2008 Woodie Awards
Movie Reviews
Issue date: 11/7/02 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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I Spy, (Rated PG-13 – 2 stars)
Movie Review
By Mark Karsteadt, A&E Editor
"I Spy," based on the Sixties TV series, tries to be a buddy movie, combined with an action movie, combined with a comedy. Unfortunately, it fails on all accounts.
Eddie Murphy, who plays an undefeated boxer in the Mike Tyson mold, doesn't gel with Owen Wilson, who comes across too naive to be a federal agent. He tries to play an accident-prone special agent tracking down a secret spy plane. The plane, called the "Switchblade," is invisible because of a special cloaking device. Murphy and Wilson must go to Hungary to try to find the arms dealer who is selling the plane.
Just like every other by-the-numbers comedy slash action movie, "I Spy" is predictable at points and slow at times. There are funny parts, like when Murphy is trying to help Wilson seduce a woman, and good action sequences, such as the car chase, but most of the movie seems to be forced.
Betty Thomas, who also directed "The Brady Bunch Movie" and "Dr. Dolittle," directed "I Spy." Consequently, viewers should go in expecting a cheesy movie. I would not recommend seeing this movie in the theatre. I would instead save money for other future releases like the comedy "Friday After Next" or the new James Bond action movie "Die Another Day."
Jackass: The Movie, (Rated R - 5 stars)
Movie Review
By Mark Karsteadt, A&E Editor
"Jackass: The Movie" is an easy movie to review. If you love "Jackass" on MTV, you will love the movie. If you hate "Jackass" on MTV, you will hate the movie. "Jackass: The Movie" is just like the television show, but with bigger stunts (or maybe just more stupid) and swearing.
They have to take some stunts to Japan because of the crowds they were drawing in the United States; therefore, the Japanese people watching the stunts are legitimately surprised.
Now, I can't give the movie's stunts away, but I can say this: Johnny Knoxville is still getting knocked unconsciousness; Tony Hawk and Matt Hoffman are still making cameos; Chris Pontius is still Party Boy, and Bam Margera is still beating up his dad. Also, watch for the alligators, the old men on motorized scooters, the numerous vomiting sequences, a giant shopping cart, and no "Jackass" show would be complete without a number of gratuitous ass showings. If you want my recommendation on whether or not to see this movie, I would say go watch it. But then again, I love stupid people doing stupid things!
Mara Carpenter
The Ring (PG-13)
A Movie Review
4 Stars of 5
Rachel Keller, played by Naomi Watts ("Plots with a View"), is a journalist with an insatiable desire to get the story. Keller comes across a bizarre story about a videotape that kills viewers within seven days.
The story follows her pursuit of the truth behind the tape, which her niece watched then died soon after. Keller's son Aidan, played by David Dorfman ("Bounce"), has a bizarre psychic contact with the true cause behind the murders.
This bizarre and twisted mystery is sure to thrill, but don't expect to have nightmares soon after. "The Ring" is more of a psycho thriller or mystery with dark paranormal undertones than it is a fright fest.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoyed "The Others" or "Ninth Gate."
Movie Review
By Mark Karsteadt, A&E Editor
"I Spy," based on the Sixties TV series, tries to be a buddy movie, combined with an action movie, combined with a comedy. Unfortunately, it fails on all accounts.
Eddie Murphy, who plays an undefeated boxer in the Mike Tyson mold, doesn't gel with Owen Wilson, who comes across too naive to be a federal agent. He tries to play an accident-prone special agent tracking down a secret spy plane. The plane, called the "Switchblade," is invisible because of a special cloaking device. Murphy and Wilson must go to Hungary to try to find the arms dealer who is selling the plane.
Just like every other by-the-numbers comedy slash action movie, "I Spy" is predictable at points and slow at times. There are funny parts, like when Murphy is trying to help Wilson seduce a woman, and good action sequences, such as the car chase, but most of the movie seems to be forced.
Betty Thomas, who also directed "The Brady Bunch Movie" and "Dr. Dolittle," directed "I Spy." Consequently, viewers should go in expecting a cheesy movie. I would not recommend seeing this movie in the theatre. I would instead save money for other future releases like the comedy "Friday After Next" or the new James Bond action movie "Die Another Day."
Jackass: The Movie, (Rated R - 5 stars)
Movie Review
By Mark Karsteadt, A&E Editor
"Jackass: The Movie" is an easy movie to review. If you love "Jackass" on MTV, you will love the movie. If you hate "Jackass" on MTV, you will hate the movie. "Jackass: The Movie" is just like the television show, but with bigger stunts (or maybe just more stupid) and swearing.
They have to take some stunts to Japan because of the crowds they were drawing in the United States; therefore, the Japanese people watching the stunts are legitimately surprised.
Now, I can't give the movie's stunts away, but I can say this: Johnny Knoxville is still getting knocked unconsciousness; Tony Hawk and Matt Hoffman are still making cameos; Chris Pontius is still Party Boy, and Bam Margera is still beating up his dad. Also, watch for the alligators, the old men on motorized scooters, the numerous vomiting sequences, a giant shopping cart, and no "Jackass" show would be complete without a number of gratuitous ass showings. If you want my recommendation on whether or not to see this movie, I would say go watch it. But then again, I love stupid people doing stupid things!
Mara Carpenter
The Ring (PG-13)
A Movie Review
4 Stars of 5
Rachel Keller, played by Naomi Watts ("Plots with a View"), is a journalist with an insatiable desire to get the story. Keller comes across a bizarre story about a videotape that kills viewers within seven days.
The story follows her pursuit of the truth behind the tape, which her niece watched then died soon after. Keller's son Aidan, played by David Dorfman ("Bounce"), has a bizarre psychic contact with the true cause behind the murders.
This bizarre and twisted mystery is sure to thrill, but don't expect to have nightmares soon after. "The Ring" is more of a psycho thriller or mystery with dark paranormal undertones than it is a fright fest.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoyed "The Others" or "Ninth Gate."