daPeda's Reviews

3096 Tage (2013)

7/10

Excellent acting and photography, emotionally very distant

28 June 2015

Having followed media coverage regarding Miss Kampusch since 1998, I knew the story quite well.

The movie focused completely on her -- and only her -- situation during eight and a half years of captivity. Since the movie is based on her autobiographical book "3096 Tage", we learn very little about the kidnapper's motives and his emotional world. Also, her father's sad story is completely omitted. This is probably also the case for the book, which I haven't read.

But still, the movie didn't quite catch me. I felt no emotions whatsoever, neither for her nor for her kidnapper. Cold soberness.

However, Antonia Campbell-Hughes performed excellently throughout the story, as did Thure Lindhardt. Light and photography was also excellent, adding to the matter-of- factness of the movie.

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Liars All (2013)

5/10

Didn't quite catch me.

23 September 2014

I wanted to see this movie because of Sara Paxton in a leading role.

The story line could have been improved in many ways as already laid out by other reviewers. I've seen other films like this one that were much better in almost any aspect. It's just that in Liars All the spark of fascination never lighted up.

If everything had been that flat, I would have rated All Liars with 3/10. But there were some bright spots, after all. Gillian Zinser, whom I'd never noticed before, Was good in her role as Missy, and Sara Paxton showed some (it's by far not her best movie) of her talent for natural role-play and as always had a nuanced and natural facial expression. So this adds two times one point giving a total of 5/10.

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Faktor 8 - Der Tag ist gekommen (2009 TV Movie)

2/10

Incredibly bad research work

5 October 2009

Warning: Spoilers

This movie is about a presumed virus outbreak during a flight from south Asia to Munich. Most of all, the scientific premise is utterly wrong. Retroviruses is shown as multiplying in erythrocytes, which lack a) DNA (necessary for retrovirus replication) and b) the enzymatic apparatus for multiplying any viral nucleic acids.

Some other basics are mentioned at some time in act 1, but completely ignored later on. Most of all, the virus being transported via air conditioning.

Lots of small glitches, incredible acting, improbable dialogs and reactions of characters.

After all, it does have some suspense, otherwise I would have rated it "1".

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Date Movie (2006)

1/10

I so much do like Alyson Hannigan, but to be objective...

17 June 2006

this movie *is* a disaster. Most of all, it is incredibly boring. There even are some nice ideas in it, but these are spoiled by bad dialog, bad acting, bad directing, bad everything. Alyson Hannigan grows even sweeter with age, and we know she does have talents as a comedian. But for the largest part of this movie it's not being used by the script nor the director. Many of the sequences have absolutely no function in the movie and are completely disconnected from everything else. So are most of the characters. You just can't figure out what they're here for. So the only reason to suffer through this flick is being a fan of Alyson and yearning for one of the rare glimpses of her lovely face. I found scary movie 4 really bad - this is worse. Much worse.

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Basic Instinct 2 (2006)

2/10

Not even a remake

9 April 2006

Some remakes are better than the originals (1978'2 body snatchers). Others come close to the originals (My father the Hero, both the 1994 and the 1991 versions are with Gerard Depardieu). Some remakes are a little less interesting than the originals (point of no return vs. Nikita, Vanilla Sky vs. Abre los Ojos), others are distinctly worse (Hypercube vs. Cube).

And then there are those that should never have been made. Basic Instinct 2 is of this category. Boring, bad acting, bad sound, bad directing, bad quotations from the original.

They should have cast Lindsey Logan as Catherine Tramell to complete this concept.

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Doomsday Rock (1997 TV Movie)

5/10

Not extremely bad.

13 August 2005

Warning: Spoilers

Having to choose between fifth re-watch of MI:1, a cheap made-for-TV-romance or this one, I decided to have a ridiculous, bad variation of Deep Impact and Armageddon.

Well, although the effects were really cheap and the science was awfully wrong (again), the story was fun to watch and the acting was OK for a TV movie. Some sequences were unintentionally hilarious, e.g., a shootout with hundreds of bullets in a hallway without anyone being hit.

If it runs on TV and you don't really find a better alternative, it won't kill you to watch this one.

Right after this, I'm in for a real piece of sh** and watch Stranded (2001/II).

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Tatort: Bestien (2001)

Season 1, Episode 487

9/10

Quite controversial

27 February 2005

Warning: Spoilers

Usually, the tatort criminal stories go into the depth of the human soul with a lot of empathy for all characters, usually depicted by far-above-average actors/actresses. "Bestien" ("Beasts") is not different in this way. What makes it different is the fact that this time the real story is not about the sex murder happening in the first minutes in the movie.

*** Spoiler follows below ***

The families of the murdered girl and her friend go out and get the murderer before the police does. One of the detectives is very sure about this fact, but although he suspects the imminent lynch justice, he deliberately does not inform his partner about this. Two days later, the murderer is found dead in the river.

This movie is about how the bereaved families of victims can become offenders themselves, and how a detective showing sympathy for personal reasons - he has two daughters the same age as the sex victim - acts against the obligations imposed upon him by his job. So the story and the persons have many layers and fine shades leaving the audience behind without a final answer about what's right and what's wrong.

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Cube²: Hypercube (2002)

6/10

just a remake

10 June 2004

but what for? nothing was as well done as in the original 'cube'. The additional 'features' of the new Cube did not add anything but the chance to use some additional SFX.

However, if the original did not exist, this would be a slightly above average movie until the final sequence.

What really disappointed me was the finale.

The ending seemed to me as if the producers wanted to make absolutely clear to the audience (or some awards' juries) that this was meant to be a modern film noir.

But not the label makes a film a genre-film, but the content does. And so, the original did a better job.

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My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988)

5/10

Hannigan

16 February 2004

The movie as a whole is a little lame for a light family comedy. But some scenes between the four main characters are really funny.

And Alyson Hannigan really showed a lot of talent in the longer takes (I also think she besides Amber Benson was the best actress in the buffy cast), like when she helped her father dress for the wedding or at the breakfast or when Basinger reveals her true mission and Dan comes home from work. I noticed this long before hannigan became well known.

So, instead of a 3-4/10 this gets 5 from me.

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The Canterville Ghost (1996 TV Movie)

9/10

Neve's best acting

24 December 2003

as yet. She is congenially to Patrick Steward in this made-for-TV movie, which might have had a good chance on the big screen too.

As in so many hollywood movies the film would have been better off without the last sequence.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

9/10

almost destroyed 9 hours in one minute

21 December 2003

The way the scenes between Frodos and Sams rescue and the end of the crowning ceremony were done (everyone laughing, kissing and hopping around when they should be expected to be just exhausted and overwhelmed) almost destroyed the whole artwork. Thank god this was not the end of the movie. 9/10

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A Death Sentence (2002)

9/10

Best Youth movie since 'Fly Away Home'

6 December 2003

Yes, I am sentimental, and yes, I love movies where kids are the better humans. True, Klatretøsen does have some logical or even plot shortcomings. These are more than compensated by the kids' great acting (Julias first movie role at all!) and the charm of a Dogma film (I liked this kind of cinematografic art long before the Dogma; ever since Herzog's 'Herz aus Glas'). Well, I cried through the last fifteen minutes which is a higher tear factor than bambi or Fly away home had for me.

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It Came from Outer Space II (1996 TV Movie)

1/10

Blue Jello

28 July 2001

I've seen several of these body snatcher type movies, but none was nearly as bad as this one.

No thrill, no FX, bad acting, bad photography, bad sound, bad everything.

Blue Jello eats'em all!

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Boys (1996)

6/10

Not as bad as even WR thinks it is

9 April 2000

I have to admit that I am a declared Winona Ryder fan. This film was boring anyway, but almost all other issues making a film good or bad are on the plus side.

The acting of all main characters was very good. Photography was very good. The only genuine minus is for the music which does not match the movies atmosphere.

So this gets an eight from me.

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Vacation (1983)

4/10

well, it is one big length

16 August 1999

Maybe it is because I am from Europe and there are slight but definite differences in the definition of humour.

Anyway I had many good laughs on many hollywood movies. not on this one. definitely not. The film does not really have a plot, i almost never laughed or even smiled and i gave up on it 10 minutes before the end.

nothing more to say.

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Two Much (1995)

We've had that before... *** MAY CONTAIN A SPOILER ***

15 August 1999

Warning: Spoilers

Well we've had it all before. This movie is just a variation on the 'Boeing Boeing' theme. Ok, Banderos play is great for this role, and the running gags (e.g. the chase between two rooms with the pool in between and the various ways to escape falling into it) are really hilarious.

But it all is beaten by the supporting role of the french restaurant somelier (Vincent Schiavelli)! His two short appearances are worth watching this film and lead to my rating 7 (would have been 5 without this).

Ah and then there's the happy end of course. As we knew from the beginning, everyone gets what/whom he/she deserves.

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It Could Happen to You (1994)

8/10

a tear in one eye, a laugh on the other and a smile

15 August 1999

He (cop) is to good to be true, She's too dumb to be true (cosmetician) and the other she is too sweet to be true (waitress). All three protagonists are performed great by their respective actors. Outstanding performance by Bridget Fonda.

Sure, the movie has its lengths, especially when you don't watch it for the first time. But then again, even after four years I remembered almost all of it.

And the end, though in principle clear from the beginning, got a special touch which adds one more tear - and one more smile.

Peaceful. I like it.

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How to Make an American Quilt (1995)

10/10

A peaceful, deeply human story, great ensemble

10 August 1999

The cast as an ensemble gave a truly touching, homogenous performance. putting the same cast onto stage with this same story which might quite easily be transformed into a stage script (has that been done?) would also give a perfect theater evening.

Just enough smiles to prevent tears distilled from the viewers' own lives from clouding their view.

10.

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There's Something About Mary (1998)

7/10

easy laughing, gorgeous cameron, but a little tasteless-8/10

4 August 1999

Well, I was really in the mood for an easy-watching fun movie this night, and I was no way disappointed in that respect. Cameron is gorgeous, even more than in 'my best friends wedding'. The plot is simple, with a few good ideas and many average scenes.

They should have made more from the gathering of men-who-are-crazy-for-mary.

Ah, yo: here's why I give it 8 out of 10: I was REALLY offended by two issues: 1) the 'resurrection' scene with the dog 2) the discrimination of disabled or impaired persons (mentally and physically - the excema guy).

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Beetlejuice (1988)

8/10

Great, great, great...

11 June 1999

It was this film that made me realize that winona ryder is in fact a great actress...

(This was of course before I'd seen Reality Bites and before Alien:Resurrection was made)

All major (and minor too) characters in this hilarious film are cast perfectly and played congeneously.

And the little melancholical touch when the ghosts become friends with the misunderstood and put aside Ryder girl only added to the quality of this great comedy.

Far better than 'the mask'

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Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983 TV Movie)

1/10

Could it have been worse?

6 June 1999

Now, this is a movie so full of scientific impossibilities that must have been clear to sixthgraders even in the eighties, that I wonder if they spent one buck on aviation or spaceflight advisors.

As for the story: Same old thing: some people with more or less problems together in an extreme situation in limited space, facing the possibility of death closing in.... Seen that over and over...

Now, it would have been hard to make it worse...

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G.I. Jane (1997)

4/10

So what!?

5 June 1999

In Austria, they are just beginning letting women into the army (though there's nothing like the SEALS here - at least to my knowledge). Anyway, the movie was entertaining although it certainly had its lengths not filled with thought provoking material. Now, one day after watching the movie, I've already almost forgotten it. This leads to my rating 4 out of 10.

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Kassbach - Ein Portrait (1979)

10/10

Not always the young guys are the bad boys...

5 June 1999

Its twenty years since I saw this film, but I remember it as one of the best works the Directors duet Patzak/Zenker ever did.

Its about a teenage boy who is mistreated by his father, who is an active nazi and foreigners-hater, which in its full extent is unknown to his family. The boy is already rebelling against his father and his questionable values.

I'm no longer really sure how the story ends, but if you ever get the chance go see this movie!

I know such guys are still about here in vienna - few as they may be.

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Heart of Glass (1976)

10/10

The film I liked most...

5 June 1999

Well, i completely disagree with the guy from NYU. I've seen this film seven times between 1978 and 1991 (although in its original german version) and found it absolutely hypnotizing. This film simply is a piece of art and cannot be measured with hollywood standards. Besides 2001: a space oddyssey and Chabrols 1969 masterpiece 'The beast must die' this is my altime favourite.

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It Takes Two (1995)

8/10

A great film - fun for kids and parents alike

4 June 1999

My 8yr-old daughter's favourite. We both watched this film at least ten times now and still laugh a lot.

One critical comment: In the final few scenes (in front of the church) the cuts showing the two girls should have had a few more takes or cut out. The twins obviously look at someone standing in the off waiting for a sign...

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