Sahara: ***
Release Date: 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Diretor: Breck Eisner
A mix of James Bond and Indiana Jones makes Dirk Pitt. Very, very entertaining with plenty of action and comedy, which means it's definitely worth a watch. It's too bad that this was a flop at the box-office, so as a result a James Bond type series has been cancelled.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Phillip Noyce
Haplessly acted, scripted and directed. Leaps right into the action from the beginning, but the numerous disguises the hero employs are obvious. Will be a fun movie for some, but for others will be pathetic.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Phillip Noyce
Vengeful Russians inflitrate every corner of the US. Can you make a movie ever more wild and chaotic then this? That's one question to ask as your watching this standard-issue action flick.
MPAA Rating: NR
Director: John Ford
Considered today as one of the greatest westerns of all time, if not the greatest. Tells the story of two men who set out to rescue their captured neice and cousin respectively, their journey encompassing five years, and all filmed against some of the most brilliant cinematography acquired on film. Wayne's character feels cold and detached, but we can still appreciate this classic piece of American cinema.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Tim McCanlies
Charming and entertaining, but the flashback sequences are cartoonish. A fun family movie.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Randall Wallae
Recounts the story about a legendary horse. Horse race scenes are disappointing, and the entire movie is plain predictable, but there's still something that keeps the movie going in entertainment.
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Daid Seltzer
Romantic WWII thriller has almost intolerable acting and a hackneyed screenplay. The movie wants to be a sweet and sound war adventure story, but is actually bitter to accept as anything like that.
Shoot to Kill: **
Release Date: 1988
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Roger Spootiswoode
Typical 80's actioner with typical good guys who must set aside their differences to get the bad guy. Lushly filmed in the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver, but the plot itself offers no real surprises.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Familiar alien invasion story is turned into an actual, haunting reality. Takes some old alien ideas that we are all acquanited with and mixes that in with some new ones. At times humorous (when it needs to be), and also threatening and very intense; even raises a few questions for us that are actually worth thinking about.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
This well-shot, engrossing, highly entertaining western pic has likable characters, well-placed shootouts, and briefly revived the western when the genre was practically dead in Hollywood. However, the fact that it borrows heavily from previous western outings severely lowers it's impact. Beautiful scenery shots of New Mexico. Again, substantially entertaining.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Nora Ephron
Good hearted, but seriously overrated romantic comedy. It's a movie that's predictable within the first fifteen or twenty minutes, and as a result isn't anything fresh.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Chris Eyre
Simple minded father-son relationship story. A young man and his friend go on a journey from Idaho all the way to Arizona to fetch the remains of his dad's cremated remains. Not much new here, but this is an interesting perspective at the modern Native American way of life.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: David Fincher
A brilliant work of pure genius. The best film of the decade is superbly acted, intelligently directed and written through with a glorious screenplay. Absorbing tale about the disputations and consequences surrounding a controversial event. Theme of the movie is that success comes with a valuable price, which is a lesson to us all.
The Sons of Katie Elder: ***
Release Date: 1965
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Henry Hathaway
Entertaining western about four brothers who band together again to pay their last respects to their late mother, and end up getting embroiled in a feud with some bad people in the town. The Duke gets the most screen time out of all of them.
Release Date: 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Diretor: Breck Eisner
A mix of James Bond and Indiana Jones makes Dirk Pitt. Very, very entertaining with plenty of action and comedy, which means it's definitely worth a watch. It's too bad that this was a flop at the box-office, so as a result a James Bond type series has been cancelled.
The Saint: **
Release Date: 1997MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Phillip Noyce
Haplessly acted, scripted and directed. Leaps right into the action from the beginning, but the numerous disguises the hero employs are obvious. Will be a fun movie for some, but for others will be pathetic.
Salt: **
Release Date: 2010MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Phillip Noyce
Vengeful Russians inflitrate every corner of the US. Can you make a movie ever more wild and chaotic then this? That's one question to ask as your watching this standard-issue action flick.
The Searchers: *** ½
Release Date: 1956MPAA Rating: NR
Director: John Ford
Considered today as one of the greatest westerns of all time, if not the greatest. Tells the story of two men who set out to rescue their captured neice and cousin respectively, their journey encompassing five years, and all filmed against some of the most brilliant cinematography acquired on film. Wayne's character feels cold and detached, but we can still appreciate this classic piece of American cinema.
Secondhand Lions: ***
Release Date: 2003MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Tim McCanlies
Charming and entertaining, but the flashback sequences are cartoonish. A fun family movie.
Secretariat: ** ½
Release Date: 2010MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Randall Wallae
Recounts the story about a legendary horse. Horse race scenes are disappointing, and the entire movie is plain predictable, but there's still something that keeps the movie going in entertainment.
Shining Through: **
Release Date: 1992MPAA Rating: R
Director: Daid Seltzer
Romantic WWII thriller has almost intolerable acting and a hackneyed screenplay. The movie wants to be a sweet and sound war adventure story, but is actually bitter to accept as anything like that.
Shoot to Kill: **
Release Date: 1988
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Roger Spootiswoode
Typical 80's actioner with typical good guys who must set aside their differences to get the bad guy. Lushly filmed in the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver, but the plot itself offers no real surprises.
Signs: ***
Release Date: 2002MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Familiar alien invasion story is turned into an actual, haunting reality. Takes some old alien ideas that we are all acquanited with and mixes that in with some new ones. At times humorous (when it needs to be), and also threatening and very intense; even raises a few questions for us that are actually worth thinking about.
Silverado: ***
Release Date: 1985MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
This well-shot, engrossing, highly entertaining western pic has likable characters, well-placed shootouts, and briefly revived the western when the genre was practically dead in Hollywood. However, the fact that it borrows heavily from previous western outings severely lowers it's impact. Beautiful scenery shots of New Mexico. Again, substantially entertaining.
Sleepless in Seattle: **
Release Date: 1993MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Nora Ephron
Good hearted, but seriously overrated romantic comedy. It's a movie that's predictable within the first fifteen or twenty minutes, and as a result isn't anything fresh.
Smoke Signals: ** ½
Release Date: 1998MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Chris Eyre
Simple minded father-son relationship story. A young man and his friend go on a journey from Idaho all the way to Arizona to fetch the remains of his dad's cremated remains. Not much new here, but this is an interesting perspective at the modern Native American way of life.
The Social Network: ****
Release Date: 2010MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: David Fincher
A brilliant work of pure genius. The best film of the decade is superbly acted, intelligently directed and written through with a glorious screenplay. Absorbing tale about the disputations and consequences surrounding a controversial event. Theme of the movie is that success comes with a valuable price, which is a lesson to us all.
Release Date: 1965
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Henry Hathaway
Entertaining western about four brothers who band together again to pay their last respects to their late mother, and end up getting embroiled in a feud with some bad people in the town. The Duke gets the most screen time out of all of them.
Source Code: ***
Release Date: 2011
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Duncan Jones
Essentially a sci-fi action version of Groundhog Day, with it's focus on nationwide terrorism correct. This thrilling adventure ride has convincing acting and a rather surprising ending: makes for surprisingly good if light popcorn entertainment. Running length of an hour and a half is appropriate.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Clint Eastwood
Overlong, but thoroughly entertaining dramedy that has four older actors having the time of their lives, which makes it a fun movie for us all.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Follows the true events of a Roman gladiator slave who freed other slaves and fought for independence from the tyranny of Rome. This sweeping, impressive, epic swords and sandals adventure is of course bloated to Hollywood proportions, with the last bits of the historical story changed for more dramatic impact. Splendid acting performances, incredible production value, and the main battle scene is a knockout.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: the Wachowski Brothers
Flashy, cartoonish, loud, noisy, and completely indecipherable. If you can't get bad movies out of your head, this one is bound to stay in your head for a long time.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Finds it's own way through cheesy special effects and a script that can vary from good to bad at any time. This is a comic book movie on an enjoyably good level, which makes it a credible film in it's own right.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Spidey sequel expands the narrative over it's predecessor but can't seem to keep a tight enough grip on it. Probably the most overrated comic book movie ever made, though that doesn't mean it's bad.
Spider-Man 3: **
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Duncan Jones
Essentially a sci-fi action version of Groundhog Day, with it's focus on nationwide terrorism correct. This thrilling adventure ride has convincing acting and a rather surprising ending: makes for surprisingly good if light popcorn entertainment. Running length of an hour and a half is appropriate.
Space Cowboys: ***
Release Date: 2000MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Clint Eastwood
Overlong, but thoroughly entertaining dramedy that has four older actors having the time of their lives, which makes it a fun movie for us all.
Spartacus: *** ½
Release Date: 1960MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Follows the true events of a Roman gladiator slave who freed other slaves and fought for independence from the tyranny of Rome. This sweeping, impressive, epic swords and sandals adventure is of course bloated to Hollywood proportions, with the last bits of the historical story changed for more dramatic impact. Splendid acting performances, incredible production value, and the main battle scene is a knockout.
Speed Racer: ½
Release Date: 2008MPAA Rating: PG
Director: the Wachowski Brothers
Flashy, cartoonish, loud, noisy, and completely indecipherable. If you can't get bad movies out of your head, this one is bound to stay in your head for a long time.
Spider-Man: ***
Release Date: 2002MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Finds it's own way through cheesy special effects and a script that can vary from good to bad at any time. This is a comic book movie on an enjoyably good level, which makes it a credible film in it's own right.
Spider-Man 2: ** ½
Release Date: 2004MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Spidey sequel expands the narrative over it's predecessor but can't seem to keep a tight enough grip on it. Probably the most overrated comic book movie ever made, though that doesn't mean it's bad.
Release Date: 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Too many villains, subplots, supporting characters and the black suit plague Spider-Man 3 from start to finish. Not much else really needs to be said here.
The Spy who Loved Me: ***
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Too many villains, subplots, supporting characters and the black suit plague Spider-Man 3 from start to finish. Not much else really needs to be said here.
Release Date: 1977
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Roger Moore finally scores in his role as 007. An outlandish and cartoonish plot, but this is a whole lot of fun.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Roland Emmerich
A nice premise for a sci-fi film is boosted by the enthralling first half. But like many action flicks go, once the plot and characters are all established, the second half goes way off track with too many action scenes and special effects. Still a fun ride.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: J.J. Abrams
Updated Star Trek reboot is much more action centered then it needs to be. The times of how the old Star Trek movies were made are long gone, but thankfully this is a highly entertaining, fun movie.
MPAA Rating: G
Director: Robert Wise
An exciting premise is all thwarted by a stupid ending. Nearly every scene is expanded and drawn out to intolerable lengths. Gene Roddenbery, the creator of Star Trek, was fired from the script writer position for this work on this.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Misjudged Star Trek sequel is overestimated. An interesting villain chases the Enterprise across space. It all adds up to a disappointing finale that ends with a cliffhanger.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Leonard Nimoy
Weak Star Trek adventure where the Enterprise crew heads out to bring Spock back to life while being chased by a gang of Klingons. They end up on a new planet created entirely by humans, codenamed 'Genesis', ironically.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Leonard Nimoy
The best-loved of the Star Treks? That's probably because it's entertaining in watching the Enterprise crew travel back in time and interact with our society that we know. The premise of the plot is just improbable, so it can't work. This was the biggest box-office hit of the older Star Trek films. So Star Trekkies must have loved it.
Star Trek V, the Final Frontier: * ½
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Roger Moore finally scores in his role as 007. An outlandish and cartoonish plot, but this is a whole lot of fun.
Stargate: ** ½
Release Date: 1994MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Roland Emmerich
A nice premise for a sci-fi film is boosted by the enthralling first half. But like many action flicks go, once the plot and characters are all established, the second half goes way off track with too many action scenes and special effects. Still a fun ride.
Star Trek: ** ½
Release Date: 2009MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: J.J. Abrams
Updated Star Trek reboot is much more action centered then it needs to be. The times of how the old Star Trek movies were made are long gone, but thankfully this is a highly entertaining, fun movie.
Star Trek, the Motion Picture: **
Release Date: 1979MPAA Rating: G
Director: Robert Wise
An exciting premise is all thwarted by a stupid ending. Nearly every scene is expanded and drawn out to intolerable lengths. Gene Roddenbery, the creator of Star Trek, was fired from the script writer position for this work on this.
Star Trek II, the Wrath of Khan: ** ½
Release Date: 1982MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Misjudged Star Trek sequel is overestimated. An interesting villain chases the Enterprise across space. It all adds up to a disappointing finale that ends with a cliffhanger.
Star Trek III, the Search for Spock: **
Release Date: 1984MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Leonard Nimoy
Weak Star Trek adventure where the Enterprise crew heads out to bring Spock back to life while being chased by a gang of Klingons. They end up on a new planet created entirely by humans, codenamed 'Genesis', ironically.
Star Trek IV, the Voyage Home: **
Release Date: 1986MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Leonard Nimoy
The best-loved of the Star Treks? That's probably because it's entertaining in watching the Enterprise crew travel back in time and interact with our society that we know. The premise of the plot is just improbable, so it can't work. This was the biggest box-office hit of the older Star Trek films. So Star Trekkies must have loved it.
Release Date: 1989
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: William Shatner
Easily the worst of the Star Trek films featuring the Enterprise crew. Nothing here can have the solid joy of entertainment. Everything is so lifeless and so dull. None of the pieces fit together on this impossible puzzle.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Quite an improvement over the last few Star Trek outings. This one takes the autonomy in being much more free willed—and more entertaining as a result. The problem is that the actors have all aged so much, and lack the energy to keep the movie on strong feet.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Lucas
The beginning of the Star Wars saga. Quite a stronger effort is made on costume design and the quality of the space battles and lightsaber duels. The story itself is weaker then what the older films have to offer, and the screenplay is fainter, but the characters are introduced well. End lightsaber duel is very well choreographed.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Lucas
Lucas proves as to having no talent whatsoever as a screenwriter. The film becomes a romantic opera, set against the backdrop of an upcoming war. The Clone War battles at the end of the movie are compelling. Out of all the Star Wars films, this one remains the least involving.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: George Lucas
Recounts some of the splendor that was felt in the original trilogy, though it's a dark and contemplative tale. Spectacular sci-fi battle sequences and a stunning end lightsaber duel. This is the entry that completes the Star Wars saga. While still a little weak on the writing side, this is also a technical achievement.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Lucas
A real gem in filmmaking. Groundbreaking special effects, memorable characters and locations set standards for more sci-fi adventures to come. A quality piece of entertainment that won't be forgotten.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Roy Hill
Seriously entertaining, this is the definitive con film. A masterful mix of comedy, drama, action and romance, with a nice sense of humor. May be too slowly paced for some, but this is a true great.
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Robert Harmon
Tom Selleck scores as the lead role of a small-town cop. Engaging and wholly realistic story goes deep into it's main character but remains shallow over the supporting ones. Spawned a made for TV series.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
A whimsy expierence. Boils down to a nuclear confrontation between the US and Russia where the hero has to save the day. Runs aground with poor acting and unoriginal screenplay
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: J.J. Abrams
A more then welcome homage to older Spielberg adventures in Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T and Jurassic Park. Accomplishes the look and feel for the 70s. And while a familiar plotline and characters are employed for this 'alien comes to Earth' movie, there is no doubt that it's a definite piece of entertainment.
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: William Shatner
Easily the worst of the Star Trek films featuring the Enterprise crew. Nothing here can have the solid joy of entertainment. Everything is so lifeless and so dull. None of the pieces fit together on this impossible puzzle.
Star Trek VI, the Undiscovered Country: ** ½
Release Date: 1991MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Nicholas Meyer
Quite an improvement over the last few Star Trek outings. This one takes the autonomy in being much more free willed—and more entertaining as a result. The problem is that the actors have all aged so much, and lack the energy to keep the movie on strong feet.
Star Wars Episode I, the Phantom Menace: ***
Release Date: 1999MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Lucas
The beginning of the Star Wars saga. Quite a stronger effort is made on costume design and the quality of the space battles and lightsaber duels. The story itself is weaker then what the older films have to offer, and the screenplay is fainter, but the characters are introduced well. End lightsaber duel is very well choreographed.
Star Wars Episode II, Attack of the Clones: ** ½
Release Date: 2002MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Lucas
Lucas proves as to having no talent whatsoever as a screenwriter. The film becomes a romantic opera, set against the backdrop of an upcoming war. The Clone War battles at the end of the movie are compelling. Out of all the Star Wars films, this one remains the least involving.
Star Wars Episode III, the Revenge of the Sith: *** ½
Release Date: 2005MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: George Lucas
Recounts some of the splendor that was felt in the original trilogy, though it's a dark and contemplative tale. Spectacular sci-fi battle sequences and a stunning end lightsaber duel. This is the entry that completes the Star Wars saga. While still a little weak on the writing side, this is also a technical achievement.
Star Wars Episode IV, a New Hope: ****
Release Date: 1977MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Lucas
A real gem in filmmaking. Groundbreaking special effects, memorable characters and locations set standards for more sci-fi adventures to come. A quality piece of entertainment that won't be forgotten.
Star Wars Episode V, the Empire Strikes Back: ****
Release Date: 1980
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Irvin Kershner
Could be the best sequel ever conceptualized, as well as the best sci-fi movie ever produced. A dark, mysterious and thought-provoking narrative that ventures further into it's characters. A technical achievement on all levels. Comedic, romantic conversations between characters, epic sci-fi battles, Yoda and the formidable, controlling Darth Vader are strong highlights.Star Wars Episode VI, Return of the Jedi: *** ½
Release Date: 1983
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Richard Marquand
About a knotch below the previous two installments, though superior to the prequel trilogy. Concludes the epic sci-fi saga. Vader appears as a weakling compared to the Emperor, but ultimately the good guys prevail over the evil Empire. High spots occur with the scenes involving Jabba the Hutt, Ewoks and the end battle scenes. The Sting: *** ½
Release Date: 1973MPAA Rating: PG
Director: George Roy Hill
Seriously entertaining, this is the definitive con film. A masterful mix of comedy, drama, action and romance, with a nice sense of humor. May be too slowly paced for some, but this is a true great.
Stone Cold: ***
Release Date: 2005MPAA Rating: R
Director: Robert Harmon
Tom Selleck scores as the lead role of a small-town cop. Engaging and wholly realistic story goes deep into it's main character but remains shallow over the supporting ones. Spawned a made for TV series.
The Sum of all Fears: **
Release Date: 2002MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
A whimsy expierence. Boils down to a nuclear confrontation between the US and Russia where the hero has to save the day. Runs aground with poor acting and unoriginal screenplay
Super 8: ***
Release Date: 2011MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: J.J. Abrams
A more then welcome homage to older Spielberg adventures in Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T and Jurassic Park. Accomplishes the look and feel for the 70s. And while a familiar plotline and characters are employed for this 'alien comes to Earth' movie, there is no doubt that it's a definite piece of entertainment.
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