pileated's stats
- Review count34
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewMay 4, 2008
- Last reviewDecember 23, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.8
Overall rating
3
/
5
Soulless
PostedDecember 23, 2011
The movie is a real contradiction - a heart warming story without a heart. I have tried hard to think about why the movie failed to make me care, I can think of two basic reasons - it is much too long and too slow, and there is so little character development that I didn't care about anyone.
This is a terrible waste of a fine cast. The best acting is done by the doberman. And the 3D is as almost always these days, irrelevant and gratuitous.
Given Scorcese's love of movies, this homage needed a soul.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Well Worth Seeing
PostedNovember 6, 2011
As one would expect, this is an extremely well crafted movie. Almodovar has become a complete film maker and it is a pleasure to watch a master at work. He does seem increasingly obsessed with transgender themes and my one complaint about this movie is the lack of women's perspective. One of his great gifts is how well he understands and portrays women in his movies. Here, they are more backdrop than usual. But all in all, it is a fine film and a fine addition to his body of work.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Surprisingly Flat
PostedSeptember 11, 2011
The movie has an amazing cast with very little to do. The story is straight forward enough and scary on its face, which makes you wonder why you don't really care. I found myself nostalgic for the good old disaster movies where you got involved in the lives of the characters, knowing that some would die and some survive. Here, not so much.
What i find strange is that I know the premise is quite plausible - a new virus, no known way to combat it, millions dead, society disrupted, internet gurus, etc. But I simply didn't care, nor was I truly scared. That says a great deal about why this movie simply didn't deliver.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
A Waste of Talent
PostedSeptember 6, 2011
OK, first the good news. This is a wonderful cast. Now the bad news. The script is both silly and entirely predictable and that wonderful cast has no opportunity to show their talent. I began to get nervous when I saw the writing credits. The addition of a third writer is almost always a bad sign.
This is a story that requires some suspense. The plot is completely telegraphed in the first 5 minutes. And to be honest, I went to see Helen Mirren - who is almost entirely absent from the first three quarters of this overly long silliness.
While the whole story begs credulity, the last 5 minutes are simply awful. Save the price of a ticket.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Exactly as Advertised
PostedJuly 2, 2011
It all works. The effects are unbelievable; the movie never lags; the acting is superb. And for once in along while, the 3D makes the movie better. Pure escapism. Even a Star Trek quote for those waiting for it.
Go see it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
45 minutes too long
PostedJune 12, 2011
OK. We know what to expect. We all go to movies like this for the escapist entertainment. Stuff gets blown up, cute references to prior movies, standard prequel set-ups. What we shouldn't be doing is looking at our watches with an hour to go.
The acting was good enough. The special effects were good enough. The story was good enough. But the pacing was terrible. The training scenes went on forever and ever. someone call an editor.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Pretentious to a Fault
PostedJune 4, 2011
Too bad. This is probably Brad Pitt's finest performance. But his work and the small pieces of life are sandwiched between the most ridiculous and pretentious stuff you will ever see. i can imagine the director saying to himself, "What would Bergman have done if he had the technology and the money?" Answer - NOT this! And why in the world did Sean Penn sign up for this. He has essentially a non-speaking role, walking through modern buildings - all glass and angles.
We get it. We just don't need it. There are some lovely moments here and some fine acting. The kids are great. But the symbolism is so unsubtle and laid on so thick you want to scream. I admit that the music definitely helps, but nothing can save this director from himself.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Good Enough
PostedApril 10, 2011
While there is little suspense in the movie, i.e. the outcome is clear early on - the story and the actors are comforting. The overall effect is a pleasant, not too taxing experience that leaves you with a smile on your face. Aside from the acting, don't expect too much and you'll have a reasonably nice time.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Missed Opportunity
PostedOctober 23, 2010
With the fine cast and director and basic premise this could and should have been a much better and engaging movie. It was not. In the end, just too little of interest happens. There are some nice set pieces, especially the scenes with Damon's cooking partner, but these are far too few. The subplot with the French TV actress goes on forever with no raison d'etre.
What is missing is some drama to the 'gift' that Matt Dampn's character has. In Sixth Sense, the dead are helped to find some closure and peace. Here the living get a word or sentence or phrase from their dead relative that has little effect on their lives.
In the end we have spent over 2 hours with little connection to the characters or plot. there is no there here or hereafter.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Spot On
PostedSeptember 19, 2010
This movie simply works. It works as an action movie and it works as a 'film'. The acting is faultless. Moreover, Affleck does for Charlestown what Woody Allen does for Manhattan. The feel of the town is even sharper than Eastwood's for Southie in Mystic River. This is a truly enjoyable experience. Go see it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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