casual's stats
- Review count16
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewJune 16, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 29, 2010
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
Overall rating
5
/
5
How films should be made
PostedAugust 29, 2010
I have seen no advertising for this film, but as soon as I saw the trailer, I was sold. With Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek in it, I knew I could not go wrong, and I was not disappointed. I won't say a word about the acting. You will have to see it for yourself, but the story, which is powerful in itself, is told with simplicity and dignity. You won't find one false move in this movie.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Surprisingly funny
PostedMay 23, 2010
Having seen the MacGruber sketches on SNL so many times, I expected this film to be boring. It was not. It was really funny. In terms of acting, Val Kilmer provided most of the sauce - another pleasant surprise.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
grim, but very powerful
PostedMarch 15, 2010
Separate tales of three cops working in the same precincts making moral and professional judgment calls under the usual pressures of need and greed. The parallel tales eventually come to their fateful endings in one scene, multiplying the emotional intensity manifold. Nothing in the plot is predictable, yet nothing is contrived. The sadness is unavoidable, but is redeeming in the end.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Magnificent
PostedDecember 20, 2009
Well-focused sotry-telling, in addition to solid performance by Moran Freeman and Matt Damon. Another great movie from Clint Eastwood.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Genuinely funny
PostedNovember 30, 2009
The laughter in the theater was loud and non-stop. For 88 minutes of fun, you can't beat this one.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Exciting
PostedNovember 15, 2009
The primary attraction of the movie is its stunningly realistic visuals, but it also manages to present a story line that is refreshingly free of unnecessary convolutions. The plot involves at least 3 intertwined strands involving some moralistic elements, some lighter than others (the point about the people vs. the elite was a bit heavy-handed). The film is full of cliff hangers and there are genuinely humorous moments and romantic developmnts amidst the mayhem. The 2 hours and 38 minutes go by very fast.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Not for everybody
PostedOctober 4, 2009
This is not puretainment. There are no sexy characters, no "action," and no gore, but there is a gripping story -- though not scripted to be exciting. It is a documentary with some adornments (a humorous commentary by the main character). The plot is plodding at times because it is real life, confusing at times, because the main character is confused. He is smart and maddeningly stupid at the same time, and a basically good-hearted man who insists on pursuing folly to his detriment. There is no problem that he faced that was not of his own making. As soon as you feel sorry for him, he gets right back at you with an action that makes you mad -- all the way to the end. But I am glad I saw this movie because it tells an important story.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Delightful
PostedAugust 10, 2009
The acting alone (and I mean of the whole cast) is worth your money. The story is well told and worth witnessing.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
funny, inconsequential
PostedJune 28, 2009
This movie borrows its themes from a variety of obvious sources; to name three: monstrous female corporate boss from "The Devil Wears Prada," temporary marriage arrangement for the sake of a green card from "Green Card," and a double-nude heterosexual surprise encounter from "Something Has Got to Give." encounter And yet, none of these recycled items seem to hamper the spirit of this movie, thanks mostly to the acting talents of Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, and, above all, Betty White.
There is one thing, however, that does put a damper on this film: the ending. I suppose there is no neat way to wrap things up once once the plot inevitably leads to where it would. But all in all, the film is a pleasant diversion.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Mixed views
PostedJune 21, 2009
My daughter liked the film. I thought it was a tad on the silly, inconsequential side. My wife did not make any comment either way.
The theme of the busy father who neglects his job as a parent in favor of his job as a bread winner for his family is a tired theme. The PC view is that such a father is a monster that will cause his children irreparable damage. Even allowing for that extreme view, this film still fails, because the Eddie Murphy character is actually a father who both tries and succeeds in managing both jobs, so what lesson is he being taught?
Acting is superb, as expected from a first rate cast.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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