glumpy_99
Criticker Zealot
Member Since: 21 Oct 2010
Location: Australia
Age: 42
Bio: "The complete filmgoer is open to the movie on the screen, and asks it to work in its own ways for its own purposes. He does not fault one for not being the other, but is grateful for both if they are successful." - Roger Ebert, Review of "Keane" (2004)
Top 10:
#10 Gone With The Wind (1939)
#9 The Godfather (1972)
#8 Some Like It Hot (1959)
#7 Jackie Brown (1997)
#6 A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
#5 Tootsie (1982)
#4 The Big Sleep (1946)
#3 Network (1976)
#2 JFK (1991)
#1 Chinatown (1974)
Top 10:
#10 Gone With The Wind (1939)
#9 The Godfather (1972)
#8 Some Like It Hot (1959)
#7 Jackie Brown (1997)
#6 A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
#5 Tootsie (1982)
#4 The Big Sleep (1946)
#3 Network (1976)
#2 JFK (1991)
#1 Chinatown (1974)
Recent Ratings
Check out glumpy_99's...
Something New (2006) - Rated 12 Jun 2025
"A game attempt at the titular activity can’t find much new in the evolution of Lathan and Baker’s relationship; tries to make a statement about race relations, and does a fair job of trying to share the blame amongst all parties, but many of the conversations sound too contrived trying to Make A Point which stalls the plot momentum. The underlying story is predictable rom-com to a tee, though it is novel how quickly Underwood is wheeled on and (spoiler I guess) promptly wheeled back out!"
Lee (2024) - Rated 11 Jun 2025
"There really isn’t a great deal of meat to the narrative here; without wanting to sound flippant, depictions of horrors of the Holocaust are a dime a dozen at this point, and while I’m certain Miller’s life was an interesting one to live, there doesn’t seem to be enough substance to sustain a middling anecdote, let alone a feature film. As always, Winslet brings it home in spades, and she is always worth watching, but if you want a dose of war-time Winslet, do a rewatch of THE READER instead."
Saint Ralph (2004) - Rated 11 Jun 2025
"Underdog saga is pleasant to a fault, and anchored by subtle and sensitive performances from its whole cast, headed by an utter charmer in Butcher. All that’s missing is a sharper edge to distinguish it from any other number of well-meaning “inspiring” efforts, though I do like the balance between a depiction of sincere faith, and the cheerful sometimes cheeky irreverence towards the trappings. It’s a decent film, but easily dismissible."
Dead Presidents (1995) - Rated 10 Jun 2025
"Exacerbates the flaws of MENACE... by presenting story elements that may be true to life, but play as hopelessly contrived, not helped by a lack of focus: we get a decent chunk of Vietnam picture, followed by a “washed-up” veteran story, before shifting gears again into a caper film, with no real sense of the escalating tensions driving Tate’s character. Most successful in its first act, providing a convincing portrait of “thug life” circa the 1960s, but frustrating and dispiriting overall."
Aquamarine (2006) - Rated 10 Jun 2025
"Passable, agreeable tweeny fluff, hindered somewhat by a tendency for all of the adult performers to go full exaggerated pantomime (Blake, Billing, Spence and Karvan should know better). Still fun to watch the modestly distinguished Aussie cast do what they can, though the convoluted set-up is odd (we’re ostensibly in America, but the bulk of the film is pretty clearly leaning on Aussie surf setting and culture). The girls are at least appealing, with Paxton displaying some genuine star power."
A Cinderella Story (2004) - Rated 09 Jun 2025
"Up the Duff again with an exceedingly pleasant, amiable enough tween fantasy along the lines of her usual enjoyable enough output. I’ll give a begrudging pass to the “Clark Kent” disguise bit, but seriously – you make the mobile phone the glass slipper, and give Murray absolutely no reason to not call the number and i.d. the voicemail? But anyway, this scores bonus points for Coolidge’s clear delight in playing the hammy narcistic bitch. You’ll already know if you’ll get any enjoyment from this!"
Love the Hard Way (2001) - Rated 09 Jun 2025
"**SPOILERS** low-key character(s) study is well acted, and Brody and Ayanna are intensely charismatic, but my fingers close on air when trying to come to grips with Ayanna’s character and her slow, self destructive decline – there’s no rhyme or reason for her to behave in the way she does, and if it’s “love makes you do the darndest things”, it’s a long-winded (and superficial) way to make the point. Nice rhythm in its dialogue, and the scheming and counter scheming is at least entertaining."
The Omega Code (1999) - Rated 09 Jun 2025
"Any movie that tries to hard-sell me with Rabbi Michael Ironside in the opening scene should be better than this – but it really doesn’t get any better, not even when York and Ironside develop a very amusing dynamic as a pair of camping old queens, with Van Dien as the interloper. Seems to pre-figure THE DA VINCI CODE and is just about as silly, but outside of giving York the opportunity to go full bore Bond villain, no one else seems to be having much fun."
Baadasssss! (2003) - Rated 09 Jun 2025
"Mario outdoes his father by doing a “making-of” that exceeds its subject – it’s a risky tightrope that Mario walks, balancing a portrait of his father, a profile of independent, guerilla film-making circa the 70s, and a searing dissection of his own formative years (and exploitation). Superb performances all round, but it is Mario’s strikingly convincing evocation of his father that is the centrepiece, and it is the illustration of the father-son dynamic that gives it its juice."
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971) - Rated 09 Jun 2025
"Legendary icon of independent (and blaxploitation) cinema is born out of a specific era and specific mindset, it is singular and uncompromised (down to a sequence that possibly qualifies as child exploitation material?) but shot with a vicious sense of style and energy; once Sweetback properly goes on the run, hold on to something! Its rough, jagged edges may be deliberate, or a concession to its fly-by-the-seat-of-its-pants production, but either way Van Peebles exploits it mercilessly."
