Review of Hollywood Ending (2002) by Marisa M — 23 Jan 2005

[b][u][font=Courier New][size=2]Films starring Tea Leoni[/size][/font][/u][/b].

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[b][u][font='Courier New']DEEP IMPACT * * * ½ [/font][/u][/b].

[font=Courier New]As a natural disaster film, DEEP IMPACT does what most of the films found in the genre don?t; it focuses on the characters, not the disaster. This is both a blessing and a curse, as the film has one too many characters to be held accountable for, but it does what it can and surprisingly, each alternate story line is told effectively. Tea Leoni, as reporter Jenny Lerner, has what it takes to be the leading woman in this film compacted with A-list stars, providing emotional depth and courage to her character (her scene with Maximilian Schell, standing on the beach as the final wave approaches is amongst one of the most moving scenes in a big-budgeted Hollywood picture, although some could see it as a stupid decision). Morgan Freeman (as the President), Robert Duvall (Captain ?Fish? Tanner), and Vanessa Redgrave (Robin Lerner) are veterans in film and deliver solid performances. Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski are decent, but their characters? contribution to the story itself could have been left on the cutting room floor. All in all, DEEP IMPACT is an emotionally involving; well-acted tale of survival that?s so good, it?s clichés can easily be overlooked, in exchange for the admiration of the film?s want to focus on character rather than action. [/font].

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[b][u][font=Courier New][size=2]THE FAMILY MAN * * * *[/size][/font][/u][/b].

[font='Courier New']If the story line of ?A man receives a glimpse of a life he could have had?? sounds familiar, it?s because it is. The story has been told many times before and if not that, it?s been thought about several times more. Even though THE FAMILY MAN contains a plot that doesn?t quite score originality points, the philosophical question of ?what if?? is one, which will forever, fascinate and resonate in the minds of us all (or at least mine). What elevates this standard plot from mediocrity are the chemistries between actors Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. When they share the screen together, it makes Cage?s alternate life seem as if it could have very well taken place and, even more importantly, it could have very well been the life he should have chosen. Because the question of ?what if?? is so thought provoking to me and because Cage and Leoni deliver outstanding performances, THE FAMILY MAN has become one of my all-time favorite films.[/font].

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[b][u][font=Courier New][size=2]JURASSIC PARK III * *[/size][/font][/u][/b].

[font='Courier New']I am a big fan of both JURASSIC PARK and it?s sequel. I?ve written countless fan-fictions regarding the material and dinosaurs fascinate me (as I?m sure they are to almost everyone else). With that said, JURASSIC PARK III turned out to be a huge disappointment for me. JURASSIC PARK was one of the best sci-fi adventures I?d ever seen and THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK was a very gripping, deserving sequel, despite its campy, dino-attacks-city finale. With THE LOST WORLD there was a bit of sophistication in its premise, fresh action sequences, and overall script. In the third outing, there seems to be very little advancement into the story of Jurassic Park itself. What makes this story remotely significant to the others is the return of Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and it is because of him that there is a slight bit of welcomed nostalgia, in a story that feels irrelevant and without purpose. JURASSIC PARK III is pure, nonstop action, but the action is repetitive and at times, tedious. If there is one surprise this film contains, it?s the abrupt, ridiculous ending you never saw coming, yet an ending you were glad you reached. In the end, you feel as if this was a sequel rushed into production just so Universal could make a quick 180 mil. [/font].

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[b][u][font=Courier New][size=2]HOLLYWOOD ENDING * * *[/size][/font][/u][/b].

[font=Courier New]Woody Allen stars and directs a film in which he is the main character, who goes blind in the middle of directing his comeback motion picture. The premise is amusing, yet not used to its full, comedic potential. This isn?t a hilarious premise; so much as it is a series of interesting situations. HOLLYWOOD ENDING does have its share of moments though, including a memorable scene where Allen and Leoni dine and argue in the middle of a restaurant rendezvous. These small moments, along with a beautiful New York backdrop provide for a mildly entertaining movie, spiced with some memorable, classic Woody Allen one-liners.[/font].

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[b][u][font=Courier New][size=2]FLIRTING WITH DISASTER * * * ½ [/size][/font][/u][/b].

[font=Courier New]An excellent road-trip comedy, filled with well-drawn, quirky characters that make for good cinematic company.[/font].

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[b][u][font=Courier New][size=2]BAD BOYS * * * ½ [/size][/font][/u][/b].

[b][font='Times New Roman'][font=Courier New][size=2]One of the better action/comedies I?ve seen and certainly one of the best films Michael Bay has ever been attached to.[/size][/font][/font][/b].