DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
4
/
5
Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest - Great
PostedNovember 17, 2010
As the conclusion of a trilogy very much like a Classic Greek Tragedy, I found this very satisfying. It didn't have the excitement of the first film (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), but as that was simply incredible, its not fair to judge this film against it. The people I went with had not seen the first two films and still found this to be excellent, so that tells you something. Having seen all three, I feel that it adds immensely to understanding the finer points of the plot, but agree its not a necessity.
This is a very powerful film for adults (ONLY!!!). It is not what it seems. In many ways this is a film about a government conspiracy, sexual misconduct, intellect, and loyalty. The two lead characters are polar opposites who have come together to make a winning team even though they rarely interact. Daniel Craig will be playing the lead in the American version, which I can only hope is even a shadow of this masterpiece series. See all three of these if you can. Its smart, fast, and thoughtful.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Due Date - ok with good moments
PostedNovember 9, 2010
What carries this film about an architect trying to get to LA in time for his wife's Due Date are its actors. Its a bromance with Robert Downey, Jr. and Zack Galifianakis based on their polar opposite personalities. It definitely has its moments, most of them in the trailer, but its the relationship of these two totally dissimilar car companions that is the story. Whenever Downey becomes fed up, Zack does something endearing and brings them back together again and again, and its glued together with sight gags and one liners, all sick and wrong. My favorite was when Downey punches out an annoying little kid. You have to leave reality behind to buy into it, but if you give it a chance, its a sweet story of unlikely road warriors finding friendship framed in a sick comedy.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Paranormal parallel
PostedNovember 2, 2010
Neither sequel or prequel this is a parallel story to the first Paranormal Activity film. A simultaneous story told in the same manner using what feels like live video to make a "reality" that can make you jump out of your seat at times. This story helps fill in some of the previously open questions of the last film. Its a low budget formula that works because you get the feel of it being reality. Fear comes in many forms, and watching the family dog react to something you can't see can strangely creep you out. Once again there are no opening credits, just like real life. And the end credits are cleverly hidden after what appears to be a sudden frightening fade to black.
The family's Spanish maid/nanny is the only person who has any sense here. And of course she gets fired. And you get fired up. There's no question she'll be back for Paranormal Activity 3D! I can't wait.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
better RED than dead!
PostedOctober 26, 2010
Part action, part spy, and all comedy. That's Red. Try to imagine Helen Mirrin as a wisecracking semi retired spy working with John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, and Bruce Willis and you can just imagine how crazy things will be. Having such a powerful cast would make almost anything work, and sure enough this thrill ride delivers exactly what you expect. Richard Dreyfus and Julian McMahon fill out the cast in bad guy roles. No its not Oscar material but it sure makes you want to eat popcorn and sit back and enjoy. Its mindless, its over the top, and its fun. And in the end its a love story. Go figure!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Nowhere Boy - Imagine that!
PostedOctober 19, 2010
This is a story of the two dysfunctional sisters who shaped the life of the young John Lennon. Its less of a story of the Beatles than of the people themselves and its done well with shock after shock. Its the back story you've probably never heard and its surprisingly interesting and poignant. The cold sister who raised him and the wild sister who bore him are far more complex than they initially appear. They confuse and and create the future of this appealing young man. For Beatles fans there are plenty of tidbits hidden in plain sight such as the sign for "Strawberry Fields" But its John's adolescent struggle to find meaning in his young life that makes this movie work on every level. Aaron Johnson does a great job as John and Kristen Scott Thomas slowly becomes the mother John always needed while coming out of her own self imposed rigid shell. Whether you're a fan of Lennon's or not, you will find this an appealing story.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Facebook Origins
PostedOctober 12, 2010
A caustic look at the birth of Facebook. Jesse Eisenberg portrays its founder Mark Zuckerberg as both brilliant and arrogant and most of all...alone. This version of the story shows a fierce competition that is the foundation for the struggle in the control of facebook. Everyone associated is tainted by its rapid success and changed by its promise of fame and fortune. No one in this story is portrayed as innocent nor are they portrayed as guilty. Rather they are shown as people in over their heads, except for Zuckerberg who is in his element all by himself and feeling a bit worse for the wear.
Justin Timberlake gives a strong performance as Sean Parker the founder of Napster and catalyst for facebook's financing. Andrew Garfield plays Eduardo Saverin, Mark's original business partner and co-founder pushed aside by Parker. Most interesting is Armie Hammer (the actual great grandson of Armand Hammer, the maker of Arm and Hammer baking soda and other products) who plays both Winklevoss twins who sue Zukerberg for stealing their idea. The story is told through the depositions of this law suit and the flashbacks from there.
Justin Timberlake gives a strong performance as Sean Parker the founder of Napster and catalyst for facebook's financing. Andrew Garfield plays Eduardo Saverin, Mark's original business partner and co-founder pushed aside by Parker. Most interesting is Armie Hammer (the actual great grandson of Armand Hammer, the maker of Arm and Hammer baking soda and other products) who plays both Winklevoss twins who sue Zukerberg for stealing their idea. The story is told through the depositions of this law suit and the flashbacks from there.
The acting is fast paced and well played. the directing and writing excellent. Whether true or not, this is a very compelling film that defines the times we live in.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Jack Goes Boating - very good indeed
PostedOctober 5, 2010
Phillip Seymour Hoffman has used cinema to create an "off Broadway" type play on the big screen where acting and intensity explore the complexity and depth in what appears on its surface as simple lives and relationships. A very small ensemble cast tells a bittersweet story of loyalty and the poison betrayal can inflict on relationships even long after the incidents have receded with time. Hoffman clearly is at one in this tour de force of a simple man breaking out of his shell. His directing is masterful. This is a beautiful film that deserves to be seen.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Wall Street sequel yet no more
PostedSeptember 28, 2010
Bottom line - I enjoyed the film, yet it was a shadow of the original. Too much sentimentality instead of the sharp intellect the first one had. The backdrop is the real financial meltdown. The back story is betrayal and revenge. The actors are all good if a little stereotyped. Nice but small performance from Eli Wallach. Michael Douglas is looking and acting more and more like his dad Kirk Douglas. Shia LeBeouf was fine as a naive but loyal broker. There are lots of cameos including Charlie Sheen and Oliver Stone. This should have been much more than it was, yet it still held my interest. It just didn't dazzle me.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Town - n. a place you need to see.
PostedSeptember 21, 2010
For those who have counted Ben Affleck out, see this film and eat some crow. His skill as a director is masterful. His acting is at its top here as is Jeremy (The Hurt Locker ) Renner's. The story telling is somewhat predictable, yet satisfying as it balances suspense, action, humor, and pathos. There's a similarity to the feel of "Heat" yet its its own movie with the distinctly Bostonian Irish flavor of Charlestown. Nothing here is done in a gratuitous manner and everything ties into the plot as it evolves from a simple crime drama into a more complex tale of a man trying to escape from a life he has been trapped into. The love story is the key to his salvation. And it opens his soul to come to grips with his abandonment as a child.
As an action film it would be able to stand on its own. As a drama about Charlestown it would be fine. But as a finely crafted tapestry of interpersonal relationships it is at its best. This is a must see!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Go see Get Low!
PostedSeptember 14, 2010
Get Low is a film that has not gotten much marketing but is a true gem. Robert Duval shines in a powerful performance with the wonderful Sissy Spacek. Lucas Black is the glue that ties all the characters together and fleshes out their humanity. Bill Murray plays it straight with just a touch of his edge of sleeze that helps keep you guessing as to his true intentions.
A curmudgeonly hermit in Tennessee of the 1930s decides to have a "funeral party" while he still is above ground. But its just a front for his true intentions. He needs to get out from the prison he has made for himself and clean his soul so he can move on before he "gets low" in the ground.
Watch for Gerald McRaney and Bill Cobbs as preachers.
The acting and directing are just about perfect. This film is destined for award nominations! Its well worth seeing in a theater.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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