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Oculus (2013)
Great effects and acting but lacking depth in the plot
I really looked forward to this movie. The trailer was fascinating with a mirror that supposedly had a 400 year history of bizarre deaths of it's owners.
The good things first. The effects were really scary. Also, I found the acting top notch and very believable by both the adults and the children. This is what carries the movie.
However, most of the movie takes place in the same house in two time periods. One is now when the two siblings have grown up, the other when the parents were killed. The fact that the plot involves few other people than the the two siblings and the parents give it a budget like feeling. Also, there are several logical inconsistencies, which I wont't go into the details of, as it would introduce spoilers. Suffice it to say that there were several places where I would spontaneously say: "why don't you ... instead". These things make the movie lacking in depth and believability.
Alexander (2004)
A huge disappointment, as battle and historic movies goes
I can hardly understand how it could go wrong with the movie considering the director and theme, but it was a huge disappointment.
Firstly, the movie shows few scenes from the childhood and young age. There is a few shots of an insecure looking boy. But they do not build up the character so that it is believable. They seem like disconnected scenes. You don't really get to understand this person, what motivates him. It is narrated, but it does not seem real - you don't feel for the character or understand him. Still there is some drama in the beginning and you hope it can turn out a good movie.
But then there is suddenly a jump in the story line after these few scenes. Anthony Hopkins rambles on about what happened between the boy and his father, and then you are suddenly immersed into a battle situation. You follow discussions between Alexander and some of his generals or aides. Also, you see him talking to the soldiers before the battle. But again it does not come over as real. It seems like scenes acted out by amateurish actors. I will say that it simply does not seem like the actors believe in the story, including Collin Farrell.
The above is in sharp contrast to great battle movies like Braveheart and Troy which delivers the merchandize with believable heroes, brilliant acting and fascinating plots. Alexander is the total opposite. Whereas Anthony Hopkins narration makes us anticipate the portray of a charismatic leader of men - almost like a god to use his own words - the actual scenes makes Alexander seem weak, indecisive, confused and over indulgent. Why does the movie focus on so many of his faults, so much so, that the greatness of the man disappears?
Now, Oliver Stone may think that he is historically very correct, wanting to give the movie a documentary dimension. From my history lessons I had the expectation of a great leader with drive. This movie portrays him as too insecure and confused in many situations, and as a lunatic in some of the battle situations. Despite what psychological problems the real Alexander might have had due to his upbringing and tense relationship with his mother, I do believe that he must have been much more determined and strong than that weakling from shown in the movie. Otherwise he could not have attained as much.
As for the battle scenes, I found many of them claustrophobic and confusing with too many close ups. There is also too much blood and gore, which can be okay but only when it supports a good and believable plot. In this movie it just seems confusing and like it has been put into the movie just to have it there. The battle situations seems somehow disconnected from the main movie, like they are something added because they are expected to be there. You don't really get any feeling for each characters achievement in these battles which would have helped to build them up as believable.
In general I would say that there too much focus on jamming as many scenes and events into the movie as possible, with the effect of chopping up the plot and having characters that one does not get to really know, the result being that you cannot really identify with them or feel connected to the story.
Of good things in the movie I can mention are Angelina Jolie as the mother of Alexander. She is very convincing with her disturbed, dark personality and intrigues. But hers was a minor role. Also, some of the filming and visual effects were very nicely done. But these things cannot save the movie.
I am so very irritated with this long movie. It was a waste of time and I felt like leaving several times. I have rated it 3.
Van Helsing (2004)
Good effects and action, unfortunately a bit at the expense of the believability of the story and characters
I am very fond of fantasy, mystery and thrillers, and this movie was entertaining and worthwhile seeing, but it was also disappointing as I had expected so much more from it.
The movie had all the elements necessary to create a fantastic rather than an ordinary movie. The actors were, in my opinion, quite right for their respective roles, and the setting and background of the story could have made for a really nice thriller following up on the Dracula myth and tradition it could have been taken to epic levels. It seems such a pity having all this at hand and then turning out only a slightly better than average movie good on the action and spectacular effects, but little more.
What went wrong was that the action and effects were prioritised over and above the believability of the characters and story. Too much had to happen too fast with one spectacular scene after another. Instead they should have allowed for some more acting, defining and building up the characters and story.
In many scenes there is also an undertone of humour which I find quite annoying. When I watch a thriller I wish to be shocked, scared and thrilled, not having the suspense and atmosphere killed every other minute because the director, producers, finance men or whoever thinks it is oh so trendy for their movie to be like Buffy, Ally, etc. It's like having the dessert mixed into your nice steak dinner - I prefer to have them separately, thank you.
I rated this one a 6.
The Hidden (1987)
An excellent movie with fascinating twists and turns to the plot, a must see
This movie is best seen without knowing much about the plot. It starts off as standard action movie where you follow a policeman who is investigating some strange event of a seemingly normal person kind of going crazy and suddenly committing thefts, violence, escaping the police. As the story develops, the story turns in unexpected but very fascinating directions.
The pace is kept high, never does ones attention wander. The acting is good and the story comes over as very real. I won't reveal too much here of what happens later as there are many elements of surprise which adds to the whole experience.
This is one of the movies that I have enjoyed watching several times. My vote is a 9.
Resident Evil (2002)
Action/sf/thriller worthwhile seeing for the effects and graphics, the story coming over as believable even if a bit thin
Resident Evil turned out a bit better than expected. It's a quite good action/SF/thriller with execellent shooting and stunning effects. From what I had read the plot would be a bit thin, and true enough the simplicity of it, is the weakest point of the movie. That said, I still think the acting is quite good all around, especially considering the story they had to work with. The characters simply come over as believable. It's like everybody believe in the universe that is the essence of the story, which makes it real, even if is not deep personality that is explored here. The above together with some really good graphics and picture effects makes it a movie worth seeing. As for the thriller part some of the scenes and effects were quite shocking - in a good sense. The pace is fast like Aliens (2) so that your attention is kept on the screen, even if not up to overall level of that movie. I gave it a 7.