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X2: X-men United
(2003) |
7.5
/10 |
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Phenomenal
improvement over half-baked first installment avoids standard adaptation
pitfalls, stifled only by ill paced, throwaway plot. Significantly fleshed out
roles add much needed emotional depth while minor additions like Nightcrawler
pave way for fun action set pieces (Magneto’s clever prison escape among best).
Accomplishes rare task of believably meshing fantasy universe with real life
drama, owed to competent acting and confidence in material.
[English,
133min, PG-13] |
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xXx
(2002) |
7 /10 |
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Big, dumb, action movie has one-liners as cheesy as they come and a plot with
the complexity of simple addition, but never takes itself more serious than a
paper cut. Insane stunts (especially avalanche scene) provide a few "holy sh_t" moments and Vin
Diesel only adds to the larger than life fun of this guilty pleasure.
[English, 124min,
PG-13] |
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Yojimbo (1961) |
7
/10 |
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Sanjuro,
one of film's best mercenaries, plots a torn town's people against each other
for his own benefit. Well made movie on all accounts, but the sequel
Sanjuro handles a similar plot with greater success.
[Japanese,
110min, PG-13] |
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Young Adam
(2003) |
7 /10 |
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Moody
character study focused on reserved, sexually charged Ewan
McGregor as barge-riding drifter who is consumed after discovery of
a woman's body. Splintered chronology is at first confusing,
eventually heightening impact of key revelations, both surrounding
plot and McGregor's progressively less sympathetic character (though
well-acted). While consistently compelling, end result is short of
satisfying due to unresolved emotional turmoil, even if avoiding
cop-out climax.
[English, 93min,
R] |
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Young Frankenstein
(1974) |
7.5
/10 |
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Gene Wilder is great
as the frenzied grandson of the famous reanimator in this entertaining parody.
Aided by strong supporting cast of quirky characters (Kenneth Mars' one armed
police inspector stands out), and rich B&W photography not common to a modern
comedy. While there are some laugh out loud moments, most of movie is
'smile-to-chuckle' range material and the pace slows in second half. [English, 106min,
PG] |
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Y tu mamá también
(2001) |
7.5
/10 |
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Sexually explicit (!) road trip movie with unlikely participants. Raw,
handheld cinematography captures Mexican life well and natural performances
are very strong, but story covers familiar territory where it should
transcend. [Spanish, 105min,
R] |
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Zoolander
(2001) |
8
/10 |
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Ben Stiller directs and acts in this refreshingly original, frequently
absurd comedy about the worlds dumbest male super model. Scenes like a
tragic gas station accident set to Wham! or a David Bowie led "dance
off" have an inspired lunacy, though at times movie is too stupid for it's
own good. Wilson and Stiller have solid chemistry (echoed in later
pairings), while Will Ferrell gives 110% as crazed fashion designer Mugatu.
Numerous fun celeb cameos are sprinkled throughout.
[English, 89min,
PG-13] |
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