Armageddon

Armageddon (1998)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Re-watching because it's been awhile, I remember liking the film, and I'm still on a bit of a Bruce Willis kick. The first thing that struck me this time around was Liv Tyler, who of course I recognized as Arwen from The Lord of the Rings. Bruce's character, Harry, definitely had me remembering John McClane from Die Hard with the entire going after the boyfriend with a shotgun scene. I had forgotten how dramatic it was. It is successfully very dramatic and bittersweet, ending with just the perfectly heart wrenching combination of joyful and sorrowful at the same time.

The Recruit

The Recruit (2003)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Some serious distrust and action take place with this CIA recruit. You even get a little bit of love interest on the side. Pay attention when watching or you might lose track of the assignments, let alone who is playing by the rules. This one didn't really grab me as one I'd intentionally pick out to watch again, but it was still good as something new and different.

The Horse Whisperer

The Horse Whisperer (1998)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The book gets a little more racy than the movie does, but either medium is enjoyable for this story. Being a horse lover, that was the first thing that caught my attention. Grace must learn how to move on and do things differently with her horse Pilgrim after a brutal accident leaving her handicapped, her friend Judith with her horse Gulliver both dead, and her own horse, Pilgrim, severely injured. Enter Tom Booker, the "horse whisperer." His own brand of patience, listening, and working with the horses is just the miracle on order for Grace, Pilgrim, and the rest of her family.

Hidalgo

Hidalgo (2004)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Meet Frank Hopkins and his incredible mustang express pony, Hidalgo. No longer in the service and living with the guilt of his mixed Indian heritage, Hopkins drags his champion with him through the circus. Hidalgo proves when he's had enough though and the race of a lifetime drops in their laps - an endurance ride across the unforgivable desert. The stakes are the title of the best and a rather impressive purse to turn anyone's head. Follow them across the desert as this pair learns just how much heart is left in them after all.

The Ladykillers

The Ladykillers (2004)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Who ever thought a little old lady with an overprotective streak for her pet cat and an obsession with tea time would be the undoing of visitor's grand crime scheme. She yells at them for all the minor things while there are big issues going on right in front of her. A witless old lady apparently isn't as easy to off or fool then these crooks expected. Supposed to be a comedy, but really just fell flat. This group of crooks is more like a pack of buffoons waiting to be slapped around.

King Arthur

King Arthur (2004)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A good, unique re-telling of the age old story of King Arthur and his Knights. Especially liked that Gwen was an accomplished archer rather than just being the romantic figure between Arthur and Lancelot. Got a little goofy at the beginning with the Lancelot chant as my cat, also named Lancelot, was preening and begging for attention during it. As films go, this was a good watch that I'd probably be willing to turn to again down the road.

High Fidelity

High Fidelity (2000)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Based on the novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, this film follows the mid-life crisis of Rob, a thirty-something record-store owner who must face the undeniable facts - he's growing up. In a homage to the music scene, Rob and the offbeat clerks that inhabit his store expound on the intricacies of life and song all the while trying to succeed in their adult relationships. Odd commentary and "self realizations" throughout the film make it seem very choppy and awkward.

Unbreakable

Unbreakable (2000)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


For some reason I did not recognize this movie from the title, but once Elijah came on the scene, it all came back again. Just as good watching it the second time as it was the first. Of course Elijah, or Mr. Glass as the children called him, would be David's worst enemy, responsible for all the accidents and horrors in his life. After all, he's also the one who forced David to acknowledge and use his own unique abilities. It's not everyone who can claim to be almost unbreakable.

Big Trouble

Big Trouble (2002)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This movie was beyond stupid. Lets see what we have here. 

• Several complaints and mix ups of assaults and shootings involving water guns.
• Hired hit-men.
• An advertising worker who thinks he is (and acts like) a loser.
• Two cops who always end up finding the water guns.
• A drunk security officer who shoots at the kids with the water guns.
• A drunk businessman who acts like he's all that but doesn't have clue while he does have a very creepy foot fetish.
• An even stupider vagrant living in a tree located in said businessman's backyard.
• Robbers that use panty hose as their face masks after having been taken down once by the vagrant with a baseball bat.

All this over a supposed weapon in a case that must be recovered. "Stupid" is about the only summary I can think of for this film.

The 13th Warrior

The 13th Warrior (1999)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


How do you track and kill a bear in winter? Not for the feint of heart. This old fashioned war includes warriors in animal skins and severing of limbs, including heads. Not overly stimulating or impressive. The characters seem to be there more just to keep things moving in the sense that they keep fighting. Not the best entertainment, but it'll do if you want a little bloodshed with your dinner.

The Guardian

The Guardian (2006)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


High School swim champion Jake Fischer learns some life lessons the hard way as legendary swimmer Ben Randall teaches him the real meaning of being a U.S. Coast Guard.