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Elson321
Reviews
Brimstone (1998)
Why oh why was this brilliant show cancelled?!!!!
The people who cancelled this show need shooting! This was one of the most darkest, well written, directed, acted, funny TV dramas of the 1990's.
You do not get a better fantasy-horror story line than this. Every character was perfectly cast from Ezekiel Stone to The Devil to the priest. Well at least 1 seasons worth of episodes was made. That has to count for something hey? I really wish it was still here.
Sorry folks i can't really stress how good this show was. You just have to watch it and catch the episodes wherever you can; on the net, on ebay, anywhere find it and watch it ASAP! Trust me this is a quality show; i would bet my life on it.
Brimstone (1998-1999) R.I.P.
Message in a Bottle (1999)
Beautiful and emotionally moving film
This a beautiful and emotionally moving film. Those who have lost loved ones may find the messages in this film very touching. It's essentially a film about eventually letting go of past pains and heartache; never giving up, being hopeful that new love will find you; holding onto courage to move on, to live for now, yet never forgetting past important people and respecting them, giving them honour and behaving how they would want you to behave.
The message that really spoke to my soul whilst viewing this film was that there is a time for sorrow, and a time to be sad, but that at the end of all that, there is a time to be joyful.There is hope, and that is what we crucially need to live our lives progressively.
Interesting plot which is very different and far superior to the usually comedy romance story, as it is based on a well written novel. All performances were well acted, especially wise old Paul Newman's father figure character to Kevin Costner, who makes him see sense when Costenr is quite stubborn in his way about not wanting to move on, and date Robin Wright Penn's character. The beautiful score and songs of the film really do it justice and set the mood perfectly! Hence why i have the soundtrack on CD as well as the DVD of this film.
Perhaps the most touching scene in the film is where Kevin Costner's character finally moves on. He writes a message to his deceased wife to finally attain closure. The words of that letter are most touching and so sincerely meant.
Finally, this film has helped me to progressively move on in life after break ups with ex's and it gives me hope and renews my faith in new love. A received feeling like that is what makes me really recommend why you should see this film. Give it a watch. It is worth it.
My score = 8/10
Batman Begins (2005)
Very good psychological thriller and drama film!
It's hard to go into a film without having expectations that you want to be delivered. The people i went to see this film with had thought it was all Batman and less Bruce Wayne, when in fact, the opposite was the reality. Why? Because this is a psychological and thrilling drama explaining the origin of Batman; why does Batman exist? What are the motivations behind Bruce Wayne becoming Batman and how can Batman fight so well and move with speed and agility are just some of the questions answered.
Blade runner was a heavy influence on the making of this film in terms of style (just look at Gotham City) and character development i.e., Blade runner's Deckard experiences questions such as what is the value of life and How does one define life? Does one have to be breathing to be living? Batman Begins emphasises on dealing with fear that every person faces and must overcome in life to live life successfully. Thus this film is very much targeted at adults. It's a brilliant and inventive way of rebreathing life into a dead franchise. It is also very different to Tim Burton's Batman (1989). To decide which is a better film cannot be done as both are of top quality, but embedded with different styles and approaches.
Christopher Nolan does deliver and direct this film very well and given how much ground he had to cover on explaining Batman's origins, the villains, plots and of course, the action, he did extremely well. The only downside is that, at times, the pacing felt a bit rushed and it was very necessary to pay complete attention to everything going on. Definitely not a film to watch with a dead brain! Nevertheless, I would recommend to anyone thinking of watching this film to watch Chrisopher Nolan's previous works of 'Memento' and 'Insomnia' to enjoy the fruits of his work on character developments.
Finally with an all star cast, all performances were excellent, especially Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne.
My score = 8/10. Watch the film and pay attention!
Love in Paris (1997)
9 and a 1/2 would be too high of rating for this film!
Sorry to say, but this one completely misses the bulls eye! It could have been an interesting film as Rourke as John trying to find Elizabeth (Kim Basinger's previous role in the first film) was a good plot to go with; John feeling lonely, haunted by her memory, unable to open up and let go even with this red head chick. Interesting themes of love never dying and moving on could have been explored. However, the director didn't pull it off, didn't really know how to take it and that shows.What a shame. Honestly, just watch this film if it's on on a late Friday night and you are not hitting the town, or because you are a big fan of Mickey. Really, it does not deliver, and its a shame because it could have been a chance for this film to outshine 9 and 1/2 weeks, the first movie. Sorry folks!
8MM (1999)
Dark,disturbing,thrilling... and for that worth a watch!
I really liked 8mm. Didn't know much about the film in 1999, nor had i seen the trailer, nor had anyone told me about this film. That is the best way to go into a movie; nothing is present beforehand to put you off viewing the film or over hype its quality. And it paid off. This movie has good, grounded characters (Cage as a detective investigating the origin of a snuff film and Phoenix playing a sidekick type character helping him); an interesting and thrilling plot and additionally for me, an ending that i was satisfied with. And that is so important! I know Joel Schumacer has done some terrible films in the past like Batman and Robin, but this one is filmed well, paced well and is definitely worth a watch once or twice again. It's very dark, disturbing and has some great twists.
My score = 8/10
Unfaithful (2002)
Very good film depicting how complex relationships can be
Great acting with a fine cast of actors (especially Diane Lane who is brilliant in this movie and carries it home). Believable plot that overall tells us that affairs have happened, do happen and will always happen in the future; and that, not necessarily does anything have to be wrong in a marriage for one partner to cheat on the other. Thus, the theme of human curiosity, human weakness and human irrationality comes into play.
Adrian Lynne really knows how to fuse a plethora of emotions, ranging from frustration to desire and obsession in his films and in his sex scenes as 'Unfaithful' shows when Connie and Olivier first try to make love. Nice to see that Lynne has made a very good erotic drama that also explores the consequences that humans have to live with as a result of them pursuing self-enlightened choices.
I, myself, am thinking of purchasing this one on DVD.
Give it a watch. My Score = 9/10
Broken Arrow (1996)
mindless,clichéd, action packed and entertaining
Broken arrow is just a fun filled and action packed film. It's just guns, explosions, fight scenes for all of the movie. Fairly predictable but entertaining nevertheless. If you are with a bunch of guys who just wanna sit back eat pizza and drink, this is the action film to watch! Enjoy it light heartedly and don't expect too much.
John Travolta as the baddest guy who wants money and power is excellent as usual. Christian Slater still has that heroic boyish coolness still in him and in his said lines. Worth a watch on a Friday or Saturday night in.
John woo is a master of action, and he really knows how to shoot action, fight, explosive type scenes really well. I love his trademarks of a Mexican standoff and mirror reflections that alert the main character of the movie to the presence of danger. Go for it and enjoy it!
My score = 6/10
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)
The best crime solving show of the 21st century!
Great cast of actors who bring life, emotion and speciality to each crime scene investigator, especially Petersen who play Grissom so so well!
Excellent story lines that allow the unfolding of scientific knowledge to be so relevant and interesting in solving each of the cases, each week; and, superb special effects that show you the explicit details of injuries of each victim, and the causes of deaths of each victim.
What more could you ask for in a crime solving show?! C.S.I. is brilliant!
I must say though that it is shame that Petersen could potentially leave the show as he is dissatisfied with CSI: Miami, and perhaps CSI: New York, even though his buddy, Sinise, is in that.
Anyway I give C.S.I. a 10/10
Angel (1999)
Loved 'Angel' from 1999-2004
What can i say different from any other 'Angel' fan. This was one of the best shows around from 1999-2004. Great acting by David Boreanez (who carried Angel forward) and from the rest of the cast. Excellent story lines telling of Angel's path to redemption; and, flashbacks that reveal to us his former evil life that brought people suffering, torture and death when he did not have a soul. Great development of the Wesley character. Much better than Buffy and worth owning on DVD. There was the occasional bad episode but the many good ones made up for it. Watch it and cherish it.
Catch the re-runs when they come on. It's worth it.
My vote = 9/10
Alias (2001)
Great show because Jennifer Garner does this one justice!
In 2001 i never gave 'Alias' a chance. I prejudged the show to be unrealistic and far-fetched. After watching it in 2004 on wards and catching up on all the previous seasons i must say it is one hell of a roller coaster ride. Interesting, entertaining and exciting story lines come through. Superb action and fight scenes and superb acting are also two more strong points about the show. What more could you ask for?
To this day i am thoroughly amazed at Jennifer Garner. She is an amazing martial artist and actress. She shines in this show and really brings it home and carryoes it forward!
So far My favourite episode has been with guest star Ethan Hawke! What more can i say guys and girls, watch the next episode as soon as you can!
I give it a 4/5!
John Doe (2002)
Not a bad show; shame it didn't last more than 1 season
This show was not bad, better than some junk out there. Dominc Purcell as John Doe acted very well. Stories were more than average enough to keep your interest going. It was a shame that the show did not last more than 1 season. It would have been nice to have a conclusion to answer all the unanswered questions such as, 'Why does JD know everything about products, environments, certain things about people etc, but yet knows nothing about himself?'.
I myself still catch the re runs on the sci-fi channel in the UK and am still entertained for 45 minutes by it. Also, JD had good guest stars and some clever lines and facts about things JD said.
I say give at least the pilot episode a chance!
I give it 2.5/5 or 3/5
Red Shoe Diaries (1992)
Better than the average love & erotic program/film
I use to really like this show as it had a better storyline than the other junk, late night soft erotic shows of the past. I especially relate to Jake's (David Duchovney's character) yearn to know why his late fiancé kept the secret of an affair she was having hidden from him, when he thought they were perfectly happy and when he gave everything he could to her.
My favourite episode was with Cheryl Lee entitled 'Jake's story'; it made such a change to see Jake share with us his experience and encounters with new love with a mysterious woman.
Occasionally there was the bad episode, but the great camera shots and the whole style of the show when showing people and places was worth watching and made up for it.
Worth a watch!
Elektra (2005)
Actually not that bad!
I didn't think this movie was that bad! I can't believe it got 4.8/10 on the IMDb voting pole. Anyway, as long as you are not expecting any thing too grand and fancy in comparison to, say, better comic book adapted films like X-men or Spiderman, then you'll be OK. You'll find this 'Elektra' film fairly entertaining; easy to wacth to pass the time.
Jennifer Garner plays Elektra well and she is a really good martial artist due to her training from Alias (2001). I did think the romance was just too predictable and really not needed. The producers should have instead included the deleted scene of Dare devil's appearance. Anyway give it a try, the film definitely hits the average mark. I give it a 5/10.
Runaway Jury (2003)
Nowhere near as GOOD as the John Grisham novel!
This film is nowhere near as good as the John Grisham novel. As everyone has said, the changing of the firm from a tobacco producer/manufacturer to a gun's manufacturer really let's it down. I really don't understand how Grisham could agree to this adaptation of one of his most successful books. It's not a bad film, but, it could have been so much better if they had stuck to the original story very closely. It just seems to me that Gary Fleder just wanted to take all the action bits out and let it roll! Not a good way to go. Of course, the acting is good, well done and portrayed, but these people are very different to the people created in the book. Overall the film is fairly mediocre when it could have been excellent.
CSI: NY (2004)
Not bad
CSI: NY is not bad. It's not as good as CSI: Miami or CSI: LV, but i guess that's because it is trying to be different. It has to be doesn't it really? What's the use in having more of the same.
To those who are putting it down, maybe we should give it a try. Maybe after one season you can give it a good marking. The characters still have to be developed. The NY scene seems very gritty and Sinise seems rather cold at times, emotionally detached apart from the Pilot episode where he missed his wife and went to ground zero.
CSI:NY over all seems worth a watch, and i will continue to watch it, i just won't expect too much out of it like i do from CSI or CSI:Miami.
My vote = 5/10 or 6/10 = fairly average.
24 (2001)
So glad Kim is out of the picture (2005) !
24 = Great, entertaining, suspenseful! Kiefer Sutherland shines in this one! Plus Kim Bauer is out of the picture.
IMDb says it is due to end in 2005, and though i will miss the show, i think that is for the best for 24 to end in 2005. This is because doing too much of the same thing is not good. Series 1 and 2 have been the best so far, with series 3 really being the worst, but series 4 seems to be really exciting.
One thing that does strike me and makes me laugh is how terrorists always run into the corridors full on not looking to see if anyone is in there, then they get shot! Also Ain't funny how Jack never seems to wear a helmet when doing a CTU raid and all the other CTU SWAT team wear helmets!? Anyway minor point,and still a good show
Catch 24 on Fox. My score = 9/10
CSI: Miami (2002)
Entertaining show that presents itself more in Style than in Content
CSI Miami is an entertaining show that really has picked up David Caruso's career up from the Ocean floor. He is very blessed, indeed, to be experiencing success as a lead actor on a famous show since his NYPD Blue days.
CSI Miami is more about style than content. Compared to CSI: Las Vegas, CSI Miami is inferior. However, after watching it from the very first episode, and until 2004, i was hooked. It did grow on me. It's darker story lines than CSI: LV, =sunny settings, a cast that gels together made it different in a good way to CSI:LV. Plus i loved the way Caruso's Caine knows everything.as wlel as his emotional attachment and sympathy to the victims of crime.
A major downer since 2004 has been Rory Cochrane's absence in the show. He was a great character who was cool looking and had smart one-liners. Without him the show is a tad bit more empty.
The show is currently waring off me, and I am starting to find CSI:NY much more appealing. I will continue to watch CSI: Miami but not expect as much from it as I did before.
My score (2007 onwards) = 3/5
Rescue Me (2004)
Funny, realistic and entertaining drama
This is one of the most funny, realistic and entertaining dramas around currently (2005-2006). Watch it from the very first episode and see how each firefighter has a background and a story. See how well the firefighters get on as a team get on from day 1. See how September 11th has affected their lives. I especially love Denis Leary's character's brother who works as a New York Cop. Such a cool guy.
Anyway, definitely worth an hours watch every week! And, of course, Denis Leary has written and acted yet another brilliant piece of work again just like his 2001-2002 show called 'The Job'. My Score = 10/10. Let's hope this one doesn't get cancelled folks!
Highlander (1992)
Interesting, entertaining and thought provoking series
This interesting highlander series has a lot more to it than action, fantasy and drama. The characters are well acted, and thought out by the actors and screenwriters, respectively. The plots were excellently written, especially linking Duncan Mcleod's past until now, the current time period. I probably think this because i have always been a fan of time period fantasy dramas such as Highlander (1992-1998), Angel (1999-2004) and Witchblade (2001-2002).
I especially love it when events of the past are explained through such dramas like Highlander. One example of this is within one of my favourite episodes in 19th or 18th century historical England where Mary Shelly, the author of the famous novel called 'Frankenstein', sees one immortal get stabbed and then rise to life again. She goes on to comment that seeing such an event inspired her to write 'Frankenstein'
Thought provoking questions about the series, as some members have already mention, arose such as what was it like for immortals to outlive their loved ones? What was it like to live forever?
Adrian Paul as the lead actor, playing Duncan Mcleod, was excellent. His talents of martial arts and acting skills really shine in this series. Afterall, the series did last for 7 years.
However, the series did have some faults. One of them being how does Duncan beat every immortal he fights, even ones who are much older, wiser and more experienced in combat than he is. I know there is the good old 'smart-aleky' answer of 'because there would be no one else to carry on the show' but it still remains a question unanswered satisfactorily. Other members have brought up even better questions that pick out the faults of this show you can read.
But overall, it is an interesting and good quality series that is worth watching. After a few episodes the characters will grow on you.The interesting plots will also intrigue you. Give it a try! I give it a 4/5
Swift Justice (1996)
Enjoyable and entertaining show
Swift Justice (SJ) is an enjoyable and entertaining show. If you like action and drama, especially with cop type shows, then give this a watch. SJ had James Mccaffrey as the lead role of a former cop helping the helpless (clichéd idea i know, but still done particularly well with style). He played the role amazingly well. If he didn't i would not have stayed around to watch it.
It's just a shame that this show did not run longer than one season because James Mccaffrey is a good and talented lead actor who hasn't had the chance since SJ to shine as a lead actor.
James Mccaffrey's current work includes starring as a dead fireman in 'Rescue Me' and its a shame that in that Show James Mccaffrey is limited in terms of screen time.
Anyway, Gary Dourdan also starred in SJ, acting as James's Mcaffrey's former cop partner. He played his role excellently, as he does now (in 2005 on wards) in CSI. Plots of SJ were written well enough and always involved James Mcaffrey using his high tech vehicles, weaponry and martial arts.
Catch the reruns if you can, its worth watching.
I give it a 3/5.
Angel Heart (1987)
One of the most interesting pieces of Film i have ever seen! Watch " Angel Heart"!
You've read the rest of the reviews I'm sure. I must agree Angel Heart is an amazing piece of work! It is a classic, one of those films you can watch more than once, and with each watch always pick up on new things again and again in its fine content!
As you know the film is set in 1955 and is about A New York private detective; Mickey Rourke's Harry Angel hired by a client, Mr Louis Cyphere (Robert De Niro) to track down a missing singer Johnny favourite. This is because Johnny owes Cyphere Greatly. Seems like a simple task but Johnny favourite is hard to track down and the only leads are the people who use to know him. Going deeper and deeper into the story Harry becomes involved with voodism, evil, murder and bad luck to name but a few.
The script is well written, not too overbearing and keeps us on the edge of our seat always, believe me! Alan parker's directing is so mesmerizing. His effective use of symbolism, hidden messages and dramatic irony is evident in his expressive camera work.
One scene this can all be seen in is at the table where Harry Angel meets Louis Cyphere (Ingenious pun/play on words for us to think twice about Robert de Niro's character). Mr Cyphere teases Harry by peeling the shell of a boiled egg slowly with a serious facial expression along with secretive eyes. He then says "Some religions believe the egg is a symbol of the soul, would you like an egg Mr Angel", to which Harry replies "No thank you"; yet it seems as if Harry is refusing something valuable he shouldn't be refusing. Harry looks shocked and be wildered after Cyphere bites half of the egg perfectly to chew, then swallows.
Another example of symbolism I don't think many picked up on, is where Harry is embroiled in a fight at a band singer/leader's home; there is a struggle and a wall statue of an angel is knocked to the floor by Harry and breaks in half into two pieces. This is all done to make the viewer think about Harry Angel's life and Fate, and for us not to take things at face value.
Parker uses very strong images of fiery red that stand out against dull, cloudy grey backgrounds in his effective gory and bloody images. For example, the murdered bodies we discover. The texture of the red gives us a sense of danger, which is what Harry Angel is in and we are made to feel very, very uncomfortable and disturbed when viewing such images.
I even remember wanting to turn away when I saw the sex scene with Harry Angel and Epiphane Proudfoot (Played by Lisa Bonet), where blood drips off the ceiling to cover them and we glimpse a scene of a group of people having an orgy surrounded by a bright red background with fire flames in a hell like place.
Most 90's horror movies would instead tirelessly try to scare us poorly with such images, but Parker has instead ingeniously let such graphic images tell us through their look what is happening in the story; rather then just letting us just think 'Ok another boring dead body that popped out to try to scare me Sh**less'. These dead bodies cleverly bring out our curiosity as to why and how these gory, bloody bodies are here without explanation, in the first place, when we view them for the first time along side Harry.
Consequently we share Harry Angel's frustration and confusion throughout the film as to what is going on i.e. when he says ` Who the f**k are you Cypher?' or ` Johnny favourite is bad luck and its starting to rub off on me' and are yet reminded that there is more to this than meets the eye when we view the flashback scenes Angel encounters.
At the end we share the dramatic atmosphere and are really shocked when we discover and feel what Harry is feeling when he finds out ` the truth'. This twist is like no other twist I have ever encountered. A real eye opener and in my opinion much better than any twist in any film I have ever seen! We really feel emotionally for Harry here, as if he doesn't deserve this fate, but yet if you think about it he does because it is a result of his thoughtless actions. Speaking on that note, the moral and message of the story is if you meddle with things you are not suppose to meddle with, the results are more than likely to be disastrous. Also, making a promise goes with keeping a promise. Some people or entities you make a promise to will never take `no' I can't keep this promise for an answer, once its been made.
Over all this film is different from most quickly made horror thrilling type films, and that's because careful thought has gone into its writing, directing, acting and production. It is unique because in no way does it feel familiar to other horror films, and that's because it was one of the real first pieces of work that had originality to it. In the years to come, when people ask me what my favourite films are `Angel heart' is surely going to be one of them! An underrated classic! Should always be remembered and appreciated.