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The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter (2018)
Is What It Is
Ive read that this is disappointing. The film is not funny. Its a blown opportunity. I never really looked at it while watching as a film that was aimed to be funny. There is some comedic relief, however. This film doesnt have to say more in my opinion. The man lost his family. A family was lampooned by life and the changes that transpire over time. I do not see how it needed to be any different in the story-telling.
Its incomplete? It missed an opportunity? No. In my view it speaks of some universal truths involving a specific relationship between a man and his son. A man and his once upon a time wife.
And, at the end, while I would not have not conducted myself the same as an individual, Brolin and the director choose to not sway the character and the through-line of who he is. And they do this despite it not being the most popular way to go with regard to massaging a wider audience. Good movie. Maybe not astounding. Although, whats so astounding about a broken family, anyway?
Decent movie with hard truths that does not sway or throw in half assd scenes to utterly ruin true to life nature.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars, TLJ - Missing Power
I think Luke Skywalker was undermined. Due to the sensitive nature and like qualities of Mark Hamill, I truly believe some of the decisions made about his character in this film undercut his strengths as an individual, an actor. The way the whole thing plays out almost makes a fool out of him and Skywalker. I think its a damn shame, too. The guy more than held his own in this film and i was impressed. In the first films he had this aloofness, a sense of being far away. And this suited him well. It also added depth, perhaps meaning to the films. His sensitivity would have been a powerful vehicle if his character was handled less sloppily here. The writing decisions here make him come off as weak, unsure, even a bit unstable. Its too big and bombastic for his natural way and what he can bring with that to the role of Luke.
Also, comic relief is one thing but this was a bit too much and in an over the top sort of way. I enjoyed the silly animated porgs, is it? and Chewy having problems eating one of them in front of the others. I thought the force training sequence with Luke and Rey where he busts out the branch and messes with her was totally in line with how Lucas might have played out some humor in the originals. Genuinely funny. I actually thought the the Momma joke that the pilot makes at the beginning to the commander was funny. Unfortunately, i dont think it works as a whole and i would have sadly cut it out if it would have been up to me. It works but doesnt quite considering it utterly undermines any sense of dread of adversary and leads to a complete undoing of the enemies plight shortly afterwards.
Ive seen a great deal of die hard fans reviews and i completely respect their disdain. I actually agree with most of the extremely low rating despite not usually doing so. I dont like to live in extremes, typically. Some things said in reviews here that i agree with actually are so full of negatives that it seems there were hardly any redeeming qualities found in some peoples view. I think some of the negatives pointed out are truly too harping of certain aspects of the film.
In conclusion, this film would have been better suited with a more spirited sense of wonderment as opposed to slightly resembling a parody in many parts. Its just that most of the decisions made and characters are so wish-washy that the whole thing is rendered as not all that meaningful. Hell, some of the main characters im stretching to remember the name of at this point. Thats not good.
On the Road (2012)
On The Road - A Film Version
I would have preferred that they focused on Dean, Sal, and their communication and search for "It" Loads of fat they could have trimmed from this film. The film fails to pull back any layers to the point that we cannot even reach the meat and bones.
It is my understanding the film-makers here went for the story more along the lines of the actual individuals and not quite so much the characters representing them in the book. I personally feel that this may have undercut any possibility this film had to reach any level of the fantastical, perhaps, mystical.
I think the actors, aside from fellow that plays Sal, have no sense of being beat or poor and therefore have much less to give their roles. I believe Sam Riley actually struggled as an artist for many years before finding any main stream success. But even then, the way Sal is written, he does not take part in much and only observes.
Making a film and finishing it is an accomplishment. Much more so a film of this nature which is asked to flesh out the book and make it larger than life on screen. So, with that in mind, I think its only fair to give this film at least a 6. They fell but didn't fail to reach. And that is to be commended.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Oh, what could have been!?
The Stuff this film does right almost works against it as a whole. It left me wondering what could have been. Where they could have taken the story. The film evokes the spirit of star wars fairly well and brings me back with nostalgia only to totally leave me hungry for fresh plot that is also deeper.
I agree with the "haters" I suppose. How can you literally rip off 80 percent of the plot of "New Hope" and run away with the reviews this project seems to be getting? I guess the last three installments were hated a great deal, huh.
Some say the newcomers were bad actors who weren't engaging. Are you serious? Have you performed a day in your life? Get out of town. Aboslutely nothing wrong with the actors. The script is whats surprising.
Id say that I think the bad dude being Han Solos son is ridiculous. That relationship development in the first series worked beautifully. I don't like how it plays out here. Star Soap opera. Come on. I think Ford would have been better served had he changed and not remained exactly the same. He did become a King of sorts being with the princess and all. Another reviewer mentioned his hair and how it would have been better served shorter or buzzed. As ridiculous as the gripe may sound, id say i agree. lol.
The bad guy wears a mask but why>? Why? lol. He bickers with the other head of command and it only underminds his prowess and how sinister he needs to be. He throws hissy fits. My 10 year old daughter laughed and was amused when she saw him throw one of his fits. She said "So, he destroys part of the ship! What an idiot" She also mentioned the fact that in his second little hissy fit, two of the guards turn and walk the other way and poked fun at it. I think it was meant to lend some humor but it only further discredits any potential of the main bad guy to be truly menacing.
The force is not respected. It took Skywalker the course of three films to be a master. At least he wasn't a master by the end of the first outing. Rey can do great mind tricks and out saber fight the bad guy (he is hurt but, still) with no training. SHe could basically do the things an old jedi master like Obi can do in the first series. The guys practically a spiritual seeker and monk and she comes along and can do what he can do just like that!? Im sorry. Thats crap.
I give this film a 6 because i would be lying if i said i didn't enjoy watching and feeling the spirit of Star Wars that it conjures up. The problem is that it does this so well that it leaves me truly wishing they would have gone to greater lengths to respect the world involved. And, by all means, come up with a better plot. Copy and Paste much?
Heat (1995)
Heat stands out / Nay-sayers are pretentious laymen
I am reading all the people here who have rated this movie a 1 and the sheer audacity of their two sense is simply ludicrous. Laymen have an opinion that is obviously valid to them but it carries no weight and is hardly notable.
People are attacking this movie and finding a great deal of faults. You would think this movie was on the level of "gigli" or something awful of that nature. If this movie is a 1 rating, then what in Gods name is "gigli"...minus 5!? Some people talk of Pacino as if he knows nothing of what he is doing. Yeah, sure, lets reduce him to the level of Britney Spears entering into the world of acting. One reviewer went as far as to say a dog could have been cast in his part considering how he barks out his lines. What? I say to this person..there is absolutely nothing wrong with an actor being ON his voice. Nothing wrong. Others have said he is overrated and he overacts? I say to them..have you ever performed on a world wide stage a day in your life? NO, I didn't think so! People throw around "Over-acting" or "over-the-top" way too much.
Over-acting is underlining the obvious. Over-acting is showing something in ignorance that is not there. Overacting is a trap something novice wanna be actors in acting classes throughout America fall into when they are nervous and have no idea what they are doing.
Every negative jerk who is simply just tired of watching Pacino accuses him of being over the top. But, hes not playing the anti-hero here. He s not playing the introvert. Hes playing a type A personality cop. A very out going hardened cop who has a bit of a shell hes built up around him. Hes a serious minded cop who is on his voice and uses it to his advantage to get things done. Unfortunately, it bleeds over into his personal life even though it seems as if he doesn't truly desire this, ultimately
Come on people. If you are tired of watching him, don't watch! But don't come on here and try to sound all smart and studious about the performing arts when you clearly have no effing clue what you are talking about! And, by god, don't attack a man who is serious and seriously good at his craft. Its his life-time work. How about I come as a laymen and attack you on your job when I have no clue what it means to perform a day in your shoes in that profession.
Pacino overacting!? Get outta town. That's plain stupid. The man has proved he is among the better film actors we have had. Period.
Heat is a very interesting movie. It has action as well as actors who make the story come to life with a touch of reality and truth. I think what is exceptionally interesting is that Pacino is the "good" guy but he doesn't have his life together and he is NOT much of family man. De Niro is a "bad" guy and he seems to be more pure at heart and has simplified his life with a nice lady. He has a much healthier outlook and perspective. I think those opposites alone make this movie head and shoulders above much other drivel for action movies.
People rate movies a 1, I think, because they feel the movie is overrated and they take it upon themselves to balance it out. What pretense they must have to take it upon themselves (laymen) to play god and balance things. I really feel that these people completely skew the true rating of all the movies on here. A 1 rating for a movie should be relegated to something truly despicable and novice. Like, say, a student film that was slapped together at the last minute by someone lazy just to get a grade.
If you want to get away from your day and you don't have your head truly stuck up your a$$..I think you will enjoy this film.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Its a big and joyous experience as long as you're not a hard a$$
I never liked this movie much as a kid during my first 2 viewings of it. Probably because I was made to watch it with my family and it took ages to come to an end. As I got older I really began to appreciate it. Surprisingly, because it reminds me of my family and watching movies with them in the living room during my childhood. Go figure.
Can this film be somewhat sappy? Yes. So what? Buddy Holly love songs like "Dearest" are sappy and they are brilliant. Is this film anywhere near the real story that actually took place? No. However, as a story for the screen, it holds its own separate life. People say the songs suck. I dig them all.
I think I like this movie cause I love music. I also think this film hearkens back to a more innocent time. Or maybe thats being a slight bit nostalgic. Either way, I suppose i long for the kinda innocence displayed here while i live in this day and age. I like this movie a great deal despite its flaws and inaccuracies. Actually, I love it.
Family Business (1989)
Better than the lazy copying tripe nowadays despite its flaws
If you're a jerk with little sensibility that knows nothing about the process of making movies but likes to pick apart films as if a professional ..then by all means believe the bad reviews here and skip this movie.
As many problems as this film may have, god, i sure wish they still made them like this. Real human to human relationships and interactions without dumb sensationalized curve balls thrown at you to ruin the reality and truth of the experience. i thoroughly enjoyed it despite any minor disappointments with the story along the way. decent writing, great acting, and sure handed direction.
Don't pay any mind to the many laymen naysayers sittin in their recliner snarfflin down popcorn who assume a position of expertise above these tried, proved and truly talented professionals.
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Nostalgia
I've read reviews on here from die hard fans who knock this film. Some have even gone as far to rate it a 1? Are you kidding me? Its insanely difficult to make even an okay movie
I think nostalgia is winning the day with the old fans of the show. The show was cool but let's face it..its not all that its now cracked up to be by the fans. It hasn't aged well at all and is hokey at times. the sequels to this film are a fun watch but ultimately crappy. Ill agree with that assessment. This film is superior to the sequels, however.
I'm sorry, I disagree with the people that have a heightened sense of nostalgia regarding this material. I can understand. At least be fair, though.
Also, Tom gets a bad rap from the older gen born in the 60s. I grew up as a child in the 80s to early 90s. From my perspective he is a fine actor.. always giving it his all. I of course watched him as an impressionable child so my perspective will be different. I'm sure people are justified in their not being fond of him and even I was initially hungry to judge him down a notch when he went all nutzo in front of the nation. His ego I can imagine is quite huge considering he's been so privileged for so long. Just the same.. we don't have to be friends with him do we? I think its cool that perspectives can be so different and its very telling. I say tom is worthwhile from where I've been sittin and I refuse to pass judgments on the man. This movie is great. Id rate it a 7.8 or 7.9 easily if I could. I don't know about an 8 so ill put down a strong 7 as my rating. Maybe ill change my mind.
Wrath of the Titans (2012)
Mildly Entertaining
I thought the film was OK. Slightly better than par for the course in terms of movies and how they are made nowadays.
I disagree with the many reviews claiming Sam Worthington did a lousy job. I found myself rooting for him at times throughout the film. Hes not some uber handsome shallow jerk and hes actually quite small.
Audience members like to bash performances but couldn't for the life of them do it themselves. Audience members have no idea how hard performing is. Sam did just fine. So did everyone else in the film.
The acting can only be as good as the writing in the end. And this movie is very short on the writing side. I think all the actors did fine considering what they had to work with.
I recommend a watch if you got some time on your hands and its on cable.
James Dean (2001)
The Genius of Dean is impossible to capture on film now that hes gone
I've read at least four biographies on Dean. This movie strays from what is known and takes too many unnecessary and less interesting liberties. Its also way too short. Franco does the best job he can, I suppose. Unfortunately, Jimmy was a pure genius performer that can never be brought back or even summoned up by an actor now. I mean, who could portray Brando or Phoenix really? I think the best chance of making a great film about Dean would be to have one written purely in fact. There are enough facts to do this! (Not some poorly prepared script that really doesn't show Deans true story)
Also, in my mind..a biographical film would have to be animated with some new technology to look great and come close to any authenticity. And as they took Brandos voice and created a new performance for him in the last Superman movie,maybe they could do so with Dean in another biographical picture. I think this would be the best chance at a great telling of Dean's story. It would be almost as if it were coming from Dean himself if it were done correctly and with the highest of standards. There wouldn't be another actor really standing in the way. No disrespect to Franco. I think hes grown into a good actor.
I applaud the decent attempt on Francos part. I applaud the producers for their attempt as well. Making a film is very hard. Making a good one seems damn near impossible. I do however think the producers here were lazy in their excavation of Dean. I do understand that this is a made for TV movie and is going to have limitations. I just don't understand how they could have chosen to tell his story without really diving into his story. The truth of it is way better than some of the fiction that this film conjured up. :^)
Fast Getaway (1991)
Corey Haim
This film did not work on many levels. Its been covered on other previous reviews. I would have to agree, and that is why my rating is a 6. There is nothing more aggravating than a movie with big gaping holes in it. Especially in regards to some of the action sequences being absurdly unrealistic. In most cases, these things ruin a film. Not so in this film! Its just not the type of film for some reason that is ruined by such things. Go figure. In my opinion, This films strengths lie in the talent of its lead and the fun that I had as an audience member who was able to suspend his disbelief. Mr. Haim completely makes this possible.
I rented this movie because I've always enjoyed Corey Haim. Im a child of the 80z so... I think his performance as an actor in this is magnificent! Im an actor myself and let me tell ya, it isn't easy! An audience member may think its easy because all they see is the finished product. But the mark of a good actor is that they make it look easy! The work involved is very painstaking to say the least. There are so many moments where Corey plays the love, humor, mischief, etc... Actors don't play those things on screen very well generally speaking. What a rare talent! I give Mr. Haim a 12 out of 10 here. The movie. A 6. Peace and Love and you will be missed Corey Haim.