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Reviews
The Giant Mechanical Man (2012)
Boring drama with boring leads
I really wanted to like this film. But unfortunately you now know why Jenna Fischer hasn't hit it big in Hollywood (after The Office) and why Lee Kirk hasn't written or directed many films. I almost got the impression that Jenna and Lee (real life husband and wife) were sitting around the breakfast table trying to think of something to spotlight Jenna.
The premise is a simple one. Jenna has a boyfriend but she falls to a street performer. It features friends of Jenna and Lee (like. Rich Sommer, the Pratt Art student who has a crush on Pam in The Office), Bob Odenkirk (the Philly Realtor who wants Pam to be a receptioninst in The Office) and Sean Gunn (Jenna's former brother-in-law). In that sense, it reminded me of Amy Poehler's Wine Country where a group of SNL writers and performers hang out in Napa Vallley, drinking wine and whining. Movies with friends sounds great, but in the case of The Giant Mechanical Man it doesn't help.
Jenna plays Pam from the first season of The Office ... again. I was pleased to see Travis Schuldt (Ben the Soldier from Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Lucy Punch (from Doc Martin and Dinner For Schmucks), but they couldn't save this flick for me.
I can't believe that raised money to make this film. My one word review is "boring." Jenna Fischer is a one-dimensional actor and I had never seen Messina before or after. How Lee Kirk sold this film to investors is beyond me and I think Jenna's cute personna has gotten old.
This is NOT a romcom. It is a boring drama that is fine for a rainy day. But not when you can watch other flicks. Now you know why Lee Kirk hasn't been writing many screenplays or why Jenna's career has been reduced to Office Ladies.
Café Society (2016)
Not one of his best, Woody seems to be losing his edge
I loved Woody's film in the 70's and 80's. Since that time, his great films are few and far between. Cafe Society has a good cast like most of him films, but it lack appeal like his older films. In fact, I was quite bored.
Rutherford Falls (2021)
REALLY wanted to like Rutherford Falls, but weak spinoff of Parks and Rec
Parks and Rec is my favorite all-time TV show with The Office close behind. But while P&R had Amy Poehler in the lead, Ed Helms is not a lead player. Look at the final years of The Office after Steve Carrell left. So, think of Andy Bernard running a town (instead of an office), with a new tribe of indigenous people to replace Indiana's Wamapoke indians. But without any trace of humor. In P&R, I could bear Leslie Knope's endless preachiness since they had Ron Swanson to provide balance (not to mention the endless hustles by Tom Haverford, etc.). There is a lot of "wokeness" in Rutherford Falls, but without any Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) counter-balance. It is just a boring show about Andy Bernard and an indigenous people. Just plain boring. They should have cast another boring actor from The Office franchise, Jenna Fischer.
Ingrid Goes West (2017)
Aubrey Plaza needs to learn how to act
Like many, I loved Aubrey Plaza's character on TV's Parks and Recreation. But that role didn't require acting chops. Every movie role now seems to be a darker April Ludgate and "April Goes West" is a prime example. The plot? Yawn. The social media can be a dark and lonely place. This is hardly a new idea, more of a retread. "Say, Aubrey Plaza would be great in this dark "comedy." She wasn't. Her acting was lousy. She really needs to take acting lessons or stick with TV roles like April Ludgate.
Angie Tribeca (2016)
Rashida Jones is no Leslie Nielsen
I loved Rashida Jones in The Office then P&R. I was looking forward to another vehicle for her. Unfortunately, Angie Tribeca is a Naked Gun wannabe and Rashida doesn't have the comedy chops of Leslie Nielsen. Watched 2 episodes then went away.
A.P. Bio (2018)
The cast of this quirky comedy is outstanding!
It took me a couple of episodes to see if I would like the show and it turned out that I love it. Glenn Howerton's character starts off like his Always Sunny character, but evolves nicely. Patton Oswalt as the Principal is hilarious. And the real surprise as Paula Pell who was annoying in Amy Poehler's Wine Country, but fantastic in AP Bio. But the real stars are the students. Particularly the Gothish Heather, uber nerd Marcus and the rest. Howerton's love interest Lynette is fabulous as are the other teachers. Not sure how long they can play Howerton's approach to teaching AP Bio as a bitter philosophy PhD, but it will be fun while it lasts!!
Splitting Up Together (2018)
Another boring Jenna Fischer vehicle
Face it, Jenna Fischer was boring in The Office and every other role she has done;. I have hopes for Splitting Up but it was just another formulaic TV show with boring Jenna as an aspiring actress. She is boring in Office Ladies too as well as Mechanical Man. Stay way unless you have run out of things to watch and just want to watch Pam Beesley.
Wine Country (2019)
Snoozefest in Wine Country
6 plus-size women travel to Napa Valley to drink and eat. No laughs. Odd for a comedy. Actually quite boring. Amy Poehler hit a severe shank with this dud. Great scenery, though. Just turn the volume off and watch this travelog of wine country.
Inception (2010)
Could have been edited far better
I will be the exception to the reviews on this site.
I liked the movie quite a bit. Great plot, great special effects. Great cast (except I hated DeCaprio's wife).
However, the film really starts to drag after the halfway point.
********************************* SPOILERS!!!!
After the halfway point, the plot calls for going to a deeper level (you will know what they means once you are in the theater). But the arctic fortress was long, boring and caused me to look at my watch. The other problem is the long sequences between DeCaprio and his wife. Yes, I understand it is part of the plot; but she is such a nasty, unsympathetic character (and lousy actress) that I really didn't understand DeCaprio's obsession with her.
Solution? Heavy editing of the Arctic section AND cutting the DeCaprio wife sequences down greatly.
Should have been a 10, but long, boring, unnecessary sequences in the second half hurt the film.