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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 06 April 2000

Superb computer graphics bring Stuart to life and you don’t even notice the effects are there.  It received an Academy Award nomination for its brilliant visual effects.

I was surprised to find the screenwriter behind this children’s tale was M. Night Shyamalan, the same man who penned The Sixth Sense.  I don’t think you could find two films more unlike that came from the same writer.  It almost guarantees Shyamalan’s future and I’m really looking forward to his next project.

What works for Stuart Little is direction designed for a younger audience.  It’s kept simple with dialogue that’s easy to understand, lots of vibrant colours, costumes and sets, and plenty of action with cute, furry animals.  Having grossed over $100m in the United States., it’s been a sure fire hit amongst the kids.

Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie play the live action parents and you’ll have fun guessing the voices of the other characters.  Michael J. Fox voices Stuart but keep your ear out for Nathan Lane, Chazz Palminteri, Estelle Getty, Steve Zahn and even Jennifer Tilly.

The only disappointing aspect I had with the film was with the underdeveloped story.  It’s not all that exciting and perhaps could have done with some sprucing up and more interesting subplots.  It’s the sort of story you could sum up in a 30-minute TV episode, not a full-length motion picture.

Filled with charm and cuteness, Stuart Little has been a kids’ favourite for a long time (in book form) and it will only rise in popularity given this screen adaptation.  Take the kids, sit back, relax and enjoy.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 23 March 2000

In Scream 3, we again follow the traumatic life of Sidney Prescott (Campbell) who this time has gone into hiding following her recent thrilling experiences.  Back in California, production is set to begin on Stab 3 - the third in a series of films based around the Hillsboro murders and is to be produced by acclaimed horror producer John Milton (Henriksen).

Suddenly, the cast members of Stab 3 begin are killed off and the original “gang” are reunited.  Gale Whethers (Cox) returns to assist police in their investigations, Dewey Riley (Arquette) appears as an assistant to the film and Sidney comes out of hiding after the killer learns her secret location.

Scream 3 lacks all the charm and wit of the first two.  Neve Campbell is hardly seen, David Arquette and Courtney Cox continue their love/hate relationship and the newcomers overplay their roles.  It looks more like something from the dreadful I Know What You Did Last Summer series rather than the Scream series.  Parker Posey is clearly the standout performer in playing Jennifer Jolie (the Gale Whethers of Stab 3).

Ehren Kruger is responsible for the screenplay of Scream 3 and it is not up to the previous two (both penned by Kevin Williamson).  There are some really tacky moments including a conversation between Sidney and police officer Mark Kincaid (Dempsey) regarding movie trilogies.

I suppose a plausible ending could have saved the film but the disenchantment continued.  The ending is a real disappointment - it follows no real logic and makes little sense.  One of the pleasing aspects of the first two films is that there were multiple choices when guessing the killer and it became a real talking point as to whether you could pick who did it.  By the end of this film, I couldn’t care.

Hopefully this will bring closure to the Wes Craven’s Scream series.  Sure the last film was a letdown but it was one hell of a ride.  It redefined horror films and brought new audiences to the cinema.  For those familiar (and unfamiliar) with the first two,  I can’t recommend them strongly enough and suggest a trip to the video store is in order to catch up on the adventures of Sidney Prescott.  As you finish watching each three, you’ll see just how much has changed and how commercial the line has become.

Details

Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 06 April 2000

The show has been on the air for several years and developed a cult following but they are all tired of their roles.  They’re sick of signing autographs and being asked stupid questions by obsessed fans.  Alan Rickman has a great scene at the start of the film where he asks himself - how did I get here?

Meanwhile, in a nebula far, far away, a society known as the Thermians have been watching the show for years thinking they are true “historical documents”.  When they are invaded by a nasty, intrepid species, they arrive on Earth to seek the help of our illustrious “actors”.

Galaxy Quest is one laugh after another and is a truly inspired idea.  It begins as a Star Trek spoof and pokes fun at everything from the suits to the dialogue and ridiculous story lines that flood most of today’s space shows (ala Red Dwarf, Babylon 5 and Star Trek).  The film continues its comedy but takes on a sentimental tone midstream as the team heads into outerspace to a world they know all too well.

Tim Allen is a great actor/comedian and is wonderful again here in the leading role as his crossover from TV to the big screen continues to flourish.  Sigorney Weaver illustrates her diversity and Alan Rickman steals the show with his brilliant sarcasm. 

There are so few good scripts floating around this time of year but Galaxy Quest is certainly one of them.  It will leave you with a smile and a warm, fuzzy feeling.  The best lines are spread amongst ,all the cast and there are just too many to name but there was a great scene towards the end when Allen and Weaver argue about a metal crunching machine.

The film’s final moment is ironic in itself and tops off a satisfying adventure.  Rated PG, Galaxy Quest is open to all audiences and based on the screening I attended, adults are going to find more than plenty to giggle at.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 16 March 2000

The Story Of Us, from acclaimed director Rob Reiner, is a passionate insight into what makes up a marriage and how many last as long as they do.  Bruce Willis is particularly frank in his portrayal and perhaps his recent split with Demi Moore provided inspiration.

The story is told by a series of flashbacks as the two reflect upon happier times and how they arrived to the current day.  As bad as things seem, they are determined to put the kids first and don’t want them having the impression that something is amiss.

It posses lots of questions but doesn’t offer too many answers which is the way it should be.  Many will see similarities with past or current relationships and it’s a movie that makes you realise that this happens to a lot of people and things cannot always work out.  The burning question is where is that point of no return and have they reached it?

The film is filled with many lighthearted moments also including a fantastic scene with Willis, Rob Reiner and Rita Wilson in a restaurant.  It’s a mixture of comedy and emotion without having it all forced down your throat.

A refreshing romantic drama which finally tells it how it is rather than how we want to be.  Well told and creatively shot, there are a few lessons to be learnt for us all.

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Written by Matthew Toomey

Created: 30 March 2000

A bizarre chain of events is then set off.  Oz’s wife promises to divorce him (which is a good thing) if he goes to Chicago to claim a finder’s fee for revealing Jimmy’s location to his archrival Yani Gogolack (Kevin Pollak).  Oz goes but soon finds out just about everyone has been hired to kill him but can’t seem to because he’s such a nice guy.

Matthew Perry may have all the charm and great lines on Friends but he cannot cut it on the big screen.  I am so tired of his usual shtick - the whole innocent, puppy-dog look.  His performance makes the film look like one of those U.S. sitcoms that gets axed after two weeks.  Roles like this aren’t going to get him very far - it shows how limited his range is.

Again the rest of the cast is a tired looking, over-the-top ensemble that are just too stupid to be funny with the rare exception of Bruce Willis who is the lone standout.  The screenplay relies on lame jokes thrown in with gratuitous nudity - it’s a throwback to the 1980s.

A good comedy is perhaps the hardest type of film to generate because everyone has a different sense of humour and it’s hard to satisfy everyone.  This film takes no risks whatsoever.  It relies on material that’s been done many times before because it knows the audience will just eat it up (and many will).  I love a great comedy as much as anyone but I’m looking for jokes and scenarios that I cannot preempt (ala There’s Something About Mary, Being John Malkovich, Election).

My advice for The Whole Nine Yards is to just get on the net and download the film’s trailer.  You’ll get all the best parts, you’ll know the whole story, and you’ll save yourself $12 and two hours.