John & Jenn - Entertainment Report

We couldn't put our finger on it but there just seemed to be something missing from this movie. Like something (or things) got left on the editing room floor that would have made this movie better. Something that explained relationships better. Something that would have helped us ultimately care about what was happening to the people in this movie. Obviously, the story was the gum on the bottom of your shoe that connected the action sequences. There was SO much more to explore and they just didn't. Hardly the worst way to spend an afternoon but not a first choice either. If you really want to see a movie with the Rock, watch The Rundown instead.

All in all, not bad.

Nobody can get the werewolves right! And don't even get me started on Frankenstein's monster and Dracula in this movie!!! But thankfully the movie is more about the human relationships and the human-ness at the core of all these creatures from our childhoods. HIGHLY stylized and reminiscent of the old horror movies, Van Helsing takes you on a ride from first frame to last and honestly never gets dull.

Dracula is boring but the movie is pretty good.

Godsend

(05/13/2004)

STARRING

Greg Kinnear

Rebecca Romjin-Stamos

Robert DeNiro

DIRECTED BY

Mark Bomback

It wasn't until after the movie was over that we realized how many questions were left unresolved. It's really too bad, too, because this movie had such great potential and ended up being nothing much more than a jump-out-at-you fest. Greg Kinnear was great but not enough to make up for what was lacking. Too bad.

Could have been better.

Shrek 2

(05/23/2004)

STARRING

Mike Myers

Eddie Murphy

Cameron Diaz

Antonio Banderas

DIRECTED BY

Andrew Adamson

et al.

This is an absolutely FABULOUS movie!!! There was a point there in the beginning where I didn't know if I was going to like it or not but was QUICKLY won over! The twists and turns all paid off and created an absolutely wonderful ride that was just FULL of pop culture references (and that ALONE is enough to make you see the movie two or three times easy)!

Totally different from the first movie and just as fantastic. MUST SEE!!!

Yes, the special effects were good (minus the wolves, OY!) and the action good, too. Unfortunately what this movie is missing is true relationships between the characters. We feel what we feel because we're supposed to rather than because we're actually feeling it. Does that make sense? Anyhow, the movie isn't all bad. It's a fun ride just not as complete as I thought it would be.

Not terrible.

Harry Potter

and the Prisoner of Azkaban

(06/05/2004)

STARRING

Daniel Radcliffe

Rupert Grint

Emma Watson

DIRECTED BY

Alfonso Cuarón

Since the last installment of the Harry Potter phenomenon, Richard Harris (who played the beloved Dumbledore) passed away and Chris Columbus, who directed the first two films, moved into a producer role. Alfonso Cuaron had a lot to overcome and definitely did make PoA his own. All that said, upon first viewing, it's a LOT of changes to get passed. All and all I did like the movie but...

...reserving judgement for a second viewing.

I would not go as far as to agree this is the best superhero movie ever made. That title goes to the X-Men films in my opinion. But Spidy 2 is well crafted and outstandingly layered. Sam Raimi has a very special touch and his care definitely shines through. Great special effects, great cast.

A great second act!

The robots were SPECTAULAR! And how cool that it was set in 2035 Chicago!!! Though the social commentary the original story the movie is based on may not be as prevalent in 2004, it was a fun ride and just incredible to watch.

Great special effects. See it on the big screen.

Ok, we all know Will Ferrell's humor from Saturday Night Live. It's right there and either you appreciate it or you don't. That being said, there were some jokes that kinda didn't get there for me but, guys, there were actually times when I was laughing so hard tears were coming out of my eyes!

Maybe not everyone's taste but DANG it was funny!

The Village

(08/01/2004)

STARRING

Bryce Dallas Howard

Joaquin Phoenix

William Hurt

DIRECTED BY

M. Night Shyamalan

M. Night's latest entry. If you're an Shyamalan fan, you have to see this movie. He is a masterful storyteller and his style is phenomenal. Even when his movies don't quite hit the mark, they're still so far ahead of the game. He's Hitchcock meets Spielberg. He's incredibly visual and magically methodical. M. Night Shyamalan is the best thing to happen to movies in nearly 20 years!

A Shyamalan must.

Let me start by saying of the 138 minutes of this movie, I MAAAAAYBE stayed awake for about 30! This movie was so boring and so drawn out that I just couldn't stay with it even at 2 in the afternoon on a Sunday!!! Awful awful awful.

Oh my gosh AWFUL!

I was really into this movie (though for some it's really slooooow) but was thrown by the direction it took at the end. It went somewhere I don't think it needed to that really had nothing to do with the central story. Everyone stepped up to the plate, turning in wonderful performances (especially Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Tom Guiry). I definitely think it's worth seeing.

Intense (and flawed) but well done.

Originally a 3D Imax experience, this documentary revisits Titanic with new technology and personal perspective. You must must see this film, especially if you're a Titanic buff. Though it won't be 3D, it's still an awesome experience. If comes to an Imax near you again, you must GO SEE IT!!!!

An absolute MUST for Titanic lovers and enthusiats!!!

Domestic Disturbance

(08/01/2004)

STARRING

John Travolta

Vince Vaughan

Matt O'Leary

DIRECTED BY

Harold Becker

John put it best with two words: Typical cookie-cutter. Nothing special about this movie at all. Yes, I would even go so far as to call it a complete waste of 89 minutes. The ONLY interesting thing about this movie was Matt O'Leary and that's because I'm a huge fan of this up and comer. Travolta, Vaughan, and even Buscemi... nice phoneing it in guys!

A big waste of time.

Bourne Supremacy

(08/08/2004)

STARRING

Matt Damon

Franka Potente

Joan Allen

DIRECTED BY

Paul Greengrass

The Bourne Identity

(08/08/2004)

STARRING

Matt Damon

Franka Potente

Chris Cooper

DIRECTED BY

Doug Liman

The Butterfly Effect

(08/24/2004)

STARRING

Ashton Kutcher

Amy Smart

DIRECTED BY

Eric Bress

J. Mackye Gruber

Incredibly incredibly well done! Outstanding performances by everyone involved. Make sure you watch the THEATRICAL VERSION first!!! And let me know how you feel about the Director's Cut version afterwards! I could continue but the space would just be filled with wonderfuls, greats, and outstandings!

Don't even bother renting it, buy it outright!!

Manchurian Candidate

(08/24/2004)

STARRING

Denzel Washington

Liev Schreiber

Meryl Streep

DIRECTED BY

Jonathan Demme

UGH!!!!!!!! This movie DRAGGED so much I didn't even bother trying to wake John up when he inevitably began dosing off. I've never seen the original and was all set to rent it but if it's even half as boring as this version I think I'll pass!

Interesting premise just WAY TOO SLOW!!!!!

UGH!!!!!!!! This movie DRAGGED so much... Oh wait that was my review for Manchurian Candidate but trust me, the same applies here. In fairness, the parts that were done well (particularly the shark scenes) were REALLY done well but in the end they just aren't enough to make this movie worthwhile. Like the advertising says, the director was definitely going for a 'Blair Witch' feel but his story and storytelling just wasn't as tight or pulled off anywhere near as well. In places it felt very juvenille and film-schoolish. C-.

Rent it if you want but if you only if there's nothing else.

Will Ferrell has got to be one of my absolute favorite comedians right now. True enough, his humor isn't for everyone but he makes me giggle like a wee girl! :^) "Elf," while it was very entertaining and hilariously funny in all the right places, seemed to sort of tinker out towards the end. 'Jovie' was completely miscast but James Caan and the HILARIOUS Peter Dinklage were right on the money.

Good holiday movie to add to your collection.

As we all know, adaptations of Stephen King books are often mediocre at best. There are those few gems like Misery, The Green Mile, Stand By Me, and the ABC miniseries version of The Shining. Secret Window belongs in this category! Johnny Depp is wonderful as is John Turturro. All the characters are so flawed and real. David Koepp is a director I'll be watching from now on (check out all the screenplays he's written!!)!

One of the GOOD Stephen King adaptations!