATELY NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTORS. I WAS NOT SURE THAT KUTCHER COULD SUCESSFULLY PLAY A SERIOUS ROLL. I WAS NOT SURE THAT I COULD TAKE THIS MOVIE SERIOUSLY WITH HIM PLAYING IN IT. AFTER WATCHING SO MANY EPISODES OF "PUNKED", MY EXPECTATIONS WERE NOT VERY HIGH. HOWEVER, I WAS SURPRISED! HE WAS GREAT. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS THE SAME PERSON THAT WAS OUT THERE PUNKING ALL OF HOLLYWOOD AND SMOKING JOINTS IN THE BASEMENT OF THAT 70'S SHOW? THE STORY LINE...VERY INVENTIVE. LOVED THE TIME TRAVEL THING...ALWAYS GREAT. THIS MOVIE IS ONE THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT GET UP FROM WITHOUT PAUSING, OR YOU'LL BE LOST WHEN YOU RETURN. GREAT MOVIE THOUGH. A MUST SEE.

Reign Over Me

THIS IS A VERY EMOTIONAL MOVIE. IT MAKES YOU WONDER ABOUT HOW YOU WOULD REACT OR SURVIVE FOR THAT MATTER AFTER SOMETHING SO HORRIBLE HAPPENS TO YOUR FAMILY. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT, HEART WRENCHING STORY. ADAM SANDLER'S HUMOR SHINED THROUGH IN A FEW SCENES EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS ONE OF THE MORE SERIOUS ROLES HE HAS PLAYED. I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT SANDLER HAS THE RANGE THAT HE DOES. THAT IS WHAT MAKES HIM THE GREAT ACTOR THAT HE IS. THIS ROLL SURPASSES ANYTHING HE HAS DONE TO DATE. IF YOU ARE A SANDLER FAN, THIS IS A MUST SEE. DON CHEADLE WAS AMAZING AS WELL. I LIKE LIV TYLER IN THIS ALSO, ALTHOUGH I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO SEE MORE OF HER CHARACTER, AND MAYBE EVEN HER CHARACTER GETTING MORE INVOLVED WITH SANDLER'S WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. THIS IS DEFINATELY A VERY WELL ACTED MOVIE. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THIS MOVIE... DEFINATE MUST SEE!!!

I Am Sam

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of "I am Sam" is Sean Penn's outstanding performance. He has long been one of my favorite actors, and proves his abilities in this film. This is, without a doubt, his best performance to date. He has shown that he loves a great challenge, and that he can not only succeed in the challenge, but also master it. There are a lot of good actors, but I can't name another of off the top of my head that is as diverse as Penn. Penn is an excellent actor with wonderfully broad talent, and offers his audience the finest of performances playing the character of Sam Dawson. Sam is a mentally retarded man who works as a busboy at a local Starbucks, while raising his seven-year-old daughter Lucy, played by Dakota Fanning. Lucy's mother was a homeless woman who left Sam to raise his daughter alone soon after Lucy was born. Sam does a fine job of raising the girl at first, with help from a neighbor and some mildly retarded friends. As Lucy grows, her mental state and intelligence begins to surpass that of Sam, and she is left taking care of him at the early age of seven. Family Protective Services soon learn of the circumstances of the family, and step in. They try to take Lucy away from Sam to eventually be placed in foster care. Sam, knowing that he want to fight for custody of his daughter, then contacts lawyer Rita Harrison, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. At first she turns him down, but later, takes his case pro bono as a challenge from her colleagues. Lucy is taken into FPS custody, and Harrison realized that action has to be taken. Together they fight to convince the system that Sam deserves to get his daughter back. Dakota Fanning in my opinion is the best child actor the big screen has seen in many years. She is able to play any part laid in front of her with great conviction. She manages to steal the hearts of her audience with every performance, and accomplished that early on in this film. This is a wonderful, heart-wrenching, tear-jerking movie. It has a message, and sends it loud and clear. If you have children that need to be introduced to a good life lesson about being kind to others no matter their differences, sit them down in front of the TV for this one. By the end of this film, I guarantee it will have an affect on them, and they may never forget the lesson that they learned or the movie they just watched. It is what life is all about...family, and holding on to them a tight as you can, never letting them slip out of your hands, no matter what life throws your way. The most touching movie I have seen in a long time. This is a definitely buy, and is on personal top 5 list. Highly recommended!!!

El Mariachi

THIS IS THE BEST 'B' MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN. THE ENTIRE CAST HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD OF IN THE U.S., AND SOME ARE NOT GREAT ACTORS. HOWEVER, THE STORY IS INTERESTING AND I ACTUALLY STARTED TO THINK THAT THE PLOT IS SOMEWHAT BELIEVABLE AND COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN. I KNOW...CRAZY RIGHT? THE FILM IS ENTIRELY IN SPANISH, AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE THE OPTION TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE ON THE DVD, BUT IF YOU LIKE FOREIGN FILMS WIH SUB-TITLES, GIVE IT A CHANCE.