Dell's Good, Bad & Ugly Movie Reviews

[ATL Jones Bro]

Slumdog Millionaire
2008. Rated R, 116 minutes.
Director: Danny Boyle. Starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor.

Plot: Jamal (Patel) is one question away from winning it all on Mumbai's version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" He's also uneducated and poor so the police are questioning him to find out if he's been cheating.

The Good: The screenplay is exceptionally written. It weaves the gameshow, the interrogation and Jamal's life together beautifully. Each flashback is a harrowing adventure for us to get caught up in. The movie also causes us a bit of a moral dilemma as we try to decide how we feel about Jamal's brother, Salim. Director Danny Boyle does a masterful job of pulling things together, and went on to win Best Director at this year's Oscars. It's right there with Trainspotting as my favorite movie of his. And his lead actor is a charmer.

The Bad: The ending is ultimately predictable and a little too fairytale. Also, since the movie covers most of our hero's life there are three sets of actors playing him, his brother and Latika, the love of his life. Visually, it works splendidly but it robs us of any real chemistry between the actors that play them during the present.

The Ugly: Do you know what it's like underneath an outhouse? Jamal finds out, firsthand. Ewww.

Recommendation: That we can predict the ending is only a small drawback to our enjoyment. This movie is much more about the journey than the destination, and what a wonderful journey it is. By the time we realize we've been tricked into a chick flick, we're totally immersed in the storytelling and thoroughly enjoying the ride. And yes, I did call the winner of the Academy's Best Picture award (and 7 other Oscars) for 2008 a chick flick.

The Opposite View: Fred Topel, Can Magazine

What the Internet Says: 8.5/10 on imdb.com (#49 all time as of 4/16/09), 94% on rottentomatoes.com, 86/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 8.5/10

Just now got around to see this and this review was right on the money.

It was a great movie!

[dell71]

Glad to see that people are finding this thread useful.

[dell71]

Paul Blart: Mall Cop
2009. Rated PG, 91 minutes.
Director: Steve Carr. Starring Kevin James, Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Bobby Cannavale.

Plot: Paul Blart (James) is a lonely, hypo-glycemic single dad who works security at the local mall. Along with trying desperately to find love and be the best mall cop he could possibly be, he finds himself trying to stop a major heist.

The Good: James quite literally throws himself into the lead role. Despite his size, or perhaps because of it, he showcases some impressive athleticism. He pretty much leaps and bounds his way through the latter third of the movie. This, combined with his self-deprecating style might be enough to carry the day for fans of his. On a couple occasions, we find ourselves laughing out loud.

The Bad: Aside from those few hilarious moments, its mostly just there. Its completely bland except for a couple unexpectedly offensive moments where it takes shots at Mexicans. In a movie that's routinely vulgar, it would've been more palatable, simply what happens when you push the envelope. Here, in a play it safe, stay in the middle of the lane comedy it comes in totally from left field. Also, a few of the bits that start off even somewhat funny just drag on too long.

The Ugly: The fight in Victoria's Secret. Easily, this is the funniest part of the movie.

Recommendation: This is thoroughly mediocre family fare. Its neither good nor bad. It just innocuously goes about its business, eliciting a few chuckles here and there but gives us zero surprises.

The Opposite View: Jim Schembri, The Age (Australia)

What the Internet Says: 5.4/10 on imdb.com (6/9/09), 33% on rottentomatoes.com, 39/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 5/10

[dell71]

The Spirit
2008. Rated PG-13, 108 minutes.
Director: Frank Miller. Starring Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson.

Plot: Seemingly invincible hero The Spirit (Macht) battles his equally invincible arch-rival, The Octopus (Jackson). The Octopus is also tracking down fellow thief Sand Saref (Mendes) who has stolen a very valuable chest from him. Of course, Saref has an interesting link to our hero. Based on Will Eisner's comic.

The Good: Though it borrows heavily from another movie based on a Frank Miller graphic novel, Sin City, it does enough of it's own thing to look interesting. Also like SC, it keeps it's tongue firmly in cheek with dry, noir-style narration and purposely stilted dialogue filled with double entendres. When its time for action, it purposely goes over the top and relishes in silliness. Complementing all of this are actors willingly hamming it up. And let's be honest, is there anyone who hams it up better than Samuel L. Jackson?

The Bad: Yes, it looks interesting but it still looks and acts entirely too much like SC. On top of that, its in a PG-13 package so it feels like SC-lite. Think of it like your favorite "blue" comedian suddenly working clean. You see, Bill Cosby hardly ever uttered a censorable word but has always been hilarious to me. Richard Pryor used four-letter words like punctuation marks and was also hilarious. If Cosby had started cursing a lot it would feel disingenuous. If Pryor had quit, he wouldn't have had the same bite. Something would've been lost in translation. Same thing here. It feels like SC without most of the cursing, any of the gore and trades in bare boobs for a briefly bare bottom. In other words, it takes what was edgy and irreverant and makes it more palatable for families. In my opinion, here's where much of the hatred for The Spirit comes from. People don't like watered down drinks.

The Ugly: I'm calling 'ugly' on myself because I'm going real shallow here. I'm one of those rare guys that think Eva Mendes, while cute, is terribly overrated. Here, every shot makes her look amazing. I may be a convert.

Recommendation: I find myself going against the grain, here. I get why people hate it, and you may as well, but I actually like it despite it problems. Its not a great movie by any stretch but I found it enjoyable and far from the horrible experience most have made it out to be. That said, two things have to be taken into account. First like we've already covered, it's probably too derivative of Sin City for most people. Second, I haven't read the graphic novel its based on. People who have claim this movie butchered the source. OK, fine.

The Opposite View: Tom Huddlestone, Time Out

What the Internet Says: 5.0/10 on imdb.com (6/10/09), 14% on rottentomatoes.com, 30/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 6/10

[NAHSTE]

Not at all. I like it more as well. It spent more time on character development and let us know these people better than the original did. In my eyes, its one of those rare remakes that improves upon the original.

Exactly what I said to my friend when I explained it. The scenes that Departed did borrow from Infernal Affairs seem to happen later in the storyline than they do in the original. I was like "whoa, we're already to this part?" several times.

[Lupe]

Did or when are you gonna review the hangover?

[Palooza]

The Spirit
2008. Rated PG-13, 108 minutes.
Director: Frank Miller. Starring Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson.

Plot: Seemingly invincible hero The Spirit (Macht) battles his equally invincible arch-rival, The Octopus (Jackson). The Octopus is also tracking down fellow thief Sand Saref (Mendes) who has stolen a very valuable chest from him. Of course, Saref has an interesting link to our hero. Based on director Frank Miller's own graphic novel.

The Good: Though it borrows heavily from another movie based on a Frank Miller graphic novel, Sin City, it does enough of it's own thing to look interesting. Also like SC, it keeps it's tongue firmly in cheek with dry, noir-style narration and purposely stilted dialogue filled with double entendres. When its time for action, it purposely goes over the top and relishes in silliness. Complementing all of this are actors willingly hamming it up. And let's be honest, is there anyone who hams it up better than Samuel L. Jackson?

The Bad: Yes, it looks interesting but it still looks and acts entirely too much like SC. On top of that, its in a PG-13 package so it feels like SC-lite. Think of it like your favorite "blue" comedian suddenly working clean. You see, Bill Cosby hardly ever uttered a censorable word but has always been hilarious to me. Richard Pryor used four-letter words like punctuation marks and was also hilarious. If Cosby had started cursing a lot it would feel disingenuous. If Pryor had quit, he wouldn't have had the same bite. Something would've been lost in translation. Same thing here. It feels like SC without most of the cursing, any of the gore and trades in bare boobs for a briefly bare bottom. In other words, it takes what was edgy and irreverant and makes it more palatable for families. In my opinion, here's where much of the hatred for The Spirit comes from. People don't like watered down drinks.

The Ugly: I'm calling 'ugly' on myself because I'm going real shallow here. I'm one of those rare guys that think Eva Mendes, while cute, is terribly overrated. Here, every shot makes her look amazing. I may be a convert.

Recommendation: I find myself going against the grain, here. I get why people hate it, and you may as well, but I actually like it despite it problems. Its not a great movie by any stretch but I found it enjoyable and far from the horrible experience most have made it out to be. That said, two things have to be taken into account. First like we've already covered, it's probably too derivative of Sin City for most people. Second, I haven't read the graphic novel its based on. People who have claim this movie butchered the source. That strikes me as odd since the director is the very same person who wrote the graphic novel, but whatever.

The Opposite View: Tom Huddlestone, Time Out

What the Internet Says: 5.0/10 on imdb.com (6/10/09), 14% on rottentomatoes.com, 30/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 6/10

This movie might have been the worst I've ever seen.

[dell71]

Did or when are you gonna review the hangover?

Over 90% of the stuff I review is on DVD, so I probably won't get to that until sometime in the fall or later. Sorry.

[dell71]

This movie might have been the worst I've ever seen.

I knew that was coming from someone.

[calgaryballer]

Just a correction Dell, Frank Miller did not write the Spirit. Will Eisner created the charecter and wrote the majority of the books

[dell71]

Just a correction Dell, Frank Miller did not write the Spirit. Will Eisner created the charecter and wrote the majority of the books

Thank you, I'll strike that comment from the record.

[dell71]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2008. Rated PG-13, 165 minutes.
Director: David Fincher. Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond.

Plot: The life and times of Benjamin Button (Pitt) who was born with all the traits of a man in his eighties and ages backward. Very loosely based on the short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The Good: The uniqueness of its premise is a constant source of intrigue. This is amplified by the fact that its a love story we know is destined to be bittersweet at best. Director David Fincher pulls us through at a wonderful pace. Therefore, the nearly three hour runtime feels much shorter. This is also a movie heavily dependent on the makeup team and that team comes through with flying colors. In fact, the makeup did much of the acting for Brad Pitt. He's solid, if a bit too understated, but his co-stars, Blanchett (as Daisy) and Henson (as Queenie) are better. However, of those three only Blanchett did not receive an Oscar nomination. Overall, the film received 13 such nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, winning 3 times (Makeup, Art Direction and Visual Effects).

The Bad: The ending develops a feeling of inevitability very early on so when we actually get there, the whole thing is anti-climactic. It also presents us with a small problem. Perhaps sensing this, here is where Fincher faultered a bit and rushed through that part of the movie. Also, the portions showing Daisy lying on what appears to be her deathbed and having her daughter Caroline (Ormond) read Benjamin's diary aloud to her adds nothing. Caroline just seems like an unnecessary surrogate for the audience and is given an obligatory "twist" to justify her being there. It just feels way too much like Titanic. Cutting it may have tightened the movie and made it even more powerful.

The Ugly: Struck by lightning guy.

Recommendation: This is an artsy fartsy film with a big budget. It contains great acting, directing, makeup and nuanced storytelling. Though it stars A-lister Brad Pitt, this isn't for most movie-night with popcorn crowds. Give it a look when you're in the mood for something a little different.

The Opposite View: Cosmo Landesman, Sunday Times (UK)

What the Internet Says: 8.1/10 on imdb.com (#183 all time on 6/11/09), 73% on rottentomatoes.com, 70/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 8/10

[dell71]

Rachel Getting Married
2008. Rated R, 111 minutes.
Director: Jonathan Demme. Starring Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie Dewitt, Debra Winger, Bill Irwin.

Plot: Drug addict Kym (Hathaway) leaves rehab for a few days to attend her sister Rachel’s (Dewitt) wedding.

The Good: The first thing that jumps out at you is the documentary style look of the film. It’s a major tool in grounding the movie in reality and gives us a “you are there” feel. To foster the illusion you need natural and genuine feeling performances from the cast. Beginning with Hathaway, this ensemble delivers in spades. She hits all right notes and her co-stars follow suit. Her chemistry with Dewitt is explosive. To complete the trick, the script has to also be excellent and it is indeed. Therefore, even the most dramatic moments seem to be the organic result of the lives these people led before we met them and not manufactured by some writer attempting to create big moments. In keeping with that aesthetic, it’s also a true slice-of-life tale. Though there are plenty of conflicts, there is no ending in the traditional movie sense.

The Bad: Occasionally, it goes a little too far to maintain that feeling of reality. It does this by letting the extraneous things go on a bit long. A couple different times, we get a parade of relatives toasting the bride and groom. Both scenes could’ve been streamlined a little. Finally, as much as we get from most of our main characters, we get nothing from Sidney (Tunde Adebimpe), the groom. Here’s a guy trying to get through the most important event in his life and all of the drama of his fiancé’s family is exploding everywhere around him yet all he can do is stand around with a stupid grin on his face. It makes us question why Rachel would marry such a stiff.

The Ugly: Did I really need to see Kym take a urine test?

Recommendation: For those of you into drama, family drama in particular, this is a gold mine. It’s both genuine feeling and stirring. As I mentioned earlier, Hathaway and Dewitt are both outstanding. Steer clear if its just the fellas looking for a movie.

The Opposite View: Richard Schickel, Time

What the Internet Says: 7.0/10 on imdb.com (6/16/09), 86% on rottentomatoes.com, 82/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 8.5/10

[Buzzman]

I'll have to watch Rachael getting married.

Have you ever seen SUnshine, it came out 2-3 years ago. Movie was a badass sci fi movie that i dont understand how it went under the radar.

[dell71]

Gran Torino
2008. Rated R, 116 minutes.
Director: Clint Eastwood. Starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley.

Plot: Bitter, old, racist widower Walt (Eastwood) begrudgingly takes a liking to the Asian teenagers who live next door, even after one of them tried to steal his 1972 Gran Torino.

The Good: Like most Eastwood directed movies, the story breathes and the characters develop without dragging. As our ever-abrasive (anti)hero, Clint proves himself more than a capable actor as well. Through his portrayal, enabled by an excellent script, he gives Walt pain, bitterness and depth. That depth most often surfaces in his exchanges with Father "J" (Carley). His young female costar, Ahney Her who plays Sue, has a real presence and commands attention. She appears to have a bright future if, ironically enough, her race doesn't typecast her.

The Bad: The racial epithets constantly flying from Walt's mouth are fine because they're germaine to the story. However, a better job could've been done showing more diversity within the different ethnicities. Not doing so lends credence to his racism and undermines what appears to be the moral of the story. In other words, since most of the Asians, Blacks and Hispanics we see are low-lives, why shouldn't he behave the way he does? Acting wise, Vang who plays Thao, appears to give a forced performance. However, since his character's relationship with Walt is akin to Daniel's with Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid I can live with it. It's not like Ralph Macchio was really all that great, either. Yes, I realize that's blasphemy to those of you old enough to care.

The Ugly: What happens to Sue.

Recommendation: This a very good drama for about 100 minutes followed by an ending that elevates it to the level of excellence. It might sound strange but it's really a hybrid of Falling Down and the aforementioned The Karate Kid. However, it doesn't just copy them. It borrows elements of both and adds some of its own to create something different.

The Opposite View: Michael Sragow, Baltimore Sun

What the Internet Says: 8.4/10 on imdb.com (#77 all time, 6/17/09), 80% on rottentomatoes.com, 72/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 9/10