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erikggrep's Rating |
My Rating |
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As a movie fan I would like to talk about a favorite film title from my childhood, and I still enjoy it today as a grown-up. The film is called Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope - or better known simply as just Star Wars. I think of it as THE BEST FILM EVER...in the sub-genres of science fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, and the box office hit as well as a geek's favorite.
It is a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Darth Vader and his Galactic Empire rule with an iron fist in the galaxy, the Jedi Knights are all but extinct, and the Rebel Alliance is fighting in a struggle to overthrow the space tyranny and restore peace and freedom for its people. The galaxy's new hope, Tatooine farmboy Luke Skywalker, leads space rogue Han Solo, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and two droids - R2-D2 and C-3PO - to rescue Princess Leia in the Death Star, the space weapon with enough power to destroy an planet entirely. The Rebel Alliance, meanwhile, is concentrating on destroying the weapon.
Star Wars was directed, produced, and written by George Lucas, who previously made THX 1138 and American Graffiti. Its good, talented acting cast includes the following:
1.) Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)
2.) Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)
3.) Harrison Ford (Han Solo)
4.) Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
5.) Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
6.) Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
7.) David Prowse (Darth Vader)
8.) James Earl Jones (Voice of Darth Vader)
9.) Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin)
10.) Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
11.) Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles)
Many of the film's best memorable quotes will keep me awake at night, including:
1.) "Don't you dare call me a mindless philosopher, you overweight glob of grease." (C-3PO)
2.) "If there's a bright center in the universe, you're on the planet that is farthest from." (Luke Skywalker)
3.) "I find your lack of faith disturbing." (Darth Vader)
4.) "Watch your mouth kid, or you'll find yourself floating home." (Han Solo)
5.) "The force will be with you...always." (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
6.) "Would somebody get this big walking carpet out of my way?" (Princess Leia)
7.) "Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate our chances. (Grand Moff Tarkin)
When I first watched it on TV at age 11, I had no idea that Star Wars was some sort of a modern-day fairy tale, given with elements such as knights, sword fights, and the rescue of a princess added along with a good text opening. It also has the best instrumental music soundtrack composed by John Williams, which is very dramatic and moving to fit in with the perfect sequences. Already raised by superhero-dominated Saturday morning cartoons, I feel like that the film changed my life as I now see Luke Skywalker as the greatest hero in galactic mythology; this is an element that I want to include in my own space fantasy story that I'd like to write someday. Besides the space opera setting, Star Wars radically changed special effects (SFX) through THX, Skywalker Sound, and Industrial Light & Magic, which made the action here excellent. Not only its blockbuster success lead to five sequels, similar sci-fi/fantasy knock-offs also followed; without Star Wars movie fans probably won't have later film titles like The Lord Of The Rings or Harry Potter. For those who haven't seen Star Wars yet, you should check it out what I call a highly recommended classic that no one should miss. You'll remember how one sci-fi film from the 1970s influenced modern-day cinema and pop culture forever.
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Luke Skywalker and Han Solo saved Princess Leia and destroyed the Death Star, but the battle isn't over yet. The forces of the Rebel Alliance are scattered across the galaxy and faced a crushing defeat on the frozen ice planet of Hoth by the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker seeks out in the swamps of Dagobah, where the mysterious Jedi Master Yoda trains him to become a Jedi Knight. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Princess Leia outrun the Imperial Fleet to the beautiful Cloud City on Bespin. While plotting to turn Luke to the dark side in a trap Darth Vader and the young Skywalker engage in a fierce fights with him in a lightsaber duel; it was where Luke faces a terrible revealing truth of the Skywalker family legacy.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back is directed by Irvin Kershner, produced by Gary Kurtz, written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, and executive-produced by George Lucas. All of its good acting performances comes from the returning characters as well as the newcomers:
1.) Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)
2.) Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)
3.) Harrison Ford (Han Solo)
4.)Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)
5.) David Prowse (Darth Vader)
6.) James Earl Jones (Darth Vader's voice)
7.) Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
8.) Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
9.) Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
10.) Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles)
11.) Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
12.) Frank Oz (Yoda)
Many of the film's best memorable quotes will keep me awake at night, including the following eight:
1.) "Laugh it up, fuzzball! (Han Solo)
2.) "Wars not make one great." (Yoda)
3.) "Mudhole? Slimy? My home this is!" (Yoda)
4.) "I have a bad feeling about this." (Princess Leia)
5.) "Anger. Fear. Aggression. The dark side of the Force are they." (Yoda)
6.) "Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try." (Yoda)
7.) "The Force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet." (Darth Vader)
8.) "May the force be with you" (Luke Skywalker)
One of my favorite film titles from my childhood, The Empire Strikes Back is a fan favorite due to its emotional plot plus some memorable moments, and it's a usual case that the first sequel either improves or does as good as its predecessor. And like the previous Star Wars movie, I know that this is another modern-day fairy tale, but it's also a tale of revenge. The Imperials may have been defeated with their Death Star destruction, but all Vader wants is to lure Luke into the seductive dark side. Already raised by superhero-dominated Saturday morning cartoons, I see Luke Skywalker as a great hero in galactic mythology. The special effects (SFX) here are excellent - I find the scenery of Hoth and Bespin very real-looking to me. It's always good to have the instrumental music soundtrack composed by John Williams to fit with the dramatic sequences. With all such elements, I think of this Star Wars episode as THE BEST FILM EVER...in the sub-genres of science fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, and the box office hit as well as a geek's favorite. And it's also a highly recommended classic that you don't want to miss.
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Return to a galaxy far, far away. Han Solo is frozen in carbonite as the prisoner of the gangster Jabba the Hutt, so his friends attempt a rescue. But Chewie is imprisoned, and Leia, R2-D2, and Hutt makes C-3PO as his slave. Luke and his companions are all sentenced to death yet he performs the most spectacular rescue ever. He then joins the rebellion while his companions launch their final attack against the empire's new but incomplete Death Star orbiting the forest moon of Endor. Meanwhile, Luke fights in what was the ultimate lightsaber duel with Darth Vader as the Emperor attempts to turn Luke to the dark side.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi is directed by Richard Marquand, produced by Howard Kazanjian, and executive-produced by George Lucas. Its cast includes returning roles as well as new ones:
1.) Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)
2.) Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)
3.) Harrison Ford (Han Solo)
4.) David Prowse (Darth Vader)
5.) James Earl Jones (Voice of Darth Vader)
6.) Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine)
7.) Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)
8.) Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
9.) Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
10.) Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
11.) Frank Oz (Yoda)
12.) Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles)
13.) Warwick Davis (Wicket)
Within the best of the movie's dialogue, here are its four of my favorite memorable quotes that will keep me awake all night:
1.) "The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am." (Darth Vader)
2.) "This bounty hunter is my kind of scum." (Jabba the Hutt)
3.) "When 900 years old you reach, look as good, you will not!" (Yoda)
4.) "It's against my programming to impersonate a deity." (C-3PO)
5.) "I'm a Jedi, like my father before me." (Luke Skywalker)
The Star Wars film saga makes its exciting conclusion with the Return Of The Jedi, and by doing that it needs a return of Anakin Skywalker to the light side, the final destruction of the Sith and the Galactic Empire, the victory of the Rebel Alliance, not to mention the final lightsaber duel that Luke needs to finish when he fights Vader back in The Empire Strikes Back. Plus, the film can't be complete if it weren't for the exploding action and its special effects (SFX) taking place in space and on the planets; they all blew my mind away as if I sat next to the screen. And what about the Ewoks? They, including Wicket, are credited to be the cutest alien creatures ever to appear on the film series, and they surely looked brown Muppets to me. With all such elements I can say that this Star Wars episode is, like the previous two films (and Episode III), THE BEST FILM EVER...in the sub-genres of science fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, and the box office hit as well as a geek's favorite. The circle is now complete, and I liked it! I'm glad that it's over, but there's also an Expanded Universe of further stories left open for me to explore...
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Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning. Taking place some 30 years before Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, the story of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace goes as the greedy Trade Federation stopped trade and blockaded the planet Naboo. Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi came in to force a settlement to the conflict. They meet Queen Amidala and head to Courscant. Meanwhile at Tatooine, Qui-Gon encounters someone who is strong in the Force, which lead the Jedi Council into thinking he was the Chosen One. That one was the 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker, the pod-racing boy who is unaware that the journey he begins will transform him into the evil Darth Vader. Darth Sidious, who apprenticed Darth Maul to have a light-saber duel with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan on Naboo, lurks to doom the galaxy and hoping to take revenge against the Jedi over his fallen Sith order.
Star Wars: Episode I was directed by George Lucas and features the following cast members who spoke good dialogue both in English and Huttese throughout the film:
1.) Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn)
2.) Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
3.) Natalie Portman (Queen Amidala/Padme)
4.) Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker)
5.) Frank Oz (Yoda)
6.) Ian McDiarmid (Senator Palpatine)
7.) Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
8.) Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
9.) Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks)
10.) Ray Park (Darth Maul)
11.) Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker)
12.) Silas Carson (Ki-Adi-Mundi/Nute Gunray)
13.) Terence Stamp (Chancellor Valorum)
14.) Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble)
15.) Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu)
Memorable quotes are all over the first episode (and fourth installment) of this Star Wars film, including:
1.) "I have a bad feeling about this." (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
2.) "Meesa Jar Jar Binks." (Jar Jar Binks)
3.) "Are you an angel?" (Anakin Skywalker)
4.) "At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge." (Darth Maul)
5.) "Patience, my blue friend." (Qui-Gon Jinn)
6.) "May the force be with you." (Qui-Gon Jinn)
7.) "Fear is a path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." (Yoda)
8.) "Now this is pod-racing!" (Anakin Skywalker)
For longtime diehard fans, 16 years of waiting for the new Star Wars movie finally came with the May 1999 release of Star Wars: Episode I. But for me, this was my first in the series to be theatrically viewed. I was learning and watching a lot of the classic trilogy on the VHS set months earlier when The Phantom Menace came out, so I had to watch how the Star Wars film saga began. Even it's been long after my late '90s childhood I knew that this episode was still fun and great with raging battles battles featuring pod-racers, Naboo starfighters, and Jedi. Despite the $429 million smash at the box office, I think the film would have been better if Anakin was a young teenager instead of a child and Jar Jar Binks, Watto, and the Neimodians learned how to speak properly without sparking any racist accusations. While The Phantom Menace isn't necessarily perfect to the flawless level, it's not that bad at all. The acting performances are very excellent, including that of Ewan McGregor who could play a young adult version of Alec Guinness's Kenobi character. I still like to watch the film for great viewing entertainment to see the action, adventure, and special effects (SFX), especially when I get amused by the concept of midi-chlorians playing in the role of the mystery of the Force.
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A Jedi shall not know anger. Nor hatred. Nor love. These are the words of the Jedi Code that cannot be broken, and any contempt or personal attachments could lead a Jedi drawn into the dark side of the Force. Set 10 years after the Battle of Naboo back in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Attack Of The Clones continues the story of Anakin's journey to the dark side while divided over his loyalties between the Jedi and the former queen Padme Amidala. Meanwhile, the Separatists under Count Dooku declared their intentions to secede from the Republic. This causes Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to approve the creation of a clone army made up entirely of copies of the bounty hunter Jango Fett. After an unsuccessful assassination attempt on the senator, Anakin was assigned to work as a bodyguard for Padme, who resists the creation of the clone army, resulting in a love attachment that is considered as forbidden by the Jedi Order.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones was directed by George Lucas and has good acting performances from the following cast members:
1.) Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
2.) Natalie Portman (Padme Amidala)
3.) Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker)
4.) Christopher Lee (Count Dooku)
5.) Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu)
6.) Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
7.) Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
8.) Ian McDiarmid (Supreme Chancellor Palpatine)
9.) Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett)
10.) Daniel Logan (Boba Fett)
11.) Frank Oz (Yoda)
12.) Jimmy Smits (Senator Bail Organa)
13.) Silas Carson (Ki-Adi-Mundi/Nute Gunray)
14.) Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks)
The second episode (and fifth installment) of the Star Wars saga features some of the most memorable quotes:
1.) "Why do I get the feeling that you're going to be the death of me?" (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
2.) "May the force be with you." (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
3.) "Are you allowed to love? I thought it was forbidden for a Jedi." (Padme Amidala)
4.) "Someday I will be the most powerful Jedi ever!" (Anakin Skywalker)
5.) "I will create a grand army of the Republic to counter the increasing threat of the Separatists." (Supreme Chancellor Palpatine)
6.) "I have a bad feeling about this." (Anakin Skywalker)
7.) "Begun, the Clone War has." (Yoda)
After watching Episode I - The Phantom Menace I expected the next chapter to be as great as the last one while expecting Anakin to run into more trouble(s) that would draw him into the dark side. Upon seeing this film, I knew the action got a little bit better, but the story got a little slower according to the critics. Although I didn't agree with their negative reviews I understand them; there is a big romance subplot in the middle of it, and the best action doesn't happen until the Battle of Geonosis (including that sequence with the execution arena that made Star Wars look like Gladiator). Plus, even with Jar Jar now receiving a lesser role here he should have spoken his lines in a proper accent. Again, like Episode I, Attack Of The Clones isn't necessarily perfect to the flawless level, yet it still isn't bad at all. The acting performances here are very excellent, with Hayden Christensen showing signs of rebellion against his mentor like a teenager. I still like to watch the film for great viewing entertainment to see the action, adventure, and special effects (SFX), especially when I get excited with Yoda as a Gandhi figure gone Rambo in a lightsaber duel with Dooku.
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The saga is now complete. And the Sith has returned. The story of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith leaves where Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones left off: Evil is everywhere. The Clone Wars are raging over the galaxy for three years. There are heroes on both Republic and Separatist sides and the evil droid-looking General Grievous attacks. Anakin Skywalker is haunted by nightmares of his wife Padme Amidala dying in childbirth, so he seeks Palpatine (a.k.a. Darth Sidious) for help and better counsel while challenging Obi-Wan Kenobi's authority, leading to his ascent to the dark side of the Force as Darth Vader. Over the galaxy, the silence of Sith oppression falls with the formation of the Galactic Empire out of the fragile Republic, but broken only the birth of future Rebel Alliance members Luke and Leia.
Returning from Attack Of The Clones for their respective roles as well as new characters - and directed by George Lucas, of course - this Star Wars story chapter has very good dialogue from the following cast members:
1.) Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
2.) Natalie Portman (Padme Amidala)
3.) Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader)
4.) James Earl Jones (Darth Vader's voice)
5.) Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious)
6.) Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu)
7.) Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
8.) Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
9.) Frank Oz (Yoda)
10.) Jimmy Smits (Senator Bail Organa)
11.) Temuera Morrison (Commander Cody)
12.) Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
13.) Christopher Lee (Count Dooku)
14.) Silas Carson (Ki-Adi-Mundi/Nute Gunray)
Star Wars: Episode III has the following memorable quotes that I'll never forget:
1.) "This is where the fun begins." (Anakin Skywalker)
2.) "Oh, I have a bad feeling about this." (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
3.) "The dark side of the force has many abilities some consider to be unnatural." (Palpatine)
4.) "Every single Jedi, including your friend Obi-Wan Kenobi, is now an enemy of the Republic." (Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine)
5.) "Execute Order 66." (Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine)
6.) "Destroy the Sith we must." (Yoda)
7.) "If you're not with me, then you're my enemy." (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader)
After 28 years since the release of the first Star Wars, it was an exciting moment for fans everywhere that Sith happens as the Sith hits the fan with the sixth and final installment of the film series. Since the release of The Phantom Menace in 1999, I had anticipated for Anakin's descent into the dark side, and six years later, I was so glad to experience it theatrically twice and when purchasing the DVD during its release. The action sequences are beyond excellent with special effects (SFX) that created great space battles and - in the best movie moment ever - the long epic, fierce lightsaber duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan. And so are the acting performances - I thank Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman for being the film saga's best romantic couple here. It's way better than the previous two episodes for a dark, scary story - which is why Episode III is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and intense images (all other episodes are rated PG). Straight from the Flixster Top 50, I think of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith as definitely THE BEST MOVIE EVER in the genres of action/adventure, science fiction, and the hit blockbuster, and my favorite film of 2005. With Star Wars: Episode III being part of this space opera saga at its finest, I'll watch it all over again for the classic action, adventure, and SFX that will blow my mind away. So, what the heck are you waiting for? Don't miss it.
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What's slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall buildings at a single bound? IT'S AN AIR DISASTER FILM SPOOF! When the airplane crew and passengers fall ill due to food poisoning virus caused by a bad in-flight meal of fish, the fate of the passengers depends on a former navy pilot who is surely afraid to fly since the war. But don't call him Shirley: Ted Striker was dumped by his long-time girlfriend (and airline stewardess) Elaine. As a way to win her back Ted follows Elaine on board and, with flying experience, attempts to land the plane safely.
Directed by David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams (ZAZ), Airplane! features classic acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Robert Hays (Ted Striker)
2.) Julie Hagerty (Elaine)
3.) Leslie Nielsen (Dr. Rumack)
4.) Lloyd Bridges (McCroskey)
5.) Robert Stack (Rex Kramer)
6.) Lorna Patterson (Randy)
7.) Peter Graves (Capt. Oveur)
8.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Murdock)
9.) Stephen Stucker (Johnny)
The film has its share of the following of my favorite memorable quotes that will keep me awake all night:
1.) "Have you ever seen a grown man naked?" (Capt. Oveur)
2.) "By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?" (Elaine)
3.) "Surely you can't be serious?" (Ted Striker)
4.) "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." (Dr. Rumack)
"One of the top ten funniest movies ever made", just as one movie poster says, I've watched Airplane! lots of times during my childhood due to my fascination of airplanes. And even today, it's still one of my favorite films while the humor I never knew I was watching for a long time remains. In was, in fact, the film that popularized comedy spoofs parodying serious movies - the Airport series was one of these influenced - and this was what introduced me into the genre. The ZAZ team did a fantastic job in working on it, and so do the actors - I see that this was really Leslie Nielsen's first comedy film; in previous films he was in serious drama roles. With good in-jokes that worked so well that I can easily catch them throughout, I say that the highly recommended Airplane! is surely the best comedy movie of all time, THE BEST MOVIE EVER. Don't miss it, or you'll miss the laughs. But don't call me Shirley.
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We don't need no education. Take notes. Accept no substitutes, class, 'cause rockin' Mr. Jack Black is here to teach you the appreciation of rock music in the best rockin' comedy ever. Rock guitarist and vocalist Dewey Finn is kicked out from his band, so to pay up for rent, he impersonates as a private school substitute teacher under the name "Ned Schneebly" (which is also the name of another character). He teaches an entire 4th grade class of rock-and-roll and turns them as his rock band under "The School Of Rock" (hence the movie title). They then participate in a competing battle of the bands. While watching this film I find teaching rock education as fun as teaching everything else and giving out demerits. And it's funny, too.
Directed by Richard Linklater, "School Of Rock" features good acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Jack Black (Dewey Finn)
2.) Joan Cusack (Rosalie Mullins)
3.) Mike White (Ned Schneebly)
4.) Sarah Silverman (Patty Di Marco)
5.) Miranda Cosgrove (Summer Hathaway)
6.) Joey Gaydos Jr. (Zack Mooneyham)
7.) Kevin Alexander Clark (Freddy Jones)
8.) Rebecca Brown (Katie)
9.) Robert Tsai (Lawrence)
The best and the greatest hard rock music made in rock history - such as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Nicks, and the School Of Rock - is featured in this great film soundtrack. (I really like the part where Ms. Mullins rocks to "Edge Of Seventeen".) The film dialogue's great; this quote from Dewey Finn is so immortal to me: "In the words of AC/DC: We roll night to the guitar bite, and for those about to rock, I salute you."
"School Of Rock" is enjoyable for you, whether you listen to hard rock, soft rock, pop, hip-hop, and classical; of course, you don't have to be a rock fan to watch it. Enjoy the rock tunes as you sit down and watch the band perform.
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| 9 |
Movie audiences, watch your back, 'cause the "Mean Girls" are comin' to get you. "Mean Girls" shows an excellent comedic depiction of high school life as well as all of the featured cliques (i.e., The Plastics, The Greatest People You'll Ever Meet) and how teenagers act in their own "jungle", as what the formerly home-schooled Cady Heron describes in her narration. As what the story goes, Cady joins the rich girl subculture known as The Plastics, who represent school royalty and write stupid rumors about other girls in their "Burn Book". Meanwhile, while she attempts to bring The Plastics down, Cady acts, dresses, and talks like a Plastic and mistakenly falls for Plastic leader Regina George's ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels. What a great high school story, and I never got tired of it! :-)
Adapted from the Rosalind Wiseman book "Queen Bees & Wannabees" and directed by Mark Waters (of "Freaky Friday"), "Mean Girls" features good acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Lindsay Lohan (Cady Heron)
2.) Rachel McAdams (Regina George)
3.) Lacey Chabert (Gretchen Wieners)
4.) Amanda Seyfried (Karen Smith)
5.) Daniel Franzese (Damian)
6.) Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian)
7.) Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels)
8.) Tina Fey (Ms. Norbury)
9.) Tim Meadows (Mr. Duvall)
10.) Amy Poehler (Mrs. George)
11.) Ana Gasteyer (Mrs. Heron)
12.) Neil Flynn (Mr. Heron)
No longer the cute, freckle-faced girl from "The Parent Trap", Lindsay Lohan gets the memorable credit not just being Cady the formerly home-schooled freak from Africa but a grown-up actress with the pretty sexy looks. When I noticed Lindsay breaking out into full stardom in 2004 I knew that she was transitioning to more mature roles but never knew how partying and the paparazzi would threaten her image in later years. Anyways, let's forget the celebrity gossip.
Aside from The Plastics' use of slang language like "fugly", "word vomit", and "fetch", "Mean Girls" has many memorable quotes that will keep me awake all night, including:
1.) "Don't have sex, because you will get pregnant and die." (Coach Carr)
2.) "There are two kinds of evil people in the world. Those who do evil things and those who see evil things and don't try to stop it." (Janis Ian)
3.) "Would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?" (Jason)
4.) "So if you're from Africa, why are you white?" (Karen Smith)
5.) "Oh my god, Danny DeVito. I love your work!" (Damian)
6.) "Boo. You whore." (Regina George)
7.) "Hell no, I did not leave the South Side for this!" (Mr. Duvall)
8.) "You've got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it right for guys to call you that." (Ms. Norbury)
9.) "I'm sorry that people are so jealous of me, but I can't help it that I'm popular." (Gretchen Weiners)
10.) "All you can do in life is try to solve the problem right in front of you." (Cady Heron)
In short, I guess "Mean Girls" is the best romantic chick/teen/Lindsay Lohan flick that I've ever watched in my movie viewing life for the best portrayal of subcultures who dominate high school and its immediate effects.
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| 10 |
The best thing that I like about "Forrest Gump" is the late 20th century history that is portrayed in the movie. Forrest made historical events! If the events really happened, then I can thank Forrest for the events that he accomplished!
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| 11 |
It's impossible not to laugh...and IT'S A COP SPOOF! The Naked Gun - From The Files Of Police Squad! is one funny comedy that has a stuffed beaver and two baseball teams in an odd wackos-going on here. Police Squad's own granite-jawed, rock-brained cop Frank Drebin bumbles across Vincent Ludwig's mind-control scheme to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II on her United States visit. To foil the plot Drebin save the Queen goes at the California Angels baseball game, where Ludwig hypnotizes a player into the kill attempt.
Based on the Police Squad TV series and directed by David Zucker, The Naked Gun features great acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Leslie Nielsen (Lt. Frank Drebin)
2.) Priscilla Presley (Jane Spencer)
3.) George Kennedy (Ed Hocken)
4.) Ricardo Montalban (Vincent Ludwig)
5.) O.J. Simpson (Nordberg)
Having watched Airplane!, I'd hoped to catch more of the laughs in another Zucker-created spoof even if it mainly involves Star Trek's KHAN in a deathly plot while collecting antiques. It's ironic that while O.J. Simpson may have played a cop here, no one back then knew that criminal records would later overshadow his athlete and acting career. But I find Nordberg's character bumbling as a goofball...he gets hurt all the time! Thank you ZAZ and Mr. Nielsen for making your unique style of comedy possible while using stupidity in a good way.
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"I love being single! I haven't had this much sex since I was a boy scout leader!"
- Lt. Frank Drebin
Drebin's back in this second Naked Gun, so just accept this fact...IT'S ANOTHER COP SPOOF! Police Squad's own granite-jawed, rock-brained cop loves a mystery with such questions: Why are we here? Is there life after sex? Yes, he tackles the biggest issues - and the biggest of all is how to stop devious Quentin Hapsburg's plan to destroy the environment by sabotaging the United States energy policy. By plotting this the nuclear energy-favored Hapsburg must kidnap a scientist named Dr. Meinheimer, who advocates solar energy, during a speech.
Directed by David Zucker, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell Of Fear features excellent acting performances from the following cast, including those returning from the original film:
1.) Leslie Nielsen (Lt. Frank Drebin)
2.) Priscilla Presley (Jane Spencer)
3.) George Kennedy (Ed Hocken)
4.) Robert Goulet (Quentin Hapsburg)
5.) O.J. Simpson (Nordberg)
6.) Richard Griffiths (Dr. Albert Meinheimer)
Oh yes, I really do like this police spoof movie due to Leslie Nielsen's funny comedy antics. Having watched the first Naked Gun, I'd hoped to catch more of the laughs in another Zucker-created spoof even if it has a now-deceased show entertainer, the presidency of Bush (the senior one), and everything else funny. The moment I first saw this movie, I was so surprised that the wheelchair-ridden Dr. Meinheimer was played by Richard Griffiths, who played Uncle Vernon in the Harry Potter movies. With the silliest humor that gave me the laughs, including how Nordberg gets knocked over by items lying on the road in his groin or how animals escaped the zoo because of a crashing tank, this Naked Gun movie is as funnier that its predecessor. Thank you ZAZ and Mr. Nielsen for making your unique style of comedy possible while using stupidity in a good way.
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When law-abiding citizens are forced to live in fear, we look to protection to Lt. Frank Drebin...IT'S YET ANOTHER COP SPOOF! The granite-jawed, rock-brained Drebin's back again, and this time he's coming out of retirement to help Police Squad infiltrate a terrorist plot at the Academy Awards. Who will win and who will lose? And will someone please kick that numbskull off stage? Wait...that's no ordinary numbskull! That's Drebin, crashing the ceremonies to stop the terrorists from detonating a bomb, hidden in an envelope, that could mean curtains for him - or will a simple window shade be enough?
Directed by Peter Segal, The Naked Gun 3 1/3: The Final Insult features excellent acting performances from the following cast, including those returning from the previous two films:
1.) Leslie Nielsen (Lt. Frank Drebin)
2.) Priscilla Presley (Jane Spencer)
3.) George Kennedy (Ed Hocken)
4.) O.J. Simpson (Nordberg)
5.) Anna Nicole Smith (Tanya)
6.) Fred Ward (Rocco)
Oh yes, I really do like this police spoof movie due to Leslie Nielsen's funny comedy antics. Having watched the previous two Naked Gun films, I'd hoped to catch more of the laughs in another Zucker-created spoof even if this DOES involve the Academy Awards. That's why I'm asking this question: If this is the 33rd Naked Gun movie, then where are #3 through #32? Forget this question, so let me say that the humor's too hard too miss. I know that it was cruelly ironic that when this movie was released in 1994, O.J. was arrested on the suspicion of murders of his wife and friend (but on a happier note, we still have a drink named Orange Juice). With the silliest humor that gave me the laughs, this Naked Gun movie is as funnier that its predecessor. Thank you ZAZ and Mr. Nielsen for making your unique style of comedy possible while using stupidity in a good way.
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I gotta go send E.T. home! We've all heard of the familiar touching and heartbreaking film title "E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial", which is about an alien whose mother ship abandoned him on Earth by accident. Deeply affected by their parents' divorce, brothers Elliott and Michael and sister Gertie befriend the alien and help him go home. In a cycle of spanning events powered by nature itself- which really amazed me- E.T. has special healing powers, arrives and lives on Earth, dies, and is resurrected, perfectly paralleling that of Jesus Christ. I was also amazed that Elliott and E.T. are like the same person as the latter felt the same feelings as the former like some sort of manipulation. And I call that weird yet surprising. Good special effects (SFX) are plenty here, including how E.T. gives the bicycles the power to fly. The look of the titular character is the perfect depiction of what an alien would like if we found him alone and stuck on Earth. I wish that I'd definitely watch "E.T." while munching down the Reese's Pieces candy like the ones that the characters ate.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, who was also behind "Jaws" and "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind", "E.T." features the finest acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Henry Thomas (Elliott)
2.) Robert MacNaughton (Michael)
3.) Drew Barrymore (Gertie)
4.) Dee Wallace (Mary)
5.) Peter Coyote (Keys)
"E.T." has good spoken dialogue, including that of "Be good", "E.T. phone home", "Ouch...", and "I'll be right here". Four of these titular character's best quotes that will keep me awake all night. The theme music composed by John Williams is so powerful that it's stuck in my head now; I can also imagine myself riding on my bike and flying past the moon while listening to the main "E.T." theme.
The plot, action, and emotions are all of what makes "E.T." a great sci-fi film of the modern age. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic of aliens, you can't fear or miss out "E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial" when you check it out. It's highly recommended and won't get old for centuries to come.
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San Diego's Channel 4 brings you the news so you don't have to get it yourself. And if Ron Burgundy says it, it's the truth. It's the 1970s decade, a time before cable TV, Ron is the #1 anchorman on Channel 4, big on the TV ratings throughout the city. When feminism comes into the newsroom with the eager newswoman Veronica Corningstone, Ron is minded to have her only if she reports on "female" interests such as covering cat fashion shows and cooking. But as Veronica declines to accept being eye candy and steps behind the news desk, the battle of the sexes begins.
Directed by Adam McKay, Anchorman features good acting talents from cast members such as:
1.) Will Ferrell (Ron Burgundy)
2.) Christina Applegate (Veronica Corningstone)
3.) David Koechner (Champ Kind)
4.) Steve Carell (Brick Tamland)
5.) Paul Rudd (Brian Fantana)
6.) Fred Willard (Ed Harken)
Anchorman has its share of great dialogue, including my following favorite memorable quotes that will keep me awake all night - and all are from Ron and Brick:
1.) "You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha, covered with hair." (Ron Burgundy)
2.) "I don't know what we're yelling about!" (Brick Tamland)
3.) "You stay classy, San Diego. I'm Ron Burgundy?" (Ron Burgundy)
4.) "Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diago, which, in German, means a 'whale's vagina'." (Ron Burgundy)
5.) "I love lamp!" (Brick Tamland)
6.) "I'm in glass case of emotion!" (Ron Burgundy)
I can say that Anchorman is a must-see legendary news comedy, which I liked it for the laughs and always remember what the story is all about. It has a really good summarizing plot when there's conflict between male and female news reporting anchors, not to mention the funniest news stories that got me of interest. I even liked the narrator's narration, which made the film look like it was based on actual events even though it was actually fictional! The '70s setting is a fun thing to use on film; you need nostalgia elements like fashion to bring them all up. And the feminism topic is useful here, as the '70s needed more diversity in the workplace and that's why we have anchorwomen on the news today.
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As what the movie posters say, the "Men In Black"- or MIB as abbreviated- is protecting the Earth from the scum of the universe. I enjoy this sci-fi/action/comedy movie for the fictional depiction of black-suited agents of an obscure government agency who approach people who had witnessed UFOs and alien encounters. They're more secretive than the CIA, and they're even more powerful than the FBI. But unlike the FBI, the MIB have a good sense of humor similar to that of Hollywood agents of 1950s B-movies. In this film title, Agents J and K must try to save Earth from an alien bug and Arquillians who threaten to blow Earth up. "Men In Black" has all of the action that blew me away, such as the gravity-defying Ford LTD in the tunnel and a battle with the alien bug. I'm surprised by all of the featured technology that only the MIB can use; it's silly that J has to use a small "noisy cricket" gun during a battle scene. The special effects (SFX) are very good, including all of the featured aliens such as the coffee-drinking worms being computer-generated (CG). I'm glad I saw such alien activity in this film. :-)
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, "Men In Black" features great acting performances from the following cast members:
1.) Will Smith (Agent J)
2.) Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K)
3.) Linda Fiorentino (Dr. Laurel Weaver)
4.) Vincent D'Onofrio (Edgar)
5.) Rip Torn (Zed)
6.) Tony Shalhoub (Jeebs)
The theme song that Will Smith recorded for the film's soundtrack really gets me in the rapping rhythm. What a great tune! I also liked the "Men In Black" sequel and the Saturday morning animated series that spun off from it for four seasons from 1997 to 2001.
"Men In Black" is a great sci-fi movie that can defend the world from aliens. It's highly recommended.
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Same planet. New scum. That's the tagline on the movie poster for "Men In Black II", which was released exactly five years after the 1997 release of its predecessor. So....what do I remember about this movie? When an alien in the form of Lara Flynn Boyle comes to Earth as part of the quest to search for the light of Zartha, Agent J (Will Smith) must deneuralize K (Tommy Lee Jones)- who left for the post office back in the original- and bring him back as a man in black. Yeah, it's great that the black-suited agents were back, and they finally came to protect Earth again from the scum of the universe. I liked this movie for the appearance of many aliens, especially with the two-headed alien played by Johnny Knoxville. Great action, great special effects, and great comedy made "Men In Black II" a great movie.
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Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman! I admire the greatest superhero in the world who is both an American and world icon. Here is the first chapter of the "Superman" film series that packs punches and is as powerful as steel.
Most people know of Superman's origins: Infant Kal-El was launched in his rocket from his doomed home planet of Krypton to Earth, where the childless Kents adopt him in Smallville. It was the sunlight that brings Superman superpowers such as x-ray vision, superstrength, and the ability to fly. And he's as fast as a speeding bullet. After he comes of age, Clark Kent (as what his parents named him) learns the truth of his real birth and builds his "Fortress of Solitude" at the Arctic. While working as a Daily Planet reporter as Clark, his Superman alter ego fights enemies as he protects the truth, justice, and the American Way. He is invulnerable to all known dangers except the deadly, green-glowing Kryptonite. The great special effects (SFX) are plenty in all the action scenes, as "Superman" is released in the wake of the rising "Star Wars" popularity. What a great superhero movie!
Adapted from the DC Comics series by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel and directed by Richard Donner- who would later film "Lethal Weapon" and "The Goonies"- as well as Jonathan Barry and David Tomblin, this 1978-released "Superman" film features the finest acting performances from the following cast members:
1.) Christopher Reeve (Clark Kent/Superman)
2.) Margot Kidder (Lois Lane)
3.) Jackie Cooper (Perry White)
4.) Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor)
5.) Ned Beatty (Otis)
6.) Valerie Perrine (Eve Teschmacher)
7.) Glenn Ford (Jonathan Kent)
8.) Phyllis Thaxter (Martha Kent)
9.) Marlon Brando (Jor-El)
10.) Susannah York (Lara)
Composed by John Williams, the background instrumental music is so powerful that it reflects the mythical Superman hero. The main theme is in my head now, and I can hear it!
Whether you read comic books or not, go ahead and enjoy the first chapter of the "Superman" film series, highly recommended for all audiences.
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Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman! I admire the greatest superhero in the world who is both an American and world icon. Here is the second chapter of the "Superman" film series that packs punches and is as powerful as steel.
"Superman II" leaves where the original film left off: Three released criminals from Krypton are going to conquer Earth. That's the story's main focus. The weirdest thing I think about the film is that, to marry Lois, Superman has to give up his superpowers- especially superstrength, and the ability to fly- and then he temporarily gets vulnerable to pain....ouch. But the superhero still has to battle with General Zod as he protects the truth, justice, and the American Way. The great special effects (SFX) are plenty in all the action scenes, especially with the fight scenes in Metropolis. What a great superhero movie!
Adapted from the DC Comics series by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel and directed by Richard Lester, this 1980-released "Superman" film features the finest acting performances from the following cast members:
1.) Christopher Reeve (Clark Kent/Superman)
2.) Margot Kidder (Lois Lane)
3.) Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen)
4.) Jackie Cooper (Perry White)
5.) Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor)
6.) Ned Beatty (Otis)
7.) Valerie Perrine (Eve Teschmacher)
8.) Terrence Stamp (General Zod)
9.) Susannah York (Lara)
The background instrumental music is so powerful that it reflects the mythical Superman hero. The main theme is in my head now, and I can hear it!
Whether you read comic books or not, go ahead and enjoy the second chapter of the "Superman" film series, highly recommended for all audiences.
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Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman! I admire the greatest superhero in the world who is both an American and world icon. Here is the third chapter of the "Superman" film series that packs punches and is as powerful as steel.
In "Superman III", computer specialist Gus Gorman is hired by criminal mastermind Ross Webster to expose Superman to tar-laced (yes, cigarette tar-laced) Kryptonite. The resulting effect? Superman is split into his regular good self and his dark side and does a few evil antics. Yet he fights Webster and his henchmen as he protects the truth, justice, and the American Way. The special effects (SFX) are plenty in all the action scenes, which still flies in good quality. What a great superhero movie!
Adapted from the DC Comics series by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel and directed by Richard Lester, this 1983-released "Superman" film features the finest acting performances from the following cast members:
1.) Christopher Reeve (Clark Kent/Superman)
2.) Margot Kidder (Lois Lane)
3.) Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen)
4.) Jackie Cooper (Perry White)
5.) Annette O'Toole (Lana Lang)
6.) Richard Pryor (Gus Gorman)
7.) Robert Vaughn (Ross Webster)
Interestingly, Annette O'Toole, who plays Clark Kent's former flame Lana Lang, would later go on to play Martha Kent in the "Smallville" TV series. Stand-up comedian Richard Pryor plays a main villain and earns $4 million for a black actor, and that was only $1 million more than his co-star Christopher Reeve!
The background instrumental music is so powerful that it reflects the mythical Superman hero. The main theme is in my head now, and I can hear it!
Whether you read comic books or not, go ahead and enjoy the third chapter of the "Superman" film series, highly recommended for all audiences.
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Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman! I admire the greatest superhero in the world who is both an American and world icon. Here is the fourth chapter of the "Superman" film series that packs punches and is as powerful as steel.
In "Superman IV - The Quest For Peace", Superman crusades for nuclear disarmament to prevent possible nuclear war. At the same time, he fights the Luthor-created Nuclear Man as he, like always, protects the truth, justice, and the American Way. The special effects (SFX) are plenty in all the action scenes, which still flies in good quality just like its predecessors. What a great superhero movie!
Adapted from the DC Comics series by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel and directed by Sidney J. Furie, this 1987-released "Superman" film features the finest acting performances from the following cast members:
1.) Christopher Reeve (Clark Kent/Superman)
2.) Margot Kidder (Lois Lane)
3.) Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen)
4.) Jackie Cooper (Perry White)
5.) Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor)
6.) Jon Cryer (Lenny)
7.) Sam Wanamaker (David Warfield)
8.) Mariel Hemingway (Lacy Warfield)
9.) Mark Pillow (Nuclear Man)
The background instrumental music is so powerful that it reflects the mythical Superman hero. The main theme is in my head now, and I can hear it!
Whether you read comic books or not, go ahead and enjoy the fourth chapter of the "Superman" film series, highly recommended for all audiences.
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"Remember, remember the 5th of November." Every November 5 children sing this song-chant as they celebrate the foiling of Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot on the Parliament in 1605. Now I would like to bring up the film that fulfills Fawkes' struggle against tyranny and oppression, V For Vendetta. I say that this is the BEST FILM EVER...in the genres of action, mystery/suspense, sci-fi, and the graphic novel film adaptation. :)
Set in the year 2020, Britain is ruled by a totalitarian dictatorship since it was crippled by terrorism and disease years before. Leader Adam Sutler of the Nazi-like Norsefire Party governs with an iron fist, allowing no outside criticism. One man hides his scarred face behind a mask and goes by the name of V. Working-class girl Evey Hammond discovers the truth on V's mysterious background, and joins him to start the revolution, in a matter of days and months leading up to the fateful November 5 event. And boom - the fireworks explode!
I'm amazed by the film's action and special effects (SFX) that is definitely great in action sequences where V fights, especially one where he throws swords at the officers in the style of The Matrix. The explosive bombing scenes really blew my mind away. Here in our post-9/11 world, V For Vendetta may glorify terrorism, but I find it as a Marxist attack on an oppressive fascist government. It's also very bleak and Orwellian indeed, even when there are giant TV screens and the secret police everywhere.
V For Vendetta is based on a graphic novel penned by Alan Moore, directed by James McTeigue, and based on a screenplay by The Matrix creators Larry and Andy Wachowski. Its great acting performances come from the following cast:
1.) Hugo Weaving (V)
2.) Natalie Portman (Evey Hammond)
3.) Stephen Rea (Finch)
4.) Stephen Fry (Deitrich)
5.) John Hurt (Adam Sutler)
6.) Rupert Graves (Dominic)
7.) Tim Pigot-Smith (Creedy)
The background music is very strong - I definitely like it when the "1812 Overture" is played during the big bombing scenes.
The revolutionary work of V For Vendetta is definitely the powerful force for revolutionaries everywhere. Whether you're a liberal or conservative, check out this great sci-fi/action flick of the future.
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300
(2007, R)
This is definitely the best historical-set motion picture that I've watched as of yet. Having watched the 1962 original "The 300 Spartans" feature and that silly "Meet The Spartans" spoof comedy, I came across to the story where I've first heard about the well-known 480 BC Battle of Thermophylae. The film is called "300". In the middle of the long Greco-Persian war, Spartan King Leonidas leads his army of 300 soldiers to fight the invading Persian army, led by King Xerxes. I like all of the featured action sequences that blew my mind away, especially with the blood-splattered ones and the slow-motion fighting that is very "Matrix" in style. All of these computer-generated special effects (SFX) in the environmental background looked very real to me. The ancient Spartan culture definitely reaches to its authentic film quality, since the Spartans lived in a violent world so they could show how tough they were in fighting. These muscular Spartan warriors in armor are very macho indeed. It's crazy that, to fit in with ancient stereotypes, the Persians appear as barbarians who ride elephants and rhinos during war even though they ruled a great civilized empire that covered part of the Middle East. And, oh my goodness, the film portrayal of Xerxes reminded me of a Cirque Du Soleil performer! In spite of some depicted historical inaccuracies, "300" definitely lives up to the legend that Leonidas' army never gave in to their enemy by their own self-sacrifice....and that's Spartan tradition that would later influence democracy for the rest of world history.
Based on the graphic novel penned by "Sin City" artist Frank Miller and directed by Zack Snyder, "300" features the finest acting performances from a mostly unknown cast:
1.) Gerard Butler (King Leonidas)
2.) Lena Headey (Queen Gorgo)
3.) David Wenham (Dilios)
4.) Dominic West (Theron)
5.) Michael Fassbender (Stelios)
6.) Vincent Regan (Captain Artemis)
7.) Rodrigo Santoro (King Xerxes)
8.) Andrew Tiernan (Ephialtes)
9.) Andrew Pleavin (Daxos)
10.) Tom Wisdom (Astinos)
The film dialogue spoken here is very good, especially with the following five of my favorite quotes from Leonidas that will keep me awake all night:
1.) "THIS IS SPARTA!"
2.) "Spartans never retreat! Spartans never surrender!"
3.) "We're in for one wild night."
4.) "A new age has begun: an age of freedom! And all will know that 300 Spartans gave their last breath to defend it!"
5.) "Spartans! Ready for breakfast and eat hearty, for tonight, WE DINE IN HELL!"
I'm glad I get to watch the finest cinematic retelling of the Battle of Thermophylae. Maybe I'll find more of ancient history on film like this. If you're interested in historical epics on film, go ahead and check out the highly recommended classic called "300". The featured action will blow your mind away.
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"At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall."
- Optimus Prime
Their war, our world. Some will come to defend us, but most will come to destroy us. It was a long time ago, in a far, far away planet called Cybertron two robotic clans, the heroic Autobots (cars) and the evil Decepticons (military vehicles), are at constant war, and the magical Allspark is sent to Earth where the evil Megatron awakens from its long hibernation. Meanwhile, as high school student Sam Witwicky purchases his first car - an old Chevy Camaro that plays oldies music on the radio all by itself - he doesn't know it's a transforming robot called Bumblebee. When the robotic war comes to Earth, as they both fight for survival over their search of the Allspark that could hold the key to their power, the Autobots fight for coexistence with the humans while the Decepticons fight for extermination of all life. At the same time, the US military is in defense while they prepare for the extraterrestrial robotic attacks.
Directed by Michael Bay (Armageddon), Transformers is based on the 1984 animated series and features excellent acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky)
2.) Megan Fox (Mikaela Banes)
3.) Josh Duhamel (Capt. Lennox)
4.) Tyrese Gibson (Master Sgt. Epps)
5.) Anthony Anderson (Glen)
6.) John Turturro (Agent Simmons)
7.) Jon Voight (Keller)
8.) Rachael Taylor (Maggie)
9.) Bernie Mac (Bobby Bolivia)
10.) Kevin Dunn (Sparkplug Witwicky)
11.) Julie White (Judy Witwicky)
12.) Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime)
13.) Hugo Weaving (Megatron)
Every time I see Transformers, the best box-office hit since Star Wars, I feel like I've won victory with my fellow movie fans who've watched it since 2007 for the exploding action that blew away our minds. I liked how the Autobots and Decepticons act and transform while they fight each other in such intense battles. The acting here is very excellent, especially from those of Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Transformers showed me how much robotic power that I got, and it got me out of boredom while I'm exploring more of the conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons; plus, whenever a similar old cartoon gets re-made into a live-action movie, I must watch it. Thank you very much to Mr. Bay for making my viewings of this movie possible, and I can say that this is the BEST MOVIE EVER in the genres of action/adventure and science fiction. For those who haven't seen Transformers yet, you should check it out. It's highly recommended!
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Revenge is coming. And the war is not over yet. Even though the battle on Earth ended back in the first Transformers, the battle for the universe has already begun. Starscream now assumes command of the Decepticons (transforming military and other vehicles) on Cybertron and, through force, decides to return to Earth. Back from the dead by his own spark, Megatron seeks revenge with Starscream with the coming of more Decepticon reinforcements while looking for Sam Witwicky, who is now attending in his first college year. With this new extraterrestrial threat, the Autobots (transforming cars) have reinforcements of their own, and they may have more to deal than meets the eye.
Directed by Michael Bay (Armageddon), Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen is based on the 1984 animated series and features excellent acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky)
2.) Megan Fox (Mikaela Banes)
3.) Josh Duhamel (Capt. Lennox)
4.) Tyrese Gibson (Master Sgt. Epps)
5.) Ramon Rodriguez (Leo Spitz)
6.) John Turturro (Agent Simmons)
7.) Isabel Lucas (Alice)
8.) Kevin Dunn (Sparkplug Witwicky)
9.) Julie White (Judy Witwicky)
10.) Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime)
11.) Hugo Weaving (Megatron)
After watching the first Transformers movie back in 2007 I hoped to watch the sequel when it comes out. Now I achieved this long-kept promise while helping my fellow movie fans get the film beyond the $300 million mark in the box office. And to heck with all the critics who trashed this summer blockbuster negatively: The heavy use of action isn't too long or all that bad because that's how Mr. Bay wanted it, and I know Transformers can't be complete without the action. It did indeed blew my mind away for all of the exploding sequences, especially when the Autobots and Decepticons act and transform while they fight each other in the desert. The acting here is very excellent, especially from those of Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. Star Trek may be my top film of 2009, but I don't want to ignore Revenge Of The Fallen as a great sequel and the BEST MOVIE EVER in the genres of action/adventure, science fiction, and the box-office hit. For those who haven't seen this latest Transformers film installment yet, you should check it out. It's highly recommended!
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"Shaun Of The Dead" is so funny, so I'm now reviewing this horror comedy that I've recently watched. When the zombies rise from the dead, Shaun and Ed round up friends and family to begin the battles against the dead. Though I saw lots of blood, I laughed at some scenes, like how Shaun and Ed throw records at the zombies. The zombie fighting scene, taking place at the pub, with the jukebox playing Queen's music is the most memorable scene yet, and I thought so, too! Simon Pegg's comedic work for "Shaun Of The Dead" (a title reference to "Dawn Of The Dead") must not be missed, so if you like horror and/or comedy and like to see them spoofed into a hilarious combination, then this movie's for you. Enjoy it.
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I love all of the action/adventure combined with comedy that I saw in "Hot Fuzz", made from the makers of "Shaun Of The Dead". Sgt. Nicholas Angel- it's Angel, not Angle- gets transferred from London to the village of Sanford, where crime rates are low but accident rates are high. When a series of grisly accidential murders rock the village, Angel and his funny sidekick, action movie fan Danny Butterman, get into the kind of action that blew me away....GUNFIGHTS!!! Yes....gunfights and never-ending violence make "Hot Fuzz" look like the British version of "Bad Boys", and like "Shaun Of The Dead", there's comedy, too, that comes from the genius work of Simon Pegg. If the movie genre combination of action/adventure and comedy is your interest, go ahead, pick up, and enjoy "Hot Fuzz".
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"Oh, we're at war! Saddam Hussein is bombing us!
- An N.Y.C. taxi driver
Actually, the main threat in Armageddon is not terrorism but, rather, an asteroid the size of Texas. Theatrically released in July 1, 1998, I was already out of elementary school and ready for junior high when this blockbuster came out. After watching similar flicks like Independence Day and Deep Impact, I'm hoping that this film title would be better. And even though only 40% critics liked it (and surprisingly, 77% of Flixster users liked it), I thought of Armageddon as THE BEST FILM EVER...in the genres of action/adventure, science fiction, and the box office hit.
An asteroid is about to obliterate the Earth. When Dan Truman, the executive director of NASA, realizes the threat, he has only one option - land a ragtag team of roughneck oil drillers on the asteroid and drop a nuclear warhead into its core. He sends two crews on two separate space shuttles, Independence and Freedom; the latter of which survives. I find the story of Armageddon great and adventurous for the space mission as well as patriotic for the crew's heroics. Think of the film as "Operation Freedom and Independence for Mankind", as I would like to call it. I understand some science here: for instance, we know that a meteor collision could wipe out life as we know it, just like what happened to the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. While it's possible to use space technology to prevent future asteroid disasters, I highly doubt that using a nuke, even a small one, to blow up the Texas-sized asteroid would do the job - it would, if it were done for real, only take thousands of nukes to destroy it. Beyond that, the special effects (SFX) here are great, including those of the asteroid's surface.
Armageddon is directed by Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor, Transformers); produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Gale Anne Hurd, and Bay; and written by Jonathan Hensleigh and J.J. Abrams. It features great acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Bruce Willis (Harry S. Stamper)
2.) Ben Affleck (A.J. Frost)
3.) Billy Bob Thornton (Dan Truman)
4.) Liv Tyler (Grace Stamper)
5.) Will Patton (Charles "Chick" Chapple)
6.) Peter Stromare (Lev Andropov)
7.) Steve Buscemi (Rockhound)
8.) Owen Wilson (Oscar Choi)
9.) Michael Clarke Duncan (Bear)
10.) Keith David (Gen. Kimsey)
11.) William Fitchner (Col. William Sharp)
The film has a good soundtrack to listen to. Aerosmith's #1 single, "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing", gets stuck into my head every time I hear it, yet I find it fitting for the story. (Interestingly, Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler is the father of Liv Tyler, who plays Grace here.)
For those who haven't watched Armageddon yet, I highly recommend this great sci-fi/action/drama film from the '90s. You'll see the possibilities of preventing future asteroid collisions through the use of space technology here. Hopefully mankind will survive this...
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The question of whether we're alone in the universe has finally been answered on the ordinary summer day of July 2. Without warning, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. Only did the military learned that a number of enormous alien spacecraft are on a collision course with Earth. On the day the lives of every person across the world was changed, targets such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington DC were obliterated. It's time that heroes such as Capt. Steven Hiller and David Levinson take the Fourth of July in an an entirely new meaning. No longer will it be an American holiday, it was now the day all of Earth fought back.
Directed by Roland Emmerich, Independence Day features great acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Will Smith (Capt. Steven Hiller)
2.) Jeff Goldblum (David Levinson)
3.) Bill Pullman (President Thomas J. Whitmore)
4.) Mary McDonnell (Marilyn Whitmore)
5.) Judd Hirsch (Julius Levinson)
6.) Robert Loggia (General)
7.) Randy Quaid (Russell Casse)
Independence Day shows proof that life does exist elsewhere in the universe (and thus we're not alone at all) and that Earth is a vulnerable target for the invading aliens. Oh wait...this movie is not based on actual events. It's more of a version of H.G. Wells' War Of The Worlds with aliens causing lots of widespread destruction throughout the globe minus the tripods. (At least the freaked-out, panicky population was kept in, though.) I find it interesting that the peoples of the world must put aside their differences and fight the aliens altogether - and it was America, whose nation born on July 4, that fought for freedom first in history. As one of my childhood favorites and definitely THE BEST FILM EVER - in the genres of action/adventure and science fiction - I'd watch ID4 again for the great special effects (SFX) and the interesting story on how a surviving part of mankind fought back to escape annihilation from the invaders.
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"They're all gonna laugh at you!"
- Margaret White
It was the night of the senior prom, and Bates High School is enlivening with excitement. Everybody's there - even Carrie White, a social teenage misfit who is frequently tormented by her high school classmates, her neighborhood, and, from her creepy house, her crazy religious fundamentalist mother who uses the Bible as her absolute law. Hoping to get back with such cruelty she discovers her strange telekinetic abilities. On prom night, Carrie thinks she's finally found acceptance when she's elected prom queen. But as yet another mean trick (and definitely the best horror moment), blood is dumped on her and Carrie kills everyone as she goes nuts with humiliation and rage.
Directed by Brian DePalma, Carrie features excellent acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Sissy Spacek (Carietta "Carrie" White)
2.) Piper Laurie (Margaret White)
3.) Amy Irving (Sue Snell)
4.) William Katt (Tommy Ross)
5.) Betty Buckley (Miss Collins)
6.) Nancy Allen (Chris Hargensen)
7.) John Travolta (Billy Nolan)
As I was judging with the bloody plot while viewing it, I think of Carrie as a good film adaptation of the Stephen King novel. When I read it, I knew that the film didn't extend its destruction into town - as its special effects (SFX) was limited by cost restrictions of the era. But I knew that if Carrie had been released 2-3 years later, its SFX in the film would have included everything from the novel in the wake of the Star Wars popularity. Nevertheless, faithfulness or not, this great '70s classic is...beautiful, did you say? It's actually a beautiful mix of teen drama and horror (although more frightful, too) boosted by both social teen pressures and puberty. The acting talents here are excellent, especially with a surprising major debut for a pre-disco John Travolta. In any case, Carrie is a dish best served with revenge. And if you've got a taste for terror, take Carrie to the prom.
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"Live long and prosper."
- Spock Prime
The future of Star Trek begins with the altering of history through a black hole and a vengeful Romulan driller-killer called Nero planning on destroying planets. Now the fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy who doesn't want to go to Starfleet Academy until he meets Captain Pike. The other, Spock, was raised in the logic-based society of Vulcan that rejects all emotion in favor of logic. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Trek features great acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Chris Pine (James T. Kirk)
2.) Zachary Quinto (Spock)
3.) Karl Urban (Bones McCoy)
4.) John Cho (Sulu)
5.) Anton Yelchin (Chekov)
6.) Zoe Saldana (Uhura)
7.) Simon Pegg (Scotty)
8.) Eric Bana (Nero)
9.) Bruce Greenwood (Captain Pike)
10.) Leonard Nimoy (Spock Prime)
Despite being raised by Star Wars I was familiar with the Star Trek franchise that included numbers of episodes of every show that I watched. Now that I saw the new movie I felt that I'm learning an important event in Trek history when Kirk and everyone in starship Enterprise are making a good start in space exploration. The acting performances here are more than just excellent; the entire Enterprise crew reminds me of younger versions of the original 1966 cast. And I think Chris Pine should be the new William Shatner if he stayed for possible film sequels. As for the action sequences from the start to finish, the battle scenes here really blew my mind away...which is why I have to call Trek as the Star Wars blockbuster of '09. And I don't want to forget THE BEST FILM EVER (since The Wrath Of Khan) - I'm categorizing this in the sci-fi, action/adventure, and blockbuster hit genres.
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"Welcome to Jurassic Park."
- John Hammond
The most phenomenal discovery of all time becomes the greatest adventure 65 million years in the making. On the isolated island of Isla Nublar a wealthy entrepreneur secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA. To quiet down concerned investors, he invites a top paleontologist, a paleobotanist, a mathematician/theorist, and his two enthusiastic grandchildren to experience the park. However, the visit is anything but peaceful when the security of the park breaks down, leading the giant prehistoric creatures to break loose.
Based on the novel by Michael Crichton and directed by Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park features excellent acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Sam Neill (Alan Grant)
2.) Laura Dern (Ellie)
3.) Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm)
4.) Richard Attenborough (John Hammond)
5.) Bob Peck (Muldoon)
6.) Martin Ferrero (Gennaro)
7.) Samuel L. Jackson (Arnold)
8.) Ariana Richards (Lex)
9.) Joseph Mazzello (Tim)
Long before I enjoyed Star Wars and E.T., it was Jurassic Park that was my first viewed science fiction movie, and I watched it around age 7. It was also when I began my lifetime quest of searching for epic blockbusters that would change my life forever, and I would like to thank Mr. Spielberg for making this possible. The movie is at all scary with the exciting, explosive moments of our characters running away from danger and chaos, all due to the advancement of digital special effects (SFX) that created the ferocious monsters. Even after watching this movie I had a short fascination of dinosaurs and wanted to become a paleontologist just like Sam Neill's character. And having been amazed by the idea of resurrecting extinct dinos from DNA, I think it would be great to see that although I knew it would create very disastrous results. With all of those elements I would like to say that Jurassic Park is the BEST MOVIE EVER...in the genres of science fiction, action/adventure, thriller, and the box-office blockbuster. I highly recommend this film title to everyone who likes film.
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Something has survived. A few years before, entrepreneur John Hammond opened a theme park featuring dinosaurs genetically created from DNA, but its security system broke down before it could open, and the island was closed to the public. Now on the nearby island of Isla Sorna, the dinosaurs secretly survived and been allowed to roam free but now there is a plan to capture and bring them back to the mainland. Hammond, who has lost control of his InGen company, sees an opportunity to redeem himself for his past mistakes and sends an expedition led by Ian Malcolm to reach the island before the mercenary team gets there.
Based on a novel by Michael Crichton and directed by Steven Spielberg, The Lost World - Jurassic Park features excellent acting performances from the following cast:
1.) Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm)
2.) Julianne Moore (Sarah Harding)
3.) Pete Postlethwaite (Roland Tembo)
4.) Richard Attenborough (John Hammond)
5.) Vince Vaughn (Nick Van Owen)
6.) Arliss Howard (Peter Ludlow)
7.) Vanessa Lee Chester (Kelly Curtis)
8.) Peter Stormare (Dieter Stark)
Having enjoyed the original Jurassic Park a few years earlier, I first watched The Lost World when it was theatrically released in 1997 and hoped for more excitement than the original movie. And when I found them, it was also more scarier - yes, more dinosaurs - with the exciting, explosive moments of our characters running away from danger and chaos, all due to the advancement of digital special effects (SFX) that created the ferocious monsters. Which, speaking of that, reminds me of the fact that if the dinosaurs are let go in the wild and bring them back to civilization, it would create very disastrous results. It's nice for me to see great acting performances here - there's even a short appearance of a young Camilla Belle at the start. With all of those elements I would like to say that The Lost World - Jurassic Park is as good as the original and is the BEST MOVIE EVER...in the genres of science fiction, action/adventure, thriller, and the box-office blockbuster. And to heck with the critics who trashed it: I highly recommend this film title to everyone who likes film.
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