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glumpy_99

glumpy-99
Criticker Zealot
# Film Ratings: 7995
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)

Recent Ratings

57 16%
Total Eclipse (1995) - Rated 13 Jul 2025
"An interesting misfire – DiCaprio gets an opportunity to relish some full-blown assholery, and casting Thewlis as the weaselly Verlaine is almost type-casting. It’s disappointing that Hampton’s screenplay never finds inherent interest in these characters; there’s nothing substantive about the “artistic temperament” driving them, or any believable passion in their relationship, ultimately making the film the unpleasant experience of watching nasty people do nasty things to each other."
67 32%
The Harder They Come (1972) - Rated 13 Jul 2025
"For its first half, this rags-to-riches saga is energised by the fresh locale, not to mention a socko soundtrack – the stunning and invigorating scenes in the gospel church, further complemented by Keane’s amusing performance as the fire-and-brimstone preacher. Once Cliff becomes a “star”, the film loses momentum, seeming to handbrake turn into blaxploitation tropes, and a little too close to SWEET SWEETBACK for comfort. An almost-recommendation if you can let the soundtrack sweep over you."
76 52%
Heart of Glass (1976) - Rated 12 Jul 2025
"Somewhat like Herzog himself, this is its own thing, difficult to compare to anything else (and is even a bizarre outlier in Herzog’s own filmography). Suffice to say it’s never boring, and I feel it grows richer the more you’re aware of the rather strange conditions Herzog and his actors worked under; on a first viewing, I can’t really unpack what Herzog’s overarching point might be, but ithe film will definitely stick in the memory. Might have the most drolly amusing pub brawl I’ve ever seen!"
71 41%
The House Bunny (2008) - Rated 12 Jul 2025
"Light hearted and good natured comedy manages to incorporate elements of the “make-over” and “snobs vs slobs” subgenres to largely successful effect. Never really transcends it genre trappings, and is structured as a series of gags rather than as a coherent plot, but the performers put it over, with Faris a loveable and charismatic lead, and Stone sowing the seeds of her later successes. Casting McDonald and D’Angelo and giving them nothing to do seems like a missed opportunity."
50 11%
I Spit on Your Grave (2010) - Rated 12 Jul 2025
"It’s well crafted by Monroe as genuinely unsettling horror in its first act, and exceptionally well-performed by the cast in both the harrowing attack scene on Butler, and even the viscerally satisfying revenge scenes. Nothing is tastelessly eroticised (though the promo poster tries its best), but I still can’t help thinking the film suffers because of its unremitting focus on brutality and (moreso) cruelty – no subject should be taboo for a movie, but I would question why this story this way?"
68 34%
An Ideal Husband (1999) - Rated 12 Jul 2025
"But not an ideal adaptation? Watching this in the shadow of Parker’s charmer of an EARNEST adaptation, this plays as heavy handed and even plodding at times. Marginally more serious minded than EARNEST, this still should play as a bright satire of social mores, especially with Vaughan’s expert side-eye and Blanchett’s layered cluelessness at the fore; the self-seriousness tends to render Wilde’s melodramatic plot developments as much ado about nothing, fatally undermining some of their sting."
66 30%
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) - Rated 12 Jul 2025
"More engaging and enjoyable than the previous entries, by virtue of greater sophistication in the plotting and the writing; can’t quite get past the “feature not a bug” of being aimed at a very young audience, but on that basis it's reasonably successful. Stolen handily by McDormand’s hilariously militant animal hunter; supporting players Cranston, Short and Chastain compensate for the leading quartet, who might be the dullest, least distinctive personalities ever to prop up a franchise!"
55 15%
Reprise (2006) - Rated 11 Jul 2025
"Pleasant but dull coming-of-ager certainly seems to represent Trier working through a few true-to-life situations and angst, but while the experiences may be authentic, they play as overstated melodrama, not helped by the two leads who seem to alternate between awkward diffidence and flat out boredom in their performances. Film comes to life whenever Winge is on-screen – she is far and away the most interesting (and charismatic) presence in the otherwise dull fog."
84 74%
Enigma (2001) - Rated 11 Jul 2025
"Definitely a cozy Sunday matinee style thriller, but it’s great fun in its gentle way, with Apted directing a fine cast to pull the viewer through a very complicated (and historically fascinating) story. Felt like more attention was given to Scott and Winslet’s faltering romance than delving into the cryptography itself, which was probably the more interesting element. Still the cast delivers, especially Northam who gives a deliciously flippant and cynical performance worthy of a Hitchcock film!"
70 38%
The Phantom (1996) - Rated 10 Jul 2025
"Amiable enough mix of adventure saga and superhero movie is fine, except that almost every element has been done more successfully in other films (most overtly in THE ROCKETEER). Zane makes for a decent hero, but his laid-back, laconic affect means that the stakes always feel too low – had he played with more sincerity, the film might have been more involving. Props to Williams playing to the back row as the mustache twirling villain – nice early work from Zeta-Jones was an unexpected treat."