Dell's Good, Bad & Ugly Movie Reviews

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I actually really liked Robin Hood, taking it at face value.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Also, I have to say that since our liking Freddy didn't happen until 3 movies in, its irrelevant to this flick. After the original, we dreaded him and that's the angle this goes for so I won't throw in the what happened in the sequels against it.[/spoiler]

Its a bit of a weird thing, but I have to disagree with your post here, because while Freddy was feared, and he didn't become the pop culture figure until the third film, but there is something that happens in that first film, there is a certain allure to that character after the first film...it is why there is a second and third and fourth film...the same happened with Mike Myers, Jason, etc. There is a certain fear after the first film, but they instantly become likable characters going forward, no matter how diabolical he is in the first film.

Lastly, I see your point about "Bride of Frankenstein" but have to disagree on how the monster became a cartoon. Honestly, I think it had little to do with the sequel and much more to do with the original (& the book). Most of the time, when Frankenstein's monster is spoofed it is the groaning, barely coherent version that is mocked not the more intelligent version of the sequel. "Young Frankenstein" being an exception and even that skewers both. Also, the monster as an overgrown infant, an imbecile, is such an iconic figure he became an easy target.

Again, I guess I'll disagree here. The essence of the character changed dramatically as soon as the first film ended. When watching Bride, I really find the character to be a cartoon...the damn thing is smoking, what is to be perceived as marijuana in the movie. Not to the same extent, but Dracula, Wolfman, The Mummy, etc. all became cartoons...maybe not so much The Mummy, as there was no real sequel, but about a decade later there was a series of B-Flicks involving the Mummy.

 

[dell71]

Its a bit of a weird thing, but I have to disagree with your post here, because while Freddy was feared, and he didn't become the pop culture figure until the third film, but there is something that happens in that first film, there is a certain allure to that character after the first film...it is why there is a second and third and fourth film...the same happened with Mike Myers, Jason, etc. There is a certain fear after the first film, but they instantly become likable characters going forward, no matter how diabolical he is in the first film.

To that I'll say it's not that they're suddenly likeable characters, but we like being scared and they scared us. To me, that's the allure.

Again, I guess I'll disagree here. The essence of the character changed dramatically as soon as the first film ended. When watching Bride, I really find the character to be a cartoon...the damn thing is smoking, what is to be perceived as marijuana in the movie. Not to the same extent, but Dracula, Wolfman, The Mummy, etc. all became cartoons...maybe not so much The Mummy, as there was no real sequel, but about a decade later there was a series of B-Flicks involving the Mummy.

Can't really argue too much with that other than to note that there are cartoonish aspects to the character dating back to the novel. So I can see it both ways.

 

[dell71]

I actually really liked Robin Hood, taking it at face value.

Meh, I liked it but didn't love it...or "really" like it.

 

[Cody]

Wow I was going to go buy cop out but 0/10? Damn son.

 

[dell71]

Wow I was going to go buy cop out but 0/10? Damn son.

If you laughed at the trailer, then have at it. Didn't work for me, at all.

 

[dell71]

A Single Man
<strong>Directed by Tom Ford.</strong>
<em>2009. Rated R, 99 minutes.
Cast:
Colin Firth
Julianne Moore
Nicholas Hoult
Matthew Goode
Ryan Simpkins
Jon Kortajarena</em>​

In 1962, George Falconer (Firth) is a college professor and gay man who becomes distraught when his partner of nearly two decades dies in a car accident. He contemplates suicide, finds comfort in the company of his friend/drinking buddy Charley (Moore) and is pursued by a rather persistent young man who also happens to be one of his students. Persistent is putting it nicely. He’s actually stalked, but since George never complains it’s all good.

We watch our hero in flashbacks to happier times with his mate, seriously consider sticking the gun from his desk drawer in his own mouth and squeezing the trigger, get interrupted, have a laugh with Charley or flirt with Kenny (Hoult), the stalker. This actually happens on a loop, so it seems as if we watch the same series of events play out repeatedly. Since we can tell rather early where this is all leading, it seems rather pointless..

Opportunities to really engage us go by the wayside. Yes, he’s a gay man in early sixties. There’s even a few hints that this is indeed a more intolerant time than our own, but nothing really relevant to the film. As I mentioned before, the young student stalks him which he brushes off. What we have is a situation based on obsession by the younger party and lust by the older with neither aspect really being explored. Even worse, the ethics of a professor seeing a student is never even brought into question.

There are some good things going on. George’s scenes with Charley are easily the best in the movie. They share memories, wine, laughs, even a sexual past. What makes these work is the empathy we feel for her. She’s been unlucky in love and clearly pines for a man she can never have in the way she wants.

Through it all, the actors turn in some excellent work. Firth is very good at showing his emotions on his face without over-emoting. It’s a nice, subtle performance. Julianne Moore is excellent. In the unsung role of Jim, the deceased lover seen only in flashbacks, Matthew Goode is also very good.

In the end, it’s a decent watch, but it doesn’t realize it’s full potential. The story is told in a manner suggesting we’re watching something important but never gets around to what that might be.

<strong>MY SCORE: 6.5/10</strong>​

 

[Buzzman]

Did Firth deserve all the hype for his acting performance? He had a huge Oscar campaign to try and get him the Oscar.

 

[j.hen]

Watched Heath's last movie a couple more times since it's been on HBO.

It really doesnt make a lot of sense at times whatsoever. Like each person who goes into the mirror is supposed to make a choice, one being the devil's and the other the doctor's. You would think that the devil's option would symbolize evil while the doctor's would be the "good" choice.

But thats not how it is. For instance the first time Tony goes into the mirror with that old lady the choice she has to make is either take her lover (johnny depp) to a cheap hotel to fuck OR ride a gondola down a river which somehow is compared to James Dean, Princess Diana all dying young. The hotel choice = devil. the gondola = the doctor. This makes no sense.

And then the next time Tony goes into the mirror and is being chased by the mafia, he's shown climbing the latter to success or enlightenment while the guys chasing him ruin it, this symbolizes his past catching up with him in a sense. So the doctor and the devil are competing for the souls of the guys after Tony. Just as they're trying to hang him the doctor trys to convince the guys to become police offers (i guess because they like violence?) and then the devil ultimately wins their souls when he appears as one of the guy's mothers.... So join the police = the good choice, while the guy's mother = the bad choice? This shit makes no sense whatsoever.

Also LMAO @ Andrew Garfield's attempt at acting. This dude got spiderman? gtfo


/rant

 

[dell71]

Did Firth deserve all the hype for his acting performance? He had a huge Oscar campaign to try and get him the Oscar.

I thought he was very good, not necessarily Oscar quality. Then again, George Clooney was nominated for playing George Clooney in <em>Up in the Air</em>. Based on that, Firth deserved his nom. However, he certainly wasn't as good as Jeff Bridges in <em>Crazy Heart</em>, imho.

 

[dell71]

AND NOW...

to piss some people off or comfort the few of you past puberty that actually agree with me...

The Karate Kid (2010)
<strong>Directed by Harald Zwart.</strong>
<em>2010. Rated PG, 140 minutes.
Cast:
Jaden Smith
Jackie Chan
Taraji P. Henson
Wenwen Han
Zhenwei Wang
Rongguang Yu
Zhensu Wu
Zhiheng Wang</em>​

Tre (Smith) moves to China with his mom (Henson) after her job transfers her abroad. Practically soon as he steps off the plane, he takes a shine to one of the local girls. Of course, this puts him at odds with the neighborhood bully Cheng (Zhenwei Wang) and his cronies. Yes, this is a remake of the 1984 hit movie of the same name.

While maintaining the framework of the original, this one branches far enough out to stand on its own. The wise teacher, love story, evil teacher with a “no mercy” policy and angry young bully are all in place, yet it feels like a fresh approach. A contributing factor is the change in location from California to China. Another is the change in age groups from near adults to middle-schoolers. These changes work to create something essentially the same, but somehow different, if that makes any sense.

This version has something else going in its favor over the original. Some of you may stop reading after the next sentence, just a warning. Jaden Smith is a better karate kid than Ralph Macchio. I realize the blasphemy I’ve just committed, but I’ll drive on. Little Will seems to be the better athlete and actor, pulling off the role easier than “Danielsan”. It helps that he has many of his dad’s qualities, including a natural charm. Admittedly, he can occasionally become annoying, as most kid actors do, but it’s an overall better performance, in my very humble opinion.

In the mentor role, Jackie Chan is also excellent. As Mr. Han, he gives what is probably the finest performance of his career to date. It’s a far cry from the laugh, make a stupid face, run and fight while performing acrobatics routine most of his work consists of. Here, he conveys real emotions and wisdom. Granted, it’s not quite up to the same level of other-worldly awesomeness as Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi, but it’s not as far off as you would think going in. I’ll also admit that hanging and picking up the jacket is a lot more of stretch to translate into a fighting style than “wax on, wax off.” Can’t win ‘em all, I guess.

For me, a remake should retell the story of the original in its own way while maintaining what people liked about the original. It shouldn’t update its predecessor needlessly, but in ways the contemporary audience relates to. The 2010 version of <em>TKK</em> does this. People tend to forget, or ignore, that the 1984 version is really just a martial arts reimagining of <em>Rocky</em>. For that reason, even though I always liked it I feel it is overrated. The remake is rare in that it’s at least on equal footing with the movie it remakes. Duck, more blasphemy coming. In fact, I think its better, as a movie at least. Still, the original has the advantage of being a cultural phenomenon. Since it is, I can already feel many ill-intended glares from the disbelieving eyes that just read this.

<strong>MY SCORE: 7/10</strong>​

 

[SOS4Prez]

I actually agree on The Karate Kid. Mainly because I thought Jackie Chan was phenomenal and it was a quick moving 2 hours, 20 minutes.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

AND NOW...

to piss some people off or comfort the few of you past puberty that actually agree with me...

The Karate Kid (2010)
<strong>Directed by Harald Zwart.</strong>
<em>2010. Rated PG, 140 minutes.
Cast:
Jaden Smith
Jackie Chan
Taraji P. Henson
Wenwen Han
Zhenwei Wang
Rongguang Yu
Zhensu Wu
Zhiheng Wang</em>​

Tre (Smith) moves to China with his mom (Henson) after her job transfers her abroad. Practically soon as he steps off the plane, he takes a shine to one of the local girls. Of course, this puts him at odds with the neighborhood bully Cheng (Zhenwei Wang) and his cronies. Yes, this is a remake of the 1984 hit movie of the same name.

While maintaining the framework of the original, this one branches far enough out to stand on its own. The wise teacher, love story, evil teacher with a “no mercy” policy and angry young bully are all in place, yet it feels like a fresh approach. A contributing factor is the change in location from California to China. Another is the change in age groups from near adults to middle-schoolers. These changes work to create something essentially the same, but somehow different, if that makes any sense.

This version has something else going in its favor over the original. Some of you may stop reading after the next sentence, just a warning. Jaden Smith is a better karate kid than Ralph Macchio. I realize the blasphemy I’ve just committed, but I’ll drive on. Little Will seems to be the better athlete and actor, pulling off the role easier than “Danielsan”. It helps that he has many of his dad’s qualities, including a natural charm. Admittedly, he can occasionally become annoying, as most kid actors do, but it’s an overall better performance, in my very humble opinion.

In the mentor role, Jackie Chan is also excellent. As Mr. Han, he gives what is probably the finest performance of his career to date. It’s a far cry from the laugh, make a stupid face, run and fight while performing acrobatics routine most of his work consists of. Here, he conveys real emotions and wisdom. Granted, it’s not quite up to the same level of other-worldly awesomeness as Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi, but it’s not as far off as you would think going in. I’ll also admit that hanging and picking up the jacket is a lot more of stretch to translate into a fighting style than “wax on, wax off.” Can’t win ‘em all, I guess.

For me, a remake should retell the story of the original in its own way while maintaining what people liked about the original. It shouldn’t update its predecessor needlessly, but in ways the contemporary audience relates to. The 2010 version of <em>TKK</em> does this. People tend to forget, or ignore, that the 1984 version is really just a martial arts reimagining of <em>Rocky</em>. For that reason, even though I always liked it I feel it is overrated. The remake is rare in that it’s at least on equal footing with the movie it remakes. Duck, more blasphemy coming. In fact, I think its better, as a movie at least. Still, the original has the advantage of being a cultural phenomenon. Since it is, I can already feel many ill-intended glares from the disbelieving eyes that just read this.

<strong>MY SCORE: 7/10</strong>​

The problem w/ The Karate Kid 2010 film, is that its called The Karate Kid.

If it was named something else, people would take it at face value and they'd probably come away with something similar to your thoughts.

Calling it TKK doesnt help it, IMO. It was also long as fuck and it did come off, at least to me, as simply a stage for Jaden Smith to get face time.

 

[Senser81]

The problem w/ The Karate Kid 2010 film, is that its called The Karate Kid.

If it was named something else, people would take it at face value and they'd probably come away with something similar to your thoughts.

Calling it TKK doesnt help it, IMO. It was also long as fuck and it did come off, at least to me, as simply a stage for Jaden Smith to get face time.

The Karate Black Kid?

 

[Champ]

WHOA WHOA WHOA DONT EVER HATE ON RALPH MACCHIO

 

[dell71]

The problem w/ The Karate Kid 2010 film, is that its called The Karate Kid.

Funny thing is, I thought about this while watching it, only because he's not actually learning karate. So in this instance, it could've been called "The Kung Fu Kid", but whatever.

If it was named something else, people would take it at face value and they'd probably come away with something similar to your thoughts.

Probably true.

Calling it TKK doesnt help it, IMO. It was also long as fuck and it did come off, at least to me, as simply a stage for Jaden Smith to get face time.

It was long, but I thought moved along well. And I expected nothing less than a full on Jaden Smith assault.

 

[dell71]

Gentlemen Broncos
<strong>Directed by Jared Hess.</strong>
<em>2009. Rated PG-13, 90 minutes.
Cast:
Michael Angarano
Jennifer Coolidge
Jermaine Clement
Halley Feiffer
Héctor Jiménez
Sam Rockwell
John Baker</em>​

Benjamin Purvis (Angarano) is an aspiring sci-fi writer and a bit of a loner. His mom, played by American Pie’s original MILF, Jennifer Coolidge, sends him off to a writer’s camp. By the way, she’s an aspiring fashion designer. Once there, he is befriended by the pushy Tabatha (Feiffer) and her sidekick/independent filmmaker Lonnie (Jiménez). The best part of the camp, as far as Benjamin is concerned is that the keynote speaker and judge of the manuscript contest is famed sci-fi author Chevalier (Clement). Before the rest of the people in the movie, we learn that Chevalier is in danger of being dropped by his publisher since his last few books have tanked and the one he’s working on is apparently terrible. On the other hand, everyone seems to love Benjamin’s work. Hmm, I wonder where this is headed.

What follows is a quirky comedy filled with awkward moments and passages from our hero’s story playing out in front of our eyes, performed mostly by Sam Rockwell. It’s brought to us by Jared Hess, the creator of <em>Napoleoon Dynamite</em>. Even without that tidbit of info we can recognize the same style of humor. The tone and delivery of lines are largely identical. The difference is <em>ND</em> has better jokes and note-perfect performances. Effectively, <em>GB</em> feels like a lame imitation. It has its moments but they merely garner mild chuckles, not all out laughter. I’m sure there are some who will swear I just didn’t get it. Maybe they’re right. In any event, despite its best efforts, <em>GB</em> never quite captures the magic of <em>ND</em>. If you’re one of those who just hate <em>ND</em> then stay far, far away from this one.

<strong>MY SCORE: 4.5/10</strong>​

 

[dell71]

Gonna do a review on Due Date?

I enjoyed it.

Eventually, but probably not until after it hits DVD.

 

[dell71]

Do you rent DVD's? OR just watch them online? I'm sure you've answered this multiple times,I'm just lazy to look.

It's a combination...

Blockbuster online/in-store
Local library
Sister-in-law
Online


For new movies...

The occasional trip to the theater
The occasional good online version

 

[dell71]

How to Train Your Dragon
<strong>Directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders.</strong>
<em>2010. Rated PG, 98 minutes.
Cast:
Jay Baruchel
Gerard Butler
America Ferrera
Craig Ferguson
Jonah Hill
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
T. J. Miller
Kristen Wiig</em>​

Hiccup (Baruchel) is a bit of a miscast. He’s a young Viking who, like others, yearns to grow up and slay dragons. They’ve been terrorizing his island village since long before he was born, hundreds of years in fact. However, he doesn’t appear to be blessed with the ability. He’s not big or strong and has a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s also more cerebral that most of, if not all of his people. Basically, he’s a very young and not quite as neurotic Woody Allen.

Inevitably, Hiccup is misunderstood and smart enough to build a device that enables him to catch one of the elusive species of dragon known as a Night Fury. He’s the first Viking to ever do so. However, instead of killing the beast, he sets it free and the two begin a relationship not much unlike a contemporary boy and his dog.

From there, we get a fun and fun to look at tale. The animation strikes a nice balance between realism and fantasy. The story does the same between light-hearted and intense. It’s a movie adults might not love, but can certainly enjoy.

<em>HTTYD</em> isn’t completely without faults. There could’ve been more about the Night Fury. Are there any more? The final battle could’ve been even more epic. And why the dearth of women on this island. I counted very few. Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention.

There is also the old accent problem. Usually, it’s a Disney problem but Dreamworks has picked it up. In a number of animated movies, the hero will have an American accent while everyone else uses whatever is native to the land. In this case, it correctly makes Hiccup seem out of place, but for some it will also render him unbelievable. Who am I kidding? I just way overthought this. The kids probably won’t notice.

In all, it’s a solid kiddie flick full of life lessons. Thankfully, the moralizing doesn’t overwhelm the story so we still have a blast. This is no small part due to some very good writing that ebbs and flows nicely. It’s one grown-ups can actually be entertained by instead of being assaulted by stupidity.

<strong>MY SCORE: 7/10</strong>​