CyndiB55's stats
- Review count9
- Helpfulness votes3
- First reviewJuly 25, 2008
- Last reviewJuly 30, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.6
CyndiB55's Reviews
Overall rating
4
/
5
Stupendous!
PostedJuly 30, 2011
I have waited 9 months for this film since the first trailers came out with HP7-Pt.1. I am delighted to say that I wasn't disappointed. The concept may sound goofy, but director Jon Favreau makes it hang together in a film that's ultimately about the human stories at its heart.
Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford are superb as the often-at-odds protagonists who combine forces to fight an enemy bigger than they are. Olivia Wilde has a substantive heroine role and acquits herself well. But my favorite is Adam Beach as Nat Colorado, a Native American orphan raised by Ford's Col. Woodrow Dolarhyde who's more of a son to him than Dolarhyde's real bully of a scion, Percy.
In short, Cowboys & Aliens was well worth the wait, so don't wait; go see it.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
What an astounding ride!
PostedDecember 18, 2010
Our family was primed for "Tron: Legacy" because we've loved the original Tron since it came out as one of the pioneers of digital graphics. We weren't disappointed; in fact, we were glued to our seats for the entire 127 minute running time.
Everything about "Tron: Legacy" is outstanding. Disney 3D works as well as any 3D technology these days. In fact, Disney was one of the earliest practitioners back in the early days of its Florida Disney World attraction, when the late Michael Jackson starred in the 3D short feature "Captain EO" at EPCOT Center's Hall of Imagination.
The neon-like lighting in the Grid remains impressive, even more so now that the Age of Computers has thoroughly educated everyone to the way that information travels through computers in packets and how data can disintegrate into pixels.
Humans tend to get overshadowed by special effects in movies like this, but the actors hold their own. Garrett Hedlund bears a remarkable resemblance to his on-screen father, Jeff Bridges. Hedlund even SOUNDS like Bridges at a couple of crucial plot points, evoking both a nostalgia for the original movie and a link to the current plot.
Most people will single out Michael Sheen for his over-the-top performance as Casper/Zeus, but I'd prefer to give props to the amazing James Frain, who totally disappears into Clu's lickspittle toady, Jarvis. I kept hearing a voice I recognized, but couldn't place the actor until the credits. Now THAT's acting!
As for Jeff Bridges, the man is totally in his prime as a performer, and we all are lucky that we get to see it. Don't be fooled by digital wizardry of de-aging Bridges as Clu; look instead for how skilfully the actor shows the ways in which Clu's adherence to his original programming -- to achieve perfection -- has led to the current tyranny within the Grid. Nazi Germany, Bosnia, Cambodia, and other ethnic-cleansing regimes spring immediately to mind in this alternate universe.
References to Christianity are hard to miss, what with Kevin Flynn as the Creator and his son Sam Flynn as a possible sacrifice to save the Grid from the Creator's own creation, Clu. However, there's a twist at the end that is both surprising and logical.
"Tron: Legacy" is one of the most satisfying action movies we've seen in a while. Strap on your seat belts and enjoy the ride.
Everything about "Tron: Legacy" is outstanding. Disney 3D works as well as any 3D technology these days. In fact, Disney was one of the earliest practitioners back in the early days of its Florida Disney World attraction, when the late Michael Jackson starred in the 3D short feature "Captain EO" at EPCOT Center's Hall of Imagination.
The neon-like lighting in the Grid remains impressive, even more so now that the Age of Computers has thoroughly educated everyone to the way that information travels through computers in packets and how data can disintegrate into pixels.
Humans tend to get overshadowed by special effects in movies like this, but the actors hold their own. Garrett Hedlund bears a remarkable resemblance to his on-screen father, Jeff Bridges. Hedlund even SOUNDS like Bridges at a couple of crucial plot points, evoking both a nostalgia for the original movie and a link to the current plot.
Most people will single out Michael Sheen for his over-the-top performance as Casper/Zeus, but I'd prefer to give props to the amazing James Frain, who totally disappears into Clu's lickspittle toady, Jarvis. I kept hearing a voice I recognized, but couldn't place the actor until the credits. Now THAT's acting!
As for Jeff Bridges, the man is totally in his prime as a performer, and we all are lucky that we get to see it. Don't be fooled by digital wizardry of de-aging Bridges as Clu; look instead for how skilfully the actor shows the ways in which Clu's adherence to his original programming -- to achieve perfection -- has led to the current tyranny within the Grid. Nazi Germany, Bosnia, Cambodia, and other ethnic-cleansing regimes spring immediately to mind in this alternate universe.
References to Christianity are hard to miss, what with Kevin Flynn as the Creator and his son Sam Flynn as a possible sacrifice to save the Grid from the Creator's own creation, Clu. However, there's a twist at the end that is both surprising and logical.
"Tron: Legacy" is one of the most satisfying action movies we've seen in a while. Strap on your seat belts and enjoy the ride.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Intense and Thrilling
PostedNovember 19, 2010
Like many Harry Potter fans, I had my doubts when Warner Bros. announced that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" would be filmed in two parts. For once, however, the WB made the right decision, because Part one is an intense and thrilling installment.
Harry, Hermione and Ron all come of age in this film, especially Ron Weasley. In many ways, Rupert Grint's Ron is the real star of Part 1, as we see his Ron struggle through the rejection he has felt all his left and come out on the other side a more self-assured young man. Watching Ron's development is one of the thrills of DH Part 1.
Emma Watson, too, has embraced Hermione's maturity, first with the agonizing decision to wipe her parents' memories to keep them safe. Then there are hints (only hints; this is after all a PG-13 movie) of her sexual maturity, especially when our intrepid trio is captured by Snatchers.
Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe, as the star of this epic series, has grown into one of the finest young actors anywhere. His acting chops have been on display through the past three movies, and now he has taken on Harry Potter with the clearest sense of do-or-die yet. In many ways, Harry, Ron and Hermione symbolize all the young men and women everywhere who are asked to take on society's most challenging services, knowing it's quite possible they may die in the attempts.
Of the supporting actors, Jason Isaacs as the dissolute, disgraced Lucius Malfoy and Tom Felton as his son Draco, Harry's other nemesis, make the most of their woefully few minutes of screen time. The emotion between father and son in the key moment of identifying a disfigured Harry marks one of times when the terror of Lord Voldemort's hold over the Death Eaters can be truly felt.
As with "The Empire Strikes Back" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," "Deathly Hallows Part I" ends on sad and inconclusive notes: the death of the elf Dobby and Voldemort's capture of the elder wand from Dumbledore's corpse. Yet most in the audience seemed prepared for the unsatisfying ending, appreciating the set-up for the real conclusion arrives six months from now when the Battle of Hogwarts begins.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Terrific follow-up
PostedMay 8, 2010
While some critics (most notably Entertainment Weekly) are happy to diss Iron Man 2, our family enjoyed it immensely. We might wish for a little more character development and a little less clang and clank, but that can be rectified in Iron Man 3. Robert Downey Jr. just gets better and better as Tony Stark, and Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts is the real heart of the film. All the supporting actors are up to the challenge, especially Don Cheadle taking over the role of Col. Rhodes. MIckey Rourke = Fantastic! Rourke + Sam Rockwell = Hilariously creepy! Can't wait for No. 3!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Excellent reboot!
PostedDecember 29, 2009
It's tough to "reboot" iconic characters such as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, but this movie has done it with style and substance. Holmes as written by Doyle had as much physical prowess as Robert Downey Jr. demonstrated in this movie. And Jude Law's Dr. Watson is absolutely perfect; not one sour note, even to getting Watson's limp from his war wound. The writing and pacing are excellent, but I agree with another reviewer: Better sound editing is needed for American ears.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Enthralling
PostedJuly 15, 2009
Dark indeed is this installment, but "Half-Blood Prince" enthralls as it takes the audience deeper into the menace Harry Potter and his friends face.
The movie feels a little choppy and rushed at first, and at times it can be hard to follow some of the nuances and subtext. Its brisk pace evens out soon, however, and serves to propel the plot nicely.
More than anything, this movie showcases how far the young protagonists Radcliffe, Grint and Watson have come as actors. Portraying Harry, Ron and Hermione on the cusp of adulthood, their performances ring true with every note. Especially good are James and Oliver Phelps as the Weasley twins and Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy.
Can't wait to see it again!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Buckle up, Bones!
PostedMay 10, 2009
Whoo-hoo! JJ Abrams is a freakin' genius! He has captured the spirit of Star Trek with a perfectly selected cast and a believable plot to allow an alternate version. Still, it's the supporting players that get my notice:
Karl Urban's country-doctor persona as Leonard McCoy;
Simon Pegg's brilliant, mischievous Scotty (meaning no disrespect to the late, much beloved James Doohan);
Zoe Saldana's Uhura finally gets her props as a xeno-linguistics expert (as well as getting sparkage with Spock).
I'm thrilled to know that this cast has signed up for two more Star Trek flicks. The torch has indeed passed to a new generation, which is well able to carry the flame.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Blown away -- in more ways than one
PostedJuly 25, 2008
I was not a big Batman fan as a girl, but I got back into it when our son, now 24, reached fanboy age. We went to see "The Dark Knight" together and were simply overwhelmed by the power and range of this movie.
All the familiar motifs are there, but unlike the campy touches of earlier versions, Chris Nolan has reached right into the darkest heart of the Batman mythos and crafted a legend for our time. Through the Joker's insane anarchy -- summarized by Alfred's great line: "Some men just want to watch the world burn" -- we see the world today, along with the moral lines we cross in our fearful efforts to gain security.
The subtext is clear: Unlike certain political forces in the world today, Batman may cross some lines out of necessity, but he won't stay on the dark side. Deep within his darkness there still flickers a shining core of human morality, an almost Christ-like willingness to take on the world's sin that others cannot bear.
I went with no small amount of trepidation, still grieving the untimely loss of Heath Ledger. However, Ledger so completely subsumed his own shining personality into the Joker's darkness that the actor disappears, and only the madman can be seen. It's a stunning performance on screen, and it's only after the lights come up that you recall that it's never to be repeated.
Also never to be repeated, alas, is Maggie Gyllenhall's strong showing as Rachel Dawes. She makes you wish she'd played the character from the start, because she's so much more believable than Katie Holmes was.
Finally, let not Christian Bale be overshadowed by the villains. Bale's Batman has matured into a confident crimefighter, still hiding behind the mask of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne. He has both Bruce's tender longing for a "normal" life, and Batman's steely unflinching commitment to rid Gotham (wonderfully played by the City of Chicago) of evil.
We fanboys and fangirls seriously hope that Oscar takes note of this stupendous film when the awards come around -- and not just for the explosive atmosphere of the special effects.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
A great ride
PostedJuly 25, 2008
We're great fanboys and fangirls in our family, so we were primed for Hellboy II and it didn't disappoint. It's a great ride from beginning to end, which is an amazing tour de force battle between Hellboy and the evil Prince Nuatha. We're not talking deep meaning or challenging plot here, but it's a great movie ride for an afternoon. Well worth the time for the incredible special effects and Ron Perlman and Doug Jones as Hellboy and Abe Sapien. If they're not CGI'd, Perlman's acrobatics in the final fight will amaze.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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