DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
5
/
5
Rise fo The Planet of the Apes - incredible!
PostedAugust 9, 2011
This is a totally new story which begins a new ape saga. Rather than another space/time loop, this film is about Alzheimer's genetic research gone horribly wrong. And Caesar the ape (Andy Serkis - Gollum from Lord of the Rings) is the center of this story. The CGI is perfect allowing him to seem almost... dare I say it... human. James Franco gives a strong performance as the researcher trying to help his ailing Dad (John Lithgow). They raise Caesar as their own. The intertwining of their stories is perfect. Caesar goes from lovable baby chimp to confused teen to betrayed adult. Its only when he is taken captive and mistreated that he begins to evolve. Watch for his chat with the orangutan.
Keep a sharp eye out for the many homages to the original film throughout.
I saw it in a huge theater. At the end, the audience applauded and got up to leave only to be caught off guard a minute into the credits with a single extra scene leading to the sequel. I'm rooting for the apes! Can't wait to see them again! Those damn dirty humans!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
The Change-Up - raunchy fun
PostedAugust 4, 2011
What possible new idea can you add to a story line that gets recycled again and again by Hollywood? Here its raunch. This very R rated version of the body switch film is both over the top and sentimental, and it actually works. Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman easily play each other down to the smallest mannerisms. Amazingly, Leslie Mann has even played in another switch movie, 17 Again. And House's Olivia Wilde is perfectly cast as the hot co-worker both guys lust over.
The scenes with the kids are hilarious. Every wrong thing you should never do with a baby happens. All the politically wrong advice you can give to a kid is said. Yet somehow it all works and to hilarious effect.
If you can accept two grown men peeing in a fountain, then you will love this film.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Horrible Bosses - new twist on an old theme
PostedAugust 3, 2011
What works best in this film is the supporting cast of miscreant bosses. Kevin Spacey effortlessly plays it mean, Jennifer Aniston personifies sexy, and Colin Farrel with the look of the character Tom Cruise played in "Tropic Thunder" is a coke addicted karate obsessed womanizing heartless clueless heir to Donald Sutherland's company determined to milk it dry before running it into the ground. Jamie Foxx has one of the best roles here with a name so wrong that it begs for laughs.
The three leads are well cast with Charlie Day playing the same character he plays on TV in "Its Always Sunny...". Jason Bateman can play comedy in his sleep. Jason Sudeikis looks like he is playing a SNL character.
Bob Newhart's cameo is precious for those old enough to have followed his career.
Its a funny film with a soft R rating mostly for language and material. Not a classic, but very funny all the same.
The three leads are well cast with Charlie Day playing the same character he plays on TV in "Its Always Sunny...". Jason Bateman can play comedy in his sleep. Jason Sudeikis looks like he is playing a SNL character.
Bob Newhart's cameo is precious for those old enough to have followed his career.
Its a funny film with a soft R rating mostly for language and material. Not a classic, but very funny all the same.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Captain America - classic
PostedJuly 29, 2011
What makes Captain America work is that he has no super powers nor great wealth. As he says, he's just a kid from Brooklyn. and a scrawny one at that. He's you and me. Just a regular guy. But what he does have is heart. He's the true believer inside us all. And he never gives up.
This is the story of a runt reject who so desperately wants to stand up for his country that fate gives him the chance as a guinea pig with an experimental serum to make him the perfect man. Not a super man, just perfect. He's as clean cut as you can find. He doesn't want to fight, he only wants to do the right thing and stand up against the Nazis.
But fate is cruel, and when he finally gets his chance, its as an entertainer for a USO road show as the front man in a drive to sell War Bonds. This is one of the best moments in the movie. Watch for the kids in the audience as they see the guy in the production dressed as Hitler hiding behind the chorus girls. This scene come back a few times as a reference, getting better each time. Its a metaphor for the character himself - pure and real.
Its a very well made film. The directing is tight, and with Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci in supporting roles how can it be anything but great.
Stay after the credits to get a glimpse of the Avengers.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Harry Potter and the end of the series
PostedJuly 26, 2011
Opening at the exact moment where the last film ends, we witness the conclusion of this split book film which will please all die hard fans. But it also stands on its own as a strong film with a good script, cast, and director. The 3D is not used as a gimmick,but rather as an element to fill out the scenes and gives a larger feel to the CGI. But its not essential to the story. There's a great deal of holes that are finally filled in here. Although the action is not non-stop, its done is huge stretches with some breathing room for you to digest the bigger mysteries.
All in all this will more than satisfy and is a fitting conclusion to the series.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Bridesmaids - Apatow meets SNL
PostedJuly 20, 2011
Judd Apatow works with several SNL players to create a hilarious take on the dilemma of dealing with a wedding of a successful lifelong girlfriend when your own life is hitting bottom. Kristin Wiig tones down and delivers (but is still as zany as ever). Maya Rudolph as the bride is perfect. But its Melissa McCarthy as the bride's soon to be sister in law who steals the show. The scene in the all white posh dress shop when all hell breaks out is so over the top as to be both immortalized and totally twisted. John Hamm, though uncredited is the perfect cad who makes the nice guy, Chris O'Dowd such an obvious but unexpected choice. Jill Clayburgh is Wiig's odd but wonderful mom. And watch for Peter Frampton's daughter Mia Rose as a tough 13 year old customer in a crazy scene in a jewelry shop. She has stardom written all over her.
Bridesmaids is an unexpectedly well made comedy that goes over the top, but knows when to come back down. Not as crazy as the Hangover, but quite wonderful in its own right. If you're looking for belly laughs, this is it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Bad Teacher - oh yes indeed
PostedJuly 14, 2011
This is one of those movies that appear good from far but are far from good. There are some funny moments, but on the whole, its weak, though far from aweful. The premise of a bad teacher could have resulted in a hilarious story in better hands. Instead this is the sort of movie that usually features no name actors and goes straight to DVD. Cameron Diaz has starred in comedies in the past where she was wonderful. This time she just seems to struggle. Justin Timberlake seems so miscast that it almost hurts to watch him. Only Jason Segel seems to rise above the mediocrity, and its far from his best work. The previews are better than the movie. So if you go, expect the worst and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised that its not totally horrible. After all it does have its moments.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Larry Crowne - sentimental and quirky
PostedJuly 13, 2011
Tom Hanks has written, directed, and stars in this story of a man who loses his job due to his lack of a college education and goes back to school. There he meets Julia Roberts, his Professor in a Speech class and a gang of young people who bring him into their scooter gang on a journey to a new life. Its very much like a movie you might catch on AMC from the 40's or 50's. It isn't so much a comedy as it is a sweet story of people finding themselves. There's humor but its all subtle, like Star Trek's Mr Sulu, George Takei playing a Professor of Economics segued into a scene of a young man dressed in Star Trek attire talking in a Speech class. Although the material isn't all that strong, the actors are. Through force of will they make a so so story seem more than it is. They've all done better work, but if you aren't looking for an Oscar performance, you just might find this low key love story entertaining.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Mr. Popper's Penguins - sweet family fare
PostedJuly 5, 2011
This is the story of how a MIA Dad reaches out in a final act to save his son from repeating his mistake of putting family second. As in Carey's previous film Liar Liar, the message is very similar, but here he tones down his shtick and lets a half dozen penguins be the comic relief.
This is very much a family film. It makes no pretense to be otherwise and it works quite well on that level. Kids will love this and parents will be delighted.
The great dame of the theater, Angela Lansbury appears as the dowager who will determine Mr. Popper's fate. But we all know from the start how it will end. Its the journey that we come to see. Even when its familiar its still entertaining.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Green Lantern - still a bit green
PostedJune 29, 2011
In a world of super hero movies, Green Lantern is not the best, not the worst, and not without its moments. The previews made me wonder about the CGI, but it was ok. For a short film too much time is wasted on the build up without making it either compelling or exciting. When the big battle finally comes, its way too brief. The director has chosen to focus on the battle inside Hal Jordan himself, which could have worked had the script been in better hands. Ryan Reynolds seems a bit lost here. He's very likable, but not quite convincing. Since this is designed to be the first in a series of GL movies, he might grow into the role as the scripts mature and hopefully become a bit more complex (read as interesting).
To be fair, this is light years ahead of the Green Hornet. But with so much competition from other superhero films where the formulas have been well honed, this one still needs a bit more. It is ok. Maybe just ok. A few years back that might have been enough. Give it a try, especially if you are a Green Lantern comic book fan. I'm hoping that the series will grow and reach its potential in time.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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