DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
4
/
5
Ondine is On The money!
PostedJune 29, 2010
Ondine is one of those rare small art house films that keeps it simple and smart. Its an allegory about a fisherman who pulls up a girl in his net who just might be a mythical creature called a selkie (like a mermaid who can grant a wish). Or at least that's what the fisherman (Colin Farrell) believes after his very sick daughter tells him so.
Farrell is perfect for this role as is Alicja Bachleda (the selkie - and his real life girlfriend). But its his ten year old daughter Annie (Alison Barry) who steals the show from her wheelchair. As she spins the fairy tale, she becomes the glue that holds the story together, and holds the magic that brings the characters to their true destiny.
Stephen Rea is the priest whom the fisherman confesses to and gives you insight into his true inner self. Their relationship is both irreverent and endearing.
Writer/director Neil Jordan is the man who brought us "The Crying Game" and "Interview With The Vampire". So even in a small film you can feel his talent.
Its light entertainment and quite lovely.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
Funny spin off
PostedJune 22, 2010
This is a spin off based on a character from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". So go rent that dvd now before seeing this! Like that one its directed by Nicolas Stoller with Judd Apatow producing. That should give you an idea of what's in store.
Russell Brand reprises the roll of the wild rock star Aldous Snow to hilarious effect in a movie no child should ever be allowed to see. Sick and wrong only begin to give an insight into his role here. But he does it well and makes him into a sympathetic celeb in need of a real friend, in this case played by Jonah Hill as the innocent producer sent to escort the star to a concert. Sean Puffy Combs plays his no prisoners taken record company boss who will compel him to do anything and everything in order to get him to that concert. Starting with an appearance on the Today Show, we soon see that these two unlikely guys are actually bonding as they try to individually and collectively work through the problems in their own personal lives.
At time hilarious, and at others sentimental. Some good funny rock numbers. Watch for Jeffrey and the fur and Sean Combs floating head!!!!!!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
In a word - Cute
PostedJune 15, 2010
Cute girl on vacation with parents meets cute guy. Three years later finds out he works as a hit man for the government. Things get wacky. People get wacked.
Its all very light and predictable and at times funny but undeniably cute with Ashton Kutcher shirtless and Katherine Heigl in a bra.
Tom Selleck is the overprotective dad who likes to go trap shooting. While Catherine O'Hara is hilarious as the booze loving wife/mom. Watch for Usher!
Its light as a summer breeze but a nice night out fit for the whole family.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
A prince of a film!
PostedJune 8, 2010
Never mind that the origin of this movie was a video game. For a simple story, Prince of Persia is able to do quite well in using alternate time lines to not only tell its tale but teach a lesson in the importance to do the right thing and not just the easy thing. Its a surprisingly entertaining action movie that is well directed. Jake Gyllenhaal glides with ease through the film with the assistance of Ben Kingsley. Alfred Molina once again steals the show in a small but wonderful role.
Although somewhat predictable, the film does not always do the expected. Its light but smart and knows how to satisfy. Its a good summer fantasy with a nice message.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Shrek is for kids!
PostedJune 1, 2010
If you have young kids this is a great choice of films to take them to. Great animation and time tested lessons worth learning. As an adult you'll hear voices of familiar stars. Its a story about the way life can become taken for granted until you one day find it all gone and realize just what you've lost. Shrek only realizes what he had in a relationship after he throws it away to return to his old ways and then has to fight to win it back. Some good laughs here and there. Not the best of the series but a fine family film.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
A new Robin Hood Adventure begins
PostedMay 25, 2010
Ridley Scott tells a new version of the beloved tale of Robin Hood from a point in time before he is with the merry men of Sherwood Forrest. Think of it as a prequel to the next film he seems likely to make. Russell Crowe does a nice job as Robin. While no Errol Flynn or Kevin Costner, he certainly fills the screen and does honor to the role. Cate Blanchett gives a strong performance as Maid Marion.
Although the film runs 2 hours and 20 minutes, you get the feel that it was meant to be longer and was cut down. A little more time would have allowed for some further information to have filled in a few gaps, but it really doesn't matter because we all know the story anyhow! Robin is the epitome of good and he battles pure evil. Simple story line yet well told.
Its a very different telling of the story and some history buffs will take issue with some of the liberties, but since none of us were alive back then, just enjoy this version for what it is. I think you'll quickly find yourself enjoying a new spin on this classic tale.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
for SNL fans - MacGruber
PostedMay 21, 2010
In a world where a mastermind villain (Val Kilmer) has stolen a powerful Russian nuclear weapon and all hope is gone, the army seeks out the supposedly long dead MacGruber (Will forte) in a distant monastery. Lured back by the thought of vengeance against the man who killed his wife, he assembles his old team only to accidentally blow them up. He's forced to grovel to the man he has insulted to get back in. He offers him sex. Yes. He goes a lot further. Its pretty raw and raunchy. What is totally missing by way of a script is made up with by loads of down and dirty R rated humor. Its a very sick and twisted film with lots of disturbed scenes. But if you are a SNL fan and young you'll laugh. If not you'll probably walk out. Its that kind of movie. It mocks the 80's big time. At times its on the mark and at others its just odd. But it does have its moments and some very memorable images that I can only hope to one day try to erase from my memory like MacGruber distracting the bad guys by running naked with a stalk of celery up his backside. No exaggeration. Its wrong, its twisted, and at times its funny. But do not bring the kids!!!!!! Seriously!!!
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Iron 2 Rocks!
PostedMay 18, 2010
Although it lacks some of the punch and originality of the first Iron Man film, this is a lot of fun. New villains, especially Mickey Rorke, new characters, especially Scarlett Johansson, and new technology all come together in an exciting and satisfying weave in graphic novel style. Robert Downey, Jr. is ever the consummate actor and with Gwyneth Paltrow as his squeeze/assistant, the chemistry is just what you'd expect. Samuel L. Jackson is beginning to take on the role of Nick Fury and we are just beginning to see the evolution of the Avengers.
Stay through the credits once again just as in the first Iron Man film for the final scene!
Stay through the credits once again just as in the first Iron Man film for the final scene!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Great story! - How to Tame your Dragon
PostedMay 11, 2010
The secret of a good film is its story. This is simply a terrific story. Its well told and well animated. I had hesitated to go but a friend had raved about it and he was right. Animation is not just for kids when its done right. But kids will love it too. Its that kind of movie.
The story has been told many times in many ways but its still works. Its the tale of a son who doesn't live up to his father's expectations because he's different. The son want's to be one of the guys but he's not. And of course he learns that sometimes its actually better to be different. A lesson that that father needs to learn as well. A wounded dragon and a wounded boy. What could be better than that? Trust me. Its well worth seeing even if you have your doubts!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Excellent! - The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo
PostedMay 4, 2010
A disgraced investigative reporter is hired to solve a 40 year old murder mystery. Soon he is joined by a unusual researcher who had been investigating him and the race is on. Its rare to see a film that is this good. The directing kept a pace that never left you wanting. The casting was as good as it gets with many great performances. Noomi Rapace's acting as "The Girl" truly reached Oscar level. Although this was filmed in Swedish with English subtitles, it did not take anything away from your ability to feel totally immersed in the compelling story. At times it was actually interesting comparing words that were the same in both languages.
The theme of the story concerns itself with sexual crimes that are graphically shown so be warned. The lead characters are quite complex. Yet their stories intertwine neatly with nothing left open in the end. The film does not preach. It explores and that it does well.
If you enjoy a good mystery this is probably one of the best you will find this year. Its not Hollywood. Its better!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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