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Reviews
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
Good Enough Not to Walk Out
Really wanted to see this picture, but must admit that I was disappointed. It did its job in the sense that it really connected me with what is wrong in this country. However as it pertained to the original picture, Shia LaBoeuf gave a very good performance, but was a boy amongst men. His presence just wasn't convincing enough that anyone would give him the time of day. The heir apparent to Bud Fox he is not.
No one tops Michael Douglas. Gordon Gecko is quite possibly one of the greatest characters ever developed; which made me wishing this picture had more of him. His character spends too much time lying in wait and was to a great extent a sub-plot.
There was a misplaced Cameo mid-way through the picture that did nothing more than distract. It reminded me how great the first Wall Street was and that this was no where near as good as the first. The music by David Byrne was a fantastic nostalgic touch and I totally intend to purchase a few of the tracks.
All-in-all, I would recommend this picture, but I wish that Oliver wrote this one as well.
Ils (2006)
Blair Witch?
To equate this picture to the "Blair Witch Project," is an insult to the filmmakers of the piece. Typically not one for this genre of film, I found myself anxiously captivated, and at times, wanting to turn away-- it was freaking me out. It lacks the typical gratuitous gore and fore- telling music cues of traditional horror flicks and allows the viewer explore his own fear. The fact that it was basically void of any real plot is irrelevant. It was completely experiential and extremely tense with a clever sound design that confuses reality. I found this picture to be much closer to a cross between "The Ring" and "The Shining." I am sure we will be seeing a lot more from this Director. This film deserves a wider release and a lot more attention. Hats off to the filmmakers.
10th & Wolf (2006)
Critcs just don't get it
This is a solid movie! The critics and detractors just don't get it. The movie never sets out to be anything different than what it is--a story about family, betrayal and the desperation we all have to be loved and to fit in. If open and willing to read into the sub-text, 10th & Wolf reaches much deeper than other 'so-called' gangster pictures. Although laced with parallels to other pictures, 10th & Wolf stands on its own as it is based on actual events and characters and should be judged for its strong story and amazing actor performances. "This is not necessarily that."
I've heard people 'in the know' say, Giovanni is hauntingly similar to the real-life character he portrays. You make the call, but I think it is a film definitely worth seeing.
The Longest Yard (2005)
A cheap prostitute dressed in fancy clothes
What a waste of perfectly good film! How Adam Sandler continues to get funding for his projects is beyond me. Extremely poor, story and character development, lousy casting and predictable ending (and I don't mean by who won).
This movie was no homage. It was nothing more than a cheap prostitute dressed in fancy clothes. A remake of the classic, edgy, well-developed, dramatic original, that was laced with intelligent humor and good acting. I couldn't believe the crap they were trying to sell the audience.
To start with, the poor choice of location for the prison. In the New Mexico dessert? 'C'mon.' Didn't I see a ghost town tour bus in the background? And what's with the century old prison with 2-year-old, apparent, freshly planted trees? And what's with the movie's southern undertones; like the warden's completely out of place Colonel Sander's sidekick, and the guards who are referred to as "Rednecks?" Are we in the South or the West? Give me a break guys. Totally ridiculous. Oh, and how about the stadium where they play this Superbowl in? Glad ESPN was there to cover the game to give it that... oh so authentic feel.
Hey Burt! You were great in the first one, but you should have said, "thanks but no thanks," to the this one. The constant look on your face of... Oh God I wish they weren't destroying my great movie, but I really need this paycheck, was painful to watch; Not to mention, the I wish I was in my twenties again look. I really felt for ya' buddy.
Also, 'gotta' love the uniforms stitched with each player's name on the back. In the original, Caretaker stole the guards' old uniforms. Where did they get these from, Vince McMahon's disbanded football league (I can't remember the league's forgettable name)? I kept looking for, "He Hate Me."
Sorry, but this movie was so contrived and totally stupid. Moreover, it really sucked!
Cold Mountain (2003)
Should be "Boring Mountain"
Come on folks, give me a break. This movie is about as interesting as
watching a nose bleed. Minghella fails miserably. Why can't we use
American actors for a subject matter only a true American can fully
understand and connect with. Like Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers",
Nicole Kidman and Jude Law not credible. Additionally if I had to watch
Rene Zellwegger overact with that rediculously contrived character for
one more scene I thought I'd puke! Everyone constantly trying to out
act each other in every scene (absent Jude Law). There were also way too
many big name cameos and well known faces; it became so distracting.
Probably the best way to get Saddaam Hussein to begin confessing would
be to tie him up and force him to watch this movie over and over again.
Oh, addtionally it was so obvious that the movie was not filmed in the
U.S.. Next to Glory and Gone With the Wind, will anyone ever make a
truly great Civil War film? Oscar?
Seabiscuit (2003)
Finally a movie true to the book!
Gary Ross did a fantastic job of translating the book into a wonderful movie. Loved every aspect of the film, from Shwartzman's incredible cinematography to Randy Newman's fantastic score, which was really very un-Newman. Tobey was great, but Bridges was even better! The only disappointing aspect was, I felt they could have shown Seabiscuit's quirky character a little more, ie; how most horses only lay down to sleep for 5-10 minutes, where the Biscuit would lay down and slumber for hours.
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Can you say... "Director's Cut"?
Oh please!!! You've got to be kidding me?! This film was so mediocre and boring. Obviously this is what happens when the Writer is also the Director is also the Executive Producer. It was like watching a bad video game on steroids. Besides the insufferable dialogue, I found myself incarcerated to every scene, after scene, after scene. Whatever happened to pacing? Every scene just dragged on and on, starting with the initial overdone dream sequence and continuing right on through the Caligula-like rock video. Oh, and how about that schoolyard brawl?! Where's Mike Tyson when you need him? After ten minutes of that I couldn't take it anymore. Help, please someone get me out of the Matrix!!!
Forget waiting for the celebrated 14-minute car chase, I can see that on the "405" any day. So, if you think you can withstand Neo's ridiculous Archbishop "geddup", bad dialogue, a vague story-line, never ending scenes, repetition and over-stimulation...then I would certainly recommend the Matrix Reloaded to you!!
A Month of Sundays (2001)
Heart-warming, soul fulfilling
I loved this film. A must see for any Rod Steiger fan. Producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis and Director Stewart Raffill have brought us a true family film that touches the soul. An incredibly well put together movie with a beautiful soundtrack.