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gallopman
Reviews
Sicario (2015)
Tense intelligent filmmaking for 2010 decade
If you desire a film to challenge your socio-political beliefs while delivering a powerfully presented message for the past decade, this is the film.
This movie deals with how American security/LEO organizations are dealing with drug cartels in the present time frame. It's not a pretty or jingoistic presentation.
Villanueve deftly gives the viewer all the particulars and let's the viewer draw their own conclusions given the story's background and present day situation. The movie explores the complexities that face the LEO and other government agencies trying to curb the multi-million dollar drug trade conducted in America from foreign actors. It's clear early on that the FBI is depicted as the naive child in this arrangement. CIA and other shadowy government officials are calling the shots.
Once, the plot unfolds, the movie heads to its third act that really challenges the viewer's opinions how America should or should not be fighting the war against the drug traffickers. The acting, writing, directing are all outstanding. Of particular note, legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins is on the camera. This alone should drive any seasoned film buff to seek out this film.
Deakins' work is breathtaking to behold. If you love political action thrillers check this one out...
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Eurovision works in spite of itself...
This new offering from Netflix is a weird, wacky romcom starring Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams and Pierce Brosnan.
While this movie never really treads new ground, it steadily reels you in largely because of the three leads. Ferrell and McAdams play two grown childhood friends who sing together as a duo/band with aspirations(mainly Ferrell's) to hit the big time and make it to a singing competition in Europe called Eurovision. McAdams happily does most of Lars' bidding because she's not so secretly in love with Lars. Truth be told, she's a far better singer than Lars by an Icelandic icy mile(I have no idea what that means). But, it's Lars' ambition that propels them to keep it through gigs.
They both decide to enter into an Icelandic singing contest that's sort of regional qualifier for Eurovision. Through some tragic, but funny plotting they both find themselves in the big show as it were.
Once in Eurovision they find they're just small minnows in a pool of big time sharks, hungry sharks at that. Enter the lusty, sexually disoriented Russian pop heartthrob Lemtov, lustily and tongue in cheekily played by Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey Fame. Now, we've all seen the plot mechanics where situations arise that place our heroes in romantic peril. This flick also mines that well trodden territory as well.
That said, this is where all of a sudden something strange takes place. The movie creeps up on the viewer and makes them start rooting for Sigrit and Lars. So much so, it's quite perplexing to figure out. That's why as someone who's seen countless RomComs, I whole heartedly must recommend this film because towards the last third of the film you actually care for the main characters and the entirety of their whole Icelandic crew. I think you'll find this weird kinship with how Icelanders must feel about their country and their little corner of the world. 7 stars...
Selling Sunset (2019)
Pit of collagen filled vipers and two bald idiots!
OMG there's a reason why people from flyover country have an inherent distaste of the east & west coasts... this show is living proof of that.
This is a Bachelorettes of Orange County disguised as a high end real estate show...
The sheer vapidness of all the people in this show is astounding in its scope... every single person is stupid and self involved... it's like if Narcissus came back as a group of botoxed, collagen laden hyenas that instead of laughing sounded more like high pitched meerkats wearing Louis Vuitton apparel.
The garbage these people argue, kvetch about just boggles the normal, American mind. In one episode, we find out that one of the real estate agents confided in one other real estate agent that she had gotten engaged to her very rich boyfriend. Once this information hit the other collagen glazed meerkats, the entire office went into a tizzy because the one meerkat had the secret first!
****WHO CARES?****
This is the show in a nutshell...
You do get to see some cool LA homes but not enough numbers...
Dexter: Father Knows Best (2006)
Moments of infuriating emotions
This episode has some bewildering emotional weirdness mainly from Dexter's sister. Her behavior at Dexter's biological father's house is positively psycho....
She literally throws a fit because Dexter decides to get a DNA paternity test to confirm that the guy is actually is his real father because he has some legitimate concerns....
His sister is mistakenly given the results, she has a cow with Dexter. The writers deciding this was an understandable reaction is far too Hollywoodish. The show usually does a great job of nailing the intentions, motives and emotions, but this episode is infuriating... the way his sister behaves is nutso... beware...
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
This Bird poops...
It's comforting to know in this post #Metoo era, that women can and will make terrible movies. Which is where we find ourselves with this full scale cinematic crap...
Margo Robbie is a true talent, gifted actress. So, Robbie needs to learn that she needs to be able to read a script and discern for herself and her future in Hollywood what will be a good movie, because this ain't it.
Ewan McGregor should know better by now in his acting career. This movie is not even passable bubblegum fare. It's comic book trope after comic book trope ad nauseum. Every bad guy who takes on Harley and her troop dutifully line up politely to take on Harley and her crew one bad guy after another, as it should be in a terrible movie such as this. Do yourself a favor, rent Atomic Blonde, which is far more realistic and much more fun and badass...
Showgirls (1995)
Deliciously bad
This movie has absolutely zero subtlety. The lead actress Elizabeth Berkeley is so out of her element it's obvious from the very first scene.how poorly she will act through the entire movie...
She's not alone. She has plenty of accomplices in this criminal enterprise of a movie. I'm surprised that all the main actors in this movie didn't gain twenty pounds each from chewing on the scenery with such reckless abandon.
This movie is so preoccupied with trying to impart so many morality messages they get completely lost in all the T&A blithely tossed out with no discernible end...
If all you're interested in is a T&A movie then this movie will deliver. If you care about acting, directing and writing that is compelling then this is not the movie for you. I will say if you and a bunch of friends want to get together late one night, get drunk or get high and make fun of a movie, then this movie could be a great choice...
The Beach Bum (2019)
Rum Diaries meet The Beach Bum
I think the best way to explain this movie is that Johnny Depp called up Matthew M. And said, "Hey Matt! I need you to do this Beach Bum movie to rival my horrible Rum Diaries...
Seriously, it's just a self indulgent excuse for a movie. It, as far as I can tell, has no redeemable qualities other than it finally and mercifully ends...
I gave it an extra star because there is some good nudity in it...
They Came Together (2014)
Making fun of RomComs
I get the jist of this movie... basically a droll send up of RomComs. I think the biggest problem with this movie is that it tries to plant its feet in both worlds... RomCom and parody of RomComs. The acting and writing is purposefully less than artful and the acting is purposefully wooden for effect. Sometimes the jokes land other times not so much. The story is told from one couple telling the other couple how they met and fell in love... it's an interesting premise for a movie, just not well executed. So, if you catch this movie on tv, just know it's definitely a hit or miss type of endeavor...
22 July (2018)
Pretty solid Greengrass movie for Netflix
Ok, so looking at some of the other reviews, I've noticed that other reviewers have taken issue with the Norwegian actors' accents and their speaking English for the film. As an American, I can say without a doubt, the accents and the English speaking is terrific. No problems with the dialogue did I notice during the film.
So the film does a brief setup of the actions taken against the government and the teenagers camp that day. I believe Greengrass does s brief delving of the events in order to prevent glamorizing the terrorists behavior but to simply inform the movie watcher to what took place. The film really focuses on the survivors, their families and the terrorist's defense in the aftermath...
The terrorist's mindset is depicted through meetings with his defense lawyer. One particular young man who survived the attack, his recovery is shown to great detail. The acting is uniformly good throughout the film...
I believe because of the tragic nature of events that took place, the gravitas of the film is a tough watch. That said, I applaud Netflix for signing a first rate director on to this project. If you have the two hours and stomach for the subject matter give the movie a chance...
Shutter Island (2010)
Great acting and directing
This is a movie for those that are movie goers. Also, if you see this you must watch it again to fully appreciate the direction and acting that goes into pulling off this film. All of the players in this film do a masterful job with their roles. To understand what I'm saying, watch the movie one night and then think about it and then watch it the next day. Then pay attention to what everyone is doing. This type of acting scheme doesn't happen on it's own. The director has to make the actors pull off his vision. Anyway if you love movies this is your type of film. Martin Scorsese is a master director and continually challenges himself with each movie and genre he tackles, this being a Hitchcock homage.
Parental Guidance (2012)
Horrid
OK men this is the type of movie that women find "cute" be warned... very warned. Our family rented this cinematic turd. I didn't want to rent it but sometimes we do what we must. There is not an ounce of plausibility in this giant piece of crap. As per usual Billy Crystal force feeds us more baseball nonsense. Crystal you may love baseball and that's fine but not everyone one wants to watch a movie where baseball is referenced throughout the movie. The writing, plot, acting, directing are uniformly horrible. All of it sucks. The climax of the film is, get this, the grandparents playing kick the can (incorrectly to boot)with the kids in the backyard during a downpour. Truly exciting stuff to witness. Men I'm trying to be a Broney here, don't let your wife or honey talk you into this crap fest. Life is too short to watch such drivel.
In America (2002)
Great little gem of a movie
To those whom have never watched this movie, if you get a chance to rent or see it on cable,TV etc. watch it! This movie has so many moving moments. The core cast of five are superb. The Bolger sisters nearly steal the show. However, the highlight of the movie are Paddy Considine and Djimon Hounsou's performances. Considine is heartbreaking as a dad who has yet to come to grips with his young son who died. He is equal parts lost, distant and filled with rage, but can not find the will to cry over his lost son Frankie. Hounsou is the neighbor downstairs in the tenement where they all live, who befriends the family. The beauty of this film lies in the leisurely pace that it takes in certain sequences of the film. It's simply a mimicking of life and it's pattern that we all live through. Hounsou is filled with rage but he knows the pain of dying because he is in the late stages of AIDS. However, Hounsou's rage is tempered by his understanding and vulnerability being near Johnny and Sarah's family. One climactic scene has Considine and Hounsou almost at blows over some trust issues until Considine's character comes to the realization that Matteo is dying. Afterwards, their friendship blossoms. The winter scene when Considine and Hounsou's characters discuss Frankie is so honest and heartbreaking that it's a revelation that such a simple scene can be so moving in this age of movie-making. The family still is mourning the death of their brother and son but begin to move on, albeit with many bumps in the road. Another terrific plus for the movie is the beautiful and vibrant cinematography. I also really loved the music score. It's sweet and childlike but offers a sense of whimsy. The final scenes are some of the finest I've seen in film. Through Matteo's death and Johnny's oldest daughter he eventually finds a way to cry for his lost son. The way that he gets to that place is a remarkable and clever twist that I think that any of the hardest hearts would succumb to. To those who enjoy the big, high budget, mass media offerings this may not be the movie for you but if you take a chance you will be glad you did.
August Rush (2007)
Nothing short of awful
Okay so I see there are a plethora of people outside of the U.S. who absolutely adore this movie... Kudos to you crazy peeps. I think for us Americans we are a little more discriminating. A number of people have noted Freddie Highmore's creepiness and I must agree but I say why stop there... How 'bout Kerri Russel's weird far off stare throughout the movie? I did figure the stare out though. I'm pretty sure she was looking out towards the stage door in hopes that she could flee from this bad, bad, bad movie. Where to start... events that happen are simply astounding in their flying in the face of convention and believability. Musician knocks up musician on rooftop. Musician's father spirits daughter musician away from randy Irish musician so he can't violate his musician daughter again. Daughter musician winds up pregnant.Luckily for father just before musician daughter has birth, daughter gets hit by a car and baby must be delivered and then given up as an orphan all without the consent or knowledge of seemingly sophisticated musician daughter. Irish musician lad spends the next 11 years doing something vaguely corporate and walking around looking like he's constipated. Musician daughter decides to teach music(go figure). 11 year old bastard orphan child escapes orphanage and goes to the city where every orphan dreams of fleeing to ...New York City. Orphan gets taken in by a orphan/manager pimp for wayward young boys. Cue Robin Williams over acting wildly. Obviously Williams got got paid more by loudness and unstable acting. Can anyone say Hello Oscar?.... Orphan boy plays guitar first time he touches a guitar.... Can anyone say Whimsy?.... Orphan boy gets into Juliard,can anyone say entitlement?..... Orphan boy is conflicted between Fagin type character and professor at Juliard. Fagin type wins out because of the great digs he has provided orphan, old condemned theater with electricity. Cue star-crossed musicians looking for orphan child in New York City because that's where all orphans runaway to. Star-crossed musicians hear and see orphan boy conduct his own symphony and walk up to stage and know that he is their son. Awwwww tugs at the heartstrings doesn't it. Vomit.