Dell's Good, Bad & Ugly Movie Reviews

[dell71]

Couples Retreat
Directed by Peter Billingsley.
2010. Rated PG-13, 114 minutes.
Cast:
Vince Vaughn
Jason Bateman
Faizon Love
Kristin Davis
Kristen Bell
Malin Akerman
Kali Hawk
Jean Reno
Tasha Smith​

Plot: Four couples get a group rate to go to an island paradise. Once there, they discover that the unorthodox therapy sessions that came with the discount are mandatory.

The Good: From time to time something funny happens. When it does, it’s usually hilarious. Our four couple often find themselves in outlandish and compromising situations. Chief among them is the yoga scene which is one of the funniest scenes I’ve watched in a little while. Vince Vaughn (Dave) is only doing the Vince Vaughn persona he does in nearly every movie, but he does it so well. It’s “so money”, to fondly remember where it all started. He’s not alone. The other guys also wear their familiar personas well. Therefore, we get what we’ve come to expect from Favreau, Bateman and Love.

The Bad: Those hilarious moments are spaced kind of far apart, while easily predictable things happen to fill the gaps. Worse than that, nearly every funny moment in the movie was in the trailer. There really wasn’t much else. Of course, a tidy bow is wrapped around everything, including one character’s wife popping up literally from nowhere. It’s a movie that could’ve been so much more but takes the lazy route more often than not. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned the walking, talking stereotype named Trudy (Hawk).

The Ugly: I guess he really wasn’t wearing drawers.

Recommendation: It has its moments. It’s not the affront to humanity some have made it out to be, but it has a severe case “if you’ve seen the commercial, you’ve seen the movie.”

The Opposite View: Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

What the Internet Says: 5.5/10 on imdb.com (6/15/10), 11% on rottentomatoes.com, 23/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 5/10​

 

[Palooza]

I'm shocked that you didn't mention that Amber Heard was literally in a bathingsuit the entire movie.

ohhh wordd?

 

[dell71]

ohhh wordd?

Yeah, every time we see her she's either in the pool making out with the son or she shows up, strips down to the bikini then hops in the pool to make out with the son.

 

[dell71]

Bad Lieutenant:
Port of Call - New Orleans
Directed by Werner Herzog.
2009. Rated R, 122 minutes.
Cast:
Nicolas Cage
Eva Mendes
Val Kilmer
Xzibit
Tom Bower
Jennifer Coolidge
Shawn Hatosy
Denzel Whitaker
Irma P. Hall
Michael Shannon​

Plot: Terence McDonagh (Cage) heads up an investigation of the murder of an entire family of African immigrants in post-Katrina New Orleans. However, he has to deal with his own considerable demons, as well.

The Good: The situations Terrence puts himself in are both outrageous and dangerous. It’s fun to watch Cage rant, rave, flash his badge and wave his gun around. As these situations mount they weave an intriguing tapestry of storylines. The supporting cast is excellent. In particular, Eva Mendes as his girlfriend who happens to be a prostitute, Xzibit as a local gangster and Jennifer Coolidge as Terence’s step-mom tend to steal their scenes.

The Bad: Essentially, the entire movie is a buildup for something that never happens. There’s a scene tacked onto the end that bookends the opening scene. Together, they try to give us what’s missing, but it fails. This means that in the world of Terence McDonagh truth and consequences are mere myths, things that only apply to other people. For him to be where he is when the credits roll means that lots of people are incompetent and lots of others are unnecessarily in danger. Often, an ending that’s nihilistic and suggests hoplessness can work. Here, it does not.

The Ugly: Terence threatening to cut off the old lady’s oxygen supply.

Recommendation: Many critics have listed this among their top movies of 2009. They give it points for its grittiness, Herzog’s sure-handed directing and Cage’s flashy performance. Those things are indeed praise-worthy, but the movie as a whole left a bad taste in my mouth.

The Opposite View: Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

What the Internet Says: 7.0/10 on imdb.com (6/18/10), 87% on rottentomatoes.com, 69/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 5.5/10​

Then there's this...

 

[dell71]

The Breakfast Club
Directed by John Hughes.
1985. Rated R, 97 minutes.
Cast:
Molly Ringwald
Emilio Estevez
Judd Nelson
Anthony Michael-Hall
Ally Sheedy
Paul Gleason
John Kapelos​

A group of students of Shermer High School, who barely know each other, have to endure a full Saturday of detention with one another. They’re all misfits to varying degrees. The movie bravely delves into each person’s problem as they engage in what essentially amounts to group therapy. As such, it can occasionally get a little sappy. For the most part, it manages not to. The dialogue is sharp and feels true to the high school experience. There is slang present but the dialogue isn’t dependent on it. This helps the movie remain fresh. Remarkably, despite the passing of a quarter century the only time it really feels dated is when something from the soundtrack blares from the speakers. Of course, this is with small allowances for fashion and hair. I feel confident that if it were remade today the only way for it to be updated would be by having a racially diverse cast all toting cell phones. The rest of the themes need no modernizing.

One noticeable element of TBC is the role of adults. The ones we see are only there because the plot requires them to be. A bunch of kids aren’t going to sit in school all day on a Saturday unsupervised. They’re also comic relief. The kids generate plenty of humor through their verbal sparring. With Principal Vernon (Gleason) they engage in cat and mouse shenanigans. Carl (Kapelos), the school janitor, counsels the principal and is possibly a warning to our heroes. Or perhaps he’s a lesson that nobility exists at all economic levels. The adults we don’t see, or only glimpse at the beginning and end, drive the movie. They are the source of pain that has landed them all where we meet them.

Performance-wise, “The Brat Pack”, as much of this cast and few others came to be known (most notably Demi Moore and Emilio Estevez’s brother Charlie Sheen), is strong across the board. For my money, Ally Sheedy as the initially mute then later fork-tongued and perpetually depressed Allison steals the show. However, her character also provides the film’s biggest drawback. It ends when it must, when detention is over, but the fairy-tale elements revolving around her that are suddenly introduced feel bogus. They’re not only a betrayal of the 90 or so minutes before it but also of who she is as a person. Still, everything up to that point is such a joy and so relatable, we let it pass.

MY SCORE: 9/10​

 

[nflman2033]

you should have reviewed the old Bad Lieutenant movie along with the new one

 

[stevsta]

i got to know why is eva mendes in a bunch of nicholas cages movies

 

[Tailback U]

Dell, how would you categorize movies by your rating?

Like, we all know -10 is awesomely bad.

Seems like 5.5 = ok, not worth watching.

7 = worth a watch but not don't expect anything great.

7.5 = pleasantly surprising.

7.5 + = good to great.

 

[wingsfan77]

Dell, how would you categorize movies by your rating?

Like, we all know -10 is awesomely bad.

Seems like 5.5 = ok, not worth watching.

7 = worth a watch but not don't expect anything great.

7.5 = pleasantly surprising.

7.5 + = good to great.

first thing on the first page :thumbsup:

 

[NAHSTE]

Something completely meaningless that I noticed looking through the contents on the first page. Amazingly, you've only reviewed one movie with a title that begins with the letter K.

You've got two for the letter Q, but only one for K.

 

[dell71]

Something completely meaningless that I noticed looking through the contents on the first page. Amazingly, you've only reviewed one movie with a title that begins with the letter K.

You've got two for the letter Q, but only one for K.

HA HA! I actually noticed that myself when doing the links. Not to worry, Kick-Ass is coming soon enough.

(just not tonight)

 

[dell71]

Facing Ali
Directed by Peter McCormack.
2009. Rated R, 100 minutes.
Cast:
Ron Lyle
George Foreman
Joe Frazier
George Chuvalo
Sir Henry Cooper
Ken Norton
Earnie Shavers
Larry Holmes
Leon Spinks
Ernie Terrell
​

Former boxers discuss their experiences during and surrounding their fights with Muhammad Ali. Though it amounts to little more than a love letter, there is still lots of insight to be gained. Most of the fighters talk about the technique they used against Ali as well as what he did to them. They also talk about the circus atmosphere he often created before fights and how their bouts with him impacted their lives going forward. His stance against the Vietnam War is also a big topic of conversation since it is a large part of the Ali legend.

Three men dominate the proceedings, and rightfully so. George Chuvalo is the most intriguing. He doesn’t just kiss up to Ali. He very matter of factly tells us what he likes and dislikes about the champ. He also tells stories of how certain fights came about or turned out. Of course, the infamous “phantom punch” that floored Sonny Liston is Ali’s second fight with him is a big sticking point with him. Whether you believe him, or not, Chuvalo comes across as giving a first-hand account of the shadowy side of boxing history. He also seems to be the healthiest of the battle-worn bunch.

No less clear-headed is Ron Lyle. He has a certain intensity in his gaze and speech that make you listen. He’s also keenly aware and appreciative of the fact that his place in boxing history is based on the fact he gave Ali a tough fight.

All of the fighters are interesting, in their own way. However, it’s the last fighter we meet, Leon Spinks that lifts us from the seemingly endless streams of deadpan seriousness. Nevermind that his speech is so raspy and occasionally garbled the filmmakers saw fit to put up subtitles when he spoke (the same goes for Ken Norton, by the way). He’s so obviously excited to be doing an interview, he infectiously heightens our spirits. He’s unfiltered and honest, not only when he says that Ali was his idol growing up, but also when he says he never understood why it was so important for Ali to change his name from Cassius Clay. He even mocks many in the black community who followed suit when Ali announced his faith and new moniker. Spinks also drops in four-letter words, broad smiles and hearty laughter. He just feels natural.

Overall, this is great for boxing buffs and Ali aficionados. If you’re neither and didn’t grow up during the sixties or seventies, it may not hold much weight for you. I did, it does for me.

MY SCORE: 8.5/10​

 

[dell71]

Invictus
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
2009. Rated PG-13, 133 minutes.
Cast:
Morgan Freeman
Matt Damon
Tony Kgoroge
Patrick Mofokeng
Matt Stern
Julian Lewis Jones
Marguerite Wheatley
Patrick Lyster
McNeil Hendricks​

Plot: Newly elected South African president Nelson Mandela (Freeman) attempts to use the country’s rugby team to forge national unity in the days shortly after apartheid has ended; based on a true story.

The Good: Once again, Clint Eastwood proves you don’t need extensive fireworks to keep the audience engaged. He gives us his normal patient storytelling. Though nothing much happens in the way of action until the big game at the end, we don’t get bored. Instead, we’re fascinated by the picture being painted before us. It helps that Morgan Freeman turns in a splendid performance as Mandela. In him, we see a leader doing what he thinks is best for his country despite the fact he’s alone in his thinking.

The Bad: There is no shortage of sports movie clichés. Long story short, and I don’t think I’m really spoiling anything here: an underdog team gets their act together. Think of all the movies you’ve already seen with that theme and you get the idea. It also gets to be repetitive. The typical cycle goes something like this: we see some dissention or doubt cast on what Mandela’s doing. Somehow word gets back to him and he pops up wherever the problem is and says a few magic words and everyone falls in line.

The Ugly: What the team does when asked to learn the new national anthem.

Recommendation: It’s a movie that manages to be good in spite of itself. Genre clichés and Mandela’s almost mystical presence threatens to overwhelm, but they never quite ruin things. It just becomes precisely what it wants to be, a feel good movie. This means that while there are reasons to knock it, it eventually wins you over.

The Opposite View: Dana Stevens, Slate

What the Internet Says: 7.5/10 on imdb.com (6/22/10), 76% on rottentomatoes.com, 74/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 7/10​

 

[dell71]

Astro Boy
Directed by David Bowers.
2009. Rated PG, 94 minutes.
Cast:
Freddie Highmore
Nicolas Cage
Kristen Bell
Donald Sutherland
Bill Nighy
Samuel L. Jackson
Eugene Levy
Charlize Theron​

Plot: After his son is killed during a demonstration gone awry, Dr. Tenma (Cage) builds a robotic version of his tyke outfitted with the latest weaponry and boosters in his boots.

The Good: It manages to be fun without being overly stupid. It doesn’t talk down to its target audience. It also resists the urge to cater to parents and doesn’t purposely put in a bunch of jokes that they know will go over the heads of the kids watching. When we get action, it’s a blast watching Astro Boy zip back and forth across the screen.

The Bad: The go-green subtext is a bit heavy-handed. However, the kids may not pick up on that. What they might notice is that both of our villains are a bit underdeveloped. They’re not as menacing as they could’ve been.

The Ugly: Did they really have to give him "butt guns"?

Recommendation: This is a fun, quick hour and a half. As far as kiddie flicks go, its not in the class of the best animated movies of the last couple years, but it’s successful in its own right. The kids will be thoroughly entertained and adults will probably not be squirming to get out of the room.

The Opposite View: Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle

What the Internet Says: 6.4/10 on imdb.com (6/23/10), 48% on rottentomatoes.com, 53/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 6/10​

 

[dell71]

The Good Shepherd
Directed by Robert De Niro.
2006. Rated R, 167 minutes.
Cast:
Matt Damon
Angelina Jolie
Alec Baldwin
Tammy Blanchard
Billy Crudup
Robert De Niro
Michael Gambon
William Hurt
Timothy Hutton​

The Good Shepherd is a dramatization of the events that led to the creation of the CIA. It also dramatizes the agency’s earliest days, specifically it’s involvement in the Bay of Pigs. We see things through the eyes of Edward Wilson (Damon). He’s a fictional character, but like almost everyone else in the movie, he’s based on a real-life person.

The film plays like Edward’s rise through the ranks to become the CIA director and the problems his unwavering dedication to country has caused in his marriage. However, from within the twists and turns of a spy movie emerges a film much more about father-son relationships. The absence of Wilson’s dad, who committed suicide when Edward was just a young boy, hangs over the movie. Then there are the various men who assume mentorship of Edward and the problems of trust bound to arise from associating only with people engaged in espionage. Finally, there’s Edward’s relationship with his own son that we don’t realize is important until the final act.

For enthusiasts of the genre, there are plenty of spy games played. These have the added advantage of being based on true events without stylizing them. Still, it’s not an easy movie to watch. It’s a largely monotone affair in which dialogue is almost always spoken calmly and often whispered. Matt Damon’s performance perfectly embodies all the movie wants to be. Some will be turned off by his emotionless portrayal but that’s precisely what his character is supposed to be. He handles the role well.

It is also a dialogue heavy movie that asks you to pay close attention. What happens between sentences and offscreen drive the movie. Offscreen is where most of what would be action scenes in another movie takes place. Because of this, many would consider it boring, and may have trouble following. It can indeed be difficult to delineate what exactly the point of all this is since it purposely builds slowly towards it. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, steer clear. If you want intrigue and don’t mind it in hushed tones, have at it.

MY SCORE: 8/10​

 

[dell71]

Dell's Classics Presents:

12 Angry Men
Directed by Sidney Lumet.
1957. Not Rated, 96 minutes.
Cast:
Henry Fonda
Lee J. Cobb
E.G. Fiedler
Ed Begley
Joseph Sweeney
Jack Klugman
6 other angry men​

Plot: The 12 jurors of a first-degree murder trial deliberate the case.

The Good: Acting.This is a movie that's all about the actors. Without strong performances it would fall apart. Thankfully, this movie gets a good performance out all 12 guys. The writing is also exceptional as it has to be to carry such a claustrophobic movie. All but a couple minutes at the beginning & the very end take place in the deliberation room or adjoining restroom. The characters don't so much develop as they do reveal themselves. It becomes a very effective tool saving its most powerful moment for last. Director Sidney Lumet's pacing is also remarkable. Even though the scenery never changes & there are no action scenes to speed things along, the movie moves along rather quickly without rushing itself. His best trick however may be that for the most part he stays out of his actors' way.

The Bad: A couple of the guys really don't do much. Not really a detractor because it's awfully tough to write major parts for 12 different characters without making the movie excruciatingly long.

The Ugly: When the jurors all turn their back, quite literally, on one of the jurors spouting off his prejudices. Ugly in such a good way.

Recommendation: If you're a fan of courtroom dramas, this is an absolute must-see. If you just want to see a movie with some great acting & writing this is also for you. Skip it if you're under the distinct impression that every movie has to have either an explosion &/or love story

What the Internet Says: 8.9/10 on imdb.com (#8 all time as of 6/27/10), 100% on rottentomatoes.com, N/A on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 10/10​

 

[dell71]

Ninja Assassin
Directed by James McTeigue.
2009. Rated R, 99 minutes.
Cast:
Rain
Naomie Harris
Ben Miles
Rick Yune
Shô Kosugi
Anna Sawai
Joon Lee​

Raizo, played by the singularly and mystically named Rain, has turned his back on his family. His family is not like yours. They are the infamous Ozunu clan. The Ozunu clan is one of the infamous “nine clans” that has apparently been supplying ninjas to work as assassins for governments or “anyone who has gold” for thousands of years. They are, of course, led by Ozunu (Kosugi). How old is this guy? Shouldn’t he be Ozunu XXV or something? Alas, that’s not important.

When we meet Raizo, he is roughly 9 or 10 years old and under the tutelage of Ozunu, along with about a couple dozen other kids of about the same age. A few of them are girls. How did Ozunu become the sole guardian of all these children? That’s not important, either. What is important is that it’s a secret ninja training compound. It’s so secret, Ozunu seems to run the place with absolute autonomy. There doesn’t even appear to be any staff to help run the place. You guessed it, that’s not important.

What is sorta important is that Raizo flew the coup and his family is out to kill him for it. They are also out to kill Mika (Harris), the Europol agent who has picked up their scent and wants to put a stop to all this ninja madness.

What is really important is that everything you’ve read so far gives a great excuse for some nasty, nasty ninja fights. All manner of sharp, shiny metallic weaponry whirls about while the people using them do the same. Losers in these fights generally end up as a group of parts on the floor in a puddle of blood. One rather unlucky young lady ends up in a dryer. Speaking of blood, it’s obviously cgi, but it splatters everywhere. Even I ended up with a few red stains on my shirt.

The dialogue that drives this vehicle is hokey, at best. Lots of things make little or no sense. For instance, when you watch it please tell me where you think Ozunu’s compound is located based on how things play out. Why the hell would he have it there? Did it move, or is it me? Wait a minute…that’s not important. It is important that we move very quickly from one genuinely fun action sequence to the next. Oh, and a still breathing ninja has no need for Neosporin, band-aids or even stitches. It all adds up to a movie that’s so bad, it’s awesome!

The Opposite View: Movies so bad they're awesome are exempt.

What the Internet Says: 6.4/10 on imdb.com (6/27/10), 25% on rottentomatoes.com, 34/100 on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: -10/10​

 

[NAHSTE]

Damn, fresh batch of Dell reviews to read through.

/toasts up two pop-tarts

 

[Golden Taters]

Dell's Classics Presents:

12 Angry Men
Directed by Sidney Lumet.
1957. Not Rated, 96 minutes.
Cast:
Henry Fonda
Lee J. Cobb
E.G. Fiedler
Ed Begley
Joseph Sweeney
Jack Klugman
6 other angry men​

Plot: The 12 jurors of a first-degree murder trial deliberate the case.

The Good: Acting.This is a movie that's all about the actors. Without strong performances it would fall apart. Thankfully, this movie gets a good performance out all 12 guys. The writing is also exceptional as it has to be to carry such a claustrophobic movie. All but a couple minutes at the beginning & the very end take place in the deliberation room or adjoining restroom. The characters don't so much develop as they do reveal themselves. It becomes a very effective tool saving its most powerful moment for last. Director Sidney Lumet's pacing is also remarkable. Even though the scenery never changes & there are no action scenes to speed things along, the movie moves along rather quickly without rushing itself. His best trick however may be that for the most part he stays out of his actors' way.

The Bad: A couple of the guys really don't do much. Not really a detractor because it's awfully tough to write major parts for 12 different characters without making the movie excruciatingly long.

The Ugly: When the jurors all turn their back, quite literally, on one of the jurors spouting off his prejudices. Ugly in such a good way.

Recommendation: If you're a fan of courtroom dramas, this is an absolute must-see. If you just want to see a movie with some great acting & writing this is also for you. Skip it if you're under the distinct impression that every movie has to have either an explosion &/or love story

What the Internet Says: 8.9/10 on imdb.com (#8 all time as of 6/27/10), 100% on rottentomatoes.com, N/A on metacritic.com

MY SCORE: 10/10​

Read the story, seen the movie, and then had to write an essay on this last year lol. Good movie though.

 

[Tengo Juego]

Yep. Watched 12 angry men in Washington State history(I think, maybe it was Gov. & Civics) back in HS. Back in High School any movie we watched usually sucked. Was surprisingly good.