Archive for May, 2002

Insomnia

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted May 25, 2002 at 12:44 am

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Starring: Al Pacino, Robin Williams
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Rated: R for language and violence

Final Grade:

One Little lie can lead to another. Growing up I remember telling my parents that of course I wasn’t in trouble in school, as I tried to hide the note from my parents. I even managed to cover it up by very nicely forging my parents signatures, turning it into the teacher and convincing my family that nothing was wrong. Months later I find myself encountering my parents trying to cover this little mishap with yet another lie until it becomes even more lies, and well you get the picture. In the end, i realized it probably would have been a better idea to never lie in the first place. Ahh…the days of my crazy childhood. How I hope I will never see them again: ever.

Insomnia is a film about such a subject. Al Pacino plays Will Dormer, a detective who is sent to investigate a murder in Alaska with his partner. When his partner is accidentally killed in action, Dormer tries to cover it by lying about what really happened. The only problem is the killer (Robin Williams) knows the truth and knows that the truth will set him free. Dormer must decide if covering his own tracks are worth making deals with a killer.

Insomnia was a great film. I was told by a friend that it was based of another foriegn film by the same title and I have now added that film to my list of movies to watch. The plot was excellent and the camera work was great in a lot of scenes. Character development was very good, and I felt each actor carried their own weight very well.

Pacino has been and probaably always will be a great actor is not “The Godfather” of good acting. (Pardon the bad pun) Watching him on the big screen is always a pleasure whether he is a lying detective, The Godfather himself, Big Boy Caprice or Satan himself. What am I trying to say? It’s simple. Pacino= Good.

Robin Williams is a man who suddenly has taken an interest in finding new roles. Formerly that wonderfully funny man from movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, we now find him in more dark/serious roles, such as Death to Smoochy, One Hour Photo and Insomnia. The question is though is this a positive move for Williams? I believe it is. Every actor needs to try and expand their acting horizons every once in a while or they will end up like Meg Ryan. No one in the world wants that (I Hope). Sure, there are plenty of times we wish the actor never would have tried a role, (Prime example: Owen Wilson in Behind Enemy Lines) but in the case, I think it was positve move for Williams, and I look forward to seeing more of his acting in the future.

So is it worth the $6.25? Yup sure is. I’ve put this on my list of films that I highly suggest to anyone, and even though this is only one film in a lot that will be great films this summer this is probably going to be one of the better ones I am going to see. Check it out, It’s worth the cash.

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Filed under: Drama, Movies, Suspense

About a Boy

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted May 17, 2002 at 3:34 pm

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Starring: Hugh Grant
Directed By: Chris Weitz
Rated:

Final Grade:

Sitting back and examining my life I began to realize something. Since I started working at a movie theater, I hate everyone. Don’t get me wrong there are people I like but I try and be fair and hate everyone equally. Why is that I ask? Is it because I am a self indulged jerk who only looks out for number one, or has it been because of the millions and millions of George Lucas worshipers (aka Star Wars Fans) that have crossed my path in the last few weeks. About A Boy is a story of such a self-indulged jerk. Hugh Grant plays the role of a man who has no job, and lives off the royalties of a one hit wonder Christmas song. He feels his life is complete. He has no problem filling his day with useless pleasures, and a lifetime of entertainment in front of the TV screen. But when he decides to look for love, it leads him to a single parents group where he meets a troubled young boy. The boy attaches himself to Grant and the two of them learn about the true important things in life.

This film was based off of a book by Nick Hornby. For many of you the name of this British author may mean nothing to you, but for those of you who are fans of High Fidelity like I am you may find it interesting that too was written by Hornby. Hugh Grant does a wonderful job of carry out the intended emotions and spirit of Hornby’s book just as Cusack did in High Fidelity. The plot is simple, yet it has such a colorful cast of characters, each of them well cast. I wasn’t sure at first of Hugh Grant’s ability to play this part when I first heard of the film, however he was an overall shocker on the screen.

Unfortunately, Grant will have his spotlight stolen from him because of bad timing. They should have known better than to bring this film out during a time when Star Wars and Spiderman were coming out. By the time the hype from those two movies have settled, Grant’s wonderful new flick will be headed to discount theaters. It’s sad really, because this is easily a shoo in for one of the better films I’ve seen so far this season.

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Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Movies

Star Wars Episode 2

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted May 16, 2002 at 6:18 am

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Starring: Hayden Christenson, Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson
Directed By: George Lucas
Rated: PG13 for violence and battle sequences

Final Grade:

I remember standing in a line for the Phantom Menace and being sadly disapointed due to the likes of bad dialogue and an annoying little guy named Jar Jar Binks, so when I heard that Episode 2 was coming out, I got to see it this time froma different perspective.

Star Wars brings out the likes of every movie goer in the hisory of movie goers. Nerdy young kids and middle age adults finally retreat from their secluded basements and flock to see the new George Lucas Creation. Most of them know the story by heart, many have seen and heard the rumors on the internet and line up in the theater for days just hoping that they will get a glimpse of something spectacular on the big screen.
Was Episode 2 worth their wait? Amazingly yes. This comming from a man who once said “Blah, it’s just star wars.” (yes that man is me, and I openly admit I am not a Star Wars nut) Overall Episode 2 beats out episode 1 hands down in just about every aspect, dialouge, script, effects and plot. Episode 2 takes a different outlook on the whole Star Wars theme and steers from the traditional Star Wars plot and focuses more on the love story between Anakin and Amidalla.
So is this movie worth your few bucks? Chances are if you are a fan of Star Wars you’ve already seen it, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for? It’s worth the big screen viewing for the digital sound alone, and besides its Star Wars, I’m pretty sure George Lucas is making sure everyone in the world watch his films and worshipping him before the end of the year. Are you sure you want to miss out on that?
For those of you who aren’t Star Wars fans, and have no idea what this is leading up to, remember that Episode 1, 2 and 3 are prequels to those old Darth Vader classics. This means that that lovely Anakin becomes the Evil Darth Vader. Now I thought that this is common knowledge, but apparently some poeple haven’t a clue. (I know this because I’ve heard little old ladies leaving the theater and saying, “I wonder what’s up with that Anakin guy? Why are they making him so evil?”) So see,even if you are out of the Star Wars mix, its time to act like the rest of the public, join all your nerdy pocket protector wearing, Lucas worshipping friends and flock to the theaters.

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Filed under: Action, Movies, Science Fiction

Unfaithful

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted May 10, 2002 at 5:05 pm

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Starring: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Oliver Martinez
Directed By: Adrian Lyne
Rated: Rated R for sexuality, language and a scene of violence

Final Grade:

When I was younger I used to have this dream that someday I would become Richard Gere, not because I thought Gere was a good actor, but instead i just wanted to know what it would feel like to be involved in so many mediocre roles, that I wouldn’t know how I could live with myself.

Unfaithful made it to the big screen this week, and overall, it will be yet another easily forgotten about films. Partially due to the fact that it comes out between two of the biggest movies of the spring season (Spider-man and Star Wars) But also because it just plain doesn’t have it all together. Diane Lane, although a very attractive older woman is young woman we unfortuantely will not be seeing much more of in the near future since her career will soon be ending before it starts. The director of this film has brought you films such as Fatal Attraction so it is nice to see that he is finally branching out. (Note: SARCASM)

Gere wasn’t terrible in this film as he played the roll of a man who learns his wife is cheating on him with a mysterious foreign book dealer, who speaks with an accent that would woo even the most devoted wife into his arms. Gere then is left with the decision to either confront his wife or ignore it, and then learn to deal with the consequences.

Unfaithful has potential to be a great film. Overall, I liked it. The ending is one that leaves you wondering. Leaves the viewer at a crossroads making you decide what you think was going to happen. Make no mistake the director wanted it that way. There is no clear answer. But that only adds to the film. Surprisingly enough, I think this film is worth your time. Maybe not on the big screen, but check it out when it hits video stores.

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Filed under: Drama, Movies

The New Guy

  • Written by Box Office Boredom
  • Posted May 7, 2002 at 5:57 pm

A Film Review By Jason L. King

Starring: DJ Qualls
Directed By: Ed Decter
Rated: Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language, crude humor and mild drug references

Final Grade:

Growing up in High school I remember many times when I wanted to be someone different. Some one other than the dorky kid who did nothing but watch movies and well, I’d say study but I’d be lying to you. Never the less, I mde it through High School in one piece and I guess you could say with only half a brain. That aside, I could relate somewhat with the New Guy. The new guy is the story of a kid who turns from class clown to the coolest kid in history of schools by simply changing school districts (after a trip to prison fro being expelled). After he becomes popular he must choose between being popular or being liked by his friends, and in the end must work to unite the entire school.

If I haven’t done a good enough job of leading you on to the fact that this movie has a plot that goes nowhere, doesn’t push the envelope at all and is utter crap, then I apologize for telling it to you so harshly in one sentence. This movie has had it’s release date pushed back more than once, and although not as bad as Rollerball, it sure seemed like it. The only thing that was worth your time was the amount of beautiful young girls. The humor, although dry did have it high points but when I look back upon it and realize that I did not even find half of it funny (I watched it at 3 am) that must mean there is something wrong.
My overall rating is if you are one of those teenage kids, who can’ make it into R rated movies and are still plagued with immaturity, go check it out. Chances are you will probably enjoy it. If you do not fit into that category, save yourself some cash, and rent it, where you can get drunk and maybe then enjoy it in the privacy of your own home.

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Filed under: Comedy, Movies
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