jericho31
Joined Jan 2001
Welcome to the new profile
Our updates are still in development. While the previous version of the profile is no longer accessible, we're actively working on improvements, and some of the missing features will be returning soon! Stay tuned for their return. In the meantime, the Ratings Analysis is still available on our iOS and Android apps, found on the profile page. To view your Rating Distribution(s) by Year and Genre, please refer to our new Help guide.
Badges2
To learn how to earn badges, go to the badges help page.
Reviews15
jericho31's rating
Tom Cruise as a samurai? I had my doubts. But, since I love Legends of the Fall and Glory, I had faith in Edward Zwick's epic storytelling ability and I was not disappointed. This movie is fantastic in almost every way - Zwick was a touch sappy and melodramatic at times, but not enough to be distracting.
Cruise was at the top of his game, wtih a confidence that seems to only increase with age. When I first heard of this movie I was very skeptical one would be able to get past the persona of Tom Cruise and believe he was a samurai. Thankfully the performance left no doubts. Cruise was helped by an extremely strong (and almost assuredly ignored) performance from Ken Watanabe as Katsumoto, the
leader of the remaining samurai. The scenes between the two of them as Cruise is beginning to discover the samurai culture are among the best in the movie.
Lastly, one cannot say enough about John Toll as a director of photography.
This movie is so strikingly beautiful the cinematography is as important a
character as any. From the quiet, contemplative scenes while Cruise is a
prisoner among the samurai to the unbelievable action sequences which are
very reminiscent of Bravelheart, Toll does a remarkable job. The
cinematography is enough to make you cry, and you add in the great cast and
wonderful directing by Zwick, and you've got a great movie.
Do yourself a favor and see this movie on the big screen as epics are intended to be seen. Highly recommended. **** out of *****
Cruise was at the top of his game, wtih a confidence that seems to only increase with age. When I first heard of this movie I was very skeptical one would be able to get past the persona of Tom Cruise and believe he was a samurai. Thankfully the performance left no doubts. Cruise was helped by an extremely strong (and almost assuredly ignored) performance from Ken Watanabe as Katsumoto, the
leader of the remaining samurai. The scenes between the two of them as Cruise is beginning to discover the samurai culture are among the best in the movie.
Lastly, one cannot say enough about John Toll as a director of photography.
This movie is so strikingly beautiful the cinematography is as important a
character as any. From the quiet, contemplative scenes while Cruise is a
prisoner among the samurai to the unbelievable action sequences which are
very reminiscent of Bravelheart, Toll does a remarkable job. The
cinematography is enough to make you cry, and you add in the great cast and
wonderful directing by Zwick, and you've got a great movie.
Do yourself a favor and see this movie on the big screen as epics are intended to be seen. Highly recommended. **** out of *****
Boogie Nights is a classic movie and the debut of one of this generation's more brilliant directors Paul Thomas Anderson.
The movie is expertly written, wonderfully directed and it gets career best performances out of most of its stars. Not to mention a world class soundtrack. Mark Wahlberg is absolutely fantastic in this movie, too bad its the only convincing performance on his resume to date. He carries this movie expertly and really was snubbed of an Academy Award nomination. I guess the academy just couldn't get past the fact that they would be nominating the former leader of the funky bunch.
The supporting cast is also fantastic. Julianne Moore is fantastic in every movie she is in, and this one is no different. She almost steals all of her scenes. Heather Graham surely peaked with this performance since she has been dreadful in everything else - but she certainly was convincing here. William H. macy is fantastic, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the best character actor in the business, so its no surprise he was good - and John C. Reilly is one of the most underrated actors out there. Will he ever get the credit he deserves - plus his name was Chest Rockwell in one of the movies!
But Burt Reynolds steals the movie - he was absolutely perfectly cast and was almost hypnotic to watch. I can't BELIEVE they gave the Oscar to Robin Williams - nothing against him, but c'mon people.
Anderson has gone on to direct the riveting Magnolia - and the recently released, and equally fascinating Punch Drunk Love. If he can make an actor out of Adam Sandler - is there any doubt that this guy is a genius?
Boogie Nights is one of my favorite movies of all time - and its a definite classic - 9/10
The movie is expertly written, wonderfully directed and it gets career best performances out of most of its stars. Not to mention a world class soundtrack. Mark Wahlberg is absolutely fantastic in this movie, too bad its the only convincing performance on his resume to date. He carries this movie expertly and really was snubbed of an Academy Award nomination. I guess the academy just couldn't get past the fact that they would be nominating the former leader of the funky bunch.
The supporting cast is also fantastic. Julianne Moore is fantastic in every movie she is in, and this one is no different. She almost steals all of her scenes. Heather Graham surely peaked with this performance since she has been dreadful in everything else - but she certainly was convincing here. William H. macy is fantastic, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the best character actor in the business, so its no surprise he was good - and John C. Reilly is one of the most underrated actors out there. Will he ever get the credit he deserves - plus his name was Chest Rockwell in one of the movies!
But Burt Reynolds steals the movie - he was absolutely perfectly cast and was almost hypnotic to watch. I can't BELIEVE they gave the Oscar to Robin Williams - nothing against him, but c'mon people.
Anderson has gone on to direct the riveting Magnolia - and the recently released, and equally fascinating Punch Drunk Love. If he can make an actor out of Adam Sandler - is there any doubt that this guy is a genius?
Boogie Nights is one of my favorite movies of all time - and its a definite classic - 9/10
Stand by Me is a wonderful adaptation of a Stephen King novella. Being an avid King reader, I am very hard on movies based on his novels. Frankly, there's like 7 or 8 good ones out of 40. Stand by Me may be the best.
It is wonderfully adapted, and superbly directed by Rob Reiner, one of the best directors around - but what brings this movie to life on the screen is the strength of the child actors.
Wil Wheaton plays the central character Gordie LaChance, whom is trying to deal with the death of his older brother (a very young John Cusack - only seen in flashback) and the subsequent effect it has had on his family. His parents have not recovered and pretty much ignore his existence. Gordie journeys with his friends to see a dead body and discovers things about himself, and his friends. It is a very strong performance from Wheaton - easily the best in his career.
River Phoenix is exceptional as Chris Chambers, the leader of the quartet of friends. It is a damn shame that River OD'd do early in life, because this guy had talent that was off the charts. Chris is the character that Gordie looks up to and strives to be. Chris is the one that realizes how smart and gifted Gordie is, and tries to make Gordie understand this fact. A fine performance indeed.
An unrecognizeable Jerry O'Connell plays Vern Tessio - the whipping boy of the group. He is overweight, and scared most of the time, and endures endless jabs from his friends. O'Connell does a wonderful job being that kid everyone knew - the kid who it was easy to pick on. Its amazing the person that O'Connell has evolved into.
But the real shining performance in this movie comes from Corey Feldman as the tortured Teddy DuChamp. Teddy comes from a broken home, where his dad abuses him. He is the wild card of the bunch. His dad treats him like hell and he still sticks up for him. Teddy tries to be the toughest of the group but even he looks up to Chris. Feldman's performance is so amazing to me in this movie - I really thing a supporting actor Oscar nomination shouldn't have been out of the question. Feldman rolls funny, scared, crazy, brave, caring, mean, mature and immature all into one memorable character. Man, I wish someone would give Feldman a decent shot at a reputable movie today - I really think this guy has got talent in him. I refuse to believe he peaked before puberty - but alas, such is the case with a lot of child actors.
Also look for a memorable turn from a young and very blonde Kiefer Sutherland (who was the best actor on tv in 2001-2002 as Jack Bauer in "24") as Ace Merrill - the villainous older kid that constantly torments the four boys on their quest to see the body. It's great to see where Sutherland's villanous persona that he's so famous for start.
Just a timeless movie that never seems to be dated. I watch this movie today and think it could happen now. Also listen for "Jesus, you're right, what the hell is goofy" - a line that still kills me today.
rating - 8/10
It is wonderfully adapted, and superbly directed by Rob Reiner, one of the best directors around - but what brings this movie to life on the screen is the strength of the child actors.
Wil Wheaton plays the central character Gordie LaChance, whom is trying to deal with the death of his older brother (a very young John Cusack - only seen in flashback) and the subsequent effect it has had on his family. His parents have not recovered and pretty much ignore his existence. Gordie journeys with his friends to see a dead body and discovers things about himself, and his friends. It is a very strong performance from Wheaton - easily the best in his career.
River Phoenix is exceptional as Chris Chambers, the leader of the quartet of friends. It is a damn shame that River OD'd do early in life, because this guy had talent that was off the charts. Chris is the character that Gordie looks up to and strives to be. Chris is the one that realizes how smart and gifted Gordie is, and tries to make Gordie understand this fact. A fine performance indeed.
An unrecognizeable Jerry O'Connell plays Vern Tessio - the whipping boy of the group. He is overweight, and scared most of the time, and endures endless jabs from his friends. O'Connell does a wonderful job being that kid everyone knew - the kid who it was easy to pick on. Its amazing the person that O'Connell has evolved into.
But the real shining performance in this movie comes from Corey Feldman as the tortured Teddy DuChamp. Teddy comes from a broken home, where his dad abuses him. He is the wild card of the bunch. His dad treats him like hell and he still sticks up for him. Teddy tries to be the toughest of the group but even he looks up to Chris. Feldman's performance is so amazing to me in this movie - I really thing a supporting actor Oscar nomination shouldn't have been out of the question. Feldman rolls funny, scared, crazy, brave, caring, mean, mature and immature all into one memorable character. Man, I wish someone would give Feldman a decent shot at a reputable movie today - I really think this guy has got talent in him. I refuse to believe he peaked before puberty - but alas, such is the case with a lot of child actors.
Also look for a memorable turn from a young and very blonde Kiefer Sutherland (who was the best actor on tv in 2001-2002 as Jack Bauer in "24") as Ace Merrill - the villainous older kid that constantly torments the four boys on their quest to see the body. It's great to see where Sutherland's villanous persona that he's so famous for start.
Just a timeless movie that never seems to be dated. I watch this movie today and think it could happen now. Also listen for "Jesus, you're right, what the hell is goofy" - a line that still kills me today.
rating - 8/10