disconut73's stats
- Review count7
- Helpfulness votes1
- First reviewMay 5, 2008
- Last reviewJuly 14, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
disconut73's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
Real Cinema in a Facebook World...
PostedJuly 14, 2011
This is an amazing movie, plain and simple. Tree of Life is a quiet introspective film that delivers subtlety in imagery and dialogue. I enjoy it when a film doesn't spell out every little detail, and leaves me asking more questions than there may be answers.
The fact that the movie is amazing isn't what interests me -- it's all the hubbub surrounding the movie: People asking for their money back, critics bashing this movie to bits because they don't understand which character is which.
This movie hits home in a more profound way, and I think poses a deeper question: has our culture become so inured to brash, easy-to-digest entertainment that we can no longer appreciate art? The fact that people are walking out of Tree of Life but staying for polished turds like Transformers 3 and Green Lantern is a telling sign of the times...discuss!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
1
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5
Battle to LEAVE THE THEATER!!
PostedMarch 14, 2011
Check out my other reviews here -- I'm a cinephile and like to think that I'm a fair judge of what's good and what isn't. Battle:LA...my God, what an absolute waste of time. This reminds me of that film "Daybreakers" -- it's a "Dress me up with fake contacts and vampire fangs for a paycheck"-type of film. I was tempted to request my money back...it's THAT bad.
Sorry, folks...the trailers for this had me, but that's it. And it sucks because I have mega-love for the primary actors. Aaron Eckhart -- sorry, man.
FYI, Skyline, although not a great film, is a similar venture and is a tad smarter in its premise with a much more engaging ending. Definitely worth a moment of your time.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
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5
Opera at the Movies!
PostedFebruary 13, 2011
I've known of the Met Opera HD program for the better part of a year, but I often work Saturdays so I can't attend the showings. The fates were watching over me this past Saturday: I was free all day, and John Adams was the composer of choice.
And what a show it was! There's a lot of argument as to whether NIxon in China is in fact an "opera" -- I found it amusing to hear a few conversations on this topic alone during intermission -- but I found the work engaging, from the performers to the costumes and sets. To see the opera on such a large screen really brings to life the little details you might miss while watching a broadcast at home. I remember, of all things, Mao's mole on his chin, somthing the top row at the Met isn't EVER going to see. The production went to that much trouble so that the opera, whether viewed up close or far away, is true to form.
I am so glad I went, and will encourage any opera buff to support this program! I am going to now make a concerted effort to attend regularly, and bring friends. FYI, I'd bring a friend, since most of these works can run 3-4 hrs long.
I hope this review helps -- go John Adams, go Modern Opera!! (wait until someone restages "Einstein On The Beach"...)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
Excellent Job
PostedNovember 19, 2010
In short, it's a very good film. But this film is bound to challenge those who have NOT read the books. Because this film starts with a bang and contains unusual cinematic pauses, anyone without prior knowledge of the overall themes and structure of the HP world will benefit from a bit o' study.
As one of the dastardly few who has seen all the films but who hasn't read the books, I myself was a bit lost at the beginning of the film. Luckily I've been quizzing my friends, and have been learning bits and pieces of the overall story, so the sudden appearance of certain characters wasn't so jarring. It will be for others, so you might want to study up your HP mythology a bit.
On the flipside, I suspect those who know the books well will find this film most engaging. It's loaded with the creepiest, weirdest FX yet, and the adult material is not watered down. It's an intense little gem of a film, and has been well-constructed to bring you back for Part 2. It is by far the most challenging of the films to date, visually and emotionally, and is NOT for young children, not by a long shot.
My only concern is for the "muggles" out there. It moves quickly and assumes you know what's going on. There's very little "hand-holding" in this film story-wise. Either attend this film with a friend who knows the HP storyline, or have one who loves HP standing by when you're done.
(SPOILER -- DON't READ)
Coolest scene: Harry Potter's childhood room. It's Kubrick meets the Wachowskis territory. It's so weird, I wanna check it out again!
Coolest scene: Harry Potter's childhood room. It's Kubrick meets the Wachowskis territory. It's so weird, I wanna check it out again!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
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5
FANTASTIC!
PostedNovember 17, 2009
This movie reminds me of the excitement I had when I saw "The Sixth Sense" for the first time. "The Box" is an absolute triumph, and one of the best movies I have seen in a LONG time! The titles are reminiscent of David Lynch and the "Cremaster" cycle, the music choices are uber-creepy, and for fans of the 70's, there are so many choice homage moments, it'll make you cry.
But the best thing about "The Box" is that there is a secret, and it is NOT what you expect, and alot of room is left for audience interpretation.
I feel that Richard Kelly, like Wes and P.T. Anderson and Spike Jonze, is a visionary director, with an amazing eye for detail. If you're a fan of quality cinema, DO NOT MISS THIS MOVIE!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
Great, IF your expectations are reasonable...
PostedAugust 13, 2008
I agree with two previous reviewers:
This movie is a character study more than an action film. Downside? People who aren't fans of the show won't appreciate this fully. It assumes that the viewer KNOWS the Mulder/Scully history, and that might lose a few people. As long as you can accept this is NOT a chase-em-to-Antarctica X-Files film, you'll be fine. There IS a scene at the very end which almost makes you think that, at any moment, something MIGHT just jump out and abduct them after all, and leaves room for a possible follow-up film. Chris Carter may have hired few fewer stuntmen, but that's not to suggest the movie doesn't have an impact and a resonance. But I'll admit it -- I DID want more alien carnage, but I'm happy with what I got.
This movie is a character study more than an action film. Downside? People who aren't fans of the show won't appreciate this fully. It assumes that the viewer KNOWS the Mulder/Scully history, and that might lose a few people. As long as you can accept this is NOT a chase-em-to-Antarctica X-Files film, you'll be fine. There IS a scene at the very end which almost makes you think that, at any moment, something MIGHT just jump out and abduct them after all, and leaves room for a possible follow-up film. Chris Carter may have hired few fewer stuntmen, but that's not to suggest the movie doesn't have an impact and a resonance. But I'll admit it -- I DID want more alien carnage, but I'm happy with what I got.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
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5
Excellent Film; A Family Film at HOME, though...
PostedMay 5, 2008
Everyone who loves Asian cinema knows how significant this film is...Chan and Li for the first time working together. Well, they have made a masterpiece which celebrates the legacy of Hong Kong Action films, and the joy of great storytelling.
Really young kids are gonna be lost, so leave them at home for this one -- wait for the DVD. But teens and adults are gonna have a ball. Great action, but enough fantastical elements to soften up the story, as if John Woo made the Neverending Story.
There's ONE drawback...I love Jackie Chan, but there's alot of English dialogue he delivers and at times I wish I had my DVD subtitle button to push so I didn't have to work so hard to understand what he was saying.
Otherwise, he and Jet Li are excellent, and seeing them work together is truly invigorating. This movie is funny and moving, and a perfectly-balanced fantasy film that isn't too fantastic nor too gritty.
Take Note: You do not have to be a Kung Fu/Bruce Lee fan to enjoy this film. But those who know their Hong Kong cinema history are gonna be floored. It offers something for everyone, its broad appeal works on every level.
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie -- definitely check it out before it disappears from the big screen!!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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