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All reviews by user Date  Helpful Rating 0 out of 0 users found this helpful  Trick of the LightPosted: 3/16/2007A review of 300 by azdesertboy1 I really wanted to like this movie, but frankly, was overly disappointed. The movie failed to make an emotional connection and thus, left me restless and bored. Obviously the film had a striking visual quality, which made it compelling enough to stay somewhat engaged, but the overuse of predicatable testosterone-driven dialogue and dead-end character develoment just kept it from truly going anywhere meaningful. I realize Im in the vast minority here. If you want examples of why this movie was mediocre look no further than the ideas, both visual and conceptual, which were practically lifted from previous films like Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, Kingdom of Heaven, etc. This is a conspicous clue that the writers and director were not very original in their vision. In a sentence, 300 is a contrived and highly derivative offering, albeit one which is drenched with delicious light for consumer eye candy. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful MM (Mundane Mediocre )Posted: 3/5/2007A review of Zodiac by azdesertboy1 So much hype and praise about this film and, once again, an offering which falls woefully short. I really wanted to like this movie but could tell very early on that it was not going anywhere interesting. Its not very original or engaging other than the factual aspect in which it is based. Havent we seen this stuff before....bits and pieces from other films and tv shows?
Gyllenhall isnt believable (too innocent looking and tries too hard), Downey Jr. is good but cannot transcend his annoying personality, Ruffalos characterization feels limitied and the others are just a waste of talent (Baker Hall, Sevingy, etc.).
The story plodded along, and along, and along.....not very gripping or compelling. The only mystery to solve here is why cant Hollywood do any better than this? Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful  a poetic masterpiecePosted: 12/24/2005A review of The Unforgettable Fire by azdesertboy1 I have every u2 album ever made and this one is the most underrated, intimate, subtle yet profound of them all. Dont get me wrong, I love the more popular Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby and even the newer recordings, but this album is all heart and will pleasantly haunt you like no other. Its experimental in nature yet cohesive enough in vision to feel like a uniquely-woven tapestry of both earthy and bold colors. A SORT OF HOMECOMING is U2 opening with a song that embodies the entire album, a perfect mixture of textured ambiance and cohesive structure that touches new places. UNFORGETTABLE FIRE is equally compelling and gorgeous, with unique explosions of sound and feeling. 4TH OF JULY is an instrumental that will take you to an otherworldy place, yet somehow very terrestrial and comforting. BAD achieves a shimmering emotional crescendo rarely achieved in music and transcends you to a place that is indescribably beautiful and chilling. I strongly disagree with the official review that ELVIS PRESLEY AND AMERICA is embarrassing. This highly original song just drips with pure, raw emotion like a Pablo Neruda poem. Bono was trying to capture the last period of Elviss life when he would perform on stage drugged-up, overweight and sad, but still emanating a shining spirit. MLK is also like a bright light, illuminated in a dark room. A powerful and ethereal homage to a great soul in this world. Overall, a remarkable, brooding yet ultimatley inspiring recording possessing an amazing life-force full of all the joy and sorrow of being fully alive. Was this review helpful? Sign In 4 out of 49 users found this helpful  rehashed and reheated spacejamPosted: 12/18/2005A review of Serenity by azdesertboy1 I am not quite sure what you people are thinking when you gush over this boring drivel. This unoriginal movie was nothing more than a bunch of ingredients tossed into a blender with no real taste to it. I saw blatant influences ranging from Star Trek to Star Wars to the Matrix and a little Blade Runner and even Dawn of the Dead and Omega Man thrown in!
Theres even lame attempts to infuse this snoozefest with the notion of honor between the Captain and the Operative guy as if it were a Kurwosawa film.
Contrary to other viewers (wearing perhaps rose-colored glasses when watching this effort), I felt absolutely nothing for anyone in this movie. If there really is a sin in this movie, surely this is it. Characters were not very believable and the acting was second rate. The action sequences were a joke as in they appeared hokey and dated. I found the entire movie unengaging, trite and not very compelling - except for Marena Baacarin, who is an authentic and pure vision of beauty eloquence and just radiates on the screen.
If you want good science fiction, without all the empty testosterone-driven action, then begin with 2001 A Space Oddysey (of course). Also try two films by Russian director Tarkovsky - Stalker and Solaris (not the remake with George Clooney, though its not bad by itself). Truly profound visions. Another interesting (low budget) piece of work is called The Quiet Earth, Australian I believe.
How about Contact? This a beautiful, stimulating and emotionally intelligent movie with very rich characters who ARE very believable in their human flaws (Jodie Foster and Matthew Mcconaughey) as well as being perfect symbolic archetypes (i.e. the universal mind-science vs. the heart-faith struggle).
If youre into animation try two by the great Miyazaki - Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away, both are a masterpiece of storytelling, originality and a unique vision. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful  good, good, goodPosted: 9/18/2005A review of Ocean Rain by azdesertboy1 I concur with the above review. It is a sublime classic. Listen to it at night before drifting off to sleep and you will have nice dreams. Was this review helpful? Sign In 0 out of 0 users found this helpful a shimmering masterpiecePosted: 9/18/2005A review of Starfish by azdesertboy1 By all means purchase this beautifully sublime recording "Starfish". As the name implies, it's as fascinating and mysterious as the sea creature its named after, enigmatically referencing both the vastness of the seas and heavens above. Unique in its approach and powerful in its execution, it is truly one of the great records of the late '80's, early 90's.
This album was the zenith of the Church's authentic sound, never reached with any prior or subsequent offerings. From the opening sleepy chords of the mystically-shifting "Destination" to the closing semi-coda catharsis of "Hotel Womb", singer Steve Kilbey's cryptic poetic images are the very breath which carry you on each aural wave.
"Under the Milky Way" is the most known song of the ensemble, the perfect balance of yin-yang with its catchy rhythm yet elusive melancholy; a feeling which is pervasive throughout. "Blood Money" is a bit awkward in lyric but is a 'grower' in time, requiring repeated listenings to fully hook you in. But once it does the effort pays off and casts you firmly off land into the deep waters of "Lost", a gorgeous and spacey ode to isolation.
"North, South, East, and West" takes you by surprise but somehow works in the flow of things, with its decidely uptempo groove. "Spark" at first seems even more incongruous with previous songs, but hits its stride with convincing vocals by lead guitarist Wilson-Piper.
"Antenna" is the shimmering peak of all tracks, with its floating opening chords which carry you into an epiphany of transcendence. With the luscious guitar work and exquisite mandolin, this is one for the ages. "Reptile" expands the feeling with a slippery, tantalizing rocker which navigates both sunny skies and the deeper underwaters below.
This divine record has both the mercurial formlessness of the feminine ocean and the masculine structure of a wooden boat sailing it; it seeps into your subconcious like a celestial dream with the fishes. Was this review helpful? Sign In 1-6 of 6 Per Page |
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