Embitca

All reviews - Movies (4) - TV Shows (2) - DVDs (5) - Books (1) -

On the Fifth Day

Posted : 5 months ago on 1 February 2008 01:12 (A review of On the Fifth Day)

The book is readable enough, but the story is ultimately pretty damn pointless. I just could not bring myself to care about what the characters cared about and found myself scratching my head as to why the pivotal plot point was of any interest to the characters in the first place. Seriously, who cares!

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Miami Vice

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 10:59 (A review of Miami Vice (Unrated Director's Cut))

This movie just gets better on repeat viewing. The first time I watched it, I was struck by how little exposition there was in the movie. To an almost bewildering degree, virtually any line of dialogue that might serve to explain what the hell is going on is absent. So you actually have to follow what the characters are doing on screen. This isn't ideal for half-assed movie viewing while doing something else, which is how I watched it the first time.

On repeats though, I've really grown to love how stylized and spare the script and editing are. This movie is seriously tight.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Wait until Jack arrives

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 09:37 (A review of Tru Calling)

I started watching this show because I liked Eliza when she was on Buffy. It is only because I find her likeable that I continued to watch it because the show was pretty ordinary.

But then Jack arrived and my perseverance paid off because all of a sudden the show gets much more interesting with Jason Priestly added to the cast. It is more than just his charisma. What the show really needed was an actual adversary for Tru. So Jack gives the show and the plots a nice kick in the pants.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Ridiculous, and yet Stupendously Awesome

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 08:47 (A review of Equilibrium)

Oh, Equilibrium! I can just see the pitch for this movie. "It's Fahrenheit 451 meets The Matrix. And we create a new martial art -- with guns!" Ahh yeah, oooookay!

Except... except it is completely awesome in execution! And the Gun Kata is one of the coolest things ever. And Christian Bale is completely hot like burning fire. And he sacrifices everything he is and has for the sake of a puppy! (the most beautiful puppy on the planet!) Yay! I love this movie!

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Worth watching for Fichtner

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 08:41 (A review of Invasion)

I watched the pilot for this show when it initially aired and really wasn't enthused overly much, but then after watching Fichtner on season 2 of Prison Break, I decided to give this show a second look and rented the entire first season. Happily, it improved significantly over the course of the season, but I think without the performance Fichtner gives I would have grown bored with it. Fortunately, he's terrific and compelling, as always.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Fun, but incredibly stupid

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 08:24 (A review of Virtuosity)

I've watched this movie a couple of times. One of the ways in which this movie falls apart is the fact that in seems like Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington are in two different movies. Russell recognizes he's in a campy sci-fi farce, but Denzel thinks he's in a straight-up action movie. The movie would have worked better overall if Denzel had also realized just how completely ridiculous the script was and acted accordingly.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

I would give this movie 12 stars

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 08:21 (A review of 3:10 to Yuma)

This movie shot right into my Top 10 List. A completely charismatic performance by Russell Crowe and an engaging performance by Christian Bale. Enormous chemistry between both actors and just a very well made film overall. Basically, I freaking love this movie!

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Sweet, but Mostly Forgettable Movie

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 08:16 (A review of A Good Year (Widescreen Edition))

This movie gets a lot of flack and didn't do all that well at the box office, but it is a perfectly serviceable romantic comedy.

It will certainly never go on any list of Best Ridley Scott or Best Russell Crowe movies, but it is a nice, sweet movie.

Worth a rental if you like Russell Crowe, may be worth buying if you love him. It's certainly better than a few of his other movies of the same ilk. (Rough Magic, anyone?)

0 comments, Reply to this entry

I love Kevin Costner, but...

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 06:12 (A review of 3000 Miles to Graceland)

I have a high tolerance for badness when it comes to my favorite actors, but damn, this movie is BAD. Not even my love for Kevin can overcome this level of badness. This is a supremely cheesy movie.

0 comments, Reply to this entry

Definitely So-So

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 19 December 2007 06:04 (A review of S.W.A.T. (Widescreen Special Edition))

I enjoyed this movie a lot the first time I watched it, but I must have been in the midst of some serious Colin Farrell obsession because upon repeat viewing, it is decidely average. Miami Vice and The Recruit are both much better if you need a Colin Farrell fix.

0 comments, Reply to this entry