funlovincritic's stats
- Review count53
- Helpfulness votes3
- First reviewNovember 25, 2008
- Last reviewMarch 17, 2010
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.2
Overall rating
2
/
5
Stay Away!
PostedJune 23, 2009
I expected more from this film, given the credits of the director, sam mendes. but, this is no "american beauty". it's a nice idea: a couple of 30 somethings, about to be parents, go on a road trip to determine where they should settle and raise their kid. their journey to visit family and friends is mostly a boring trip through over-played stereotypes. there are a few touching moments, and some outright funny bits, but the movie really drags.
your $10 would be better spent on another movie.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Best Horror Film I've Seen In Years
PostedJune 17, 2009
Not that I see too many, but glad I saw this one. A nice mix of typical genre effects and a few new ones. There are some sturdy performances that shore up the fairly predictable plot, and Lorna Raver truly shines as the grotesque, virulent gypsy. Sam Raimi does a good job inserting humor/levity, so he can then scare you again. For the squeamish - bring a barf bag if you are prone to sympathetic vomiting.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
wait for the dvd
PostedJune 9, 2009
this film is meant to stand on its own, providing the backstory for the wolverine character. it does so...but, poorly. the plot/script is weak and totally predictable. there is minimal character development outside of the 2 or 3 main characters. the pacing is off - - a certain amount is to be expected, as wolverine rejects his past, and seeks normalcy. but, at points where i was clearly supposed to be riveted, i was just yawning, and looking at my watch (at least 5 times). ho hum.
my companion, who was excited to see this film, said, "it was ok." that should speak volumes...
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Quirky and enjoyable
PostedApril 22, 2009
The unusual premise, starting a company which cleans up messy crime scenes, provides plenty of fuel for character study and familial dynamics. The performances are strong, illuminating a nuanced script and tight direction.
Fave scene: baby shower game - "guess the 5 kinds of chocolate pooh in the diaper". Do people really do that??
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Not up to the hype.
PostedApril 15, 2009
This is basically a kids' movie. There are some moments of more adult humor and homages to old sci-fi flicks, that will go over their heads. The 3D is all that makes the totally predictable and slow-moving plot bearable. The 3D is deliberately toned down to limit the scariness factor for the kids. Overall, it was better done in Journey to the Center of the Earth.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
1
/
5
Bad...and free is usally a good thing.
PostedApril 15, 2009
I knew nothing about the origins of this movie. I'd summarize it as: thin plot/weak script (many gaping holes, and laughable at times), bad acting, one nicely choreographed matrix-like scene, lots of mundane karate stuff, even more excessively fast editing to make what was happening seem more unusual/neat (but, it was just normal action sped up), cheesy make-up on the bad guy(s), uninspiring special effects, and awful dialogue. Even though this was a bad movie, it's very badness was entertaining (but, then, i am weird like that).
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
i liked this film!
PostedApril 8, 2009
first, it's an interesting concept to have all the action take place within the walls of the school. next, it is uplifting to see the dedication of teachers, despite the frustrations they endure. third, the overall setting provides a view into cultural diversity and race relations as well as immigration and communication issues. lastly, there is some exposure to a different educational system than we have here in the us, which is thought provoking; yet, it is not so different from what we have here, in the nyc area.
in sum, this is a nice view into the educational system and cultural diversity in our current world. i think you will enjoy it.
in sum, this is a nice view into the educational system and cultural diversity in our current world. i think you will enjoy it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
1
/
5
Horrifying? No. Boring? Yes.
PostedMarch 31, 2009
As a horror film, this movie just fails. Oh, you'll find the typical horror cliches (ghosts in mirrors, eerie shadows, poltergeist activity, etc.). and there are maybe 5 "gotcha" moments. but it's basically a dragging drama w/ a stoic mom, alcoholic dad, and terminally ill son, surrounded by some lame supernatural phenomena.
good performances are delivered by virginia madsen and kyle gallner, as the mom and son.
good performances are delivered by virginia madsen and kyle gallner, as the mom and son.
i saw this only because another one was sold out.
i guarantee that you have a better way to spend 92 minutes. wait to see this on cable, for free. i should add that the crowd in the theater seemed very restless - lots of talking, etc. - a clear sign they weren't engaged, as they weren't talking about the movie.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Better than I expected...
PostedMarch 10, 2009
but still, only ok. The performances were good, given what the actors had to work with. The only character developed is Phoenix', so you have to view everything from his perspective; this is a serious fault, as we don't see why there's a conflict about choosing between the 2 women, aside from being "dutiful" vs. "free-thinking". Perhaps it was a deliberate choice...but it left me dissatisfied. It made the protagonist seem rather shallow - like a nebbishy pseudo-player. I thought the infatuation w/ Paltrow pitiful - dude! she's just not into you! Watch it on cable...if you must...
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Worth twice the price!
PostedDecember 24, 2008
This is the best movie I've seen in a long while. Surely, it will garner a dozen Academy Award nominations.
While we've all seen flashback movies, this one stands out. The game show experience drives the back-story of the protagonist, which allows the viewer to see and feel the shaping forces of Indian society as it becomes industrialized, as well as how the change affects those who must deal with it to survive. And the ramifications of choices made.
Look for a dozen Oscar nominations for this film. There is so much substance here, it would require words way in excess of this review to discuss it all...
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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