areinhol's reviews

Computer graphics has reached the point where talented animators can produce any image or action on the screen that they can imagine. The imagination of Sing's creators seems boundless, sustaining a hectic pace of gleeful inventiveness that never lets up. There is stuff you glimpse out of the corner of your eye that must have taken someone weeks of work to create, that might even be good enough for a film of its own, but its gone in less than a second.

The story line is an old one, a bunch of amateurs putting on a performance, but the energy of the animation and the cleverly thought out bevy of performers, who all share a deep love of music, make it fresh and engaging. How many really new plots are there, after all? If going to a movie that is just pure fun is something your might be ashamed of, this film is not for you. But if you could stand two hours of joyful entertainment, see Sing,

I didn't expect to learn anything new this winter movie season. Harry Potter? I read the book two years ago. The Two Towers? I don't want to admit how long ago I read that one. James Bond? Guns, gadgets and girls -- the longest running franchise in movie history. Star Trek? Let me guess, the Fate of the Universe is at stake. I expected Drumline to be another African American comedy, a Mr. Holland's Ghetto. Instead, I was shown a whole new world, one I had no clue existed. I needed to check the Internet to discover that Atlanta A&T, the school where the action takes place, is fiction, but the other schools whose bands march in the competition scenes are real.

Ok, so the plot has been done so often we know it by heart. Talented kid with a chip on his shoulder, unwilling to pay his dues, ticks off his drill sergeant, who then embarrasses him in front of the captain. Kid grows up a little, gets to lead the charge and wins the girl. There is even the package from home scene. Drumline doesn't completely follow the formula, however. The kid never cries and the sergeant doesn't fall on a live hand grenade to save his squad. Apparently they don't use hand grenades in band, though given the intensity of the competition, that's surprising.

But the characters are engaging, the story works and the band performances are spectacular. Marching band as a major American art form? I would have assumed that was the punch line of some joke before I saw Drumline. Now it's undeniable. A cleverer plot could have detracted from the real story, the talent, team work, energy and grit of these amazing marching bands. See this one on the big screen if you possibly can.

From the trailer I expected Bad Company to be an African-American comedy along the lines of Undercover Brother.

The opening music suggested something closer to The Sum of All

Fears and what I saw was in the middle. The mixture is awkward

at times, but I thought it worked. The premise is not as far fetched

as many spy stories: a CIA agent is killed in the middle of buying a

stolen nuke and recruiting his street-living twin is the only way to

save the deal. There are more spy movie cliches than I would

prefer, but there are also a few fresh ideas. In a key chase scene

the good guys lose because they are simply out fought. Even the

inevitable bomb defusing scene with the red count down timer

(these must be required under some Hollywood union contract)

has a clever plot twist where our hero get to use his street smarts.

I suspect many of the critics weren't able to follow the action well

enough to get it. And the epilog was, well, refreshing. If you like B

spy flicks, you should enjoy this one.

I saw this film and The Royal Tenenbaums in the course of the same week. The themes were very similar (a coincidence?), but La Buche was more interesting, more believable and more enjoyable. I cared about the characters. Gene Hackman's brood were cardboard cutouts. And La Buche didn't need the Hollywood formulaic 500 milliseconds of exposed breast to earn its adult status.

I saw this movie again recently and enjoyed it. I don't have much to add to other reviews, except to point out that how people react to this movies may have more to do with their feelings about the Vietnam era than the movie itself. "Hair" presents one point of view from that divisive time and I think it does it well.

My main reason for adding another review is that Hair's PG rating seems totally inappropriate. There is a lot of sex and nudity in this film. I strongly believe this movie would receive at least a PG-13 today and probably an R. I think it is appropriate for middle teenagers, but other parents might not. It's not for small children.

Topsy Turvy is long; its plot is a bit disorganized; it has too many loose ends; but I enjoyed every minute of it. If you like Gilbert and Sullivan, or have never heard of them you must see this film. If you hate G &S you should see it anyway because you obviously enjoy being miserable.

I have just two complaints, one whimsical and one serious. The whimsical complaint is that I wish the lovingly produced scenes from G &S could expand into full length productions. Having assembled a fine cast, sets and costumes, why not film the whole work, complete with audience, orchestra and back stage shots. I'd buy them as a multi-volume DVD.

The serious complaint has to do with the "R" rating (in the U.S.). As far as I can tell this rating stems from one gratuitous brothel scene and perhaps a couple of expletives. What a waste! Otherwise this would be a stupendous family movie. I find it bizarre that Topsy Turvey, which dwells on the creation of musical comedy, is rated "R" and Cider House Rules, another fine film that, however, dwells on abortion and incest, gets "PG-13." I hope Mr. Leigh had the sense to film the brothel scene without the nudity and will consider releasing a PG version of this film.

I loved this movie, yet I can see why others hated it. This is not the comic food we have grown up on. It is a different cuisine that tastes strange at first, but if given a chance, rewards with fresh, delicious sensations at every bite.

Early in this movie our actor heros take turns mugging an emotion on command. I think this moment is the key to understanding the entire film. Almost every scene is painted by facial expressions and body language. The editing lingers to give us time to enjoy each portrait, then cuts a bit further along in the story than we are used to. This unfamiliar timing gives the strong cast a chance to act rather than react. The story is about actors, but the movie is a tribute to comedic acting.

If you want a formula comedy, rent something else. If you want movie that is funny, warm, original, and brilliant and are willing to give its different pace a chance, put this film at the top of your list and plan to view it twice.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito have to struggle to keep a weak story going, but it's fun watching them work at it and that makes this movie worth seeing.

I really have to question the PG rating, though. There a long subplot about Schwarzenegger losing his virginity which only leaves the act itself to the imagination. Parents be warned, it should have been PG-13.

My Favorite Martian is one of Hollywood's new class of environmentally friendly movies that contain 90% or more recycled content. The script computer chose boy-tested portions of Back to the Future, Men in Black, E.T. and Flubber. It stars Doc Emmett Brown and Wallace Shawn. (After seeing "My Dinner with Andre," I feel like Wallace is a personal friend and it is always fun to watch your friends in movies.) The special effects are good and the opening scenes of the Martian surface are excellent. There is way too much sex for a PG movie, including a butt slapping scene which implies that indecent assault is OK if you can't get caught. I am old enough to have watched the TV original but never did because I thought it was dumb. This movie is dumb too but the plot holds together more or less and there are a few good bits, like shape changing chewing gum.

My Favorite Martian is not the worst movie of the year.