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englishtcher
englishtcher's stats
- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes1
- First reviewMay 31, 2010
- Last reviewJuly 15, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.3
englishtcher's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
One of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time.
PostedJuly 15, 2013
englishtcher
from Massachusetts
Age:55 to 64
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:monthly
Dialogue
5
/
5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
5
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
Sandra Bullock & Melissa McCarthy definitely make a great team; the way they play off one-another is reminiscent of the best buddy flicks of the past. My wife and I haven't laughed so much at a movie in years.
Pros well paced, great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Stays close to the novel
PostedMarch 25, 2012
englishtcher
from Massachusetts
Movie adaptations of novels is risky for both the producers/directors and the movie-goers. Assuming we've read the book, we go to the theater with preconceptions about characters, plot, setting, etc. Those who adapt books to film know this of course, but also have to change the story to a greater or lesser extent to fit into a different medium. The Hunger Games does a very good job of striking a balance between the two.
The film is, for the most part, conservative in its adaptation. There are few risks, which works in the film favor. The plot is not overly complex, thought the interpersonal relationships between the main characters are. Had the film focused less on the characters and more on the setting & external conflicts of the Hunger Games, it would have been just another book-exploitation. However, a very well-cast group of young actors bring the principal characters to life with a fair degree of subtle but powerful emotions. Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland are brilliantly cast, and Elizabeth Banks and Lenny Kravitz play their parts well. And Amandla Stenberg was totally convincing as Rue. All of that said, there was enough understatement in all these performances that left me hoping that the roles will be more fully developed in the sequels, as Suzanne Collins did in the books.
All-in-all, this was a fun movie interpretation of an enjoyable novel. The audience for both is, of course, young adult, but the characters of both book and movie have enough depth & complexity to appeal to adults as well.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Fun addition to the series
PostedMay 28, 2011
englishtcher
from Massachusetts
I'm pretty easy-going when it comes to sequels, so I went in to the theater expecting this latest Pirates film to be entertaining. I wasn't disappointed. While I can't say that it's the best of the series (I still consider the first installment the best), it did justice to the ongoing story of (Captain) Jack Sparrow's adventures. I found the backstory of how Jack & Gibbs wound up in London confusingly weak, and the introduction of Angelica Malon (Penelope Cruz) as an early one of Sparrow's liaisons was forced, but if you just sit back for the ride and don't think about it too much, these weaknesses eventually fade. Less forgivable was the clumsy subplot of Philip & Syrena the mermaid. There was barely enough time to develop any connection to these characters whose budding love affair was, in the final cut, not necessary to the story. More focus on the main characters would have been a better use of the time.
Drawbacks aside, the introduction of Edward Teach--Blackbeard--was well done, and Ian McShane was a great casting choice. Penelope Cruz's assumption of the female lead from Keira Knightly is also inspired (her character is much more edgy and seductive). Gibbs & Barbossa both return to fill out the "old crew," keeping the continuity alive.
It's now eight years since The Curse of Black Pearl, and Depp's performance is still strong. Though both he and Geoffrey Rush are notably older, even in character, they still keep their characters strong & interesting, and the writers allow them to continue to develop (which is necessary if a series is going to continue). The 3D was credible, making it a nice addition to what is, after all, a just plain fun film.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Nicely balanced characters, fun plot
PostedMay 31, 2010
englishtcher
from Massachusetts
Let's be honest: we're not going to be talking ciname d'art here, but then Prince of Persia doesn't pretend to be. That said, the movie does justice to pop-fantasy genre; it's eye-catching sets (both real & cgi) are a pleasure; the acting is good; and the action sequences, while predictable, are nevertheless fun. Kingsley adds a degree of gravitas to the film, but Gyllenhaal & Arterton develop their characters very well. Given the limitations of the script, they succeed in making the romantic tension between Dastan & Tamina believable. Molina's portrayal of Sheik Amar could have upstaged lesser actors, but along with Koyle & Kebbell (Tus & Garsiv) give balanced performances that keeps the focus on the plot--which is what this kind of movie is really about.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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