DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
5
/
5
Biutiful - but sad
PostedFebruary 8, 2011
The film begins and ends with the same scene and is like a wedding ring, a perfect circle and timeless. The story is about a man who is living outside the norms of society but with all the morality rarely seen in it. Javier Bardem is once again excellent in this very powerful but reserved role. He is a man who feels compelled to help those around him, although at times he is also willing to take advantage. And time is not on his side. When this results in worse and worse situations leading to tragedy he is left guilt ridden and empty except for his loyalty to his children and those who he promised to take care of. Its a very dark story but filled with the redemptive circle of a father's love. Powerful and well crafted, but sad. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
The Fighter - a knockout
PostedFebruary 2, 2011
Just when you thought that every kind of fighter film had been made, this comes along and renews your faith in storytelling. Its not another Rocky! This is the kind of film actors love. So much of the credit for its success must go to Mark Wahlberg who worked so hard to make it happen. Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams give the performances of their lives. Its over the top but in a good way. The story is about redemption. How a crack addict brother, a failing fighter, and a dysfunctional mother all come to find themselves and what matters. The fighting is a metaphor for the journey of their lives as they move from failure to inspiration.
This is not a happy film but it is uplifting.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Green Hornet - goofy fun spoof
PostedJanuary 25, 2011
Well its a Seth Rogan film after all, what would you expect? Its not a superhero film like Iron Man. This is what Seth Rogan believes would happen if a rich slacker playboy met a martial arts expert/mechanical genius and they decided to play comic book heroes. As goofy as it seems, it has some decent laughs like when the sleeping gas gun accidentally knocks Rogan out for over a week and he must have his revenge against Kato.
This movie never takes itself seriously, and that's a good thing. Its not your father's Green Hornet, but it is funny even if its not all that smart. The gadgets are cool and Jay Chou is one amazing martial artist!
If you enjoy Seth Rogan you'll love this.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
The King's Speech - double meaning, double good
PostedJanuary 18, 2011
The name of this film refers to both the issue with the future king of England's speech defect as well as the speech that will shape his career and motivate his nation to stand up to Hitler's aggression. Brilliantly written, directed, and acted, this movie tells a difficult story in a serious but affable way. You can feel both the pain of the future king and his subjects as he struggles to address them over the new medium of radio. Yet its the relationship between him and his speech therapist that is the heart of the film. Its both tense and warm with moments of levity and solemnity.
If Colin Firth doesn't get the Oscar for this role, it would be a shame. Powerful yet reserved, this is what cinema aspires to. Somewhat reminiscent to the Madness of King George, its an example of history as drama in the most human way.
If Colin Firth doesn't get the Oscar for this role, it would be a shame. Powerful yet reserved, this is what cinema aspires to. Somewhat reminiscent to the Madness of King George, its an example of history as drama in the most human way.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Black Swan -intense and frightening
PostedJanuary 11, 2011
Two of us were simply blown away one hated it.
Natalie Portman gives a tour de force performance as a ballerina on the verge of greatness being driven to madness. Director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) in his typical dark manner explores the mind of a person at a major turning point. The passion that drives a ballerina to endure the intensity of her art is what he focuses on. Its the quest for perfection. And like the white swan in the ballet itself, perfection is an end that is the end.
Natalie Portman gives a tour de force performance as a ballerina on the verge of greatness being driven to madness. Director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) in his typical dark manner explores the mind of a person at a major turning point. The passion that drives a ballerina to endure the intensity of her art is what he focuses on. Its the quest for perfection. And like the white swan in the ballet itself, perfection is an end that is the end.
I only realized that Winona Ryder was the rejected former star ballerina when her name appeared in the credits. The direction is that intense. This film is clearly a strong Oscar contender and a one of a kind well worth seeing. Not for kids, even if they love ballet!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
True Grit has true grit!
PostedJanuary 4, 2011
This is a totally new film more than a remake and its all about the book and not the previous classic film. It should and does stand on its own. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld steals this movie. Her performance is simply amazing and as strong as any of the others. Jeff Bridges is a terrific Rooster Cogburn, and Matt Damon is all but unrecognizable in a very different type of role. Barry Pepper in the small role played by Robert Duval in the original is great.
This is a powerful and wonderful story and can stand up to retelling. The Coen Brothers bring their unique style that gives this Western its flavor. There are many memorable moments and great lines.
As the film ended I felt a strong yet surprising wave of emotion though it was a subtle scene. That's what cinema should be all about.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
127 Hours = 93 INTENSE minutes
PostedDecember 21, 2010
Extremely Powerful.
Extremely well acted by James Franco.
Extremely well directed by Danny Boyle.
Extremely hard to watch but well worth it.
Its been an hour since I left the theater and my heart is still racing.
This is a tour de force story of a young man who loves to explore, rock climb, and push his limits against nature. It tells the tale of a journey gone horribly wrong in every way and how sometimes all of your ingenuity alone is not enough, and you have to fall back on your resolve to survive. James Franco shows his range as he goes through all the emotions of a trapped man who realizes he probably won't get out alive. His performance is Oscar worthy. This is an amazing film but definitely not for the squeemish. Be prepared, just as the real man he portrays, Aron Ralston (who makes a nice curtain call) was. Highly recommended.
Extremely well acted by James Franco.
Extremely well directed by Danny Boyle.
Extremely hard to watch but well worth it.
Its been an hour since I left the theater and my heart is still racing.
This is a tour de force story of a young man who loves to explore, rock climb, and push his limits against nature. It tells the tale of a journey gone horribly wrong in every way and how sometimes all of your ingenuity alone is not enough, and you have to fall back on your resolve to survive. James Franco shows his range as he goes through all the emotions of a trapped man who realizes he probably won't get out alive. His performance is Oscar worthy. This is an amazing film but definitely not for the squeemish. Be prepared, just as the real man he portrays, Aron Ralston (who makes a nice curtain call) was. Highly recommended.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
I Love you Phillip Morris - not a smoke
PostedDecember 14, 2010
Nothing to do with tobacco. Jim Carrey does a jump the shark . Based on a true story, he plays a married cop who as a child learns he was adopted, finds his birth mother, is rejected again and then decides to come out of the closet as a flamboyant gay con man. Its not Ace Ventura for sure so keep the kids home because there's more sex here than in all of Brokeback Mountain, but without the heart. The film never really finds itself. Its not a comedy, nor a drama.
Carrey needs money to support his new found lavish life style. He pretends to be a lawyer, judge, CFO, and even a dying AIDS patient. It is fascinating, but it never really connects in a way that makes you care. Much of the story takes place in prison, with more attempts to break out than are seen in "The Great Escape". This is probably the best part of the movie, viewing the ingenuity of this man. Yet in the end, its a tragedy to see how someone with this much talent has wasted his life and some of yours.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Fair Game - better than fair!
PostedDecember 8, 2010
When her husband decides to tell the truth in a NY Times story about a mission he investigated for the CIA, Valerie Plame becomes Fair Game for a smear campaign by the powerful political elite whom he has exposed. Naomi Watts does an excellent job in an understated role from this true story as a CIA spook. In contrast Sean Penn is all emotion in an intellectual package. Their journey from dedicated government employees to targets of those who could care less about the truth is well told. Their relationship is the first victim of their integrity. Worse still, the fate of the foreign operatives who depended on Plame and were left out in the cold by the agency is chilling and incredibly sad to witness.
This is a powerful insight into the workings of government and how easily a few people with an agenda can bend the truth to suit their ends. Well worth watching.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Interesting but cluttered
PostedNovember 30, 2010
Sometimes a movie has so much going on that it gets in the way of its heart. Here both Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway nail their characters, but the real story is buried deep and slow to be revealed. Although on its surface this looks like a tale of a pharmaceutical salesman introducing Viagra to the world and all the nudity and sex that go along with it, the reality is that this is about people who have run away from their potentials. Jake, the salesman, feels he has not lived up to his parent's expectations, and Anne has chosen to use her disease (Parkinsons) as an excuse to avoid a real relationship. This is the heart of the story and it catches you off guard because its been hidden under all the lighter elements and back stories. The film has no shortage of laughs. But it deals sincerely with a serious issue. Though predictable, its also likable.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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