DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
4
/
5
Source Code - Suspense in the near future
PostedApril 13, 2011
This is a tight story with good acting, directing, and script this will leave you feeling uplifted.
You wake up from a military mission. You're confused and somewhere you don't recognize. You're not who you were or what you were. Somehow you are now a civilian. When you look in the mirror you're a stranger who doesn't even look like you. Eight minutes later you're dead as your train explodes. But then you realize that you're not dead. You're in a space ship like capsule. Your superior officer is debriefing you. Dazed and even more confused she sends you back in time and it starts all over. And this is just the opening scene of the story.
This is not a typical sci-fi story. There's a lot of heart here on several levels from romance to a son's love for his dad. On another level its a detective story full of suspense and action that stresses heroism and growth. Most importantly, it ends well. Very well.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan fit perfectly together here and that's what make this film work so well. They are you and me at our best, growing and learning each time the story unfolds. Director Duncan Jones does an excellent job of not overplaying his hand while telling a very intricate tale in a way that feels just right. Its not what you're expecting. But even if you figure it all out before everything is revealed, it still works!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Soul Surfer - ispirational true story
PostedApril 8, 2011
I vaguely remembered seeing the shocking story of Bethany Hamilton in the news a few years back, but seeing the film really touched me. Its the tale of an aspiring young girl who becomes the victim of a shark attack while practicing to be a champion surfer in Hawaii and how she goes on with her life in the face of a terrible loss.
This is a simple true story, yet it resonates and moves you in ways both subtle and profound. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt play the parents. AnnaSophia Robb ( who starred in the Johnny Depp film "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as the gum chewing Violet) plays Bethany. Carrie Underwood has her first film role as the leader of the local church group that takes Bethany to help victims of the tsunami in Thailand years ago. This is where she begins to come to terms with her disability and starts to rebuild her life as she helps those whose lives have been shattered.
Bring plenty of tissues. This film will get to you. And bring the whole family for a powerful lesson in humility and inspiration. You'll be glad you did.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Sucker Punch - unexpected ;-)
PostedApril 6, 2011
As the title implies, this film hits you from the blind side. It's unique and quirky and clearly the work of a brilliant director who is pioneering his own style here as he did in his earlier film "300". Accordingly it won't be for everyone. Zack Snyder is an artist and this work tells a story through three levels all occurring like layers of an onion, similar in form to "Inception" but far different with a dark graphic novel feel and look.
The story is about a girl who loses her mother and sees her evil step father trying to rape her younger sister. In her attempt to stop it, her sister is killed and she is sent to a mental asylum, where our real story begins. Its not about the script or the acting here. Its all about style and connections on the levels as they coalesce.
The CGI fighting is inventive and truly over the top. As the guru of the story, Scott Glenn, says, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything". There is plenty of eye candy and plot twists to keep you off balance and hit you with a sucker punch! You'll never be sure where it came from or just who the real players are or if they all represent different sides of the same person. Keep your eye on this director!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Limitless - and smart!
PostedMarch 31, 2011
Bradley Cooper plays a man whose life is bottoming out. He's a writer with writer's block who hasn't written a word in months or at all, is being dumped by his girlfriend, lives in a dump that needs serious cleaning or a blow torch, and he looks like he's homeless. And then a chance encounter with someone he'd have preferred to avoid changes everything when he is given a pill that will open his brain's untapped potential. Like Alice in Wonderland he swallows it and everything changes, and he's on the road to addiction and all that brings to mind. The mental high is seductive and amazing, but the physical lows are shocking. To make the story energized, he finds himself in a murder mystery or two, and chased by the killer, and also chased by a very ruthless Russian loan shark who has discovered his secret and wants his pills. Worse still he gets his girlfriend into it way over her head, leading to one of the most exciting scenes in the film.
Robert DeNiro plays a supporting but much lesser role here. He's like the Gordon Gekko of Wall Street but less dynamic or well acted. Its quite a step down for DeNiro, but still him and that's always worth seeing.
The concept of the film is reminiscent of the old film Charlie, but seriously updated with some truly jarring cinematography that might induce motion sickness in some. The pace is brisk and the action well thought out. In the end the twist is satisfying. Its certainly different and entertaining. I liked it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Lincoln Lawyer - gonna drive me to drinkin
PostedMarch 23, 2011
Hey, Matthew McConaughey actually can act! After so many movies where all he does is take off his shirt, it was refreshing to see him finally take on a serious role and do it well. Playing a lawyer who operates out of his Lincoln, he is as slick as the oil on Gulf shrimp. He knows every trick and everybody who can give him the inside scoop before he goes into a court room and gets his guilty as hell clients off Scott free. Until one day, he finds himself with a wealthy assault client who just may be pure evil and dangerous to him and everyone close to him. Its a battle of wits with plenty of twists and turns all very satisfying.
This is a very clever mystery that intertwines several stories into one neat adventure that will leave you entertained and glad that you gave Matthew a second look, but this time for his acting!
This is a very clever mystery that intertwines several stories into one neat adventure that will leave you entertained and glad that you gave Matthew a second look, but this time for his acting!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Rango - an homage to Eastwood westerns
PostedMarch 16, 2011
The quality of the animation is simply stunning, perhaps the best technical work I've ever seen. Johnny Depp gives voice to Rango, a chameleon, on many levels. The story is very familiar to anyone who has ever seen a western, but the telling is light-hearted with loads of irony, pathos, and action. The stranger who comes to town and faces down the evil land owner and his hired guns and red herrings, and gets the girl.
Its a little slow for young children, but fascinating for adult film buffs, who will notice elements of many decades of great cinema woven into both the script and visuals. A mariachi band sets the stage with a narrative for many of the scenes (stolen right out of Cat Ballou and Something About Mary).
There's an apparent Clint Eastwood cameo, that is actually Timothy Oliphant, that gives the film its message.
Overall, its quite entertaining and unique, as one would expect from a film featuring Johnny Depp.
There's an apparent Clint Eastwood cameo, that is actually Timothy Oliphant, that gives the film its message.
Overall, its quite entertaining and unique, as one would expect from a film featuring Johnny Depp.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
I am Number 4 - teen sci fi
PostedMarch 8, 2011
If you are a teenager or a fan of the Twilight movies, Smallville, or Glee, you will enjoy this. Full of the kind of teen angst and the good attractive aliens here to save Earth from the bad ugly dressed in black aliens, Its a typical High School tale with the usual bullies and science nerd side kick and cute girl who is clearly girlfriend material, with the unmistakable feel of a made for cable tv channel pilot. And surely they have planned additional installments for what should be a successful money making pop corn eating franchise. Its strong point is the action direction by D.J. Caruso (Disturbia) in the second half. Timothy Oliphant delivers a fine yet subdued performance. Alex Pettyfer plays #4 and Dianna Agron (Glee) is his girlfriend. But I think its his dog that steals the show here. Watch him protect his master when the chips are down! What a dog!
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Cedar Rapids - a small gem
PostedMarch 1, 2011
I'm not a mid-westerner, but this little story about a small town Iowa boy who goes to the big city, loses his innocence, and finds harsh reality, and the true meaning of friendship is a theme I will never tire of. The message here is that innocence is not always innocent. No, its not Frank Capra; its far too crude, but the feeling is very familiar and enjoyable.
This is the kind of small film with a small story that surprises and entertains. Its sweet and its smart and very enjoyable. The laughs are good and the script tight. Its the kind of sleeper hit that will become big once it reaches a mass audience on cable. But see it now because its worth the money. AND stay for the credits. They're a hoot!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Unknown - with a known actor
PostedFebruary 23, 2011
Ignore the critics. Though not Oscar material this film is well crafted for an exciting mix of amnesia and suspense. Every time you think you see where it is heading it takes another turn. Neesom is becoming an incredible action hero as he approaches 60, and that in itself is amazing. His professionalism makes this work as does the script and direction. The supporting cast is strong.
Taking place in today's Berlin, a cab ride goes randomly awry resulting in a crash that strips Neesom of his identity and possibly his sanity. Yet there is more afoot here as his character is being hunted. But how can someone have set the events in place when the accident was totally random. From there we start our mystery and the adventure goes viral. Its exciting and clever with a touch of Hitchcock. I recommend it!
Taking place in today's Berlin, a cab ride goes randomly awry resulting in a crash that strips Neesom of his identity and possibly his sanity. Yet there is more afoot here as his character is being hunted. But how can someone have set the events in place when the accident was totally random. From there we start our mystery and the adventure goes viral. Its exciting and clever with a touch of Hitchcock. I recommend it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Barney's Version - quality acting and direction
PostedFebruary 15, 2011
In the mid 70's a small band of expatriate creative types living in Italy come together for a wedding of a free spirit and a man, masterfully played by Paul Giamatti, who is told he is the father of her unborn child. At the hospital shortly after he finds it is all a lie and walks out. When he goes to talk with her days later he discovers her suicide.
His next marriage is in his home in Montreal. She is a poor fit with his lifestyle and the marriage ends in divorce. Yet, at their wedding he finds his one true love and spends all his efforts pursuing her. His personality is his undoing. The story takes us through all the chapters of his life through today. Though serious it has its humor and pathos.
Dustin Hoffman puts in one of his best performances in many many years. The directing is excellent.
Barney's Version is named for the way he sees his own story which is both sentimental and sad yet told in a compelling endearing way. A true piece of quality film making
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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