Oak Park Journal Movie Reviews

Current Releases



Jurassic Park III      (PG-13)
 "Great film with lots of action, as expected.
What may not have been expected is the story line
and writing, top notch.  We are all used to and still
thrilled by large realistic dinosaurs running about the
screen and it almost seems commonplace from time to
time, but the story keeps us in our seats." Vincent
Running Time: 1 hr. 32 min.
Cast: Sam Neill, William H. Macy,
Téa Leon


           The Score
"Entertaining film with interesting characters...Marlon Brando too.."
Vincent
(R) for language
Running Time: 2 hr. 3 min.
Cast: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton,  Marlon Brando



Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
 "Great animation, and brought to the next level.
The story is more metaphysical science fiction as
opposed to science fiction, but it is still fiction.
Many of the real like properties of this animation
cause some to ask ' Why not use real people?' The
answer may very well be in the future when these systems
are so good that $20,000,000.00 dollar actors are shelved
for VR actors." Vincent
(PG-13) for sci-fi action violence
Cast:  voices of Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Peri Gilpin


A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
 "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence is existential science fiction
at its Best.  This is a thoughtful story, well done, and
performed with class." Vincent
(PG-13) for some sexual content and violent images
 Running Time: 2 hr. 25 min.
Cast: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law,
 Frances O'Connorution


Fast and the Furious
"Car racing and girls, more cars, some girls kiss
and more cars.  Great filming and stunts.  A modern
day Cowboy movie with lots of horsepower. " Vincent


Tomb Raider
"Lots of action, weak story. (I said weak, not
silly-it should be silly)" Vincent


Swordfish
"Actions speak louder than words...
with paranoia par excel lance. " Vincent
(R) for violence, language and some sexuality/nudity
  Genre: Action, Drama
   Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
   Cast: John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry


Evolution
"Evolution is a cross between 'Mars Attacks' and
'ET'. Lots of fun. " Vincent


Shrek
"Great FX (animation work) and an interesting story with
some small Hitchcock twists. There is an animation scene
with a blue bird that is in poor taste though.  It is only a
cartoon and many are violent, but this did not need it. " Vincent


Moulin Rouge
"Wonderful Cinematography. Great sets and dancing.
Weak story and I am upset about what Disney did to
a hero of mine, Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec (just kidding..)" Vincent


Pearl Harbor
"This is a spectacular film, action, special effects,
love and honor. " Vincent


The Mummy Returns
"Fast paced action, wall to wall, or better put
tomb to tomb.  Great special effects, watch out
Indiana Jones..." Vincent


Memento
"A very interesting film, worthy of a good
conversation following the credits." Vincent


Driven
"Lots of action, great effects, will make you want
a fast car." Vincent


Bridget Jones Diary
"A Nice romantic film with all the Love of
Sleepless in Seattle-and less music.  There is
music though, some at good parts too and
Renee Zellweger is a treat" Vincent


Along Came a Spider
"Great action with a twisting plot, based upon
excellent acting and great characters." Vincent


Blow
"Based on a true story of a Mr. Jung this is a good film
with showing how important it is to get a good job and
choose your marriage partner carefully.  Part of me wanted
Bill Clinton to pardon Mr. Jung, why not? See what you
think."  Vincent


Exit Wounds
"You get what you pay for.  You're paying for a
great fighter."  Vincent


Tailor of Panama
"Not 007, comedy here with a deeper character."  Vincent


Enemy at the Gates
"Based on a true story of W.W.II surrounding the siege of
Stalingrad by the Germans." Vincent


15 Minutes
"A lot of action, plenty of story, with fine special effects
and good acting."  Vincent


3000 Miles from Graceland
"Elvis meets Bonnie and Clyde" Vincent


Chocolat


Movie Recommendations:  "Hannibal" with Sir Anthony Hopkins
proves to be the '007 of Psychos' Not for the Kids, but if you liked
"Silence of the Lambs", this will be up your alley (but check the
alley before you enter..)
Showing in Melrose Park at the Cinemark.


Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, interesting, sub-titled film showing
at the Lake in Oak Park.  Chinese mythology makes it to the screen,
but lacks some character involvement.. Good effects, not even close to
Akira Kurasawa though.


Snatch, Highly recommended.  Brad Pitt and the story are wild.

------ "The Cell"------ 2 1/2 Reels

by John Janso

 This summer has sprung many blockbuster movies, and many of them are worth
paying for. The end of the summer has been a disappointment, however, and
adding to that disappointment is "The Cell", starring Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn.
"The Cell" is a disgusting and disturbing look into a serial killer's mind. Visually,
"The Cell" is an impressive film. Camera angles and unique special effects make
the movie an impressive work. Storywise, its a downer. Vince Vaughn
plays an FBI agent searching for a madman who captures and drowns young girls. Once found,
the killer is in a coma. Supposedly, only Jennifer Lopez, a child psychiatrist, can help find
the last captured girl by going into the killer's mind. The movie is meant to be a chilling
and somewhat scary movie, but the only thing "scary" about this movie is how much money was
spent to make a boxoffice bomb. Slow dialogue and no character development made this movie as
much fun to watch as stock footage. In addition, the not needed gore, including intestines
being wrapped around a spinning skewer, was a turnoff. Finally, a deeply sad ending left me
leaving the theatre unfulfilled, wanting at least some sort of action. If you're looking for
a movie to bring family or friends to, look elsewhere. But if you're into big special effects
or Jennifer Lopez (guilty), then by all means go ahead. My only suggestion is to go earlier
in the day, so you don't have to pay so much for such an "average" movie.

------"Scary Movie"------2 Reels

by John Janso

  Another spoof movie come and gone. "Scary Movie" is supposed to be a funny
movie, taking shots at such horror flicks as "Scream", "Blair Witch" and "I Know
What You Did Last Summer". There was a mistake in this movie that director
Keenan Ivory Wayans overlooked however; make SOMETHING original.
This movie not only spoofed horror films, but commercials, dramas and suspense
movies. The only original scenes were that of male genitalia swinging around. That's another
point off for me; no male genitalia. An all star cast including Shawn and Marlan Wayans,
Cheri O'Teri, and Shannon Elizabeth make the movie a bit more "bearable". The problem is that
the humor only appeals to one audience; 14 year old girls. Like others including "Austin
Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" or any Freddie Prince Jr. movie, the humor wasn't
shocking or original, only sassy one-liners and fart humor. There isn't much to say about
this movie except wait until it comes out on video, then wait until it comes out in
pay-per-view, then wait until it comes out on TV, then don't watch it.


------"X-Men"------3 Reels

by John Janso

    X-Men was, without a doubt, the most anticipated movie of the summer.
Many fans got what they had waited for, but THIS reviewer was let down.
Sure, if you're a big X-Men comic book buff then you know all of these characters.
But for the other people who go outside during the day, the character info was a
little fuzzy. Storm and Cyclops had no emotions at all, they were just there.
"Cyclops, shoot that with your eye." "Okay Storm, but use your lightning." Where did
they come from? Where did they get their powers? When the movie started they were
just there. The special effects were pretty good, although nowhere near some less
popular films, but when you make a superhero film for teenagers, you need to put
ACTION in it. There were two fight scenes in the whole movie; the train station and
the Statue of Liberty. The rest of the movie was just shadow boxing between
Wolverine and the rest of the cast. But, if you like X-Men and you want to see the
movie, I'm not stopping you. Just don't get your hopes up.

= Stay home save the money...............
= Okay, but no award winner...............
= a worth while film and popcorn too.....
= go even with someone you don't like...
= pay for someone else as a treat to them



















Topsy Turvy

Excellent film in all ways possible, if you enjoy live theater, historical
works, period pieces, and gifted scripts..this is your film.

 Cider House Rules

   "Great story line, beautiful scenes, wonder, heartbreaks, love, dedication, and
                                                                  fine acting."

 Bicentennial Man

" I was expecting a modern version of Pinnoccio, and was delighted to find
something more  existential.  Not a Greek tragedy, but damn close at times, and Robin Williams
to boot"

Galaxy Quest

  " A great film with characters that will leave you laughing, if you like the Star
 Trek films.  I could hear myself laughing with the others who like Star Trek.  A
 lot of fun."  Oak Park Journal
 

The Green Mile (R, 187 min.)

 " A wonderful film with characters that you care about in a big way.
 The story is engaging, and the acting superb."  Oak Park Journal.
 Anna and The King (PG-13,   147 min.)

   " Excellent settings, story, and drama.  No songs in this one, but a lot more
story.  The true story of the woman Anna Leonowen is even more interesting.
 Look her up in the Library."  Oak Park Journal
 Gladiator
Russell Crowe as the main character in this wonderful film was a star in "L.A. Confidential"
(1997) ..as the character "Bud White ".  This film offers the best from films like
"Seven Samurai", "Ben Hur", "Zulu", and "Out of Africa" all combined.  This is
a great epic saga with something for everyone.  I saw it alone the opening day and
took my best friend on the following and my wife liked it too (the wife is the best friend).
 

 Toy Story 2

" Better than the first, great action, humor, and morals too." Oak Park Journal