RelayerDoug's stats
- Review count60
- Helpfulness votes22
- First reviewOctober 26, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 7, 2013
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.8
Overall rating
5
/
5
Why's this film being ignored???
PostedDecember 10, 2009
This is a tremendous film about the unique ties that make up family life & the way so many of us try to sidestep painful issues in order to not rock the boat, thinking that problems are best left ignored in the belief that it's for everyone's mutual benefit. DeNiro & his stellar supporting cast drive this point home in spades with equal doses of pathos & humor. I honestly have no idea why this movie seems to be tanking at the box office...again, this is quality acting, script-writing with very few flaws, & leaves one with a deep-seated feeling of gratitude for the gift of love that is unique and special among family members. I loved it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Overall rating
5
/
5
Brothers of a Feather...
PostedDecember 8, 2009
I give this movie 5 stars because of its incredible cast--the acting on EVERYBODY'S part is so great it's off the charts. There are a few elements we've seen here before, though, if you recall the movies COMING HOME and SOPHIE'S CHOICE. Some might balk at this; I just took notice of it & let it go...because it's that good a film. Hard-hitting, uncompromising, & Oscar-worthy performances by Tobey, Jake & Natalie. This and THE BLINDSIDE are movies that will stay with you long after you've left the theater.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Ignore the naysayers.
PostedDecember 1, 2009
I'm writing this without having read the negative reviews, because I can guess what a lot of detractors are saying. Yes, this plot may be predictable, and yes, there are moments of America's Funniest Videos humor (shots to the crotch)...but as someone with an appreciable degree of intelligence, I state categorically that I was relieved to find this movie as funny as the previews played it to be. Robin & John are great in their roles, as are the kids (and even the dog). Seth Green is a scream (literally) in his supporting role. This film, for me, showed that in the right hands, slapstick humor can STILL be used INTELLIGENTLY to create an engaging comedy experience at the movies. Go see it. I really, really loved it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Straight from the heart.
PostedDecember 1, 2009
There just aren't enough ways to properly praise this film. The true story it's based on, the script, the moments of hysterical humor mixed with the moments of deepest pathos, Sandra Bullock's OUTSTANDING acting (she truly does deserve an Oscar for this; her acting's always been underrated), the acting of everyone ELSE in the film (especially the kid, SJ--he is amazing). This movie will tickle your funnybone & tug mightily at your heartstrings. Cannot recommend it highly enough. Anyone who dislikes this film should seek professional help.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
1
/
5
So sad.....
PostedNovember 13, 2009
Sadly, this turns out to be 1 of those films that, in the hands of a competent director, could have been very good, if not great. The story itself IS great...what butchers this film is the hackneyed dialogue, acting comparable to Stephen King's SLEEPWALKERS, & what has got to the the most godawful, cheeseball SOUNDTRACK I've heard in years--sounds like it came right out of a 60's Godzilla movie. Save your $$ on this. A real turkey.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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0points
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Superb biopic.
PostedNovember 6, 2009
Everything that could have been good about this movie WAS good...Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, even the kid who played little Gore Vidal--all excellent in their roles. Even though we all "knew how the movie would end," the tension building up to the end was tangible nonetheless. For me, the only thing that would have been a nice touch to the film would have been if they'd played Joni Mitchell's "Amelia" in its entirety during the end credits. Just a thought.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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0points
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Surprisingly good.
PostedOctober 20, 2009
After my initial reactions to the cornball previews & thinking this was just going to be another mindless, hack excuse of a horror movie for balloonheads, the word started getting around that Steven Spielberg saw this movie and backed its nationwide release. That cast the whole thing in a new light, so my friend & I decided to see it. Surprisingly good & genuinely creepy for a low-budget fright flick. Will appeal to fans of THE ENTITY, which is actually based on a true story.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
2
/
5
Save your money.
PostedOctober 4, 2009
First you've got Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner & a first rate supporting cast aided & abetted by a few classic cameo roles. Then you've got a concept which, judging from the PREVIEWS, makes this look like it's going to be a non-stop laugh fest. The exchanges between Ricky & Tina Fey and the restaurant scene toward the beginning of the movie are classic. Then things start to go haywire; the novelty of this fantasy world wears out quickly, and to save it from self-implosion, it seems the directors decide to get maudlin and go for the sentimentality ploy, which, IMHO, fails spectacularly. How sad. In the hands of more talented, conscientious-minded people, this could have been one consistently, screamingly-funny movie.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Excellent with few flaws
PostedMarch 22, 2009
Well, thanks a lot to AlanW and Franni for their unsolicited spoilers! Are you guys stoned or just stupid? Anyway, aside from a few dumb lines (Cage's line when chasing a Whisperer into the woods, "You want some of this?!", made me cringe), the movie tells a great story that will haunt you after the movie's over. The special effects are slam-bang spectacular that will leave you slack-jawed. In many ways, this movie reminded me of the 1956 sci-fi classic WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE. Cage has done better acting, but he's not bad in this move. I'd highly recommend this movie for all sci-fi fans. DEFINITELY NOT A MOVIE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN; the disaster scenes alone could give them nightmares.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
1
/
5
Save your money.
PostedOctober 26, 2008
Yet another grand & glorious example of a movie being made to look greater than it actually is. Finding out it was based on a video game and that the cast included Beau Bridges would have been cause enough for me to avoid this, but unfortunately I didn't find that out until AFTER the movie. The story was fairly interesting, the special effects pretty good, but the movie overall looked half-baked & amateurish. The constant blue/green tint made the movie appear to be a THE MATRIX wannabe, and those fake snowflakes looked pretty ridiculous at times. The acting was hackneyed & the script almost laughable at times...which is sad taking into consideration that Mark Wahlberg's not a bad actor at all. Stay away from this one.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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