PedS's stats
- Review count386
- Helpfulness votes92
- First reviewMay 31, 2008
- Last reviewApril 27, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.4
Overall rating
3
/
5
Difficult to sit through
PostedMay 29, 2011
The beginning of this film includes no less than 25 minutes of silence while taking us through an orgy of images ranging from pools of amniotic fluid to Big Bang Theory images of meteors crashing the surface of the earth, volcanoes erupting, and dinosaurs (yes, that's not a typo) exploring nature. The rest of the movie involves the story of an abusive father (played well by Brad Pitt) as seen through his eldest child's perspective. The storyline is ultimately not difficult to follow, but it all ends up being pointless. This is not an enjoyable movie, nor is it compelling enough to recommend. I would recommend skipping this movie entirely.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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1of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Touching story struggle and triumph
PostedMay 26, 2011
This is a warm-hearted story of an 84 year old man who has spent his life enduring extreme pain and suffering. He's now on a mission to get an education and get ahead.
This story is a bit simplistic, but very well crafted and uplifting. I actually sat in amazement as this older actor pulls off a challenging part surrounded by some truly spectacular child actors. I left the theater touched and inspired.
This story is a bit simplistic, but very well crafted and uplifting. I actually sat in amazement as this older actor pulls off a challenging part surrounded by some truly spectacular child actors. I left the theater touched and inspired.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Funny, Romantic, and Witty
PostedMay 20, 2011
Owen Wilson plays the Woody Allen role to a tee in this movie about a rich American couple in Paris shortly before they're to be married. Wilson's character is a Hollywood writer who recently started to get serious with his art and has written a novel. One night while wandering the streets drunk around midnight, he finds a portal back to the 1920s where he meets up with Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Picaso just to name a few.
The movie has some terrific dialog and impeccable comedic timing. Woody's love for Paris shines through and we're treated to some terrific shots of the city's architecture.
The movie has some terrific dialog and impeccable comedic timing. Woody's love for Paris shines through and we're treated to some terrific shots of the city's architecture.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Indecisive 80s teens hanging out
PostedMay 18, 2011
Unfortunately, this film spends too much time being about nothing to redeem itself when it finally decides to climax. It's mostly about high school students who have to decide what's next? The main character doesn't seem to care too much, but those around him do and they push.
The last 25 minutes of the film are more interesting that the first hour. There's a mad-dash to create a more serious drama and, for the most part, it works. The characters are developed more in those final minutes. In retrospect, it's too little too late to make this film recommendable.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Drunk finds meaning in life after collapse
PostedMay 14, 2011
Will Ferrell plays the worst sort of drunk who tears his life apart, along with those he loves, before realizing that he has a problem and making a turn for sobriety. He meets two very interesting characters along the way. The first is a young woman who lives across the street from him who has a husband that's on the same track he was on when he was younger. They bond and ultimately help each other. The second is an overweight kid who becomes friends with him and helps him appreciate camaraderie. The movie is painful to sit through, but Ferrell's performance shines throughout.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Painfully endearing
PostedMay 8, 2011
Mel Gibson gives a solid performance as a middle-aged father who suffers from a highly destructive form of depression. There's a scene early in the movie where he gets kicked out of his house and ends up in a hotel room drinking and attempting suicide twice. Enter the beaver, which appears to be a self-therapeutic puppet that gives him a voice and distances him from himself. It's effective enough to get him back home, where his family is less than supportive or understanding, except for his youngest son. At work, the beaver is a hit and makes him a better boss. However, this fix is merely temporary and the more reality rears its ugly head, the more unstable Mel's character becomes. Luckily, this is Hollywood and the best possible ending, at least for this level of dis-functionality, is just around the corner.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Light fare
PostedMay 8, 2011
There's not much thinking required to see this romantic comedy about unlikely pairs that don't make sense, but proceed to stay together and even pursue marriage. Ginnfer Goodwin is the quirky, brainy, all-giving friend who lets her selfish girlfriend win every time. The movie is set in New York, just 60-days before her friend is about to marry the love of her life. Unfortunately, their love interest is, well, a coward and unable to make decisions for himself. It quickly becomes clear that love puts their friendship in serious jeopardy and things will get worse until they choose between the two. There's enough here to make it a decent date movie, just don't expect much more out of it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Two movies in one
PostedMay 6, 2011
This movie has issues. It can't decide whether it wants to be set in present day earth, or on Thor's planet of Asgard. There's plenty of great effects and action to enjoy...and a love story too. I wanted this movie to succeed and it's certainly enjoyable, but it's not great. See it for the effects and the potential for future sequels that might get it right. For now, Thor is trying to find himself both in the story and as a superhero franchise.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
FAST & FURIOUS!!!
PostedMay 1, 2011
Non-stop action and an original story. This is by far the best of the Fast and Furious Movies, including the original. Many of the key players from the other movies join forces to take down a Brazilian crime boss. Oh, yeah, and steal 100,000,000 in the process. Don't miss this great action movie!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Incomprehensibly good
PostedApril 29, 2011
This movie is full of illusions. Is the housekeeper who seems to fall victim to others really a victim or the perpetrator? Is the guy named Guido good or bad? Is the story you're watching the story or a dream? Who is in love with whom? Well, I think you may only be able to answer some of these questions in this nearly incomprehensible Italian caper movie about a "damaged" woman who plays men, falls in love, and moves on to the next chapter of her nearly random life. Oddly enough, this movie is a love story, which misleads you to believe that the relationships you're watching are tender and real, but you would be wrong. In fact, don't try to guess the next scene or you'll fail.
I'm giving this movie 4-stars because of the nearly random series of events that end up creating a story that's difficult to predict to the end. You will be surprised enough to stay interested, then you'll try to quickly piece it together as it unravels. See it if you like caper movies--a love story it's not.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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