CaptHerp's stats
- Review count8
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewNovember 16, 2008
- Last reviewFebruary 22, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.5
CaptHerp's Reviews
Overall rating
2
/
5
Time for Die Hard series to just die.
PostedFebruary 22, 2013
Dialogue
2
/
5
Special Effects
5
/
5
Art Direction
3
/
5
Acting
2
/
5
Story
2
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
While I don't recommend this movie because of situations that are more realistic in cartoons than in something depicting real life, and because Bruce Willis is a bit long in the tooth to play an action hero anymore, I have to admit that anyone going to see movies like this just likes mindless action and violence. That's why I went -- I wasn't expecting Shakespeare, just people getting shot, vehicle chases, and things being blown up. The plot is almost impossible to detect, and while Willis/McClane does his best to be entertaining, I mean come on: You're in the middle of a car chase on the freeway where you're driving over vehicles and crashing through walls to drop to the next level on the freeway while you're asking your daughter on the cell phone if you can call her back? I'm sorry, but there's a limit to stupidity.
In short, go if you want a brain-dead action film, but don't expect stellar acting or reality to appear within it.
Cons bad acting, absolutely unrealistic and contrived
No, I do not recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
A necessary look into the mind and heart of our greatest President
PostedNovember 29, 2012
CaptHerp
from Phoenix, AZ
Age:55 to 64
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:once every few months
Dialogue
5
/
5
Special Effects
5
/
5
Art Direction
5
/
5
Acting
5
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
5
/
5
As someone who has been a student of Lincoln's life for over 50 years, I have always wondered why the best Hollywood could do with Mr. Lincoln was "Young Mr. Lincoln," with Henry Fonda. With more books available to research on Lincoln's life (and death) than any other president, this movie was a long time coming.
While I was surprised at the ending (no, I know how Lincoln's life turns out -- it just seemed odd in the way Spielberg chose to do it) the acting was superb, as were costumes and sets. Goodwin's book Team of Rivals was an inspiration for this movie, particularly the interactions between President Lincoln and his cabinet, and it was done well.
Sally Field represented Mary Todd Lincoln as history has largely portrayed her -- a woman with mental problems who made her husband's life largely miserable -- and Tommy Lee Jones' portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens (no one will know who that is except scholars) was great, although Jones looks like a wallet with eyes these days.
Daniel Day Lewis was excellent, although he really didn't look war-weary enough. He should get an Oscar nomination, as will Jones. Fields won't. People who know a lot about Lincoln will like it, and people who know little about Lincoln SHOULD SEE IT.
Pros well paced, great story, great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
1of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Better than I expected -- actually sort of touching
PostedOctober 15, 2012
Dialogue
4
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
3
/
5
Not being a Tim Burton fan, I took my daughter to see this to humor her, and assumed that I would be counting the minutes until it was over. As it turned out, it was well-done, though weird. But that's Tim Burton for you. I found myself laughing a great deal, and I'll have to admit I sort of choked up at the ending. All in all, I'd recommend it, and shouldn't be a problem but all but the smallest of kids, who wouldn't get most of it anyway.
Pros touching story
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
A trip back in time to a more innocent age
PostedNovember 30, 2011
Grownups AND children watched The Muppet Show when it was on TV, and celebrities considered it sort of an honor, I believe, to be the weekly guest, and there were some great ones on there back then. Since the untimely death of Jim Henson years ago, the Muppets sort of faded away, new movies notwithstanding. This movie "modernizes" the Muppets without being crude -- merely brings them into today's world. My daughter loved it, and I found myself in tears when Kermit and Miss Piggy (and the rest of the cast eventually) sang an old signature Muppet song (I'm going to force you to see the movie to find out which one). Great movie, great cast, and a wonderful nod to past greatness achieved without having to resort to toilet humor to get laughs. Suitable for the entire family, and past Muppet-viewing adults will feel a lot of nostalgia when everyone gets together again.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
1
/
5
An hour too long
PostedJanuary 30, 2010
Unbelievably slow after the opening scenes; Mel looks ancient (although, granted, part of that may have been designed to make him look bad). Occasional action scenes, which are what make Gibson a box-office draw, but not enough to overshadow the interminable plotline (The Government's out to deceive you, The Government will kill you if you attempt to thwart The Government's plans, blah, blah, blah). Can't recommend it, unless you just want to see how old Mel Gibson's gotten.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Story takes second place to special effects
PostedNovember 8, 2009
I have always said that if I were stuck on a desert island and could choose only one book, it would be Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I've seen every conceivable movie version. That being said, I believe Jim Carrey's portrayal (I wouldn't know it was Carrey if his name wasn't listed) of Scrooge was masterful, particularly in the "redemption" scenes at the end, notably when he begs the social worker's pardon at the end and promises a huge donation. The problem with the movie is that gratuitous special effects subjugate the plot in areas, and things like Scrooge's past failed relationship with the beautiful Belle are given short shrift. See this if you're a Christmas Carol junkie, but other versions are superior.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Classic Eastwood -- again
PostedJanuary 16, 2009
Walt Kowalski may be the old reincarnation of Dirty Harry, but he has the capacity to grow -- if he lets himself do it. My wife and I both believe Clint deserves a Best Actor Oscar nomination as a result of his characterization of the old Korean War vet, surrounded in his neighborhood by foreign cultures and gangs. The language is politically incorrect, yet authentic. Don't let oversensitivity keep you from seeing the movie.
Bittersweet ending, good characterizations overall, and a story worth telling. If this is Eastwood's final performance as an actor, he did very well indeed.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Well worth watching but a gutwrencher.
PostedNovember 16, 2008
A view of the horrific events set into motion by Nazis in WW2, but through a child's eyes. Excellent acting throughout, with particular notice (by me anyway) to Jack Scanlon, the small boy who played Bruno's "friend" Schmuel.
The only complaint I have is that, if we didn't know where the story was being played out, the British accents might make us think the actors were in London, but other than that, the story, leading up to a stunning and sudden conclusion, is a must-see, if only to force people not to forget what humanity is capable of if we aren't careful.
I'm not sure what the last reviewer's complaint was about, personally. Except for the accents, the performances were stunning.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.