funlovincritic's stats
- Review count53
- Helpfulness votes3
- First reviewNovember 25, 2008
- Last reviewMarch 17, 2010
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.2
Overall rating
2
/
5
Good Idea - Poor Execution
PostedNovember 3, 2009
i'm sure ms. swank produced this film to honor an american icon. i'm equally sure it was a mistake to go with this screenplay. it's an unsatisfying depiction that could have been so much more. yeah, i get that she was a maverick, but - i don't know WHY.
the pacing is off; the movie is slow and boring. character development is just about non-existent. swank's performance is fine; gere and mcgregor phone theirs in. the cinematography is nice; the score tried its darnedest to get me emotionally involved, but failed due to the script deficiencies.
the couple next to us got up and left after an hour. if i were alone, i would have left - i know how the story ends(companion didn't). we thought astro boy (disliked) was better than this film.
the pacing is off; the movie is slow and boring. character development is just about non-existent. swank's performance is fine; gere and mcgregor phone theirs in. the cinematography is nice; the score tried its darnedest to get me emotionally involved, but failed due to the script deficiencies.
the couple next to us got up and left after an hour. if i were alone, i would have left - i know how the story ends(companion didn't). we thought astro boy (disliked) was better than this film.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Slick! (ha! - another inside joke!)
PostedNovember 3, 2009
This may just be the most mature film done by the coen brothers. set in the late 60s (kudos for authenticity in sets and costumes), an ordinary schlub undergoes a series of trials, which cause him to seek to understand himself and his god.
Most of the characters are stereotypes, which is ok in a film about stereotypes. One of the points of the film is that our schlub eventually breaks out of his mold.
The audience laughed out loud. Coen fans will enjoy it, as will those who appreciate wry humor.
Most of the characters are stereotypes, which is ok in a film about stereotypes. One of the points of the film is that our schlub eventually breaks out of his mold.
The audience laughed out loud. Coen fans will enjoy it, as will those who appreciate wry humor.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Slow, Boring, and Disappointing
PostedOctober 27, 2009
The animation was fine. The performances were good, given the material they had to work with, save that of Nick Cage (the dad/scientist), who really didn't deliver parental acceptance/love at the end. Frankly, most of the characters are unidimensional.
The pacing is horribly slow, save the few action sequences. The plot is incredibly thin, failing to explore numerous possibilities that could have been interesting. It's unoriginal, and was done better in AI.
There were several kids in the audience nearby, from 4 - 13, and they kept asking "why?" questions - which leads me to believe the film doesn't even work as a kid flick.
if you're an adult - avoid; if you have kids, wait for cable or dvd.
The pacing is horribly slow, save the few action sequences. The plot is incredibly thin, failing to explore numerous possibilities that could have been interesting. It's unoriginal, and was done better in AI.
There were several kids in the audience nearby, from 4 - 13, and they kept asking "why?" questions - which leads me to believe the film doesn't even work as a kid flick.
if you're an adult - avoid; if you have kids, wait for cable or dvd.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Spoof-alicious, High Camp
PostedOctober 21, 2009
This film had the audience from first to last moment. It's kinda like Shaft meets Bruce Lee meets James Bond.
There is significant attention to 70s detail, here, from polyester attire to afro wigs, and classic cars. Add on some broad parodies of a sentimental anti-hero, production gaffes, and numerous 70s stereotypes. And, you have a funny film.
While it probably wont win any awards, it will make the career of Michael Jai White, and achieve cult status, at the least.
2 comparatively minor complaints: 1) in a good spoof, the characters aren't in on the gag; here, they evidently are - yet it still works. 2) there's a small timing issue at the 3/4 point, where things lag.
Go see this, it'll brighten your day.
There is significant attention to 70s detail, here, from polyester attire to afro wigs, and classic cars. Add on some broad parodies of a sentimental anti-hero, production gaffes, and numerous 70s stereotypes. And, you have a funny film.
While it probably wont win any awards, it will make the career of Michael Jai White, and achieve cult status, at the least.
2 comparatively minor complaints: 1) in a good spoof, the characters aren't in on the gag; here, they evidently are - yet it still works. 2) there's a small timing issue at the 3/4 point, where things lag.
Go see this, it'll brighten your day.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
1
/
5
Pretty Disappointing
PostedOctober 20, 2009
Something that had plenty of potential wound up failing to engage my interest. The performances were pretty solid, and the stories were interwoven well. But, this film never managed to capture my interest.
Frankly, I was sitting there, bored, after 15 minutes. Throughout, I kept thinking, "should I leave?" (I never do, but the fact I think about it is a pretty bad sign.) I refrained from looking at my watch until it seemed like it should be about over; when I did, there was still a half hour to go. AUGH! Talk about time CREEPING...
Don't waste your money on this one. Don't even waste your free tickets. Don't even bother renting a dvd, or watching it on cable.
Don't waste your money on this one. Don't even waste your free tickets. Don't even bother renting a dvd, or watching it on cable.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
il est plaisant, mais ralentit aussi
PostedOctober 20, 2009
Translation: it is pleasant, but too slow.
good: performances, cinematography, accurate period setting.
bad: waaay too slow, bad subtitles (both in terms of the translation and the fact they are poorly done in post production - from left to right, they went down an approx. 20 degree slope).
average: everything else.
if you are dragging someone to a foreign film, pick a different one, or that person will never agree to go, again.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
I'd See It Again!!
PostedOctober 13, 2009
And, I never say that. It's a very revealing film, exposing the willing subversion of government by big business and the top 1% of the wealthy. The ray of hope held out to combat this: one person, one vote.
The film is very well thought out in terms of its presentation. There are tales of ignominy and triumph. A real stand-out is Rep. Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) - we need more like her.
My personal fave: clip from "Roger and Me", and Moore's subsequent attempt (again) to gain entry to GM.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Just "Ehhhh"
PostedSeptember 30, 2009
A fairly simple plot with one unforeseen twist; otherwise predictable. Grabs your interest with the premise, but has an excruciatingly slow middle, concludes with action and a tepid cliffhanger. I left, thinking, "this movie could have been so much more." But, it is what it is, and that's "just ok".Special effects were good, and Willis shows he can do more than just stunts.
Wait for video.
Wait for video.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Goes Nowhere
PostedSeptember 29, 2009
The beginning is interesting and shows what it's like to live in Bethlehem, with its roadblocks, etc. The motivation to emigrate is clear. Upon arrival, we see some culture shock. Then, we see our immigrants beginning to fit in. THE END. Really, i walked out feeling less than satisfied with the soft ending. There are better films to see.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Square peg/round hole -
PostedSeptember 8, 2009
pretty much describes the difficulties of living with Asperger's. Even while they realize they don't fit, they have a hard time developing strategies to help them do so. The film does a good job of demonstrating the point, and that IQ can't necessarily substitute for EQ.
With that said, the leads and supporting players give fine performances. Direction, editing are on target; had a small problem with the soundtrack at 2 points. Biggest problem is the dragginess in the second half.
Disagree w/ poster re: subplot w/ gal's dad's legal mess. I'll simply say, the outcome affected the gal's EQ, and made subsequent events inevitable. While not typical Hollywood, i still thought it was a happy ending.
true score - 3 1/2 stars.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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