MOVIE REVIEW - Saved! (2004)

1) Mandy Moore did a horrid job.
2) Every Christian in the movie (the majority of the cast) was a caricature. Every one of them had fake faith. Every one of them were clueless. Every one of them had lame reasons for following God.
3) All the girls at the school were cute, while all the guys at the school were dweebs. A cheap attempt at saying that Christianity is for Pollyannas and weaklings, that Christianity is a crutch.
4) Jena Malone is always annoying. She canNot carry a movie.
5) When the filmmakers were researching Praise & Worship, they mistook Raising Hands To God for Giving God The Finger.
6) When Jena gave her final "sermon" to the pastor, he had this look of horror - "Oh No, this teeny bopper is challenging my faith. I've never considered the things this wise girl is saying. Gee Golly, this shakes my faith." Uh, most preachers very much know the challenges to their faith. One teen's pregnancy and one teen's homosexuality would not shake the foundations of all they believe.
7) MacCauley Culkin did a decent job - understated, for a change. Shocking.
8) The filmmakers had no concept that most people of faith are genuine, many are thoughtful, some have a valid Thing that their faith is in.
9) The movie wanted to make a point. There are MANY valid points they Could've made here. Instead, they belittled all believers, stripping all with faith (in the movie) of any realism. This completely invalidated any point they had to make.
10) The entire movie felt like the Bible that Mandy threw at Jena - hitting me over the head with a weapon that should've been used for something else.

MOVIE REVIEW - Windtalkers (2002)

It's a war movie. It stars Nicholas Cage. It's directed by John Woo. Three strikes, you're OUT. Ugh. I fast-forwarded through most of it. In typical Woo fashion, there will be bullets flying everywhere, people dying left and right with no way out, but the stars will pause for a deep conversation, unharmed by the chaos around them. Overly dramatic death scenes. Foreshadowing that will pummel you over the head. Ton-o-crap.

MOVIE REVIEW - Misery (1990)

Way too Stephen King. I thought it would be more chilling. The only incredibly scary part was the sledge hammer, but that was in the previews. Of course, I always had assumed she didn't do it, but in fact, she did. YIKES.

MOVIE REVIEW - Sixteen Candles (1984)

I thought this was going to be a chick flick. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a fun teeny bopper movie. The dialogue is terrific. Anthony Michael Hall stole the movie as the geek who wins. Molly wasn't nearly as annoying as I thought she'd be. Joan Cusack at the water fountain was my favorite scene.

MOVIE REVIEW - Infinity (1996)

Matthew Broderick's directorial debut, starring himself in a true love story about a guy who helped create the Hiroshima bombs. This was an incredibly BORING story. Should've been tons better, but nothing ever happened, it moved SO SLOW, and you were never brought into the characters.

MOVIE REVIEW - Where The Heart Is (2000)

Major Chick flick. No thanks.

MOVIE REVIEW - XX/YY (2002)

Miserable "love" story, with Mark Ruffalo in a love triangle. Yuck.

MOVIE REVIEW - Butterfield 8 (1960)

Elizabeth Taylor's first Oscar win. She deserved it for Virginia Woolf, but not so sure about this one. She played a call girl who tried to redeem herself through love. She overacted and nearly ruined a decent story. She did do well in the pivotal scene - "I liked it!" - that was a little chilling. But overall, not so good.

MOVIE REVIEW - My Bodyguard (1980)

1980 teen drama. I'm watching all the Joan Cusack movies, but you can skip this one. Typical high school stuff. Matt Dillon is the bully.

MOVIE REVIEW - Sin City (2005)

I have never before walked out of a movie and had No Clue what I thought of it. This is one Bizarro movie. It's basically Pulp Fiction, but stylized to Maximum degree. Three seemingly independent stories that weave their way together. Tons of stars - Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke (if you can recognize him), Jessica Alba, Rutger Hauer, a naked Carla Gugino, Brittany Murphy (bad choice), Rosario Dawson (she was great and gorgeous), Elijah Wood, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Madsen, and Josh Hartnett in a tiny but cool role. All in black and white, with touches of color (sometimes elaborate color - a Yellow you'll never forget). The contrast is STARK, and underlines the harshness and attempted beauty of the film. In moments, I was laughing AT the film (not with it - it is NOT a comedy - SO very violent) - because I just couldn't believe how outrageous they were trying to be. And yet I think - I think - I liked it. Man, I just don't know - I'll have to see this whack job movie again.

MOVIE REVIEW - Cinderella Man (2005)

Great film. I hate boxing, but you just gotta love this movie. Paul DEFINITELY deserves an Oscar WIN. Russell, Renee, and Ron deserve nods, at least. My favorite scene was just after Braddock beat Corn Griffin - Paul's rant about Mary Magdelene and JC - so funny and terrific. Also, Braddock's return to the Relief Office - WOW, what balls and integrity - awesome.