Review of Big Night (1996) by Brandon H — 03 Aug 2006

"Over the Hedge" is a typical kid's movie, which takes all the turns we expect it to take, and basically nothing more. There are a few funny moments, and it's visually interesting, but it doesn't have the wit of, say, "Hoodwinked," and isn't even in the same league as some of the other recent kid's movies like "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo.".

"Big Night" is terrific because it's characters are smart, their actions and dialogue are real, the plot is real, everything about the movie is simply irresistibly engaging. The ending is inevitable but still manages to keep its suspense up-- the best kind of film. I love the characters, the acting is flawless, I could identify with so much in it. Wonderful, witty, funny and yet unnervingly serious. Great stuff.

"The Big Chill" was a let-down in the way that it's plot never seemed to develop into anything. It's dialogue is engaging most of the time, and I like some of the characters, but other times I can't seem to place really where they are-- not to mention the fact that it's incredibly unrealistic, and not in the surreal and interesting sense, more like the *sigh* sense.

"All the President's Men" I'd seen when I was a little kid, but I hardly remembered any of it. It's a great movie, and I wish they'd carried it out until the actual impeachment and resignation. I also wish I'd gotten to know the two journalists a little bit better, but it was still great acting from both Redford and Hoffman, and the screenplay (particularly when it's not just there to advance the plot) takes a complicated situation and breaks it down into some funny, witty, and intriuging stuff.