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mjelias78
Reviews
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Bigger explosions equals bigger plot holes
Having been a fan of the Transformers series from when i was a kid, i had some reservations about where this trilogy would go and whether it would live up to my expectations Now before you start thinking that maybe i set the bar way too high i ASSURE YOU I haven't, after all this movie is about fighting alien robots that can transform into various vehicles. The action sequences were always going to be good but the issues with plot that plagued Revenge of the Fallen have not improved on Dark of the Moon.
Without giving away spoilers for those who haven't seen it, i found myself constantly asking open questions-lots of why's, how's, what's when's and who's. It almost appears as though the film at its running time has been over edited(yeah you heard me) or maybe the wrong parts of it have been edited. Side stories that have no purpose being in the plot as well as characters you wish were annihilated by a stray decepticon rocket are given screen time. The rampant product placement, the idiotic childish attempts at humor, obvious plot twists and some of the unnecessary action sequences all designed to make you forget the plot holes big enough to swallow Cybertron. This film just need a simple enough plot to tie together the gaps between the action sequences and maybe 45-50 minutes shaved off the periods of dialogue that were simply not needed. Honestly you will find better story lines in the cartoons from the 80's.
I would only recommend this movie for people who honestly don't care about the story and are happy to spend their money seeing explosions. You will enjoy the visual spectacle even if you don't understand. However if you are the type of movie fan that needs a story that makes sense as well as action sequences than spend your cash on Captain America or Green Lantern.
CIA: Crime Investigation Australia (2005)
Compelling Viewing
This true crime series create dramatizations of some of the most shocking murders committed in Australia.
Hosted by Steve Liebman the show features dramatizations of the crimes as well as interviews with people involve in either the investigating and reporting of the crime/s when they happened or people closely related to the actual victims or murderers.
Interesting and informative, it doesn't glorify, it just presents the facts. Great if you are interested in the details but some of the information may not be for the squeamish.
Some of these crimes you may be old enough to remember, and some you may be either too young to recall or may have happened before your time.
The attention to the detail and the interviews with some of the investigators in how they went about apprehending the criminals is fascinating viewing, especially considering some of these crimes were solved without modern techniques.
All in all a fantastic show-best appreciated either on DVD or on Foxtels Criminal Investigation at network. This is also screened on free to air TV on Channel 9 however some of the dramatisations are edited.
Avatar (2009)
Great in 3D
Have just seen the latest work from James Cameron, and for anyone who has not seen it yet, if you do get the opportunity watch this movie in 3D.
The Positive: The visual effects are fantastic and the 3D doesn't throw shocks at you, rather it enhances the environment you have entered into. The planet of Pandora has visual wonders and elements that will at times take your breath away and the design of the native tribe of the planet is unlike anything you would have seen before. Very cool visuals, cool technology, even the weaponry used by the humans is very cool.
The Negative: The storyline is not spectacular and is pretty predictable, you will find yourself able to pretty much determine what is going to happen before it happens-as the good and bad guys are obvious to the audience and the knowledge of human nature in its drive to obtain resources. So you know where the story is going as we have seen it before. Dialogue at times a little weak and there are large gaps of time between action sequences, and when the action does hit it feels over just as it has began.
But the 3d is the enhancement and the main reason to see this at the cinemas. This movie will appeal to a wide range of audiences and is equal parts sci-fi and fantasy.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Its the little things that count
Its amazing how big budget movies can often fail on the little things that make a good film and great movie.
That is where this movie suffers-on the little things.
On the positive, the special effects, robot battles and new Autobots and Decepticons were great. The introduction of The Fallen, Constructicons(who form Devastator)and Jetfire being my personal favourites(bearing in mind Jetfire was one of my favourites from the 80's cartoon).
On the negative some of the acting(by the humans that is) was terrible. Screen time given to eye candy that has no acting talent(Isabel Lucas for example)instead of being focused on what fans want to see-robots fighting. The human story lines in between had a very familiar feel about them, seen many times before from various movies over the last 10-20 years. The introduction of the Fallen was ruined by the sudden departure(when you see the movie you will know what i mean). The "wrecking ball" testicles on Devastator stupid and not needed. The battle scenes arrive and depart too quickly. And i could go on, and on.
To summarise this movie suffers because it tries too hard to do too much. Its 5 movie types in one. This will probably divide the main stream cinema audience from the die hard fan of the Transformers franchise. While most will walk away satisfied with what they have been presented, a good percentage will walk away feeling like they have been cheated by something that promised so much but delivered so little. While both sides will have varying views on the movies they will inevitably come to the same conclusion-the sequel was not as good as the first film.
And all because of the little things. So so so so many little things.