 Teen Movie Critic is a Dream Machine SiteThe Dream Machine --- The Imagination of the World Wide Web |
| Teen Movie Critic is a Dream Machine Site The Dream Machine --- The Imagination of the World Wide Web |
| Home | About TMC | Brothers and Sisters | Directors | Alphabetic Index | Guest Critics | Hall of Flame | Other Film Sites | Feedback |
 Buy this poster at  |
Basically just an "Aliens" rip-off, "Species" is the story of what might happen if you mix human DNA with that of an alien. The result is a reptilian like animal that can change from reptile to human. There isn't much to say about this. The only good performance is by Natasha Henstridge as the alien. Other performances by the likes of Ben Kingsley and Forest Whitaker are wasted. Kingsley plays a scientist, who leads a band of hunters to try and catch Henstridge.Whitaker is the psychic link to the alien. Whitaker spends most of his time saying all the cliches that psychics have in movies, like "She's here" or the ever-popular "I think she was here". Only two reasons to see this film. The special effects and Henstridge's performance, which isn't much, but believe me, she comes off a lot better than her co-stars.
 Buy this poster at |
Here is a definite classic comedy. The story follows a young college grad (Dustin Hoffman, in his first major performance) who is seduced by his parents' best friend, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). He spends a good deal of his time sleeping with her, but a dilemma occurs when Hoffman falls in love with Bancroft's daughter (Katherine Ross).There are plenty of memorable moments in this film. Watching Bancroft and Hoffman work together is the greatest thing about this film. The movie rocketed Hoffman's and Ross's careers, and certainly boosted Bancroft's even more. The last scene is the most famous and was later spoofed in "Wayne's World 2". The soundtrack, by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, fits the movie to a T. An all around good movie, and a chance to see Hoffman in one of his first roles.
Note: Look fast for Richard Dreyfuss as a student at Berkeley and Buck Henry as a hotel clerk.
 Buy this poster at |
The first of two Robert Altman films reviewed this week, this followed such hits as "The Player" and "Short Cuts". Once again, Altman tears apart a certain industry. Namely, the fashion industry. the story follows 20 characters through a bunch of fashion shows in Paris. Some of the characters include a man who is sought after by the police (Marcello Mastroianni) for murder. Two rival reporters who are covering the same story and seem to spend most of the movie sleeping with each other. Three fashion magazine columnists who are trying to get the story on a world-famous fashion photographer (Stephen Rea).Though it's not Altman's best, it certainly is Altman. Altman has a certain perverse sense of humor that isn't for all tastes, but he is definitely one of the master film directors. The funniest performance in the film is from Mastroianni. The scenes between him and fellow Italian actor Sophia Loren are the gems of the film. There is a running gag that gets a little tiresome after awhile, but one that you can overlook. The settings and the fashion shows are well filmed and the actors work well together. Still, if you want a excellent Altman film, stay for the next review.
 Buy this poster at |
Here is Altman's masterpiece. Following the lives of 24 individual people through five days in Nashville. The movie has no real lead characters. They are all good and have equal performances. The film revolves around a political rally for a candidate who is never seen. Two of the aides to the rally (Ned Beatty and Michael Murphy) are trying to get country western performers to play at the rally. Among the group is a Loretta Lynn type (Ronee Blakley), who has just returned to singing after a breakdown. Keith Carradine, plays the star of a trio. He sleeps with a good number of women, including the wife (Christina Raines) of his partner. Henry Gibson plays the seasoned veteran performer, who's as mean as a rattlesnake and would sell his own mother for a gold record. All but one of the 24 characters end up either performing at the rally or in the audience.Altman has said that he doesn't feel like he's actually with the characters, but rather he's spying on them, which would explain why we see and listen to the actors from a distance (as is Altman's usual style). Strangely, it took Altman 17 years, after this film, to get another hit. Though, 17 years of failures hasn't slowed Altman down one bit. The stand-out performances are from Blakley and Gwen Welles as an incredibly bad singer, trying to get a break in Nashville. I recommend this film and M.A.S.H. as the must-see films from Altman. Even if you don't like country, you'll still enjoy this film.
The Dream Machine --- Network Services
...the best independent ISP in the Twin Cities