RavenZ Reviews

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Dreadful and depressing

[2/10 · 31 January 2023]

Lovely cinematography over desolate landscape - probably the only good thing here. Yes, the actors do a good job portraying dreadful and depressing people. Not a good enough reason to subject yourself to this 'art'. Slam your finger in the car door. It will hurt less and entertain you more. This movie is slower than slow, duller than dull, and completely unbelievable. People are calling this a black comedy??? There is nothing funny at all here, in any shade. Save yourself the two hours and watch something that will make you feel good and happy. In spite of the movie snob nominations, the Emperor has no clothes. It's a study in contrived sadness, there is no redemption.

Wild Horses (2015)

Very disappointing

[3/10 · 7 October 2022]

Robert Duvall is a legend. He has been the embodiment of many fascinating characters. I have really enjoyed his work over the years. But this film is embarrassing. I am embarrassed for him. It could have been good with a script that was cohesive, with subplots that mattered and were brought to a conclusion, focused directing, and tight editing. The story rambles in many directions that go nowhere. Mrs Duvall could have benefited from firm direction, but her loving husband obviously did not want to hurt her feelings. He wanted to put her in a movie and he did, but he did not help her become a good actress. He wrote a role for her, but did not give the character dimension - she had nothing to do or say of any value. He does not let her solve the case. He should have let her be full Latina Americana, instead of trying to force a totally awkward gringo accent upon her. The rest of the cast did the best they could with what they had to work with. This was Mr Duvall's vanity project and I am sorry to say the blame belongs to him as writer, producer and director. I can't help but wonder if this movie was supposed to fail as a tax shelter or something.....

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Amazing!

[10/10 · 28 May 2022]

This is a fabulous movie. If you liked the first one, you will enjoy this movie even more. The visuals are stunning. See it in the IMAX theater, it's worth it. Fly Navy!

Observe and Report (2009)

Go to the dentist instead.

[2/10 · 25 July 2018]

I've seen a lot of bad movies. Some are fun bad movies. Not this one. There really is nothing at all to like here. Start to finish bad movie with stupid characters, a dim plot, dialog that contains a million F bombs - if you can call it dialog...The only reason I gave it a 2 instead of a 1 is because of Michael Pena's character. He is at least mildly amusing. This movie also features total male frontal nudity, if you didn't see that noted elsewhere. And it is not an attractive male, so don't watch just for that. Don't watch for any reason. Unless maybe you want to punish yourself for some bad behavior or something.

Flight (I) (2012)

Don't read too many reviews - experience it for yourself.

[8/10 · 6 December 2012]

By now you know what the movie is about, so I won't rehash.

What you have here is the anti-Sully Sullenberg. Denzel is incredible as the best pilot you don't want flying your plane, or do you????? Tough questions and tough decisions as Denzel deals with, or doesn't deal with, the aftermath. You pull for him every step of the way, but the problem is which way do you pull? The visuals are very good, gripping, scary. I felt like I was hit hard in the chest while watching the plane.

Make sure the little kiddies stay home, but you need to see this movie. I hope the Academy hands Denzel the Oscar.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

Watch the movies first!

[10/10 · 29 January 2011]

Any book will be better than the movie - 99 times out of 100. This trilogy would be the rare exception. I'd heard that "The Girl" stories/movies were awesome, so I finally did watch the first movie. I am so glad I did. I was able to see what a great story was being told and then I wanted to read the books.

If I had started with the book, I probably never would have finished it. The books are, forgive me, almost dull in parts. The author goes in to so much detail, so much backstory, so much minutae of Swedish political history, that they become hard to read. The meat of the stories is excellent, but it is hard to slog through some parts of the books.

The real story in the first book "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" doesn't really start until about a third of the way through. This bit of looooong winded backstory is dealt with in a few lines of dialog in the movie. The author uses way too many difficult Swedish street and place names that all but Swedes will not understand. Makes it cumbersome.

I like detail, I like backstory, and I like well fleshed-out characters, but believe me, the movie is the way to go FIRST. Then you can appreciate the books and find out all the other details.

All of that being said, this is an arse-kicker trilogy of movies. Fans of exciting thrillers should not give a second thought to the subtitles and enjoy. YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE CHILDREN or those with very delicate sensibilities around. Trust me here.

"The Girl" is a character unlike any you have met before. Don't read too many reviews and ruin it all. Watch and enjoy.

Assassination Tango (2002)

I sure don't understand the glowing reviews here...

[2/10 · 5 February 2007]

Sorry, Robert, this ego piece you wrote, directed and starred in is quite lame. This movie is extremely slow moving, painful in fact. The word "dull" comes to mind. The few minutes of dance even become boring and tango is a very exciting, flashy dance. There are numerous tantalizing tango moves, but you shot the exact same ones over and over, no variety at all. The beautiful dancer girl has absolutely no charisma when she is not on the dance floor. The assassination story is also slow, convoluted and hard to follow. I still don't know who the bad guys were... Also, Robert - and you know I love you, neighbor - please keep your shirt on. Your days of going without are over. Really. I mean that.

K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)

Much better than I expected

[12 October 2003]

I rented this DVD for a little diversion, in spite of the bad buzz and the word "flop" attached. I thought it was a very good movie, very suspenseful and interesting. I don't nitpick about things like accents with films, just try to enjoy them. I agree with the majority of posters here, it is well worth your time.

The Sum of All Fears (2002)

Lots of action & suspense.

[31 May 2002]

Okay, just forget about the book, the previous actors that played Jack Ryan, and the previous history of Jack Ryan. Just take this film for itself and have no preconceived notions about what it should be or what he should be. You will have an enjoyable movie-going experience. Perhaps if you have very delicate sensibilities related to the events in the world now, then any kind of action movie may not be for you. This film does deal with a scary subject as you well know by now. Is it a GOOD MOVIE? Yes.

Memento (2000)

Whew!

[31 December 2001]

Wow. 860 odd comments about this movie already. So, I won't add a whole lot... I only read about the last 40 comments, so forgive me if these points have been addressed already. First, let me say I think this is definitely worth seeing. It is certainly unusual, makes you think. But I have a couple of questions for the 'round table'. Stop here if you haven't seen the movie.... Have you stopped? Okay.... At the end of the movie (beginning of the story) Lenny burns up the picture of dead Jimmy AND the picture of himself pointing at his chest. Earlier in the movie (later in the story) that same picture appears in the envelope slid under the door. Huh? Did Teddy take 2 shots?? Another question. At the end of the movie when it is revealed that wifey had actually survived, we see a shot of them together. She's laying on his bare, tattooed chest. Right next to her face, it says "I did it", under his instruction to find John G. and kill him. That obviously wasn't there the whole rest of the film. I scanned the whole thing looking for it. Maybe it was only majic marker and he washed it off so he could start looking again?? Feel free to email me at [e-mail].

The Bogus Witch Project (2000 TV Movie)

Painful

[17 December 2001]

Way too long for way too few amusing (NOT funny) moments. Too many segments, it gets really boring. The rushing-through-the-woods time filler is aggravating. Unless you really, really, really LOVED Blair Witch, stay away from this parody. And if you feel you absolutely MUST watch it, watch each parody segment separately.

Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

Empty headed fun

[2 December 2001]

I am especially glad to see a flight officer be the hero this time. He is a NAVIGATOR, the backseater. Goose, not Maverick. Not that pilots aren't wonderful... but there are other crew members on most military planes and they never get any credit for anything. Even the movie itself states "The American people want their pilot back".

Since the trailers give away the whole plot, I'm not spoiling anything when I say the scene where the plane gets shot down is very well done. The SAM chase is exciting, and I don't think I've ever seen a more realistic depiction of an aircraft being destroyed. It's good to see on the big screen for this, if nothing else.

If you close your eyes to the great big holes in the plot and a truckload of cliches, you will have a fun time watching this movie.

Teenagers from Outer Space (1959)

Okay, really....

[11 November 2001]

I saw this film as a little kid and was absolutely terrified. I was really, really afraid of skeletons. You see, it was skeletons under my bed, not monsters. If any part of me dangled off the bed, they could grab me with those bony fingers and pull me under... anyway, this film holds a special place in my heart because I was SO frightened! They even killed a little dog, boo hoo. Of course, as an adult, this movie is quite laughable. But if you are a fan of campy, corny old sci-fi, you have it by the bucket here!!

Caligula (1979)

disappointed

[28 September 2001]

I have always wanted to see this movie, as I am a student of film - all films, the glorious and the grotesque. Well, the version that I saw had none of what I was expecting - the scenes that made the film controversial. I wanted to see the whole movie, including the graphic elements to accurately evaluate the work. If you want to see what all the talk is about, don't bother with the version being shown on cable. It's edited to the point of not making sense.

Timecode (2000)

gag me

[1/10 · 26 July 2001]

If you are about to watch this movie, STOP and shoot yourself in the head. It will be less painful. You've read enough other comments to know what happens - or doesn't happen (like a story). This can only interest film students, not real people who like to watch a movie and be entertained. Unless you really enjoy watching Jeanne Tripplehorn stare into space, chew gum and smoke cigarettes. I'm not sure if this film or The Blair Witch Project was a bigger waste of time. Neither film has dialogue or a plot. They were both made up as they went along, and it is more than obvious. Do yourself a favor and get something else.