James-Rebhorn Movie Reviews

I didn't want to like this movie but wound up liking it anyway! I watched Blank Check with my nephews while I was baby sitting them when my sister and her husband went out and I thought I was not going to like it and think it was just a movie that only a kid could like but I actually liked it and thought it was a pretty cute movie that has a good cast that includes Brian Bonsall, Miguel Ferrer and Karen Duffy and this is a charming entertaining movie that I could definitely watch again.

I don't have this movie, but I have seen it on the Disney Channel. This wasn't the greatest movie I have ever seen, but it was pretty good. I think the only reason I watch this movie is because I think Preston Waters (Brian Bonsall) is hot.

This movie was Awesome! I watched it and loved it within the first ten minutes (of course, that was contributed partly by the fact that within the first ten minutes, there were already 2 Macintosh computers)! Having a kid accedentally get a million dollars from a crook is an excellent idea for a movie. Of course it's excellent, this is a Disney movie! Then the kid who gets a blank check and fills it out for a million dollars says the millionaire is "Mr. Macintosh" and he's working for him! This movie was GREAT!

After hearing this album, I don't want to see the movie. The music is dark, tense, and infused with a subdued violence. It may turn a bit redemptive at the end, but on the whole the mood is not relaxing. Which means it was probably perfect for its job, and makes fabulous background music when I'm sick of upbeat and need to get down to a piece of work with the same edgy shadows. Works on the Wagnerian concept of motifs, so that variants on the same "character ID" themes play throughout. Excellent for its special purposes, but not a "sit back with a drink" album.

What we have here is variations from a single melody(yet beautiful) and some sound effects. That's still ok, because the composer is Yanni. If you watched the movie, you'll see the concept of this album fits into the movie really well.

This TVM directed by Richard Michaels and based on the novel by Laird Koenig begins without much promise. We get the cliched indifferent residents of New York City and the tabloid sensationalism of Valerie Bertinelli having her 2.5 year old son kidnapped. Bertinelli's shag haircut doesn't fill you with promise either. However the appearance of Rachel Ticotin as a Cuban newspaper reporter with a vaguely lesbian subtext, energises proceedings. She is so manic that she jumps on Bertinelli's lines and scores a laugh with a line to a stranger in a coffee house after Bertinelli exits - "Is that pie any good?"- just out of her timing. Ticotin is so good that the film barely recovers from her seemingly premature departure, though Michaels gives her a homage to the attic scene in The Birds, and she saves Koenig from the hackneyed claim of the reporter only caring about selling papers. Without Ticotin, the resolution is spotty, we have to endure one of those tiresome struggles for the gun that goes off and who got shot moments, and a freezeframe final image. Watch for Jimmy Smits as a cop, Lynne Thigpen as a social worker, and thin pre-Seinfeld Jason Alexander as the police detective in charge of the investigation. It's always difficult to assess the skill of an actor associated with comedy when they attempt a serious role, so here one doesn't know of Alexander is deliberately incompetent (he gets a very George use out of a donut) or it's simply the Seinfeld hindsight backlash.

Ben Stiller does a great job portraying ordinary men in unusual situations. He is probably best known for "Something About Mary," which was a very, very, funny film. In "Meet the Parents" he again portrays an average man in a weird situation.

In particular, he portrays a young man in love, who just wants to get married. His first attempt to propose doesn't work, so he plans a romantic proposal at his fiance's home that weekend. Her father, played by Robert De Niro, is a little strange. He is either in the Mafia or the CIA, but he is up to something. He definitely loves his cat.

Greg, Ben Stiller's character, doesn't like cats much; but he keeps his mouth shut. From this point onward the movie has a series of strange, but for the most part, believable twists. The comedy is funny, because we can believe it and are happy it is happening to someone else.

Toward the end, however, the movie goes a little bit overboard. You can still believe it, if you think Greg is close to a breakdown. I didn't believe it, so the ending took away from the movie. Still, I found myself laughing out loud several times while watching "Meet the Parents." There is something about Ben Stiller which makes otherwise ordinary films, much better. Here he has again done a very good job. "Meet the Parents" is fun and worth seeing. A 3.5.

This is by far one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, and yet can enjoy with my family as well as my friends. The characters are so well defined you feel their every emotion and they are all perfect in their roles. And here's one of the best parts - not only does it NOT play down your intellect, but it has a wonderful plot with plenty of surprises to keep it from being anything but predictable. De Niro is at his best, and although Ben Stiller has had his share of weak movies, this is DEFINITELY one for the portfolio. He is brilliant as he fumbles his way through meeting this unique if not strange family. He is hysterical when meeting Owen Wilson whose excellent portrayal of the ex-boyfriend is classic humor with a modest/jealous balance that makes him shine. Blythe Danner, the mother of the family has never had more fun with a role and is at her best. You MUST see this movie!! It's one that you will definitely want to own.

Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller team up for this 2000 film directed by Jay Roach. DeNiro stars as Jack Byrnes and Stiller as Greg Focker (pronounced just as it is spelled) . "Greg" has decided to propose to "Pam", played by Teri Polo. After learning that "Pam's" younger sister has just been proposed to by the perfect future son-in-law "Dr. Bob", "Greg" feels the pressure to earn "Jack's" acceptance. "Greg" plans to ask "Jack" for "Pam's" hand in marriage while visiting for the weekend to attend "Pam's" sisters wedding. "Jack" is a retired CIA profiler and puts "Greg" to the test, literally. As things fall apart, "Greg" continues to "jump" through "Jack's" hurdles and tries his hardest to make his best impression. From losing the family's beloved cat to nearly burning down the house, "Greg" nearly loses his mind. If you loved "There's Something About Mary", you'll love Stiller's outrageous performance. If you love your in-laws or even if you don't, watch this film and be happy with what you've got.

hilarious comedy featuring the works of the great DeNiro and the hilaroius Ben Stiller. The two work magically and bring this gem to life. Stiller meets the parents of his fiancee, Teri Polo(Mystery Date, Domestic Disturbance, etc., etc.) and then things get a little bit out of control. her parents being, DeNiro and Blythe Danner(Gwyneth Paltrow's mommy). you get funny ass moments including the part where Stiller explains to DeNiro that the song puff the magic dragon is about smoking pot and DeNiro thinks hes a pot head. other great actors star in this movie, Jon Abrahams(KIDS, Scary Movie), James Rebhorn(Independence Day1996) and Owen Wilson(I:Spy, The Minus Man, Bottle Rocket).

This review refers to the VHS edition(Universal) of "Meet the Parents"......

You may not think your in-laws are really so bad after seeing what poor Greg Focker has to go through with his future family. Yes you read right, his name is Greg Focker and he's about to spend the weekend with the parents of the girl he intends to marry. Pam's dad, Jack Byrnes, really loves his daughters, and any man who wants to share their lives better be up to his standards. He's an ex-CIA agent who will scrutinize your every move and you better like his cat as well.What will it take for Greg to win the hand of the girl he loves..and does he really want to be a part of this crazy family after all? It's laugh out loud stuff as every move he makes turns into a hysterical series of events that has Pam's family turning against him.

Who else could be the over protective,over bearing,over analyzing, prospective father-in-law than than Mr. Tough Guy himeslef..Robert De Niro. His straight faced comic timing is just one more side of this very talented actor. Ben Stiller is a laugh a minute as he tries to please this unpleasable Dad.
The rest of the cast is nicely rounded out by Blythe Danner,Teri Polo,James Rebhorn and the fabulous Owen Wilson. Director Jay Roach brings this terrifc ensemble together beautifully and the music by Randy Newman adds more fun to the story.It's one of those great comedies that is still funny with repeated viewings.

The VHS is in Stereo surround, sounds great,has closed captions, and has a nice picture as well.

So kick back,enjoy the film, but..be careful not to let the cat out!.....have fun with this great addition to you comedy or De Niro collection.....Laurie

Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller team up for this 2000 film directed by Jay Roach. DeNiro stars as Jack Byrnes and Stiller as Greg Focker (pronounced just as it is spelled) . "Greg" has decided to propose to "Pam", played by Teri Polo. After learning that "Pam's" younger sister has just been proposed to by the perfect future son-in-law "Dr. Bob", "Greg" feels the pressure to earn "Jack's" acceptance. "Greg" plans to ask "Jack" for "Pam's" hand in marriage while visiting for the weekend to attend "Pam's" sisters wedding. "Jack" is a retired CIA profiler and puts "Greg" to the test, literally. As things fall apart, "Greg" continues to "jump" through "Jack's" hurdles and tries his hardest to make his best impression. From losing the family's beloved cat to nearly burning down the house, "Greg" nearly loses his mind. If you loved "There's Something About Mary", you'll love Stiller's outrageous performance. If you love your in-laws or even if you don't, watch this film and be happy with what you've got.

This movie really doesn't know what it wants to be. An character study? An impersonation story? A murder mystery? A love story? A psycotic thriller? It attempts each sub-genre, one at a time, for over two hours, and to me thats what hurts this movie.

Except for Gwyneth Paltrow, there's pretty good acting in this film, and the first hour or so really fascinated me. I loved how Ripley manipulated Dickie and played him like a stack of cards, earning his favor to try to get him back. When events take a turn for the worse I expected to see more of Tom Ripley's "talents"...but we don't. Instead, it moves onto Phase 3: a murder mystery. You'll expect this film to end three times before it actually does, and that feeling of a plot being dragged on into oblivion made me like this movie less and less, especially when the unsatisfying ending comes out. You'll be left thinking, "...and...what!"

The first hour was great, but once the ball got rolling I really couldn't watch any more.

The movie is about the talented, wicked, dishonest and many many other (mostly bad)qualities loaded Mr Ripley who tries to climb the social ladder through telling lies, pretending, murder and well, talent. Tom Ripley is a poor guy and one day meets wealthy Mr Greenleaf who thinks he is a classmate of his son (due to his borrowed jacked). Greenleaf puts money in Tom's pocket and sends him to Italy to fetch his carefree son. Tom befriended with Dickie (Jude Law)and his girlfriend Marge (Paltrow) and starts to have the time of his life. However, no lie lasts forever, and besides Dickie gets bored of people easily, so after a rough discussion and kind of love declaration Ripley murders the having-it -all Dickie. Was it jealousy, anger of unreturned feelings (yes Ripley is a homesexual, and he hints it from the start, he is so passionate about every beautiful thing but women) or the fear of returning back to his ordinary life? Then he takes Dickie's identity, and continues his enchanted life with some more crimes. He is really clever and calculating, he takes every little detail into account. So, he gets away with all murders and lies-well almost all since the end leaves a question
The plot and directing is very good, as well as the atmosphere. The small Italian village, the costumes and the gorgeus Jude Law alone can save any movie. It was the first time I saw him on screen and became a fan immediately-handsome with talent. I think he could be Ripley as well, he could be better one as he has more charm.Paltrow is lovely, so is Cate Blanchett but very underused-she was the starring in Elizabeth and had an oscar nomination, why she admitted such a small part is a mystery to me.Hoffman as Dickie's arrogant friend Freddie displays a super performance, as well. For me the only problem was Damon. He is a fine actor and playing well, but I dont think he has the charisma and energy Ripley should display. He looks like more of a good student trying to cheat in exam rather than a jealous and wicked personna. But he was good in the murdering scene-his expression while hitting Dickie with the stone was marvellous. He could do better in earlier Tom Cruise type movies-a la The Firm. I dont buy him as the smooth criminal.

The Talented Mr. Ripley is an intense and powerful film that possesses beauty in its every aspect. Matt Damon's acting is superb. Jude Law is both charismatic and incredibly handsome, and he and Gwyneth Paltrow make the quintessential preppy couple. Everything in this movie is sun-soaked and flawless and set to moody jazz music. It is a delight for the senses.

Strangely enough, the best thing about this movie is the homoerotic tension between the male leads. It may be unconventional, but their chemistry is both believable and sexy. This is something rare in mainstream film, whether the characters are homosexual or heterosexual. There is more passion in the scene where Tom and Dickie play chess together than the entirety of many straight film romances.

If this makes you uneasy, you won't like this movie. If you like fast-paced, action-packed thrillers, you won't like this movie. But if you don't have the patience or the open mindedness for this movie, you are missing a truly extraordinary experience.

This is a standard formula action flick, but for that genre, it is a good one. Will Smith does a great job. The viewer is invested in the outcome, which is highly satisfying. Worth your time if you want an escape one afternoon.

Here's another spectacular DVD set from FOX. You get cool 3D menus; documentaries; and a plethora of conceptual drawings, storyboard sketches and production photos. Plus, you get one of the best looking and sounding DVDs ever produced, and the perfect opportunity to test the limits of your new DVD player! Who cares if the movie is stupid? It's a big-budget special effects extravaganza, chock full of breathtaking pyrotechnics, thrilling dogfights, and hideous alien beings. Have fun with it! Get a pencil and paper (a lot of paper) and write down every dumb thing you see. For example: Why do the aliens kill only the most annoying characters? Why do the explosions always move in slow motion? Steve (Will Smith) knows that Jasmine's hometown has been destroyed; so why is he not surprised to find Jasmine alive and waiting for him at the army base? Steve has seen the alien spaceships in flight; why does that mean he instinctively knows how to pilot one? Why are the seats in the alien spacecraft built to human specifications? If alien technology is so much more advanced than ours, why are their computers compatible with a Macintosh laptop? And, if David (Jeff Goldblum) is already suffering from airsickness, is it really a good time to take up cigar smoking? Etc., etc., etc. Oh, and don't forget to watch the alternate ending...they didn't use it because they were afraid of "losing credibility." Good thinking!

Like watching the Empire State Buliding explode and watching the people of NYC run for their lives to escape a massive wall of fire. Also, watching the shadow of the mother ship spreading over the World Trade Center(and at the dawn of the next day when the destruction of NYC, you can see that the Twin Towers are still standing and they are on fire near the upper floors).
I saw this in the movie theater and to this day I still remember the hissing and grumbling that occured when the White House is destroyed.
I liked the pro-American, we will never surrender, will fight to the death to protect this land theme.

This is a standard formula action flick, but for that genre, it is a good one. Will Smith does a great job. The viewer is invested in the outcome, which is highly satisfying. Worth your time if you want an escape one afternoon.

Here's another spectacular DVD set from FOX. You get cool 3D menus; documentaries; and a plethora of conceptual drawings, storyboard sketches and production photos. Plus, you get one of the best looking and sounding DVDs ever produced, and the perfect opportunity to test the limits of your new DVD player! Who cares if the movie is stupid? It's a big-budget special effects extravaganza, chock full of breathtaking pyrotechnics, thrilling dogfights, and hideous alien beings. Have fun with it! Get a pencil and paper (a lot of paper) and write down every dumb thing you see. For example: Why do the aliens kill only the most annoying characters? Why do the explosions always move in slow motion? Steve (Will Smith) knows that Jasmine's hometown has been destroyed; so why is he not surprised to find Jasmine alive and waiting for him at the army base? Steve has seen the alien spaceships in flight; why does that mean he instinctively knows how to pilot one? Why are the seats in the alien spacecraft built to human specifications? If alien technology is so much more advanced than ours, why are their computers compatible with a Macintosh laptop? And, if David (Jeff Goldblum) is already suffering from airsickness, is it really a good time to take up cigar smoking? Etc., etc., etc. Oh, and don't forget to watch the alternate ending...they didn't use it because they were afraid of "losing credibility." Good thinking!

Like watching the Empire State Buliding explode and watching the people of NYC run for their lives to escape a massive wall of fire. Also, watching the shadow of the mother ship spreading over the World Trade Center(and at the dawn of the next day when the destruction of NYC, you can see that the Twin Towers are still standing and they are on fire near the upper floors).
I saw this in the movie theater and to this day I still remember the hissing and grumbling that occured when the White House is destroyed.
I liked the pro-American, we will never surrender, will fight to the death to protect this land theme.

I didn't like this film at all.
Too much fuss for nothing!
Too many heroes,extraordinary unreal characters and behaviours...

I like S.F. films however this one is way out of proportions.
Armageddon, Deep Impact and Space Cowboys were FAAAR better films, more believable I would say.
Take my word for it!

P.S. You ought to watch it if you want to laugh.

This is a standard formula action flick, but for that genre, it is a good one. Will Smith does a great job. The viewer is invested in the outcome, which is highly satisfying. Worth your time if you want an escape one afternoon.

This movie took an old idea of alien invasion and updated it flawlessly. It also includes pop culture UFO references. I hope Independence Day 2 gets made.

This is a standard formula action flick, but for that genre, it is a good one. Will Smith does a great job. The viewer is invested in the outcome, which is highly satisfying. Worth your time if you want an escape one afternoon.

Here's another spectacular DVD set from FOX. You get cool 3D menus; documentaries; and a plethora of conceptual drawings, storyboard sketches and production photos. Plus, you get one of the best looking and sounding DVDs ever produced, and the perfect opportunity to test the limits of your new DVD player! Who cares if the movie is stupid? It's a big-budget special effects extravaganza, chock full of breathtaking pyrotechnics, thrilling dogfights, and hideous alien beings. Have fun with it! Get a pencil and paper (a lot of paper) and write down every dumb thing you see. For example: Why do the aliens kill only the most annoying characters? Why do the explosions always move in slow motion? Steve (Will Smith) knows that Jasmine's hometown has been destroyed; so why is he not surprised to find Jasmine alive and waiting for him at the army base? Steve has seen the alien spaceships in flight; why does that mean he instinctively knows how to pilot one? Why are the seats in the alien spacecraft built to human specifications? If alien technology is so much more advanced than ours, why are their computers compatible with a Macintosh laptop? And, if David (Jeff Goldblum) is already suffering from airsickness, is it really a good time to take up cigar smoking? Etc., etc., etc. Oh, and don't forget to watch the alternate ending...they didn't use it because they were afraid of "losing credibility." Good thinking!

Like watching the Empire State Buliding explode and watching the people of NYC run for their lives to escape a massive wall of fire. Also, watching the shadow of the mother ship spreading over the World Trade Center(and at the dawn of the next day when the destruction of NYC, you can see that the Twin Towers are still standing and they are on fire near the upper floors).
I saw this in the movie theater and to this day I still remember the hissing and grumbling that occured when the White House is destroyed.
I liked the pro-American, we will never surrender, will fight to the death to protect this land theme.