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mrdadelus
Reviews
The Wonder Years: Pilot (2021)
A wonder
The humor snd complexity of this pilot episode knocked me back. It's innocent and aware of itself.
Filled with brilliant, Bright Moments.
Looking forward to the rest of the season.
Be Cool.
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
I was expecting so much less.
This is an utterly worthy film. The character arcs are refreshing, the story more engaging. Works better with intermissions but you will not be disappointed.
Hereditary (2018)
Excellent horror. But this movie will make you sad.
This move is an amazing punch in the gut. THEN the horror starts.
Iron Fist (2017)
Not terrible, but not good enough. Flawed at best
The MCU series on Netflix has been a provocative, gritty series that presents the lives of heroes who are, in essence flawed and troubled by the less cosmic threats that face all of us: Injustice, disenfranchisement, grand and petty corruption and general fear and helpless. Iron Fist did nothing to find its home in that uncomfortable place. Danny Rand is a broken superhuman, like the others, but his challenge seems to be where to find his place in a world that doesn't want him.
Unfortunately, it might also be that the MCU doesn't want him either.
The production and writing were moving in some directions but never really got there, Rand seems wise but without useful wisdom, he's an unbeatable martial force but without any real character. Maybe his stunted emotional development could be the reason for it, but we'll never know.
Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Matt Murdock have their broken bits on public display and make some sense. The only reason Iron Fist should be compared to any of them is because, like it or not he's due to join their ranks.
The Martian (2015)
Seriously - this is what movies are supposed to do...
"The Martian" was a phenomenal film, score, acting and source material.
Movies are magic, they are and can be transcendent, a showcase of human potential and chapter mark for a brand new idea. How about showing someone fighting mans oldest foe (nature), with his greatest weapons (hope and knowledge)? This movie is a textbook example of borrowing source material and breathing full blown life into it.
There are dozens of critical analysis of either, but this film can reach out to people and show people, literally, where we could go next.
Its a lesson for grade school, high school and college - instead of giving young people impossible, nonsensical lessons in the use of mathematics, advanced mathematics, botany, rugged outdoor survival, - solve for X and get Whateley home!
Tomorrowland (2015)
Hope is energizing - no spoilers
Some movies solve their dilemma with a bomb, bullet, computer virus or photon torpedo. This one isn't about bullets, bombs or computer viruses. Its about hope.
If Frank Capra had interned at ILM, he might have made this movie. We're living in a time where the slightest shred of hope is mocked by people who make a very good living on hopelessness. We've come to expect it and grow suspicious when we don't see the angle right up front. What if that were by sinister design?
It has some trouble finding it's stride but it never loses hope, which is more to the point. Its got an conclusion that'll stick with you, energize you and even motivate you to get up and do something, anything just for a chance at Tomorrowland.
America: Imagine the World Without Her (2014)
A very important movie
This is an important movie, the type and work of it will be studied for decades to come. Like the work of DW Griffith with it's grotesque display of African American slaves and culture. Like the writer/ directors' previous film designed to sway the 2012 election, this is the kind of yellow journalism most film makers and artists today are ashamed to produce. Following in the footsteps of Riefenstahl and Gobbles, this kind of false documentary whose sole intent seems to be the justification of right wing conspiracies and feeding the ego of the furthest anti-Obama radio shock jock.
The work is trite, theories poorly explained and rarely developed, the 'threat' to the nation under the "Obama regime" is uninformed, short sighted and when factoring in the 8 years of the Bush administration, positively amnesiac.
It's an important film, to see that the madness of Germany and Austria in 1936 is not as far away as we wish. there is an actual production value here.
John Carter (2012)
An excellent Movie - great for adults and children.
The movie, based on work by classic pulp novelist Edgar Burroughs, is a fantastic if slightly dated spectacle of modern science fiction with classical science fiction themes. leaving out spoilers which you can find easily enough I'll say that this movie is exactly what fans of the genre and adventure movies have been waiting for - strong intelligent characters, a thoughtful and compelling plot about the destiny of a civilization and scenery rendered so beautifully it will surely win best animation or cinematography. By all means see this on the big screen, you'll be happy you did.
JN
The Trial (1993)
Brilliant rendition
Terrific version of this story - moves more smoothly and lacks some of the dream like Brectian look of Welles version. Still, McLaughlin is excellent as a confident, terrified and confused man who's life is inexplicably changed when he his charged in an unknown place, for an unknown crime. Hopkins and Robards as the Priest and legal counsel are in excellent form. Set during the time period when Kafka was alive to give the film a sense of place, I strongly recommend this version of the story for someone who wants a little more scenery and a sense that Josef lives somewhere instead of just in some strange version of a modern town.
Dirty Love (2005)
Funniest Woman since Madeline Kahn
I bought this movie on a whim hoping for a few cheap laughs. What I have instead is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. The production value seems a little light, but the writing, the gags, the dialog and comedic timing are all first rate. Why Jenny hasn't gotten more or better work is entirely beyond me. This woman is funny, smart and will do absolutely anything for a laugh. The romantic angle seemed a little heavy handed at first but it had a realistic quality that i found quite moving.
I wont give away any of the jokes, but basically she takes a twin shot at men versus women and relationships in general and while there is its a fair share of ludicrous humor, there is also a fair share of thoughtfulness and genuine understanding about why we put ourselves through what we do.
This is an absolute must get for anyone who likes Jenny MacCarthy, and for anyone who likes a lot of no-holds-barred physical humor.
Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003)
Absolutely Stunning
Some argued that the Animation was poorly done for this series. I strongly disagree. The action sequences were really brought to life by the thick lined style of animation. I admit to being a fan of Samurai Jack, and therefore a fan of the Director. But someone would have to be blind to fail to see the beautiful stark simplicity this style has to offer.
Additionally, the director's use of sound was nothing short of brilliant. I only wish the last two star wars movies had similliar attention paid to plot, dialogue and artistic detail. George Lucas is a conceptual GENIUS. However his skill as a director and a writer fall so short of equaling his brilliance of scope that the story and acting are completely overwhelmed.