Throughout this movie I really felt like I was watching the early years and getting a feel for where the POTUS and FLOTUS were in their personal and professional development at that time. It was nice to be along for the ride! The dialogue for Michelle felt belabored at points, particularly in the first 30 minutes, but Barack's character felt on target. I had to adjust my expectations regarding the pace of the film because it initially felt slow. But as the film progressed, my focus shifted from the pace to getting to know that characters. Despite the complexion difference between the actor and the POTUS, the actor's mannerisms and intonation helped with getting lost in his portrayal and the story. Nicely done!
Reviews
5 Reviews
42
(2013)
Well executed film!
12 April 2013
This film deserves every accolade it has coming, and many will come. The quiet strength that frames the film makes for a solid execution from start to finish. There isn't a single moment to be taken away or added. Chadwick Boseman's attention to detail and firm grasp on Robinson's control as well as Harrison Ford's masterful portrayal of Rickey's unapologetic force create a dynamic energy that pushes the film forward in every single scene. The entire supporting cast brought an authenticity to the time period in addition to the overall feel of the film. Together the cast creates the right balance of social discourse, raw emotion, humility, and dignity that makes this film a must see!
Django Unchained
(2012)
Good acting despite usual Tarantinoisms
1 January 2013
Django Unchained was enjoyable for the first hour, but became progressively unwieldy and winding as it progressed. The usual Tarantinoisms were evident throughout the film - i.e., bold imagery but exaggerated self-indulgent scenes and dialogue, copious blood splattering gore, scene jumping with visible seams, and ridicule that often leans on the side of being trivializing. But of all his films I've seen, this film provided a more appropriate forum for some of his tendencies that are usually inappropriate. For example, this is the one time that his unnecessary and insulting overuse of the N-word had a context for which it made at least some sense, even though it was still featured much more than necessary. It would have given the film more credibility if more research was done for an accurate depiction of facts (e.g. Nefertiti's image paired with the name Cleopatra).
The lead characters did a fantastic job shining through Tarantino's overindulgent dialogue. However, Tarantino's signature lack of restraint constantly looms ready to overshadow their wonderful performances at any point. What unfolds is a movie that was much longer than its content justified, and with a few lazy scenes that didn't amount to anything that moved the story along. I appreciated the overall effort. The atrocities of slavery are unapologetically brought to the forefront for a new generation of people of all ethnicities to view, feel the unnerving discomfort of, and discuss with the renewed fervor that a controversial film typically sparks. It's unfortunate that the usual bad taste that Tarantino films leave is reliably left at the end of this one and competes with the phenomenal performances of the actors. Nonetheless, kudos to Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kerry Washington for a job well done!
The lead characters did a fantastic job shining through Tarantino's overindulgent dialogue. However, Tarantino's signature lack of restraint constantly looms ready to overshadow their wonderful performances at any point. What unfolds is a movie that was much longer than its content justified, and with a few lazy scenes that didn't amount to anything that moved the story along. I appreciated the overall effort. The atrocities of slavery are unapologetically brought to the forefront for a new generation of people of all ethnicities to view, feel the unnerving discomfort of, and discuss with the renewed fervor that a controversial film typically sparks. It's unfortunate that the usual bad taste that Tarantino films leave is reliably left at the end of this one and competes with the phenomenal performances of the actors. Nonetheless, kudos to Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kerry Washington for a job well done!
Bridesmaids
(I) (2011)
Some funny women
20 May 2011
This was much funnier than I expected! I was crying in laughter at some points. It definitely had the Saturday Night Live feel to it at times with skit-like scenes and character-driven jokes. This certainly wasn't a chick flick, so men would likely enjoy it despite the title. When I saw it, the theater was filled with both men and women, and I definitely heard laughter from both genders. Kristen Wiig's (Annie) character with her dry humor and side commentary, and Melissa McCarthy's (Megan) character with her in-your-face-but-likable manner, were the most hilarious. Overall, despite a few slower-paced scenes that seemed to drag the movie out a bit, this was a great one to catch in the theaters.
Why Did I Get Married Too?
(2010)
A painfully poor reprisal
8 April 2010
The first installment in this series was decent enough to spark my interest in checking out the sequel. Unfortunately, Why Did I Get Married Too was a sub-par attempt to reprise Perry's previous venture in couples therapy. There were a few redeemable aspects of the movie, namely, some of the characters have been further developed. The new aspects of their relationship dynamics made it interesting to see how their lives have changed. Also appreciated are the moments of bare sincerity in the dialogue. There are a few scenes where a husband and wife could be seen having a believable, vulnerable discussion about the impact of individual choices on their relationship without the bravado of over-the-top displays.
Sadly, any redeemable parts of this film were heavily flanked in overwrought dramatic scenes in an effort to create meaningful turning points, and mostly uncomfortable attempts at humor. It's as if Perry thought that hearty laughter from the characters in the more comedic scenes would somehow make the scene funnier; the mission was not accomplished. Also, Perry decided to have the movie be more dependent on Janet Jackson's character as the center pin of the plot, which is an unfortunate shift because she simply doesn't have the skills to deliver. While she is more highly emotive throughout this film, she isn't believable. It just left you feeling uncomfortable watching it happen. To make matters worst, the scene transitions felt abrupt, like you were being yanked by the collar from one end of a room to another.
On a more pitiful note, there were several lines and scenes that were way too close to those from the movies Boomerang, Soul Food, and Unfaithful. It's one thing to have a trite storyline; it's a whole other issue when scenes are taken from other movies and executed so similarly to the original that the forerunner immediately comes to the viewer's mind. This kind of poorly-done mimicry leaves you feeling duped by and embarrassed for the person attempting it. The worst part was the ending, which felt rushed and forced. Perry is certainly invested in happy endings, but this was insulting to the characters and the viewers.
Overall, the only reason I continued to watch the movie was not because it was in any way worth it, but because I have a sometimes silly desire to finish what I've started. I hope that Perry soon decides to employ screenwriters to broaden the scope of what seems to be a one-man show and production because movie scriptwriting requires a level of skill that he has not yet polished.
Sadly, any redeemable parts of this film were heavily flanked in overwrought dramatic scenes in an effort to create meaningful turning points, and mostly uncomfortable attempts at humor. It's as if Perry thought that hearty laughter from the characters in the more comedic scenes would somehow make the scene funnier; the mission was not accomplished. Also, Perry decided to have the movie be more dependent on Janet Jackson's character as the center pin of the plot, which is an unfortunate shift because she simply doesn't have the skills to deliver. While she is more highly emotive throughout this film, she isn't believable. It just left you feeling uncomfortable watching it happen. To make matters worst, the scene transitions felt abrupt, like you were being yanked by the collar from one end of a room to another.
On a more pitiful note, there were several lines and scenes that were way too close to those from the movies Boomerang, Soul Food, and Unfaithful. It's one thing to have a trite storyline; it's a whole other issue when scenes are taken from other movies and executed so similarly to the original that the forerunner immediately comes to the viewer's mind. This kind of poorly-done mimicry leaves you feeling duped by and embarrassed for the person attempting it. The worst part was the ending, which felt rushed and forced. Perry is certainly invested in happy endings, but this was insulting to the characters and the viewers.
Overall, the only reason I continued to watch the movie was not because it was in any way worth it, but because I have a sometimes silly desire to finish what I've started. I hope that Perry soon decides to employ screenwriters to broaden the scope of what seems to be a one-man show and production because movie scriptwriting requires a level of skill that he has not yet polished.
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