Movie Reviews

Movie Rating Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Overall Trilogy Comments/Review As a kid my dad got Indiana for Christmas or some event and we watched it over and over. I would have to leave the room because of the melting people scene at the end of Raiders. The Indiana Jones trilogy is an all-time classic. Directed by heavyweights and acted by heavy weights the tale has made its way into movie greats. It is a movie that can be watched over and over and thrills the imagination. The Temple of Doom is not quite the same as the other two but none-the-less they are a blast to watch. Definitely a recommendation for the DVD collection.  Site http://www.indianajones.com

Movie Rating The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Overall Trilogy Comments/Review Until college I had never been much for reading so I never got into the books. Well, at work one day a friend told me that The Lord of the Rings was coming out and that I needed to get ready. I had no clue what he was talking about. I went to see it with the guys at work and I was absolutely drawn in. I saw it multiple times. When it came out on video I had it the first day. Being one who didn't care much for reading I bought all three of the LOTR books and read them in a month a piece. I got the Hobbit also and read it. Since, I have seen all of them multiple times and will own the trilogy. Peter Jackson and crew did an awesome job in acting, screen play, CGI, etc. Major kudos to them for the work produced on an awesome epic.  Site http://lordoftherings.net/

Movie Rating Pirates of the Caribbean Comments/Review First thing I have to admit is that I am a sucker for CGI (computer graphics). As a hobby I get into illustration, web design, etc. Pirates had an entertaining plot and the casting was well done. The script and the screenplay were suitable. However, by far the most fascinating was the CGI. The transition between actors and animation and the fake actors that were created was very well done. Good ole Johnny Depp did well to keep the movie light. Site http://pirates.movies.com

Movie Rating Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode III: TBD   Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Comments/Review The saga continues. I remember my parents took me to The Empire Strikes Back when I was a kid. It was one special treat to go to the movie theater. I came out of the flick thinking I could use the force and I think to this day I still need to pick up a stick from time to time and cut wildly into the air with my light saber. Though the plots of all of the Star Wars movies and some of the acting is not always the best it is certainly a classic for the collection. The CGI in the newer movies is very well done. Yoda made it from a puppet to a high-tech CGI model. I am anxious for the final.  Site http://www.starwars.com/

Movie Rating The Lion King Comments/Review When this came out again in DVD lately my wife and I sought it out and added it to the collection. I was particularly fond of the animation when it was released. It didn't have the tons of 3D rendering that they do today. It was a traditional animation. Unlike The Little Mermaid where a rebellious girl gets her way after running away and falling in with the wrong crowd and still having everything go her way, The Lion King touches on topics of responsibility, family, dealing with death, good versus evil, giant burning balls of gas billions of miles away, etc. The only problem will be in keeping it away from the kids so it will stay nice. Site http://www.lionking.com/

Movie Rating Spider Man Comments/Review I enjoyed this movie a lot because of the CGI. It's crazy what you can make believable these days in cinematography and CGI. Also, that little boy hero was called to duty in the theater with Spidy swinging around saving the world. The only difference between this and Star Wars is that I could grab a stick from anywhere and have a light saber, whereas, tying a rope to a lot of different trees and buildings and swinging around is both time consuming and more dangerous. Site http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/

Movie Rating Il Postino Comments/Review Thanks goes out to the instructor I struggled the most with in college. At first he came across as arrogant, cocky, and he was not well liked. He graded on things that I had never heard of (I guess that is why they call it an education) and he was tough. He brought movies in that I didn't like and movies that were foreign. In the end of the semester I wanted to sign up for it again. I learned more from him (still don't know if I like him) than any other teacher I had. He taught us to look for much more than the plot and action in a flick. There is symbolism, character dev, plays with words, critiques, political statements, artistic liberty, etc. to enjoy and gleam. I will not forget Mr. Pratt. Site Not Applicable

Movie Rating Shawshank Redemption (TV version) Comments/Review Oh man what a great movie. I have to admit I am not a "rated-R" type person. So some of the flicks that come out cause me to learn patience. When I saw this on TV I stayed up all night thinking about it. What a statement on the value of human freedom and human behavior. I felt like Andy and I were on the same line of life during half of the movie but with different "prisons". Besides, I love it when the good guy out smarts the bad guy and everybody gets their dues. Site Not Applicable

Movie Rating Finding Nemo Comments/Review CGI = great. Story great for the first time. I don't know that I will be watching it many times in the future. It is entertaining but not enough to keep me going back for more. The characters were cool and their personalities made them real and easy to relate with. Will be great for the kids.   Site http://www.findingnemo.com

Movie Rating Monster's Inc Comments/Review Pixar = creative. Wow! The CGI, the story line and the character dev was exceptional. From the hair on Sully to the personality of Boo the graphics were to be praised. This movie is a must have for children and for anyone who appreciates a creative excellent model of computer graphics.  Site http://www.monstersinc.com

Movie Rating Jurassic Park Jurassic Park: The Lost World Jurassic Park: III Trilogy Comments/Review I love dinosaurs. When I was a kid (1st grade) I would write books about dinosaurs and draw them for hours. I loved raptors and T-rex and the thought of having one excited me. Jurassic Park was absolutely a blast when it came out. I had to see it a couple of times - not because of the plot - but because I love the animals. Spielberg was able to bring them to life very well. I think that when people thing of dinos they think of the attitudes, appearances, and stories he created. Kudos to brining a childhood passion to life.  Site http://www.jurassicpark.com

Movie Rating Ice Age Comments/Review Ice Age has a great plot. The CGI is very well done and Scrat was a genius character invention. I like the values of the movie and the focus on family. I think that in a lot of movies today the focus is on the individual and not on family. Some movies are difficult to support and watch because they devaluate unity in group, etc. This movie has definitely made it to our collection and our kids will be able to watch it any time.  Site http://www.iceage.com

Movie Rating The Mummy The Mummy Returns Comments/Review The mummy movies are good once or twice if they are watched for the plot and story. However, if they are watched for the CGI there are some fun things to learn from. From faces in sand storms to many creatures crawling across buildings the makers were able to make myth come alive on screen. I think that some of the acting other than the CGI characters could use some work but the flicks are a fun occasional watch. Site http://www.themummy.com/

Honorable Mention

• Old Yeller
• The Truman Show
• Liar, Liar
• The Hunt for Red October
• Fried Green Tomatoes (definitely a chick flick)
• The Shining (TV Version)
• Forest Gump
• Far and Away
• Harry Potter (any of them)
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Movies to Steer Clear of

• Gigli (Though I didn't see it, the reviews and previews were enough)
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