Dell's Good, Bad & Ugly Movie Reviews

[Houston]

Have you seen the newest Count of Monte Cristo? That's in my top 5 movies of all time, I'm gonna watch the original as soon as I find it 0_0.

 

[Senser81]

dell71, my wife is a big Cher fan so I was forced to watch "Tea with Mussolini" recently. I am eagerly awaiting your review.

 

[dell71]

Have you seen the newest Count of Monte Cristo? That's in my top 5 movies of all time, I'm gonna watch the original as soon as I find it 0_0.

dell71, my wife is a big Cher fan so I was forced to watch "Tea with Mussolini" recently. I am eagerly awaiting your review.

I can honestly say that neither of these is on my radar. At one time, I wanted to see The Count of Monte Cristo, just never got around to it. Maybe I still will. As far Tea with Mussolini goes...I had forgotten it even existed, much less watched it. Since you say you were "forced" to watch it, you'll have to excuse me for not rushing it to the top of "to watch" list.

 

[Senser81]

I can honestly say that neither of these is on my radar. At one time, I wanted to see The Count of Monte Cristo, just never got around to it. Maybe I still will. As far Tea with Mussolini goes...I had forgotten it even existed, much less watched it. Since you say you were "forced" to watch it, you'll have to excuse me for not rushing it to the top of "to watch" list.

I have lost all respect for you as a movie reviewer.

I'm still expecting your review of "Tea with Mussolini" by 2300 hours.

 

[Houston]

Tough crowd

 

[Buzzman]

Count fo Monte Crsico is the film that got the Count cast as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibsons movie.

 

[Houston]

Count fo Monte Crsico is the film that got the Count cast as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibsons movie.

The Count>Jesus


It's my favorite story about revenge.

 

[Fox1994]

Just start downloading shit off

 

Pirate Bay

. Be easier than going to Blockbuster/Netflix.

 

[dope]

Dell you think you could give your interpretation of the ending of A Serious Man? and why Arther was in the bathroom so much, i saw the pump thing but didnt know what it was.

he had a cyst on the back of his neck that he kept draining and draining yet could never get rid of. it plays as a metaphor as to his relationship with his brother larry. no matter what larry does he can not rid himself of the problems arthur causes.

 

[JayDizzle]

If you're a Scorsese completist, I'd recommend Shutter Island Dell.

 

[dell71]

Whatever Works
Directed by Woody Allen.
2009. Rated PG-13, 92 minutes.
Cast:
Larry David
Evan Rachel Wood
Patricia Clarkson
Ed Begley, Jr.
Conleth Hill
Michael McKean
Henry Cavill​

Plot: Old, pessimistic genius and New York native Boris Yellnikoff (David) meets young, impressionable airhead, country-girl-in-the-big-city Melody (Wood).

The Good: It sticks to the tried and true Woody Allen formula, stylistically. Boris talks almost incessantly, rambling about this or that, often directly to the audience. He often acknowledges us and even tells other characters about us. It's an interesting twist. In the course of his many diatribes, there are some sharp, funny criticisms and observations of society. However, instead of Allen himself playing the lead role, it's Larry David of Curb Your Enthusiasm fame. This works as the persona fits him perfectly. His performance is wonderful, never coming off like a Woody impersonator. Instead, he makes the character his own. Nearly stealing the show is Patricia Clarkson as Melody's mom. Her character grows more "worldly" as the movie progresses and Clarkson makes the transition naturally.

The Bad: Plenty of Allen's protagonists have been quirky and cynical. However, they usually possess an amiability, even a cute patheticness that endears them to both the women they love and the audience. Boris, on the other hand, has a thoroughly nasty demeanor and abrasive arrogance. Though smart may he be, this makes his ravings tiresome. He's not only unlikeable to us, we can't even fathom why Melody takes to him the way she does. She seems to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome rather than actually falling in love with him. Then there's the constant anti-religious vibe hanging over everything. It's going to turn some people off, at first. Then, it'll turn many more off as that turns into full-blown atheism. Even more will be driven away simply because Boris seems obsessed with the idea and won't stop talking about it. Maybe if he were a little nicer the movie could get away with it, slide by with a wink and a nod. Instead, this eventually feels like an all-out attack on the very notion of God. Though uncomfortable for many, atheism is a legitimate school of thought, like it or not. Delivered a certain way, it might not change anyone's mind, but a palatable movie could be made. Spewed forth in a never-ending series of venomous barbs, it's just as overbearing and off-putting as those who try to repeatedly beat us over the head with their pro-religious beliefs. Subtle, this is not.

The Ugly: The band Melody goes to see. The name? Anal Sphincter.

Recommendation: If you're a devout Woody Allen follower or fan of Larry David or if cynicism gives you joy, take a look for yourself then come back and tell me I'm wrong. It's okay, I already know that's what you'll do. If you're not already a fan of his, I doubt this movie will convert you.

The Opposite View: Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

What the Internet Says: 7.3/10 on imdb.com (2/24/10), 47% on rottentomatoes.com, 45/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 5/10​

 

[FedEx227]

Network was a great movie thats basically forgotten. The movie foresaw a lot of what would eventually happen with television in general and the news in particular.

The Truman Show as well. Granted it wasn't too far in the future, but we're arguably at or near that point with reality TV.

 

[wingsfan77]

Can't find your review of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang since it's not on the front page, I just watched it and thought it was REALLY good, definitely one that I'll add to my collection at some point

 

[dell71]

Can't find your review of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang since it's not on the front page, I just watched it and thought it was REALLY good, definitely one that I'll add to my collection at some point

Didn't do one here and can't find the one I did when I watched it, but yes - I enjoyed it very much.

 

[nflman2033]

Whatever Works
Directed by Woody Allen.
2009. Rated PG-13, 92 minutes.
Cast:
Larry David
Evan Rachel Wood
Patricia Clarkson
Ed Begley, Jr.
Conleth Hill
Michael McKean
Henry Cavill​

Plot: Old, pessimistic genius and New York native Boris Yellnikoff (David) meets young, impressionable airhead, country-girl-in-the-big-city Melody (Wood).

The Good: It sticks to the tried and true Woody Allen formula, stylistically. Boris talks almost incessantly, rambling about this or that, often directly to the audience. He often acknowledges us and even tells other characters about us. It's an interesting twist. In the course of his many diatribes, there are some sharp, funny criticisms and observations of society. However, instead of Allen himself playing the lead role, it's Larry David of Curb Your Enthusiasm fame. This works as the persona fits him perfectly. His performance is wonderful, never coming off like a Woody impersonator. Instead, he makes the character his own. Nearly stealing the show is Patricia Clarkson as Melody's mom. Her character grows more "worldly" as the movie progresses and Clarkson makes the transition naturally.

The Bad: Plenty of Allen's protagonists have been quirky and cynical. However, they usually possess an amiability, even a cute patheticness that endears them to both the women they love and the audience. Boris, on the other hand, has a thoroughly nasty demeanor and abrasive arrogance. Though smart may he be, this makes his ravings tiresome. He's not only unlikeable to us, we can't even fathom why Melody takes to him the way she does. She seems to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome rather than actually falling in love with him. Then there's the constant anti-religious vibe hanging over everything. It's going to turn some people off, at first. Then, it'll turn many more off as that turns into full-blown atheism. Even more will be driven away simply because Boris seems obsessed with the idea and won't stop talking about it. Maybe if he were a little nicer the movie could get away with it, slide by with a wink and a nod. Instead, this eventually feels like an all-out attack on the very notion of God. Though uncomfortable for many, atheism is a legitimate school of thought, like it or not. Delivered a certain way, it might not change anyone's mind, but a palatable movie could be made. Spewed forth in a never-ending series of venomous barbs, it's just as overbearing and off-putting as those who try to repeatedly beat us over the head with their pro-religious beliefs. Subtle, this is not.

The Ugly: The band Melody goes to see. The name? Anal Sphincter.

Recommendation: If you're a devout Woody Allen follower or fan of Larry David or if cynicism gives you joy, take a look for yourself then come back and tell me I'm wrong. It's okay, I already know that's what you'll do. If you're not already a fan of his, I doubt this movie will convert you.

The Opposite View: Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

What the Internet Says: 7.3/10 on imdb.com (2/24/10), 47% on rottentomatoes.com, 45/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 5/10​

man maybe Woody just isn't for you, i loved it

 

[dope]

man maybe Woody just isn't for you, i loved it

same here...i wasn't expecting a 10/10 but i figured it'd be in the 6-7.5 range in the dell scale

 

[dell71]

man maybe Woody just isn't for you, i loved it

same here...i wasn't expecting a 10/10 but i figured it'd be in the 6-7.5 range in the dell scale

I generally like Woody Allen. This particular movie just rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe I was expecting too much after Vicki Cristina Barcelona which I really liked.

 

[dell71]

More Than a Game
Directed by Kristopher Belman.
2009. Rated PG, 100 minutes.
Cast:
LeBron James
Sian Cotton
Dru Joyce III
Willie McGee
Romeo Travis
Dru Joyce II​

Plot: We follow what would become known as "The Akron Fab Five" on their journey from when they played for the same AAU basketball team as middle-schoolers through their senior year together on the St. Vincent-St. Mary high school team.

The Good: It's a well put together documentary that uses LeBron James as the bait to get us in. It does involve him quite a bit, but it also gives us much more. Learning of the relationships between the players with each other and their coaches is a real treat. We really get a feel for the maturation process each of the players underwent. To that end, the filmmakers do a good job not allowing the movie to become all about King James, thus relegating the others to sidekick status. Instead, we really get to know all the guys and understand what makes them tick. Still, LeBron is at the center of one of the most intriguing storylines. That one, details the growing pains he goes through and the way scrutiny around him increases and affects him once his first Sports Illustrated hits the newsstands. The other is a complex struggle between point guard Dru Joyce III and the coach, who happens to be his dad and namesake. Both try to compartmentalize their relationship into two sections: father/son and coach/player. Watching it play out is intriguing and occasionally unsettling. Finally, there is plenty of game footage mixed in.

The Bad: The first thing that jumps out at us is the fact none of the guys are ever interviewed together. It would've been interesting to watch them interact with one another in a current setting and see if that chemistry between them remains. Second, we never meet anyone who's really open to admitting negative reactions about the team in general, or LeBron in particular. After all, not only was he suspended for accepting gifts but it was a high school team that played a schedule that required travel all over the country, often during the school week. No one rode the high horse to warn us of those sorts of evils. Yes, we've heard it all before but it feels strangely absent. Also, let's not forget this is the team that made it okay for regular season high school basketball to show up on national TV. However, not one ESPN personality showed up to comment on how they felt about what was going on. I would love to hear what Dick Vitale or Jay Bilas thought when they were given the assignment of covering these games or how they felt after getting an up close glimpse of the future in a young, unpolished LeBron.

The Ugly: The local reporter shouting at LeBron "Hey, how 'bout a ride in that Hummer?"

Recommendation: I'm pretty sure you already know if you want to see this or not

The Opposite View: Nick Schager, Time Out New York

What the Internet Says: 7.4/10 on imdb.com (2/25/10), 73% on rottentomatoes.com, 59/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 7.5/10​

 

[Senser81]

I would love to hear what Dick Vitale thought

I swear to God, these reviews just keep getting worse and worse. Giving a movie a demerit because it DOESN'T have Dick Vitale in it? Lemme guess, did you give Blue Chips a 10/10 score?

Here is what Dick Vitale thought..."I just talked to Jon Scheyer, and he said that he liked to eat pizza. Now that I think about it, PIZZA IS AWESOME BABY!!!"

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I swear to God, these reviews just keep getting worse and worse. Giving a movie a demerit because it DOESN'T have Dick Vitale in it? Lemme guess, did you give Blue Chips a 10/10 score?

Here is what Dick Vitale thought..."I just talked to Jon Scheyer, and he said that he liked to eat pizza. Now that I think about it, PIZZA IS AWESOME BABY!!!"

HE'S A P-T-P'r...

THATS PRIME TIME PIZZA BAYBEE!!!