DrLaser's stats
- Review count280
- Helpfulness votes157
- First reviewMarch 15, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 14, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Overall rating
4
/
5
The Five Year Engagement - sacrafice and resentment made funny
PostedMay 17, 2012
Dialogue
4
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
4
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
Jason Segel and Emily Blunt are an attractive couple with great chemistry on the verge of marriage when a job offer compels him to give up his career in San Francisco and move to Michigan so she can follow her dreams. Unfortunately, he is left with nothing and his life stumbles and with it so does their relationship. Each new twist that pushes back their marriage further unravels the magic they once shared with him slowly growing stranger and stranger. The scripting is good and the actors well matched. Although somewhat long, its both enjoyable and entertaining.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Damsels in Distress - intellectual cul de sac
PostedMay 1, 2012
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
2
/
5
Art Direction
2
/
5
Acting
2
/
5
Story
3
/
5
Camerawork
3
/
5
In short this is a college story of four women, but anything but typical. Three of them take in the new girl with the goal of helping her improve in an elitist way. The three have some odd ideas. They run a suicide prevention center and use tap dancing as therapy. The story is all about the men they become involved with. It is quirky enough to make you feel it has potential, but its more odd and cute than anything else.
This is an art house film full of intellect but devoid of direction. Despite some clever dialog it rambles and gives you the impression it is going somewhere but never does. Its almost as if the writer had a good idea and felt that was enough to sustain this film without looking for a real plot. It has its moments and opportunities but most are squandered. Four people next to me actually got up and left mid way. I kept hoping that it would find its pace and suddenly come together and surprise me, but alas no. Its an interesting and unusual film and quite different, but it could have been so much more.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Mirror Mirror on the wall, why wasn't this better?
PostedApril 24, 2012
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
2
/
5
Art Direction
3
/
5
Acting
3
/
5
Story
2
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
This is a family movie geared to a younger audience. Its cute alright and at times a bit funny, but its not a comedy. Its a retold fairy tale with some major changes. None of the actors really had much to work with. The script and directing were middling with no surprises, except one. After the movie ends, the director, Tarsem Singh has the cast do a Bollywood song and dance number. Wait for the dvd or blue ray.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
The Three Stooges - Farrelly Bros nyuk, nyuk!
PostedApril 17, 2012
OK, its moronic slapstick, but if you grew up watching the Three Stooges, you'll find this a belly laugh fest. The Farrelly Brothers have the stooges timing down and with an actual (however weak) plot, there is a story here and some great sight gags. The actors actually look and act like the originals. The movie is broken up as if it were three half hour shorts from the old days. I loved the part where Moe lands a role on "The Jersey Shore".
Its actually good family fare and almost everyone in the theater was cracking up most of the time. If you loved them then, you'll love them now.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Hunger Games -leaves you hungry for the sequels
PostedApril 14, 2012
Director Gary Ross uses his camera at the start of the movie as a disturbing tool to give you a sense of the tension that engulfs the kids in this post apocalyptic world as they face the threat of impending death. Once the story gets going he eases up and focuses on their gestures and expressions to express their humanity in an inhumane world where a few dozen of them have been sent as a sacrifice for a revolt that occurred 74 years earlier. Its a compelling tale told well with its central figures revolving around the lead character played by the wonderful Jennifer Lawrence. But its the incredible supporting cast that gives the film its flavor. Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, and Donald Sutherland add generously to the special flavor of this tasty film. Though it veers from the novel at times, it is well acted and visually compelling. Highly recommended!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Salmon Fishing in Yemen - A good catch!
PostedApril 10, 2012
Lasse Hallström (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, My Life As A Dog) has once again put his unique stamp on a quirky by sweet story about an improbable situation. Its a tale of destiny and of faith. A charming wealthy Yemeni Prince is the driving force of the film. He displays a wisdom and grace that brings a reluctant scientist (Ewan McGregor) to embrace this insane idea and with the help of a surprisingly gifted assistant (Emily Blunt) actually make it happen. Although described as a comedy, its not. Its actually the story of evolving relationships. Lasse Hallström is the master of this. Give it a shot. Despite its title, its quite good!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
A Seperation - powerful divorse saga
PostedApril 3, 2012
What I walked away with most was a stark insight into Iranian society. The struggle of a family is used to show a broad picture of the system and culture under which they live and how it impacts on every aspect of their daily lives. The divorce that is pending is the metaphor which allows us a glimpse into their courts, their faith, and their families.
This is a powerful drama that pits loyalties against each other and makes all victims of their own weaknesses. And the first victim as always is the truth. Unlike most other films dealing with the subject, this is a masterpiece of a family in crisis. No wonder it is the first film from Iran to win a well deserved Academy Award!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
21 Jump Streedt - not a remake, a funny parody
PostedMarch 27, 2012
Jonah Hill has taken the idea of the 21 Jump Street tv series and has ignored its serious nature and instead turned it into a hilarious raunchy comedy. Its totally ridiculous yet totally funny. The story revolves around two kids who graduated from the same High School, one who was cool but dumb (Channing Tatum) and the other who was a nerd (Johah Hill). Lets just say they are not friends but both meet with the same fate through different paths. Five years later they meet again in police academy where they have to team up to make the grade only to be sorely disappointed by their lack of excitement and adventure on the force. After screwing up a bust they are assigned as a last resort to Jump Street where they have to pretend to be in High School again in order to bust a drug ring. Their boss (Ice Cube) is a scream. But High School is not like it was when they attended and it takes so getting used to. Both of them get their chance to fix the things they messed up the first time around. Surprisingly you'll find the movie actually heart. If you're not easily offended you'll be laughing until you cry.
Watch for the cameos from the original tv cast! And if you think you are seeing James Franco, its actually his brother Dave and he's quite good!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
John Carter - surprisingly entertaining
PostedMarch 20, 2012
I have to admit, I was not expecting much, but within a few minutes I was totally into this old time sci fi flick. The style was reminiscent of films from an early era, but the computer animation was state of the art. The actual story was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs who also authored Tarzan. Its steampunk meets sci fi. And although the acting is nothing special, the action is. The story line is paper thin but it hardly matters. Its just plain fun and it works. If you like fantasy and adventure you will love this one!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Jeff, Who Lives at Home - stoner guided by karma
PostedMarch 20, 2012
Jeff (Jason Segel) is a stoner who lives in his Mom's (Susan Sarandon) basement and basically does nothing at age 30. She asks him to glue a broken piece of a cabinet for her birthday as her one gift from him, but as he begrudgingly goes out on the bus to buy the glue he finds himself distracted by a "sign" that leads him off his path and on a new path of destiny that brings him in contact with his brother (Ed Helms) who is undergoing a marital crisis with his wife (Judy Greer). Jeff is an innocent who is a pawn of the universe and carries its innocent magic into the lives his family.
The quirkiness of this film makes it something not quite comedic yet not quite drama. Its in that Indie place where the unusual is the norm. Somehow this story of a single day in Jeff's life seems to be the most important day of each member of his family. Everything comes together and ends in a way that although not unexpected leaves you feeling more than satisfied.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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