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Ocean's 11
(2001) |
7
/10 |
Aided considerably by star power and
consistent comic relief but is simply a dressed up "been there done that" heist
movie with no new angles; Soderbergh plays it too safe for his stylistic abilities.
[English,
116min, PG-13] |
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Office Space
(1999) |
7 /10 |
Humorous look into
the world of monotonous office life, with work situations everyone can relate to on
some level (who doesn't want to see three white collar employees trash a copier
in slow motion?)
Unremarkable box-office, but transformed into a
cult-smash over recent years thanks to avid word of mouth. Milton's red
stapler obsessed mumbling introvert and
Bill Lumbergh's arrogantly indifferent boss have since cemented themselves as
iconic creations.
[English, 89min,
R] |
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Old School
(2003) |
6
/10 |
Aspires for heavy party
replay value ala Animal House, but finishes somewhere in PCU
territory, blatantly imitating better movies of genre instead of taking
risks for originality. Luke Wilson plays trademark "nice guy" and Vaughn has
some choice lines, but Ferrell is only cast member fully utilized (in more
way than one), providing nearly all of biggest laughs. Poorly assembled plot
is barely passable, though kudos for subtle Fight Club parody.
[English,
91min, R] |
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The One
(2001) |
6.5
/10 |
Step right up!
Watch Jet Li travel across parallel universes! Watch Jet Li beat the crap
out of insignificant characters in spectacular SFX enhanced fashion! Watch
Jet Li play two roles and valiantly try for emotional range! Watch Jet Li
kick his OWN ass! You won't believe your eyes! First true
evolution of "Matrix-style" action; short on
story but full of
very cool, over
the top martial arts. Has distinction of playing testosterone anthems
Bodies and Down With the Sickness back-to-back (!).
[English, 87min,
PG-13] |
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On Edge
(2001) |
8 /10 |
Very funny mockumentary on world of figure skating that manages to
keep energy high and humor strong all the way through. Contains one of film's
most comically disgusting characters played surprisingly by famous skater
Scott Hamilton. Jason Alexander provides a decent understated performance
almost making up for
Shallow Hal.
[English, 93min,
PG-13] |
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One False Move
(1991) |
5
/10 |
Unlikable characters, near-gratuitous graphic violence, illogical plot points,
and an overly ambiguous ending leave much to be desired. Only really bright
spot is Bill Paxton's performance. Billy Bob Thornton also appears in an
early-career role.
[English, 105min, R] |
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One
Hour Photo
(2002) |
8 /10 |
Possibly the first time in Robin Williams career that he has immersed
himself in a character to the point of non recognition. As Sy 'the photo guy' he gives a
haunting, disturbed performance of social isolation that manages all at once to
be pathetic, menacing, unstable, and sympathetic. Stark "Kubrickian"
cinematography fully utilizes sterilized mega-mart atmosphere.
[English, 96min, R] |
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Orange County
(2001) |
5
/10 |
Absolutely mediocre
teen-comedy with obligatory cop-out happy
ending, notable only for first staring role of Tom Hank's son Colin (who
doesn't posses full-fledged charm of father..yet). A wired Jack Black and a few surprising cameos can't make this anything
special. [English,
82min, PG-13] |
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Ordinary People
(1980) |
9
/10 |
Superior drama of dysfunctional family torn by a death and their differences
in expressing emotion. Three leads are exceptional (especially young Timothy
Hutton) and Robert Redford is successfully restrained in his directorial
debut.
[English, 124min, R] |
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The Others
(2000) |
8
/10 |
Best haunted house movie since
The Changeling (which it near-blatantly rips off towards the end),
succeeds using old school mentality of less is more, sounds are creepier than
in-you-face special FX, and creating a strong atmosphere is key. Some truly
unnerving sequences and a sensational showing by Nicole Kidman, who could
get an Oscar nod.
[English, 104min,
PG-13] |
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