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Sissy111
Reviews
Hanna (2011)
Surreal thriller
Amazingly done with great acting and lots of brilliantly crafted action sequences. Not a boring moment. Saoirse Ronan is just so, so good. Don't mess with Hanna! Cate Blanchett fits into her role as a bad guy and Eric Bana is excellent.
The critics have seriously underrated this movie. Joe Wright directs this movie in the same masterful way he did Atonement. Highly entertaining and original Grimm fairy tale which is beautifully structured.
The Interview (2014)
Great movie
The publicity surrounding the movie made me watch it. It follows two idiots, played by James Franco and Seth Rogan. Two brilliant actors who deserve 10/10. The magic they had in movies like Pineapple Express is diminished.
The movie is in no way perfect by all means, but it does have it's surprisingly funny and shocking moments. It's witty fresh and original. The music was very Tarantino-ash, therefore I loved it.
Yes, the movie is overloaded with toilet humor, but it does not necessarily make it a bad movie. Watch and enjoy!
Beyoncé: Life Is But a Dream (2013)
Queen Bey
The opening scenes of this movie are beautifully filmed and edited. We get a glimpse into Beyoncé's personal life, I thought it would be a little more in depth, but it's still a good watch. Had she gone into her upbringing, childhood and family more, it would have been more interesting but all in all it's a pretty good documentary.
Queen Bey interacts a lot with the fans in this. She just radiates awesomeness and gets very personal in this movie; something she rarely ever does so I applaud her for really opening up. The concert scenes are great and it also delves into the superficial jungle of celebrity spaghetti and explores the mindset that has gotten her this far. Very touching and personal so this is certainly for all Beyoncé fans out there and I would recommend it.. Thanks Bey you truly made your mark on the new age classy woman.
Pineapple Express (2008)
Instant classic
This movie is in my top 5. One of the best comedies ever. Way better than Knocked Up. I don't know why this got low scores, the whole theater was going crazy back when I saw it. I am not a big fan of Seth Rogen, but I loved this movie!
It's about a stoner who witnessed a murder, and him and his dealer are on the run. Both are stoned in every single scene. You feel for the characters, who are very lovable and the development takes the plot from absurdity to laugh-out-loud humor. I hate slapstick, but this so well done.
James Franco is so darn hot, he's absolutely sizzling in this movie. His laid-back drug dealer character is hilarious, but as innocent as a puppy. His smile is an iconic movie landmark. He is so funny as the drug dealer and him and Rogan have great chemistry together All in all, Pineapple Express is a blast, with an endearing quality. Anyone that doesn't find this movie funny...I feel bad for you
Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
Interesting movie
It's a good and interesting movie, but mostly if you're already interested in Nirvana. The animations are awesome and it does a very good job of showing Kurt as a creative genius and troubled kid, raised within a dysfunctional family. It's the home movie footage with Courtney Love and baby that fans will find the most emotional.
The movie covers Kurt Cobain from the cradle to the grave, and it's very moving but if you're looking for some expose on the circumstances surrounding his death, you won't find it here.It doesn't deal with his death at all. He always felt like an outsider, it showed in his music. I just wish that he'd lived long enough to find a little peace of mind.
Gone Girl (2014)
Will keep you guessing
Wow I saw this movie with no prior knowledge of the book or even an idea what this movie was about. I was in for quite a ride. I was riveted; it was so intense and I totally got caught up in the suspense of the plot. In a way it's a horror movie, a frightening physiological thriller. The main cast was really good. Rosamund Pike was perfect and totally creepy. I'm not a fan of Ben Affleck, but he was awesome in this, as were the rest of the cast.
David Fincher is a master of style, and he knows how to make almost any material absorbing. Gone Girl is an entertaining movie with a great story line, filled with memorable acting. The only fault was I felt it was kind of long, but the movie will keep you guessing and you really will not know where it will end up.
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Disney magic
This is an awesome movie, so don't believe the haters. When I saw it was rated low, I was like "oh darn". Then I watched it anyways and it was much better than I thought it would be. I don't understand why it is so underrated. The "professional" reviewers are completely out to lunch. It worked for me because I like movies that take you to another world and this did just that.
Folks should know that when The Wizard of Oz came out in 1939, it was anything but a success. The Wizard of Oz is an institution and Oz the Great and Powerful is very honorable prequel and reminds you why you love the original. The casting and performances are spot on in this movie. Okay, the wicked witch might not be so wicked, but Rachel Weisz is great and James Franco was a good pick for the role. He is totally awesome as usual – he is hot and a true talent, full of charm and humor. His innocence keeps it light. The movie is great fun. It engages the audience right from the beginning and never lets go. No matter what age bracket you are in, you'll enjoy it.
Amy (2015)
Spellbinding
Amy was the real deal. And so is this doc. Friends, family and colleagues are interviewed, they aren't shown talking at all and it works. There is no narration, but her lyrics tell the story of her rise and heartbreaking fall. Her knockout voice and songs were the key and her lyrics makes you realize they always were. Watching her fall apart on screen is like a train wreck. As she becomes richer and richer and more and more famous, it becomes comes clear that she wasn't equipped to cope and that was where her fall begins. The doc moves from cell phone footage and TV performance to the paparazzi mobs and it becomes clear Amy was cursed with an array of dysfunctional behaviors that would com-bust into self-destruction
You'll pretty much want to watch more of Amy nonstop. There's no spoiler alert needed here because we all know how this one ends, and losing her again made it all the more hard to watch, but the doc ends on a high note, with her duet with her idol Tony Bennett. What a waste.
Buried (2010)
Just what it reads on the box
This whole movie is one actor in one box, wow are you serious? Definitely one I struggled to continue watching, you have to remind yourself to breathe. The movie has some merits, like make real the impression to be buried, but bottom line: the movie is 90 minutes of slow build, staring at a dimly lit Ryan Reynolds as he grunts and heaves and yells down someone else's cell phone while being buried alive. I did not even feel any emotion when he was talking to his wife or his mom. The entire movie was intense. It had a negative ending and gave me zero thrills.
We go to the movies for enjoyment so unless you like feeling trapped or have an affinity with very tight spaces without anti anxiety medications, take a PASS on this movie
George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011)
Pretty Good but could've been Great
First up, a music documentary on a music celebrity can be measured by content and insight. On the first point Martin Scorsese knocks the ball right out of the park. There is no bigger Martin Scorsese fan than myself, but this does not have a Scorcese feel and by the end I just didn't feel I knew George Harrison any better than before. Let's face it folks, his role in the Beatles has been told many, many times. There was nothing new in the movie that hadn't already been published but the very short interviews with his siblings at the beginning left me wanting to know much more.
There was no narration to carry the movie so it was essentially a grab bag of items made from interviews and clips without explanation. The closest we get to a voice-over is Dhani Harrison reading excerpts from his father's diary and letters to his Mom. Having said that, there were moments of joy and beauty. It is worth a watch and I did appreciate him more after watching and many fans will find it awesome
The Everly Brothers: Harmonies from Heaven (2016)
Well-crafted documentary
What can you say about these guys that hasn't already been said? Not even the most peripheral rock 'n' roller should need an explanation regarding how the two young Kentucky- bred brothers placed their stamp upon the sounds of the Sixties. These guys were awesome together. Their music was like breath of fresh air. Timeless, pure magic, with perfect harmonies. I think even people who don't know their music will enjoy this beautiful documentary.
The doc focuses on their career in the late fifties and early sixties when Phil and Don Everly were one of the biggest acts in the world. I loved the interviews with Don, Art Garfunkel and Keith Richards, with Richards declaring Don one of the best acoustic rhythm guitarists he ever heard. I found lots of good info here from a clutch of talking heads including rock writers and music executives, along with clips taken from American and British TV shows.
Watching this I realized that the joint duo singing and harmonizing since the beginning, was used by later rock'n'roll British groups, such as The Beatles. Just take a look at Paul and George using the same mike, exactly like Don and Phil did years before. Great performances can be a tear-jerk-er when you realize there are no more. Bitter sweet. Sad to think that Phil has left us. I recommend this highly.
Filth (2013)
Enjoy the ride
James McAvoy is awesome and is reason enough alone to watch this. Even when you don't understand what the characters are saying, McAvoy makes you not care. Joanne Froggatt and the rest of the cast are great, but really its James's movie. What an actor.
You never really know what to expect with this movie, predictable it is not. It's the most deranged comedy I ever watched. Taking the bad-cop genre to the extreme, Filth lives up to its title and then some. For the first half-hour it's got a full-on energy followed by a complex plot. An alcoholic cop is having animal-themed hallucinations. The further the character goes to get his promotion the crazier things get on screen. Do not let the uptight middle of the road critics reviews fool you. While it isn't a movie you'll call your favorite, it's a wild ride and one I recommend taking. if you can stomach it.
Identity Thief (2013)
Sit back and enjoy!
I don't know why this movie got such a raw deal and bashing from the reviewers. The plot has humor and heart and I thought it was very good, it made me laugh a bunch and I recommend that anyone looking for fun entertainment should see it. To be certain, Identity Thief will win no major awards. What it will do is entertain you for about 90 minutes with great laughs. The movie is good for both sexes and most ages. If you enjoyed Bridesmaids or The Hangover then this is right up your alley.
I love the lead actors and the rest of other cast is pretty good, too. Melissa McCarthy gives a hilarious and spot on performance of a sociopath con-woman. She has quickly moved to my number one favorite comedy actor. Melissa and Jason Bateman have great chemistry. The premise of the movie is a guy has his identity stolen and must go after the girl who stole it. Of course, the main story is really predictable, we know just by reading the plot that the guy will not really give her to the police, but there's lots of unpredictable moments which makes you entertained anyway. Sit back and enjoy.
Bowie: The Man Who Changed the World (2016)
Intimate portrait of Five Star Icon
This well done documentary is very interesting. It does a lot to investigate how David Bowie struggled in his early years to become an icon of our times. It includes archive clips as well as interviews with those who worked with him, and clips of the man himself. If you know the broader strokes of Bowie's music through the 70's and into 80's pop stardom, there isn't much you won't have seen or heard but what fun to see this early footage of Bowie.... it gives you a real sense of the early life and creation that David Jones made which became the brand image and the many faces of 'David Bowie', and the innovations that made him unique. The man was a five- star icon.
Because there is so much to cover in such a varied artistic career it would be near on impossible to do justice to it all in a couple of hours and even though there is no musical performance at all this doc is really worth a watch to see some of the older footage and the new interviews with his friends and collaborators.
The man was savvy business whiz, back in 2013, he shocked us all with the release of The Next Day, his first album in a decade.. It might be said that the release of his final album just days before his death was the greatest publicity stunt in music. The young Mr. Jones probably never thought it would be like this when he recorded 'Over The Wall We Go' with Paul Nicholas, banned by the Britain's BBC nearly fifty years ago. We miss you David. Thanks for all you have done to uplift us and for being the soundtrack of our lives. There won't be another. Farewell sir.
The Good Shepherd (2006)
Stylish but tedious, pretentious, slow and dull
I was a very late getting around to watch to this. I had heard all the rave reviews and thought it was going to be an epic. I decided to see it on VOD over the holiday. Boy, I wish I hadn't. This was a huge disappointment. It was an over-long boring watch. Yes it was stylish, yes it had a great impressive cast, yes, it had great acting, yes it was beautifully filmed and yes it had a huge budget, but it was over-inflated and self indulgent. The characters were one-dimensional and lifeless. The plot was dense and over-complicated. It was difficult to watch, like wading through treacle. Never once did it draw me in. I was not gripped by any part of the plot and I hardly managed to get through it. Matt Damon is a great actor, but his character remains blank and dull and too young to be convincing in this. I just was left feeling blank myself.
Pink: Staying True (2013)
Pink shines true
If you don't like Pink then don't go and watch this. It's more of a music documentary than a concert video. First thing first, I'm not a big fan of her type of music, but Pink does have some good songs, I decided to watch it with my nieces who already knew everything about her, now I'm very impressed by her too. As with any music documentary, your enjoyment of this will depend on how well you like the artist. Any documentary is bound to be a propaganda film, but "Pink Staying True" is a good one, and an honest portrait. Pink doesn't care what people think. She blows through all hate and this documentary won't even give haters the dignity to be on screen. I didn't go into this thinking this would be phenomenal or anything. For what it is and what it intended to be, I thought it was great, but I would have liked to see much more of her performances on stage. Now I'm left really looking forward to seeing what Pink does next. She is one of the most thrilling artists out there, and I will say that after watching this I do have to admit that she is totally underrated.
The Hunger Games (2012)
Awesome!
A great ride of a movie that captures Suzanne Collins' brilliant novel. It is a great science fiction picture because of its pacing, cast, and portrayal of a nation that governs its people through fear and fascism. The movie shows a society that has collapsed. While the average person fights for survival, the top class and government can basically do whatever they want. Included in this is a barbaric cultural show, The Hunger Games a bit like Celebrity Jungle mixed with American Idol, but the losers die. It makes you feel emotion for every person who is on the "good" side, and creates an atmosphere unlike anything you have ever seen. Jennifer Lawrence is totally awesome. Emotion runs on high through the movie and I was on the edge of my seat the entire way through. I'm glad I watched it and I can't wait to see the sequels, second and third Hunger Games.
Katy Perry: Getting Intimate (2014)
Uplifting fun
The movie contains a very revealing and surprising story about a genuinely gifted songwriter breaking out of her strict religious upbringing and rising to the very highest peak of stardom. I am not a teenager, and I don't really listen to Top-Hit radio, but you cannot fail to like Katy's music, you hear it everywhere. I have a huge respect for what she has done with her career, and I was totally engulfed by her story. I felt it wasn't just to show how famous she is, I think people look up to Katy Perry because her personality is just so likable, maybe the movie makes her a little too likable, but you can see exactly why she's considered such a role model. I would have loved it even more if it featured her concerts but fans will have to wait for the Prismatic tour live DVD for that. It does show some very funny back stage scenes. Who knew that Katy liked Prince Harry? Great entertainment about a true American sweetheart.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Fun Family Movie
This film has joined my list of brilliant filmmaking. I had been waiting to see Wes Anderson's latest project from the moment it was announced. To describe the plot would be difficult. Wes Anderson is an acquired taste, but his fans are likely to love everything he releases. The Grand Budapest Hotel has the same tongue-in-cheek tone of his previous films, but it's really dry and very funny. Every frame is beautifully composed and an image of beauty.The cast was just great and the throwaway lines are very witty. I have watched it about 3 times now and I still laugh at all the clever nuances in the movie. I love the fact that Grand Budapest building is "pink" which a favorite color of mine. Sweet, funny and thoughtful movie. Original, funny, and great dialog. Very enjoyable. Just suspend a bit of logic and go with it.
Hugo (2011)
Excellent superb movie
This is an excellent movie for all the family. It's about the birth of cinema and is filmed in a magical style. The story was the surprise as we didn't realize it was woven around a real person, Georges Melies, the early film-maker. Excellent, star-studded casting and an engrossing movie. Heavily enhanced with magnificent CGI that you could initially mistake it for a gorgeous animated feature,
Martin Scorsese sets the majority of the tale in a magically intricate and gorgeous looking train station people with interesting characters as orphan Hugo secretly keeps the clocks working and tries to fix a mysterious automaton. During his adventures he befriends a young girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) and her crotchety Uncle (Ben Kingsley) while trying to avoid being caught and sent to an orphanage by the the station-master, played with humor by Sacha Baron Cohen.. We truly loved this visually sumptuous and fascinating tale for kids and adults