THE WAITRESS IS ABOUT A VERY BEAUTIFUL GIRL, WHO IS A PRISONER OF HER HUSBAND'S INSANE NEED TO CONTROL HER LIFE.
THIS IS A COMEDY, A ROMANCE AND A COMING OF AGE FILM,
ALL ROLLED INTO A WONDERFUL PACKET.
IF YOU CAN WATCH THIS FILM AND NOT WANT TO KILL THE HUSBAND, YOU ARE IN LINE FOR SAINTHOOD. I WANTED TO MURDER THE GUY AND CELEBRATE WITH A NICE STEAK AND A GOOD BOTTLE OF WINE. KERI RUSSELL OF FELICITY TELEVISION FAME IS THE WAITRESS AND JEREMY SISTO IS THE HUSBAND AND MAYBERRY'S FAVORITE SON, ANDY GRIFFITH HAS A VERY FINE ROLE IN THIS FILM.
Mar 24, 2010
MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
THE FIRST STORY IS ABOUT TWO FRIENDS DRIVING ACROSS SOUTH AMERICA TO CELEBRATE THEIR MANHOOD AND INDEPENDENCE.
IT IS IN SUB-TITLES AND IT IS A WONDERFUL AND TRUE STORY. THE GREATNESS OF THE FILM IS THAT IT AVOIDS DRAMA AND TELLS THE STORY IN A VERY REALISTIC MANNER. THE DRAMA IS IN THE MATERIAL, WITHOUT ANY NEED TO ALERT US THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT OR THAT IS IMPORTANT --- THIS MOVIE DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION, DON'T WATCH IT IF YOU CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON WHAT YOU ARE WITNESSING.
IT IS IN SUB-TITLES AND IT IS A WONDERFUL AND TRUE STORY. THE GREATNESS OF THE FILM IS THAT IT AVOIDS DRAMA AND TELLS THE STORY IN A VERY REALISTIC MANNER. THE DRAMA IS IN THE MATERIAL, WITHOUT ANY NEED TO ALERT US THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT OR THAT IS IMPORTANT --- THIS MOVIE DEMANDS YOUR ATTENTION, DON'T WATCH IT IF YOU CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON WHAT YOU ARE WITNESSING.
OCEAN'S 13
The job of the cast of an "Ocean" picture is to be cute. I don't mean
this in a negative way -- this franchise is built on the audience liking the
characters on Mister Ocean's team. The specific plot is not the issue - Ocean's
team will always be trying to right an injustice - that is why the audience is
on their side. The cute factor and the crusading factor are at the center of
all these pictures. This current edition is representative of the template.
THE FIRST OF THE GEORGE CLOONEY SERIES WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF THEY DID NOT TRY SO HARD TO CREATE A ROLE FOR JULIA ROBERT'S -- AN ACTRESS I LIKED, UNTIL SHE WON THE ACADEMY AWARD AND ACTED LIKE A SPOILED CHILD IN ACCEPTING THE HONOR. I FELL OUT WITH HER THAT NIGHT -- THOUGH I DOUBT SHE IS LOSING A GREAT DEAL OF SLEEP OVER OUR BREAK-UP.
THE SECOND PICTURE HAD CATHERINE ZETA JONES AND THAT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR ANY FILM.
THIS ONE HAS ELLEN BARKIN AND DOES NOT GO OUT OF THE WAY TO FEATURE HER AND THAT IS A GOOD DECISION - THIS SERIES IS ABOUT THE GOOD OLD BOYS AND HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO HANG OUT WITH THEM - THEY KNOW HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
I was glad to see a loose end tied up in the very last scene - I thought they had neglected giving a character his just due AND SINCE THIS SERIES IS ABOUT DETAILED PLANNING, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE ERROR.
I THINK THE OCEAN SERIES WILL HAVE TO MAKE BIG CHANGES IF IT IS TO CONTINUE -- THEY CAN'T KEEP ROBBING LAS VEGAS WHILE DRIVING AROUND THE CASINO FLOOR IN THEIR LITTLE RASCAL CARTS.
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I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND TWO MOVIES TO CATCH ON DVD, IF NOT IN A THEATRE.
this in a negative way -- this franchise is built on the audience liking the
characters on Mister Ocean's team. The specific plot is not the issue - Ocean's
team will always be trying to right an injustice - that is why the audience is
on their side. The cute factor and the crusading factor are at the center of
all these pictures. This current edition is representative of the template.
THE FIRST OF THE GEORGE CLOONEY SERIES WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF THEY DID NOT TRY SO HARD TO CREATE A ROLE FOR JULIA ROBERT'S -- AN ACTRESS I LIKED, UNTIL SHE WON THE ACADEMY AWARD AND ACTED LIKE A SPOILED CHILD IN ACCEPTING THE HONOR. I FELL OUT WITH HER THAT NIGHT -- THOUGH I DOUBT SHE IS LOSING A GREAT DEAL OF SLEEP OVER OUR BREAK-UP.
THE SECOND PICTURE HAD CATHERINE ZETA JONES AND THAT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR ANY FILM.
THIS ONE HAS ELLEN BARKIN AND DOES NOT GO OUT OF THE WAY TO FEATURE HER AND THAT IS A GOOD DECISION - THIS SERIES IS ABOUT THE GOOD OLD BOYS AND HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO HANG OUT WITH THEM - THEY KNOW HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
I was glad to see a loose end tied up in the very last scene - I thought they had neglected giving a character his just due AND SINCE THIS SERIES IS ABOUT DETAILED PLANNING, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE ERROR.
I THINK THE OCEAN SERIES WILL HAVE TO MAKE BIG CHANGES IF IT IS TO CONTINUE -- THEY CAN'T KEEP ROBBING LAS VEGAS WHILE DRIVING AROUND THE CASINO FLOOR IN THEIR LITTLE RASCAL CARTS.
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I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND TWO MOVIES TO CATCH ON DVD, IF NOT IN A THEATRE.
TRANSFORMERS
I was not eager to see this movie or the star, Shia LaBeouf. After the first hour, I was pleased with the movie and the star's performance. Thirty minutes later I rated this film three stars. Then the proverb about, " too much of a good thing," came into play. The movie seemed to run out of things to say and the fighting became redundant and over the top. The last 30 minutes didn't do anything to improve the film and was proof that, once started, it is difficult to end such a huge production. I am a senior citizen evaluating a movie for young people, but even my two grandkids, ANGELA and FRANKIE felt it ran too long.
It was good, but shorter would have been better.
********
COMMENTS FOR ETHEL TYUS -->>
Film technology for visual & sound effects is the star of Transformers.
The attempt at a plot is a courtesy for the parents & grandparents in the audience.
It was good, but shorter would have been better.
********
COMMENTS FOR ETHEL TYUS -->>
Film technology for visual & sound effects is the star of Transformers.
The attempt at a plot is a courtesy for the parents & grandparents in the audience.
LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD
In order to accept Barry Bonds as the homerun champion of baseball, you have to ignore the laws of physics and believe that people get older and stronger.
In order to enjoy Die Hard 4, you have to accept the concept that vehicles run well with bullet holes in the engire - that shots fired by bad guys have a natural tendency to miss their targets - that explosions are noisy, but harmless.
I reject Barry Bonds, but I am willing to concede Bruce Willis, each and every supernatural power he requires to complete his mission. This is a fine action picture, with humor and wisecracks adding to the enjoyment and taking some of the sting out of the senseless violence. Please, don't be a person who is upset by movie violence, yet, goes to see a film that is only about violence - that is just plain dumb.
In order to enjoy Die Hard 4, you have to accept the concept that vehicles run well with bullet holes in the engire - that shots fired by bad guys have a natural tendency to miss their targets - that explosions are noisy, but harmless.
I reject Barry Bonds, but I am willing to concede Bruce Willis, each and every supernatural power he requires to complete his mission. This is a fine action picture, with humor and wisecracks adding to the enjoyment and taking some of the sting out of the senseless violence. Please, don't be a person who is upset by movie violence, yet, goes to see a film that is only about violence - that is just plain dumb.
NANCY DREW
Show" is the key word.
Parents can feel secure about sending their children to see this updated version of the great teenage detective's latest adventure. There is not a word of profane language or a hint of lewd conduct. There is more violence on the popcorn line, than in this show. This was a well written and interesting show. The cameo appearance of Bruce Willis added some much needed Hollywood glamour to the show. My only problem was this -- I feel as if I saw an after-school special on television and not a theatrical film. It was a good show, but it was not a film - it was a television show without commercials. Still, I enjoyed it.
Parents can feel secure about sending their children to see this updated version of the great teenage detective's latest adventure. There is not a word of profane language or a hint of lewd conduct. There is more violence on the popcorn line, than in this show. This was a well written and interesting show. The cameo appearance of Bruce Willis added some much needed Hollywood glamour to the show. My only problem was this -- I feel as if I saw an after-school special on television and not a theatrical film. It was a good show, but it was not a film - it was a television show without commercials. Still, I enjoyed it.
A MIGHTY HEART
A Mighty Heart, has all the bells and whistles - a very worthwhile, contemporary, factual story to tell. There are elements of: despair, depression, love, hope, death, mystery, birth, suspense, conspiracy, religious conflict, justice, injustice, torture, political intrigue, loyalty, perseverance, fine acting, great cinematography. This should be a wonderful tear-jerker of a movie, it was not. I have been more emotionally moved by a cell phone commercial on television. I was a neutral observer, of a movie designed to stir your emotions. This was a check list of fine scenes, that never became a good movie.
SIMPSON MOVIE
It is fair to say that, the Simpsons are almost always amusing. I enjoyed this movie, especially the early going. The self deprecating potshots that the writers took at their own theatrical production, were flat out hilarious. Still the film seemed to hit a wall about three quarters of the way in and pretty much limped to the finish line. I really don't see how this was any different than the regular television
offerings, except for the added length. It was actually less controversial than most of the TV episodes. I liked it well enough, but I question why folks should pay to see it on the big screen.
offerings, except for the added length. It was actually less controversial than most of the TV episodes. I liked it well enough, but I question why folks should pay to see it on the big screen.
NANNY DIARIES
The soulless plight of the rich and privileged is the basic topic of this film. While we all have problems, regardless of which rung on the economic ladder we find ourselves, I think the majority of the audience is not going to shed too many tears over women who are traumatized by having to figure out which diamond necklace best accents their designer gown.
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS, BUT MONEY CAN MAKE BEING UNHAPPY A LOT BETTER. I CAN BE SAD ON FULTON STREET IN BROOKLYN OR DEPRESS IN MY CONDO OVERLOOKING THE BEACH AT MEGAN'S BAY, IN ST. THOMAS.
Seeing the callous way these upper-class socialites treat their employees and their own children is upsetting, but the fact that they made bad choices in child rearing, is not as compelling as the story of the lower-classes, who are forced into situations, not of their own making.
This film is trying to say a great many things about the social structure of the haves and the have-nots, but it is too ambitious and tries to touch too many emotional bases, but it is worth seeing.
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS, BUT MONEY CAN MAKE BEING UNHAPPY A LOT BETTER. I CAN BE SAD ON FULTON STREET IN BROOKLYN OR DEPRESS IN MY CONDO OVERLOOKING THE BEACH AT MEGAN'S BAY, IN ST. THOMAS.
Seeing the callous way these upper-class socialites treat their employees and their own children is upsetting, but the fact that they made bad choices in child rearing, is not as compelling as the story of the lower-classes, who are forced into situations, not of their own making.
This film is trying to say a great many things about the social structure of the haves and the have-nots, but it is too ambitious and tries to touch too many emotional bases, but it is worth seeing.
MISTER WOODCOCK
You take a television sit-com plot and cast two superior performers, such as Billy Bob Thornton and Susan Sarandon in key roles and throw in Bill Macy ( Maude's husband on the old TV show ) and label it a feature film.
You write in some crude, but hilarious pizza parlor dialogue and create a burned out, loser character, named Nedderman, to bounce jokes off and you have "Mr. Woodcock."
I enjoyed this standard television show, presented on the big screen, but I can't find a good reason to suggest you leave your home and pay to see this very routine time killer.
I liked it, but it is not much of a feature film and you should be able to catch it on TV in about 40 days.
You write in some crude, but hilarious pizza parlor dialogue and create a burned out, loser character, named Nedderman, to bounce jokes off and you have "Mr. Woodcock."
I enjoyed this standard television show, presented on the big screen, but I can't find a good reason to suggest you leave your home and pay to see this very routine time killer.
I liked it, but it is not much of a feature film and you should be able to catch it on TV in about 40 days.
SIN CITY
FILM NOIR - FRENCH MEANING = BLACK FILM ---- A TYPE OF MOTION PICTURE, ESPECIALLY OF THE 1940's & 1950's, FATALISTIC, PESSIMISTIC, OR CYNICAL IN MOOD AND OFTEN DEALING MELODRAMATICALLY WITH URBAN CRIME AND CORRUPTION.
****************************************
YOU ARE ALWAYS IN TROUBLE, IF YOU ARE AT A MOVIE THAT REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE A LOT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO RESEARCH IN ORDER TO ENJOY A MOVIE THAT SELDOM IS AS CHEAP TO VIEW AS THE SIX DOLLARS I PAY IN SIMPSONVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.
SIN CITY WORKS BETTER FOR YOU, IF YOU KNOW THE DEFINITION OF FILM NOIR AND IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE COMIC BOOK / ILLUSTRATED NOVEL NATURE OF THIS PRODUCTION.
SIN CITY IS A SORT OF COMIC BOOK STORY WITH HUMAN CHARACTERS, NOT ANIMATION. THE BACKGROUND IS LIKE GOTHAM CITY OR METROPOLIS IN A BATMAN OR SUPERMAN COMIC.
THIS A VERY CREATIVE PRODUCTION AND I WANT TO LOVE IT FOR THE CREATIVITY, BUT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT AND MY AFFECTION IS NOT AS GREAT AS I WOULD HAVE WISHED IT TO BE.
* IT IS TOO LONG.
* IT THROWS IN TOO MUCH POINTLESS PLOT / STORY LINES.
* IT SEEMS TO USE BRUCE WILLIS, JUST BECAUSE HE IS BRUCE WILLIS -
HIS EPISODE IS DRAWN OUT FOR NO REASON BEYOND
MAKING HIM THE STAR BY INCREASING HIS ON SCREEN TIME.
MICKEY ROURKE IS THE REAL STAR AND THERE IS A LET DOWN
WHEN HE IS NOT ON THE SCREEN.
THE VILLAINS ARE NOT REALLY SO BAD, WHEN YOU REALIZE THEY
LIVE IN A WORLD OF VIOLENCE AND VILLAINY.
THE GUY WHO KILLED TEN PEOPLE IS NOT SO EVIL, WHEN HIS NEIGHBOR HAS KILLED TWENTY.
THIS FILM IS WORTH SEEING, IF YOU ARE A FILM FAN WHO WOULD APPRECIATE ELIJAH WOOD BEING WEIRDER THAN BENICIO DEL TORO - ANY FILM THAT HAS A CHARACTER CREEPIER THAN BENICIO DEL TORO IN IT, IS AN EVENT THAT REQUIRES
THE PRESS BE ALERTED.
THIS FILM IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, ANYONE WHO DID NOT LIKE KILL BILL 1&2 OR THE MATRIX 1 -- SHOULD AVOID THIS FILM LIKE THE PLAGUE.
WHILE I SEEM TO BE NEGATIVE ABOUT THIS FILM, I AM REALLY BEING CAUTIOUS; KNOWING THAT IT IS NOT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IT IS DESIGNED FOR A SMALL AUDIENCE OF HARDCORE FILM FANS AND VIDEO GAME PLAYERS AND STAR TREK TYPES. IF YOU DO GO - DON'T MISS THE TWO OR THREE MINUTE OPENING SCENE ON THE BALCONY, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MEAN MUCH TO THE STORY, BUT IT IS BEAUTIFULLY DONE.
****************************************
YOU ARE ALWAYS IN TROUBLE, IF YOU ARE AT A MOVIE THAT REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE A LOT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO RESEARCH IN ORDER TO ENJOY A MOVIE THAT SELDOM IS AS CHEAP TO VIEW AS THE SIX DOLLARS I PAY IN SIMPSONVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.
SIN CITY WORKS BETTER FOR YOU, IF YOU KNOW THE DEFINITION OF FILM NOIR AND IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE COMIC BOOK / ILLUSTRATED NOVEL NATURE OF THIS PRODUCTION.
SIN CITY IS A SORT OF COMIC BOOK STORY WITH HUMAN CHARACTERS, NOT ANIMATION. THE BACKGROUND IS LIKE GOTHAM CITY OR METROPOLIS IN A BATMAN OR SUPERMAN COMIC.
THIS A VERY CREATIVE PRODUCTION AND I WANT TO LOVE IT FOR THE CREATIVITY, BUT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT AND MY AFFECTION IS NOT AS GREAT AS I WOULD HAVE WISHED IT TO BE.
* IT IS TOO LONG.
* IT THROWS IN TOO MUCH POINTLESS PLOT / STORY LINES.
* IT SEEMS TO USE BRUCE WILLIS, JUST BECAUSE HE IS BRUCE WILLIS -
HIS EPISODE IS DRAWN OUT FOR NO REASON BEYOND
MAKING HIM THE STAR BY INCREASING HIS ON SCREEN TIME.
MICKEY ROURKE IS THE REAL STAR AND THERE IS A LET DOWN
WHEN HE IS NOT ON THE SCREEN.
THE VILLAINS ARE NOT REALLY SO BAD, WHEN YOU REALIZE THEY
LIVE IN A WORLD OF VIOLENCE AND VILLAINY.
THE GUY WHO KILLED TEN PEOPLE IS NOT SO EVIL, WHEN HIS NEIGHBOR HAS KILLED TWENTY.
THIS FILM IS WORTH SEEING, IF YOU ARE A FILM FAN WHO WOULD APPRECIATE ELIJAH WOOD BEING WEIRDER THAN BENICIO DEL TORO - ANY FILM THAT HAS A CHARACTER CREEPIER THAN BENICIO DEL TORO IN IT, IS AN EVENT THAT REQUIRES
THE PRESS BE ALERTED.
THIS FILM IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, ANYONE WHO DID NOT LIKE KILL BILL 1&2 OR THE MATRIX 1 -- SHOULD AVOID THIS FILM LIKE THE PLAGUE.
WHILE I SEEM TO BE NEGATIVE ABOUT THIS FILM, I AM REALLY BEING CAUTIOUS; KNOWING THAT IT IS NOT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IT IS DESIGNED FOR A SMALL AUDIENCE OF HARDCORE FILM FANS AND VIDEO GAME PLAYERS AND STAR TREK TYPES. IF YOU DO GO - DON'T MISS THE TWO OR THREE MINUTE OPENING SCENE ON THE BALCONY, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MEAN MUCH TO THE STORY, BUT IT IS BEAUTIFULLY DONE.
THE INTERPRETER
I GUESSED AT A MAJOR PLOT DEVELOPMENT / TWIST IN THIS FILM, JUST FROM WATCHING THE COMING ATTRACTION TRAILERS ON TELEVISION. I WAS CLOSE TO THE RIGHT TURN OF EVENTS.
THAT IS SORT OF BAD NEWS; TO FIGURE OUT THE MYSTERY IN A MYSTERY, BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE THEATRE. THE GOOD NEWS IS, I HAD TO WAIT TO THE END TO SEE IF I WAS ON THE CORRECT TRACK; THAT WAS THE MYSTERY; THERE WERE ENOUGH TURNS AND CURVES TO MAKE ANYONE UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHERE THIS WAS GOING.
NICOLE KIDMAN IS NOT THAT GREAT / GOOD AN ACTRESS, BUT SHE IS NOT A PROBLEM IN THIS FILM - SHE DOES NOT RUIN IT AND THAT IS HIGH PRAISE FOR HER.
SEAN PENN IS A FINE ACTOR, BUT EVERY SCENE HE IS IN CAN'T BE A DRAMATIC HIGHLIGHT - SOMETIMES ORDERING A CUP OF COFFEE OR WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE IS JUST ORDERING COFFEE OR WAITING FOR THE GREEN SIGNAL - NOT THE LAST ACT OF HAMLET.
SOMETIMES YOU BLAME THE DIRECTOR FOR THIS HIGH MELODRAMA AND SOMETIMES THE ACTOR - SYDNEY POLLACK IS A FINE DIRECTOR - LET'S DUMP THIS FLAW ON NICOLE, HOWEVER UNFAIRLY, SHE IS USE TO BEING DEMEANED.
THE USE OF LANGUAGE IN THE EXCHANGES BETWEEN PENN AND KIDMAN IS VERY INTELLIGENT AND ENGROSSING - EACH WORD IS FULL OF NUANCE.
ACTOR, GEORGE HARRIS, WHO PLAYED KUMAN KUMAN, AN AFRICAN
POLITICIAN / STATESMAN IN EXILE, WAS JUST WONDERFUL IN HIS BRIEF TIME ON THE SCENE.
I WANTED TO SEE AND HEAR MORE FROM / ABOUT THIS CHARACTER.
THE BROOKLYNITES, ( WE DON'T DIE, WE MULTIPLY ), ARE WELL REPRESENTED IN THIS FILM, WITH SCENES SHOT ON NOSTRAND AVENUE.
THE CONCEPT IS PROMOTED, THAT A CHARACTER LEAVING MANHATTAN TO TRAVEL TO THE BORO OF KINGS, IS GOING OUT TO ANOTHER GALAXY. WHILE BROOKLYN IS A UNIQUE PLACE, IN ALL THE WORLD, IT IS STILL A PART OF THIS EARTHY SPHERE.
YOU WOULD THINK THE CHARACTERS ARE BOARDING THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE AND NOT JUST CROSSING A GRAND BRIDGE, TO REACH THE FORMER HOME OF THE REAL DODGER BASEBALL TEAM AND WINGATE HIGH, AND JUNIOR HIGH 35, AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS 44 AND THE BABY GRAND BAR AND CONEY ISLAND AND THE BEDFORD BOWLING ALLEY AND FREDDIE FITZSIMMONS BOWLING ALLEY AND PROSPECT PARK AND CONEY ISLAND AND THE HOMETOWN OF SPIKE LEE AND CHRIS ROCK AND ARTIST ONNAWAY K. MILLAR -- BUT I DIGRESS.
WHILE GUILTY OF CONTRIVED SITUATIONS AND ODD COINCIDENCES, THIS IS NOT A BAD MOVIE, IT IS VERY "WATCHABLE" - IT WON'T WIN ANY AWARDS, BUT IT CONSTANTLY GIVES YOU THINGS TO FACTOR IN AND CAUSE DOUBTS ABOUT WHERE THE PLOT IS GOING AND WHO THE GOOD GUYS ARE OR IF THERE ARE ANY GOOD GUYS
THAT IS SORT OF BAD NEWS; TO FIGURE OUT THE MYSTERY IN A MYSTERY, BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE THEATRE. THE GOOD NEWS IS, I HAD TO WAIT TO THE END TO SEE IF I WAS ON THE CORRECT TRACK; THAT WAS THE MYSTERY; THERE WERE ENOUGH TURNS AND CURVES TO MAKE ANYONE UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHERE THIS WAS GOING.
NICOLE KIDMAN IS NOT THAT GREAT / GOOD AN ACTRESS, BUT SHE IS NOT A PROBLEM IN THIS FILM - SHE DOES NOT RUIN IT AND THAT IS HIGH PRAISE FOR HER.
SEAN PENN IS A FINE ACTOR, BUT EVERY SCENE HE IS IN CAN'T BE A DRAMATIC HIGHLIGHT - SOMETIMES ORDERING A CUP OF COFFEE OR WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE IS JUST ORDERING COFFEE OR WAITING FOR THE GREEN SIGNAL - NOT THE LAST ACT OF HAMLET.
SOMETIMES YOU BLAME THE DIRECTOR FOR THIS HIGH MELODRAMA AND SOMETIMES THE ACTOR - SYDNEY POLLACK IS A FINE DIRECTOR - LET'S DUMP THIS FLAW ON NICOLE, HOWEVER UNFAIRLY, SHE IS USE TO BEING DEMEANED.
THE USE OF LANGUAGE IN THE EXCHANGES BETWEEN PENN AND KIDMAN IS VERY INTELLIGENT AND ENGROSSING - EACH WORD IS FULL OF NUANCE.
ACTOR, GEORGE HARRIS, WHO PLAYED KUMAN KUMAN, AN AFRICAN
POLITICIAN / STATESMAN IN EXILE, WAS JUST WONDERFUL IN HIS BRIEF TIME ON THE SCENE.
I WANTED TO SEE AND HEAR MORE FROM / ABOUT THIS CHARACTER.
THE BROOKLYNITES, ( WE DON'T DIE, WE MULTIPLY ), ARE WELL REPRESENTED IN THIS FILM, WITH SCENES SHOT ON NOSTRAND AVENUE.
THE CONCEPT IS PROMOTED, THAT A CHARACTER LEAVING MANHATTAN TO TRAVEL TO THE BORO OF KINGS, IS GOING OUT TO ANOTHER GALAXY. WHILE BROOKLYN IS A UNIQUE PLACE, IN ALL THE WORLD, IT IS STILL A PART OF THIS EARTHY SPHERE.
YOU WOULD THINK THE CHARACTERS ARE BOARDING THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE AND NOT JUST CROSSING A GRAND BRIDGE, TO REACH THE FORMER HOME OF THE REAL DODGER BASEBALL TEAM AND WINGATE HIGH, AND JUNIOR HIGH 35, AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS 44 AND THE BABY GRAND BAR AND CONEY ISLAND AND THE BEDFORD BOWLING ALLEY AND FREDDIE FITZSIMMONS BOWLING ALLEY AND PROSPECT PARK AND CONEY ISLAND AND THE HOMETOWN OF SPIKE LEE AND CHRIS ROCK AND ARTIST ONNAWAY K. MILLAR -- BUT I DIGRESS.
WHILE GUILTY OF CONTRIVED SITUATIONS AND ODD COINCIDENCES, THIS IS NOT A BAD MOVIE, IT IS VERY "WATCHABLE" - IT WON'T WIN ANY AWARDS, BUT IT CONSTANTLY GIVES YOU THINGS TO FACTOR IN AND CAUSE DOUBTS ABOUT WHERE THE PLOT IS GOING AND WHO THE GOOD GUYS ARE OR IF THERE ARE ANY GOOD GUYS
HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
THIS IS A VERY CREATIVE AND CLEVER FILM, ABOUT WHAT, I DON'T KNOW. IT IS A VERY CREATIVE AND CLEVER MOVIE THAT EXIST TO SHOW THAT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED COULD MAKE A VERY CREATIVE AND CLEVER MOVIE.
IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT AND UNLIKE THE WONDERFUL, BIG FISH, WHICH WAS ALSO CREATIVE AND CLEVER, THERE IS NOTHING COMPELLING ABOUT GALAXY.
THE VISUAL IDEAS AND CINEMATOGRAPHY ARE GRAND - BUT I FELL ASLEEP TWICE ON THIS FILM AND YET, I DON'T GET THE IMPRESSION THAT I MISSED ANYTHING. IT IS NOT A BAD FILM AND IT MIGHT BE A VERY GOOD FILM, BUT EXCEPT FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES AND OFF BEAT THOUGHTS EXPRESSED; IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO GET PEOPLE WHO NEVER READ THE BOOK TO GO TO THE THEATRE.
YOU CAN TAKE THE YOUNG KIDS AND I AM NOT SURE THIS IS NOT MORE FOR THEM THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP.
FOLKS WHO READ THE BOOK WILL SAY, I DIDN'T GET IT AND I WOULD AGREE WITH THEM ---- SOMETHING CREATIVE AND CLEVER WAS GOING ON UPON THE SCREEN AND I MAY HAVE MISSED IT -- OR THE EMPEROR REALLY DID NOT HAVE ANY CLOTHES ON.
THIS FILM MAY HAVE BEEN A STEPCHILD OF MONTY PYTHON / WOODY ALLAN AND NOT AS ORIGINAL AS IT APPEARS AT FIRST GLANCE. I KEPT FEELING PYTHON AND ALLAN COMING TO MIND AS I HEARD SOME OF THE LINES.
I HAVE TO SINGLE OUT MOS DEF, WHO IS FAST BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE ACTORS PERFORMING BELOW THE BIG HYPE RADAR --- AND ALONG WITH JEFFREY WRIGHT AND TERRENCE HOWARD, BRINGING IN A NEW ERA OF MEGA-TALENTS TO THE BIG SCREEN.
IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT AND UNLIKE THE WONDERFUL, BIG FISH, WHICH WAS ALSO CREATIVE AND CLEVER, THERE IS NOTHING COMPELLING ABOUT GALAXY.
THE VISUAL IDEAS AND CINEMATOGRAPHY ARE GRAND - BUT I FELL ASLEEP TWICE ON THIS FILM AND YET, I DON'T GET THE IMPRESSION THAT I MISSED ANYTHING. IT IS NOT A BAD FILM AND IT MIGHT BE A VERY GOOD FILM, BUT EXCEPT FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES AND OFF BEAT THOUGHTS EXPRESSED; IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO GET PEOPLE WHO NEVER READ THE BOOK TO GO TO THE THEATRE.
YOU CAN TAKE THE YOUNG KIDS AND I AM NOT SURE THIS IS NOT MORE FOR THEM THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP.
FOLKS WHO READ THE BOOK WILL SAY, I DIDN'T GET IT AND I WOULD AGREE WITH THEM ---- SOMETHING CREATIVE AND CLEVER WAS GOING ON UPON THE SCREEN AND I MAY HAVE MISSED IT -- OR THE EMPEROR REALLY DID NOT HAVE ANY CLOTHES ON.
THIS FILM MAY HAVE BEEN A STEPCHILD OF MONTY PYTHON / WOODY ALLAN AND NOT AS ORIGINAL AS IT APPEARS AT FIRST GLANCE. I KEPT FEELING PYTHON AND ALLAN COMING TO MIND AS I HEARD SOME OF THE LINES.
I HAVE TO SINGLE OUT MOS DEF, WHO IS FAST BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE ACTORS PERFORMING BELOW THE BIG HYPE RADAR --- AND ALONG WITH JEFFREY WRIGHT AND TERRENCE HOWARD, BRINGING IN A NEW ERA OF MEGA-TALENTS TO THE BIG SCREEN.
MINDHUNTERS
THE PLOT IS UNLIKELY - A TEAM OF F.B.I. ARE PUT ON AN ISOLATED ISLAND TO TEST THEIR ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE A CRIME.
THE AGENTS SOON FIGURE OUT THAT SOMETHING HAS GONE VERY WRONG AND THEY ARE BEING KILLED BY ONE OF THEIR FELLOW AGENTS. THE PROBLEM IS, WHICH ONE, WHO CAN BE TRUSTED? THIS IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME IDEA USED IN THE CLASSIC-- TEN LITTLE INDIANS AND THE MORE RECENT USHER PICTURE, THE FACULTY.
WHILE THE PLOT IS FULL OF HOLES AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE THAT ARE JUST PLAIN INCREDIBLE - THIS WAS A VERY ENTERTAINING FILM - THE MYSTERY RUNS RIGHT UP TO THE LAST MINUTE - YOU REALLY GETS YOUR MONEY'S WORTH FROM THIS FILM, IF YOU LIKE WHO DONE IT MOVIES AND A STEADY SUPPLY OF GORY VICTIMS.
THE ONLY KNOWN ACTORS ARE VAL KILMER AND CHRISTIAN SLATER - ONLY IN LONG ENOUGH FOR A CUP OF COFFEE AND L.L. COOL J - IN FOR A LONGER RUN.
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THIS FILM OPENED IN SOUTH CAROLINA TODAY, BUT IT HAS BEEN PLAYING IN OTHER STATES ALMOST A YEAR ---
WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT - IS SOUTH CAROLINA THAT FAR OFF THE BEATEN PATH???????
IS THIS SOME SORT OF PUNISHMENT FOR BEING ON THE LOSING SIDE IN
THE WAR OF NORTHERN AGGRESSION?
THE AGENTS SOON FIGURE OUT THAT SOMETHING HAS GONE VERY WRONG AND THEY ARE BEING KILLED BY ONE OF THEIR FELLOW AGENTS. THE PROBLEM IS, WHICH ONE, WHO CAN BE TRUSTED? THIS IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME IDEA USED IN THE CLASSIC-- TEN LITTLE INDIANS AND THE MORE RECENT USHER PICTURE, THE FACULTY.
WHILE THE PLOT IS FULL OF HOLES AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE THAT ARE JUST PLAIN INCREDIBLE - THIS WAS A VERY ENTERTAINING FILM - THE MYSTERY RUNS RIGHT UP TO THE LAST MINUTE - YOU REALLY GETS YOUR MONEY'S WORTH FROM THIS FILM, IF YOU LIKE WHO DONE IT MOVIES AND A STEADY SUPPLY OF GORY VICTIMS.
THE ONLY KNOWN ACTORS ARE VAL KILMER AND CHRISTIAN SLATER - ONLY IN LONG ENOUGH FOR A CUP OF COFFEE AND L.L. COOL J - IN FOR A LONGER RUN.
***************************
THIS FILM OPENED IN SOUTH CAROLINA TODAY, BUT IT HAS BEEN PLAYING IN OTHER STATES ALMOST A YEAR ---
WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT - IS SOUTH CAROLINA THAT FAR OFF THE BEATEN PATH???????
IS THIS SOME SORT OF PUNISHMENT FOR BEING ON THE LOSING SIDE IN
THE WAR OF NORTHERN AGGRESSION?
COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
I HAVE NETFLICKS, THANKS TO MY GENEROUS NIECE, DONNA, AND I RECENTLY SENT AWAY FOR THE MOVIE MENTIONED ABOVE. AFTER THE DVD ARRIVED, I STARTED TO THINK THAT MY FAVORITE VERSION OF THIS OFTEN TOLD TALE IS THE ONE WITH
ROBERT DONAT, MADE IN 1934. I WAS GOING TO SKIP ON WATCHING THIS ONE AND JUST SHIP IT BACK.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG MISTAKE, THIS IS A FINE VERSION OF THE STORY. IT IS VERY SMOOTHLY WRITTEN -- IT ALL MAKES SENSE AND NEVER GOES OFF TRACK.
IT IS WELL CAST & ACTED:
JAMES CAVIEZEL ( JESUS IN THE PASSION OF CHRIST MOVIE ) AS
EDMUND DANTES
RICHARD HARRIS - THE LATE AND GREAT TALENT, AS THE
IMPRISONED PRIEST AT THE CHATEAU D'IF
LUIS GUZMAN, WHOM YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU SEE HIM,
BUT NOT PLAYING HIS USUAL COP OR STREET HOOD IN THIS
PERIOD PIECE
DAGMARA -- IS THE FEMALE LEAD'S NAME AND SHE IS EQUAL TO
THE TASK OF BEING WORTH A TWO DECADE WAIT TO ROMANCE
GUY PEARCE -- THE STRAIGHT ARROW COP IN L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, IS
AS CROOKED AS THEY COME IN THIS FILM.
THE CHATEAU D'IF -- THE PRISON ITSELF, IS A CHARACTER IN THE FILM
AFTER IT WAS ALL OVER, I REALIZED I LIKED THIS FILM BECAUSE THEY TOOK LIBERTIES WITH THE ORIGINAL STORY AND THE MAIN LIBERTY WAS NOT AGING THE CHARACTERS VERY MUCH -- THE PASSION THAT EDMUND HAS, IS BEST DEMONSTRATED BY A YOUNG MAN - SO THEY KEPT HIM AND HIS LADY FRIEND YOUNG AND THAT MAKES THE PLOT MORE OPTIMISTIC, WHILE STILL GETTING IN THE REVENGE ANGLE THAT DRIVES THE STORY.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO SEE, BUT IT IS WELL MADE AND MOVES ALONG FASTER THAN THE GERARD DEPARDIEU VERSION, MADE FOR TELEVISION A FEW YEAR BACK - YOU WON'T GO WRONG IF YOU CATCH THIS OR THE 1939 VERSION AND THEN PRETEND YOU ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK.
A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandre Dumas was born in Villes-Cotterêts. His grandfather was a French nobleman, who had settled in Santo Domingo (now part of Haiti); his paternal grandmother, Marie-Cessette, was an Afro-Caribbean, who had been a black slave in the French colony (now part of Haiti). Dumas's father was a general in Napoleon's army, who had fallen out of favor.
Dumas did not generally define himself as a black man, and there is not much evidence that he encountered overt racism during his life. However, his works were popular among the 19th-century African-Americans, partly because in The Count of Monte-Cristo, the falsely imprisoned Edmond Dantès, may be read as a parable of emancipation.
ROBERT DONAT, MADE IN 1934. I WAS GOING TO SKIP ON WATCHING THIS ONE AND JUST SHIP IT BACK.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG MISTAKE, THIS IS A FINE VERSION OF THE STORY. IT IS VERY SMOOTHLY WRITTEN -- IT ALL MAKES SENSE AND NEVER GOES OFF TRACK.
IT IS WELL CAST & ACTED:
JAMES CAVIEZEL ( JESUS IN THE PASSION OF CHRIST MOVIE ) AS
EDMUND DANTES
RICHARD HARRIS - THE LATE AND GREAT TALENT, AS THE
IMPRISONED PRIEST AT THE CHATEAU D'IF
LUIS GUZMAN, WHOM YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU SEE HIM,
BUT NOT PLAYING HIS USUAL COP OR STREET HOOD IN THIS
PERIOD PIECE
DAGMARA -- IS THE FEMALE LEAD'S NAME AND SHE IS EQUAL TO
THE TASK OF BEING WORTH A TWO DECADE WAIT TO ROMANCE
GUY PEARCE -- THE STRAIGHT ARROW COP IN L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, IS
AS CROOKED AS THEY COME IN THIS FILM.
THE CHATEAU D'IF -- THE PRISON ITSELF, IS A CHARACTER IN THE FILM
AFTER IT WAS ALL OVER, I REALIZED I LIKED THIS FILM BECAUSE THEY TOOK LIBERTIES WITH THE ORIGINAL STORY AND THE MAIN LIBERTY WAS NOT AGING THE CHARACTERS VERY MUCH -- THE PASSION THAT EDMUND HAS, IS BEST DEMONSTRATED BY A YOUNG MAN - SO THEY KEPT HIM AND HIS LADY FRIEND YOUNG AND THAT MAKES THE PLOT MORE OPTIMISTIC, WHILE STILL GETTING IN THE REVENGE ANGLE THAT DRIVES THE STORY.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO SEE, BUT IT IS WELL MADE AND MOVES ALONG FASTER THAN THE GERARD DEPARDIEU VERSION, MADE FOR TELEVISION A FEW YEAR BACK - YOU WON'T GO WRONG IF YOU CATCH THIS OR THE 1939 VERSION AND THEN PRETEND YOU ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK.
A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandre Dumas was born in Villes-Cotterêts. His grandfather was a French nobleman, who had settled in Santo Domingo (now part of Haiti); his paternal grandmother, Marie-Cessette, was an Afro-Caribbean, who had been a black slave in the French colony (now part of Haiti). Dumas's father was a general in Napoleon's army, who had fallen out of favor.
Dumas did not generally define himself as a black man, and there is not much evidence that he encountered overt racism during his life. However, his works were popular among the 19th-century African-Americans, partly because in The Count of Monte-Cristo, the falsely imprisoned Edmond Dantès, may be read as a parable of emancipation.
UNLEASHED
THIS FILM IS IN THE TRADITION OF THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS, LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, SNATCH , RUSH HOUR -- IF YOU SAW THOSE FILMS AND LIKED THEM, YOU WILL LIKE THIS MOVIE.
IT IS NOT GIVING AWAY ANY SECRET INFORMATION TO TELL YOU THAT A BOY WAS RAISED LIKE A DOG, SO HE COULD FIGHT THE ENEMIES OF HIS MASTER, A GLASGOW, MINI GANGSTER, PLAYED BY BOB HOSKINS. THINK OF JACK NICHOLSON'S JOKER IN BATMAN, TO GET AN IDEA OF THIS VILLAINOUS CHARACTER.
MORGAN FREEMAN GIVES THE FILM A LOT OF SUBSTANCE AND CREDENCE AS A NEW FOUND AND ONLY, FRIEND OF THE UNFORTUNATE DOGMAN.
JET LI IS TOO OLD TO PLAY THIS DOGMAN ROLE, THAT IS OBVIOUS, BUT IT IS A GOOD ROLE AND HE DOES A GOOD JOB, DESPITE YOU KNOWING HE MIGHT HAVE A SON, WHO IS THE RIGHT AGE FOR THIS PART.
BEFORE SEEING IT, I DISMISSED THIS FILM AS JUST ANOTHER KARATE PICTURE - I WAS LUCKY, MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME, IT HAS A FULLY DRAWN PLOT AND IF YOU DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE RAPID MEDICAL RECOVERY TIME OF THE MUCH WOUNDED CHARACTERS, THIS IS A GOOD ACTION PICTURE.
PLEASE DON'T GO IF VIOLENCE ON THE BIG SCREEN UPSETS YOU - VIOLENCE IS AT THE HEART OF THIS STORY - FREEDOM AND CONTROLLING VIOLENCE IS THE THEME. AT TIMES, THE FILM IS ALMOST COMIC BOOKISH AND YET, AT TIMES, IT IS ON A HIGHER PLANE ---> THE MORGAN FREEMAN INFLUENCE AT WORK.
A SECOND PIECE OF ADVICE - DON'T MOVE TO GLASGOW, IF YOU BELIEVE IN POLICE PROTECTION -- I DON'T THINK ONE POLICEMAN IS SHOWN IN THIS FILM, THOUGH FIGHTS AND GUNFIRE GO ON FOR TWENTY MINUTES AT A TIME IN PUBLIC PLACES.
IT IS NOT GIVING AWAY ANY SECRET INFORMATION TO TELL YOU THAT A BOY WAS RAISED LIKE A DOG, SO HE COULD FIGHT THE ENEMIES OF HIS MASTER, A GLASGOW, MINI GANGSTER, PLAYED BY BOB HOSKINS. THINK OF JACK NICHOLSON'S JOKER IN BATMAN, TO GET AN IDEA OF THIS VILLAINOUS CHARACTER.
MORGAN FREEMAN GIVES THE FILM A LOT OF SUBSTANCE AND CREDENCE AS A NEW FOUND AND ONLY, FRIEND OF THE UNFORTUNATE DOGMAN.
JET LI IS TOO OLD TO PLAY THIS DOGMAN ROLE, THAT IS OBVIOUS, BUT IT IS A GOOD ROLE AND HE DOES A GOOD JOB, DESPITE YOU KNOWING HE MIGHT HAVE A SON, WHO IS THE RIGHT AGE FOR THIS PART.
BEFORE SEEING IT, I DISMISSED THIS FILM AS JUST ANOTHER KARATE PICTURE - I WAS LUCKY, MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME, IT HAS A FULLY DRAWN PLOT AND IF YOU DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE RAPID MEDICAL RECOVERY TIME OF THE MUCH WOUNDED CHARACTERS, THIS IS A GOOD ACTION PICTURE.
PLEASE DON'T GO IF VIOLENCE ON THE BIG SCREEN UPSETS YOU - VIOLENCE IS AT THE HEART OF THIS STORY - FREEDOM AND CONTROLLING VIOLENCE IS THE THEME. AT TIMES, THE FILM IS ALMOST COMIC BOOKISH AND YET, AT TIMES, IT IS ON A HIGHER PLANE ---> THE MORGAN FREEMAN INFLUENCE AT WORK.
A SECOND PIECE OF ADVICE - DON'T MOVE TO GLASGOW, IF YOU BELIEVE IN POLICE PROTECTION -- I DON'T THINK ONE POLICEMAN IS SHOWN IN THIS FILM, THOUGH FIGHTS AND GUNFIRE GO ON FOR TWENTY MINUTES AT A TIME IN PUBLIC PLACES.
MR. AND MRS. SMITH
TAKE THE WAR OF THE ROSES AND PRIZZI'S HONOR AND A LITTLE BIT OF BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID AND YOU HAVE THE CONCEPT / PREMISE INGREDIENTS OF MR. & MRS. SMITH.
IT HAS A GOOD IDEA FOR A STORY - IT HAS ALL THE PRODUCTION VALUES IN THE WORLD, THEY SPENT THE MONEY, BUT AS GODFATHER III PROVED, PRODUCTION VALUES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE A MOVIE WORK.
VINCE VAUGHN IS ON THE SCENE, DOING HIS VINCE VAUGHN ROUTINE AND I NORMALLY LIKE HIS ROUTINE, BUT THIS ENTIRE FILM HAS NO CHEMISTRY - YOU SIT THERE AND CAN'T GET INVOLVED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE SCREEN. I CAN'T WRITE ANYMORE ABOUT THIS FILM, I CAN'T GET INVOLVED IN REACTING TO IT -- IT JUST DOES NOT WORK --- I CAN'T FIND A WAY TO GIVE IT A PASS -- THE COMMERCIAL FOR THE FILM IS BETTER THAN THE FILM ITSELF.
THIS FILM, LIKE THE AMERICAN ECONOMY UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION ---- JUST DOES NOT WORK.
IT HAS A GOOD IDEA FOR A STORY - IT HAS ALL THE PRODUCTION VALUES IN THE WORLD, THEY SPENT THE MONEY, BUT AS GODFATHER III PROVED, PRODUCTION VALUES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE A MOVIE WORK.
VINCE VAUGHN IS ON THE SCENE, DOING HIS VINCE VAUGHN ROUTINE AND I NORMALLY LIKE HIS ROUTINE, BUT THIS ENTIRE FILM HAS NO CHEMISTRY - YOU SIT THERE AND CAN'T GET INVOLVED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE SCREEN. I CAN'T WRITE ANYMORE ABOUT THIS FILM, I CAN'T GET INVOLVED IN REACTING TO IT -- IT JUST DOES NOT WORK --- I CAN'T FIND A WAY TO GIVE IT A PASS -- THE COMMERCIAL FOR THE FILM IS BETTER THAN THE FILM ITSELF.
THIS FILM, LIKE THE AMERICAN ECONOMY UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION ---- JUST DOES NOT WORK.
CINDERELLA MAN
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FILM - NO ONE IS SAYING ANYTHING, BUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT. YOUR FRIENDS WILL TELL YOU IT IS A FINE FILM AND YOU CAN TRUST YOUR FRIENDS.
RON HOWARD IS A VERY PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR, TO ME, HIS NAME ON A FILM IS A GOOD SIGN THE FILM WILL BE WORTH SEEING - HE IS NOT A PERSON GIVEN TO WASTING HIS TIME ON TRASH.
RUSSELL CROWE IS A VERY PROFESSIONAL ACTOR, HIS NAME ON A FILM IS A GOOD SIGN THE FILM WILL BE WORTH SEEING - HE IS NOT A PERSON GIVEN TO WASTING HIS TIME ON TRASH.
WHAT STRUCK ME ABOUT THIS FILM WAS THE STARK / BLEAK
MANNER THAT THE DEPRESSION OF THE DEPRESSION WAS PRESENTED - YOU COULD FEEL THE HARD TIMES THE PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING.
THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF BEING WITHOUT FUNDS IN A SOCIETY BUILT ON THE EXCHANGE OF GOODS AND SERVICES FOR CASH IS CLEAR AND DEEPLY FELT BY THE VIEWERS.
THE DEPRESSION WAS A CHARACTER IN THIS STORY - WITHOUT THE DEPRESSION TO DRIVE HIM, THE CENTRAL CHARACTER, JAMES J. BRADDOCK, WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN THE MAN, HE TURNED OUT TO BE.
THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY VALUES AND SELF SACRIFICE AND LOVE, NOT TALK AND NOT SILLY NOTES ABOUT GROUP HUGS, BUT LOVE OF OTHERS, BEYOND SELF, IS A CHARACTER IN THIS STORY, IT IS NOT A PLOT LINE, IT IS EMPIRICALLY VISIBLE IN EVERY SCENE.
YOU HAVE TO ADMIRE HOW THEY TURNED THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, MAX BAER, INTO THE SHARK FROM JAWS. I WAS IN THE 15th ROW AT THE THEATRE AND I WAS AFRAID OF MAX BAER.
IN THE CIRCA 1948 FILM, THE HUCKSTERS, WITH CLARK GABLE, HE BUMPS INTO A FRIEND ON FIFTH AVENUE AND BORROWS $50 -- WHEN THAT WAS LIKE $250 NOW. HE TELLS THE FRIEND TO WAIT A MINUTE AND GOES INTO A STORE; WHEN HE RETURNS, HE IS WEARING A $50 HAND PAINTED NECKTIE.
GABLE RELATES THAT HE IS BROKE, CAN'T PAY HIS RENT, IS OUT OF WORK AND GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW IN TEN MINUTES. THE FRIEND THINKS GABLE HAS LOST HIS MIND.
CLARK EXPLAINS--->> WHEN I WALK IN WEARING THIS TIE, NO ONE WILL THINK I AM DOING BAD AND THEY WILL FIGURE THEY NEED TO MAKE ME A GOOD OFFER TO GET ME AWAY FROM A JOB THAT ALLOWS ME TO BUY $50 TIES. A VERSION OF THIS SCENE IS WONDERFULLY DONE IN CINDERELLA MAN.
************************************************************************************** I COULD NOT HELP BUT WONDER, IF THE WHITE FOLKS WERE SUFFERING THIS MUCH, HOW WERE THEIR BLACK BROTHERS AND SISTERS DOING IN THIS DESPERATE ERA -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IF THE SHIP IS SINKING AND THE FOLKS ON THE TOP DECK ARE WADING IN THE WATER UP TO THEIR WAIST --- WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THE FOLKS ON THE LOWER DECKS?
WITH ALI, A FEW YEARS AGO, MILLION DOLLAR BABY, LAST YEAR AND CINDERELLA MAN NOW, THE JOE LOUIS STORY ( DONE BACK IN THE LATE 1940s ), IS DUE FOR A REMAKE.
I JUST HOPE THAT THE JOE LOUIS STORY, WON'T BE SEEN AS A BLACK FILM, WHILE CINDERELLA MAN IS SEEN AS A UNIVERSAL FILM ON THE HUMAN CONDITION. ONCE THE BLACK FILM TAG IS HUNG ON A PRODUCTION, IT CUTS 40% OFF THE BOX OFFICE AND IF A FINE FILM ABOUT UNKNOWN JAMES J. BRADDOCK IS BIG BOX OFFICE, A FILM ABOUT SUPERSTAR, JOSEPH LOUIS BARROW, SHOULD BE A MEGA HIT.
THESE RACIAL POINTS WERE NOT THE FOCUS OF THE MOVIE, BUT I KEPT WONDERING ABOUT THESE ISSUES?
***************************************************************************************
THERE IS NO NEED TO WRITE MUCH ABOUT CINDERELLA MAN - IT IS ONE OF THOSE FILMS THAT IS OF SUCH QUALITY, IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF AND YOU WILL SEE IT BECAUSE, IF YOU WERE NOT A FILM FAN, YOU WOULD NEVER HAVE READ THIS FAR AND IF YOU READ THIS FAR AND WOULD PASS UP THIS FILM, I HAVE TO WONDER, WHY ? WHAT DO YOU WANT IN A FILM, THAT THIS FILM DOES NOT DELIVER?
RON HOWARD IS A VERY PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR, TO ME, HIS NAME ON A FILM IS A GOOD SIGN THE FILM WILL BE WORTH SEEING - HE IS NOT A PERSON GIVEN TO WASTING HIS TIME ON TRASH.
RUSSELL CROWE IS A VERY PROFESSIONAL ACTOR, HIS NAME ON A FILM IS A GOOD SIGN THE FILM WILL BE WORTH SEEING - HE IS NOT A PERSON GIVEN TO WASTING HIS TIME ON TRASH.
WHAT STRUCK ME ABOUT THIS FILM WAS THE STARK / BLEAK
MANNER THAT THE DEPRESSION OF THE DEPRESSION WAS PRESENTED - YOU COULD FEEL THE HARD TIMES THE PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING.
THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF BEING WITHOUT FUNDS IN A SOCIETY BUILT ON THE EXCHANGE OF GOODS AND SERVICES FOR CASH IS CLEAR AND DEEPLY FELT BY THE VIEWERS.
THE DEPRESSION WAS A CHARACTER IN THIS STORY - WITHOUT THE DEPRESSION TO DRIVE HIM, THE CENTRAL CHARACTER, JAMES J. BRADDOCK, WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN THE MAN, HE TURNED OUT TO BE.
THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY VALUES AND SELF SACRIFICE AND LOVE, NOT TALK AND NOT SILLY NOTES ABOUT GROUP HUGS, BUT LOVE OF OTHERS, BEYOND SELF, IS A CHARACTER IN THIS STORY, IT IS NOT A PLOT LINE, IT IS EMPIRICALLY VISIBLE IN EVERY SCENE.
YOU HAVE TO ADMIRE HOW THEY TURNED THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, MAX BAER, INTO THE SHARK FROM JAWS. I WAS IN THE 15th ROW AT THE THEATRE AND I WAS AFRAID OF MAX BAER.
IN THE CIRCA 1948 FILM, THE HUCKSTERS, WITH CLARK GABLE, HE BUMPS INTO A FRIEND ON FIFTH AVENUE AND BORROWS $50 -- WHEN THAT WAS LIKE $250 NOW. HE TELLS THE FRIEND TO WAIT A MINUTE AND GOES INTO A STORE; WHEN HE RETURNS, HE IS WEARING A $50 HAND PAINTED NECKTIE.
GABLE RELATES THAT HE IS BROKE, CAN'T PAY HIS RENT, IS OUT OF WORK AND GOING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW IN TEN MINUTES. THE FRIEND THINKS GABLE HAS LOST HIS MIND.
CLARK EXPLAINS--->> WHEN I WALK IN WEARING THIS TIE, NO ONE WILL THINK I AM DOING BAD AND THEY WILL FIGURE THEY NEED TO MAKE ME A GOOD OFFER TO GET ME AWAY FROM A JOB THAT ALLOWS ME TO BUY $50 TIES. A VERSION OF THIS SCENE IS WONDERFULLY DONE IN CINDERELLA MAN.
************************************************************************************** I COULD NOT HELP BUT WONDER, IF THE WHITE FOLKS WERE SUFFERING THIS MUCH, HOW WERE THEIR BLACK BROTHERS AND SISTERS DOING IN THIS DESPERATE ERA -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IF THE SHIP IS SINKING AND THE FOLKS ON THE TOP DECK ARE WADING IN THE WATER UP TO THEIR WAIST --- WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THE FOLKS ON THE LOWER DECKS?
WITH ALI, A FEW YEARS AGO, MILLION DOLLAR BABY, LAST YEAR AND CINDERELLA MAN NOW, THE JOE LOUIS STORY ( DONE BACK IN THE LATE 1940s ), IS DUE FOR A REMAKE.
I JUST HOPE THAT THE JOE LOUIS STORY, WON'T BE SEEN AS A BLACK FILM, WHILE CINDERELLA MAN IS SEEN AS A UNIVERSAL FILM ON THE HUMAN CONDITION. ONCE THE BLACK FILM TAG IS HUNG ON A PRODUCTION, IT CUTS 40% OFF THE BOX OFFICE AND IF A FINE FILM ABOUT UNKNOWN JAMES J. BRADDOCK IS BIG BOX OFFICE, A FILM ABOUT SUPERSTAR, JOSEPH LOUIS BARROW, SHOULD BE A MEGA HIT.
THESE RACIAL POINTS WERE NOT THE FOCUS OF THE MOVIE, BUT I KEPT WONDERING ABOUT THESE ISSUES?
***************************************************************************************
THERE IS NO NEED TO WRITE MUCH ABOUT CINDERELLA MAN - IT IS ONE OF THOSE FILMS THAT IS OF SUCH QUALITY, IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF AND YOU WILL SEE IT BECAUSE, IF YOU WERE NOT A FILM FAN, YOU WOULD NEVER HAVE READ THIS FAR AND IF YOU READ THIS FAR AND WOULD PASS UP THIS FILM, I HAVE TO WONDER, WHY ? WHAT DO YOU WANT IN A FILM, THAT THIS FILM DOES NOT DELIVER?
BATMAN BEGINS - REACTIONS
Gaff,
I had heard nothing but good things about this movie, so I went into the theater with high expectations.
Not only were these expectations met, they were far exceeded. This is the best Batman movie to date, no doubt.
I am a huge Tim Burton fan. He has the ability to create amazingly lush fantasy environments and get you lost in them. Having said this, my hat is off to writer/ director, Christopher Nolan. For over two hours, I was interested and engaged by a storyline that was realistic, creative, exciting, but had a sense of familiarity that made me feel like I had been there before.
The famous Batman sense of humor was done well and more importantly, was not overdone.
The villains were awesome. Cillian Murphy, the evil Doctor, is a fantastic actor and I look forward to seeing him in more films. His 28 Days Later was a great movie and the best zombie movie I have ever seen. I was a little disappointed in his unceremonious downfall, however, I think I can let
that slide.
I could probably go on about this film at length, but I will just say , I agree with the comment that this is the best superhero movie ever made, Batman or otherwise, and Christian Bale stands easily
with Micheal Keaton as the best Batman.
I say this because , this film was done in a much different style than Tim Burton's
Batman and I think Bale and Keaton were the correct choices for each brand of Batman.
BATMAN BEGINS, now stands as the best movie I have seen all summer and probably this whole year.
**************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************
ONCE AGAIN, I AM UNABLE TO WRITE MY OWN REACTION, DUE TO THE WONDERFUL INSIGHTS OF ANOTHER.
I HAVE YET TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF WHERE CAM GOT THE FAITH TO REALIZE THAT THE BOSTON RED SOCKS COULD BEAT THE NEW YORK YANKEES, FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES, AFTER LOSING THE FIRST THREE WORLD SERIES GAMES IN 2004. CAM WAS IN MY CLASS OVER A YEAR - NORMALLY, I CAN DESTROY ANYONE'S ABILITY OR WILL TO THINK, GIVEN THAT MUCH TIME; SO OBVIOUSLY, HE IS BRIGHTER THAN MOST OR MY POWERS OF EDUCATIONAL EVIL HAVE BEEN OVER-RATED.
TOO BAD CAM ATTENDS THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND HAS SO FEW CLASSMATES WHO CAN READ WELL ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE WHAT HE HAS WRITTEN OR CAN EARN ENOUGH WASHING CARS AND DISHES, TO AFFORD TO SEE THIS FILM, BEFORE IT REACHES DVD STATUS.
STILL, MOST OF HIS U. OF GEORGIA FRIENDS REMAIN FREE ON BAIL AND FOR THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE GRATEFUL --- THEY ARE SHOWING IMPROVEMENT AND A DESIRE TO REHABILIATE THEMSELVES, GIVEN THE PROPER LEVEL OF SUPERVISION.
I had heard nothing but good things about this movie, so I went into the theater with high expectations.
Not only were these expectations met, they were far exceeded. This is the best Batman movie to date, no doubt.
I am a huge Tim Burton fan. He has the ability to create amazingly lush fantasy environments and get you lost in them. Having said this, my hat is off to writer/ director, Christopher Nolan. For over two hours, I was interested and engaged by a storyline that was realistic, creative, exciting, but had a sense of familiarity that made me feel like I had been there before.
The famous Batman sense of humor was done well and more importantly, was not overdone.
The villains were awesome. Cillian Murphy, the evil Doctor, is a fantastic actor and I look forward to seeing him in more films. His 28 Days Later was a great movie and the best zombie movie I have ever seen. I was a little disappointed in his unceremonious downfall, however, I think I can let
that slide.
I could probably go on about this film at length, but I will just say , I agree with the comment that this is the best superhero movie ever made, Batman or otherwise, and Christian Bale stands easily
with Micheal Keaton as the best Batman.
I say this because , this film was done in a much different style than Tim Burton's
Batman and I think Bale and Keaton were the correct choices for each brand of Batman.
BATMAN BEGINS, now stands as the best movie I have seen all summer and probably this whole year.
**************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************
ONCE AGAIN, I AM UNABLE TO WRITE MY OWN REACTION, DUE TO THE WONDERFUL INSIGHTS OF ANOTHER.
I HAVE YET TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF WHERE CAM GOT THE FAITH TO REALIZE THAT THE BOSTON RED SOCKS COULD BEAT THE NEW YORK YANKEES, FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES, AFTER LOSING THE FIRST THREE WORLD SERIES GAMES IN 2004. CAM WAS IN MY CLASS OVER A YEAR - NORMALLY, I CAN DESTROY ANYONE'S ABILITY OR WILL TO THINK, GIVEN THAT MUCH TIME; SO OBVIOUSLY, HE IS BRIGHTER THAN MOST OR MY POWERS OF EDUCATIONAL EVIL HAVE BEEN OVER-RATED.
TOO BAD CAM ATTENDS THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND HAS SO FEW CLASSMATES WHO CAN READ WELL ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE WHAT HE HAS WRITTEN OR CAN EARN ENOUGH WASHING CARS AND DISHES, TO AFFORD TO SEE THIS FILM, BEFORE IT REACHES DVD STATUS.
STILL, MOST OF HIS U. OF GEORGIA FRIENDS REMAIN FREE ON BAIL AND FOR THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE GRATEFUL --- THEY ARE SHOWING IMPROVEMENT AND A DESIRE TO REHABILIATE THEMSELVES, GIVEN THE PROPER LEVEL OF SUPERVISION.
BATMAN BEGINS
YEARS AGO, WHEN THE FIRST FILM IN THE BATMAN SERIES CAME OUT - MAML AND I STOOD IN LINE FOR HOURS OUTSIDE A THEATRE IN BAYSIDE, QUEENS, WAITING TO GET INTO THE JAM PACKED SHOW. BATMAN WITH KEATON AND NICHOLSON WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT -- JUST AS THE GODFATHER, HAD BEEN WORTH A SIMILAR WAIT YEARS BEFORE.
MAML ATTENDED THE MIDNIGHT PREMIER OF THIS PRODUCTION.
12 HOURS BEFORE I AM OFF TO SEE THIS NEW INCARNATION OF A CHARACTER THAT HAS NOT BEEN FULLY REALIZED SINCE THE ORIGINAL -- MAML HAS BEEN DEPUTIZED TO BRING US THE WORD FROM THE MOUNT -- I DISLIKE THE FACT THAT HE HAS DONE IT IN A MANNER FAR SUPERIOR TO MY OWN; I CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE ABUSE MY SITE, BY WRITING BETTER THAN I DO - BUT I WILL LET IT GO THIS TIME AND HOPE THIS IS NOT THE START OF A TREND AMONG MY FRIENDS - IF THEY WISH TO REMAIN MY FRIENDS..
************************************************************************************
George:
To see this movie ....... is to believe!
Christian Bale is "The Batman".
I loved Michael Keaton's brooding characterization of the caped crusader, but Bale just doesn’t don the outfit, he builds the outfit to fit himself.
In this film you always see the man (Bruce Wayne) behind the mask, as he tries to get it right. He worries that he can be killed and that makes this version of Batman, a "man" and not a Superman. We see Batman learning who, what, where and how to use his mental and physical discipline to put the fear of an unknown bat like creature that can vanish literally before their eyes, against the criminal element of GOTHAM CITY.
We believe, because the storyline is fabulous.
We believe because Christopher Nolan's brilliant direction puts us in Wayne Manor as Bruce Wayne invents his alter ego Batman.
We believe because the story is what drives this puppy home. The special effects and gizmos can be felt, but the storyline and the characters do all the heavy lifting in this, the best of all the superhero films to date.
Gene Roddenberry always said, “If the people love and hate the characters, you'll have a great film.” Every character in this film lifts their own weight; no one is carried by another actor, each sets the tone for things to come.
The whole origin of Batman is now understood, and told within an adult storyline; even the great one-liners are still there.
By the way, if you like fight scenes, the last one of the film is a dilly.
I will be seeing it again.
*************************************************************************************
*************************************************************************************
I RENTED KINSEY AND IT IS A GOOD FILM - TOO LONG AND DRAGS AT THE END, TRYING TO GET YOU TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE, I AM NOT SURE - BUT IT GETS A LITTLE HEAVY HANDED AT THE END.
IT IS WORTH SEEING - THE TOPIC IS THE STUDY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY - WHO CAN ARGUE WITH THE SUBJECT OF THIS PRODUCTION?
I AM TAKING A PASS ON GOING TO SEE:
THE HONEYMOONERS AND THE LONGEST YARD ( EVEN WITH CHRIS ROCK IN THE CAST ) -- THEY BOTH SEEM LIKE TELEVISION FARE.
HIGH TENSION WAS TRASHED BY T.C.J. AND HE IS USUALLY ON THE MONEY.
AFTER THE FIRST THREE STAR WARS, I LOST INTEREST, SO NO STAR WARS ON THIS SITE., NO REFLECTION ON THE FILM, IT MAY BE GREAT, BUT I AM NOT UP TO THE JOURNEY.
MAML ATTENDED THE MIDNIGHT PREMIER OF THIS PRODUCTION.
12 HOURS BEFORE I AM OFF TO SEE THIS NEW INCARNATION OF A CHARACTER THAT HAS NOT BEEN FULLY REALIZED SINCE THE ORIGINAL -- MAML HAS BEEN DEPUTIZED TO BRING US THE WORD FROM THE MOUNT -- I DISLIKE THE FACT THAT HE HAS DONE IT IN A MANNER FAR SUPERIOR TO MY OWN; I CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE ABUSE MY SITE, BY WRITING BETTER THAN I DO - BUT I WILL LET IT GO THIS TIME AND HOPE THIS IS NOT THE START OF A TREND AMONG MY FRIENDS - IF THEY WISH TO REMAIN MY FRIENDS..
************************************************************************************
George:
To see this movie ....... is to believe!
Christian Bale is "The Batman".
I loved Michael Keaton's brooding characterization of the caped crusader, but Bale just doesn’t don the outfit, he builds the outfit to fit himself.
In this film you always see the man (Bruce Wayne) behind the mask, as he tries to get it right. He worries that he can be killed and that makes this version of Batman, a "man" and not a Superman. We see Batman learning who, what, where and how to use his mental and physical discipline to put the fear of an unknown bat like creature that can vanish literally before their eyes, against the criminal element of GOTHAM CITY.
We believe, because the storyline is fabulous.
We believe because Christopher Nolan's brilliant direction puts us in Wayne Manor as Bruce Wayne invents his alter ego Batman.
We believe because the story is what drives this puppy home. The special effects and gizmos can be felt, but the storyline and the characters do all the heavy lifting in this, the best of all the superhero films to date.
Gene Roddenberry always said, “If the people love and hate the characters, you'll have a great film.” Every character in this film lifts their own weight; no one is carried by another actor, each sets the tone for things to come.
The whole origin of Batman is now understood, and told within an adult storyline; even the great one-liners are still there.
By the way, if you like fight scenes, the last one of the film is a dilly.
I will be seeing it again.
*************************************************************************************
*************************************************************************************
I RENTED KINSEY AND IT IS A GOOD FILM - TOO LONG AND DRAGS AT THE END, TRYING TO GET YOU TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE, I AM NOT SURE - BUT IT GETS A LITTLE HEAVY HANDED AT THE END.
IT IS WORTH SEEING - THE TOPIC IS THE STUDY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY - WHO CAN ARGUE WITH THE SUBJECT OF THIS PRODUCTION?
I AM TAKING A PASS ON GOING TO SEE:
THE HONEYMOONERS AND THE LONGEST YARD ( EVEN WITH CHRIS ROCK IN THE CAST ) -- THEY BOTH SEEM LIKE TELEVISION FARE.
HIGH TENSION WAS TRASHED BY T.C.J. AND HE IS USUALLY ON THE MONEY.
AFTER THE FIRST THREE STAR WARS, I LOST INTEREST, SO NO STAR WARS ON THIS SITE., NO REFLECTION ON THE FILM, IT MAY BE GREAT, BUT I AM NOT UP TO THE JOURNEY.
LAND OF THE DEAD
THIS IS A ZOMBIE MOVIE - THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE FANTASY - THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE SHOCKING AND YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO SEE THINGS YOU CAN'T BELIEVE ARE TRUE.
*************************************************************************************
LET'S HOLD OFF ON THE MOVIE FOR A FEW MOMENTS, WHILE I MENTION SOMETHING THAT I FOUND FANASTIC, SHOCKING AND UNBELIEVABLE AT THE THEATRE.
I USUALLY CARRY A BOTTLE OF WATER INTO THE THEATRE WITH ME. I NEVER BUY ANYTHING FOR MYSELF AT THE THEATRE -- I GO TO SEE THE FILM, BUT EATING. OVERPRICED CANDY AND FOOD "COOKED" BY KIDS WHO ARE WORKING PART TIME TO EARN SUMMER CASH, DOES NOT STIMULATE MY APPETITE. I CAN NORMALLY SURVIVE TWO HOURS ON THE POORLY CONCEALED BODY FAT I CARRIED WITH ME TO THE THEATRE.
TODAY, I FORGOT MY WATER AND FIGURED I WOULD PICK UP A ONE PINT BOTTLE AT THE REFRESHMENT COUNTER. A PINT OF WATER WAS $3.50.
NOW, I AM A LIMITED INDIVIDUAL, I AM LIMITED TO LIVING ON THE PLANET EARTH -- MAYBE, IF I WAS A SPACE CREATURE, PASSING THRU OR A ZOMBIE, $3.50 FOR A PINT OF WATER WOULD NOT SEEM UNREASONABLE - BUT HAVING BEEN BORN AND RAISED ON THIS PLANET -- I AM AWARE THAT WATER IS NOT A RARE SUBSTANCE - IT IS A NECESSARY AND VALUABLE RESOURCE, BUT THAT VALUE SHOULD NOT INCREASE TEN FOLD AT THE ENTRANCE TO A MOVIE THEATRE.
THE GASOLINE THAT HELPED ME REACH THIS THEATRE DID NOT COST $3.50 A PINT - I AM GETTING OVER A CHEST COLD AND THE ANTIBIOTICS WERE NOT MUCH MORE THAN THE WATER AT THIS THEATRE. WHAT THE HELL WAS IN THIS WATER THAT MADE IT WORTH $3.50 A PINT? - THE LARGE BOTTLE, OF COURSE WAS MORE - $4.50 FOR A PINT AND A HALF - A BARGAIN BY MOVIE WATER PRICING STANDARDS.
I HAVE FRIENDS WITH NICE HOUSES, NICE CARS, FINE JEWELRY AND FIRST RATE CLOTHES - YET, I DON'T THINK I HAVE A FRIEND WHO CAN REACH IN THEIR POCKET AND PAY $3.50 FOR A PINT OF WATER AND NOT THINK THAT SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK - I CAME IN WITH TRUMAN AS PRESIDENT AND THE JAPANESE STILL A FEW MONTHS FROM SURRENDER -- SO, MAYBE I AM BEHIND THE TIMES AND $3.50 FOR A PINT OF WATER IS THE NORM / ACCEPTABLE; ANYWAY, I HAVE NEW RESPECT FOR
H2o.
I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT PONCE DE LEON, KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THIS
AND THAT, IS WHY HE SEARCHED SO DILIGENTLY FOR THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH - AT
$3.50 A PINT, YOU WOULD NEED TO REMAIN YOUNG AND EMPLOYED TO PAY FOR A DRINK.
SOME OF MY DOWN ON THEIR LUCK ASSOCIATES, REPORT THAT THE RED CROSS DOES NOT PAY MUCH MORE THAN THE COST OF SACRED THEATRE WATER
TO BLOOD DONORS.
***************************************************************************************
BACK TO THE MOVIE -- ZOMBIE PICTURES ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE - IF YOU ARE NOT A ZOMBIE FAN, YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO SEE THIS FILM - IF YOU ARE A ZOMBIE FAN -- YOU DON'T NEED TO MISS TO THIS FILM - IT IS AN EXCELLENT GEORGE ROMERO PRODUCTION - THE GODFATHER OF ZOMBIE FILMS IS AT HIS BEST WITH ALL THE ELEMENTS IN PLACE - ONLY JOHN LEGUIZAMO AND DENNIS HOPPER ARE KNOWN MEMBERS OF THE CAST - BUT WHO NEEDS STARS IN A ZOMBIE PICTURE - EXTRAS EATING ENTRAILS HAVE ALL THE MEATY PARTS IN THE MOVIE.
THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO WRITE - ZOMBIE FANS, THIS IS A GEM, BUT BRING YOUR OWN BEVERAGE OR A MAJOR CREDIT CARD.
*************************************************************************************
LET'S HOLD OFF ON THE MOVIE FOR A FEW MOMENTS, WHILE I MENTION SOMETHING THAT I FOUND FANASTIC, SHOCKING AND UNBELIEVABLE AT THE THEATRE.
I USUALLY CARRY A BOTTLE OF WATER INTO THE THEATRE WITH ME. I NEVER BUY ANYTHING FOR MYSELF AT THE THEATRE -- I GO TO SEE THE FILM, BUT EATING. OVERPRICED CANDY AND FOOD "COOKED" BY KIDS WHO ARE WORKING PART TIME TO EARN SUMMER CASH, DOES NOT STIMULATE MY APPETITE. I CAN NORMALLY SURVIVE TWO HOURS ON THE POORLY CONCEALED BODY FAT I CARRIED WITH ME TO THE THEATRE.
TODAY, I FORGOT MY WATER AND FIGURED I WOULD PICK UP A ONE PINT BOTTLE AT THE REFRESHMENT COUNTER. A PINT OF WATER WAS $3.50.
NOW, I AM A LIMITED INDIVIDUAL, I AM LIMITED TO LIVING ON THE PLANET EARTH -- MAYBE, IF I WAS A SPACE CREATURE, PASSING THRU OR A ZOMBIE, $3.50 FOR A PINT OF WATER WOULD NOT SEEM UNREASONABLE - BUT HAVING BEEN BORN AND RAISED ON THIS PLANET -- I AM AWARE THAT WATER IS NOT A RARE SUBSTANCE - IT IS A NECESSARY AND VALUABLE RESOURCE, BUT THAT VALUE SHOULD NOT INCREASE TEN FOLD AT THE ENTRANCE TO A MOVIE THEATRE.
THE GASOLINE THAT HELPED ME REACH THIS THEATRE DID NOT COST $3.50 A PINT - I AM GETTING OVER A CHEST COLD AND THE ANTIBIOTICS WERE NOT MUCH MORE THAN THE WATER AT THIS THEATRE. WHAT THE HELL WAS IN THIS WATER THAT MADE IT WORTH $3.50 A PINT? - THE LARGE BOTTLE, OF COURSE WAS MORE - $4.50 FOR A PINT AND A HALF - A BARGAIN BY MOVIE WATER PRICING STANDARDS.
I HAVE FRIENDS WITH NICE HOUSES, NICE CARS, FINE JEWELRY AND FIRST RATE CLOTHES - YET, I DON'T THINK I HAVE A FRIEND WHO CAN REACH IN THEIR POCKET AND PAY $3.50 FOR A PINT OF WATER AND NOT THINK THAT SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK - I CAME IN WITH TRUMAN AS PRESIDENT AND THE JAPANESE STILL A FEW MONTHS FROM SURRENDER -- SO, MAYBE I AM BEHIND THE TIMES AND $3.50 FOR A PINT OF WATER IS THE NORM / ACCEPTABLE; ANYWAY, I HAVE NEW RESPECT FOR
H2o.
I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT PONCE DE LEON, KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT ALL THIS
AND THAT, IS WHY HE SEARCHED SO DILIGENTLY FOR THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH - AT
$3.50 A PINT, YOU WOULD NEED TO REMAIN YOUNG AND EMPLOYED TO PAY FOR A DRINK.
SOME OF MY DOWN ON THEIR LUCK ASSOCIATES, REPORT THAT THE RED CROSS DOES NOT PAY MUCH MORE THAN THE COST OF SACRED THEATRE WATER
TO BLOOD DONORS.
***************************************************************************************
BACK TO THE MOVIE -- ZOMBIE PICTURES ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE - IF YOU ARE NOT A ZOMBIE FAN, YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO SEE THIS FILM - IF YOU ARE A ZOMBIE FAN -- YOU DON'T NEED TO MISS TO THIS FILM - IT IS AN EXCELLENT GEORGE ROMERO PRODUCTION - THE GODFATHER OF ZOMBIE FILMS IS AT HIS BEST WITH ALL THE ELEMENTS IN PLACE - ONLY JOHN LEGUIZAMO AND DENNIS HOPPER ARE KNOWN MEMBERS OF THE CAST - BUT WHO NEEDS STARS IN A ZOMBIE PICTURE - EXTRAS EATING ENTRAILS HAVE ALL THE MEATY PARTS IN THE MOVIE.
THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO WRITE - ZOMBIE FANS, THIS IS A GEM, BUT BRING YOUR OWN BEVERAGE OR A MAJOR CREDIT CARD.
WAR OF THE WORLDS
I WAS GOING TO MENTION THE GREAT PRODUCTION VALUES OF THIS FILM, BUT WHEN I MENTION PRODUCTION VALUES, IT IS CODE TO THOSE WHO KNOW ME, THAT THE FILM WAS NOT THAT GOOD.
I SYMPATHIZE WITH THE MAKERS OF THIS MOVIE. THEIR PROBLEM IS, IF YOU SHOW CREATURES FROM SPACE KILLING BUNCHES OF PEOPLE, IT HAS NO MEANING.
IF ONE MAN IS KILLED STANDING ON A MOTEL BALCONY OR DRIVING ON A STREET IN DALLAS, IT IMPACTS US. IF THOUSANDS ARE KILLED BY A TIDAL WAVE IN THE PACIFIC, WE DON'T FULLY CONNECT WITH THE LOST - WE NEED A NAME, A FACE, TO BRING THE TRAGEDY CLOSER TO HOME.
THEY GAVE TOM CRUISE, WHO WE ALL KNOW, A FAMILY; HOW THIS FAMILY ENDURES THE ALIEN ATTACK IS PAINTED AGAINST THE PANORAMA OF THE WORLD AND SPECIFICALLY, NORTHEASTERN AMERICA, BEING UNDER ATTACK.
NOW, THIS HAS TO BE DONE, YOU CAN'T MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT WAR WORLD II - BUT YOU CAN MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT GENERAL PATTON IN WWII OR PRIVATE RYAN IN
WWII - WE NEED THOSE FACES AND NAMES TO IDENTIFY WITH AND ROOT FOR.
THE MAJOR MISTAKE IN TITANIC, WAS THE STORY THEY TOLD WAS OF A GIRL HAVING TO MARRY A BILLIONAIRE THAT SHE WAS NOT HOT TO TROT WITH - I WOULD MARRY A BILLIONAIRE OF EITHER GENDER AND FIND A BILLION WAYS TO GRIN AND
BEAR IT.
THIS WAS A FOOLISH CHOICE OF STORY LINE TO FOCUS ON, GIVEN THE ALMOST 3000 PEOPLE ON THE SHIP, THEY COULD HAVE USED TO PERSONALIZE THE TERROR OF THAT EVENT, WHY PICK A FOOLISH, SELFISH GIRL, NO ONE COULD RELATE TO?
I THINK THEY PICKED THE WRONG FAMILY TO FOCUS ON IN THIS FILM -- TOM WAS THE CENTERPIECE AND THAT WORKED, BUT I HATED HIS KIDS AND WANTED TO SEE THEM DIE AND ALLOW THE STORY TO WIDEN OUT AND INVOLVE MORE PEOPLE. THESE WHINY
KIDS TURNED ME OFF, BUT MY DISLIKE FOR THEM IS SO PERSONAL, THAT I AM, MOST LIKELY BEING UNFAIR TO THE FILM -- IF YOU LIKE THE KIDS, YOU WILL ROOT FOR THEM AND LIKE THE STORY, MORE THAN I DID.
EVEN FOR A SCI-FI STORY, THE ADVENTURES THIS ONE FAMILY HAS ARE TOO CONTRIVED AND TOO FARFETCHED, THEY HAD TO EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING, SINCE IT IS THRU THEIR EYES THAT WE ARE SEEING THE ATTACK. IT WOULD HAVE WORKED BETTER IF MORE PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED AND ABLE TO SPREAD THE STORY OUT AMONG THEM, INSTEAD OF EVERYTHING HAPPENING TO THESE THREE PEOPLE -- SUPERMAN WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THRU SOME OF THE TRIALS THEY FACE ON THEIR JOURNEY AND THE JOURNEY IS RATHER SILLY. IF IT IS HURRICANE SEASON, I ALTER MY ORIGINAL PLANS TO VISIT THE BAHAMAS. THESE PEOPLE TRAVEL WHERE THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT.
***************************************************************************************
EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THIS PICTURE FOR THE MAGNIFICENT SPECIAL EFFECTS - THE SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION - EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT LIKE THE "HEROES," STILL, I WOULD NOT MISS THIS PICTURE AND I WOULD NOT MISS IT ON THE WIDE THEATRE SCREEN - NO REAL MOVIE FAN WOULD WAIT FOR DVD TO SEE THIS FILM. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS ON THE WIDE SCREEN, WHAT MOVIE WOULD YOU GO TO SEE IN A THEATRE?
I PREFER THE 1953 VERSION OF THE STORY, STARRING GENE BARRY, WHO MAKES A 1O SECOND CAMEO APPEARANCE AT THE END OF THIS 2005 FILM. THAT FILM FOLLOWED THE STORY FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A SCIENTIST WORKING WITH THE MILITARY TO FIND A WEAPON TO USE ON THE ALIENS. TOM CRUISE AND STEVEN SPIELBERG HAVE TRIED TO PERSONALIZE IT WITH THE FAMILY THEME AND IF THE KIDS WERE WRITTEN BETTER, IT WOULD HAVE WORKED BETTER
AGAIN, I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE THE FILM AND HOPEFULLY YOU WON'T HATE THE KIDS LIKE I DID, BUT IF YOU DO, YOU CAN STILL ROOT FOR A TREE TO
FALL ON THEM .
**************************************************************************************
DAKOTA FANNING IS THE LITTLE GIRL FROM, MAN ON FIRE, WITH DENZEL WASHINGTON, WHO PLAYED HER BODYGUARD IN MEXICO. THIS GIRL SHOT HER LOAD IN THAT FILM - SHE WAS NOT A GOOD CHOICE TO TRY TO ONCE AGAIN BE
THE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS.
CASTING HER TO PLAY THE SAME ROLE WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA - SHE IS A ONE TRICK PONY IN THIS SITUATION - BUT HEY, AGAIN, I DISLIKED HER CHARACTER'S FAILURE TO SNAP OUT OF IT AND GET WITH THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION, BUT I EXPECT TO BE ALONE IN THIS VIEW - MOST WILL SEE HER IN A SYMPATHETIC LIGHT.
************************************************************************************
SPOILER --- DON'T READ THIS UNTIL AFTER YOU SEE THE FILM.
************************************************************************************
SPIELBERG HAS ALMOST TURNED THIS INTO A CHILDREN'S STORY - AND YOU WILL REALIZE THAT IN THE LAST 90 SECONDS - WHICH IS NICE FOR KIDS, BUT DOES NOT WORK FOR ADULTS.
I SYMPATHIZE WITH THE MAKERS OF THIS MOVIE. THEIR PROBLEM IS, IF YOU SHOW CREATURES FROM SPACE KILLING BUNCHES OF PEOPLE, IT HAS NO MEANING.
IF ONE MAN IS KILLED STANDING ON A MOTEL BALCONY OR DRIVING ON A STREET IN DALLAS, IT IMPACTS US. IF THOUSANDS ARE KILLED BY A TIDAL WAVE IN THE PACIFIC, WE DON'T FULLY CONNECT WITH THE LOST - WE NEED A NAME, A FACE, TO BRING THE TRAGEDY CLOSER TO HOME.
THEY GAVE TOM CRUISE, WHO WE ALL KNOW, A FAMILY; HOW THIS FAMILY ENDURES THE ALIEN ATTACK IS PAINTED AGAINST THE PANORAMA OF THE WORLD AND SPECIFICALLY, NORTHEASTERN AMERICA, BEING UNDER ATTACK.
NOW, THIS HAS TO BE DONE, YOU CAN'T MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT WAR WORLD II - BUT YOU CAN MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT GENERAL PATTON IN WWII OR PRIVATE RYAN IN
WWII - WE NEED THOSE FACES AND NAMES TO IDENTIFY WITH AND ROOT FOR.
THE MAJOR MISTAKE IN TITANIC, WAS THE STORY THEY TOLD WAS OF A GIRL HAVING TO MARRY A BILLIONAIRE THAT SHE WAS NOT HOT TO TROT WITH - I WOULD MARRY A BILLIONAIRE OF EITHER GENDER AND FIND A BILLION WAYS TO GRIN AND
BEAR IT.
THIS WAS A FOOLISH CHOICE OF STORY LINE TO FOCUS ON, GIVEN THE ALMOST 3000 PEOPLE ON THE SHIP, THEY COULD HAVE USED TO PERSONALIZE THE TERROR OF THAT EVENT, WHY PICK A FOOLISH, SELFISH GIRL, NO ONE COULD RELATE TO?
I THINK THEY PICKED THE WRONG FAMILY TO FOCUS ON IN THIS FILM -- TOM WAS THE CENTERPIECE AND THAT WORKED, BUT I HATED HIS KIDS AND WANTED TO SEE THEM DIE AND ALLOW THE STORY TO WIDEN OUT AND INVOLVE MORE PEOPLE. THESE WHINY
KIDS TURNED ME OFF, BUT MY DISLIKE FOR THEM IS SO PERSONAL, THAT I AM, MOST LIKELY BEING UNFAIR TO THE FILM -- IF YOU LIKE THE KIDS, YOU WILL ROOT FOR THEM AND LIKE THE STORY, MORE THAN I DID.
EVEN FOR A SCI-FI STORY, THE ADVENTURES THIS ONE FAMILY HAS ARE TOO CONTRIVED AND TOO FARFETCHED, THEY HAD TO EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING, SINCE IT IS THRU THEIR EYES THAT WE ARE SEEING THE ATTACK. IT WOULD HAVE WORKED BETTER IF MORE PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED AND ABLE TO SPREAD THE STORY OUT AMONG THEM, INSTEAD OF EVERYTHING HAPPENING TO THESE THREE PEOPLE -- SUPERMAN WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THRU SOME OF THE TRIALS THEY FACE ON THEIR JOURNEY AND THE JOURNEY IS RATHER SILLY. IF IT IS HURRICANE SEASON, I ALTER MY ORIGINAL PLANS TO VISIT THE BAHAMAS. THESE PEOPLE TRAVEL WHERE THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT.
***************************************************************************************
EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THIS PICTURE FOR THE MAGNIFICENT SPECIAL EFFECTS - THE SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION - EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT LIKE THE "HEROES," STILL, I WOULD NOT MISS THIS PICTURE AND I WOULD NOT MISS IT ON THE WIDE THEATRE SCREEN - NO REAL MOVIE FAN WOULD WAIT FOR DVD TO SEE THIS FILM. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS ON THE WIDE SCREEN, WHAT MOVIE WOULD YOU GO TO SEE IN A THEATRE?
I PREFER THE 1953 VERSION OF THE STORY, STARRING GENE BARRY, WHO MAKES A 1O SECOND CAMEO APPEARANCE AT THE END OF THIS 2005 FILM. THAT FILM FOLLOWED THE STORY FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A SCIENTIST WORKING WITH THE MILITARY TO FIND A WEAPON TO USE ON THE ALIENS. TOM CRUISE AND STEVEN SPIELBERG HAVE TRIED TO PERSONALIZE IT WITH THE FAMILY THEME AND IF THE KIDS WERE WRITTEN BETTER, IT WOULD HAVE WORKED BETTER
AGAIN, I THINK YOU SHOULD SEE THE FILM AND HOPEFULLY YOU WON'T HATE THE KIDS LIKE I DID, BUT IF YOU DO, YOU CAN STILL ROOT FOR A TREE TO
FALL ON THEM .
**************************************************************************************
DAKOTA FANNING IS THE LITTLE GIRL FROM, MAN ON FIRE, WITH DENZEL WASHINGTON, WHO PLAYED HER BODYGUARD IN MEXICO. THIS GIRL SHOT HER LOAD IN THAT FILM - SHE WAS NOT A GOOD CHOICE TO TRY TO ONCE AGAIN BE
THE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS.
CASTING HER TO PLAY THE SAME ROLE WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA - SHE IS A ONE TRICK PONY IN THIS SITUATION - BUT HEY, AGAIN, I DISLIKED HER CHARACTER'S FAILURE TO SNAP OUT OF IT AND GET WITH THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION, BUT I EXPECT TO BE ALONE IN THIS VIEW - MOST WILL SEE HER IN A SYMPATHETIC LIGHT.
************************************************************************************
SPOILER --- DON'T READ THIS UNTIL AFTER YOU SEE THE FILM.
************************************************************************************
SPIELBERG HAS ALMOST TURNED THIS INTO A CHILDREN'S STORY - AND YOU WILL REALIZE THAT IN THE LAST 90 SECONDS - WHICH IS NICE FOR KIDS, BUT DOES NOT WORK FOR ADULTS.
WEDDING CRASHERS
TWO GUYS GET BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON WEDDINGS AND THEY PICK UP THE SINGLE WOMEN WHO ARE AT THE CEREMONY. THE BEST PART OF THE FILM IS WHEN THEY SHOW A MONTAGE OF ABOUT SIX OR SO RECEPTIONS, WITH DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC GROUPS CELEBRATING IN THEIR OWN SPECIAL WAYS.
I NEVER LIKE TO SEE OWEN WILSON ON THE SCREEN FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES IN A FILM - HE IS NOT A LEADING MAN, BUT HERE HE DID OKAY.
VINCE VAUGHN DID HIS USUAL WILD MAN ACT AND IT WAS GOOD, HE WAS VINCE VAUGHN.
CHRIS WALKEN WAS NOT A BIG PART OF THE FILM - HIS ROLE WAS PRETTY SMALL, SO HE NEVER GOT TO BE CHRIS WALKEN.
THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING YOU CAN WAIT TO SEE ON TELEVISION, I CAN'T FIND ANY REASON TO TRAVEL TO A THEATRE FOR THIS ONE. ANDREA MCDOWELL AND HUGH GRANT HAVE DONE THIS TYPE OF PICTURE BEFORE - HARMLESS AND FORGETTABLE.
I NEVER LIKE TO SEE OWEN WILSON ON THE SCREEN FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES IN A FILM - HE IS NOT A LEADING MAN, BUT HERE HE DID OKAY.
VINCE VAUGHN DID HIS USUAL WILD MAN ACT AND IT WAS GOOD, HE WAS VINCE VAUGHN.
CHRIS WALKEN WAS NOT A BIG PART OF THE FILM - HIS ROLE WAS PRETTY SMALL, SO HE NEVER GOT TO BE CHRIS WALKEN.
THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING YOU CAN WAIT TO SEE ON TELEVISION, I CAN'T FIND ANY REASON TO TRAVEL TO A THEATRE FOR THIS ONE. ANDREA MCDOWELL AND HUGH GRANT HAVE DONE THIS TYPE OF PICTURE BEFORE - HARMLESS AND FORGETTABLE.
HUSTLE AND FLOW REACTIONS
**************************************************************************************
GAFF --- I am going to see the film tomorrow so I am not reacting to your review, but to two of your comments:
1.) "This film will be labeled as a black film, so that will cut the gate."
So many ( a large majority) white people think that black people can't
tell them anything "New." They know everything we know ( except, maybe
when it comes to dancing or music). Even when it comes to sports, they think our ability to analyze (i.e., coach) is secondary to theirs. Black people only know black material. - I remember when Dr. King came out against the Vietnam War, he was criticized because people thought it would hurt the Civil Rights movement. There are even other blacks who believe that we should only be concerned with racial issues, as if we are not members of the human race, the nation or our work forces. Others may look at me first,
and foremost, and see a black man. But I know, that I am all that that encompasses and MORE!
2) I do not sympathize with those who are unable to get past the depravity, the language and nastiness in order to watch a great film. There is a hint of intolerance in that concept. "If I don't like the way someone dresses, or speaks, I'm not going to listen to his message." Chief, don't make excuses
for people like that. How far away is that from not listening because of one's race, speech accent, posture.
Sometimes, the larger society tries to impose "standards that are
discriminatory in nature" and have nothing to do with the task at hand.
*** If I am applying for job, I need to dress and act a certain way.
***If I am presenting a lifestyle in a literary piece or a film, I have license to express that lifestyle as I see fit.
If Hustle and Flow had nice, pleasant language, it might have lost some of its realism, and lost some its "gate" anyway.
I remember a teacher at IS 271 in BROOKLYN, who was praised because his contained special education class of 6 unruly boys always sat quietly in class and read their books. 6 months later, when they found out that he had given them paperback pornography to read, he was transferred (equivalent to being fired in NYC). The fact that all his kids made drastic improvements in their reading scores was not mentioned. So you see, bad words can lead to good things.
RJ
*************************
RJ -
ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU -- BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE FAITH THAT TERRENCE HOWARD AND JOHN SINGLETON ( IN HIS ROLE AS A PRODUCER, HE DIDN'T DIRECT ) ARE NOT IN THIS BUSINESS TO DEGRADE AND DEMEAN THEIR OWN HERITAGE; YOU COULD WRONGLY ASSUME THAT THIS FILM HAS NO HIGHER PURPOSE IN MIND AND YOU COULD SEE IT AS A NEEDLESS EXPLOITATION OF THE MOST UNEDUCATED / POVERTY STRICKEN MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF THE FOUL LANGUAGE AND RAW SITUATIONS, ARE THERE ONLY TO DEGRADE THE CHARACTERS, WITH NO MOVEMENT TOWARD INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND SOCIAL AWARENESS -- LIKE A SCENE IN WHICH A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD IS TOSSED INTO THE STREETS AT 3 AM, WITH NO REGARD FOR THEIR SAFETY OR WELL BEING - THAT IS MORE THAN JUST A DISLIKE FOR CRUDE LANGUAGE. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ANY RATIONAL PERSON, OR ANY LEVEL OF THE SOCIAL PECKING ORDER. I FELT A NEED TO WARN PEOPLE NOT TO JUMP THE GUN - AND AFTER A SCENE LIKE THIS, IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE THAT SOME MIGHT BE INCLINED TO JUMP SHIP.
YOUR STATEMENTS MADE ME THINK OF:
1. THE BASEBALL / SPORTS CONCEPT OF THE CLEAN SHAVEN ATHLETE ---- A RULE THAT MANY TEAMS HAD UNTIL A STAR PLAYER SHOWED UP WITH A BEARD OR LONG HAIR , DREADLOCKS, OR BRAIDS. THEN THE RULE WAS SEEN AS UNNECESSARY AND IRRELEVANT.
2. THE INFAMOUS ALVIN DARK STATEMENT, ABOUT PEOPLE OF COLOR, LACKING THE NECESSITIES TO MANAGE A TEAM.
3. I WAS BLESSED AND IT WAS A BLESSING, TO HAVE SEEN THE BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF DAVID MAMET'S, GLEN GARY, GLEN ROSS. THE PLAY OPENS WITH TWO REAL ESTATE SALESMEN, SITTING IN BOOTH AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT AND CURSING FOR THE FIRST FOUR MINUTES OF THE PLAY -- THERE IS NO CLUE ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE CURSING AT OR ABOUT -- IT IS NOT EACH OTHER, BUT A JOINTLY HELD GREIVANCE THEY ARE EXPRESSING. AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES OF THIS ANGRY TALK, YOU START TO REALIZE THAT
1. THIS IS BROADWAY - 2. THIS IS DAVID MAMET - 3. THIS IS AN AWARD WINNING PLAY -
4. THIS IS A FIRST RATE CAST --- 5. THEY HAVE MY $50 DOLLARS -- 6. I BETTER SIT TIGHT AND SEE WHERE ALL THIS HOSTILITY IS GOING. THAT IS WHAT FOLKS NEED TO DO WITH THIS FILM - GIVE IT THE SAME CHANCE I GAVE THE PLAY.
*******************************************
GAFF-
You get my point. We are on the same page.
Am I slipping...or are you really getting brighter!!!
R.J.
***************************************************
R.J.
I HAVE STARTED SMOKING CRACK RECENTLY, SOMETHING I PICKED UP FROM WATCHING BOBBY
AND WHITNEY 16 HOURS A DAY.
SO, THAT MIGHT ACCOUNT FOR MY THINKING ALIGNING ITSELF WITH YOUR VIEWS ------ -
THAT WOULD EXPLAIN US BEING ON THE SAME PAGE.
AN AREA OF DISAGREEMENT - IF YOU ARE AT ROCK BOTTOM -- THERE IS NO PLACE TO
SLIP FURTHER DOWN - THUS, YOU ARE NOT SLIPPING--------
WHILE I AM APPARENTLY IN AN INTELLECTUAL FREE FALL.
GAFF --- I am going to see the film tomorrow so I am not reacting to your review, but to two of your comments:
1.) "This film will be labeled as a black film, so that will cut the gate."
So many ( a large majority) white people think that black people can't
tell them anything "New." They know everything we know ( except, maybe
when it comes to dancing or music). Even when it comes to sports, they think our ability to analyze (i.e., coach) is secondary to theirs. Black people only know black material. - I remember when Dr. King came out against the Vietnam War, he was criticized because people thought it would hurt the Civil Rights movement. There are even other blacks who believe that we should only be concerned with racial issues, as if we are not members of the human race, the nation or our work forces. Others may look at me first,
and foremost, and see a black man. But I know, that I am all that that encompasses and MORE!
2) I do not sympathize with those who are unable to get past the depravity, the language and nastiness in order to watch a great film. There is a hint of intolerance in that concept. "If I don't like the way someone dresses, or speaks, I'm not going to listen to his message." Chief, don't make excuses
for people like that. How far away is that from not listening because of one's race, speech accent, posture.
Sometimes, the larger society tries to impose "standards that are
discriminatory in nature" and have nothing to do with the task at hand.
*** If I am applying for job, I need to dress and act a certain way.
***If I am presenting a lifestyle in a literary piece or a film, I have license to express that lifestyle as I see fit.
If Hustle and Flow had nice, pleasant language, it might have lost some of its realism, and lost some its "gate" anyway.
I remember a teacher at IS 271 in BROOKLYN, who was praised because his contained special education class of 6 unruly boys always sat quietly in class and read their books. 6 months later, when they found out that he had given them paperback pornography to read, he was transferred (equivalent to being fired in NYC). The fact that all his kids made drastic improvements in their reading scores was not mentioned. So you see, bad words can lead to good things.
RJ
*************************
RJ -
ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU -- BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE FAITH THAT TERRENCE HOWARD AND JOHN SINGLETON ( IN HIS ROLE AS A PRODUCER, HE DIDN'T DIRECT ) ARE NOT IN THIS BUSINESS TO DEGRADE AND DEMEAN THEIR OWN HERITAGE; YOU COULD WRONGLY ASSUME THAT THIS FILM HAS NO HIGHER PURPOSE IN MIND AND YOU COULD SEE IT AS A NEEDLESS EXPLOITATION OF THE MOST UNEDUCATED / POVERTY STRICKEN MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF THE FOUL LANGUAGE AND RAW SITUATIONS, ARE THERE ONLY TO DEGRADE THE CHARACTERS, WITH NO MOVEMENT TOWARD INTELLECTUAL GROWTH AND SOCIAL AWARENESS -- LIKE A SCENE IN WHICH A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD IS TOSSED INTO THE STREETS AT 3 AM, WITH NO REGARD FOR THEIR SAFETY OR WELL BEING - THAT IS MORE THAN JUST A DISLIKE FOR CRUDE LANGUAGE. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ANY RATIONAL PERSON, OR ANY LEVEL OF THE SOCIAL PECKING ORDER. I FELT A NEED TO WARN PEOPLE NOT TO JUMP THE GUN - AND AFTER A SCENE LIKE THIS, IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE THAT SOME MIGHT BE INCLINED TO JUMP SHIP.
YOUR STATEMENTS MADE ME THINK OF:
1. THE BASEBALL / SPORTS CONCEPT OF THE CLEAN SHAVEN ATHLETE ---- A RULE THAT MANY TEAMS HAD UNTIL A STAR PLAYER SHOWED UP WITH A BEARD OR LONG HAIR , DREADLOCKS, OR BRAIDS. THEN THE RULE WAS SEEN AS UNNECESSARY AND IRRELEVANT.
2. THE INFAMOUS ALVIN DARK STATEMENT, ABOUT PEOPLE OF COLOR, LACKING THE NECESSITIES TO MANAGE A TEAM.
3. I WAS BLESSED AND IT WAS A BLESSING, TO HAVE SEEN THE BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF DAVID MAMET'S, GLEN GARY, GLEN ROSS. THE PLAY OPENS WITH TWO REAL ESTATE SALESMEN, SITTING IN BOOTH AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT AND CURSING FOR THE FIRST FOUR MINUTES OF THE PLAY -- THERE IS NO CLUE ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE CURSING AT OR ABOUT -- IT IS NOT EACH OTHER, BUT A JOINTLY HELD GREIVANCE THEY ARE EXPRESSING. AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES OF THIS ANGRY TALK, YOU START TO REALIZE THAT
1. THIS IS BROADWAY - 2. THIS IS DAVID MAMET - 3. THIS IS AN AWARD WINNING PLAY -
4. THIS IS A FIRST RATE CAST --- 5. THEY HAVE MY $50 DOLLARS -- 6. I BETTER SIT TIGHT AND SEE WHERE ALL THIS HOSTILITY IS GOING. THAT IS WHAT FOLKS NEED TO DO WITH THIS FILM - GIVE IT THE SAME CHANCE I GAVE THE PLAY.
*******************************************
GAFF-
You get my point. We are on the same page.
Am I slipping...or are you really getting brighter!!!
R.J.
***************************************************
R.J.
I HAVE STARTED SMOKING CRACK RECENTLY, SOMETHING I PICKED UP FROM WATCHING BOBBY
AND WHITNEY 16 HOURS A DAY.
SO, THAT MIGHT ACCOUNT FOR MY THINKING ALIGNING ITSELF WITH YOUR VIEWS ------ -
THAT WOULD EXPLAIN US BEING ON THE SAME PAGE.
AN AREA OF DISAGREEMENT - IF YOU ARE AT ROCK BOTTOM -- THERE IS NO PLACE TO
SLIP FURTHER DOWN - THUS, YOU ARE NOT SLIPPING--------
WHILE I AM APPARENTLY IN AN INTELLECTUAL FREE FALL.
MICHAEL CLAYTON
I don't have the space to give credit to all those who deserve praise for bringing Michael Clayton to the big screen. The writing was superior, the acting was equal to the writing and the direction pulled it all together. This movie is COMPELLING, it forces you to care. Few of us are big time New York attorneys, few of us are heads of billion dollar corporations. This film recognizes that all of us are human beings and have a duty to improve society, defend the weak and to seek justice where we see injustice. If you can see this film and leave the theatre as a neutral observer, you have taken a wrong turn somewhere.
GEORGE CLOONEY HIT A HOMERUN WITH THIS ROLE AND THIS MOVIE.
TIM WILKINSON DOES A FINE JOB AND GETS THIS FILM ROLLING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
SYDNEY POLLACK IS A WONDERFUL DIRECTOR, BUT HE IS ALSO A TREMENDOUS ACTOR WHEN HE PLAYS THESE ROLES THAT ALLOW HIM TO BE THE VOICE OF REASON. I DON'T KNOW HOW HE WOULD PLAY A CRAZED KILLER OR A VILLAIN IN COMBAT WITH BATMAN, BUT GIVE HIM A ROLE WHERE PEOPLE TURN TO HIM FOR GUIDANCE AND HE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE PART.
TILDA SWINTON WAS OUTSTANDING AND REPUGNANT, AS
AN ATTORNEY FROM HELL.,
THIS FILM HAS ELEMENTS OF:
A CIVIL ACTION
CLASS ACTION
THE INSIDER
THE PELICAN BRIEF
WALL STREET
ALL FILMS I LIKED.
GEORGE CLOONEY HIT A HOMERUN WITH THIS ROLE AND THIS MOVIE.
TIM WILKINSON DOES A FINE JOB AND GETS THIS FILM ROLLING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
SYDNEY POLLACK IS A WONDERFUL DIRECTOR, BUT HE IS ALSO A TREMENDOUS ACTOR WHEN HE PLAYS THESE ROLES THAT ALLOW HIM TO BE THE VOICE OF REASON. I DON'T KNOW HOW HE WOULD PLAY A CRAZED KILLER OR A VILLAIN IN COMBAT WITH BATMAN, BUT GIVE HIM A ROLE WHERE PEOPLE TURN TO HIM FOR GUIDANCE AND HE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE PART.
TILDA SWINTON WAS OUTSTANDING AND REPUGNANT, AS
AN ATTORNEY FROM HELL.,
THIS FILM HAS ELEMENTS OF:
A CIVIL ACTION
CLASS ACTION
THE INSIDER
THE PELICAN BRIEF
WALL STREET
ALL FILMS I LIKED.
Mar 23, 2010
HUSTLE AND FLOW
HOW COME YOU CAN'T GET HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT? I COME HOME FROM SEEING A MOVIE THAT IS EASY TO CRITIQUE AND MY FRIENDS SEND ME THEIR REACTIONS AND I END UP PRINTING THEM. NOW, I HAVE "HUSTLE AND FLOW," TO DEAL WITH AND NO ONE IS VOLUNTEERING A WORD - THEY ARE ALL MUTE.
MY DAUGHTER, VALERIE AND MY NIECE, DONNA AND THE CHARLOTTE, N.C. POST WERE ALL IN A QUANDARY ABOUT THIS FILM. I TOO AM IN A QUANDARY
--- - ACCORDING TO WEBSTER -->> PUZZLED / NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO -----
ABOUT "HUSTLE AND FLOW."
ALL THE FOUL LANGUAGE, LOW LIFE, STRIP CLUB, PIMP AND HOE, NO SELF ESTEEM, DRUG CULTURE, IGNORANT, HARDCORE GHETTO STREET LIFE STUFF, IS IN THIS FILM.
A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE WILL HAVE TROUBLE SITTING STILL FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES OF THE FILM -- IT WILL SEEM TOO TRASHY AND IGNORANT FOR THEM. I WOULD HAVE NO ARGUMENT WITH PEOPLE, WHO WALK OUT AND DEMAND THEIR MONEY BACK.
YET, IF YOU SIT THERE AND ALLOW THE EVENTS TO "FLOW," YOU WILL SEE A REALLY GOOD FILM, BURIED IN THE FILTH, DEPRAVITY AND DELETERIOUS LIFESTYLE, WHICH IS PHYSICALLY PAINFUL TO WATCH.
THESE PEOPLE ARE LIVING AT A LEVEL THAT IS ONE STEP ABOVE THAT OF A ZOMBIE OR VAMPIRE -- THEY ARE THE LIVING DEAD -- THE CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT.
THINK OF YOUR WORST ENEMY AND YOU WILL SOON SEE, THAT YOU WOULD NOT WISH THIS TYPE OF PSEUDO-EXISTENCE UPON THAT PERSON. YOU COULD NOT HATE ANYONE THAT MUCH WITHOUT BEING CONFINED TO A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY OR INCARCERATED.
ONLY AN ACTOR OF THE CALIBER OF TERRENCE HOWARD COULD MAKE THIS FILM SUCCEED. ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL ACTED, BUT HE IS THE GLUE THAT MAKES IT WORK, IF YOU CAN HANG IN THRU THE LANGUAGE AND RAP "MUSIC" AND FINALLY SEE THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH ABOUT LIFE, THAT IS BURIED UNDER ALL THE LOW LIFE DETAILS, YOU WILL BE REWARDED.
THIS IS ONCE AGAIN, A PICTURE THAT WILL BE LABELED A BLACK PICTURE AND THAT WILL CUT THE GATE - BUT IF ALL THE CHARACTERS WERE WHITE, IF WOULD BE, " A STRUGGLE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT AND AN INSPIRATION TO ALL MANKIND."
YET, I FREELY ADMIT AND WARN, IT IS GOING TO BE HARD TO SURVIVE THE HARDCORE STREET SCENARIO, REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED OR NATIONAL ORIGIN OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES OF BIRTH.
THIS IS WHY FOLKS ARE WRESTLING WITH THE FILM - IT REQUIRES YOU TO HANG IN AND HANG ON - AND EXPERIENCE THE SAME TRANSFORMATION AS THE CHARACTERS.
I HATED "EYES WIDE SHUT" AND "MEET JOE BLACK."
TODD GILCHRIST, A PROFESSIONAL FILM CRITIC AND FAMILY FRIEND, TOLD ME ABOUT THE GREAT UNIVERSAL MEANINGS WITHIN THESE FILMS -- MY REACTION WAS -- BOVINE EXCREMENT.
THAT SAME CHARGE WILL COME MY WAY FROM MANY WHO SEE THIS FILM, BUT JUST WON'T GET PASS THE SURFACE AND SEE THE CHARACTERS BECOME HUMAN BEINGS, AND NOT JUST FOUL MOUTH, TRASH, UNWORTHY OF THE AIR THEY ARE BREATHING..
HUSTLE AND FLOW, AVOIDS THE PHONY RING OF THE "FEEL GOOD PICTURE" -------
*THE BLIND KID WON'T SUDDENLY SEE BECAUSE HE IS A GOOD PERSON
*THE VILLAGE IDIOT WON'T GRADUATE SUMMA CUM GENIUS FROM SPELMAN COLLEGE
*THE HOMELESS GUY, WON'T WIN THE SUPERMODEL AWAY FROM THE RICH GUY,
WITH A 12 BEDROOM MANSION AND A MERCEDES
IN CHARLOTTE, WE LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM A PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DECORATOR.
ON A TOUR OF HIS HOUSE, A SEVEN OR EIGHT ROOM RANCH, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS STRANGE, BUT I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. HE THEN POINTED OUT THE EACH ROOM WAS A LIGHTER SHADE OF THE BROWN COLOR OF THE FIRST ROOM -- THE DIFFERENCE IN EACH ROOM WAS SO SUBTLE, THAT YOU WOULD BARELY NOTICE THE CHANGE WITHOUT GOING FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. THIS USE OF COLOR WAS VERY EFFECTIVE - MY KNOWING SOMETHING WAS UNIQUE, BUT NOT BEING ABLE TO CITE THE
SOURCE, WAS PROOF THAT THIS TECHNIQUE WORKED.
CRAIG BREWER'S DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE OF THIS FILM'S UNFOLDING IS MUCH LIKE THAT
OF THE DECORATOR - SUBTLE, AMID THE LOUD TALK AND MUSIC OF THE FILM.
THIS IS CRAIG'S FIRST MAJOR FILM AND HE SHOULD BE OSCAR NOMINATED JUST FOR THE SCENE WHERE TERRENCE GOES NEXT DOOR TO ASK HIS NEIGHBOR TO TURN DOWN A STEREO --- THIS IS A SCENE THAT SHOWS HOW GREAT FILM CAN BE WHEN YOU HAVE THE CASABLANCA LIKE COMBINATION OF
EXCELLENT WRITING, ACTING AND DIRECTING.
DIRECTOR JOHN SINGLETON WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS PRODUCTION, BUT IT WAS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY MISTER BREWER, A WHITE MAN, AND THERE MUST BE QUITE A STORY ATTACHED TO HIS ABILITY TO RELATE SO WELL TO A STORY THAT IS THIS DEMANDING AND SO CENTERED IN A BLACK COMMUNITY IN MEMPHIS.
MY DAUGHTER, VALERIE AND MY NIECE, DONNA AND THE CHARLOTTE, N.C. POST WERE ALL IN A QUANDARY ABOUT THIS FILM. I TOO AM IN A QUANDARY
--- - ACCORDING TO WEBSTER -->> PUZZLED / NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO -----
ABOUT "HUSTLE AND FLOW."
ALL THE FOUL LANGUAGE, LOW LIFE, STRIP CLUB, PIMP AND HOE, NO SELF ESTEEM, DRUG CULTURE, IGNORANT, HARDCORE GHETTO STREET LIFE STUFF, IS IN THIS FILM.
A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE WILL HAVE TROUBLE SITTING STILL FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES OF THE FILM -- IT WILL SEEM TOO TRASHY AND IGNORANT FOR THEM. I WOULD HAVE NO ARGUMENT WITH PEOPLE, WHO WALK OUT AND DEMAND THEIR MONEY BACK.
YET, IF YOU SIT THERE AND ALLOW THE EVENTS TO "FLOW," YOU WILL SEE A REALLY GOOD FILM, BURIED IN THE FILTH, DEPRAVITY AND DELETERIOUS LIFESTYLE, WHICH IS PHYSICALLY PAINFUL TO WATCH.
THESE PEOPLE ARE LIVING AT A LEVEL THAT IS ONE STEP ABOVE THAT OF A ZOMBIE OR VAMPIRE -- THEY ARE THE LIVING DEAD -- THE CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT.
THINK OF YOUR WORST ENEMY AND YOU WILL SOON SEE, THAT YOU WOULD NOT WISH THIS TYPE OF PSEUDO-EXISTENCE UPON THAT PERSON. YOU COULD NOT HATE ANYONE THAT MUCH WITHOUT BEING CONFINED TO A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY OR INCARCERATED.
ONLY AN ACTOR OF THE CALIBER OF TERRENCE HOWARD COULD MAKE THIS FILM SUCCEED. ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE WELL ACTED, BUT HE IS THE GLUE THAT MAKES IT WORK, IF YOU CAN HANG IN THRU THE LANGUAGE AND RAP "MUSIC" AND FINALLY SEE THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH ABOUT LIFE, THAT IS BURIED UNDER ALL THE LOW LIFE DETAILS, YOU WILL BE REWARDED.
THIS IS ONCE AGAIN, A PICTURE THAT WILL BE LABELED A BLACK PICTURE AND THAT WILL CUT THE GATE - BUT IF ALL THE CHARACTERS WERE WHITE, IF WOULD BE, " A STRUGGLE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT AND AN INSPIRATION TO ALL MANKIND."
YET, I FREELY ADMIT AND WARN, IT IS GOING TO BE HARD TO SURVIVE THE HARDCORE STREET SCENARIO, REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED OR NATIONAL ORIGIN OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES OF BIRTH.
THIS IS WHY FOLKS ARE WRESTLING WITH THE FILM - IT REQUIRES YOU TO HANG IN AND HANG ON - AND EXPERIENCE THE SAME TRANSFORMATION AS THE CHARACTERS.
I HATED "EYES WIDE SHUT" AND "MEET JOE BLACK."
TODD GILCHRIST, A PROFESSIONAL FILM CRITIC AND FAMILY FRIEND, TOLD ME ABOUT THE GREAT UNIVERSAL MEANINGS WITHIN THESE FILMS -- MY REACTION WAS -- BOVINE EXCREMENT.
THAT SAME CHARGE WILL COME MY WAY FROM MANY WHO SEE THIS FILM, BUT JUST WON'T GET PASS THE SURFACE AND SEE THE CHARACTERS BECOME HUMAN BEINGS, AND NOT JUST FOUL MOUTH, TRASH, UNWORTHY OF THE AIR THEY ARE BREATHING..
HUSTLE AND FLOW, AVOIDS THE PHONY RING OF THE "FEEL GOOD PICTURE" -------
*THE BLIND KID WON'T SUDDENLY SEE BECAUSE HE IS A GOOD PERSON
*THE VILLAGE IDIOT WON'T GRADUATE SUMMA CUM GENIUS FROM SPELMAN COLLEGE
*THE HOMELESS GUY, WON'T WIN THE SUPERMODEL AWAY FROM THE RICH GUY,
WITH A 12 BEDROOM MANSION AND A MERCEDES
IN CHARLOTTE, WE LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM A PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DECORATOR.
ON A TOUR OF HIS HOUSE, A SEVEN OR EIGHT ROOM RANCH, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS STRANGE, BUT I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. HE THEN POINTED OUT THE EACH ROOM WAS A LIGHTER SHADE OF THE BROWN COLOR OF THE FIRST ROOM -- THE DIFFERENCE IN EACH ROOM WAS SO SUBTLE, THAT YOU WOULD BARELY NOTICE THE CHANGE WITHOUT GOING FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. THIS USE OF COLOR WAS VERY EFFECTIVE - MY KNOWING SOMETHING WAS UNIQUE, BUT NOT BEING ABLE TO CITE THE
SOURCE, WAS PROOF THAT THIS TECHNIQUE WORKED.
CRAIG BREWER'S DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE OF THIS FILM'S UNFOLDING IS MUCH LIKE THAT
OF THE DECORATOR - SUBTLE, AMID THE LOUD TALK AND MUSIC OF THE FILM.
THIS IS CRAIG'S FIRST MAJOR FILM AND HE SHOULD BE OSCAR NOMINATED JUST FOR THE SCENE WHERE TERRENCE GOES NEXT DOOR TO ASK HIS NEIGHBOR TO TURN DOWN A STEREO --- THIS IS A SCENE THAT SHOWS HOW GREAT FILM CAN BE WHEN YOU HAVE THE CASABLANCA LIKE COMBINATION OF
EXCELLENT WRITING, ACTING AND DIRECTING.
DIRECTOR JOHN SINGLETON WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS PRODUCTION, BUT IT WAS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY MISTER BREWER, A WHITE MAN, AND THERE MUST BE QUITE A STORY ATTACHED TO HIS ABILITY TO RELATE SO WELL TO A STORY THAT IS THIS DEMANDING AND SO CENTERED IN A BLACK COMMUNITY IN MEMPHIS.
THE ISLAND
THIS IS A SCIENCE FICTION / CHASE FILM. IT IS A BLEND OF
* LOGAN'S RUN
* MINORITY REPORT
* GATTACA --- NOT THE HALLE BERRY, GOTHIKA
* THE SECOND MATRIX ( CHASE SCENE )
* SOYLENT GREEN
*COMA
THIS IS A VERY WELL DONE MOVIE. IF YOU LIKE SCIENCE FICTION AND CHASE MOVIES, THIS IS A GOOD ONE. IT DELIVERS WHAT THE VERY PRETENTIOUS, MINORITY REPORT, PROMISED AND COULDN'T DELIVER - A STORY THAT INVOLVES THE VIEWER AND IS COMPELLING UNTIL THE END.
WHEN I WENT TO SEE JET LI IN UNLEASHED, I WAS ONLY GOING TO KILL TIME, BUT I WAS CORRECTLY TOLD, THAT THE STORY WAS INTERESTING AND THE ACTING WAS EXCELLENT - . THE SAME IS TRUE OF THIS FILM - THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO SEE, BUT THREE FOLKS TOLD ME THIS WAS A SOLID FILM AND THEY WERE RIGHT - A BLUE BROTHERS LIKE CLUSTERING OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND CLOSE ESCAPES.
I OFTEN SKIP NAMING THE ACTORS AND JUST SAY THE ACTING WAS GOOD OR WEAK - THIS HAS GOOD ACTING AND I SALUTE:
* EWAN McGREGOR - BIG FISH
* SCARLETTE JOHANSSON - LOST IN TRANSLATION
* STEVE BUSCEMI - MISTER PINK OF RESERVOIR DOGS - HE NEEDS AN ACADEMY AWARD * MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN - THE GENTLE GIANT OF THE GREEN MILE
* DJIMON HOUNSOU - IN AMERICA & AMISTRAD
IF YOU ARE A SCIENCE FICTION FAN AND A CHASE / GETAWAY FAN - THIS IS YOUR
LUCKY DAY -- IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE GENTLE WORKS OF CHEKHOV, PHYLLIS WHEATLEY OR JANE AUSTEN - YOU ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE.
* LOGAN'S RUN
* MINORITY REPORT
* GATTACA --- NOT THE HALLE BERRY, GOTHIKA
* THE SECOND MATRIX ( CHASE SCENE )
* SOYLENT GREEN
*COMA
THIS IS A VERY WELL DONE MOVIE. IF YOU LIKE SCIENCE FICTION AND CHASE MOVIES, THIS IS A GOOD ONE. IT DELIVERS WHAT THE VERY PRETENTIOUS, MINORITY REPORT, PROMISED AND COULDN'T DELIVER - A STORY THAT INVOLVES THE VIEWER AND IS COMPELLING UNTIL THE END.
WHEN I WENT TO SEE JET LI IN UNLEASHED, I WAS ONLY GOING TO KILL TIME, BUT I WAS CORRECTLY TOLD, THAT THE STORY WAS INTERESTING AND THE ACTING WAS EXCELLENT - . THE SAME IS TRUE OF THIS FILM - THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO SEE, BUT THREE FOLKS TOLD ME THIS WAS A SOLID FILM AND THEY WERE RIGHT - A BLUE BROTHERS LIKE CLUSTERING OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND CLOSE ESCAPES.
I OFTEN SKIP NAMING THE ACTORS AND JUST SAY THE ACTING WAS GOOD OR WEAK - THIS HAS GOOD ACTING AND I SALUTE:
* EWAN McGREGOR - BIG FISH
* SCARLETTE JOHANSSON - LOST IN TRANSLATION
* STEVE BUSCEMI - MISTER PINK OF RESERVOIR DOGS - HE NEEDS AN ACADEMY AWARD * MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN - THE GENTLE GIANT OF THE GREEN MILE
* DJIMON HOUNSOU - IN AMERICA & AMISTRAD
IF YOU ARE A SCIENCE FICTION FAN AND A CHASE / GETAWAY FAN - THIS IS YOUR
LUCKY DAY -- IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE GENTLE WORKS OF CHEKHOV, PHYLLIS WHEATLEY OR JANE AUSTEN - YOU ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE.
FOUR BROTHERS
IN ERROL FLYNN'S CLASSIC MOVIE, THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON, HIS CHARACTER IS GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER. CUSTER IS ASKED ABOUT HIS STRATEGY IN PLANNING A BATTLE.
THE REPLY IS -- I RIDE TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS.
FOUR ROUGH AND UNMANAGEABLE KIDS, FROM THE STREET OF DETROIT ARE ADOPTED BY A SOCIAL WORKER WHO COULD NOT PLACE THEM IN HOMES, SINCE THEY WERE SO HARDCORE. THESE FOUR BECOME BROTHERS DESPITE THEIR LACK OF COMMON BIOLOGICAL GENES. HER LOVE FORGES THEM INTO A FAMILY UNIT.
WHEN THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN IS KILLED IN A STORE ROBBERY, THE NOW GROWN BROTHERS FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME AND SEEK JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO MADE THE GRIEVOUS ERROR OF KILLING THE FAMILY MATRIARCH.
THEIR PLAN IS TO RIDE TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS.
THEY ARE DIRECT IN THEIR ACTIONS - THEY ARE FEARLESS WHEN CHALLENGED.
THIS IS A FINE ACTION PICTURE BECAUSE, IT IS SINGLE-MINDED, IT IS THEIR DEDICATED, NOBLE, SELFLESS, PEDAL TO THE METAL CRUSADE TO PUNISH THOSE WHO DESERVE PUNISHMENT, THAT FUELS THIS FILM.
CARS ARE WRECKED, BODIES ARE LEFT ON THE STREETS - NO NOTICE IS TAKEN - THAT WOULD SLOW DOWN THE STORY.
THE PURITY OF THE STORY IS THE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FILM -- IT IS NOT CONCERNED WITH PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST OR WHO IS GOING TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL IN 2006 - OR IF BOBBY AND WHITNEY ARE HAVING LUNCH AT THE PLAZA HOTEL ---THE BOYZ ARE RIDING TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS AND THAT IS HOW THEY WILL FIND AND PUNISH THE GUILTY.
MARK WAHLBERG AND TERRENCE HOWARD ARE, OF COURSE, EXCEPTIONAL IN THEIR ROLES - THESE ARE TWO OF THE BEST OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUPERSTARS - THEIR CHARACTERS CAN'T BE IGNORED OR DISMISSED IN ANY FILM WITH THEM IN THE CAST. JOHN SINGLETON IS REALLY ON TOP OF HIS GAME - AS A PRODUCER OF HUSTLE AND FLOW AND AS DIRECTOR OF FOUR BROTHERS.
SINGLETON AND THE WRITER DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR HOW THE TOPIC OF CHILD ABUSE IS HANDLED BY THE BROTHERS -- ONE WAS MOLESTED BACK IN THE DAY AND TWO OF THE OTHER THREE, ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO WORK THAT INTO THE CONVERSATION -- BUT THEIR WISECRACKS ARE MEANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT THIS ABUSE WAS NOT SOME DIRTY LITTLE SECRET THAT MUST REMAIN UNSPOKEN - THEY DEFUSE HIS PAIN, BY RECOGNIZING IT AND JOKING ABOUT IT AND INSURING HIM WITH THEIR BRAVADO, THAT HE IS SAFE --->>>
THE RULE / CODE WITH MEN, IS, IF YOU ARE NOT LIKED, YOU ARE NOT MENTIONED -- THEY MENTION JACK AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY ---- THIS IS THE TYPE OF UNDERSTATED EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT THAT MR. & MRS. SMITH COULD NOT ACHIEVE BETWEEN PITT AND JOLIE, DESPITE HAVING ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES OF GRAND PRODUCTION VALUES.
THE FROZEN RIVER / LAKE SCENE WAS A BRILLIANT USE OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR WOMEN, BUT ON BEHALF OF 3 BILLION MEN ---- MEN WILL LOVE THIS FILM, BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT MEN BEING MEN - WHICH MEANS, ACTING LIKE LITTLE BOYZ AT TIMES.
THE REPLY IS -- I RIDE TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS.
FOUR ROUGH AND UNMANAGEABLE KIDS, FROM THE STREET OF DETROIT ARE ADOPTED BY A SOCIAL WORKER WHO COULD NOT PLACE THEM IN HOMES, SINCE THEY WERE SO HARDCORE. THESE FOUR BECOME BROTHERS DESPITE THEIR LACK OF COMMON BIOLOGICAL GENES. HER LOVE FORGES THEM INTO A FAMILY UNIT.
WHEN THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN IS KILLED IN A STORE ROBBERY, THE NOW GROWN BROTHERS FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME AND SEEK JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO MADE THE GRIEVOUS ERROR OF KILLING THE FAMILY MATRIARCH.
THEIR PLAN IS TO RIDE TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS.
THEY ARE DIRECT IN THEIR ACTIONS - THEY ARE FEARLESS WHEN CHALLENGED.
THIS IS A FINE ACTION PICTURE BECAUSE, IT IS SINGLE-MINDED, IT IS THEIR DEDICATED, NOBLE, SELFLESS, PEDAL TO THE METAL CRUSADE TO PUNISH THOSE WHO DESERVE PUNISHMENT, THAT FUELS THIS FILM.
CARS ARE WRECKED, BODIES ARE LEFT ON THE STREETS - NO NOTICE IS TAKEN - THAT WOULD SLOW DOWN THE STORY.
THE PURITY OF THE STORY IS THE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FILM -- IT IS NOT CONCERNED WITH PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST OR WHO IS GOING TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL IN 2006 - OR IF BOBBY AND WHITNEY ARE HAVING LUNCH AT THE PLAZA HOTEL ---THE BOYZ ARE RIDING TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS AND THAT IS HOW THEY WILL FIND AND PUNISH THE GUILTY.
MARK WAHLBERG AND TERRENCE HOWARD ARE, OF COURSE, EXCEPTIONAL IN THEIR ROLES - THESE ARE TWO OF THE BEST OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUPERSTARS - THEIR CHARACTERS CAN'T BE IGNORED OR DISMISSED IN ANY FILM WITH THEM IN THE CAST. JOHN SINGLETON IS REALLY ON TOP OF HIS GAME - AS A PRODUCER OF HUSTLE AND FLOW AND AS DIRECTOR OF FOUR BROTHERS.
SINGLETON AND THE WRITER DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR HOW THE TOPIC OF CHILD ABUSE IS HANDLED BY THE BROTHERS -- ONE WAS MOLESTED BACK IN THE DAY AND TWO OF THE OTHER THREE, ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO WORK THAT INTO THE CONVERSATION -- BUT THEIR WISECRACKS ARE MEANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT THIS ABUSE WAS NOT SOME DIRTY LITTLE SECRET THAT MUST REMAIN UNSPOKEN - THEY DEFUSE HIS PAIN, BY RECOGNIZING IT AND JOKING ABOUT IT AND INSURING HIM WITH THEIR BRAVADO, THAT HE IS SAFE --->>>
THE RULE / CODE WITH MEN, IS, IF YOU ARE NOT LIKED, YOU ARE NOT MENTIONED -- THEY MENTION JACK AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY ---- THIS IS THE TYPE OF UNDERSTATED EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT THAT MR. & MRS. SMITH COULD NOT ACHIEVE BETWEEN PITT AND JOLIE, DESPITE HAVING ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES OF GRAND PRODUCTION VALUES.
THE FROZEN RIVER / LAKE SCENE WAS A BRILLIANT USE OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR WOMEN, BUT ON BEHALF OF 3 BILLION MEN ---- MEN WILL LOVE THIS FILM, BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT MEN BEING MEN - WHICH MEANS, ACTING LIKE LITTLE BOYZ AT TIMES.
RED EYE
IN 1995, JOHNNY DEPP MADE A MOVIE CALLED THE NICK OF TIME. THIS IS BASICALLY AN UPDATING OF THAT MOVIE.
TERRORISTS WANT TO ASSASSINATE A POLITICAL FIGURE AND HOLD A FAMILY MEMBER OF AN INNOCENT PAWN HOSTAGE; IN ORDER TO FORCE THE PAWN TO HELP THEM COMMIT THE MURDER.
JOHNNY DEPP HAD CHARLES S. DUTTON AND CHRIS WALKEN TO PLAY OFF HIS INNOCENT PAWN ROLE. YOU WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE ANY OF THE ACTORS IN THIS MOVIE - EVEN THE GREAT BRIAN COX IS NOT A NAME TO AMERICAN AUDIENCES, UNLESS THEY REALLY KNOW THEIR MOVIES.
I THOUGHT THIS MOVIE WAS A SORT OF DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY - TERROR IN THE SKY - FEAR OF FLYING, MOVIE -- I DIDN'T PICK UP THE POLITICAL ANGLE FROM THE TRAILERS I SAW.
THERE IS SUSPENSE AND SOME INTERESTING MIND GAMES. I THINK THIS WAS A DECENT ENOUGH PICTURE, BUT ALSO ONE THAT COULD WAIT FOR DVD OR TELEVISION - A WAIT THAT GETS SHORTER AND SHORTER EACH YEAR.
THE RUNNING TIME IS ONE HOUR AND 25 MINUTES -- THAT HELPS -- THEY DID NOT TRY TO STRETCH THIS OUT ANY LONGER AND THAT WAS A GOOD DECISION.
THIS IS NOT A BIG WINNER, BUT ITHINK IT WAS DECENT - OF COURSE, A MOVIE HERE IS SIX DOLLARS --- THAT HELPS IMPROVE A FILM TREMENDOUSLY.
TERRORISTS WANT TO ASSASSINATE A POLITICAL FIGURE AND HOLD A FAMILY MEMBER OF AN INNOCENT PAWN HOSTAGE; IN ORDER TO FORCE THE PAWN TO HELP THEM COMMIT THE MURDER.
JOHNNY DEPP HAD CHARLES S. DUTTON AND CHRIS WALKEN TO PLAY OFF HIS INNOCENT PAWN ROLE. YOU WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE ANY OF THE ACTORS IN THIS MOVIE - EVEN THE GREAT BRIAN COX IS NOT A NAME TO AMERICAN AUDIENCES, UNLESS THEY REALLY KNOW THEIR MOVIES.
I THOUGHT THIS MOVIE WAS A SORT OF DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY - TERROR IN THE SKY - FEAR OF FLYING, MOVIE -- I DIDN'T PICK UP THE POLITICAL ANGLE FROM THE TRAILERS I SAW.
THERE IS SUSPENSE AND SOME INTERESTING MIND GAMES. I THINK THIS WAS A DECENT ENOUGH PICTURE, BUT ALSO ONE THAT COULD WAIT FOR DVD OR TELEVISION - A WAIT THAT GETS SHORTER AND SHORTER EACH YEAR.
THE RUNNING TIME IS ONE HOUR AND 25 MINUTES -- THAT HELPS -- THEY DID NOT TRY TO STRETCH THIS OUT ANY LONGER AND THAT WAS A GOOD DECISION.
THIS IS NOT A BIG WINNER, BUT ITHINK IT WAS DECENT - OF COURSE, A MOVIE HERE IS SIX DOLLARS --- THAT HELPS IMPROVE A FILM TREMENDOUSLY.
THE TRANSPORTER 2
I AM A BIG FAN OF THE ORIGINAL TRANSPORTER AND I HAVE FOUND THE SAME LEVEL OF AFFECTION FOR THIS NEW INCARNATION.
ONCE I SAW THE RUNNING TIME WAS LESS THAN 90 MINUTES, I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD FILM, WITHOUT A LOT OF FILLER TO WASTE TIME.
JASON STATHAM RETURNS AS A MODERN DAY SUPERMAN. HE IS GOING TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE AND MAKE IT SEEM PERFECTLY NATURAL.
THIS VERSION HAS STOLEN THE PLOT FROM DENZEL'S, MAN ON FIRE, BEVERLY HILLS COP 2 AND BAD BOYS.
FRANK MARTIN, THE TITLE CHARACTER IS THE NEW SEAN CONNERY / JAMES BOND -- NOT THE IMITATIONS PLAYED BY ROGER MOORE AND OTHER MORE SINCERE ACTORS.
IF 20 ARMED MEN ATTACK FRANK MARTIN, THEY ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE.
HE IS NOT GOING TO LOSE A FIGHT IF THE TITLE OF THE FILM IS TRANSPORTER.
HE IS ACTION AND HE IS ADVENTURE-- THE JANE AUSTEN CREW CAN SIT THIS ONE OUT -
DIALOGUE AND PLOT GET IN THE WAY OF THE FIGHTS AND CAR CHASES.
THEY ALSO STOLE ACTOR'S PERSONAS - ALESSANDRO GASSMAN - PLAYS A BERNICIO DEL TORO VILLAIN. KATIE NAUTA -TRIES TO BE BRIGITTE NIELSEN, BUT DOES NOT HAVE THE BODY OF THAT SUPERSIZED AMAZON. AMBER VALLETTA -IS THE MIMI ROGERS TYPE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS. FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER, SHANNON BRIGGS -IS PLAYING THE ODD JOB CHARACTER FROM GOLDFINGER.
I ENJOYED THIS FILM FROM START TO FINISH AND THE VERY CLEVER PUNISHMENT FRANK DEALS THE VILLAIN IS POETIC JUSTICE. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYONE WILL CATCH WHAT HAPPENS - THEY UNDERPLAYED THAT INCIDENT. THE VILLAIN REALLY OUT-SMARTED HIMSELF AND DICTATED HIS OWN DOWNFALL / FATE.
ONCE I SAW THE RUNNING TIME WAS LESS THAN 90 MINUTES, I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD FILM, WITHOUT A LOT OF FILLER TO WASTE TIME.
JASON STATHAM RETURNS AS A MODERN DAY SUPERMAN. HE IS GOING TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE AND MAKE IT SEEM PERFECTLY NATURAL.
THIS VERSION HAS STOLEN THE PLOT FROM DENZEL'S, MAN ON FIRE, BEVERLY HILLS COP 2 AND BAD BOYS.
FRANK MARTIN, THE TITLE CHARACTER IS THE NEW SEAN CONNERY / JAMES BOND -- NOT THE IMITATIONS PLAYED BY ROGER MOORE AND OTHER MORE SINCERE ACTORS.
IF 20 ARMED MEN ATTACK FRANK MARTIN, THEY ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE.
HE IS NOT GOING TO LOSE A FIGHT IF THE TITLE OF THE FILM IS TRANSPORTER.
HE IS ACTION AND HE IS ADVENTURE-- THE JANE AUSTEN CREW CAN SIT THIS ONE OUT -
DIALOGUE AND PLOT GET IN THE WAY OF THE FIGHTS AND CAR CHASES.
THEY ALSO STOLE ACTOR'S PERSONAS - ALESSANDRO GASSMAN - PLAYS A BERNICIO DEL TORO VILLAIN. KATIE NAUTA -TRIES TO BE BRIGITTE NIELSEN, BUT DOES NOT HAVE THE BODY OF THAT SUPERSIZED AMAZON. AMBER VALLETTA -IS THE MIMI ROGERS TYPE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS. FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER, SHANNON BRIGGS -IS PLAYING THE ODD JOB CHARACTER FROM GOLDFINGER.
I ENJOYED THIS FILM FROM START TO FINISH AND THE VERY CLEVER PUNISHMENT FRANK DEALS THE VILLAIN IS POETIC JUSTICE. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYONE WILL CATCH WHAT HAPPENS - THEY UNDERPLAYED THAT INCIDENT. THE VILLAIN REALLY OUT-SMARTED HIMSELF AND DICTATED HIS OWN DOWNFALL / FATE.
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LONG LINES AT THE BOX OFFICE, IF YOU PLAN TO SEE THIS FILM.
NOTHING BLOWS UP - NO ONE ORDERS A PIZZA AND CHICKEN WINGS -- NO TEENAGERS ARE RACING THEIR CARS OR MOTORCYCLES - NO BREAK DANCING - NO SPACESHIPS - NO RAP MUSIC - NO COLLEGE GIRLS GONE WILD AT THE BEACH.
THIS IS AN INTELLIGENT PICTURE, CONCERNED WITH GREAT ISSUES.
ARE DRUG COMPANIES USING THIRD WORLD -- READ POOR AND DARK --
PEOPLE AS TEST ANIMALS FOR THEIR DRUG EXPERIMENTS.
THERE IS A CRUSADING IDEALISTIC WOMAN AND HER UNINVOLVED HUSBAND, WHO MOVE TO AFRICA AND SEE THE UNETHICAL CONDUCT OF THE LARGE DRUG FIRMS.
THEIR MUTUAL STRUGGLE, AT DIFFERENT TIMES, IS THE BASIS OF THE FILM.
THIS IS A LARGE AND GRAND FILM, BUT IT NEVER GETS BIGGER THAN THE PEOPLE IN THE STORY -- IT NEVER FORGETS THE INDIVIDUALS -- WHICH KEEPS US ROOTED TO THE TALE.
SOME FOLKS WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE IDEA THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF AFRICA, THIS TALE IS ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE - AS BOTH VILLAINS AND HEROES - BUT THE USUAL ANSWER TO THAT IS -- WRTIE YOUR OWN STORY AND MAKE YOUR OWN HEROES.
JOHN LE CARRE WROTE THIS AND HE IS NOT A BLACK AUTHOR.
THIS FILM HAS MYSTERY, CONSPIRACY, ROMANCE, LOYALTY, TENSION, COMPASSION, DECEIT, CRUELTY AND MURDER. NOW, WHAT MORE YOU COULD ASK FOR, FOR SIX DOLLARS, ESCAPES ME.
I WAS ASKED IF I ENJOYED THIS FILM -- IT IS NOT REALLY A FILM YOU WILL ENJOY, IT IS A FILM YOU NEED TO SEE.
I WAS ASKED ABOUT MY VIEW OF THE DRUG COMPANIES ---
1. THIS FILM MADE THE PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS GREATER VILLAINS THEN NECESSARY ---- FOR THE SAKE OF DRAMA
2. I THINK OVERSEAS DRUG TRIALS ARE A RED FLAG THAT SOMETHING
DANGEROUS/ UNETHICAL / ILLEGAL IS GOING ON
3. I THINK GREAT / WONDERFUL DRUGS COME FROM THESE EXPERIMENTS, DRUGS THAT SAVE LIVES AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MILLIONS
4. I DON'T THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO ABUSE AND INJURE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEFENSELESS, TO ACHIEVE THE SUCCESS MENTIONED IN #3.
IF YOU LIKE AN INTELLIGENT FILM, A FILM WHERE THE MAKERS ACTUALLY RESPECT YOU AS A THEATRE GOER - THIS IS A FILM YOU SHOULD SEE.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF FILM THAT EVEN IF YOU SEE IT AND HATE IT, YOU WON'T SAY THAT TO PEOPLE -- YOU SORT OF KNOW, IF YOU DIDN'T APPRECIATE THIS FILM, THE PROBLEM IS MORE THAN LIKELY, YOU AND NOT THE PRODUCTION.
IT IS LIKE MEETING MOTHER TERESA - YOU CAN'T TELL FOLKS, "I COULDN'T STAND HER."
********************************************
WOODY ALLEN MADE A FILM CALLED -- MANHATTAN -- AND NOT ONE BLACK PERSON WAS IN THE FILM -- MAYBE IN A LONG SHOT OR DEEP DEEP IN THE BACKGROUND - BUT NOT ONE SPEAKS A WORD -- AND IF ONE DOES SPEAK A WORD, IT STILL MAKES MY CASE -- SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
AFTER WRITING THIS REACTION, I WENT TO THE ON LINE AD FOR THIS FILM AND IT HAD A GALLERY OF OVER 24 PHOTOS FROM THE FILM - SHOTS OF THE MAJOR CHARACTERS - THIS AFRICA BASED STORY DID NOT HAVE ONE BLACK PHOTO AMONG THE 24 - THAT IS SCARY -- THERE IS A HEROIC BLACK DOCTOR, WHO IS CENTRAL TO THE PLOT - NO PHOTO.
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN IN 2005.
NOTHING BLOWS UP - NO ONE ORDERS A PIZZA AND CHICKEN WINGS -- NO TEENAGERS ARE RACING THEIR CARS OR MOTORCYCLES - NO BREAK DANCING - NO SPACESHIPS - NO RAP MUSIC - NO COLLEGE GIRLS GONE WILD AT THE BEACH.
THIS IS AN INTELLIGENT PICTURE, CONCERNED WITH GREAT ISSUES.
ARE DRUG COMPANIES USING THIRD WORLD -- READ POOR AND DARK --
PEOPLE AS TEST ANIMALS FOR THEIR DRUG EXPERIMENTS.
THERE IS A CRUSADING IDEALISTIC WOMAN AND HER UNINVOLVED HUSBAND, WHO MOVE TO AFRICA AND SEE THE UNETHICAL CONDUCT OF THE LARGE DRUG FIRMS.
THEIR MUTUAL STRUGGLE, AT DIFFERENT TIMES, IS THE BASIS OF THE FILM.
THIS IS A LARGE AND GRAND FILM, BUT IT NEVER GETS BIGGER THAN THE PEOPLE IN THE STORY -- IT NEVER FORGETS THE INDIVIDUALS -- WHICH KEEPS US ROOTED TO THE TALE.
SOME FOLKS WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE IDEA THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF AFRICA, THIS TALE IS ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE - AS BOTH VILLAINS AND HEROES - BUT THE USUAL ANSWER TO THAT IS -- WRTIE YOUR OWN STORY AND MAKE YOUR OWN HEROES.
JOHN LE CARRE WROTE THIS AND HE IS NOT A BLACK AUTHOR.
THIS FILM HAS MYSTERY, CONSPIRACY, ROMANCE, LOYALTY, TENSION, COMPASSION, DECEIT, CRUELTY AND MURDER. NOW, WHAT MORE YOU COULD ASK FOR, FOR SIX DOLLARS, ESCAPES ME.
I WAS ASKED IF I ENJOYED THIS FILM -- IT IS NOT REALLY A FILM YOU WILL ENJOY, IT IS A FILM YOU NEED TO SEE.
I WAS ASKED ABOUT MY VIEW OF THE DRUG COMPANIES ---
1. THIS FILM MADE THE PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS GREATER VILLAINS THEN NECESSARY ---- FOR THE SAKE OF DRAMA
2. I THINK OVERSEAS DRUG TRIALS ARE A RED FLAG THAT SOMETHING
DANGEROUS/ UNETHICAL / ILLEGAL IS GOING ON
3. I THINK GREAT / WONDERFUL DRUGS COME FROM THESE EXPERIMENTS, DRUGS THAT SAVE LIVES AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MILLIONS
4. I DON'T THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO ABUSE AND INJURE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEFENSELESS, TO ACHIEVE THE SUCCESS MENTIONED IN #3.
IF YOU LIKE AN INTELLIGENT FILM, A FILM WHERE THE MAKERS ACTUALLY RESPECT YOU AS A THEATRE GOER - THIS IS A FILM YOU SHOULD SEE.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF FILM THAT EVEN IF YOU SEE IT AND HATE IT, YOU WON'T SAY THAT TO PEOPLE -- YOU SORT OF KNOW, IF YOU DIDN'T APPRECIATE THIS FILM, THE PROBLEM IS MORE THAN LIKELY, YOU AND NOT THE PRODUCTION.
IT IS LIKE MEETING MOTHER TERESA - YOU CAN'T TELL FOLKS, "I COULDN'T STAND HER."
********************************************
WOODY ALLEN MADE A FILM CALLED -- MANHATTAN -- AND NOT ONE BLACK PERSON WAS IN THE FILM -- MAYBE IN A LONG SHOT OR DEEP DEEP IN THE BACKGROUND - BUT NOT ONE SPEAKS A WORD -- AND IF ONE DOES SPEAK A WORD, IT STILL MAKES MY CASE -- SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
AFTER WRITING THIS REACTION, I WENT TO THE ON LINE AD FOR THIS FILM AND IT HAD A GALLERY OF OVER 24 PHOTOS FROM THE FILM - SHOTS OF THE MAJOR CHARACTERS - THIS AFRICA BASED STORY DID NOT HAVE ONE BLACK PHOTO AMONG THE 24 - THAT IS SCARY -- THERE IS A HEROIC BLACK DOCTOR, WHO IS CENTRAL TO THE PLOT - NO PHOTO.
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN IN 2005.
SCARY MOVIE # 4
SCARY MOVIE # 4
NO ONE IS GOING TO SEE ANY OF THE SCARY MOVIE SERIES BASED ON WHAT THEY READ ABOUT IT. I LIKED THIS FILM - IT IS SILLY, FOOLISH AND SOPHMORIC -- THAT WAS THE GOAL AND THEY ACHIEVED IT. IT MAKES FUN OF THE VILLAGE, WAR OF THE WORLDS, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN AND A FEW OTHER MOVIES -- I LAUGHED - BUT IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN, WAIT FOR IT ON TV AND YOU CAN LAUGH FOR FREE. OPRAH, DR. PHIL SHAQ, CHARLIE SHEEN AND PRESIDENT BUSH ARE ROASTED IN THE PRODUCTION.
NO ONE IS GOING TO SEE ANY OF THE SCARY MOVIE SERIES BASED ON WHAT THEY READ ABOUT IT. I LIKED THIS FILM - IT IS SILLY, FOOLISH AND SOPHMORIC -- THAT WAS THE GOAL AND THEY ACHIEVED IT. IT MAKES FUN OF THE VILLAGE, WAR OF THE WORLDS, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN AND A FEW OTHER MOVIES -- I LAUGHED - BUT IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN, WAIT FOR IT ON TV AND YOU CAN LAUGH FOR FREE. OPRAH, DR. PHIL SHAQ, CHARLIE SHEEN AND PRESIDENT BUSH ARE ROASTED IN THE PRODUCTION.
MIAMI VICE
I WAS SURPRISED. I FIGURED I WOULD SEE MIAMI VICE AND FIND A LOT OF THINGS NOT TO LIKE. SO, I ASSUME YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH TO REALIZE, AFTER THE FIRST TWO SENTENCES, I LIKED WHAT I SAW.
THE PICTURE DOES SOMETHING THAT I FIRST SAW AT THE MANHATTAN SHOWING OF APOCALYPSE NOW, CIRCA 1979 -- NO OPENING CREDITS, THE PICTURE JUST RUNS STRAIGHT THRU, FULL SPEED AHEAD.
IT GETS RIGHT INTO THE ACTION AND THERE IS NOT A LOT OF DIALOGUE, IN THE WHOLE PICTURE -- JUST AS WITH MISSION IMPOSSIBLE # 1 -- YOU CAN ENJOY THE PICTURE AND NOT UNDERSTAND ALL THE PARTS.
IT IS GREAT PICTURE TO LOOK AT - VERY SCENIC AND THEY AVOID ONE OF MY PET PEEVES, YOU CAN SEE DURING THE NIGHT SCENES --I HATE IT WHEN THE AUDIENCE CAN'T SEE DURING A NIGHT SCENE -- THAT IS CARRYING REALISM TOO FAR.
I DON'T GET THE IMPRESSION OF ANY GREAT ACTING - THE ACTION AND THE PACE OF THE MOVIE, DOES NOT LEND ITSELF TO ANY GREAT THEATRICS. I WAS IMPRESSED BY BARRY SHABAKA HENLEY, ONE OF THOSE "WORKING ACTORS," -
YOU SEE THEM ALL THE TIME, BUT NEVER KNOW THEIR NAMES -- PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN AND PAUL GIAMATTI, RECENTLY EXITED THAT GROUP AND BECAME KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC - BUT THESE FINE ACTORS WILL NEVER BE STARS, THEY ARE ACTORS OF THE FIRST ORDER; THEY DON'T OWE THEIR GENESIS TO A PRESS AGENT, AS MANY STARS DO.
YOU MIGHT RECALL BARRY AS THE JAZZ CLUB OWNER, WHO WAS A VICTIM OF TOM CRUISE, IN COLLATERAL.
THERE IS A LOT OF ROMANCE IN THIS STORY, BUT IT IS NOT A SIDE LIGHT, THE ROMANCE IS A FACTOR IN THE PLOT FOR BOTH JAMIE FOXX AND COLIN FARRELL. THAT IS A RARE OCCURRENCE, MOST OF THE TIME, ROMANCE IS THROWN IN TO PAD OUT THE TIME OR TO ATTRACT A FEMALE DEMOGRAPHIC TO THE THEATRE.
A TIP: THERE WILL COME A TIME IN THE STORY, WHERE YOU WILL BE PRIVY TO A LESSON ON THE ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONING OF THE MEDULLA OBLONGATA - DON'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE SCREEN DURING THIS BIOLOGICAL DISCOURSE.
THE STORY IS NOT TRYING TO TIE INTO THE TV SHOW, EXCEPT TO KEEP THE NAMES OF THE SMALL SCREEN CHARACTERS. THE MOVIE IS THE MOVIE, IT IS NOT A COPY OF THE TV SHOW.
JUST AS IT STARTED QUICKLY, IT ENDS QUICKLY, YOU DON'T GET THE STANDARD "WRAP UP" CLUES, TO TELL YOU THE MOVIE IS ENDING IN A MINUTE OR TWO.
I COULD NOT RECOMMEND THE LAST TWO FILMS I SAW, EVEN THOUGH I LIKED BOTH, THEY WERE TOO MUCH CULT FILMS, BUT IF YOU LIKE ACTION, ADVENTURE AND VIOLENCE IS NOT GOING TO TURN YOU OFF - MIAMI IS A GOOD DESTINATION FOR YOU.
THE PICTURE DOES SOMETHING THAT I FIRST SAW AT THE MANHATTAN SHOWING OF APOCALYPSE NOW, CIRCA 1979 -- NO OPENING CREDITS, THE PICTURE JUST RUNS STRAIGHT THRU, FULL SPEED AHEAD.
IT GETS RIGHT INTO THE ACTION AND THERE IS NOT A LOT OF DIALOGUE, IN THE WHOLE PICTURE -- JUST AS WITH MISSION IMPOSSIBLE # 1 -- YOU CAN ENJOY THE PICTURE AND NOT UNDERSTAND ALL THE PARTS.
IT IS GREAT PICTURE TO LOOK AT - VERY SCENIC AND THEY AVOID ONE OF MY PET PEEVES, YOU CAN SEE DURING THE NIGHT SCENES --I HATE IT WHEN THE AUDIENCE CAN'T SEE DURING A NIGHT SCENE -- THAT IS CARRYING REALISM TOO FAR.
I DON'T GET THE IMPRESSION OF ANY GREAT ACTING - THE ACTION AND THE PACE OF THE MOVIE, DOES NOT LEND ITSELF TO ANY GREAT THEATRICS. I WAS IMPRESSED BY BARRY SHABAKA HENLEY, ONE OF THOSE "WORKING ACTORS," -
YOU SEE THEM ALL THE TIME, BUT NEVER KNOW THEIR NAMES -- PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN AND PAUL GIAMATTI, RECENTLY EXITED THAT GROUP AND BECAME KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC - BUT THESE FINE ACTORS WILL NEVER BE STARS, THEY ARE ACTORS OF THE FIRST ORDER; THEY DON'T OWE THEIR GENESIS TO A PRESS AGENT, AS MANY STARS DO.
YOU MIGHT RECALL BARRY AS THE JAZZ CLUB OWNER, WHO WAS A VICTIM OF TOM CRUISE, IN COLLATERAL.
THERE IS A LOT OF ROMANCE IN THIS STORY, BUT IT IS NOT A SIDE LIGHT, THE ROMANCE IS A FACTOR IN THE PLOT FOR BOTH JAMIE FOXX AND COLIN FARRELL. THAT IS A RARE OCCURRENCE, MOST OF THE TIME, ROMANCE IS THROWN IN TO PAD OUT THE TIME OR TO ATTRACT A FEMALE DEMOGRAPHIC TO THE THEATRE.
A TIP: THERE WILL COME A TIME IN THE STORY, WHERE YOU WILL BE PRIVY TO A LESSON ON THE ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONING OF THE MEDULLA OBLONGATA - DON'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE SCREEN DURING THIS BIOLOGICAL DISCOURSE.
THE STORY IS NOT TRYING TO TIE INTO THE TV SHOW, EXCEPT TO KEEP THE NAMES OF THE SMALL SCREEN CHARACTERS. THE MOVIE IS THE MOVIE, IT IS NOT A COPY OF THE TV SHOW.
JUST AS IT STARTED QUICKLY, IT ENDS QUICKLY, YOU DON'T GET THE STANDARD "WRAP UP" CLUES, TO TELL YOU THE MOVIE IS ENDING IN A MINUTE OR TWO.
I COULD NOT RECOMMEND THE LAST TWO FILMS I SAW, EVEN THOUGH I LIKED BOTH, THEY WERE TOO MUCH CULT FILMS, BUT IF YOU LIKE ACTION, ADVENTURE AND VIOLENCE IS NOT GOING TO TURN YOU OFF - MIAMI IS A GOOD DESTINATION FOR YOU.
LADY IN THE WATER
I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS FILM TO ANYONE. I HAVE DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE TO DO IT ONCE AGAIN -- I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FILM, BUT ONLY IF YOU CAN ACCEPT THE FANTASY ELEMENTS AND THE WHOLE FILM IS ABOUT FANTASY ELEMENTS.
THOSE WHO LIKED WILLY WONKA / BIG FISH / MICHAEL / FIGHT CLUB - MIGHT APPRECIATE THIS FILM -- THOSE WHO DISLIKED THOSE FILMS OR DID NOT SEE THOSE FILMS, MIGHT WANT TO SIT THIS ONE OUT.
I WAS REQUESTED BY A FRIEND, TO SEE THIS FILM AND WARNED NOT TO MISS THE VERY BEGINNING -- GOOD ADVICE - IF YOU ARE LATE TO THIS FILM, DON'T GO IN - YOU WILL NEVER CATCH UP ON THE STORY LINE.
LADY IN THE WATER IS ABOUT THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL - NOTHING ORIGINAL IN THAT PLOT - BUT THE WAY THIS STRUGGLE IS PLAYED OUT IS VERY UNIQUE -
IT HAS AN "E.T." QUALITY ATTACHED TO A COLUMBO / POIROT / HOLMES / MONK TYPE LOGICAL SEARCH FOR "SUSPECTS" --- THE SUSPECTS, BEING GOOD GUYS TO ENLIST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EVIL.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN, WROTE AND DIRECTED THIS MOVIE AND PLAYS THE YOUNG AUTHOR IN THE TALE. HE HAS BEEN LOOKING TO RETURN TO THE GLORY OF HIS CLASSIC, SIXTH SENSE, I DON'T THINK HE CAN EVER TOP SIXTH SENSE, BUT THIS IS A WORTHY ATTEMPT.
MOST OF THE TIME I SKIP ACTORS AND JUST SAY THE ACTING WAS GOOD, I HAD PLANNED TO MENTION THE ACTORS HERE AND THEIR ROLES, BUT SO MANY,
WERE SO GOOD, THAT I WILL TAKE THE SHORTCUT AND SAY, THE ACTING WAS
VERY GOOD.
I AM REALLY CONFLICTED, I WANT TO SALUTE THIS FILM, BUT I DON'T WANT TO RECOMMEND IT -- WITHOUT AN AGREEABLE MINDSET, YOU WILL END UP WALKING OUT ON IT - THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND WITH THIS MOVIE - IT IS LOVE OR HATE.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
AFTER WRITING THIS REACTION, I WENT TO A REVIEW SITE AND SAW ARTICLES THAT CUT THIS FILM TO PIECES, THE PEOPLE HATED THE WRITING AND THE EXECUTION. THEY SAW NOTHING GOOD IN THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION,
I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH THESE PEOPLE, THEY ARE PROVING MY POINT -
THIS IS TRULY A LOVE OR HATE PICTURE AND IT IS A THIN LINE BETWEEN THE TWO POSITIONS - BUT I THINK HATE WILL PREVAIL, SINCE THIS IS BEING SOLD AS A HORROR STORY, WHEN IT IS MORE A FAIRYTALE / FANTASY STORY, WITH RELIGIOUS OVERTONES.
THOSE WHO LIKED WILLY WONKA / BIG FISH / MICHAEL / FIGHT CLUB - MIGHT APPRECIATE THIS FILM -- THOSE WHO DISLIKED THOSE FILMS OR DID NOT SEE THOSE FILMS, MIGHT WANT TO SIT THIS ONE OUT.
I WAS REQUESTED BY A FRIEND, TO SEE THIS FILM AND WARNED NOT TO MISS THE VERY BEGINNING -- GOOD ADVICE - IF YOU ARE LATE TO THIS FILM, DON'T GO IN - YOU WILL NEVER CATCH UP ON THE STORY LINE.
LADY IN THE WATER IS ABOUT THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL - NOTHING ORIGINAL IN THAT PLOT - BUT THE WAY THIS STRUGGLE IS PLAYED OUT IS VERY UNIQUE -
IT HAS AN "E.T." QUALITY ATTACHED TO A COLUMBO / POIROT / HOLMES / MONK TYPE LOGICAL SEARCH FOR "SUSPECTS" --- THE SUSPECTS, BEING GOOD GUYS TO ENLIST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EVIL.
M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN, WROTE AND DIRECTED THIS MOVIE AND PLAYS THE YOUNG AUTHOR IN THE TALE. HE HAS BEEN LOOKING TO RETURN TO THE GLORY OF HIS CLASSIC, SIXTH SENSE, I DON'T THINK HE CAN EVER TOP SIXTH SENSE, BUT THIS IS A WORTHY ATTEMPT.
MOST OF THE TIME I SKIP ACTORS AND JUST SAY THE ACTING WAS GOOD, I HAD PLANNED TO MENTION THE ACTORS HERE AND THEIR ROLES, BUT SO MANY,
WERE SO GOOD, THAT I WILL TAKE THE SHORTCUT AND SAY, THE ACTING WAS
VERY GOOD.
I AM REALLY CONFLICTED, I WANT TO SALUTE THIS FILM, BUT I DON'T WANT TO RECOMMEND IT -- WITHOUT AN AGREEABLE MINDSET, YOU WILL END UP WALKING OUT ON IT - THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND WITH THIS MOVIE - IT IS LOVE OR HATE.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
AFTER WRITING THIS REACTION, I WENT TO A REVIEW SITE AND SAW ARTICLES THAT CUT THIS FILM TO PIECES, THE PEOPLE HATED THE WRITING AND THE EXECUTION. THEY SAW NOTHING GOOD IN THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION,
I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH THESE PEOPLE, THEY ARE PROVING MY POINT -
THIS IS TRULY A LOVE OR HATE PICTURE AND IT IS A THIN LINE BETWEEN THE TWO POSITIONS - BUT I THINK HATE WILL PREVAIL, SINCE THIS IS BEING SOLD AS A HORROR STORY, WHEN IT IS MORE A FAIRYTALE / FANTASY STORY, WITH RELIGIOUS OVERTONES.
CLERKS 2
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MOVIES THAT WILL ONLY BE SEEN BY PEOPLE WHO SAW
THE PREVIOUS FILMS IN THIS SERIES. THIS IS REALLY NUMBER SIX OR SEVEN IN THE
WRITER / DIRECTOR, KEVIN SMITH, FAMILY OF JAY AND SILENT BOB FILMS. I HAVE NOT WATCHED ALL OF THESE MYSELF.
I DOUBT IF MANY PEOPLE COULD GO SEE THIS FILM AND ENJOY IT, WITHOUT HAVING PUT IN THE STUDY TIME WITH THE EARLIER ADVENTURES OF THESE CHARACTERS. I UNFAIRLY AND INACCURATELY, CALL THEM THE JAY AND SILENT BOB
FILMS - THEY ARE BUT TWO OF THE CHARACTERS, BUT I LIKE THEM THE MOST, SO I MENTION THEM AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GROUP.
JUST AS I WAS WRITING THE SENTENCE ABOVE, I REALIZED THAT THESE FILMS ARE A TAKE OFF ON THE OUR GANG FILMS OF THE PRE WORLD WAR II ERA. THESE CHARACTERS MATCH UP IN A STRANGE WAY, WITH SPANKY AND ALFALFA, IF SPANKY AND ALFALFA STOOD AROUND ON THE BLOCK ALL DAY, CURSING AND BREAKING THE LAW IN VERY MINOR WAYS.
ANYWAY, FOR THE SMALL GROUP OF CULT FANS WHO WILL SEE THIS FILM, I THINK IT DID A GREAT JOB OF TAKING DANTE AND RANDAL, INTO THEIR EARLY 30s.
NO ONE CAN AGE JAY AND SILENT BOB - THEY ARE ETERNALLY CHILDREN.
THE CAMERA SHOWS THEM CLEARLY OLDER, FACING ADULT PROBLEMS AND DEALING WITH SERIOUS ISSUES, IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAY.
OF COURSE, THE JAY AND SILENT BOB FOLKS WILL NOT NEED MY OKAY TO SEE THIS FILM AND THE NEXT FILM -- THE ENDING IS A SET UP FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THEIR STORY
THE PREVIOUS FILMS IN THIS SERIES. THIS IS REALLY NUMBER SIX OR SEVEN IN THE
WRITER / DIRECTOR, KEVIN SMITH, FAMILY OF JAY AND SILENT BOB FILMS. I HAVE NOT WATCHED ALL OF THESE MYSELF.
I DOUBT IF MANY PEOPLE COULD GO SEE THIS FILM AND ENJOY IT, WITHOUT HAVING PUT IN THE STUDY TIME WITH THE EARLIER ADVENTURES OF THESE CHARACTERS. I UNFAIRLY AND INACCURATELY, CALL THEM THE JAY AND SILENT BOB
FILMS - THEY ARE BUT TWO OF THE CHARACTERS, BUT I LIKE THEM THE MOST, SO I MENTION THEM AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GROUP.
JUST AS I WAS WRITING THE SENTENCE ABOVE, I REALIZED THAT THESE FILMS ARE A TAKE OFF ON THE OUR GANG FILMS OF THE PRE WORLD WAR II ERA. THESE CHARACTERS MATCH UP IN A STRANGE WAY, WITH SPANKY AND ALFALFA, IF SPANKY AND ALFALFA STOOD AROUND ON THE BLOCK ALL DAY, CURSING AND BREAKING THE LAW IN VERY MINOR WAYS.
ANYWAY, FOR THE SMALL GROUP OF CULT FANS WHO WILL SEE THIS FILM, I THINK IT DID A GREAT JOB OF TAKING DANTE AND RANDAL, INTO THEIR EARLY 30s.
NO ONE CAN AGE JAY AND SILENT BOB - THEY ARE ETERNALLY CHILDREN.
THE CAMERA SHOWS THEM CLEARLY OLDER, FACING ADULT PROBLEMS AND DEALING WITH SERIOUS ISSUES, IN THEIR OWN UNIQUE WAY.
OF COURSE, THE JAY AND SILENT BOB FOLKS WILL NOT NEED MY OKAY TO SEE THIS FILM AND THE NEXT FILM -- THE ENDING IS A SET UP FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THEIR STORY
SUPERMAN RETURNS
CAM HEILIGER, CURRENTLY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, WROTE AN
ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE OF THE THIRD X-MEN MOVIE AND THIS SUPERMAN MOVIE. I WANTED TO INCLUDE CAM'S NOTES, BUT THE SPACE NEEDED WAS MORE THAN I COULD ACCOMMODATE , BUT THE BRIEFEST SUMMARY WOULD BE THAT THE THIRD VERSION OF X-MEN LACKS THE SOUL OF THE FIRST TWO, DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF DIRECTOR BRYAN
SINGER. THE CURRENT SUPERMAN PROFITS FROM THE PRESENCE OF DIRECTOR BRYAN SINGER. THE CASTING OF UNKNOWN ACTOR BRANDON ROUTH AS SUCCESSOR TO CHRISTOPHER REEVE, WAS A MASTER STROKE, SINCE HE CARRIES NO BAGGAGE AND WE SEE HIM ONLY AS THE MAN OF STEEL. KATE BOSWORTH IS FINE AS LOIS LANE AND
KEVIN SPACEY IS BRILLIANT AS THE EVIL LEX LUTHER.
CAM POINTS OUT THE SYMBOLISM OF SUPERMAN AS JESUS / THE MESSIAH, SENT BY HIS FATHER TO SAVE THE PEOPLE OF EARTH FROM THEMSELVES.
**************************************************************************************
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A VERY GOOD MOVIE, WELL MADE AND WITH MORE
DEPTH THAN ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM A COMIC BOOK CHARACTER.
I HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE MOVIE--->>
I WOULD WARN THAT THERE IS A SCENE WHERE LEX ATTACKS SUPERMAN, THAT IS MUCH TOO BRUTAL FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13 TO WATCH -- IT IS LESS THAN ONE MINUTE LONG, BUT I FOUND IT VERY INTENSE AND I AM FAR FROM MY CHILDHOOD.
THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN AND MUCH RESPECTED FILM CRITICS, "THREE BLACK CHICKS," HAVE A SECTION OF THEIR REVIEWS ENTITLED - THE BLACK FACTOR.
HOW DID THE MOVIE DEAL WITH BLACK PEOPLE AND / OR BLACK ISSUES.
THE BLACK FACTOR IN SUPERMAN RETURNS, SET IN METROPOLIS, WHICH IS RECOGNIZED AS BEING NEW YORK CITY, IS ZERO.
I DON'T THINK A BLACK PERSON HAS A SPEAKING PART IN THIS TWO HOUR AND THIRTY-FOUR MINUTE FILM. INCLUDING MASSIVE CROWD SCENES, I AM NOT SURE THAT I COUNTED FIVE BLACKS ANYWHERE IN THE FILM -- A NEW YORK CITY BASED FILM -- NOW, THAT IS TRULY SCIENCE FICTION.
THIS IS A SUPERMAN MOVIE THAT IS 30% ACTION / ADVENTURE AND 70% ROMANCE -- THIS IS A CHICK FLICK AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, BUT
BOTH MALES AND FEMALES MIGHT NOT EXPECT THAT MIX IN A SUPERMAN MOVIE, SO I WANTED TO MENTION IT.
THE FIRST TWO CHRIS REEVE SUPERMAN FILMS WERE THE BEST -- THEY CAN'T BE TOPPED -- THIS IS WORTHY NUMBER THREE, EVEN GIVEN THE FAULTS I NOTED.
ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE OF THE THIRD X-MEN MOVIE AND THIS SUPERMAN MOVIE. I WANTED TO INCLUDE CAM'S NOTES, BUT THE SPACE NEEDED WAS MORE THAN I COULD ACCOMMODATE , BUT THE BRIEFEST SUMMARY WOULD BE THAT THE THIRD VERSION OF X-MEN LACKS THE SOUL OF THE FIRST TWO, DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF DIRECTOR BRYAN
SINGER. THE CURRENT SUPERMAN PROFITS FROM THE PRESENCE OF DIRECTOR BRYAN SINGER. THE CASTING OF UNKNOWN ACTOR BRANDON ROUTH AS SUCCESSOR TO CHRISTOPHER REEVE, WAS A MASTER STROKE, SINCE HE CARRIES NO BAGGAGE AND WE SEE HIM ONLY AS THE MAN OF STEEL. KATE BOSWORTH IS FINE AS LOIS LANE AND
KEVIN SPACEY IS BRILLIANT AS THE EVIL LEX LUTHER.
CAM POINTS OUT THE SYMBOLISM OF SUPERMAN AS JESUS / THE MESSIAH, SENT BY HIS FATHER TO SAVE THE PEOPLE OF EARTH FROM THEMSELVES.
**************************************************************************************
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A VERY GOOD MOVIE, WELL MADE AND WITH MORE
DEPTH THAN ONE WOULD EXPECT FROM A COMIC BOOK CHARACTER.
I HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE MOVIE--->>
I WOULD WARN THAT THERE IS A SCENE WHERE LEX ATTACKS SUPERMAN, THAT IS MUCH TOO BRUTAL FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13 TO WATCH -- IT IS LESS THAN ONE MINUTE LONG, BUT I FOUND IT VERY INTENSE AND I AM FAR FROM MY CHILDHOOD.
THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN AND MUCH RESPECTED FILM CRITICS, "THREE BLACK CHICKS," HAVE A SECTION OF THEIR REVIEWS ENTITLED - THE BLACK FACTOR.
HOW DID THE MOVIE DEAL WITH BLACK PEOPLE AND / OR BLACK ISSUES.
THE BLACK FACTOR IN SUPERMAN RETURNS, SET IN METROPOLIS, WHICH IS RECOGNIZED AS BEING NEW YORK CITY, IS ZERO.
I DON'T THINK A BLACK PERSON HAS A SPEAKING PART IN THIS TWO HOUR AND THIRTY-FOUR MINUTE FILM. INCLUDING MASSIVE CROWD SCENES, I AM NOT SURE THAT I COUNTED FIVE BLACKS ANYWHERE IN THE FILM -- A NEW YORK CITY BASED FILM -- NOW, THAT IS TRULY SCIENCE FICTION.
THIS IS A SUPERMAN MOVIE THAT IS 30% ACTION / ADVENTURE AND 70% ROMANCE -- THIS IS A CHICK FLICK AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, BUT
BOTH MALES AND FEMALES MIGHT NOT EXPECT THAT MIX IN A SUPERMAN MOVIE, SO I WANTED TO MENTION IT.
THE FIRST TWO CHRIS REEVE SUPERMAN FILMS WERE THE BEST -- THEY CAN'T BE TOPPED -- THIS IS WORTHY NUMBER THREE, EVEN GIVEN THE FAULTS I NOTED.
DA VINCI CODE
I WILL LIST SEVERAL COLOR CODED ASIDES :
** WHEN I START WITH ASIDES, THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING
1 ** I AM A BIG MAN. I HAVE FOUND THAT EVEN THE DUMBEST PEOPLE HAVE A
WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF PHYSICS -- THEY UNDERSTAND THAT
YOU DON'T LOOK FOR THE BIGGEST PERSON YOU CAN FIND
TO START A RUCKUS WITH
2** AS A FORMER ATHLETE, I HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR THE NEED TO
HUNKER-DOWN AND IGNORE PAIN TO ACHIEVE A GOAL
3** PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT FILM, THINK THE GODFATHER 3
WAS A GOOD MOVIE, BECAUSE IT HAD FINE PRODUCTION VALUES, IT
ONLY LACKED A PLOT AND COMMONSENSE
4 ** I AM NOT PROUD TO ADMIT, I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK SINCE
THE FIRST NIXON ADMINISTRATION
**************************************************************
ON TO THE DA VINCI CODE --->>
I AM ONLY ALIVE TODAY, BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LARGE PERSON AND FELT NO NEED TO CARRY A WEAPON TO DEFEND MYSELF AGAINST POTENTIAL ATTACKERS. IF I HAD A WEAPON, I MIGHT WELL HAVE USED IT TO END MY OWN LIFE AND THUS, AVOID THE PAIN OF WATCHING MORE OF THIS PICTURE . AFTER SPENDING 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES IN THE THEATRE, I HAVE A GREAT DEAL MORE SYMPATHY FOR INMATES ON DEATH ROW - I FEEL I HAVE BEEN IN THEIR SHOES.
WHILE TRYING TO DECIDE IF I SHOULD JUST WALK OUT OF THE THEATRE AND
END THE SUFFERING, I REMEMBERED MY YOUNGER DAYS AND THE LESSON OF ATHLETIC COMPETITION -- PERSEVERE AND SOLDIER ON UNTIL THE FINAL BELL, WHISTLE, TICK OF THE CLOCK OR FINISH LINE. I TOLD MYSELF THAT I COULD TAKE PRIDE IN REMAINING IN MY SEAT UNTIL THE CREDITS WERE ROLLING - I MADE IT A CHALLENGE AND I FELT GOOD THAT I MANAGED TO SEE THOSE CREDITS, AS I RAN FOR THE EXIT.
WHEN I WANT TO POINT OUT A FILM WITH A LOT OF ACTIVITY, WITH FINE ACTORS, WITH GREAT SCENARY AND LOCATIONS AND A RICH LOOK TO THE WHOLE PRODUCTION, I WILL REFER TO THE DAVINCI CODE AND NOT GODFATHER 3 - DAVINCI HAS REPLACED
GF 3, AS MY POSTER CHILD FOR BAD CINEMA.
MAYBE IF YOU READ THE BOOK, THIS FILM WILL WORK FOR YOU - I HOPE SO,
I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT I HOPE SO.
*********************************************************************************
I DON'T REVIEW MOVIES, I REACT TO THEM, SO I AM NOT GOING TO SUMMARIZE THE PLOT OR GO INTO ANY DETAILS --- HEY, IF THE BEST THING I CAN SAY ABOUT THE
FILM, IS THAT I DID NOT LEAVE AFTER THE FIRST 40 MINUTES, THAT TELLS YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE.
** WHEN I START WITH ASIDES, THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING
1 ** I AM A BIG MAN. I HAVE FOUND THAT EVEN THE DUMBEST PEOPLE HAVE A
WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF PHYSICS -- THEY UNDERSTAND THAT
YOU DON'T LOOK FOR THE BIGGEST PERSON YOU CAN FIND
TO START A RUCKUS WITH
2** AS A FORMER ATHLETE, I HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR THE NEED TO
HUNKER-DOWN AND IGNORE PAIN TO ACHIEVE A GOAL
3** PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT FILM, THINK THE GODFATHER 3
WAS A GOOD MOVIE, BECAUSE IT HAD FINE PRODUCTION VALUES, IT
ONLY LACKED A PLOT AND COMMONSENSE
4 ** I AM NOT PROUD TO ADMIT, I HAVE NOT READ A BOOK SINCE
THE FIRST NIXON ADMINISTRATION
**************************************************************
ON TO THE DA VINCI CODE --->>
I AM ONLY ALIVE TODAY, BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LARGE PERSON AND FELT NO NEED TO CARRY A WEAPON TO DEFEND MYSELF AGAINST POTENTIAL ATTACKERS. IF I HAD A WEAPON, I MIGHT WELL HAVE USED IT TO END MY OWN LIFE AND THUS, AVOID THE PAIN OF WATCHING MORE OF THIS PICTURE . AFTER SPENDING 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES IN THE THEATRE, I HAVE A GREAT DEAL MORE SYMPATHY FOR INMATES ON DEATH ROW - I FEEL I HAVE BEEN IN THEIR SHOES.
WHILE TRYING TO DECIDE IF I SHOULD JUST WALK OUT OF THE THEATRE AND
END THE SUFFERING, I REMEMBERED MY YOUNGER DAYS AND THE LESSON OF ATHLETIC COMPETITION -- PERSEVERE AND SOLDIER ON UNTIL THE FINAL BELL, WHISTLE, TICK OF THE CLOCK OR FINISH LINE. I TOLD MYSELF THAT I COULD TAKE PRIDE IN REMAINING IN MY SEAT UNTIL THE CREDITS WERE ROLLING - I MADE IT A CHALLENGE AND I FELT GOOD THAT I MANAGED TO SEE THOSE CREDITS, AS I RAN FOR THE EXIT.
WHEN I WANT TO POINT OUT A FILM WITH A LOT OF ACTIVITY, WITH FINE ACTORS, WITH GREAT SCENARY AND LOCATIONS AND A RICH LOOK TO THE WHOLE PRODUCTION, I WILL REFER TO THE DAVINCI CODE AND NOT GODFATHER 3 - DAVINCI HAS REPLACED
GF 3, AS MY POSTER CHILD FOR BAD CINEMA.
MAYBE IF YOU READ THE BOOK, THIS FILM WILL WORK FOR YOU - I HOPE SO,
I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT I HOPE SO.
*********************************************************************************
I DON'T REVIEW MOVIES, I REACT TO THEM, SO I AM NOT GOING TO SUMMARIZE THE PLOT OR GO INTO ANY DETAILS --- HEY, IF THE BEST THING I CAN SAY ABOUT THE
FILM, IS THAT I DID NOT LEAVE AFTER THE FIRST 40 MINUTES, THAT TELLS YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE.
INSIDE MAN
ASIDE ---
A FALSE DILEMMA IS A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT REALLY A PROBLEM.
*IF YOU ARE ASKED TO WASH THE DISHES, YOU CAN'T -->> YOU HAVE TO STUDY.
** IF GABRIELLE UNION INVITES YOU TO HER HOUSE FOR DRINKS, YOU WILL NOT BE DETERRED BY A SINK FULL OF DIRTY DISHES. THE DISHES WILL CEASE TO BE A PROBLEM.
I HAVE BEEN REFERENCING THE USUAL SUSPECTS, QUITE OFTEN.
THIS MOVIE IS A LOT LIKE THE USUAL SUSPECTS --- EVERYONE LOVES THE USUAL SUSPECTS, I LOVED THE USUAL SUSPECTS -- BUT AS I LEFT THE THEATRE, AFTER SEEING IT, IT DAWNED ON ME THAT THIS FINE STORY, REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY MEANING - IT WAS A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT NOTHING.
I WATCHED INSIDE MAN AND WAS MARVELING AT WHAT A FINE FILM THIS WAS - IT WAS MYSTERIOUS, SERIOUS, COMPELLING, HUMOROUS, REALISTIC, WELL PACED -
THE ACTING WAS FINE AND THE DIALOGUE WAS CLEVER -- IT HAD THE WHOLE PACKAGE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FILM TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE -- UNTIL, THE LAST FIVE MINUTES -- THEN I STARTED TO ASK MYSELF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT I HAD JUST SEEN AND THE ANSWERS WERE NOT VERY GOOD -- I HAD SEEN A WONDERFUL STORY, WELL TOLD AND ENTERTAINING TO WATCH, BUT AS WITH THE VILLAGE, I JUST HAD TOO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT I HAD JUST SEEN -- THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN YOU SIT IN A THEATRE FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS AND THEN ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE WATCHING.
NOW, MY PROBLEM, MAY NOT BE YOUR PROBLEM -- I WOULD STILL RECOMMEND THIS FILM -- I LIKED THE FILM FOR ONE HOUR AND FIFTY-FIVE MINUTES.
DIRECTOR, SPIKE LEE, DID A FINE JOB, EXCEPT FOR FORCING HIS SIGNATURE DOLLY SHOT INTO A SCENE, WHERE IT WAS A DISTRACTION -- THE TECHNIQUE WHERE A CHARACTER APPEARS TO BE FLOATING, INSTEAD OF WALKING - REMEMBER MALCOLM X, GOING TO THE AUDUBON BALLROOM..
EVEN WITH MY PROBLEMS, I AM GLAD I SAW THE MOVIE.
A FALSE DILEMMA IS A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT REALLY A PROBLEM.
*IF YOU ARE ASKED TO WASH THE DISHES, YOU CAN'T -->> YOU HAVE TO STUDY.
** IF GABRIELLE UNION INVITES YOU TO HER HOUSE FOR DRINKS, YOU WILL NOT BE DETERRED BY A SINK FULL OF DIRTY DISHES. THE DISHES WILL CEASE TO BE A PROBLEM.
I HAVE BEEN REFERENCING THE USUAL SUSPECTS, QUITE OFTEN.
THIS MOVIE IS A LOT LIKE THE USUAL SUSPECTS --- EVERYONE LOVES THE USUAL SUSPECTS, I LOVED THE USUAL SUSPECTS -- BUT AS I LEFT THE THEATRE, AFTER SEEING IT, IT DAWNED ON ME THAT THIS FINE STORY, REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY MEANING - IT WAS A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT NOTHING.
I WATCHED INSIDE MAN AND WAS MARVELING AT WHAT A FINE FILM THIS WAS - IT WAS MYSTERIOUS, SERIOUS, COMPELLING, HUMOROUS, REALISTIC, WELL PACED -
THE ACTING WAS FINE AND THE DIALOGUE WAS CLEVER -- IT HAD THE WHOLE PACKAGE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS FILM TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE -- UNTIL, THE LAST FIVE MINUTES -- THEN I STARTED TO ASK MYSELF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT I HAD JUST SEEN AND THE ANSWERS WERE NOT VERY GOOD -- I HAD SEEN A WONDERFUL STORY, WELL TOLD AND ENTERTAINING TO WATCH, BUT AS WITH THE VILLAGE, I JUST HAD TOO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT I HAD JUST SEEN -- THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN YOU SIT IN A THEATRE FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS AND THEN ARE NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE WATCHING.
NOW, MY PROBLEM, MAY NOT BE YOUR PROBLEM -- I WOULD STILL RECOMMEND THIS FILM -- I LIKED THE FILM FOR ONE HOUR AND FIFTY-FIVE MINUTES.
DIRECTOR, SPIKE LEE, DID A FINE JOB, EXCEPT FOR FORCING HIS SIGNATURE DOLLY SHOT INTO A SCENE, WHERE IT WAS A DISTRACTION -- THE TECHNIQUE WHERE A CHARACTER APPEARS TO BE FLOATING, INSTEAD OF WALKING - REMEMBER MALCOLM X, GOING TO THE AUDUBON BALLROOM..
EVEN WITH MY PROBLEMS, I AM GLAD I SAW THE MOVIE.
V - VENDETTA
THIS PICTURE WORKED FOR ME -- BUT IT WON'T FOR EVERYONE, OF COURSE, NO PICTURE DOES.
THERE ARE ELEMENTS FROM -->>>>> THE USUAL SUSPECTS - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - 1984 - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - THE GRAPES OF WRATH - BLADE
- KILL BILL - THE BENNY HILL SHOW - THE MATRIX - SPIDERMAN - SOYLENT GREEN
THE STORY HAS POLITICAL SCIENCE - KARATE - THE WAR IN IRAQ - A CLOSET GAY - A BROKEN HEARTED LESBIAN - A CORRUPT PRIEST -- THE WTC / 911 -- OKLAHOMA CITY - WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION - GEORGE BUSH AND TONY BLAIR - ALL THROWN IN THE BLENDER.
THE STORY IS GOING TO BE TOO MUCH FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE - TOO MANY THEMES -- BUT, FOR THOSE WHO ACCEPT THE THEMES AND GIVE THE HERO THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, THE MOVIE WILL TOUCH YOU, BUT SOME WILL LOSE INTEREST, SINCE THE FOCUS OF THE FILM CHANGES SO OFTEN WITH SO MANY THEMES TO RUN PASS THE AUDIENCE.
IT MIXES ACTUAL CURRENT EVENTS WITH FUTURE FANTASIES OF WHAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE LIKE WITH THE UNITED STATES AS A FAILED NATION AND ENGLAND UNDER CONTROL OF AN OLIGARCHY.
THIS FILM HAS ONE OF THE BEST COMING ATTRACTION TRAILERS OF ALL TIME, SO IT WILL DO GREAT AT THE BOX OFFICE, BUT I CAN'T SEE EVERYONE ACCEPTING
THE JUMP BETWEEN ROMANTIC ELEMENTS AND POLITICAL ELEMENTS.
THE ACTING IS GOOD - NATALIE PORTMAN, THE FEMALE LEAD, WAS THE LITTLE GIRL, MATILDA, IN THE PROFESSIONAL - THE FILM ABOUT A HITMAN IN NYC WHO PROTECTS A LITTLE GIRL FROM CROOKED POLICE.
HUGO WEAVING IS THE MASKED MAN - HUGO WAS THE GOVERNMENT AGENT, MISTER SMITH, IN THE MATRIX.
JOHN HURT GOES AGAINST HIS ROLE IN 1984 AND PLAYS THE DICTATOR IN THIS FILM.
STEPHEN REA, OF THE CRYING GAME, IS WONDERFUL AS THE COP WHO WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING -- IF HE COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT THE RIGHT THING IS.
GENERALLY, IF YOU DIDN'T CARE FOR KILL BILL, YOU MAY NOT APPRECIATE
THIS FILM.
THERE ARE ELEMENTS FROM -->>>>> THE USUAL SUSPECTS - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - 1984 - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - THE GRAPES OF WRATH - BLADE
- KILL BILL - THE BENNY HILL SHOW - THE MATRIX - SPIDERMAN - SOYLENT GREEN
THE STORY HAS POLITICAL SCIENCE - KARATE - THE WAR IN IRAQ - A CLOSET GAY - A BROKEN HEARTED LESBIAN - A CORRUPT PRIEST -- THE WTC / 911 -- OKLAHOMA CITY - WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION - GEORGE BUSH AND TONY BLAIR - ALL THROWN IN THE BLENDER.
THE STORY IS GOING TO BE TOO MUCH FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE - TOO MANY THEMES -- BUT, FOR THOSE WHO ACCEPT THE THEMES AND GIVE THE HERO THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, THE MOVIE WILL TOUCH YOU, BUT SOME WILL LOSE INTEREST, SINCE THE FOCUS OF THE FILM CHANGES SO OFTEN WITH SO MANY THEMES TO RUN PASS THE AUDIENCE.
IT MIXES ACTUAL CURRENT EVENTS WITH FUTURE FANTASIES OF WHAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE LIKE WITH THE UNITED STATES AS A FAILED NATION AND ENGLAND UNDER CONTROL OF AN OLIGARCHY.
THIS FILM HAS ONE OF THE BEST COMING ATTRACTION TRAILERS OF ALL TIME, SO IT WILL DO GREAT AT THE BOX OFFICE, BUT I CAN'T SEE EVERYONE ACCEPTING
THE JUMP BETWEEN ROMANTIC ELEMENTS AND POLITICAL ELEMENTS.
THE ACTING IS GOOD - NATALIE PORTMAN, THE FEMALE LEAD, WAS THE LITTLE GIRL, MATILDA, IN THE PROFESSIONAL - THE FILM ABOUT A HITMAN IN NYC WHO PROTECTS A LITTLE GIRL FROM CROOKED POLICE.
HUGO WEAVING IS THE MASKED MAN - HUGO WAS THE GOVERNMENT AGENT, MISTER SMITH, IN THE MATRIX.
JOHN HURT GOES AGAINST HIS ROLE IN 1984 AND PLAYS THE DICTATOR IN THIS FILM.
STEPHEN REA, OF THE CRYING GAME, IS WONDERFUL AS THE COP WHO WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING -- IF HE COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT THE RIGHT THING IS.
GENERALLY, IF YOU DIDN'T CARE FOR KILL BILL, YOU MAY NOT APPRECIATE
THIS FILM.
RUNNING SCARED
THIS IS SO EASY -
IF YOU DISLIKED THESE FILMS --->>>
JACKIE BROWN - PULP FICTION - KILL BILL I -- KILL BILL II - UNLEASHED
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE - LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS -
THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY - THE KRAYS - DONNY BOSCO --ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13
GLORIA - THE PROFESSIONAL - THINGS TO DO IN DENVER, WHEN YOU ARE DEAD
TRUE ROMANCE - DUSK TO DAWN - RESERVIOR DOGS - DIE HARD I
YOU WILL NOT LIKE THIS MOVIE.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW MOST OR ANY OF THE FILMS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MOST LIKELY, WON'T ENJOY THIS MOVIE.
THIS IS A FILM ABOUT CONSTANT VIOLENCE, CONSTANT CHASING OF BAD GUYS, BY OTHER BAD GUYS. YET, IT IS WELL PLOTTED AND WELL ACTED AND IT IS FILMED IN THE MODERN VERSION OF THE GRITTY FILM NOIR STYLE OF THE 1940s. THIS FILM DOES CORRECTLY, WHAT SIN CITY TRIED TO DO AND COULD NOT PULL OFF.
MEN WILL FLOCK TO THIS FILM AND WOMEN MIGHT HAVE WOMEN PROBLEMS WITH IT -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT WOMEN, SINCE MOST SEEMED TO HAVE MISSED THE IDEA THAT KILL BILL WAS A WOMEN'S PICTURE AND NOT A MAN'S. LET ME GET AWAY FROM THIS TOPIC, SINCE THE SAME WOMEN WHO TALK ABOUT BEING OFFENDED BY FILM VIOLENCE, WOULD GLADLY HURT ME FOR THESE COMMENTS.
#1 THERE IS A SCENE IN THIS PICTURE THAT MADE ME WANT TO APPLAUD -- A CHARACTER RENDERS FINAL JUDGMENT TO THOSE MOST IN NEED OF EXPERIENCING THE SWIFT SWORD OF JUSTICE, UNDELAYED BY CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES.
IT IS NOT OFTEN IN THE CURRENT CROP OF FILMS, THAT THE DESIRE TO APPLAUD IS FELT.
#2 THERE IS ALSO A SCENE WHERE A CHARACTER, WHO CAN BE SUMMARIZED AS THE SCUM OF THE EARTH, RISES TO DEMONSTRATE HIMSELF AS A MAN OF STRANGE, BUT SINCERE INTEGRITY.
#3 A YOUNG SON TELLS HIS DAD, HE HAS SEEN A NAKED WOMAN BEFORE - SO, SEEING ANOTHER ONE, IS NO BIG DEAL --- DAD TELLS HIM, IT NEVER STOPS BEING A BIG DEAL.
IN THE FILMS I HAVE BEEN SEEING, THERE IS RARELY ONE GOOD / NOTEWORTHY SCENE, THIS WILD, VIDEO GAME ROOTED FILM, HAS TWO EXCEPTION SCENES AND SEVERAL VERY GOOD ONES -- I AM HAPPY I SAW IT AND OF COURSE, AFTER FREEDOMLAND, A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL WOULD BE A STEP UP ON THE CINEMA LADDER.
IF YOU DISLIKED THESE FILMS --->>>
JACKIE BROWN - PULP FICTION - KILL BILL I -- KILL BILL II - UNLEASHED
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE - LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS -
THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY - THE KRAYS - DONNY BOSCO --ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13
GLORIA - THE PROFESSIONAL - THINGS TO DO IN DENVER, WHEN YOU ARE DEAD
TRUE ROMANCE - DUSK TO DAWN - RESERVIOR DOGS - DIE HARD I
YOU WILL NOT LIKE THIS MOVIE.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW MOST OR ANY OF THE FILMS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MOST LIKELY, WON'T ENJOY THIS MOVIE.
THIS IS A FILM ABOUT CONSTANT VIOLENCE, CONSTANT CHASING OF BAD GUYS, BY OTHER BAD GUYS. YET, IT IS WELL PLOTTED AND WELL ACTED AND IT IS FILMED IN THE MODERN VERSION OF THE GRITTY FILM NOIR STYLE OF THE 1940s. THIS FILM DOES CORRECTLY, WHAT SIN CITY TRIED TO DO AND COULD NOT PULL OFF.
MEN WILL FLOCK TO THIS FILM AND WOMEN MIGHT HAVE WOMEN PROBLEMS WITH IT -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT WOMEN, SINCE MOST SEEMED TO HAVE MISSED THE IDEA THAT KILL BILL WAS A WOMEN'S PICTURE AND NOT A MAN'S. LET ME GET AWAY FROM THIS TOPIC, SINCE THE SAME WOMEN WHO TALK ABOUT BEING OFFENDED BY FILM VIOLENCE, WOULD GLADLY HURT ME FOR THESE COMMENTS.
#1 THERE IS A SCENE IN THIS PICTURE THAT MADE ME WANT TO APPLAUD -- A CHARACTER RENDERS FINAL JUDGMENT TO THOSE MOST IN NEED OF EXPERIENCING THE SWIFT SWORD OF JUSTICE, UNDELAYED BY CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES.
IT IS NOT OFTEN IN THE CURRENT CROP OF FILMS, THAT THE DESIRE TO APPLAUD IS FELT.
#2 THERE IS ALSO A SCENE WHERE A CHARACTER, WHO CAN BE SUMMARIZED AS THE SCUM OF THE EARTH, RISES TO DEMONSTRATE HIMSELF AS A MAN OF STRANGE, BUT SINCERE INTEGRITY.
#3 A YOUNG SON TELLS HIS DAD, HE HAS SEEN A NAKED WOMAN BEFORE - SO, SEEING ANOTHER ONE, IS NO BIG DEAL --- DAD TELLS HIM, IT NEVER STOPS BEING A BIG DEAL.
IN THE FILMS I HAVE BEEN SEEING, THERE IS RARELY ONE GOOD / NOTEWORTHY SCENE, THIS WILD, VIDEO GAME ROOTED FILM, HAS TWO EXCEPTION SCENES AND SEVERAL VERY GOOD ONES -- I AM HAPPY I SAW IT AND OF COURSE, AFTER FREEDOMLAND, A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL WOULD BE A STEP UP ON THE CINEMA LADDER.
FREEDOMLAND
ASIDE #1 - WHEN YOU ARE LATE TO A MOVIE AND WISHED YOU HAD BEEN LATER - THAT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN.
ASIDE #2 - WHEN MY COUSIN, FAMED FOOTBALL COACH, BILL DAVIS, DIED, HIS MENTOR, COACH WILL JEFFRIES, SAID AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE -- BILL WAS THE KIND OF MAN WHO COULD FALL OFF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING'S TOP FLOOR - FIND OUT HE HAD ONLY FOUR FLOORS TO GO BEFORE HITTING THE CONCRETE AND THINK TO
HIMSELF, "I STILL GOT A CHANCE !"
WHILE WATCHING THIS FILM, I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD DRAW ON SOME OF BILL'S OPTIMISTIC GENES, TO FORCE MYSELF TO REMAIN IN MY SEAT.
ASIDE # 3 - A FRIEND AND FORMER TEACHING COLLEAGUE OF MINE, PICKED UP THE HABIT OF ARMING HIMSELF, WHILE SPENDING PART OF HIS TEEN YEARS IN BROOKLYN. NOW A RENOWN PROFESSOR, AT A WORLD FAMOUS UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH; HE STILL CARRIES A VERSION OF THAT WEAPON, AS A REMINDER OF WHERE HE WAS AND WHERE HE HAS TRAVELED.
I THOUGHT OF THIS HABIT OF BEING ARMED AND REALIZED THAT IF I HAD A WEAPON AVAILABLE, I MIGHT HAVE HARMED MYSELF TO ESCAPE THE BEATING THIS FILM WAS GIVING TO MY SENSES.
I STILL HAVE NOT ASSESSED WHAT LONG TERM DAMAGE AN HOUR AND FIFTY MINUTES OF FREEDOMLAND, MAY HAVE DONE TO MY PSYCHE - I ENVISION SOME FORM OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME WILL MANIFEST ITSELF IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
ASIDE # 4 - ANGELA FAITH CATHERINE THOMAS, MY GRANDCHILD, WAS FEATURED IN HER SCHOOL'S FIFTH GRADE PRESENTATION OF SHREK - I CONTEND AND I CONTEND WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRADICTION, HER SHOW WAS SUPERIOR TO THIS FILM IN EVERYWAY. I HATED TO SEE HER SHOW END AND I FEARED I WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE FREEDOMLAND END.
IF YOU ARE NOT A REAL MOVIE GOER - AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WEEKLY TELEVISION SERIES AND A THEATRICAL MOVIE RELEASE -- YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS FILM -- OF COURSE, YOU MIGHT ALSO BE THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO SHOULD NOT OPERATE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICATION.
THE ASIDES PRETTY MUCH HAVE CAPTURED MY OPINION OF THIS FILM -- I PAID $6.50 TO ENTER THE THEATRE AND I HAD AN EPIPHANY WHILE THERE -- THE THEATRE COULD HAVE MADE TEN TIMES THAT AMOUNT IF THEY HAD CHARGED TO LET THE AUDIENCE LEAVE THE THEATRE.
ONE LAST ASIDE - WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAREERS OF SAMUEL L. JACKSON AND JULIANNE MOORE ?
ASIDE #2 - WHEN MY COUSIN, FAMED FOOTBALL COACH, BILL DAVIS, DIED, HIS MENTOR, COACH WILL JEFFRIES, SAID AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE -- BILL WAS THE KIND OF MAN WHO COULD FALL OFF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING'S TOP FLOOR - FIND OUT HE HAD ONLY FOUR FLOORS TO GO BEFORE HITTING THE CONCRETE AND THINK TO
HIMSELF, "I STILL GOT A CHANCE !"
WHILE WATCHING THIS FILM, I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD DRAW ON SOME OF BILL'S OPTIMISTIC GENES, TO FORCE MYSELF TO REMAIN IN MY SEAT.
ASIDE # 3 - A FRIEND AND FORMER TEACHING COLLEAGUE OF MINE, PICKED UP THE HABIT OF ARMING HIMSELF, WHILE SPENDING PART OF HIS TEEN YEARS IN BROOKLYN. NOW A RENOWN PROFESSOR, AT A WORLD FAMOUS UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH; HE STILL CARRIES A VERSION OF THAT WEAPON, AS A REMINDER OF WHERE HE WAS AND WHERE HE HAS TRAVELED.
I THOUGHT OF THIS HABIT OF BEING ARMED AND REALIZED THAT IF I HAD A WEAPON AVAILABLE, I MIGHT HAVE HARMED MYSELF TO ESCAPE THE BEATING THIS FILM WAS GIVING TO MY SENSES.
I STILL HAVE NOT ASSESSED WHAT LONG TERM DAMAGE AN HOUR AND FIFTY MINUTES OF FREEDOMLAND, MAY HAVE DONE TO MY PSYCHE - I ENVISION SOME FORM OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME WILL MANIFEST ITSELF IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
ASIDE # 4 - ANGELA FAITH CATHERINE THOMAS, MY GRANDCHILD, WAS FEATURED IN HER SCHOOL'S FIFTH GRADE PRESENTATION OF SHREK - I CONTEND AND I CONTEND WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRADICTION, HER SHOW WAS SUPERIOR TO THIS FILM IN EVERYWAY. I HATED TO SEE HER SHOW END AND I FEARED I WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE FREEDOMLAND END.
IF YOU ARE NOT A REAL MOVIE GOER - AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WEEKLY TELEVISION SERIES AND A THEATRICAL MOVIE RELEASE -- YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS FILM -- OF COURSE, YOU MIGHT ALSO BE THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO SHOULD NOT OPERATE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICATION.
THE ASIDES PRETTY MUCH HAVE CAPTURED MY OPINION OF THIS FILM -- I PAID $6.50 TO ENTER THE THEATRE AND I HAD AN EPIPHANY WHILE THERE -- THE THEATRE COULD HAVE MADE TEN TIMES THAT AMOUNT IF THEY HAD CHARGED TO LET THE AUDIENCE LEAVE THE THEATRE.
ONE LAST ASIDE - WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAREERS OF SAMUEL L. JACKSON AND JULIANNE MOORE ?
CAPOTE
SIDEBAR 1 - IF A MOVIE IS CONTROVERSIAL AND IF THAT CONTROVERSY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SEX -- IT WILL NOT OPEN IN UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA, UNTIL WELL AFTER MOST OF THE COUNTRY HAS SEEN IT AND SOMETIMES, IT WILL NEVER PLAY HERE AT ALL. SO, I OFTEN FEEL I AM WRITING A REACTION BASED ON A PONY EXPRESS
VERSION OF THE LATEST NEWS - CAPOTE JUST REACHED US AND YET, FOLKS WERE TALKING ABOUT IT TWO MONTHS AGO, IN THOSE STATES THAT HAVE ELECTRICITY.
SIDEBAR 2 - THE REVIEWERS AT THE 3 BLACK CHICKS WEBSITE, HAVE A SECTION IN THEIR ARTICLES CALLED THE BLACK FACTOR -- THEY WILL MENTION HOW SOME ELEMENT OF THE STORY INVOLVED OR IMPACTED BLACK FOLKS SPECIFICALLY, NOT JUST SOCIETY IN GENERAL. I WAS STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT NOT ONE BLACK PERSON WAS SHOWN IN THIS FILM -- EVEN CROSSING THE STREET, TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE FOCAL POINT OF THE SCENE. SINCE THE FILM WAS ABOUT KANSAS AND NEW YORK -- I COULD WRITE OFF THE KANSAS PART, BUT SOME WHERE IN NYC, I EXPECTED TO SEE A BLACK FACE.
SIDEBAR 3 - I MISSED THE FIRST TWO MINUTES AND THE LAST TWO MINUTES OF THE FILM, BUT I CHECKED WITH THOSE WHO SAW IT ALL, TO FILL ME IN - DON'T TRY THIS VIEWING METHOD AT HOME..
**************************************
TRUMAN CAPOTE WROTE THE STORY OF A KANSAS FARM FAMILY,
MURDERED AFTER A NIGHT OF TORTURE; ALL OVER A RUMOR OF MONEY, THEY DID NOT HAVE - TWO EX CONVICTS WERE CAUGHT, AFTER A NATIONAL POLICE MOBILIZATION.
THIS IS A TREMENDOUS FILM - IT IS SHOT IN A WAY THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER FILM I CAN RECALL, EXCEPT THE FILM IT IS CHRONICLING - THE ORIGINAL,
IN COLD BLOOD.
YOU FEEL YOU ARE IN THE ROOMS AND CELLS WITH THE CHARACTERS, NOT JUST WATCHING FROM AFAR.
THIS STORY MAKES YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO TRUMAN CAPOTE, EVEN THOUGH YOU MIGHT BE HARD PRESSED TO THINK OF ANYONE ON EARTH YOU SHOULD OR COULD CARE LESS ABOUT. THE PERFORMANCE BY PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, WHO IS IN SO MANY FILMS, GIVING SO MANY FINE PERFORMANCES AND YET, REMAINING,
"THAT GUY," THE ONE YOU CAN'T ATTACH A NAME TO WHEN DISCUSSING THE MOVIE WITH FRIENDS..
HOFFMAN IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE PARADOX -
YOU CAN BE A GREAT STAR
OR
A GREAT ACTOR
HE MAY NEVER BE A STAR, BUT HOFFMAN IS AN ACTOR OF THE FIRST ORDER AND IN THE LONG RUN, THAT IS THE GREATER ACHIEVEMENT.
THIS IS A FILM THAT IS QUIET AND SLOW, BUT READY IN ITS MOVEMENT - THE SLOWNESS IS PLANNED, IT IS PART OF THE PLOT -- THIS IS NOT AN MTV VIDEO, USING QUICK CUTS AND MEANINGLESS ACTION, TO AMUSE THOSE WITH POOR CONCENTRATION AND NO ATTENTION TO DETAILS.
MORE IS LEFT UNSAID, THAN VOICED IN THIS FILM; IF YOU CAN'T OR WON'T READ BETWEEN THE LINES, THIS FILM IS NOT THE WAY FOR YOU TO SPEND TWO HOURS OF YOUR TIME.
THE USE OF HARPER LEE ( AUTHOR OF TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ) AS A MORAL COMPASS TO SHOW HOW FAR OFF COURSE CAPOTE DRIFTED, IS A NICE PLOY. CATHERINE KEENER GIVES A FULL MEASURE OF STYLE AND CLASS TO THE ROLE.
CAPOTE'S SEX / EMOTIONAL LIFE IS NEVER SENSATIONALIZED, BUT SEX IS A DRIVING FORCE IN HIS LIFE, WHETHER WITH HIS LONGTIME COMPANION OR WITH THE TWO CONVICTS.
THE WORK OF CHRIS COOPER, AS THE KANSAS LAWMAN, HEADING THE INVESTIGATION AND ALLOWING CAPOTE A GREAT DEAL OF ACCESS TO POLICE INFORMATION, IS, AS ALWAYS, OUTSTANDING. MISTER COOPER IS ANOTHER UNAPPRECIATED ACTOR, WHO WILL NEVER BE A MOVIE STAR.
I HAVE THOUGHT OF GOING BACK AND REVISITING, IN COLD BLOOD, BUT I WON'T DO IT, THAT SENSELESS CARNAGE IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO EXPERIENCE AGAIN.
IN CASE YOU DID NOT KNOW, ROBERT BLAKE, PLAYED THE MAIN KILLER, PERRY SMITH, IN THE ORIGINAL MOVIE - THE SAME ROBERT BLAKE WHO RECENTLY WAS INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING OF HIS WIFE, BUT FOUND INNOCENT, IN A MANNER MUCH LIKE O.J. - GUILTY, BUT NOT CONVICTED.
VERSION OF THE LATEST NEWS - CAPOTE JUST REACHED US AND YET, FOLKS WERE TALKING ABOUT IT TWO MONTHS AGO, IN THOSE STATES THAT HAVE ELECTRICITY.
SIDEBAR 2 - THE REVIEWERS AT THE 3 BLACK CHICKS WEBSITE, HAVE A SECTION IN THEIR ARTICLES CALLED THE BLACK FACTOR -- THEY WILL MENTION HOW SOME ELEMENT OF THE STORY INVOLVED OR IMPACTED BLACK FOLKS SPECIFICALLY, NOT JUST SOCIETY IN GENERAL. I WAS STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT NOT ONE BLACK PERSON WAS SHOWN IN THIS FILM -- EVEN CROSSING THE STREET, TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE FOCAL POINT OF THE SCENE. SINCE THE FILM WAS ABOUT KANSAS AND NEW YORK -- I COULD WRITE OFF THE KANSAS PART, BUT SOME WHERE IN NYC, I EXPECTED TO SEE A BLACK FACE.
SIDEBAR 3 - I MISSED THE FIRST TWO MINUTES AND THE LAST TWO MINUTES OF THE FILM, BUT I CHECKED WITH THOSE WHO SAW IT ALL, TO FILL ME IN - DON'T TRY THIS VIEWING METHOD AT HOME..
**************************************
TRUMAN CAPOTE WROTE THE STORY OF A KANSAS FARM FAMILY,
MURDERED AFTER A NIGHT OF TORTURE; ALL OVER A RUMOR OF MONEY, THEY DID NOT HAVE - TWO EX CONVICTS WERE CAUGHT, AFTER A NATIONAL POLICE MOBILIZATION.
THIS IS A TREMENDOUS FILM - IT IS SHOT IN A WAY THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER FILM I CAN RECALL, EXCEPT THE FILM IT IS CHRONICLING - THE ORIGINAL,
IN COLD BLOOD.
YOU FEEL YOU ARE IN THE ROOMS AND CELLS WITH THE CHARACTERS, NOT JUST WATCHING FROM AFAR.
THIS STORY MAKES YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO TRUMAN CAPOTE, EVEN THOUGH YOU MIGHT BE HARD PRESSED TO THINK OF ANYONE ON EARTH YOU SHOULD OR COULD CARE LESS ABOUT. THE PERFORMANCE BY PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, WHO IS IN SO MANY FILMS, GIVING SO MANY FINE PERFORMANCES AND YET, REMAINING,
"THAT GUY," THE ONE YOU CAN'T ATTACH A NAME TO WHEN DISCUSSING THE MOVIE WITH FRIENDS..
HOFFMAN IS A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE PARADOX -
YOU CAN BE A GREAT STAR
OR
A GREAT ACTOR
HE MAY NEVER BE A STAR, BUT HOFFMAN IS AN ACTOR OF THE FIRST ORDER AND IN THE LONG RUN, THAT IS THE GREATER ACHIEVEMENT.
THIS IS A FILM THAT IS QUIET AND SLOW, BUT READY IN ITS MOVEMENT - THE SLOWNESS IS PLANNED, IT IS PART OF THE PLOT -- THIS IS NOT AN MTV VIDEO, USING QUICK CUTS AND MEANINGLESS ACTION, TO AMUSE THOSE WITH POOR CONCENTRATION AND NO ATTENTION TO DETAILS.
MORE IS LEFT UNSAID, THAN VOICED IN THIS FILM; IF YOU CAN'T OR WON'T READ BETWEEN THE LINES, THIS FILM IS NOT THE WAY FOR YOU TO SPEND TWO HOURS OF YOUR TIME.
THE USE OF HARPER LEE ( AUTHOR OF TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ) AS A MORAL COMPASS TO SHOW HOW FAR OFF COURSE CAPOTE DRIFTED, IS A NICE PLOY. CATHERINE KEENER GIVES A FULL MEASURE OF STYLE AND CLASS TO THE ROLE.
CAPOTE'S SEX / EMOTIONAL LIFE IS NEVER SENSATIONALIZED, BUT SEX IS A DRIVING FORCE IN HIS LIFE, WHETHER WITH HIS LONGTIME COMPANION OR WITH THE TWO CONVICTS.
THE WORK OF CHRIS COOPER, AS THE KANSAS LAWMAN, HEADING THE INVESTIGATION AND ALLOWING CAPOTE A GREAT DEAL OF ACCESS TO POLICE INFORMATION, IS, AS ALWAYS, OUTSTANDING. MISTER COOPER IS ANOTHER UNAPPRECIATED ACTOR, WHO WILL NEVER BE A MOVIE STAR.
I HAVE THOUGHT OF GOING BACK AND REVISITING, IN COLD BLOOD, BUT I WON'T DO IT, THAT SENSELESS CARNAGE IS NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO EXPERIENCE AGAIN.
IN CASE YOU DID NOT KNOW, ROBERT BLAKE, PLAYED THE MAIN KILLER, PERRY SMITH, IN THE ORIGINAL MOVIE - THE SAME ROBERT BLAKE WHO RECENTLY WAS INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING OF HIS WIFE, BUT FOUND INNOCENT, IN A MANNER MUCH LIKE O.J. - GUILTY, BUT NOT CONVICTED.
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
THIS MOVIE HAS A ROLE FOR A YOUNG DAUGHTER - I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THE ROLE WAS GIVEN TO A GIRL NAMED HEIDI HAYES. I FEEL I HAVE DODGED A BULLET - I DID NOT HAVE TO SIT THRU ANOTHER DAKOTA FANNING TORTURE SESSION. DAKOTA IS THE
ALWAYS WHINING, ALWAYS CRYING, ALWAYS ANNOYING GIRL FROM MAN ON FIRE, WAR OF THE WORLDS AND A FEW OTHER MOVIES I AM LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO RECALL AT THIS TIME.
I HAD THREE RECENT GOALS IN MY LIFE -- TO TURN 55 YEARS OLD - TO COLLECT A PENSION CHECK FROM NEW YORK CITY AND TO SEE THE CALENDAR TURN TO THE YEAR
2000 ---- SINCE ACHIEVING ALL THREE I HAVE BEEN WANDERING THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITHOUT PURPOSE OR MEANING TO MY LIFE.
MY NEW GOAL IS TO SEE A MOVIE WHERE DAKOTA FAILS TO SURVIVE - THAT WILL SHOW ME THAT THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE UNIVERSE. DAKOTA HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS MOVIE, BUT
IF A BLOND CHILD APPEARS IN ANY MOVIE, I FEAR SHE WILL APPEAR AND HAVING BEEN SPARED HER IN THIS FILM, I FELT THE NEED TO REJOICE.
*************************
I CAN'T RECALL A MOVIE WHERE I WAS AWARE OF SUCH GROSSLY BAD WRITING - OR ACTING 0R DIRECTION. IF ANY SCENE IN THIS PICTURE CALLS FOR AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE BY THE WIFE OR SON OF THE MAIN CHARACTER, TOM STALL, PLAYED BY VIGGO MORTENSEN, IT WILL BE CONTRIVED, PHONY AND NONSENSICAL.
IS THE WRITING THIS BAD OR THE ACTING THIS BAD OR THE DIRECTION THIS BAD? I CAN'T ISOLATE IT TO ANY ONE ELEMENT.
JUST AS MR. & MRS. SMITH HAD NO CHEMISTRY BETWEEN BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA JOLIE, SO THIS FILM HAS ALMOST NO APPROPRIATE REACTIONS BY THE WIFE AND SON TO ANYTHING GOING ON AROUND THEM.
*****************************************************
I RECOMMEND THIS FILM FOR THE SCENES OF VIOLENCE, NOT THE DOMESTIC MOMENTS. THE SCENES OF VIOLENCE ARE VIOLENT.
THE GREAT ED HARRIS SET THE TONE FOR ALL THAT CAME BEFORE AND ALL THAT COMES AFTER WHEN HIS CHARACTER SAID TO THE WIFE --- "You should ask Tom... how come he's so good at killing people?"
GEE, WIZ -- TOM IS DAMN GOOD AT KILLING PEOPLE. VIGGO UNDERPLAYS THIS MAN WITH A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. THE SCREEN LIGHTS UP WHEN EITHER ED HARRIS IS IN THE SCENE OR THERE IS A WEAPON NEAR VIGGO.
THE PLOT HOLES ARE DESIGNED FOR A TRUCK TO PASS THRU, BUT I CAN FORGIVE ALL TO WATCH VIGGO DO HIS THING, WHEN PRESSED INTO ACTION, ALWAYS AGAINST HIS WILL. ONE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS FILM WAS BASED ON AN ADULT COMIC BOOK -
THAT MAY BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS I MENTIONED EARLIER.
WILLIAM HURT IS IN THE LATER MOMENTS OF THE FILM AND HIS CHARACTER IS
OVER-ACTED AND IT SEEMS AS IF HE IS PUTTING ON A SKIT FOR AN ACTORS WORKSHOP CLASS.
PLEASE, IF YOU CAN'T TOLERATE GRATUITOUS VIOLENCE, DON'T GO TO A MOVIE WITH THE TITLE THIS FILM CARRIES.
ALWAYS WHINING, ALWAYS CRYING, ALWAYS ANNOYING GIRL FROM MAN ON FIRE, WAR OF THE WORLDS AND A FEW OTHER MOVIES I AM LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO RECALL AT THIS TIME.
I HAD THREE RECENT GOALS IN MY LIFE -- TO TURN 55 YEARS OLD - TO COLLECT A PENSION CHECK FROM NEW YORK CITY AND TO SEE THE CALENDAR TURN TO THE YEAR
2000 ---- SINCE ACHIEVING ALL THREE I HAVE BEEN WANDERING THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITHOUT PURPOSE OR MEANING TO MY LIFE.
MY NEW GOAL IS TO SEE A MOVIE WHERE DAKOTA FAILS TO SURVIVE - THAT WILL SHOW ME THAT THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE UNIVERSE. DAKOTA HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS MOVIE, BUT
IF A BLOND CHILD APPEARS IN ANY MOVIE, I FEAR SHE WILL APPEAR AND HAVING BEEN SPARED HER IN THIS FILM, I FELT THE NEED TO REJOICE.
*************************
I CAN'T RECALL A MOVIE WHERE I WAS AWARE OF SUCH GROSSLY BAD WRITING - OR ACTING 0R DIRECTION. IF ANY SCENE IN THIS PICTURE CALLS FOR AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE BY THE WIFE OR SON OF THE MAIN CHARACTER, TOM STALL, PLAYED BY VIGGO MORTENSEN, IT WILL BE CONTRIVED, PHONY AND NONSENSICAL.
IS THE WRITING THIS BAD OR THE ACTING THIS BAD OR THE DIRECTION THIS BAD? I CAN'T ISOLATE IT TO ANY ONE ELEMENT.
JUST AS MR. & MRS. SMITH HAD NO CHEMISTRY BETWEEN BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA JOLIE, SO THIS FILM HAS ALMOST NO APPROPRIATE REACTIONS BY THE WIFE AND SON TO ANYTHING GOING ON AROUND THEM.
*****************************************************
I RECOMMEND THIS FILM FOR THE SCENES OF VIOLENCE, NOT THE DOMESTIC MOMENTS. THE SCENES OF VIOLENCE ARE VIOLENT.
THE GREAT ED HARRIS SET THE TONE FOR ALL THAT CAME BEFORE AND ALL THAT COMES AFTER WHEN HIS CHARACTER SAID TO THE WIFE --- "You should ask Tom... how come he's so good at killing people?"
GEE, WIZ -- TOM IS DAMN GOOD AT KILLING PEOPLE. VIGGO UNDERPLAYS THIS MAN WITH A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. THE SCREEN LIGHTS UP WHEN EITHER ED HARRIS IS IN THE SCENE OR THERE IS A WEAPON NEAR VIGGO.
THE PLOT HOLES ARE DESIGNED FOR A TRUCK TO PASS THRU, BUT I CAN FORGIVE ALL TO WATCH VIGGO DO HIS THING, WHEN PRESSED INTO ACTION, ALWAYS AGAINST HIS WILL. ONE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS FILM WAS BASED ON AN ADULT COMIC BOOK -
THAT MAY BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS I MENTIONED EARLIER.
WILLIAM HURT IS IN THE LATER MOMENTS OF THE FILM AND HIS CHARACTER IS
OVER-ACTED AND IT SEEMS AS IF HE IS PUTTING ON A SKIT FOR AN ACTORS WORKSHOP CLASS.
PLEASE, IF YOU CAN'T TOLERATE GRATUITOUS VIOLENCE, DON'T GO TO A MOVIE WITH THE TITLE THIS FILM CARRIES.
FLIGHTPLAN
FLIGHTPLAN HAS A VERY GOOD COMING ATTRACTION TRAILER TO BRING YOU INTO THE THEATRE.
ONCE THERE YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS THE SIXTH SENSE, ALL OVER AGAIN - WHICH WOULD NOT BE TOO BAD, SINCE THE SIXTH SENSE WAS A GREAT FILM - BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, A COPY OF THAT UNIQUE FILM WOULD NOT GO OVER BIG WITH THOSE WHO SAW THE ORIGINAL.
THEN YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE A RIP OFF OF FORGOTTEN. A MOVIE THAT HAS A GREAT FIRST HALF AND THEN SHOOTS ITSELF IN THE FOOT WITH SOME SCIENCE FICTION FOOLISHNESS THAT I WOULD NOT DIGNIFY WITH A RECOLLECTION.
JUST AS DUST TO DAWN, SHOT ITSELF IN THE FOOT WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF VAMPIRES, WHERE VAMPIRES WERE NOT NEEDED. THEY HAD A FINE CRIME DRAMA GOING AND FOR NO GOOD REASON, BRING THE CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT INTO THE PLOT.
ANYWAY, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PLOT TWIST IN FLIGHTPLAN -- AND IT WILL KEEP YOU THINKING UNTIL THE LAST FEW MINUTES. MOST OF THE WORST PLOT HOLES SURFACE IN THOSE LAST FEW MINUTES.
THIS IS NOT A GREAT FILM, BUT IT IS ABLE TO KEEP THE AUDIENCE CONFUSED FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES AND THAT IS PRETTY GOOD FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNLIKE ME --- I AM USUALLY CONFUSED IN OR OUT OF THE THEATRE, SO YOU CAN'T GO BY MY MENTAL STATE.
JODIE FOSTER IS SHOWING THE EFFECTS OF TIME - AS DO MOST PEOPLE WHO DON'T PLAY THE OUTFIELD FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS. SHE IS NOT THE TEENAGER OF TAXI DRIVER FAME ANYMORE.
THE WORK OF SEAN BEAN, WHO IS USUALLY A VILLAIN, BUT IN THIS FILM, AS THE VERY REASONABLE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRPLANE, IS OUTSTANDING. THE CAPTAIN'S ATTEMPTS TO HANDLE AN ODD TYPE OF CRISIS IS PLAYED PERFECTLY.
THE WORK OF KIEFER SUTHERLAND LOOK ALIKE, PETER SARSGAARD IS WELL DONE - THIS GUY IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT - IS HE DUMB OR CRAZY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTY?
PICTURES LIKE THIS ARE TRYING TO PULL OFF THE SIXTH SENSE MAGIC AND END WITH A DECENT AMOUNT OF LOGIC PRESENT IN THE PLOT --- THIS ONE COMES PRETTY CLOSE; BUT THE MAIN THING IS, IT KEEPS YOU GUESSING AND CARING, UNTIL THOSE LAST FEW MINUTES.
YOU COULD DO WORST IN PICKING A PICTURE, THAT IS NOT HIGH PRAISE, BUT IT IS PRAISE, NONETHELESS.
ONCE THERE YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS THE SIXTH SENSE, ALL OVER AGAIN - WHICH WOULD NOT BE TOO BAD, SINCE THE SIXTH SENSE WAS A GREAT FILM - BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, A COPY OF THAT UNIQUE FILM WOULD NOT GO OVER BIG WITH THOSE WHO SAW THE ORIGINAL.
THEN YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE A RIP OFF OF FORGOTTEN. A MOVIE THAT HAS A GREAT FIRST HALF AND THEN SHOOTS ITSELF IN THE FOOT WITH SOME SCIENCE FICTION FOOLISHNESS THAT I WOULD NOT DIGNIFY WITH A RECOLLECTION.
JUST AS DUST TO DAWN, SHOT ITSELF IN THE FOOT WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF VAMPIRES, WHERE VAMPIRES WERE NOT NEEDED. THEY HAD A FINE CRIME DRAMA GOING AND FOR NO GOOD REASON, BRING THE CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT INTO THE PLOT.
ANYWAY, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PLOT TWIST IN FLIGHTPLAN -- AND IT WILL KEEP YOU THINKING UNTIL THE LAST FEW MINUTES. MOST OF THE WORST PLOT HOLES SURFACE IN THOSE LAST FEW MINUTES.
THIS IS NOT A GREAT FILM, BUT IT IS ABLE TO KEEP THE AUDIENCE CONFUSED FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES AND THAT IS PRETTY GOOD FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNLIKE ME --- I AM USUALLY CONFUSED IN OR OUT OF THE THEATRE, SO YOU CAN'T GO BY MY MENTAL STATE.
JODIE FOSTER IS SHOWING THE EFFECTS OF TIME - AS DO MOST PEOPLE WHO DON'T PLAY THE OUTFIELD FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS. SHE IS NOT THE TEENAGER OF TAXI DRIVER FAME ANYMORE.
THE WORK OF SEAN BEAN, WHO IS USUALLY A VILLAIN, BUT IN THIS FILM, AS THE VERY REASONABLE CAPTAIN OF THE AIRPLANE, IS OUTSTANDING. THE CAPTAIN'S ATTEMPTS TO HANDLE AN ODD TYPE OF CRISIS IS PLAYED PERFECTLY.
THE WORK OF KIEFER SUTHERLAND LOOK ALIKE, PETER SARSGAARD IS WELL DONE - THIS GUY IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT - IS HE DUMB OR CRAZY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTY?
PICTURES LIKE THIS ARE TRYING TO PULL OFF THE SIXTH SENSE MAGIC AND END WITH A DECENT AMOUNT OF LOGIC PRESENT IN THE PLOT --- THIS ONE COMES PRETTY CLOSE; BUT THE MAIN THING IS, IT KEEPS YOU GUESSING AND CARING, UNTIL THOSE LAST FEW MINUTES.
YOU COULD DO WORST IN PICKING A PICTURE, THAT IS NOT HIGH PRAISE, BUT IT IS PRAISE, NONETHELESS.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
THIS FILM WAS REVIEWED WITH A PASSION BY CAM HEILIGER, ON THIS SITE, EARLIER IN THE YEAR. I JUST GOT AROUND TO SEEING IT AND I SHARE HIS PASSION.
I MADE THE SAME MISTAKE WITH THIS FILM, THAT I MADE WITH "BIG FISH."
I DISMISSED BOTH AS CHILDREN'S FILMS -- NEITHER IS FOR CHILDREN - THEY ARE ABOUT ADULT PROBLEMS / CONCERNS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE.
I AM NOT GOING OVER WHAT CAM WROTE ( AND BEING A STUDENT AT THE INFERIOR UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, IT IS AMAZING THAT HE CAN WRITE AT ALL ), I AM JUST SAYING THAT YOU CAN'T GO WRONG SEEING THIS FILM, IF YOU GO IN WITH AN OPEN MIND.
THIS FILM WAS REVIEWED WITH A PASSION BY CAM HEILIGER, ON THIS SITE, EARLIER IN THE YEAR. I JUST GOT AROUND TO SEEING IT AND I SHARE HIS PASSION.
I MADE THE SAME MISTAKE WITH THIS FILM, THAT I MADE WITH "BIG FISH."
I DISMISSED BOTH AS CHILDREN'S FILMS -- NEITHER IS FOR CHILDREN - THEY ARE ABOUT ADULT PROBLEMS / CONCERNS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE.
I AM NOT GOING OVER WHAT CAM WROTE ( AND BEING A STUDENT AT THE INFERIOR UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, IT IS AMAZING THAT HE CAN WRITE AT ALL ), I AM JUST SAYING THAT YOU CAN'T GO WRONG SEEING THIS FILM, IF YOU GO IN WITH AN OPEN MIND.
THE MAN
THIS IS A LIGHTWEIGHT COMEDY WITH SAMUEL L. JACKSON, PLAYING THE HARD
CHARGING A.F.T. AGENT AND EUGENE LEVY PLAYING A MILD MANNERED CITIZEN, ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT UP IN A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.
AS TIME GOES ON THEY EXCHANGE PERSONALITY TRAITS.
NOTHING NEW, NOTHING SPECIAL, BASICALLY MADE FOR TELEVISION.
I ENJOYED THIS FILM, I PAID $6 TO SEE THIS FILM. IF YOU ARE PAYING
MORE THAN THAT, YOU MIGHT NOT ENJOY THIS FILM.
IT IS WELL MADE AND SHORT AND STAYS ON TRACK -- IT IS A FINE WAY TO KILL ALMOST 90 MINUTES.
ARMED WITH THIS INFORMATION, YOU CAN SKIP IT OR SEE IT AND KNOW THE ACADEMY WILL NOT BE NOMINATING IT FOR AN AWARD NEXT SPRING - SO, YOU WON'T HAVE TO ATTACK OR DEFEND THIS FILM IN ANY DEBATE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
CHARGING A.F.T. AGENT AND EUGENE LEVY PLAYING A MILD MANNERED CITIZEN, ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT UP IN A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.
AS TIME GOES ON THEY EXCHANGE PERSONALITY TRAITS.
NOTHING NEW, NOTHING SPECIAL, BASICALLY MADE FOR TELEVISION.
I ENJOYED THIS FILM, I PAID $6 TO SEE THIS FILM. IF YOU ARE PAYING
MORE THAN THAT, YOU MIGHT NOT ENJOY THIS FILM.
IT IS WELL MADE AND SHORT AND STAYS ON TRACK -- IT IS A FINE WAY TO KILL ALMOST 90 MINUTES.
ARMED WITH THIS INFORMATION, YOU CAN SKIP IT OR SEE IT AND KNOW THE ACADEMY WILL NOT BE NOMINATING IT FOR AN AWARD NEXT SPRING - SO, YOU WON'T HAVE TO ATTACK OR DEFEND THIS FILM IN ANY DEBATE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
I WON'T BE ABLE TO APPROACH THIS FILM DIRECTLY - IT IS WRITTEN IN A LAYERED MANNER - THE COWBOYS, THE WIVES, THE GIRL FRIEND, THE KIDS, THE ERA FROM 1963 TO ABOUT 1985 - ALL THE ELEMENTS ARE WOVEN INTO A STORY THAT STARTS WITH TWO YOUNG MEN WHO HAD TRAUMATIC CHILDHOODS. THEY WORK TOGETHER HERDING SHEEP IN THE WYOMING MOUNTAINS.
WHILE DENYING THEY ARE HOMOSEXUAL ( 1963 ), THEY SHARE A PASSION FOR EACH OTHER, THAT MAKES THEIR WORDS OF DENIAL MEANINGLESS.
NOW, THIS IS THE DILEMMA FOR THE VIEWER OF THE FILM -- IS IT ABOUT:
*GAY LUST OR LUST
*GAY LOVE OR LOVE
*DO THESE TWO COWBOYS QUALIFY AS BI-SEXUAL
OR
*GAYS LYING AND ABUSING THE TRUST AND LOVE OF THE WOMEN THEY TAKE TO BED AND THE CHILDREN THEY CREATE.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU FILE THEIR ACTIVITIES, THEY ARE LIVING A LIE AND DAMAGING THOSE AROUND THEM, WHETHER INTENTIONALLY OR NOT.
I CAN'T HELP YOU WITH HOW YOU SHOULD VIEW THESE TWO
MALE LOVERS - YOU BUY YOUR TICKET AND TAKE YOUR PICK, AS TO HOW YOU WANT TO INTERPRET THEM.
THE STORY IS GOOD - MORE THAN THE GRAPHIC ROLL IN THE HAY I WAS EXPECTING FROM THE HYPE - MORE THAN THE TREMENDOUS SCENERY - MORE THAN THE SIMPLE COUNTRY SETTINGS, WHERE ALL THIS TURMOIL TAKES PLACE, OVER TWO DECADES.
I WAS ASKED, IF I THOUGHT THIS PICTURE DESERVED ALL THE ACADEMY AWARD TALK IT HAS RECEIVED -- I HAVE TO SAY YES, IT SHOULD BE IN THE MIX, BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU THINK, WONDER, QUESTION AND DEBATE, WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN. YOU DON'T GO HOME KNOWING WHO THE GOOD GUYS ARE - YOU DON'T KNOW FOR CERTAIN, IF BOTH ENNIS AND JACK WERE VICTIMS OR VILLAINS OF THEIR SEXUALITY. HOW MUCH MITIGATION IS GIVEN TO THE HEAVY BAGGAGE THEY CARRIED IN GROWING UP UNLOVED OR UNDERLOVED IN THEIR YOUTH.
THE RAW AND FIERCE FIRST ENCOUNTER OF ENNIS AND JACK, WILL CATCH YOU OFF GUARD AND THAT IS TRUE, EVEN AFTER READING THIS WARNING. DEALING WITH THAT ENCOUNTER STARTS THE PUZZLE THAT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP THE ENTIRE RUNNING TIME OF THE FILM.
I WAS MOST CONCERNED WITH THE FEMALES IN THE STORY - THEY WERE VICTIMS, BUT MAYBE WILLING VICTIMS -- YOU HAVE TO WONDER, IF THEY DID NOT HAVE CLUES, THAT ALL WAS NOT AS IT SHOULD BE UNDER THEIR ROOFS.
TO USE THE JERRY SEINFELD ANALOGY, IF YOUR HUSBAND IS ON THE OTHER TEAM, DON'T YOU NOTICE A PROBLEM?
WHILE DENYING THEY ARE HOMOSEXUAL ( 1963 ), THEY SHARE A PASSION FOR EACH OTHER, THAT MAKES THEIR WORDS OF DENIAL MEANINGLESS.
NOW, THIS IS THE DILEMMA FOR THE VIEWER OF THE FILM -- IS IT ABOUT:
*GAY LUST OR LUST
*GAY LOVE OR LOVE
*DO THESE TWO COWBOYS QUALIFY AS BI-SEXUAL
OR
*GAYS LYING AND ABUSING THE TRUST AND LOVE OF THE WOMEN THEY TAKE TO BED AND THE CHILDREN THEY CREATE.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU FILE THEIR ACTIVITIES, THEY ARE LIVING A LIE AND DAMAGING THOSE AROUND THEM, WHETHER INTENTIONALLY OR NOT.
I CAN'T HELP YOU WITH HOW YOU SHOULD VIEW THESE TWO
MALE LOVERS - YOU BUY YOUR TICKET AND TAKE YOUR PICK, AS TO HOW YOU WANT TO INTERPRET THEM.
THE STORY IS GOOD - MORE THAN THE GRAPHIC ROLL IN THE HAY I WAS EXPECTING FROM THE HYPE - MORE THAN THE TREMENDOUS SCENERY - MORE THAN THE SIMPLE COUNTRY SETTINGS, WHERE ALL THIS TURMOIL TAKES PLACE, OVER TWO DECADES.
I WAS ASKED, IF I THOUGHT THIS PICTURE DESERVED ALL THE ACADEMY AWARD TALK IT HAS RECEIVED -- I HAVE TO SAY YES, IT SHOULD BE IN THE MIX, BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU THINK, WONDER, QUESTION AND DEBATE, WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN. YOU DON'T GO HOME KNOWING WHO THE GOOD GUYS ARE - YOU DON'T KNOW FOR CERTAIN, IF BOTH ENNIS AND JACK WERE VICTIMS OR VILLAINS OF THEIR SEXUALITY. HOW MUCH MITIGATION IS GIVEN TO THE HEAVY BAGGAGE THEY CARRIED IN GROWING UP UNLOVED OR UNDERLOVED IN THEIR YOUTH.
THE RAW AND FIERCE FIRST ENCOUNTER OF ENNIS AND JACK, WILL CATCH YOU OFF GUARD AND THAT IS TRUE, EVEN AFTER READING THIS WARNING. DEALING WITH THAT ENCOUNTER STARTS THE PUZZLE THAT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP THE ENTIRE RUNNING TIME OF THE FILM.
I WAS MOST CONCERNED WITH THE FEMALES IN THE STORY - THEY WERE VICTIMS, BUT MAYBE WILLING VICTIMS -- YOU HAVE TO WONDER, IF THEY DID NOT HAVE CLUES, THAT ALL WAS NOT AS IT SHOULD BE UNDER THEIR ROOFS.
TO USE THE JERRY SEINFELD ANALOGY, IF YOUR HUSBAND IS ON THE OTHER TEAM, DON'T YOU NOTICE A PROBLEM?
JARHEAD
THIS IS THE DESERT SHIELD / STORM VERSION OF FULL METAL JACKET. FULL METAL IS ONE OF THE GREAT MILITARY MOVIES OF ALL TIME. THIS FILM IS EXCELLENT IN ITS OWN RIGHT, EVEN IF NOT AS CONSISTENTLY POWERFUL AS THE VIETNAM ERA FILM.
JAKE GYLLENHAAL, PETER SARSGAARD, JAMIE FOXX, CHRIS COOPER
AND DENNIS HAYSBERT, ALL TURN IN FINE PERFORMANCES.
THE GREAT QUOTES ARE ----
THE WARNING TO THE TROOPS TO MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF
SUSPICIOUS ALERTNESS - THE STATEMENT THAT
EVERY WAR IS DIFFERENT AND EVERY WAR IS THE SAME - THE GROUP RECITAL OF THE LOVE LETTER TO THEIR RIFLES - ALSO HEARD IN FULL METAL JACKET.
ONCE AGAIN, I WARN, DON'T GO TO A STORY ABOUT WAR AND THE MARINE CORP AND SAY YOU ARE AGAINST VIOLENCE AND CRUDE BEHAVIOR -- IT IS A WAR MOVIE.
THEN AGAIN, WHAT MAKES THIS PICTURE SPECIAL, IS THAT IT IS NOT JUST A WAR MOVIE - THE COMBAT ACTION IS NOT THE POINT - THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRAIN AND DRAIN ON THE MINDS OF THE MEN IS THE TRUE MESSAGE OF THIS FILM.
IN A WAY, THIS IS A WAR FILM ABOUT THE STRESS OF TRAINING A GROUP OF MEN TO KILL AND THEN ASKING THEM NOT TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN GEARED UP TO DO.
THE SHARING OF A COMMON LIFESTYLE AND THE BONDING THAT PRODUCES IS
A TREMENDOUS ELEMENT IN THIS FILM -- THIS BONDING IS NOT ALWAYS THE FEEL GOOD KIND SHOWN IN LESSER MOVIES - THE BONDING IS BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE - WE OFTEN ABUSE THOSE WHO LOVE US THE MOST.
A ONE MINUTE EPILOGUE, SHOWING THE POST WAR FATE OF SEVERAL OF THE MEN IS VERY WELL DONE AND LEAVES YOU WANTING TO SEE MORE OF THE MEN IN THEIR POST MARINE LIFE.
JARHEAD DOES NOT GLORIFY THE MILITARY OR WAR AND YET, IT IS NOT ANTI MILITARY -- IT IS JUST ONE MAN'S VIEW OF HIS EXPERIENCES AND IT IS TOLD ON THAT LEVEL, IT IS PERSONAL AND THAT IS WHY IT WORKS.
DIRECTOR SAM MENDES DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF PULLING THIS ALL TOGETHER AND MOVING IT TOWARD. HE IS THE MAN BEHIND BOTH AMERICAN BEAUTY AND THE ROAD TO PERDITION
JAKE GYLLENHAAL, PETER SARSGAARD, JAMIE FOXX, CHRIS COOPER
AND DENNIS HAYSBERT, ALL TURN IN FINE PERFORMANCES.
THE GREAT QUOTES ARE ----
THE WARNING TO THE TROOPS TO MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF
SUSPICIOUS ALERTNESS - THE STATEMENT THAT
EVERY WAR IS DIFFERENT AND EVERY WAR IS THE SAME - THE GROUP RECITAL OF THE LOVE LETTER TO THEIR RIFLES - ALSO HEARD IN FULL METAL JACKET.
ONCE AGAIN, I WARN, DON'T GO TO A STORY ABOUT WAR AND THE MARINE CORP AND SAY YOU ARE AGAINST VIOLENCE AND CRUDE BEHAVIOR -- IT IS A WAR MOVIE.
THEN AGAIN, WHAT MAKES THIS PICTURE SPECIAL, IS THAT IT IS NOT JUST A WAR MOVIE - THE COMBAT ACTION IS NOT THE POINT - THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRAIN AND DRAIN ON THE MINDS OF THE MEN IS THE TRUE MESSAGE OF THIS FILM.
IN A WAY, THIS IS A WAR FILM ABOUT THE STRESS OF TRAINING A GROUP OF MEN TO KILL AND THEN ASKING THEM NOT TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN GEARED UP TO DO.
THE SHARING OF A COMMON LIFESTYLE AND THE BONDING THAT PRODUCES IS
A TREMENDOUS ELEMENT IN THIS FILM -- THIS BONDING IS NOT ALWAYS THE FEEL GOOD KIND SHOWN IN LESSER MOVIES - THE BONDING IS BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE - WE OFTEN ABUSE THOSE WHO LOVE US THE MOST.
A ONE MINUTE EPILOGUE, SHOWING THE POST WAR FATE OF SEVERAL OF THE MEN IS VERY WELL DONE AND LEAVES YOU WANTING TO SEE MORE OF THE MEN IN THEIR POST MARINE LIFE.
JARHEAD DOES NOT GLORIFY THE MILITARY OR WAR AND YET, IT IS NOT ANTI MILITARY -- IT IS JUST ONE MAN'S VIEW OF HIS EXPERIENCES AND IT IS TOLD ON THAT LEVEL, IT IS PERSONAL AND THAT IS WHY IT WORKS.
DIRECTOR SAM MENDES DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF PULLING THIS ALL TOGETHER AND MOVING IT TOWARD. HE IS THE MAN BEHIND BOTH AMERICAN BEAUTY AND THE ROAD TO PERDITION
MUNICH / SYRIANA
I SAW THESE TWO MOVIES BACK TO BACK AND I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT THEM. I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A MOVIE REVIEW. THEN IT DAWNED ON ME, I DON'T REVIEW MOVIES, I REACT TO THEM.
MY REACTION IS THAT BOTH MOVIES ARE WELL MADE. BOTH ARE WATCH-ABLE;
NEITHER ONE REALLY MOVED ME. THEY SHOULD HAVE, ALL THE MATERIAL WAS THERE, ALL THE EMOTIONAL DIALOGUE AND SITUATIONS WERE THERE. A TOP NOTCH CAST WAS IN PLACE IN BOTH FILMS.
BUT I WAS NOT MOVED BY EITHER ONE. JUST MINUTES AFTER SEEING MUNICH, I WAS LOOKING AT THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY ON DVD, STARRING JACKIE ROBINSON
AND RUBY DEE, CIRCA 1952 - AND I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES; THIS HAD TO BE THE 80th PLUS TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS OLD BLACK AND WHITE ( NO PUN INTENDED ) BIO-PIC.
MUNICH HAD THE HUMAN TRAGEDY AND THE SADNESS, BUT I THINK IT WAS LAID OUT SO SMOOTHLY, THAT THE EMOTION WAS DRAINED AWAY BY THE TECHNIQUE - IT WAS TOO SLICK, TO WELL OILED, IT TOUCHED ALL THE BASES ( NO PUN INTENDED ) AND THIS WAS THE WEAKNESS TO ME. I WAS BEING TAKEN FOR A WELL PLANNED RIDE AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO GET INVOLVED TO END UP WHERE THE FILM WAS TAKING ME.
IT IS AN EXCELLENT FILM AND EVERYONE SHOULD TRY TO SEE, IT -- I JUST DIDN'T REACH MY NORMAL LEVEL FOR THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF THAT ALL MOVIES REQUIRE TO SOME DEGREE - THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUPERMAN FLYING OR SHAFT GETTING SHOT IN THE CHEST SEVERAL TIMES, BUT BEING HEALED IN A FEW HOURS BY THE LOVE OF A GOOD WOMAN. WITH BOTH THESE CURRENT FINE FILMS, I NEVER JOINED IN -- I REMAINED OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN AT THE PLOT.
THEY ARE BOTH GOOD FILMS, BUT I NEVER GOT ON BOARD --- JUST AS WITH THE THREE LORD OF THE RINGS FILMS, I NEVER GOT INTO THEM AND YET, I KNOW THEY MUST HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT FILMS TO GARNER THE PRAISE THEY HAVE RECEIVED.
SYRIANA IS SHOT LIKE TRAFFIC & CRASH - ALL THE PIECES ARE FLYING ABOUT YOU AND YOU HAVE TO PULL TOGETHER AS MUCH AS YOU CAN -- AND YOU CAN MISS A LOT OF PIECES AND STILL FOLLOW THE STORY TO A DECENT DEGREE.
STILL, I WAS UNINVOLVED AND NEVER JOINED IN.
I FIND IT STRANGE TO SAY THE FILMS WERE GOOD, BUT NEVER REACHED ME EMOTIONALLY - BUT THAT IS THE CASE.
MY REACTION IS THAT BOTH MOVIES ARE WELL MADE. BOTH ARE WATCH-ABLE;
NEITHER ONE REALLY MOVED ME. THEY SHOULD HAVE, ALL THE MATERIAL WAS THERE, ALL THE EMOTIONAL DIALOGUE AND SITUATIONS WERE THERE. A TOP NOTCH CAST WAS IN PLACE IN BOTH FILMS.
BUT I WAS NOT MOVED BY EITHER ONE. JUST MINUTES AFTER SEEING MUNICH, I WAS LOOKING AT THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY ON DVD, STARRING JACKIE ROBINSON
AND RUBY DEE, CIRCA 1952 - AND I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES; THIS HAD TO BE THE 80th PLUS TIME I HAVE SEEN THIS OLD BLACK AND WHITE ( NO PUN INTENDED ) BIO-PIC.
MUNICH HAD THE HUMAN TRAGEDY AND THE SADNESS, BUT I THINK IT WAS LAID OUT SO SMOOTHLY, THAT THE EMOTION WAS DRAINED AWAY BY THE TECHNIQUE - IT WAS TOO SLICK, TO WELL OILED, IT TOUCHED ALL THE BASES ( NO PUN INTENDED ) AND THIS WAS THE WEAKNESS TO ME. I WAS BEING TAKEN FOR A WELL PLANNED RIDE AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO GET INVOLVED TO END UP WHERE THE FILM WAS TAKING ME.
IT IS AN EXCELLENT FILM AND EVERYONE SHOULD TRY TO SEE, IT -- I JUST DIDN'T REACH MY NORMAL LEVEL FOR THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF THAT ALL MOVIES REQUIRE TO SOME DEGREE - THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUPERMAN FLYING OR SHAFT GETTING SHOT IN THE CHEST SEVERAL TIMES, BUT BEING HEALED IN A FEW HOURS BY THE LOVE OF A GOOD WOMAN. WITH BOTH THESE CURRENT FINE FILMS, I NEVER JOINED IN -- I REMAINED OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN AT THE PLOT.
THEY ARE BOTH GOOD FILMS, BUT I NEVER GOT ON BOARD --- JUST AS WITH THE THREE LORD OF THE RINGS FILMS, I NEVER GOT INTO THEM AND YET, I KNOW THEY MUST HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT FILMS TO GARNER THE PRAISE THEY HAVE RECEIVED.
SYRIANA IS SHOT LIKE TRAFFIC & CRASH - ALL THE PIECES ARE FLYING ABOUT YOU AND YOU HAVE TO PULL TOGETHER AS MUCH AS YOU CAN -- AND YOU CAN MISS A LOT OF PIECES AND STILL FOLLOW THE STORY TO A DECENT DEGREE.
STILL, I WAS UNINVOLVED AND NEVER JOINED IN.
I FIND IT STRANGE TO SAY THE FILMS WERE GOOD, BUT NEVER REACHED ME EMOTIONALLY - BUT THAT IS THE CASE.
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