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abundidi1184
Reviews
Magic Mike (2012)
Liked it better than I thought
I'm 64 years old, and thought that I wouldn't like the film. Reason being; I thought my stripper watching days were over 20 years ago. I was right, they were! But the movie had substance, and I found myself being drawn in by the brilliant character development this movie provided. First, Dallas. Matthew McConaughey was perfect as the sleazy 40 something stripper who seduces his protégés as skillfully as he seduces the crowd at the club. Secondly, Mike. Channing Tatum, "killed" with his bravura performance as the star dancer on stage, and the "sensitive" entrepreneur off stage. Thirdly,Adam, the kid's character was exhibited in his first scene, when he quit his job at the construction site, and drifted into stripping later that night. His sister summed him up when she said, "He had a football scholarship which he lost when he hit the coach the first day." His dabbling in drugs, showed a young "loser in training". Alex Pettyfer played the character just right. At first green, and then, tepidly a want-a-be, looking for love. What the film showed was the beginning of his down-slide, not the inevitable end of it. Brilliant! The women were perfect backdrops for these men's characters. The down- to-earth concerned sister. The intelligent, upwardly mobile girlfriend. The druggie "freak" with the pet pig. Even the manager at the bank. This small role was performed wonderfully. She was obviously effected by the attractiveness and sexiness of Magic Mike, but she didn't let that deter her from her job to properly assess Mike's suitability for a loan. Great! Realistic, and so unpredictable. I think that was when I began to really pay attention to the movie as something of substance. The stripping scenes were okay. I could have done without so many of them, but, as I said, I'm 64. The best was Mike's final "F You!" dance. That was hot! All in all, great movie that avoided most of the tired "good guy goes bad" predictability. See it.
Grace of My Heart (1996)
17 years later and it's still a yawn
I saw when it came into the theater, and I thought it was okay. I saw it today and it's still okay. Personally I think it could have benefited from some editing. The main character,played by Ileana Douglas wasn't strong enough to carry the movie. She was mousy, and if it were not for the extremely talented supporting cast, it would have been a total snooze. I lived through the 50's and 60's. I loved the way the film showed the the evolution of rock and roll. I was disappointed not in the music, which was spot on, but Edna's role. John Tuturro was magnificent as always. Although Eric Stolz was good, if I was editing, I would have cut most of his scenes. Fast forward to the "caught in bed with another woman" scene. The script really was totally predictable. The affair with the married man; Matt Dillon's suicide, no surprise there. But the most disappointing was Ileana Douglas. A better actor could have carried the movie. She is not star material. The 4 stars were for John Tuturro and the song, "God Give Me Strength".
Horrible Bosses (2011)
Major Disappointment
I admit I watched it at 5 something in the morning. I admit I was half asleep. I admit I had high expectations because of the excellent cast. But this movie, in my opinion, was terrible. It was laced with gratuitous profanity. Maybe if I was 12, I would laugh; since I'm not I didn't. Don't get me wrong, there were some instances in which I laughed aloud, but I would be willing to bet it was when an ad lib was delivered instead of a line from a script. After I watched it, I was convinced that this was a script written during a night of circulating a joint. In my past, I came up with "brilliant' ideas that in the light of day made no sense whatsoever. This movie got made based on the notoriety of the cast and director. Seasoned actors willing to lower their standards for a quick buck. The premise was good, but the movie didn't deliver. After I watched it, I wanted a disclaimer: Warning: "This movie sucks! I was high when I wrote it." Nothing to see here. Nothing.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Driven by the soundtrack
What a soundtrack!!! R&B, Reggae, Pop, Rock, a lot of Ballywood. This movie, actually a formula Romeo & Juliet script, was made delicious by the soundtrack. To hear vintage Curtis Mayfield, "Move On Up" was a pleasant and exciting surprise! It was meant to lyrically describe the girls soccer football) team, it also showed how things had changed in England, with former colonists and the British. The movie was sweet and definitely a feel good, "chick flick", with some good soccer thrown in. At a time when a crazy, racist, Neo-Nazi felt the need to shoot up a Sikh temple, it was good to see people just being people with their prejudices, mostly based on ignorance of the "other". Of course by the end of the movie everyone is getting along. Wouldn't it be nice if the world could be that way? It's a fantasy of mine that people actually got to know each other there would be no war, no genocide, no hatred. This movie had something for everyone, one to which I would take my grandson. I loved the wedding and the dancing! I was watching it at home at 7 AM, and I got up to bust a move! It's highly recommended by me. See it!
Cedar Rapids (2011)
Brilliant and funny
Of course, there were the usual nice guy gone wild scenes, and stock happy ending, but this ensemble cast pulled it off brilliantly. There were many scenes in which I laughed out loud. I was disappointed in the scant use of Sigourney Weaver, however. Overall, a fun time was had by all who watched it. John C Reilly really made the movie. A true comedic actor. Ann Heche played a believable bored housewife out for her yearly fling. Good to see her again. Ed Helms played the perfect dork with a conscience. Isaiah Whitlock was solid, and I laughed at many of his scenes, but when they had him play a stereotype "black dude", it was kind of predictable, especially the reaction at the party in which everyone was "scared". Still, with all it's flaws I enjoyed it. Definitely re-able.
Tron: Legacy (2010)
Loved it!
I am 63 years old, and I loved the original movie, Tron, because I loved everything Jeff Bridges, and the movie was so unique and exciting. I've never been a gamer, so I didn't relate on a gamer level. I related to the original on a movie watcher's level. The same is true with Tron Legacy. 30 years later, I'm still not a gamer, but the effect of this movie struck me the same way. Jeff Bridges did not disappoint, and the supporting actors were up to the task. The movie was so exciting it kept me breathless throughout the movie. Many times while watching it, I exclaimed with "Wow!", "Damn!", and other expletives. I saw it at home with no 3D HD on a 32 inch TV, and it held up. This movie needed none of those things, because the directing, story line and acting was truly enough. Wow!!!
My Blueberry Nights (2007)
Great Film
I have always preferred a small film with great lines, and bravura performances. I guess it's why I prefer old films from the 30's and 40's. The script is more important than the now popular special effect movies that are touted by the critics nowadays. This film is like a vintage one. I've watched it twice, and wondered why I hadn't heard about it before. The acting of all the actors were right on target. Standout performances were of Rachel Weisz and David Straithorn. Natalie Portman's performance was excellent as usual and Nora Jones was surprisingly effective for a first time film. I would have liked to see more of Jude Law's life, which is why I only scored it a 9, but what was shown was enough to get his basic character. He was wonderful. A nice movie to watch in the early morning. It starts my day with a positive note. Watch it, you'll love it.
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011)
Must See, Seldom Covered Material
For someone who thrived during this era, it was a nice refresher course. I started college in 1967, and was able to see and even meet some of the principles of this era. For young people it is a must see movie. It is the US seen trough Swedish eyes. I gave it high marks because mostly what is shown these days about the struggle of the 60's is Martin Luther King. There were many more, who got coverage at the time. Some of them were revered as much as Martin Luther King. It draws few conclusions except for the epidemic of drugs in the Black community for the Radicalisms demise. In my opinion, many of the radicals went capitalist. Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver turned main stream. I bought a cookbook by Bobby Seale in the 80's. Despite its flaws, this movie is history that you will never see in the history books.
Sling Blade (1996)
Brilliant
This has got to be one of the most significant movies made in the past 20 years. The script, wonderful; the casting fantastic; the acting remarkable. I worked as a social worker for 30 years, specializing in mentally ill and developmentally disabled individuals, and believe you me, Billy Bob Thornton's depiction of Karl was spot on. His flat affect, his visible thinking before he spoke, his simple and yet profound way in which he analyzed things was unsurpassed. The town folk were generally kind and excepting, and not too much brighter than Karl. If I were to sum up this movie in one sentence it would be, "He didn't kill anyone who didn't deserve it.", with the exception of his father. After watching this movie, I now realize why Angelina Jolie married him. They are both great actors.
Footloose (1984)
Liked it as much as I did when it came out
In the early eighties there were a few movies like this; Dirty Dancing, Fame, and Flashdance. This was my least favorite of them all. I'm sure there is a town which banned dancing somewhere in this country, but that's why I liked this one the least. Despite the ban on dancing, most of the teens knew how to dance. It just didn't ring true. Don't get me wrong, the acting was very good, especially from John Lithgow and Diane Wiest, who never disappoint. Kevin Bacon was convincing as the rebel, and Lori Singer was good too. I guess the transformation of the late Chris Penn was more like science fiction then a non-dancer turning into a Michael Jackson over night. I would have preferred that he did okay. Then there was the flashback of the last 2 years of high school I spent in rural Kansas. A big Saturday night was spent "cow tipping" or swinging off a rope and diving into a river. Of course that was after everyone but me was drunk. I couldn't relate. I didn't participate, and thought it was lame-brained. I feel that the Kevin Bacon would have shown a little bit more of "I'm in Hell" than he did. Anyway, I loved the soundtrack. Watching it 27 years later tonight was for the soundtrack. Kevin Bacon has done much better work since then.
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
When Harry Met Erica
I admit I'm late. I planned on seeing this movie when it was released in 2003. I didn't get around to it until 2011. I have always loved Jack Nicholson's movies, and also Diane Keaton's. The two together after 30 years since "Reds" was sweet. I haven't laughed so hard and loud at a romantic movie since "When Harry Met Sally". Keanu Reeves and Amanda Peet played perfect, young and decidedly uninteresting young upwardly mobile 30 somethings. Both "perfect catches" for someone, but not for the seasoned, sexy senior citizens. I laughed 'til I cried. At 63 years of age, and someone who fell in love for the first time at 48 years of age, I can relate. I quote the Paul Simon song, "You have to learn how to fall, before you can fly". No truer words have been said.