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fiddler
 
 
 
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  • Review count
    75
  • Helpfulness votes
    53
  • First review
    June 21, 2008
  • Last review
    August 9, 2008
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  • Average rating
    3.7
 
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fiddler's Reviews
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Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Critic Hype Led to Disappointment
on July 21, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Critics boasted about Hairspray to be a great musical...lots of fun. Usually I don't rely on critics and concern myself with the average person's review because I have seen movies they seemed to dislike but I loved... but whenever I see high critical acclaim, it does catch my eye.
Hairspray was one of those movies. For some people, musicals just aren't their thing...but I don't mind musicals. Many of them are quite soulful and vibrant... so that was not the issue here. The issue was I just find Hairspray a complete bore. And I'm not exaggerating. I hate to give 1 or F ratings on movies, because I think a movie has to be unanimously bad to deserve that.
I think either you'll love Hairspray or just not feel it's your cup of tea. I watched it with friends, some of whom adored it and others who found a few parts extremely hilarious but the rest as boring. Me? I didn't laugh once. I don't know why. It felt like a waste of time, that's why I don't recommend it. I might watch it again to see if I missed something.
Another thing, the acting is purposely meant to be corny and tacky. It's supposed to add to the humor. I appreciate the movie for it's unique nature in modern Hollywood, but I did not enjoy it as much as I tried to.
What's great about it: colorful, take on a serious issue of the past (and present to a lesser extent) and found humor
What's not so great: boring, corny acting (purposely)
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
When brothers and fellow FBI agents Marcus (Marlon Wayans) and Kevin Copeland (Shawn Wayans) accidentally ruin an otherwise painstakingly executed drug bust, getting back into the good graces of their boss becomes a high-priority assignment in itself. With this in mind, Marcus and Kevin take on a case far beneath their usual standards when they agree to escort socialite sisters Brittany (Maitland Ward) and Tiffany Wilton (Anne Dudek) from a private terminal at JFK Airport to their hotel room in the Hamptons. Once there, two considerably higher-ranking agents will take over the girls' protection. The extra security is no mere perk of wealth, however, as it appears that Brittany and Tiffany have been targeted by a serial kidnapper. The FBI hopes to apprehend the perpetrator by using the girls as bait, unbeknownst to them. The plan may have worked if it weren't for Kevin and Marcus, who manage to let the sisters in on the secret. Understandably, neither of them want any part in the process, so they force the brothers to come up with a radical solution: With the help of an FBI lab scientist, the very much African-American Kevin and Marcus will be transformed into two white women who could pass for Brittany and Tiffany. The agents must keep the charade up long enough to lure the kidnapper, but fooling everyone involved will be the job of their lives. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, White Chicks also features James King and Lochlyn Munro.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Surprisingly Hilarious
on July 21, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Napoleon Dynamite. Monty Python. Hair Spray. Scary Movie. Movies designated as pure comedies that others seem to love, I often watch through without a single natural laugh (I sometimes force it for my friends' sake). In person, I laugh a lot, and in movies that are meant to be more than just comedies, I laugh as well but for silly comedies, I struggle to find the things most other older teens/ adults find funny to actually be funny. I don't even laugh at Comedy Central or at most comedians on YouTube. I thought something was wrong with me, but lucky for White Chicks... I finally found a laugh in a teen/ adult comedy.
What makes White Chicks such a fun movie? Sean and Marlon Wayans of course! These two work EXCELLENT together and when united can cause crowds of uncontrollable laughter. I found myself actually quoting the movie, which I never do for comedies usually.
If anyone else were to pull off the lines they said/things they did in this movie, it wouldn't be half as funny. The plot itself was just plain strange and the script was often very crude, silly, pointless, stereotypical, highly exaggerated emotions, and far-fetched as compared to reality. But the Wayans brothers put life into those words and forces a laugh out of the audiences.
Good times.
What's great about it: will make you laugh a lot, really odd plot, Wayans brothers are great comedy (dynamic duo)
What's not so great: so ninny it's funny, shallow, stereotypical
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Tom Cruise stars in director Cameron Crowe's complex thriller Vanilla Sky. Presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, Paramount's work on this picture is stunningly good. With dark black levels and solid colors, this transfer includes nary a hint of edge enhancement, grain, or any other imperfection that might otherwise mar the image. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround in English, as well as Dolby 2.0 Surround in English and French. The 5.1 mix is very aggressive and full, utilizing rear and front surrounds generously (especially with the use of modern rock songs in the background). Also included on this disc are English subtitles. The extra features for Vanilla Sky are plentiful and exciting, starting with a commentary track by Crowe and his wife, composer Nancy Wilson of the rock group Heart. Both participants are very chatty and even get a chance to do a brief interview with Cruise. Two featurettes, "Prelude to a Dream" and "Hitting It Hard," each include interviews with the cast and crew as well as some extensive behind-the-scenes footage from the film and the overseas premiere. Finally, there is also a brief interview with Paul McCartney, a music video by Leftfield and Afrika Bambaataa, an unreleased teaser trailer, a theatrical trailer, and a photo gallery with an introduction by photographer Neal Preston.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Watch the Origial "Abre Los Ojos" Instead
on July 20, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
I saw "Abre Los Ojos" (Open Your Eyes) first and loved it. It's a combination of thrill, fear, romance, hate, and wonder all in one. "Vanilla Sky" the Hollywood remake surely would fall short of the greatness of this original. Sure, the original IS in Spanish, but I recommend watching it with the subtitles instead of watching this film. The only thing better about this film was the soundtrack.
Sometimes a remake can be just as good as the original (of a different language) and it depends on which movie you saw first... ex: Ringu vs. The Ring. However, for this case, I feel no matter what the original was way better.
As an individual movie, this still had its thought-provoking numbness. But I say, if you can find the original... get that... because nothing can beat the feeling you will get with that movie.
My two cents.
What's great about it: awesome idea, very thought-provoking, gruesome, great soundtrack, Cruise and Cruz look good together
What's not so great: no where near as good as "Abre Los Ojos"
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-6points
0of 6voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
A Different Marnie makes a Different story
on July 20, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Although Sara Paxton is good as a childrens' show actress, her role as Marnie was disappointing... but then again, anyone in the replacement of Kimberly J. Brown as Marnie would be. The character of Marnie was distinctly different. Marnie was known to be the stubborn, sarcastic, and rebelliously determined girl. This new Marnie was sweet, peppy, and innocently curious.
As a movie on its own, it was alright. The storyline was interesting and kids would like it. But as a Halloweentown movie, it was sad to see a new Marnie and hardly any Grandma Aggie. (The old Marnie-Aggie combination was golden of the other Halloweentown movies). It lost a lot of humor this way.
Luckily, there was the same Dylan and Marnie's mother, so that helped it stay connected to the previous movies... but I feel that this movie also threw in random details about the Cromwell lives that makes one think straight-up "whoa... that was really random" In the previous three movies, never was the Cromwell family past brought up, but in this one it was crucial to the plot.
Overall as a Halloweentown fan, I wasn't thrilled with it...and though it was an okay movie, I would not recommend it for fans.
What's great about it: interesting but random legend, magical nature of Halloweentown University, new distinct characters, fun movie at times
What's not so great: if you watched the first three Halloweentown this is disappointing, different Marnie, hardly Grandma Aggie, ok acting
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Least Fave of the 4
on July 20, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
The Saw movies, the 4 of them, come together. Once you start the series, you have to finish them. That is why I watched this movie and continued on to Saw IV eventhough I was disappointed with this one.
Saw III didn't have the suspenseful thrill like the first, second, or fourth one. There were a few unique but bloody scenes like the open brain surgery...but the blood outdid the story in this one. What kept me a Saw fan was not the gore but the story behind it, and I thought the third one had a strange story.
We all thought by the end of Saw II Jigsaw was to die, but Saw III is about keeping Jigsaw alive. Even in his deathbed, he has all these carefully thought out, intricate plans that makes one wonder HOW? and WHY? How psycho is this guy?
It could have been worse, but it could have been better also. Watch it if you keep up with the Saw movies, otherwise, I think it's also okay to just watch the first two and be completely satisfied. You need this one for Saw IV though.
What's great about it: okay twist, every broken end (mystery) comes together nicely, different than the other Saw movies
What's not so great: cringeworthy torture, twist not as great as the first two, nothing outrageously suspenseful until the end, random nudity
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Looney Toons in Shrunken form
on July 20, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Looney Toons-- one of the timeless cartoons that never cease to fail children of any era. Tiny Toons? A 1990s version of Looney Toons, but with the Looney Toons younger relatives and new characters (generally based off old characters).
How does it compare to the legendary Looney toons? It's pretty impressive how close it comes!
What makes these kinds of cartoons different from any other IS the carefree comedy. They can make laughs out of the seemingly simple situations and ALSO the exaggeration. A character from Tiny Toons that pops into mind is Elmira... a tiny toons version of Pepi Le Peu, in
girl form. The way they love is by choking their lover into fear.
It's a very cute show, I'd recommend it.
What's great about it: fun, carefree comedy, interesting new characters, distinct personalities
What's not so great: can never be just as good as Looney Toons BUT comes close!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
4 stars for kids, 2-3 for adults
on July 19, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Most likely, if you were to buy this DVD, you'd buy it for your kid and not yourself... and kids seem to love it. It's different from most other childrens movies, because it tries to take a child's astounding imagination and bring to life its vivid colors and wild nature. This itself makes up for the sub-par to par acting from most of the actors. Kids love what they see and what they feel because it plays with their senses.
I would give it 2 stars, because I didn't enjoy it, but I decided to go with 3 considering the target audience is for elementary school aged children (and maybe middle school) .
What's great about it: imaginative, creative, fun graphics, 3D makes it lively, all about kids, typical kid troubles but wild imagination
What's not so great: tacky, acting not so great, kids 12 and under would appreciate it only (most likely)
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Based on the book Mathilda, by British children's author Roald Dahl, this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Mathilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is an extremely curious and intelligent young girl who is very different from her low-brow, mainstream parents (Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman), who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older, she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall, to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Mathilda's shady father.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Fun for All Ages
on July 18, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Mara Wilson was perfect for the role of Matilda, a beloved character from a beloved children's book written by a beloved author. I loved Roald Dahl books as a kid, because they made me feel enchanted and invincible. Usually when books are turned into movies, the movies are disappointing and fall short. Matilda was both a great movie and book.
It's a movie fun for all ages. I'm grown up now, and still enjoy it as much as I did when I was younger. Kids and teens and their families alike will love this feel-good movie, and it is especially cheery for those who read the book.
What's great about it: imaginative, inspiring, Mara Wilson was great
What's not so great: not as good as the book (but still very good, nevertheless)
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Goosebumps: Chillogy concerns a trip of youngsters who, under the influence of a bad guy named Karl, find themselves trapped in a alternate world that seems to exist inside a toy town. The three must team up to escape, stop Karl, and free those who have fallen victim to Karl's nefarious plan. The Goosebumps series was created for older children by horror novelist R.L. Stine.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Very Imaginative
on July 17, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
The Goosebumps series was a great one, and this film just accents the greatness. I love the idea of the the toy town toy and especially find it enchanting how the kids find themselves magically in that toy town fighting off an evil villain. Shows like these are very rare nowadays—what happened to imagination, horror, thrill, and wonder? Now it’s all about becoming a popstar, having your own show, technology, looking like a diva,… basically advocating materialism. It just doesn’t seem fun to be a kid anymore.
Goosebumps, however, from the books to the shows, are always great stories with great endings (good or bad). Its not always scary, but it's always a delight. Chillogy happens to be one of my favorites.
What's great about it: creative, fun, kids will love it, suspenseful
What's not so great: not that scary
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
1 out of 5
1
Waste of Time
on July 17, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
I expected, I saw, and I saw what I expected. Bottom-notch film… easily the worst movie I have ever seen. Paris Hilton cannot act, and even if some of the other actors/actresses have the potential to do better acting, this tacky, poorly put-together film was not the best move.
It was supposed to be a comedy, and the unbelievable part is that we as the viewers are so shocked to see that someone had the guts to produce and put forth a film as poor as this that it becomes funny. However, the catch is we aren’t laughing WITH the film, rather AT the film.
Yes, it really is NOT worth the watch and time. Stay away!
What's great about it: so bad that it actually is funny, good-looking people (pro for some?)
What's not so great: Paris Hilton, poor plot, tacky, numbingly boring, frustrating
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
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