DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
5
/
5
Transformers 3D - Shia meets Spock
PostedJune 28, 2011
There's more than meets the eye here! Something is afoot on the moon. Shia LeBeouf has graduated his ivy league college, been awarded a presidential medal, has a hot girlfriend, and is unable to find a job. He may be the hero who saved the world, but no one knows, and when he finally gets work its in a mail room. Worse still, his girlfriend's billionaire boss is Patrick Dempsey and he seems to be putting moves on her. But heroes don't sit around for long!
They've assembled a great cast for this third installment of the Transformers series. There are a few new faces like John Malkovich and Francis McDormand who add a special touch of class, as well as the voice of Leonard Nimoy, who for Star Trek fans even says a few old familiar lines. And of course there are some very familiar characters that help keep familiar camaraderie strong when the going inevitably gets tough. The interweaving of historic file footage with the characters in the film is done exceptionally well. And there's even a cameo scene with one of the original moon walker astronauts!
The action is fast and the 3D is quite effective. There are a few more twists in the plot than in the former films which helps to keep you guessing. As usual there are moments of comic relief and some clever repartee. I miss Megan Fox, but Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is just fine. Overall, this is certainly the summer blockbuster you are expecting and you can be sure there will be many more in the years to come!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Super 8 - an homage to Speilberg
PostedJune 21, 2011
J.J. Abrams has created a nostalgic look back at the genre of his mentor Speilberg in this sci fi kid journey in suburbia. Stay for the credits for a wonderful little bonus.
The story is all too familiar with a small group of kids on an adventure which becomes a coming of age saga. The message is all about moving past the bad things in life, letting go, and moving on. The sci fi is almost an afterthought.
The central story is about a group of kids who are making a zombie film for a competition and the way things suddenly change as a train wreck releases something mysterious and frightening into their community.
Many of the younger people in the theater didn't understand that the movie was named after the type of motion picture film that once was used to make home movies in an era before video became king. Abrams in his youth started his career with it and was contacted by Spielberg who asked him to do preservation of his own Super 8 films from his youth. This movie closes their circle. Its a fitting homage from the journeyman to his mentor as a torch is transferred to a new generation of film maker.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
X-Men, 1st Class is just that
PostedJune 15, 2011
Not based on the comic books, but on the previous films, this is the story of the origins of the X-Men, and more importantly the friendship of Erik and Charles. Its well structured and well paced. There's more than enough here to satisfy anyone who has followed the sage from the start. Plus, there is the interweave of the way they bring in actual historic footage from the news that makes this all the more intriguing.
Kevin Bacon plays the villain you love to hate. And look for the cameo with Hugh Jackman. Classic!
Its different than all the previous films in this series, yet its familiar and entertaining. This is not at all like the previous Wolverine Origin film in style or substance, but it stands on its own as a strong foundation of the saga. I still prefer the adult versions of the characters, but these guys are not bad at all.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
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5
Midnight in Paris - and time travel
PostedJune 9, 2011
Imagine Woody Allen was not Woody Allen but someone else for a change, take Owen Wilson for instance. And he's having a writer's block problem while in Paris with his totally wrong for him superficial blonde fiance who seems mesmerized by her friend's know it all pretentious boyfriend. And suddenly during a midnight drunk while walking it off, he travels back to the 1920's and is with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemmingway, Picasso, and Gertrude Stein (because Woody would only be with celebrities wherever he travels). Now imagine, that the intellect of these icons of the past becomes a metaphoric wisdom that guides him towards enlightenment.
Sure its all too familiar and this territory has been tread before, but its not meant to be serious. This is as light and airy as a fresh baked croissant on the Champs Elysee. And its fun. The scenery is as beautiful as are the actresses. The intellect as sharp as a razor. Its all totally obvious and its all totally charming. Its Woody's French pastry served up on a silver platter for his closest friends. If you've loved Woody before you'll love this.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
Hangover 2 - sick humor adults ONLY
PostedJune 1, 2011
They've managed to remake the Hangover in a new city with a parallel story. But they've ramped up the sick and twisted nature of the events considerably which means that this is not a movie for kids - EVER! But if you liked the first one and are a fan of bad taste, you'll find yourself belly laughing. The story line is weak, but it hardly matters because this movie is all about shock value and improbable situations. the crazier the better here. Forget logic. forget good taste. Forget the script and just go with it. And as Cee Lo Green would say, forget you. ;-)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Pirates 4 / Dimensions 3
PostedMay 24, 2011
Having heard bad press, I was pleasantly surprised at this reinvention of the Pirates franchise with a new director and some new cast members. I found the story lines intertwined well and the action was good. It does have a slightly different feel that may upset purists, but if you go in with an open mind you'll be entertained. The 3D may not have been essential, but it was fun to watch. Its light summer fare and Johhny Depp is the anchor that holds the pirates together in his usual eccentric way. If you are like me and stay for the credits you'll be rewarded with an extra scene and a hint into what is yet to come.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
Potiche - a French trophy wife tale
PostedMay 18, 2011
Potiche is a very French (subtitles) quirky take on what happens when a trophy wife is thrust into a leadership position when her corporate brute of a misogynist husband falls ill in the 1970s. Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu work together as easily as a cup and saucer in this ever so light yet not totally predictable tale of an empowered woman and how she can change the world around her. Its cute and uniquely French. If you are looking for something both different and traditional, this is it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Thor - the next Avenger
PostedMay 15, 2011
Stay for the bonus scene after the credits begin just as you did for Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and The Incredible Hulk. Thor, a supernatural hero, is the next installment in the creation of the superhero team known as The Avengers to even the newest fan of Marvel Comics. The movie tells the back story of how the Norse God of thunder becomes a team member here on Earth. The story is heavy on CGI and light on character development, but its not meant to be great theater, its what it is - a chapter leading up to a very anticipated collaboration of the Marvel superheroes in a single over the top blockbuster. Never mind that Anthony Hopkins could have been more as he has been in other films, he's here and that elevates the overall stature of the movie. Think of it as an action packed family film safe to take the kids to knowing that they are already awaiting the teaming up of the Avengers due out next May!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Fast Five!!! - VERY FAST!!!
PostedMay 6, 2011
How can you improve a successful franchise like the Fast and the Furious? Here its done by enlarging the cast and location. Shot in Rio, with a new player - Dwayne Johnson - the Rock! Its all adrenaline, testosterone, and nitro fueled! The scenery is perfect for the insane car chases, and the chemistry of the actors is like a well tuned racing engine. The Rock is the perfect adversary for Vin Diesel. Their fight scene.... well, it Rocks! And, as you would expect, the Rock, can NOT be a total bad guy, nor can Vin, so when they do their magic, the audience goes wild. Its a great cast. And there's lots of eye candy. Between the intensity, there's plenty of laughs and sentimentality. It all works.
Stay for the credits for one final shocker of a scene. But there's one thing here that troubles me. How will they ever come up with a name for the next installment that can top Fast Five?????
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
Hanna - not Jason Bourne but something else
PostedMay 3, 2011
If your expectations based on the previews is yet another Bourne Identity type of film you will be sorely disappointed. Although the action, suspense, and plot have parallels, the director is looking for something more cerebral which may make the film seem as if it is not going where you feel it should go. And that's his intention. This is Joe Wright who previously directed Atonement. Story is less important than character. Saoirse Ronan does an excellent job of capturing the mix of sophisticated killing machine and innocent young girl and makes both mesh seamlessly. Whether she is killing or kissing, she is totally believable and that's saying a lot. Its a quirky take on action and many may not enjoy this deviation from formula but its quite interesting and well done.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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