DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
2
/
5
A Good Day to Die Hard - just die already...
PostedFebruary 27, 2013
Dialogue
2
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5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
3
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5
Story
1
/
5
Camerawork
2
/
5
I have enjoyed each of the previous Die Hard films. There was always a mix of humor and action with several sub plots and quirky characters that made the story more than it appeared on its surface. That's why I am bummed to have to write a less than stellar review for this movie. I have to blame it on the bad directing and weak script. The movie skips all the successful previous formulas and loses its way. The action is still good, but the story is very weak. Its hard to care about anyone here. Even the bad guys fail to live up to the ones in any or all of the previous films. There's just no on screen magic. That moment when John MacClane usually does his Yippy kai yay doesn't really materialize here. There's no annoying reporter, no overbearing top police brass, no funny chauffeur, no personal involvement with the bad guy, nothing cool at all. Its just an average action film with a name star and a big budget. It should have been more. The last one was.
To be fair, its not the worst film you'll see this year, but it is a far cry from any of the other Die Hard movies. Lets hope that the producers get a better director for the next and probably last film of this series. It deserves a better finale than this.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Safe Haven - sweet and simple
PostedFebruary 20, 2013
Although this is not going to get any Academy Awards, its an easy to enjoy family film. If you have seen Sleeping With The Enemy, you will find this story very familiar. But with Lasse Halstrom as the director, the feel of this film is much more enjoyable and less focused on the lurking predator from the past. Sure its a small predictable story, but in Halstrom's hands, its definitely a feel good chick flick that men will be able to enjoy. The very ending of the film has a bit of a unique surprise twist. I'm not sure it made any difference, but it worked. If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks novels like The Notebook, you will find yourself on familiar footing. The cast is perfect and the story moves along as easily as Julianne does when she dances.
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+2points
3of 4voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Stand Up Guys - a humerous reunion of elder criminals with an obvious twist
PostedFebruary 14, 2013
Dialogue
4
/
5
Art Direction
3
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5
Acting
4
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5
Story
3
/
5
It is always a treat to see each and all of these actors, even when the material is less than stellar. Together, they are a treat. The story is paper thin and the supposed twist is no surprise, but its a lite comedy with actors who know how to make the best of any story even if it came off the back of a cereal box. A few of the scenes are very funny, although its not consistent.
The story revolves around the fact that these men are very elderly criminals who still are the best at what they do. There are four subplots, each of which revolve around a separate woman that helps to advance the story by enriching the thin plot. Alan Arkin plays a small but pivotal part as the third musketeer who adds to the fun in his usual wry manner. Pacino and Walken make a great team.
Its comedy with a small "c", but with this cast its still worth seeing.
Pros great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
3
/
5
Identity Theif - cute not hilarious. It could have been more.
PostedFebruary 8, 2013
Dialogue
4
/
5
Art Direction
3
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5
Acting
4
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5
Story
3
/
5
The cast is good. The concept is good. The acting is good. But the story is really thin. Basically its just another buddies on a road trip film with a strange set up. It has a good start. Jason Bateman is a family guy at a company where he is almost invisible to his boss. He is offered a chance to jump ship and work with others who are leaving the company and value him. He's get a big raise and become a VP. But far away, Melissa McCarthy gets on the phone with him under false pretenses and steal his identity and uses it to run a bunch of credit cards. She spends like crazy. Just when Jason goes to his new office it all hits the fan and he is in big trouble and may lose his job. That's when he gets the idea to go find the person who did this and bring them back home to the authorities. It could have been hilarious. But its mostly cute with a few laughs. The cast is wasted here.
I really hoped for more especially after Bridesmaids, but got a lot less. It will be fine on DVD or basic cable one day soon.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+4points
6of 8voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
The Impossible - a brutal depiction of survival from the Tsunami of 2004
PostedFebruary 5, 2013
Dialogue
5
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5
Special Effects
5
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5
Art Direction
5
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5
Acting
5
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5
Story
5
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5
Camerawork
5
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5
This is not easy to watch. The story is of a family on vacation in a seaside resort. As they play poolside a sudden wall of black debris laden water hits with incredible violence. I cannot overstate the shock. The special effects are excellent and add to the vivid realism. As this family of five become separated, the intensity of the event increases geometrically. Everyone is injured. Some being horrible to see. The sense of fear is constant. But as events reach their worst people do their best. Naomi Watts is simply excellent in a very difficult role (both to act and watch). But it is Tom Holland as her eldest son who is the star of this true story.
This is a very emotional gut wrenching film and certainly not to be viewed before heading to a beach resort. But it is masterfully done and best for the special effects and fine acting.
Pros great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Les Miserables - Quite a spectalce, an opera not a musical
PostedJanuary 30, 2013
Dialogue
4
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5
Art Direction
5
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5
Acting
5
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5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
5
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5
Les Mis stands out for its spectacular scale. No one could do full justice to Victor Hugo's 1900 page book. The 1958 french film version probably came the closest to its full story, but this is really an operatic version of the romanticized part of the story. There is no talking. Its a story told in grand theatrical songs. Anne Hathaway stands out as Fantine, and will undoubtedly walk away with an Oscar for her supporting role as a factory worker thrown out on the streets who is driven into prostitution to support her far off daughter. But Les Mis is the story of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) a good man who is thrown into prison for the theft of a loaf of bread that he took to feed a his sister's starving children. His 19 years there ends with a parole that requires him to report to the authorities monthly for life. His jailer Javert (Russel Crowe) hounds him throughout the movie as he escapes and tries to rebuild a life as a good man. I found Crowe's voice off key and somewhat disturbing. Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter play the pair who are watching over Fantine's daughter Cosette (Isabelle Allen), but are low lives and have made her into a slave.
The film jumps in time in three chapters. The adult Cosette (Amanda Seifeird) is now treated as Jean Valjean's "adopted" daughter. She finds her true love in the form of a young rich man, Marius (Eddie Redmayne) who is part of a plot to start a new revolution in Paris. When Valjean learns, he saves the life of Marius and brings him to Cosette and leaves to keep his secret past from her.
If you are not a fan of opera, you will find this long and hard to take. Its a one of a kind film. Those who love musicals will be drawn to the story and the songs.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+5points
5of 5voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
The Last Stand - Arnie is back (sorry I couldn't resist)
PostedJanuary 23, 2013
Dialogue
4
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5
Special Effects
4
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
If you've seen all of the Schwarzenegger films of his youth, you know exactly what you are in for. Lots of action, simple plot lines with good guys against really bad guys, and the sense of humor only Arnie can deliver with a straight face. Its actually sort of funny even if its predictable and totally politically incorrect in these times. Arnie is showing his age, but like any force of nature you still know you wouldn't want to tangle with him even in a wheel chair. The supporting cast is good with both Johnny Knoxville and Luis Guzman along for laughs. Forest Whitaker plays a small role as the FBI agent in charge, but frankly his part hardly matters. When did the story line matter in a film like this? Let me tell you, the audience applauded numerous times as Arnie would go into his routine. He may look his age, but he is still Arnie. Director Jee-woon Kim is quite good with the action scenes and there are plenty!
The Last Stand is a mindless fun action flick that marks Arnie's return to the role of leading man. And yes, as he once promised...he's back!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Zero Dark Thirty- the story of the CIA agent who tracked him down
PostedJanuary 16, 2013
Dialogue
4
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
4
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5
Acting
4
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5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
5
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5
Katheryn Bigelow has once again created a study of the psychology of the price paid by people involved in activities that put them in harms way. And although there are some action scenes, this is definitely not an action movie. This is not a feel good film. There are scenes of graphic torture and death. Her style is sophisticated, yet there is something about it that is not quite satisfying. Although the two hours and thirty seven minutes pass quite quickly, there are many parts of the story that have been ignored or minimized.
This is very much the story of the CIA operative (Jessivca Chastain) who is brought in as a rookie and grows into a professional with a singular dedication and focus. Its probably not what you anticipate, but still its a gripping story regardless of your politics.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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0points
2of 4voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Silver Linings Playbook - one of the year's best
PostedJanuary 15, 2013
Dialogue
5
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5
Art Direction
4
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5
Acting
5
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5
Story
5
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5
Camerawork
5
/
5
Bradley Cooper plays a man being released from a stay in a mental institution agreed to in a plea deal after a violent episode when he walk in on his wife's lover. From the start the subject is treated with both a lighter touch and lots of back story. Chris Tucker introduces just the right amount of humor into the mix as Cooper's friend from the institution. Robert DeNiro, well what can I say, but he IS Robert DeNiro and he does an amazing job as Cooper's Dad, who also shows many of the signs of the same personality issues. But it is Jennifer Lawrence who shines brightest as a fellow weary traveler on the road back to mental health. She is the spark that starts the changes in Cooper's character in the most unexpected ways. They find their path through a dance competition and their training for it. Its a very well told story of life in the 21st century sure to walk away with Oscar gold.
Pros well paced, great story, great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
4
/
5
Hyde Park On Hudson- A King and a President overcome disabilites and become friends
PostedJanuary 11, 2013
Dialogue
5
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5
Art Direction
5
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5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
5
/
5
President Roosevelt (played straight up by Bill Murray) needs female companions and its his mother who acts as his pimp. Enter Laura Linney as his 5th cousin who happens to be the only available woman nearby his mother's home where FDR is about to have a momentous meeting with the king and queen of England. No English King has ever ventured to American shores. They need America's help to fight Hitler but Americans are not quite ready for getting involved in another European war.
The story is told through the eyes of Linney who narrates. It is an interesting insight into the private lives and affairs of the Roosevelts.
King George VI ("The King's Speech") is a stutterer. FDR can not walk. As they meet and get to know each other, their respective disabilities become the bond through which they form their friendship. King George and his wife Queen Elizabeth are wary of the intent of the Americans and feel as if they are being set up and disrespected. But as the personal friendship grows, the king starts to let down his guard, and finds friendship from a man who understands and respects him.
Meanwhile, we get to see a side of FDR that is rarely revealed, his dalliances with women. Its done in a mature and somewhat surprising way as Linney grows from a simple country girl to someone on the world stage caught up in a very complicated romance.
While certainly not Oscar material, this movie is quite charming and intriguing. If you enjoyed the King's Speech, this is a nice follow up film.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.