Dana Fillhart
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 977
[COLOR= red]Latest Update:13September2003:75Films Seen (Average Score:81.0%)[/COLOR]
[SIZE= 7pt]Criteria used: Link Removed Rating system used: Percentile scale. I rate movies on a percentage basis, rounded to the nearest 5% to make it easier to compare to other rating systems. I use objective criteria as a baseline for a movie's rating, then mesh in my own subjective opinions of the movie as a whole ("entertainment value") in coming up with a rating. I tend to be more forgiving of flawed movies, so long as they are internally consistent and aren't trying to pander to the lowest common moviewatcher. You'll find more 80%'s in my list than everything under 50% added together, because I try to avoid films I know are dreck, but also because my subjective biases throw off the curve a bit. Thus, if a movie at least makes it worth the money I paid -- meets the objective criteria first and then entertains me as a whole ("entertain" can mean "disturb", a la Schindler's List) -- the movie will receive a 75%. If it doesn't quite live up to expectations, but was enough to pass the time, it'll get between 50% - 75%. Anything below 50% connotes significant problems. Anything above 80% connotes significant quality. Also, like other members and their rating systems, I do have lots of movies that get the same rating, but unlike some others, the order I have them in is important; I try to rank them within their own percentile grouping, so that you can see overall which films I felt were better than others at that same percentile.
[COLOR= red]3 Most Recent Films (with reviews, if present)[/COLOR]
Bowling for Columbine, seen at home on DVD, 12 Sep 2003
Moore's well-publicized documentary was, for the most part, decent, with enough poignancy and surprising restraint that it did justice to the subject. Still, the material was fairly uneven, hitting certain chords with strong resonance (the two kids, bullets still remaining inside their bodies, returning cartridges to K-Mart HQ and ultimately convincing the corporation to drop its sales of handgun/assault-rifle ammunition), but other moments felt extraordinarly awkward or out-of-place (the cartoon and dives into racism didn't seem fully (only somewhat) appropriate, to me at least). Some may say the interview with Heston was tasteless, but I thought it was not only appropriate, it stated a lot more in its awkwardness and fits of silence than whatever Heston and Moore actually did say. And the Dick van Dyke impromptu meeting in his (ahem) van, THAT was priceless. And the discussion with James Nichols on the restrictions to the second amendment -- un-frickin'-believable: I'd classify it as eerily hilarious.
Moore himself was shockingly well-restrained throughout, compared at least to his Oscar acceptance speech and other bits of his public persona I've seen of him in the past two years. The interviewed seemed competent enough, most of the time not stumbling over anything or looking too terribly embarrassed, but I must give a big, unexpected nod of appreciation to Marilyn Manson, who I found to be intelligent, witty, and somewhat sage (perhaps his bit was rehearsed, I don't know, but at least it came off sounding genuine and honest).
Overall, though, I was a bit underwhelmed with the whole experience, so I give the film only an 80%. Definitely worth seeing, regardless of political leanings. You'll certainly learn a few facts of trivia you probably never knew beforehand.
Antwone Fisher, seen at home on DVD, 30 May 2003
Very solid directing on a very good (albiet predictable) tear-jerker story about a foster kid (Derek Luke as Antwone Fisher) growing up without a good role model, getting into trouble over the slightest slight against him, until he bumps up against the one man who won't yield to his rebellious attitude (Denzel Washington). Derek Luke's first role has shown this kid has great promise -- were it a less crowded season in 2002, he certainly could've been given an Academy nomination for his role in this film, he was that good. Washington handles the direction of the film very well, and editing is above-average for almost all of the material, but too much sentimental music and a script that plays too much by the numbers, makes you feel a little wanting in the end. 80%, but a recommended see by me.
Drumline, seen at home on DVD, 18 Apr 2003
Vibrant colors and intense sound rule this simple feel-good story about a boy who gets a scholarship to college for his drumplaying prowess, but finds himself challenged when he tries to put his own beat in front of the band's. A great performance is given by Nick Cannon, as well as a surprisingly superb one by Mr. 7-Up, Orlando Jones. 80%.
By ranking
#TitleRating1(
)Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away)95%2(
)Adaptation.95%3(
)The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers95%4(
)Minority Report90%5(
)Hable con Ella (Talk to Her)90%6(
)Far from Heaven90%7(
)Road to Perdition85%8(
)E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: 20th Anniversary Edition85%9(
)Punch-Drunk Love85%10(
)25th Hour85%11(
)Y Tu Mamá También (And Your Mother Too)85%12(
)Rabbit-Proof Fence85%13(
)Gangs of New York85%14(
)Barbershop85%15(
)About Schmidt85%16(
)Catch Me If You Can85%17(
)Chicago85%18(
)Le pacte des loups (The Brotherhood of the Wolf)85%19(
)8 Mile85%20(
)The Four Feathers85%21(
)Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron85%22(
)Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets85%23(
)Beauty and the Beast: Large-Print (IMAX) Edition80%24(
)Signs80%25(
)Confessions of a Dangerous Mind80%26(
)Frida80%27(
)Drumline80%28(
)Thirteen Conversations About One Thing80%29(
)lovely and amazing80%30(
)Bowling for Columbine80%31(
)The Ring80%32(
)Metropolis80%33(
)Changing Lanes80%34(
)One Hour Photo80%35(
)Antwone Fisher80%36(
)Secretary80%37(
)Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones80%38(
)Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (DLP)80%39(
)Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (IMAX)80%40(
)Frailty80%41(
)Hart's War80%42(
)Lilo & Stitch80%43(
)The Good Girl80%44(
)My Big Fat Greek Wedding80%45(
)Spider-Man80%46(
)The Count of Monte Cristo80%47(
)Kissing Jessica Stein80%48(
)Insomnia80%49(
)About a Boy80%50(
)Unfaithful80%51(
)Two Weeks Notice80%52(
)The Bourne Identity80%53(
)Undercover Brother80%54(
)Space Station 3D (IMAX)80%55(
)Blood Work80%56(
)John Q80%57(
)Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams80%58(
)The Sum of All Fears80%59(
)Ice Age80%60(
)Panic Room80%61(
)Die Another Day80%62(
)We Were Soldiers80%63(
)The Hours75%64(
)Solaris75%65(
)Star Trek: Nemesis75%66(
)Red Dragon75%67(
)Clockstoppers75%68(
)Austin Powers in Goldmember75%69(
)Resident Evil75%70(
)Blade II: Bloodhunt75%71(
)The Transporter75%72(
)Showtime75%73(
)Men in Black II75%74(
)The Scorpion King70%
)
