Times lets readers post movie reviews
The New York Times has launched a new movies section online that's very interesting for two reasons: It includes a complete, free archive of New York Times movie reviews dating back to 1983, as well as selected reviews back to 1929 (The Times' charges for most of its archives); and even more notable, it allows readers to rate movies and write their own reviews.The Times has been very good at promoting reader discussion board conversations, but this takes it's use of the Internet's interactivity with users to a new level - along the lines of Amazon.com's great user review system. If this takes off, it has the potential to become the most comprehensive and useful place on the Web for commentary on movies.
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17 comments about 'Times lets readers post movie reviews'I took my girls to see the Epic movie thinking it was just a funny slapstick type show. This movie is NOT a family movie, nor should be PG-13. The rating is absolutely wrong. The movie should be R-Rated. The movie is all about profanities and very strong sexual content. What happened to just plain and stupid comedy? The Epic got so profane and sexually explicit for teens, my wife and I walked out of the theater with the kids. The movie would have been a good funny movie for a PG13 rating without the constant colorful words and the explicit sexual scenes. I know society has no standards and by this movie having a PG-13 rating reflects the true society we are living in where there are no expectations from our young teens except for expressing themselves with profanities and learning about sex at ages 13-16.
Miguel
Posted by Anonymous at January 27, 2007 9:43 AM
Stardust is the best fantasy science fiction movie this year. With action, adventure, romance and comedy from start to finish. Great acting from an impressive cast and outstanding visual effects that help tell the story.
Posted by Stuart at August 19, 2007 6:08 PM
Just what we need, another movie about a black man killing his own race through drugs, investing in the death of babies for a dollar, glamorizing drugs, promoting violence as way of life, and his fierce loyalty to a woman--as long as she is white. Charming movie.
Posted by American Ganster at November 4, 2007 10:26 AM
I AM LEGEND
Starring Will Smith, Will Smith and featuring love interest, Samantha
It’s modern day, New York City. A military scientist is working on the cure for an unknown virus to save the world’s population when suddenly he and his family are evacuated at the last possible 10 minutes. Signaled by the devious bad boy deep-thinking look on this face, the good devoted doctor decides to stay behind to continue his research. He accompanies his wife (is she really a black woman… I mean their child is black?) to the last possible escape from the island. The sad farewell is touching even when it is reshot differently for flash backs threading us to the original tearjerker. (I liked Will’s first take better.) But really, blowing up the bridges leading into New York City, now that’s traffic control! For some reason, his child hands over her little puppy Samantha to daddy (another mouth to feed). I didn’t feel sorry for all of the mobs running toward safety, but did wonder why the screenwriter decided to leave a helpless little girl behind to die with her infected mother. Boooooo
Fast forward a few years later, our heroes, Will and Sam the German Shepard, are alone in the big city screeching through deserted grassy streets in a flashy red polished Mustang pursuing reindeer. I know the release was a week before Christmas but they’re chasing down Rudolph and Blitzen and trying to kill them! What? As it turns out, they aren’t even the bad guys. Am I in the wrong movie? Then the scene with the lions killing one of Santa’s helpers tragically in front of our eyes and dragging the carcass away… well, let’s say I wouldn’t want one of my grandchildren to watch this! Momma lion is tranquilly watching while Sam is so oblivious it’s like she’s not even there (‘cuz she’s not). The German Shepard I was raised with would have been frantically barking out of control. I don’t mind blue screen composition, but at least it could have been more believable.
The story tirelessly goes on with doldrums transitioning to that occasional blood-flush-to- the-cheeks and if it weren’t for those heart breaking close up emotional moments with Will, the movie would totally fall flat. I cry when men cry (well, depends) so Will won my heart. Make up should get the only award here by slowly graying his closely cropped hair and beard.
So, back to reality (sort of). Will totally understands that the ghouls only come out after dark, so why did they enter an abandoned house near sunset and allow the overly trained Sam into a trap? Sam, a Valium addict and subservient witness, doesn’t respond to Will’s calls to get out before the scary part and heightened music ratcheted up? Now, here’s the really bad stuff… The dynamic duel finally get away unscathed when sure enough, Will steps into a trap and is hanging upside down above the street where surely he will be eaten by the virus-ridden monsters. He seemed to go unconscious for awhile (Sam calmly looks on) comes to, manages to cut himself down and slams back first onto a sharp object piercing his leg. Now, we did see Will working out those gorgeous hunky muscles earlier and his abs looked perfectly capable of assisting him to easily flex up for his own rescue. “You’re going to go boom on your back, you fool!”
Couldn’t he have used his over developed biceps to shimmy up the rope a bit more so he could drop to his feet? Then, the agonizing two-inch per minute backward escape on his butt. “Stand up, daug, and skip on the good leg to get back to the safety of the car!” Any well-educated scientist fighting for his life would have thought of that. ANYONE would have thought of that. … or crawl on all fours maybe. What’s a little pain when you are going to be eaten alive?
And please, allow his only friend in the world to get bitten by the virus infected bad guys just to draw out a very poorly directed scene. KILLING (or allowing to be killed) the love interest is not normally in Screen Writing A thru Z, nor is committing suicide by blowing oneself up at the end. But, I will get back to that shortly.
Sadly, Samantha is done in by the good doctor meticulously breaking her neck, (thank goodness because this dog was so drab it could have been a computer generated puppet rather than a REAL dog,) and Will is left to fend for himself… at nausium. Couldn’t he have at least tried to inject Sam with one of his immunization trials? At least try? There was a tear here due to Will’s great acting and identifying with my own doggy that passed away 20 years ago.
Just as unlikely as the entire movie, in walks the angelic woman with a slight foreign accent and cute little boy whose undeveloped character uses a few great facial grimaces. My first question was, “How did SHE get into the big apple when the friggin' bridges have been blown up?” Oh, God sent her. So, now we believe in a higher being who is eradicating the entire human race except only one percent who managed to be resistant to the boogy man virus. Okay. Maybe I’ll buy it.
And what’s up with wardrobe? Honestly, if I were in her position, would I show up in one outfit, have a nice little sweater on the next and then… AND THEN have another cute little knit top on the next? If she had schlepped in at least one carry on into the house, that would have made more sense. Will is suddenly in a clean ‘show his muscles’ expando long sleeved knit as well. We all know they don’t shoot entire scenes at one time, maybe a pick up the next day or so… but doesn’t the director know anything about scene continuity? Roll back and let’s see what the characters were wearing just a few seconds prior. Even the editor should have caught this!
So here’s one of the final blows that assists this insipid self-serving film to fail. In a Judeo-Christian society, we don’t commit suicide (it’s against our religious beliefs) and have this all-knowing God (who was introduced earlier) make it okay. Our hero could have gotten into the last possible getaway amongst the layer upon layer of preventative measures to preserve his life. He could have survived, found his wife and child (circa: Independence Day – I really cried at this one) against all odds, the daughter could have run into his arms while mom’s tears dripped down her face… but NO, he has to become a suicide bomber, blow himself up AND the research that was so important that he risked his life in the first place. What country was this movie released in anyway??? Boo boo and boo. Our American God wouldn’t have left that little girl in the first scene behind to die either. She would have joined Will’s wife and daughter, the two girls holding hands running toward daddy. I would have cried and thought, aha, this is how our movies end. By the book!
The end of the line for me was when the angel butterfly lady with child arrived at the only (seemingly) refuge for society in a clean polished car (how did she get OUT of the city over those blown up bridges?) in a very cute tee from the girl’s department at Target and is greeted by two guards packing rifles. How did they know she was coming or if she was virus free? Just because people were sick didn’t mean cell service was down this entire time. But, this goes back to how did she find Will and Sam outside of the dock area in a city as large as NYC just in the nick of time? Luck? God again?
Now, if I were in charge of this film and if the only places people could survive from the virus lived at high altitudes, why not show clips of survivors cheering (arms raised to the sky) in the Alps, Rocky Mountains, Mount Helena or Tibet? (that would have been so cool to see the Dahlia Llama leading the monks to safety.) Yeay, at last, world peace for only the good guys!
Suffice to say, this movie was totally dysfunctional and unworthy of my ten bucks and hours of time. The ghoulies reminded me of Mr. Smith, I mean the ones in Keanu Reeves’ The Matrix Revolutions. They all looked the same (Scream). If the computer animators in I AM LEGEND would have at least created different looking sickos representing our population and didn’t just copy and paste the same carnivore, that would have been more interesting to me. I know, budget.
There are two redeeming factors in this film. Will Smith, and the fact that a highly regarded – very smart – scientist used a Macintosh to do such globally important life saving research. I bought AAPL 6 years ago at $22.80.
Target Market:
Little kids will hate the reindeer mauling (it IS Christmas time). Tweens will like this film for the few hair rising scenes, and moms will like the fact that there was no sex. Damn. There was nothing in this film for me except Will Smith and he’s taken.
In retrospect, if Mr. Smith had the opportunity to watch this film before signing on, I bet my ten bucks, he wouldn’t have made it.
Jerri Nachman
Writer/Producer
Electronic Theater.com
December 20, 2007
Posted by Jerri Nachman at December 20, 2007 7:57 PM
August Rush had a mediocer beginning, excellent middle, and an unsatisfying end. These three words are the jist of this movie.(Mediocer, excellent, and unsatisfying.) I was very well prepared for a movie that was either good or bad. Though when the coin was tossed, it landed on neither heads nor tails--it landed on it's rim. This movie definatly had the potential to be great, with the soundtrack, the casting, and the terrific filming. Though something was missing. In the beginning the characters seemed flat, and throughout the movie they expressed a limited range of emotion. Keri Russell always looked innocent and fearful, and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers looked lost and sad. His forlorn expression irratated me, because when he was actually meant to look forlorn it was a joke. Though the end is what really tipped my view on this movie. It's mostly the fact that there is no actual reunion between the mother, father, and child. This ultimatly leaves the movie not quite finished. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers character Louis, is never really told the truth about his fathering of Evan. Yes the audience can assume that they were all lead by "feeling," but to me this doesn't seem enough. All that Louis can do when he see's Lyla is stare at her, and hold her hand. This seems unlikely for someone who has lived an incomplete life for eleven years, and has his only outward emotion be no reaction. I know that this movie is about Evan,--so maybe the director didn't want to have the "parent moment" distract from their son's achievement. But still, it wasn't satisfying for him to act like their union was an everyday thing, when clearly it wasn't. I was just waiting for Lyla to spill the beans, and tell Louis that Evan was their child--but she never did. This doesn't make sense, while she knew that it was her child whether by feeling or by knowledge, Louis wouldn't have had a clue. He just knew that he loved her, and while he might have had an inkling in the park about Evan; at the concert he probaby just thought that Evan/August was his friend. Don't you think that finding out that you have a child, attached to finding your true love, might be just a little bit much for somebody? What I was expecting, or maybe just a better ending, was for Lyla to turn to Louis (while he was holding her hand,) and say something like "That's our son up there," and for him to reply "I know." This would have meant that he did go on feeling when assessing the situation, and had "listened to the music" correctly. The movie didn't wrap it up,and as a realist (myself) not everything can be defined by feeling. I guess that's where the fiction of it comes in, but even in real life people like things to be defined to them. A clear understanding is better than a vague one. A vague understanding would imply that we assume the characters all live happily ever after, but we're not sure. With a clear understanding, we KNOW that they live happily together, because the main characters belong together, and their struggles have proven that. This movie was not going for a "feel good ending," it was going for an "inspired ending." From one person amongst the billions of people who loved, enjoyed, and recieved an inspired feeling from August Rush, there is one person who was let down.
Posted by Kat at April 12, 2008 10:18 PM
I saw vantage point with my dad for his birthday and thought that it was fairly good. It started to get a little boring though when it would go back to the beginning of each characters point of view in the movie. but once the they got past that the plot began to pick up and the action got better. I have to say though that I was fairly dissapointed that the fella off of abc's lost turned out to be the bad guy. I still like him as an actor though. nothing like a little twist in the plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I also have to say that there hasnt been one dennis quaid movie that i have seen that I have been dissapointed with. that includes this one. peace out
Posted by zach at April 17, 2008 9:11 AM
BOURNE ULTIMATUM
Another great movie^
This movie has got to be the best espionage/thriller/action I think that I have ever seen! I have gotten all of the movies on DVD and I can watch them again and again and they never get boring! I mean who wouldnt want a kick but actor such as Matt Damon playing the role of a assasin who can kill a man in a matter of seconds??? Director paul greengrass does an excellent job. I dont know of any other movies he has done though. If you know of any movies of his let me know.
Posted by zach at April 17, 2008 11:29 AM
I just finished watching "Cloverfield", this was without a doubt; the worst movie that I have ever seen. It will receive "The Shammy Award" for No imagination,Poorly written, Acting???? and more. Most importantly all of the obvious oversites.. If this is your best, Please Do Not Produce anything else. I regret spending my money & using my gas to purchase this film.
The movie industry has truly given up on making films with Integrity. Slowdown, you do not have to make a movie in 72hrs. Please go back to the basics and give cinema its appeal back.
Posted by Zanky Albo at April 22, 2008 9:50 PM
88 minutes, Al Pachino did an excellent job playing Jack Gramm, the profeser, forensic criminal psychiatrist with the F.B.I. He put a cereal killer in prison who is about to get executed for his crime. In order for the killer to get a new trial he has to get his girl friend to set-up Jack Gramm, trying to prove that he is incompetent and involved in crime himself. The movie was some what exiting and the story was okay, nothing to write home about. The ending was not too realistic and it stunk. How can one girl rig-up a pulley system hang a girl in midair and tie-up another girl in a chair with her mouth taped doing all this single-handed inside a all glass building and no one noticed, bad story writing. The movie is on a fast track to DVD country at your nearest friendly neighborhood store so SAVE YOU MONEY!!!!
Posted by Ron Cirrotti at April 24, 2008 7:40 AM
Made Of Honor, save your money!! this movie is nothing but an average slap stick comedy with an old story line. Basically, old boy friend Tom (Patrick Dempsey) rescues girl who is just about to get married to another. The movie was average funny. Patrick Dempsey’s comedy acting was average and not to write home about. I would place this in the category for a DVD special sale.
Posted by Made Of Honor at May 1, 2008 12:16 PM
The Visitor, this movie was slow moving, sleepsville, Zzzzzzzz. Basically, illegal aliens are occupying an apartment in Manhattan New York that is vacant most of the time. The renter who was on business in New York entered his apartment and found the two illegal aliens occupying his apartment and took pity on them. U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) took a hit in this movie by the bleeding hearts when ICE deported one of the illegals like they should have. The acting was very good however, Save your money!!!! See it on DVD when on special.
Posted by Ron Cirrotti at May 2, 2008 11:06 AM
“Life Before Her Eyes” this is a movie for the thinkers. I did not read the book so I had to concentrate on the story line. A shooting in the high school bathroom causes one person to die. The movie then go’s into a flash-back mode. That’s when you have to pay attention to every detail. In seeing this movie I followed most of it however, out in the lobby I discussed it with others and we pieced it together on some of the parts that I was confused about. This movie was chilling and realistic, kept you thinking, somewhat different then other movie stories I have seen. I recommend seeing it, a challenge to your thinking cap. Thumbs up!!!
Posted by Ron Cirrottir at May 4, 2008 7:59 AM
I want to post a review on a movie I just returned home from seeing with my children, ages 12,11, and 3. Based on the content shown in the trailers and commercials on TV I had assumed that the movie called The Superhero Movie, would be right up their ally. Considering the PG-13 rating I also thought that it would have a little if not few inappropriate references, however that is not the case. I have never been so dissappointed in my life. Yes I did know the rating, and what could be in the movie, however this was nothing that I expected. This movie should have been rated R. The amount of sexual innuendo, and other such inappropriate content makes The Sapranos look like a Sunday sermon. Not only do I think the rating of this movie is completely inapporpriate, but I think that the rating system should be reevaluated, making PG-13 closer to the G rating, and PG closer to R. Overall I do not recommend this movie for anyone under 18, it is more difficult to bare than a nightly episode of Law and Order.
Posted by Tammy at May 26, 2008 7:34 PM
Sex In The City Movie Review
Love, Luncheons, Labels and more Labels. "Sex In The City" ... is now in theatres nationwide. The series original cast, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Chris Noth (Mr. Big) and Academy Award Winning Actress: Jennifer Hudson bring this two hour twenty two minute romantic comedy to a fresh, confident diva status.
As for the forever elusive, chrismatic Mr. Big the movie character has become somewhat soft or should I say a little less shallow. But nevertheless, selfish. With the exception of Big occasionally, Steve and perhaps a Latin Stud who seems to be the new nympho, a role normally reserved for Samantha (Kim Cattrall). The male presence is minimized. Assuming maturity and commitment has refined Samantha's need for countless sexapedes is a disappointment for me. Because now she's such a freakin lady.
Sex In The City does not have a whole lot of sharp turns and twist but surprisingly it is embraceable.
For instance, the movie can be appreciated on many levels. Fabulously funny. Colorful with famous sexy fashions including Louie Vuitton. Not to mention, Carrie's hopelessly romantic assistant Louise, Jennifer Hudson who believes in happy endings. Designer Hand Bag rentals that I'm sure will soon be a reality craze. Oh and did I mention Carrie's Manolo shoe faddish. The bonding and empowerment of four grown women is suburb! Be it cocktails at The Martini Bar, a Girls Getaway or endless luncheons. This is more than a cat call. It's unconditional love that never ends.
But can a sex columnist write dreams into reality and just how many forty something paint size women get a center page pictorial in Vogue? Can Carrie have all of this and the man of her dreams too?
My Diva crew included: Kela, Ruth, Belinda and Tia. Who cried and laughed through every scene until her eyes were red and puffy. Belinda, has an eye for art and graphics who quickly pointed out the sharp movie opening and the hot soundtrack. She too is a serious critic and our thoughts of "Sex In The City" were in sync.
When you've lost all hope and faith in the male species, even lust is not an option here comes an Effie type(Dreamgirls) Louise (Sex In The City) Jennifer Hudson to erase the mess and reorganize your life. As an Academy Award winner for Best Actress I would have like to seen J. Hudson and a more powerful role. I guess cute keeps her employed with more screen credits.
This movie is for the hopelessly romantic and real men not affraid to learn and earn their dream woman.
"Sex In The City" gets a Mykel Hunter Baltimore Review of ***1/2 stars and two bags of popcorn.
Posted by Mykel Hunter at June 11, 2008 10:47 PM
Sex In The City Movie Review
Love, Luncheons, Labels and more Labels. "Sex In The City" ... is now in theatres nationwide. The series original cast, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Chris Noth (Mr. Big) and Academy Award Winning Actress: Jennifer Hudson bring this two hour twenty two minute romantic comedy to a fresh, confident diva status.
As for the forever elusive, chrismatic Mr. Big the movie character has become somewhat soft or should I say a little less shallow. But nevertheless, selfish. With the exception of Big occasionally, Steve and perhaps a Latin Stud who seems to be the new nympho, a role normally reserved for Samantha (Kim Cattrall). The male presence is minimized. Assuming maturity and commitment has refined Samantha's need for countless sexapedes is a disappointment for me. Because now she's such a freakin lady.
Sex In The City does not have a whole lot of sharp turns and twist but surprisingly it is embraceable.
For instance, the movie can be appreciated on many levels. Fabulously funny. Colorful with famous sexy fashions including Louie Vuitton. Not to mention, Carrie's hopelessly romantic assistant Louise, Jennifer Hudson who believes in happy endings. Designer Hand Bag rentals that I'm sure will soon be a reality craze. Oh and did I mention Carrie's Manolo shoe faddish. The bonding and empowerment of four grown women is suburb! Be it cocktails at The Martini Bar, a Girls Getaway or endless luncheons. This is more than a cat call. It's unconditional love that never ends.
But can a sex columnist write dreams into reality and just how many forty something paint size women get a center page pictorial in Vogue? Can Carrie have all of this and the man of her dreams too?
My Diva crew included: Kela, Ruth, Belinda and Tia. Who cried and laughed through every scene until her eyes were red and puffy. Belinda, has an eye for art and graphics who quickly pointed out the sharp movie opening and the hot soundtrack. She too is a serious critic and our thoughts of "Sex In The City" were in sync.
When you've lost all hope and faith in the male species, even lust is not an option here comes an Effie type(Dreamgirls) Louise (Sex In The City) Jennifer Hudson to erase the mess and reorganize your life. As an Academy Award winner for Best Actress I would have like to seen J. Hudson and a more powerful role. I guess cute keeps her employed with more screen credits.
This movie is for the hopelessly romantic and real men not affraid to learn and earn their dream woman.
"Sex In The City" gets a Mykel Hunter Baltimore Review of ***1/2 stars and two bags of popcorn.
Posted by Mykel Hunter at June 11, 2008 10:51 PM
The Happening Movie Review
Strike two Mr. Shyamalan! You have done it again. Another boring tale without the dramatic plot twist we have come to know and love. The Happening is a dull insight into the human impact on the environment and how one day nature will return the favor. The Happening encompasses the lecture quality of a green peace meeting, predictable reaction of the American population to accuse terrorist when an unexplained disaster happens, and a brief insight into how love will conquer anything even biological/chemical toxins drifting through the air. Do yourself a favor and wait for the dvd to be released. I give this movie a 2.5 out of 10
Posted by Jason at June 14, 2008 6:51 AM
The Dark Knight was dissapointing as shizze. What the hell was the movie about anyway. Some oversees dude and the police? Heath Ledger was hardly given reigns on being the joker, where were his one liners. Christian Bale is f'in amazing and I truly hope he agrees with me that that movie sucked. Very little dialogue and too little interactions with the villians. Its should not even be compared to any of the other Batmans. I mean, look back to Batman Begins- Christian bale nailed it and the movie did as well. What the fuck happened? I am even confused on what type of movie I saw- great actors, shitty ass screen play. So for all of you that didn't get up to have a smoke in the middle beginning and middle end-my ass was asleep and i was folowing it, could you guys explain to me what i miseed for it to have had 4 and a half stars. totally confused
Posted by tessym at August 7, 2008 9:48 AM
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