Did anyone se any of the NEW movies yet?

I want to see Meet the Fockers and Phantom this w/e

We've Been "Focker-ized"!, 20 December 2004
Author: Radio_Lady from Portland, Oregon

"Meet the Fockers" sounds like "Meet the f-u-u-…". Oops! Can't say that because of FCC guidelines. Just the same, the title pretty much describes the level of the humor in this Ben Stiller comedy. But that's redundant because it IS a Ben Stiller movie. Clearly my expectations for this movie were not high and, maybe because of that, I found "Meet the Fockers" quite funny.

Don't get me wrong. This is not a movie for everyone. First off, the writers did not miss a single opportunity to play off of the name "Focker". It's silly and gets a little old but it somehow works with the other repetitious low-down gags.

Focker is the family name for Greg (Focker), Ben Stiller. The funniest Fockers, however, (now I'm doing it) are Greg's parents Bernie and Roz, a loose and liberal Florida hippy couple still living in the last century and enjoying every minute of it. Dustin Hoffman, as Bernie displays a previously unrevealed talent for over the top comedy. Fitting perfectly with Hoffman's Bernie, is Barbra Streisand as Roz Focker, reminiscent of the "zaftig" Lainie Kazan. Bernie is a yesteryear lawyer who has not practiced since who knows when. Roz is the main breadwinner from her business as a sex therapist to the elderly.

Greg is not too eager to reveal his parents' true nature to his fiancée's parents as they all come to visit to get to know one another better. Teri Polo nicely plays Greg's fiancée Pam. Robert DeNiro and Blythe Danner play her stiff and straight parents, Jack and Dina Byrnes. Oh – also add in some baby low-brow by Spencer and Bradley Pickeren, two adorable twins playing Little Jack.

So, go low, go loose -- or don't go at all -- but if you like Ben Stiller, go see "Meet the Fockers". Dustin's antics will crack you up and you'll enjoy Barbra back on the big screen after so long. Rated a B+.

I haven't seen it and with all the poor reviews, I might just miss it, although we've seen it several times on stage and enjoyed it.

Here are some reviews you might want to check out before you go:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/phantom_of_the_opera/

You're right ...looks like I won't be spending the dough to see this film on the big screen..

Thumbs down! A big bore (but the animatronic creatures are imaginative)!, December 2004

Author: Radio_Lady from Portland, Oregon

My mother used to tell me, 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.' This is a difficult position for a movie critic. I can pick and choose what I review and I really try to choose my films wisely. I should have skipped this film, but my husband wanted to see it after printing out an early review giving it high marks. Also, the trailer looked good, so we went anyway.

While I thought the lead characters (Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem DaFoe, Jeff Goldblum) were well cast, the script was abysmal. Jacques Cousteau would be spinning in his grave if this is supposed to be something serious based on his work. The comedic elements were too farcical and far-fetched to be really funny, with lots of languid script forays into self-conscious dialog and idealogical thought. (Big yawn goes here!)

In my opinion, Bill Murray is at his best in this movie when he's parodying the boring educational films we've all seen in school classes, with the ubiquitous stiff scientist reading his lines with little or no inflection and totally stilted movement. In general, I've enjoyed Murray's performances in "Groundhog Day" and "Caddyshack" as well as the "Ghostbusters" films and his SNL performances. It's only fair to mention we didn't care for either "Lost in Translation" or "The Royal Tenenbaums."

There were scattered laughs at the screening I attended, and I laughed occasionally myself. However, this movie was vapid and self-conscious and I wouldn't have paid to see it. The film smacks of real cinematic amateurism, especially in photography, editing and continuity. Items on tables jump around. In one shot, you can see the camera crew reflected in a shiny picture on the opposite wall. Some of the hand-held camera work was so jumpy it was impossible to watch. I left the theater scratching my head. But Mom would be proud – I loved the animatronic creatures – the rainbow seahorse and other fish and the real three-legged dog (that barked with its mouth closed in one shot). Also, much of the exterior photography in Rome, Florence, and Naples, Italy is beautiful. I loved their locations. The film made me want to go back to Italy soon.

Worst film of the year? Probably not. It isn't even Christmas yet and there are a couple on my list already. An Oscar to Bill Murray? I don't think so, unless there are a lot of people in the Academy who think this particular emperor has new clothes. This film was a big waste of time and I wouldn't recommend it. My advice? Go see "The Aviator" or "Sideways" or "Kinsey" instead. I'm giving it a 'D' – for dumb dialog and dubious plotting. Of course, as with all cinema events, 'Your mileage may vary.'

It pretty much sucked.:thumbsdown:

Ocean's Twelve rocked. I also want to see Closer.