Book + Movie List

Amazons and Gladiators
Julie Gephart Basic cable 04 January 2004

On a scale of 1 to10, I’d have to rate this… THE WORST MOVIE EVER MADE. Only the subject matter of oppressed peoples rebelling against Rome was enough to drag me in. By the end I was literally rolling from side to side on the couch, just trying to escape the pain of the remaining dialogue. IMDb informs me that the lead Amazon has played roles in the past ranging from “Fantasy Girl” to “Pretty Girl” to “Sorority Girl” to “Bikini Girl” until she reached her proudest role, “Alien Jumpsuit Chick #2.”

Dawn of the Dead
Kristin Schrock AMC Theatres--Newport on the Levee 26 March 2004

I took this one for the team. A mistake I will not make again. I momentarily forgot that I don't like horror movies and I don't like blood and guts. I didn't watch most of the movie, but, I think, if you liked horror movies and lots of blood and guts, this one would not disappoint. There were few quips; the characters were believable, and the zombies seriously scary. And, the more I think about it, this movie offers up some interesting horror movie morality. I also learned a valuable lesson--let the dog go; never, ever, chase after a dog when the streets are swarming with zombies.

Edge of Madness
A Bennett Hollywood Video Rental DVD 10 February 2003

Don't watch this film. It has not a single redeeming quality, and a great many damning ones. Consider yourself warned. If you have any interest in it, simply read the Alice Munro epistolary short story on which it is based. Unless you think that might make you want to watch this film. Then, don't (watch the film or read the story). Give this one a wide berth.

The Matrix Revolutions
A Bennett Milford Giant Cineplex- I smuggled in a Chic-fil-A 08 November 2003

The sandwich was the best part.

The Shop Around the Corner
A Bennett Netflix DVD 06 March 2004

Jimmy Stewart falls (inexplicably) in love with a shrewish harpy, played by Mia Farrow's mother (no, really), because she's so much nicer/better/less shrewish in longhand. Not much time is spent on the regular epistles that bring their hearts together, leaving you wondering a great big, all caps, 'W-H-Y'. Apparently an early entry in the 'they hate each other; it must be love' school of film--except in this case it really did seem that they hated each other and that we, as the audience, at least, hated her. Needlessly set in Hungary.