gmalloy's stats
- Review count20
- Helpfulness votes9
- First reviewJanuary 25, 2008
- Last reviewDecember 29, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.7
Overall rating
5
/
5
Another great film for Jen Lawrence
PostedDecember 29, 2012
gmalloy
from Greenwood Village, CO
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
5
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
3
/
5
Acting
5
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
5
/
5
Jen Lawrence must really be a speck in the eye to a lot of Hollywood. Not a day of acting classes and here she is tearing up Hollywood. She is a true natural. Brad Cooper was great too, don't get me wrong. Robert De Niro was also great. You can sort of see what comes to a certyain extent, butthere sre just enough surprises to keep you on your toss. The previews don't give much a of a clue to it, but Robert Di Nero as a Philidelphia Eagle's fan gone overboard is a great part of the fabric of this story.
When you are "sane" you never know just how blurry the distinction" between crazy and sane is. This movie makes you realize it may be closer than you think.
I would easily recommend it to anybody interested in this gnre.
Pros well paced, great story, great actors
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Premium Rush = Sensory Rush
PostedAugust 26, 2012
gmalloy
from Greenwood Village, CO
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
5
/
5
Special Effects
5
/
5
Art Direction
5
/
5
Acting
4
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
5
/
5
This is a movie based on bike couriers in New York City. A law school dropout turned carrier gets caught between a corrupt NYPD cop and a Chinese woman looking to make things right with her family and all hell breaks loose.
The movie reminded me a lot of 127 days. The action is non stop from the first frame and never quits. There is just enough of a love story to take in the women. The special effects and just the effects in general are outstanding. You see some bike riding that you never tought was possible on an "ordinary " bike.
A little bit of foul langauge spoils it for younger kids, but maybe 14 and older with parents would work?
Great entertainment with no heavy moral themes, just a lot of fun!
4 1/2 taxi cabs ot of 5 for this film!
Pros well paced, great story
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Voyeur's dream...Rags to Riches to Rags
PostedAugust 13, 2012
gmalloy
from Greenwood Village, CO
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
3
/
5
Acting
3
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
4
/
5
This is another documentary film featuring the life and times of David and Jackie Siegel. Dave Seagal was/is the owner of the largesy high end time share company in the world, according to the film.
The family lives a fairytale life and hires a group to film their story.
Only problem is that halfway through the film, the 2009 bubble pops and real estate goes down the drain along with the Siegels/
The film provides an incredibly entertaing look into the lives and thinking of some VERY rich people.
Jackie appears to have had plenty of cosmetic surgery. It may sound wierd bringing it up, but believe me, when you see the film, you will know why I say this.
Probably not for little kids due to boredom but 10 or 11 and up might like it.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.
Pros great story
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Good film to take the kids to!
PostedAugust 13, 2012
gmalloy
from Greenwood Village, CO
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
3
/
5
Special Effects
3
/
5
Art Direction
2
/
5
Acting
3
/
5
Story
4
/
5
Camerawork
3
/
5
I took my daughter to this movie and was expecting a shabby film. I must say, the main actor comes off as a total wimp. So, if that was my reaction, the acting must have been pretty good. It's a silly movie with a few predictable outcomes, but my 10 year old daughter went with me and really enjoyed it. It was entertaing enough for me and that's what counts when you tale the kids to the movies.
No great moral revelations, though telling the truth is probably the biggest lesson in the film.
THis is an easyy wait to DVD if you are short on time or money.
3 stars out of 5!
Pros kid friendly
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Truth is Stranger than Fiction
PostedAugust 13, 2012
gmalloy
from Greenwood Village, CO
Age:45 to 54
Gender:Male
Goes to the movies:weekly
Dialogue
4
/
5
Special Effects
1
/
5
Art Direction
1
/
5
Acting
3
/
5
Story
5
/
5
Camerawork
2
/
5
Let me start out by saying this is in the genre od the new fangled documentary style film. It's a cool film and it's hard at first to understand what teh potential drama is all about!
I havn't had the time to do as many movie reviews as I used to but I'm still seeing a lot of films, especially smaller "art" theater showings. I saw this film today and it was outstanding if you like the docuemtary type and embrace the quote: Truth is stranger than fiction: you will like this film. 4 stars out of 5!
Pros well paced, great story
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Underworld Rocks
PostedJanuary 21, 2012
If you are a vampire/werewolfe movie junkie like I am you are going to love this movie. The IMAX 3D is incredible. A lot of these sequels type movies get worse by far. This was far from the case with Awakening. Kate Beckinsale looks great even when she is sucking blood out of a poor strangers throat.
The action is non stop and always very relevant to the plot line. Lots of blood and guts for those that are squeemish. If you don't like sci-fi/monster type flicks with lots of blood, stay home.
I was surprised at the end, nearly the entire crowd stayed through the entire credit roll (which was long). I think ebverybody hoped there might be some surprise footage, as there occassionally is in films.
I can't wait for the next sequal.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
Great Film for the occassional moviegoer
PostedFebruary 27, 2011
I saw the trailers for this film a number of times. The problem with some trailers is that they basically have just about every good part of the movie in the trailer when you see the movie you find out that the rest is lousy. That was not a problem with this film. By the trailer, you could hardly figure out what was going to be about in the movie.
The movie starts out with Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) and his wife arriving in Berlin for a bio tech conference where he is to be a speaker and participant. For some reason his briefcase gets lost at the airport and upon discovering the error at the hotel, takes the bab back to the airport to retrieve the briefcase. Unfortunately for Martin Harris, his cab gets into a severs accidenbt along the way and he is in a coma for 4 days. Upon awakening he cannot figure out why his wife is not there. After awhile he finds his way back to the hotel and his wife acts as though she has never met the man. Additionally, she introduces her husband, the other “Martin Harris”.
Security finally kicks him out and he is left to wonder what type of twilight zone he has woken up in. It then becomes his mission to discover what has happened and why. In the meantime, it seems that somebody is trying to kill him. The somebody means business and thus the race for survival and identity begins.
The rest of the film takes the viewer through the twists and turns of what has really happened to the identity of Marin Harris. If Martin Harris is really not Marin Harris then why do people care and why is everybody trying to kill him? The script is such that the viewer is taken through many doorways and hits many dead end ally’s before the film is through.
In order to go through all the blind ally’s and still arrive at the ending a lot of things happen which are simply unbelievable. This happens frequently with movies like this. A lot of times the quality of the film hinges directly on just how believable these scenes can be made to look.
In many ways the movie reminded me of “Salt, with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. If you liked Salt, you will probably enjoy this film as well.
Despite the fact that I saw plenty of problems with the script and the contortions within the film to fit the ending, the casual movie goer will probably enjoy the film quite a bit. It’s a good thriller, the stars are easy on the eyes and the ending is really the product of some pretty good twists. It’s almost impossible to predict the ending. For those trying to save a buck, I see no reason why you could not wait for DVD and watch it at home.
Rating: 3 1/2 skinny dippers out of 5 Grade: (B-)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Funny movie for smart minds
PostedFebruary 27, 2011
Welcome to mid town America with the opening of this film. The film starts out with the charming premise that in a small town everybody knows everybody and that keeps the bad seeds out…or does it?
AN insurance agency owner has been participating in what appears to be an insurance agency franchise operation. Every year, the coveted “2 diamond award” is handed out to the agency which best embodies the values and demonstrates excellence in sales. Days before the convention, the owner mysteriously turns up dead as a result of suicide. The owner had slated to attend the annual convention where they hope, once again, to receive the two diamond award. The manager of the agency cannot attend and thus Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) is asked to make the presentation to try and secure the award, despite the death of the force behind the company, Tim does not appear to have ever left his home town and with his Eagle Scout like persona, he is off for the multi day convention at Cedar Rapids.
Much like the adage, what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas, the convention is the jackpot of social life for many of the agents and they are going to make the best of it. In many ways, the movie reminded me of “The Hangover”, on a different scale in a different place.
The movie is really a comedy/drama where comedy plays the biggest part. I must say it was hilarious and had me howling a few times. As a man watching the film, women seemed to ne demeaned in a number of occasions. After thinking about it, from a women’s viewpoint I think men are made to look just as foolish, pr perhaps more so. In any case the movie is an equal opportunity laugh seeker.
The underlying story is somewhat simple. Lots of people present themselves as better than thou or just plain better than everybody else. On the other hand a number of people are presented as below a certain level of dignity or just plain losers. The fun in the film is revealing the underbelly of the high and mighty and revealing the heroism and good within those that come off as odd or losers.
This movie was a lot of fun. It’s not for kids due to language and some “mature scenes”, but for the grownups this is bound to please. The movie seems to be playing in a somewhat limited release so see it while you can. This is a movie that can wait for DVD, however. It’s better than most it you are looking for a date night idea right now!
Rating: 4 skinny dippers out of 5 Grade: (B+)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Cyber Surprise-Don't miss it
PostedFebruary 27, 2011
After I saw this movie I looked at the online reviews. Turns out the film was given mediocre reviews, at best. Entertainment Weekly rated it a D-.
I guess that’s why I write reviews. I thought this was the best movie I had seen all year. ...The three stars of this film are 20, 24 and 24. I ask myself, how do kids this young find their way into such incredible starring roles?
Anyway this film starts off with some pretty creepy aliens tracking down a kid that while making a pretty good escape attempt, goes down without much of a fight. As it happens, our attention turns to John Smith, somewhere in Florida. His leg suddenly goes bright like a steel furnace and he is in obvious horrific pain. When it’s over we learn that he is somehow related to the [person that died. He is in fact the fourth of ninth warriors from a planet somewhere in the universe. Their planet has been taken over by these vile creatures and the last remaining defenders of their freedom are nine specially bred protectors. These protectors have chosen Earth as their Haven and with the creatures on the loose they must now fight for Earth as well as themselves.
I suppose some will say that the formula in this film has been played before…OK, so? It’s a formula that works. Even still. This film adds all sorts of new and interesting ideas and does it in a way that is both fun and suspenseful. There are all sorts of ideas that are generated throughout the film. In half the movies I see, these loose ends are left dangling, never to be revisited. As the movie moves along, these loose ends are tied up neatly, one by one.
Seems like at half the good movies I see, I am rewriting the ending as the finish draws near. I thought the ending was absolutely perfect.
Alex Pettyfer plays the star of the film, John Smith, who I have never seen before. Though young and new, he did a great job in his role. Dianna Agron (Quinn from Glee) is his romantic interest in the film. Teresa Palmer, a relative Australian newcomer, is a showstopper. At 24 years old she has a lot of work ahead for her. Turns out Teresa plays number six.
I happened to see the film in non 3-D IMAX. I don’t know if it’s overkill, but this movie is loaded with special effects and the sound and vibration you feel in the IMAX screen is nothing short of incredible.
At the ne dog the movie we know that numbers 1, 2 and 3 are dead. It is clear that a sequel is in store here. I would be there for opening weekend of the sequel, to be sure!
This film has elements of films like Spider-Man or Fantastic Four as well as elements of shows like the X-Files. For some reason it also reminded me of Transformers. How you could combine and make it all work I have no idea, but it does and it does so seamlessly and with incredible entertainment value.
The gun battles and violence that accompanies the film may make it a bit much for some kids. It’s no worse than most of the super hero films you see however. I suppose if you hate sci-fi and alien type films, you probably won’t like this either. Still, if Hollywood critics are rating this film as a dud, it is likely to be the surprise movie of the current season of films. I’d say don’t miss it.
Rating: 4 1/2 cyber dogs out of 5 Grade: (A-)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Surprise hit for older rock fan
PostedFebruary 27, 2011
If you would have asked about the odds of me reviewing this movie two weeks ago I’d have said “slim and none”. So in the meantime two of my 3 kids had seen it and seen it twice no less. Everybody we ran into that saw the movie said it was awesome. My youngest daughter had yet to see it and with a clean slate of a day in front of me it was off to see The Justin Bieber movie in 3-D.
By the time the movie was over, like everybody else that really knows about this kid, I became a fan. You cannot see the life story of this kid unfold without being awed and inspired. The closest performer that I could possibly put him together with is Michael Jackson as a young man. There is plenty that can still go wrong and many youth oriented pop groups never see a hit past their first couple of albums.
The film itself is as close to a simple documentary as a movie can be. Still the movie is made to entertain and the film is filled with live performances in blaring loud and beautiful 3-D. Like most people in my age group (I’m mostly guessing) I thought Bieber was a pipsqueak that sounded like a girl. Well, he does have a fairly high pitch, but the kid has beautiful tone coming through those pipes and he can bring the house down.
The film describes Bieber’s rise through the use of You Tube and Twitter. It describes the agent that found him in Atlanta Georgia and bet his career on finding a label and a deal for this 12 year old kid from Canada. It turns out the agent knew Usher and through Usher finds the man that signed Usher at 14 years of age. Like in hand to hand combat, Bieber goes from one radio station to the other to find air time. He goes from place to place playing for as few as 40 kids at one time, trying to stabilize his base of fans. Once the base is set the social network moves in and Bieber 's career goes into a vertical progression. He sells out Madison Square garden in less than year after getting started with his initial tour.
If this were just a movie about a concert, it would be enough. There were things and ideas in this movie that I thought were worthy of learning for even the most well educated folk out there. Sure, we learn Bieber can sing pretty well right out of the gate. Later on, as he performs in one of his first gigs ever he is introduced with the note that he sings, plays the guitar, the drums, the piano, the saxophone and at least one or two other instruments. Not only can he play them, he can play them really well. How many times have my own kids said; “I’d like to be a singer and write songs.” Yet they quit playing any musical instrument after just a short time. There are plenty of good singers and wannabes. How many are willing to do the work?
You want to be a writer of songs…books…movie reviews, you name it. How about writing something, just one thing to start? You want to go into business for yourself? How about actually starting a business? The message is incredibly simple: If you want success do the things that are required to get to the top. I’ll be the first to admit that much of the greatest singing talent is born, not made. Bieber has obvious talent, let’s give credit where it’s due. But even with that being true, how many great singers are going nowhere because they just won’t learn to play an instrument to become more versatile or even sing at all with a group of friends? I was at a work meeting a couple of weeks ago and we had a great motivational speaker. His greatest piece of advice for those that want to get better and improve results: PICK UP THE PHONE! Work…the great equalizer.
The second thing about this movie that would probably warrant a college thesis at some point is the use of social networking and the skill of marketing that the Bieber team has used to create a superstar in the industry, almost overnight. That is up to and including the movie itself.
Not knowing a thing about Bieber, my most pressing question was answered as the credits rolled. Bieber had indeed written most of the songs that he had been performing with a few exceptions. A lot of kids can sing. The thing that set Michael Jackson apart was his ability to write and perform the great songs. Bieber is a natural and his ability to write music gives him a lead in the industry that will keep him moving forward. He can also perform on the stage and had a great crew to go along with it.
One last thing and I know it’s crazy...the movie is rated G. Anybody and everybody can come see the movie with no fear of bad language or anything remotely offensive. See it in the theatre with big speakers for best effect. The movie is designed to make you feel like you are in the crowd of a love show and they do a pretty good job of doing just that. This will never be the same at home on DVD.
Rating: 4 ½ Madison Square Garden’s out of 5 Grade: (A-)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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