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IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT KIM GENTES MOVIE REVIEWS

The appearance of a movie in this review journal does not mean that the movie is endorsed by Kim.  He writes reviews of movies that he saw that he recommends people avoid as well as movies that he considers worth seeing.  Aside from just critical approval regarding the film, some movies may not be suitable for you or your family.  You must make that kind of determination on your own, and stay true to your own convictions on what is appropriate to see.  Some movies are well made, but have offensive or difficult subject matter that is questionable to many viewers. Again, the reviews listed here should not be your only filter for whether or not a film is appropriate for you and and your family.

Additionally, Kim has his own view on what movies are and why he thinks they are a worthwhile aspect of current culture to be investigated.  You certainly don't have to agree with Kim on his viewpoints of movies, and he would be surprised if you did.

Kim's thoughts on movies -

Movies are the modern art "experience" of our culture. They are transmitted in many forms, on screens in theatres, DVDs, television and even computers. They are the merge of classical theatrical acting and modern day technical set and experience creation (effects). The reason I enjoy and watch lots of movies is that they not only entertain, they communicate the nuances of our society. Of course, some have nothing to do with culture, its just greedy corporations trying to produce profits. I am a guy, and as such am not the ideal audience for romantic comedies or 'chick fliks'. However I am also a husband, and domestic bliss (as well as common sense) compels me to at least review them...occasionally.  For the most part, you will find I like (and therefor review a lot of ) action, drama, science fiction, suspense and similarly themed movies.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

starwarsepisodeiii_releaseposter.jpgYep! it rocks!

Overall Grade:A
Story:A-
Acting:B+
Direction:A+
Visuals:A+

George Lucas. What more can i say. He was all business with this last installment of the 6 part StarWars saga. Lucas was masterful and expertly tied together all the films with more syncronicity than the Police (the band, not the dudes knocking at your door at night wondering why your pool party went until 4am, with music so loud you kept up your neighbours).

I don't have to lay out the plot, you know it. How does the young ambitious Anikin turn to the dark side and eventually end up as Darth Vadar. Well the story is excellent, the action is amazing and the visuals are so beyond any other film it really deserves to be placed in a separate class than all other special effects "posers". The acting is very good, but frankly, not much is required. The rivetting action and quick storyline move this film so fast, you don't have time for it to get messed up by bad acting.

I found only one dismal scene in the entire movie, and that is when it tried to give space for romantic banter between Anakin and Padme. I would have puked if I had been eating anything, but luckly I had already finished my popcorn by then. That short romantic dialog of them exchanging "you're cute... no you're cuter... no you're cuter" was so beneath the rest of the film, it was sad it was left in. We all knew they loved each other. It should have been left out. If it were not for this one scene, I would have given this film an A+... instead it just came in with A.

Anyways, back to the movie. You MUST see this in theatres. Seeing it on DVD will not do it justice. The huge screen and monsterous THX stereo will blow you away in the theatre.

It's a great flick, and falls in line behind Episodes 4 and 5 as the 3rd best StarWars film of all time. You must see it. That is all!

Cinderella Man (2005)

cinderellaman_poster2.jpgGreat story, and thanks for not "hollywooding" it!

Overall Grade:A
Story:A+
Acting:A
Direction:A
Visuals:B+

By now you have read lots about the protagonist of this film and his story of small time to big time success, in the belly of urban America during the great depression. This movie was a perfect rendition of the attitudes and struggles that hung in the real lives of people in this era.

But this is just no ordinary story. It's what some consider to be the greatest story in sports history. Not just because of the monumental athletic accomplishment of an ultimate underdog triumphing over favorite after favorite, but because it was the untouchable spirit of the "average joe" rising up and winning against all odds, not for some selfish gain, but for the most noble of causes- the care and concern to provide for his own family.

Crowe provides his most convincing performance of his career in this gripping human tale. Zelwegger is absolutely unstoppable as the wife of underclass nobility. Really, this movie succeeds completely in all respects. The acting, directing, even the visuals are perfectly thought out and executed.

But what is really great is that we don't see this film become a political statement (in either direction), nor do we see it turned into an unrealistic hype of Hollywood on a plot that is basically simple, yet still wonderfully heroic.

This movie is worth seeing, and but for the actual boxing violence, I would say that it is a great movie for pre-teens and teenage boys to see, because of its excellent perspective and morals on facing pressures and difficulty. I will be taking my 13 year old son to see this one and I know it will be a great film for him to see.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

mrandmrsmith_earlyposter.jpgMediocre.. cool idea, but action wasn't impressive  

Overall Grade:C
Story:B-
Acting:D
Direction:C-
Visuals:C-

OK, this film was basically meant to use its big star attraction to bring in the droves of Brad swooners and Jolie ooglers... The actual plot concept had some neat promise. And Pitt and Jolie actually play well as potential elite assassins. They have the acting and physical prowess to make it seem, well, not believable, but watchable. But it seems like Director Doug Liman must have been on the set for the first few weeks of the filming, then just mailed in his instructions after that. What starts out kinda cool, and a neat juxtapositioning of the standard man v.s. woman stereotypes turns quickly into just about nothing. The plot disappears, the characters keep on fighting for no apparant reason, and well after a billion bullets later the movie goes back to how it started. The opening and ending scenes of dialog with Pitt, Jolie and an off-camera psychologist were the keepers in this movie. So don't show up late to this one if you go to see it in the theatre. Also, don't miss the 2 minute return to the shrinks office at the end.

My advice: Watch the intro clip with the shrink office dialog, sneak out and watch StarWars Epsiode III for your 4th time, then return just in time for the last 2 minutes of this movie. Why? Well, you get the 5 minutes of film worthwhile watching in this movie, some action and mindless violence that actually entertains (via StarWars III), and you don't have to bore yourself with being the only person who actually showed up for this lame movie (fun though it is), including the cast, writers and directing who clearly don't show up anywhere in the set of this movie shoot. It's a good thing they blow up a number of structures in this film, so that we at least feel like our money went to something worthwhile. Wait for DVD, folks.

Undoubtably, if you do go, you will find it occasionally charming, but the after taste of movie lameness will haunt you and your $9 ticket price for a few days.

A Lot Like Love (2005)

alotlikelove_poster.jpgSadly guys, one that works for date night

Overall Grade:C-
Story:B-
Acting:D
Direction:C-
Visuals:C

You will get a points by taking the wife or girlfriend to this romantic comedy, but too bad it isn't a good movie.

Content warnings- some language and nudity.

Combine an internet entrepeneur with a bumbling romantic hunk and you have the story's man- Oliver. Convert a teenage headbanger groupie into a love lost straight-and-narrow 20-something woman and you have the story's woman- Emily. The occasional humorous line and poorly acted scene barely hold the film on the projector here, but it does pass as a romantic comedy. Barely. What is really funny is that the studio exec's let this one go to big screen release. I guess Kutcher's appeal is more powerful than an executive producers ability to say no. The film may have your own love lost date feeling warm and fuzzy, but if you have to resort to seeing this movie to stoke the fires of love, you may have more problems with your love life than just bad movie selection. If you must go (IE. she drags you), remember that Kutcher actually tries to imitate an Adam Sadler-like love song towards the end of the movie. As soon as you see him with a guitar case, be sure to head for a bathroom break to avoid this sad scene. The only reason this gets better ratings than the horrible Jet Li movie (Unleashed) is that you can't build points with the girlfriend/wife watching a Jet Li movie. All that said, the girls will like this movie, so you are doomed to have to see it anyways. Good luck to you! You've been warned.

 

The Interpreter (2005)

theinterpreter_releaseposter.jpgMediocre, but worth the time on DVD

Overall Grade:B-
Story:B-
Acting:B
Direction:C-
Visuals:C

Well written story, good directing; content warnings- brief scenes of intense violence and language.

A UN interpretter overhears a plot to kill a visiting African leader. Once she reveals the information to the Secret Service, Sean Penn is placed on the case, both to try to find the culprit and protect Kiddman. The movie is not rivetting, but reasonable. It provides good dialog and actual suspense. The ending becomes Hollywood-tainted, but narrowly escapes with a refreshing closing dialog between Kiddman and Penn. Worth seeing if you have a free evening, but not worth making a special trip across town. A nice surprise in this film- the restraint used in building a romantic tension between the two stars without having any sexual expose's at all. It was nice to see someone recognize that romance can happen without even a kiss.