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Die Wand (2012)
Alone and Misdirected
Confusing, narrated, strange, and difficult to follow. Too many questions regarding the actions of the main character. I don't know about you, but I'd have done so many other, different, and direct things than this main character in order to extract myself from my current situation. The wall: did the river run through it? Was it like a dome? Was it bulletproof? Would it be possible to dig beneath it? Were animals affected by it? Maybe I should just write a story about it... no, that would be boring. In order to change or alter my situation, I would have to do something different each day. The lead and only character was satisfied with her predicament. I do wonder, however, about the end result.
Oppenheimer (2023)
The Federal Government Is, Was, and Will Be In Itself Coherently Pathetic
Screenplay 10; Direction 10; Actors - all of them a 10; Story Development 10; Ability of Film to Retain Your Attention 10; Academy Awards - should be several of them. If there were anything that could be considered negative with this theatrical presentation it would be its length, however, you will not be disappointed with its length due to its ability to tell the story completely, accurately, and hopefully truthfully -- just be sure to sit in a comfortable chair. If you do not see the actual point of this story (see the title of this rating) then you would be one of those on the "commission" investigating the political viewpoint of those employed in the Manhattan Project.
Brainstorm (1983)
A Stinker of a Movie
The story is absurd, the acting stiff, the props are silly, and the action predictable and ridiculous. So sorry that Walken and Wood are the headliners in this stinker of a movie. Not surprised that Fletcher and Robertson would take roles in this poorly executed drama. If you have to see Natalie Wood, which is the reason I watched this old and silly film, then you may wish to invest your time, which unfortunately will be a waste. Walken spoke better in this 1983 drama than he has subsequently in this film. I'm guessing Walken started talking like all the comics and mimics who "did him," so, he developed his signature voice doing what others did of him.
Jungle (2017)
Is Death Worth This Jungle Trek?
A Daniel Radcliffe fan I am not, however, his performance in this movie is outstanding, and the physical requirements to play this part must have been tremendously strenuous. Some of the occurrences in this movie just couldn't be made up... oh, that's right, they weren't... it is based on reality.
I am not sure whether it is bravery or stupidity that would prompt someone to decide to take a trek into the Bolivian jungle with such limited resources, limited knowledge of the forest, and lack of trust in the guide who is supposed to assure success of the adventure. It is practically a miracle that anyone lived to tell the story.
Find Me Guilty (2006)
B+
Vin Diesel playing the part of a mobster. I know that's hard to believe. But, he did. And, he did a credible job. This story is based on true events about the mob on trial in New York for doing bad things with Vin Diesel as Giacomo "Jackie Dee" DiNorscio who defends himself in court. A mobster with a sixth grade education is presented as doing a better job at defending himself than the lawyers representing eight-or-so other bad guys. I'm not a Diesel fan since he normally plays himself in movies and his acting ability seemed limited played a part made for his acting ability. This story is presented well and acted well by the usual bad guys you might see in all gangster movies. This story is worth the viewing time.
Beauty (1998)
C+
It's a Lifetime movie of Beauty and the Beast. Predictable with several attempts to tug at your emotions. Love, death, and holding hands. The story tries to actualize that a well-painted portrait can capture the true essence of a person. However, the story also leads us in another direction. Can an artist capture the outward appearance of a man, put it on a canvas, and change the way that person actually sees himself? This made for TV story attempts to show that yes, it can, and no it doesn't. Of course, we have a hand-holding happy ending. Not-so-famous actors doing a credible job with the delivery of this subject. The hour and a half will go by quickly.
Abandoned (2010)
A Setup Gone Bad
A reasonable story that went from possible to unbelievable in a short period of time. The continuity was awkward, the heroine was able to do some amazing things, and some characters were out of place. This movie was the last one where Brittany Murphy was a headliner. So sorry that it had to be in this movie with such a mismanaged script. There have been many movies with a limited set, and "Abandoned" was confined to one building with half of it under renovation. This limited set, plus the parking garage kept the budget low, and unfortunately, that showed in this movie. Dean Cain acted as well as Dean Cain can, and that did not help this mediocre attempt at a thriller.
Fire on the Amazon (1993)
Horror in the Amazon
If I could build a time machine, I'd go back to 1993 and search for Sandra Bullock until I found her, wherever she might have been. I would plead with her to read the script for the movie, "Fire on the Amazon" and quickly as possible I would ask her to throw the script into the trash, and watch (just to be sure) as the trash truck took her trash to the dump and burned everything in sight. The story was stupid, the acting was terrible, the dialogue was ridiculous, and the movement from scene to scene was stiff and jerky. I am surprised that anyone hired Sandra to do another movie after this horror film. (Maybe she is just cute enough to have been asked, just for fun, to try another acting job).
Beast (2022)
A Beast or The Beast?
Story: B; Acting: C+; Computer Graphics: B-; Realism even though a fictional story: C; Character Development: B. The movie will keep you on the edge of your seat, but, some scenes seemed highly improbable. An unrealistic family vacation. At least there is action throughout most of the movie and no one in the theater was falling asleep. You will want to see this movie on discount Tuesday. It's not worth the full weekend price. Get some popcorn and a drink and let your "significant other" squeeze your arm during the scary scenes. A good actor was wasted on this movie, and, some unknown actors did a credible job.
To the Wonder (2012)
Non-functional, Serious but Meaningless
If you think the title is strange, wait until you see the movie. It is unusual at best. There is dialogue but most of the narrative is provided by narration and many times in French, translated to subtitles so you know what is said -- not that it matters. Not sure what fits where or the purpose for the presentation in this manner. It is difficult to know if anyone has a job or what anyone does to make money to exist. That may not be important but certainly is a curiosity. Why is everyone always whispering? The scene changes frequently and it is difficult to tell if that goes with the story. Exactly what is the story? There is arguing, and fighting, loving, and reconciliation, all in the same scene. What does the priest have to do with the main characters' walk through their lives? This movie is bizarre, difficult to follow, and, at times loses its continuity -- maybe that's what the director wanted.
Bullet Train (2022)
Rock This Bad Boy Right Now
The movie started and within thirty minutes, three percent of the audience had left. I guess they are going to post rather negative reviews. If you thought that "Bullet Train" was about fast trains in Japan you'd be wrong. It's a little bit of "Murder on the Orient Express," "Snakes on a Plane," and "Superman" where you will see guys do impossible things. It is a serious movie and it's a comedy. It is difficult to follow, but it makes some sense. It can be ridiculous at times, but, why shouldn't it be? There might be more people killed in this movie than in "Saving Private Ryan" in its opening scene. There is a purpose for all these deaths, or is there? There are some cameos of great actors who have nothing to do with the purpose of the story but fit into the plot. Don't leave as the credits start to roll - stay at least, until mid-way through them. The movie will not be an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award winner, and it isn't even trying to be. Some graphics are amazing, some gory, and the language is at many times harsh (prepare for that). Remember when Hollywood said they'd stop promoting smoking? Well, at least in this one, they kept their promise. And, you will learn about the most important and enjoyable item on a bullet train ("If I had one in the chamber, I'd rock this bad boy right now"). Oh, yeah, and don't drink the water.
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
Seashells on the Sea Shore
Many critics didn't like it. Many moviegoers liked it. A well written, well-acted, well executed story you will unlikely forget. Although the movie was adapted from a book, it is believable enough to think that it could actually be true or was true. You'll take sides, you will empathize with the heroine, and you will hate the protagonists. And the finale requires that you formulate your own conclusion regarding what actually happened. Good luck.
A Rainy Day in New York (2019)
Everyone is Woody Allen
Remember, this is a Woody Allen movie. You either like Allen's movies, or you hate them. Every character is Woody Allen in a different neurotic state. As these personalities meet one another, interact with one another, confuse one another, like one another, and hate one another, the movie makes itself. Woody loves New York and all these personalities fit well into the New York scene perfectly.
Falls Around Her (2018)
Lacking a Purpose
Lacks story, lacks emotion, lacks movement, lacks any semblance of acting. Never quite sure what the purpose is supposed to be. Lacks excitement and as a viewer my interest is lost as the minutes seem to slowly move toward the final scene.
Elvis (2022)
Academy Award nominations should be all over this movie, from top to bottom.
There are ten elements of a movie review (you can search for them), but I'll not specifically go into any of them. On a scale of one to ten, this movie by Baz Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, and Craig Pearce, within each of the ten categories, would be a ten. I've not seen a movie this well done in every element of moviemaking since "Chicago," and I'm not necessarily of big fan of musical theater. Academy Award nominations should be all over this movie, from top to bottom.
Date Night (2010)
Put on a Shirt
Underrated. When two of the funniest people of the 21st century get together to make a film, you can bet it will be predominately funny. This one is funny, and ridiculous at times, but will keep you laughing throughout its 88 minutes.
Fargo (1996)
Mr. Lundegaard, Will You Open the Door?
Only true events could be this serious and this funny at the same time. The acting is superb and well cast in every character. Well written, great direction, and keeps the viewer's attention from the very beginning through to the conclusion.
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Directionless
Chaotic, disjointed, all over the place, and difficult to determine the object of the story. If you like Stephen King's stories you may like this one. Never did get its purpose, point, direction, nor why certain of the actors had powers that they themselves did not understand. They found each other, but why? Maybe if I hadn't quit at 1 hour and 34 minutes of two hours and 32 minutes it would have all come together, but I could tolerate it no longer.
Mountain (2017)
Not Sure Why This Doc Was Made
Great photography, beautiful scenery, a smooth and pleasant narrator's voice, and sometimes appropriate orchestral music. However, at no time is the location stated, no height, and no information regarding how many times, if any, a peak has been conquered, or how many deaths may have occurred while attempts to conquer were conducted.
Don't watch this video if you're tired... it'll put you to sleep. Show it on your widescreen, flat, wall-mounted TV during your party -- it's good for background sights and sounds.
Trauma Center (2019)
You've Never Seen a Good Cop/Bad Cop Movie Like This... Maybe You Have
An elementary school 4th and 5th-grade class decided to collaborate in writing a screenplay. They decided to write a police action, bad cop/good cop saga since that's all they really knew about from playing video games most of their young lives. Hollywood has been fairly light on movies in this genre lately and decided that they'd script and shoot it as a favor to the kids. After reading the script and determining just how ridiculous it was, as the theme followed tried and true movie flops in the past, they decided to cast unknown actors and needed at least one well-known name to put on all the movie posters that would be mailed to all the movie theaters to hang in their lobby.
It was problematic to find action heroes that were available for this shoot so they determined it best to get someone who hadn't produced a good action film in years. Although retired, and had forgotten how to act, Bruce Willis, after some arm twisting, decided that this was a good comeback film for him.
You've seen this bad cop/good cop film a dozen times and "Trauma Center" delivers with the same garbage that has been found in previously bad movies for decades. Give the elementary school kids credit, at least, for learning how to write a screenplay without adult guidance and selling it to Hollywood.
Touchback (2011)
My Life Isn't So Bad
A cheesy and predictable but heartwarming theme that you've seen before in similar films. The hero high school athlete goes "back" to high school to realize that his marriage and "present-day" life isn't as bad as he thought it was.
Turnover (2019)
Love Has No Boundaries
A heartwarming story of a restauranteur in need, being supported by his "weird" employees after a medical condition rendered him partially incapacitated.
Bombshell (2019)
Bombshell, In More Ways Than One
Well written, well-cast, well-acted, well-executed... well done. We don't know the complete truth behind the scenes, but this film gives the viewer enough to think about in the world of television news.
Richard Jewell (2019)
I'm From the Government and I'm Here to Help You
I'm from the government and I'm here to help you. The government does its job, completes a profile, finds a suspect, and determines the methods and procedures it can use to make their suspicions fit their already determined and desired result. There is no "innocent until proven guilty," when an arrest is made -- only "you are guilty, now prove you're not... if you can." This is how thousands of innocent people manage to find themselves in prison.
The Runaways (2010)
The Life and Times of an All Girl Band
Fanning and Stewart wasted on this almost-biopic... in more ways than one. If you like a life of chaos you might like this story. Gee how I'd like to be a musician.