I am a big fan of “Evil Dead” and Sam Raimi once again displays his skill for horror and movie-making brilliance. Though “The Gift” is tonally uneven, it’s still worth a watch if only for the mood and inherent dread present. The movie’s scenery is comprised of a country setting, but the entire landscape of the trees and bayou is so grim and dark like a painting. The night scenes are the best, showing off the odd structure of the Dali-esque trees and scenery. When a young rich woman, Jessica (Katie Holmes) disappears, Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) the local town psychic reader must investigate the murder, but to the relentless harassment of an abusive man named Donnie Barksdale (Keanu Reeves) who is angry at her advice to his wife about Annie advising her to leave him.
Space Cowboys (2000)
What a colossal disappointment. We have a paper-thin plot, under-acting by the “all-star” cast. The plot is so diluted and plain that it reaches the point of boredom. Eastwood couldn’t save this. You couldn’t have saved this movie if you put Jimmy Stewart in it. It’s also so far-fetched. I doubt NASA would risk the welfare of the earth by putting four old men in space. That’s just plain irresponsible. What was surprising was that the scene I was most looking forward to, The space scene, is the most dull of the entire film.
If I Die Before I Wake (1998)
This is a low budget movie and proves not all low-budget thrillers are bad. I’m still holding my breath from this one. “If I Die Before I Wake” opens on a dark night and starts off very fast with three hillbillies breaking into a house. Quickly they beging terrorizing and torture the poor defenseless suburban family within their home. The oldest daughter realizes her house is being infiltrated early, and hides herself and her little sister, devising a plan to get back at the murderers and defend her house once and for all. “If I Die Before I Wake” is an excellent thriller, mainly for the atmosphere and breakneck pacing.
Chicken Run (2000)
This is a cute story. Mel Gibson never ceases to pull in a fun performance. He’s energetic and realistic in this movie. He doesn’t have a humongous part or the starring role yet he pulls in an excellent performance. He’s hilarious and very funny. The dialogue is hilarious and the character set-up is great. We get to see the characters and their flaws which is great. The story takes place in a rural England farm where this woman named Ms. Tweedy grows chickens and sells their eggs.
Cast Away (2000)
Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you the age old story of man vs. Nature! In one corner, a city man who is stranded on an island, on the other corner, a deserted island in the middle of nowhere with no food or shelter! Who will conquer? You have to watch to find out! Every once and a while, every two or three years, a movie comes along with such power, such strength, and such drama, it makes me realize maybe Hollywood hasn’t lost all of its hope in making a good movie. Tom Hanks’ role is so excellent and powerful, that he actually touches you through the screen with his performance.
The 6th Day (2000)
“The 6th Day” is below the quality of any other Schwarzenegger movie I’ve seen before. This plot is not entirely original, and it leaves a lot of room for the people to debate on the whether the concept of cloning is playing god or just another step in technology. I found it dull.
Cut (2000)
Maybe that’s because I am humongous slasher movie fan. I like slashers. Whether they’re bad ones like “Happy Birthday To Me, Sleepaway Camp” or classics like “Psycho,” “Friday the 13th,” or “Halloween,” I love them all. This one is not an exception, as outside of “Scream” it’s one of the better movie-centric slasher movies made.