thecalhounninja's stats
- Review count15
- Helpfulness votes3
- First reviewJuly 1, 2010
- Last reviewDecember 17, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
Overall rating
5
/
5
Even Better!
PostedDecember 17, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed RDJ's first outing as Sherlock Holmes and the sequel is even better. His interaction with Jude Law as Holmes was just as witty and entertaining as ever and Stephen Fry as Mycroft was hysterical. The atmosphere was great and the plot was very well written. Definitely worth a watch. The only thing that I think is better is the modern Holmes incarnation by Stephen Moffat that is on BBC right now.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
As far as HP movies go...a good one.
PostedJuly 15, 2011
This was a good adaptation of the book, but as is almost always the rule, the book was better. But that doesn't mean the movie bad. In fact, HP 7 part 2 is one of the better HP movies.
So yes. Good movie. Go see it. You'll like it.
That said, there are a few things that I think it leaves to be desired.The biggest thing perhaps is the pacing of the final battle. The fight for Hogwarts and the final duel between Harry and Voldemort goes by so quickly that you almost miss the emotion that was so present in the novel.
(Warning semi-spoilers for those who haven't read the book) The death of the few important characters is almost a side note in the movie. Harry sees them lying on the cot but we don't really feel their sacrifice. The scenes were they die should have been important and comparatively drawn out scenes. Feeling the emotion of their deaths is far better cinema than the five or six extra shots of groups of wizards exchanging spells like gunfire. Similarly the death of Voldemort felt very anti-climatic and rather sudden. Once we again we are cheated of the full emotion. The whole castle should have been there to witness the two wizards battle and they spent far too long flying around rather than dueling with wands. Also (and the details are fuzzy--it's been a while since I have read the book) the movie's explanation for why the Elder wand was changed or something and was slightly confusing.
As a final nit-picky detail is the choice to use the same actors for the final scene. They should have had actual middle aged people who could pass for the characters play the scene. It ended up being cheesy and ruined the effect of the final scene.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Should Have Been Pirates 2
PostedJune 26, 2011
I enjoyed this movie much more than I thought I would. After 2 and 3 I was jaded to the Pirates franchise and almost wanted to not see the movie in theaters simply because I didn't want to support the sequel trend in Hollywood. But of course I found myself in the theater.
This movie was surprisingly very good. In fact, I would argue that it was almost as good as Curse of the Black Pearl. With Bloom and Knightly gone the movie was able to focus on being what it should be -- a good Pirate/Fantasy movie. This is the first movie where I would argue that Jack Sparrow is actually the main character (Johnny Depp is as funny as always.)
My only complaint is the love story with the clergyman and the mermaid. It seemed to be an afterthought, tacked on to the end of the movie. Any effect it had on the plot could have been achieved through other means. There was already a love story with Jack and Angelica and the clergy character seemed to be poking fun at religion a little bit. Other than that though, I liked On Stranger Tides.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Sets the Standard
PostedJune 26, 2011
Comic books movies are being milked for all they are worth lately and many leave something to be desired, but the new X-men movie sets the standard for comic inspired cinema. While the movie might not follow Marvel canon (to the irk of some fans) it is a great set up for the themes that are common in many X-men movies, shows, and comics. Racism, fear, moral gray areas, and so on. The historical tie in with the Cold War makes for a great plot and that makes the movie a level above the standard action superhero flick. Kevin Bacon makes a great bad guy.
My only complaint is the overuse of scantily clad women --generally in bikinis or their underwear. It added nothing storywise and was over indulgent. The casino atmosphere could have done without it and the scene with Angel could have been more tastefully done. I know I should expect this anymore but I will not endure in silence haha.
The cameo scene with Hugh Jackman is awesome.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Always Excellent
PostedJune 26, 2011
Although I tire of the endless sequels Hollywood churns out because they don't have the guts (I would use a stronger word but this is a review for a G movie afterall...) to take a risk and make something original, Cars 2 meets every expectation you would have about a Pixar movie. (Not too surprising given how good Toy Story 2 and 3 were.) Cars 2 is just as entertaining, clever, and funny as the first. In fact, one could see Cars 2 without seeing Cars and still enjoy it a lot. The parallel Bond and racing story lines make for a well written plot that ties together nicely. I have yet to see a Pixar movie that was bad.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Rogan-ized
PostedDecember 20, 2010
My friend had two tickets to pre-screen this movie, so I got to see it for free with my friend Phil. Before I say anything else, I want to make a confession. I have very little prior knowledge of the Green Hornet. I have heard of him. That's it. I don't know Green Hornet canon, or previous films, comics, shows, or whatever. I had a vague idea he was originally a radio character (this was confirmed by Phil.) That being said, I really like comics and superheroes. If you notice the title I have set in a nice bold font a paragraph above, it essentially sums up The Green Hornet movie experience.
It is very obvious that Seth Rogen had a lot of say in the direction and writing of this film. His writing and lead in this movie is essentially what makes Hornet hard to enjoy. In this movie, Britt Reid AKA The Green Hornet is a bumbling, self-absorbed, clueless guy that is somewhat likeable but has a tendency to create awkward situations because of his extreme lack of social awareness and many times comes across as (and is) a big jerk. Not because he's a bad guy, but because he doesn't know any better. He's not aware of it. Notice that this character description pretty much fits every role Seth Rogen has played since he has become known. This character fits for the lazy pothead or the poor schmuck Rogen has played before. We expect those traits in those roles. It doesn't work for The Green Hornet.
It's clear once you are watching the movie that Rogen and the other writers were going for more comedy than a serious superhero film. I suppose I was a little naive to expect more from the movie knowing Seth Rogen, but still, I expected a little more for a comic-to-movie superhero film. Reid's father is the Editor-in-Chief and the owner of a popular LA newspaper, The Daily Sentinel. As the son of a rich man, it makes sense for Britt to be the party-hardy spoiled guy that he is. It would also make sense that the given the death of his father and the transformation into the Green Hornet, Britt would undergo a character change. That he would mature and become this responsible crime fighter. This never really happens. For almost the entire movie Britt is incompetent, jealous, manipulative, and childish. It's supposed to be funny I suppose, but I spent most of the movie with my hand over my face.
Now I suppose you could say that there is a change in Britt by the end of the movie, but its not the deep character change that I was hoping for. Even when Britt admits jealousy or a mistake, he still doesn't get what's going on. He turns around and does something stupid. In a scene where he begs his secretary (which he sexually harasses constantly) to come back and help him because she actually knows something about journalism and criminology, he goes from a serious apology to attempt to making out with her. I know, I know, this is supposed to be funny. If you like situational, Michael Scott from the Office, humor then I guess it is. To be fair I am not a fan of that so I am biased. But I don't think its a good take on a superhero movie. And he never stops being incompetent. In the climax of the movie, Britt has a moment where it looks as though he is actually going to be the Green Hornet and fight bad guys. There is awesome scene where everything is moving in slow motion and he kicks the butts of four or five guys at a time on the way to save his partner Kato from the mob boss....and then he trips. Bah. This isn't the Pink Panther. Incompetent super heroes aren't inspiring to watch.
Then take the mob boss, Chudnovsky. (Later Bludnovksy and a ridiculous blood-red theme.) The very first scene in the movie deals with how un-intimidating he is. It turns out he controls all the crime in LA and is a very dangerous man. But honestly? He's not intimidating. It's not an actor issue, its a writing issue. His character isn't scary. He's supposed to be the main villain. He's comically self-conscious about the image he projects to others; to the point that at the end he tries to mold himself into this supervillian Bludnovksy that the movie makes clear only comes across as corny and dumb. Instead of competent and evil. Sure he shoots people willy-nilly, cuts a dudes arm off with a table saw, buries the Green Hornet and Kato alive in their car. But even then he's just a bad guy. He's written specifically to be un-impressive. In the context of the film, it's funny but this brings me to what I'm really trying to say.
You might be thinking: "Okay, so this movie isn't what you were expecting, Taylor. Big deal. It's a comedy and not a superhero movie." Yeah. But what I am saying is that I don't think it works as a concept. Comedic superhero...meh. The Green Hornet would work way better as a darker film, or at least a serious one. I'm not saying it the movie can't be funny. Iron Man was funny and Robert Downey Jr. made Tony Stark goofy. But he was still a legit hero. Kato, the sidekick, does all the work. He makes the special car. He makes the costumes. He invents the name. And he does all the actual crime fighting. Rogen plays a Hornet that does nothing but get in the way and then take credit for himself. Bleh.
All that being said. The Green Hornet isn't as terrible of a movie as I make it out to be. There are some genuinely funny parts and Kato is pretty awesome. But if I had paid for this movie rather than pre-screening it fo' FREE!...I would have felt like I wasted my money. Definitely a rental.
Thanks for reading. (If anyone actually does, haha.)
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Tron like it was meant to be!
PostedDecember 17, 2010
There might be a few spoilers in this.
Ever since Disney released the preview trailer quite a while ago I have been pumped for this movie. I know a lot of people were excited just because Daft Punk wrote the sound track, but I was excited because it was Tron! (Don't get me wrong though, Daft Punk did an amazing job!)
This movie was almost like Tron the way it was meant to be. It was eye candy the entire time, but just like the old Tron, the movie didn't need the effects to be good (but they certainly help!) The action scenes were thrilling and the actors were great. (Yeah Olivia Wilde!) Garrett Hedlund played a great lead and Jeff Bridges' reprisal of Kevin Flynn was spot on, giving off the same 80's vibe that he would be expected to give off if he had been isolated from the world for 20 years. (He almost seemed to channel "The Dude" at times. Which was awesome.) And his almost Jedi or Neo like powers in the grid were pretty sweet.
I only have a few minor complaints. Despite the great special effects in Tron: Legacy, Jeff Bridges "young face" could have used some more work. There were times when it looked fine (in the grid for instance...well, mostly) but other times when it looked pretty hokey. (Like the first scene when he is talking to his son, Sam. The contrast between the kid's actual face and Bridge's animated face was almost painfully obvious.) The other complaint I have is Tron's sudden return to good. What was the catalyst for this change? How did he overcome Clu's reprogramming? There was nothing that seemingly forces him back to sense. He just decides he's gonna be good again out of nowhere. Lazy writing.
Still! I'll be purchasing this movie. Go see it in the theater while it's still there so you can feel Daft Punk's pumping soundtrack literally shake the theater. It's epic.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Best Narnia Yet!
PostedDecember 14, 2010
Before Dawn Treader, Disney was 1 for 2 in my eyes as far as The Chronicles of Narnia go. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was a pretty faithful adaptation and I loved the battle at the end. However, I was NOT a fan of Prince Caspian. I felt the filmmakers missed the point of the story and the extra drama and romance added was unnecessary in a little distasteful.
When I read that there had been major changes to the plot of Dawn Treader I saw another Prince Caspian. In fact I read that they took elements from the Silver Chair. What were they going to do for the actual Silver Chair? Needless to say I was apprehensive.
I was pleasantly surprised in the theater. Yes, there are some fundamental alterations to the storyline, but I can see the reasoning behind them, and the message does not suffer. The actor picked to play Eustace does a perfect job, and I really felt the girl who plays Lucy has really grown into her role. I failed to see how there were any plotlines from the Silver Chair at all. Downright falsehoods from the interwebz. (Who would have guessed right? haha)
My only complaints were a few lines and circumstances omitted. I felt the scene with Lucy and Aslan in the Magician's house should not have been changed because their conversation in the novel was important. The reasoning for why the final three lords were asleep was changed and it bugged me. It was because they weren't worthy to touch the stone knife that killed Aslan, not because "violence isn't allowed at Aslan's table". Also I felt the frustrating yes-man quality of the dufflepods was not properly captured.
However! I was very glad to see the conversation between Aslan and the children at the end was not altered!
Great movie! Go see it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Best Potter Yet!
PostedNovember 26, 2010
I always have mixed feelings about the Harry Potter movies. I love the books, but the movies have always been hit or miss (although never awful...with the exception of perhaps the third movie, the change of director and set drove me nuts). As a general rule I have enjoyed them but always thought the movie simply didn't have enough time to properly tell the story. Splitting the 7th book into two parts is, I think, the best decision the director could have made. Having that extra 2 1/2 hours makes the difference between a well developed story and a quick mishmash of scenes like Shyamalan's Last Airbender. The movie ended exactly where I expected it to end. I thoroughly enjoyed Part 1 and look forward to Part 2.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Phenomenal Movie
PostedJuly 17, 2010
When I first saw previews for this I thought the plot had something to do with government conspiracies and all the typical fare that comes with it. I was dead wrong and am so glad that I was. Inception was one of the best sci-fi action films I have seen in a long time. Leonardo DiCaprio instantly regained his man-card in my mind and redeemed himself from the Titanic, haha. If you haven't seen this movie. Go see it. Now.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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