Some good...Some REALLY Bad.

City of God (2003)
Directed By: Fernando Meirelles
Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues




I had watched this movie around the time it came out and didn't get through all of it. This time around I was amazed by what I saw. Considering the fact that almost all of the actors were pulled from the streets of Rio the overall cast performance is very strong. This ranks up there with some of the best organized crime movies of all time.

Acting: (8.5)
Effects: (9)
Plot: (9)
Entertainment: (8.5)

Cumulative: (8.75)



Waitress (2007)
Directed By: Adrienne Shelly
Starring: Keri Russell




A strong performance from Keri Russell and a lasting work for the late Adrienne Shelly. It's nice to see someone take broken people and leave them broken throughout the film. It always seems more real that way even if the ending is a little too neat and clean.

Acting: (8)
Effects: (7.5)
Plot: (8)
Entertainment: (8)

Cumulative: (7.875)




Easy Rider (1969)
Directed By: Dennis Hopper
Starring: Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson




Nicholson steals the show in this film and provides one of his best performances (slightly behind One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) of all time. The editing annoyed me and the ending was a little too much, but I guess the point gets driven home.

Acting: (8)
Effects: (8)
Plot: (7.5)
Entertainment: (7.5)

Cumulative: (7.75)



Horton Hears a Who (2008)
Directed By: Jimmy Hayward
Starring: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell




Acting: (7)
Effects: (8)
Plot: (7)
Entertainment: (7)

Cumulative: (7.25)



What Dreams May Come (1998)
Directed By: Vincent Ward
Starring: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr.




I can appreciate that this is one mans view or desire for what the after life may be like. I cannot however accept the ending of the film. It is completely illogical from what the characters had been built to be and probably drops the rating at least a half point.

Acting: (7)
Effects: (7.5)
Plot: (6.5)
Entertainment: (7)

Cumulative: (7)



The Human Stain (2003)
Directed By: Robert Benton
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Anthony Hopkins, Gary Sinise




The acting is strong and all of the ratings would be slightly higher if the premise of the character relationship weren't so unbelievable. Pre-Prison Break Wentworth Miller is solid. I am starting to think that Nicole Kidman may be overrated.

Acting: (7)
Effects: (7)
Plot: (7)
Entertainment: (6.5)

Cumulative: (6.875)


St. Elmo's Fire (1985)
Directed By: Joel Schumacher
Starring: Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore

Another 80's film that falls completely flat. There is very little that makes this watchable.

Acting: (4)
Effects: (6)
Plot: (5)
Entertainment: (3)

Cumulative: (4.5)



Lifeforce (1985)
Directed By: Tobe Hooper
Starring: Peter Firth, Mathilda May




A space shuttle mission investigating Halley's Comet brings back a malevolent race of nude space vampires who transform most of London's population into zombies. I couldn't make this stuff up.

Acting: (2)
Effects: (3)
Plot: (3)
Entertainment: (2)

Cumulative: (2.5)






Graduation (2008)
Directed By: Michael Mayer
Starring: Shannon Lucio, Chris Lowell



Quick think of every high school cliche you can think of from film....group of friends where two are dating but third guy really loves the girl and has his whole life, a parent is having an affair, friends are all going to different colleges, etc.. Yep throw all of them together with a bad script and some poor acting and you have this craptastic heist movie. If it weren't for some absolutely laughable dialogue and unintentional comedy this would be a solid 1.

Acting: (2)
Effects: (3)
Plot: (1)
Entertainment: (1)

Cumulative: (1.75)