Shadows on the Wall | Reader Reviews 2004

READER REVIEWS ’04

Films only seen by Shadows readers...
Most reader reviews appear on the regular review pages.
On this page: AFTER THE SUNSET | THE ALAMO | LADDER 49 | MIRACLE
RETURN OF THE IDIOT | WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT

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last update 14.Nov.04

AFTER THE SUNSET

dir Brett Ratner
with Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Woody Harrelson, Don Cheadle, Naomie Harris, Lisa Thornhill, Mykelti Williamson, Obba Babatunde
release US 12.Nov.04, UK 19.Nov.04 • 04/US

Laurie T, Minneapolis: "Pierce Brosnon plays the cool jewel thief reminding me a bit of the Pink Panther - he steals for the thrill and because he can, not because he needs the cash. And he certainly doesn't - living on an idyllic tropical island with gorgeous accomplice/girlfriend/fiancee Selma Hayek - what could be missing? He has outsmarted the FBI - stolen 2 of the Napoleon diamonds, but of course there is a third he has not 'allegedly' stolen. This whole movie kept me thinking of the Pink Panther and making it seem silly and cool to steal. However, we did enjoy the movie - it was light, a few plot twists and some interesting moments. It is not a horrible movie - just not as good as some others out there. I predict it won't be at the movies for long. We were entertained for a couple hours - lovely scenery and a few laughs." (14.Nov.04)

THE ALAMO

dir John Lee Hancock • scr Leslie Bohem, Stephen Gaghan, John Lee Hancock
with Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson, Emilio Echevarria, Jordi Molla, Leon Rippy, Tom Davidson, Marc Blucas
release US 9.Apr.04, UK 3.Sep.04 • Touchstone 04/US

Laurie T, Minneapolis: "A movie about history, and a western. The star of this movie, the one who will leave you with the biggest impression, is Billy Bob's performance as David Crockett. It is a good movie - and seems to put things in perspective, for those who do not know their history that well. And the Mexican general is a real bad guy. We enjoyed this movie - a bit long in parts, but I will never think of the Alamo the same again." (12.Apr.04)

LADDER 49

dir Jay Russell
with Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick, Morris Chestnut, Balthazar Getty, Jay Hernandez
release US 1.Oct.04, UK 21.Jan.05 • 04/US

Laurie T, Minneapolis: "I was almost going to say this was kinda sappy, and not sure I liked it - but on retrospect, I did! This whole movie could be used as a recruiting movie for firefighters - but, really, it is a good story. It starts with a big warehouse fire and a big rescue - trapping a firefighter when a floor collapses - but he saved the victim. Then it flashes his life - while his buddies attempt to rescue him. It really is a good story - and I doubt there was a dry eye in the house - we liked it." (5.Oct.04)

MIRACLE

dir Gavin O'Connor
with Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Noah Emmerich, Sean McCann, Kenneth Welsh, Eddie Cahill
release US 6.Feb.04 • 04/US

Laurie T, Minneapolis: 4/5

"I live in Minnesota, and we do hockey - it is that simple. I vaguely remember when this really happened [in 1980], the US amateurs beating the Soviet professionals. People literally danced in the street. And in Minnesota it is kinda cold in the winter to be doing that. This is a good movie, and I have seen interviews of the coach's son who says it is on the mark. Go see this movie - as they say, you don't even have to know what a 'blue line' is to enjoy it!" (20.Feb.04)

RETURN OF THE IDIOT [Návrat Idiota]

dir-scr Sasa Gedeon
with Pavel Liska, Anna Geislerová, Tatiana Vilhelmová, Jirí Langmajer, Jirí Machácek, Zdena Hadrbolcová, Jitka Smutná, Pavel Marek
release Czech Rep 25.Feb.99, UK 17.Mar.00 • 99/Czech 1h40

Paul B, Chelsea, Massachusetts: "For viewers who already know they enjoy East European films, this one will not disappoint. All the acting is superb. And the 'moral of the story' -- the question of how much truth do we dare to tell one another -- stays within you afterwards, stimulating worthwhile self-reflection day after day."

WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT

dir Donald Petrie
with Gene Hackman, Ray Romano, Marcia Gay Harden, Maura Tierney, Christine Baranski, Charlotte Cole, Fred Savage, Rip Torn
release USA 20.Feb.04 • 04/US

Laurie T, Minneapolis: 3/5

"This looked good in the trailers, and I have to say it did not disappoint us - we laughed a lot. A good comedy - the actors do their parts well, and it is just fun to watch what happens when a plumber runs for mayor against the former president of the US. What can I say - I liked it!" (20.Feb.04)