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Reviews
Brainstorm (1965)
Nicely Directed. Insane or Not Insane? That is the Question
Certainly, the movie is worth the watch.
Insane or not Insane? That is the Question! What is the answer? (See my board post which answers that but contains spoilers there.) Well, you better take notes and watch carefully, because you might have to go back and re-watch a few scenes. Yeah, one of those nice suspense movies. :) The director here is in tune with the message, and will play with you using a tiny bit of Hitchcock like style, but it's a well crafted movie. Yes, there are some rough spots around the edges, but one should certainly watch it for the great story and pretty good acting by both the scientist and the women.
Break out the popcorn and watch the end closely! Good movie for the time period. Still fits for today. Nicely directed.
The Prisoner (2009)
Entertaining - But Major Character Flaw at End of Story (Plot Hole)
Movie kept my interest. It separates from the original series in numerous ways. I would have preferred a closer match. That said, I thought the approach to this was still OK, and kudos to the actors who did a very nice job.
However, this remake failed with the ending of the movie. I won't spoil it. I believe the audience is left with just not believing the main character would act that way -- based on the story's own construction of the character. A story can take any twist, which is is fine, but if it makes a character act "out of character" one loses faith in the story. In this case, there is no justification for the ending based on what was seen. Unfortunate writing at the end.
Avatar (2009)
Too long on time, too short on story, but ground breaking CGI
Rule number one for a great movie is you need a good story. And rule number two is you need great acting to go with it. Put those together and you'll entertain. Heck, you don't even need CGI. And if the acting is good enough, it will draw you in and keep you glued, because you have an emotional bond with the character and will even forget the plot. Then along come the movie Avatar with not much of a story, some light weight acting, and it's mind blowing alien planet CGI. However, you leave finding yourself somewhat entertained. Maybe even happily lost in foliage. But it's like sugar, only a quick rush, and then poof! You're done. Yet this movie persists and drags to the end crying out to be edited down. 162 minutes is way too much! So, it's worth seeing in 3D IMAX, then go home, get some sleep, and forget about it the next day. Don't worry, you'll recover from your sugar rush.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Bad Slasher Film 2007 Award
2007 must have been a very bad year for movies if this one was the Oscar winner for "Best Picture 2007." I really tried to frame out an argument for why this film even deserves the time to watch it. Personally, I'd rent David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" if you want a better film on violence. Or better yet, if you want violence AND drugs, see "Good Fellows."
But what about the breath taking scenery? Well sure, but few shots aren't better than any IMAX nature clip.
OK. How about the cool chase scenes near the beginning of movie? Alright, for 5 minutes is it interesting. However, the chase scenes aren't anything special we haven't seen before or Oscar worthy for that matter.
Wait! What about the philosophical message on violence? Sorry, lost meanderings postulated by an old Sheriff and a few symbolic references, don't pass this off as intellectual or thought provoking.
Bottom line is this movie is empty without the slasher style murders that tic toc throughout the film to keep you watching, and the acting is sub par on top of it. This is not "Fargo." In fact, if you've seen the well made "Fargo," you don't need to waste your time or money on this one (sorry "Oscar" winner).
Speed Racer (2008)
Recommeded Family Fun
Don't miss this movie. In a nutshell, Speed Racer is a positive message about staying true to your heart that tells you to do good over evil. It's simple, but it works. Speed ignores the money and goes for doing the right thing. Speed's parents tell him, "How proud we are of you." It's a wonderful positive movie message about the importance of family. Sure it's cartoonish, but of course that's exactly what style of movie they set out to make. Mission accomplished. Although I would have edited off 10-15 minutes (my wife disagreed with me), Speed Racer is a perfect cartoon-to-movie creation as I have ever seen in my life. Stunning visuals which enhance the cartoon flavor. I recommend when you watch Speed Racer to just have fun and enjoy the ride!
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
Just STOP and read this review! AWESOMEST SHOW EVER!!!
In case you were wondering, THIS IS NOT SILLY LITTLE KIDS SHOW!!! Yes, it airs on a kid based network, and yes kids will like the bending action, but to understand the complexity and the beauty of some of these episodes, you have to be a teen or adult. I'm a teenage girl, and I have a life, believe me. I'm not some strange kid who spends all their time watching TV. This is the kind of show I LIVE for! Okay, I admit it. I didn't really care for this shows first season. Back then it was mostly a "kids show." I'd seen an episode or two and judged it. But after not watching Avatar for the longest time, I tuned back in (out of boredom and curiosity) about halfway through season 2. And boy am I glad I did!! Because that's when Avatar's plot really got intense.
Avatar (Avatar: the last Airbender being the official name) is about a world where a percentage of the people have the power to control one of the four elements. This is called bending. There are water, earth, fire and airbenders, whom live in four different nations throughout the world. There is one individual who has the power to learn all four elements and keeps the world in balance, called the Avatar. But when the Fire Nation declares war for ultimate power, the Avatar strangely disappears. After 100 years of war, a brother and sister discover the Avatar, an airbender, encased in an Ice-burg, frozen in time. Now he must learn to cope with his destiny, master the elements, and save the world before a comet comes at summers end, giving the fire nation unstoppable power. New allies are made and sides are chosen, as the Avatar learns to except his inevitable destiny.
Oh my god, the drama, the action, the romance, and even a bit of comedy, this show has all you could possibly ask for!! The shocking cliff hangers and teasers for Avatar will leave you rolling around on the floor I'm not kidding guys!! Never have I been so addicted to any show, ever.
And what amazing themes, like destiny, balance, love, power, war. (Watch, "The Guru" and you know what I'm talking about.) I've never felt just so enlightened, or amazed at anything as I have with this show. Just the heart-pounding emotion and (oh my god) drama that pours of the season 2 finale! Oh my god what can I say.
And don't even get me started on the fandom. And the shipping!! It's a crazy world out there, the world of shipping. Once you go in, you can't get out. Everyone wants their ship to be cannon, and that's half the fun! It's vicious let me tell you, just brutal! (Oh and Kataang for the win by the way!! Wooo!!) If you're going to get into Avatar, I would suggest you watch one of the better episodes before judging it. For example, "The Awakening," "The Desert," "The Chase," "Lake Laogai," just to name a couple! (I would have said "The Guru," and "The Crossroads of Destiny," but that would give away WAY too much! The two episodes that make up the season 2 finale are the BEST so far in my opinion!) And with season 3 just having premiered on September 21st, and new episodes for 10 straight weeks, the Avatar fandom has a lot to look forward to!! My god, season 3's been promised to be the best, most dramatic season yet, and it's the last season too. So if you're just getting ready to become an "avatard," as we call ourselves, you picked a good time, cause we've got a hell of a good season ahead of us!! The good times are here again!
The Incredibles (2004)
Lots of action!
I saw this movie, and I give it a 9/10. It has lots of action, and it's is fun for the whole family. If you like superheros then you'll like this movie.
SPOILER ALERT!!! I liked it when the little baby turned into a monster. SPOILER ALERT OVER!!! I also liked it when the little boy's bubblegum popped when he saw Mr. Incredible lift up the car.
The animation was the best I have ever seen from pixar or any other animation company. The animation provide an eye feast of very nice detailed pictures. For example, you could see the shadows of the characters if you looked closely.
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
I laughed. I cried. 9/11 gets a 9 out of 10.
You can't beat great entertainment like this. Makes you laugh and makes you cry. I never have done that at a movie in many years. Score it a 9 out of 10.
What shocked me is my republican friends even liked the movie! Our 4pm showing on a Tuesday was CROWDED!
GO SEE THIS NOW!!! YOU WON'T REGRET!!!
The movie moves quick and at a steady pace. You don't have any typical boring slow parts. Moore uses a combo of one on one interviews, news clips, "ambush" interviews, and occasional animations.
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Score 10: Excellent Sci-fi Trilogy (Can you name a better one?)
Score 10 out 10 (mostly for effort):
Right off the bat, can anyone name a better sci-fi trilogy? I think not. My point is this: making a great sci-fi movie is a very difficult undertaking. Making a follow up sc-fi is even more challenging. Then, pulling off a third movie on the same story, and tying it all together, is monumental indeed.
And the bro's have pulled the trilogy off nicely. But, this has been done mostly on hard work. The first Matrix was excellent, and most viewers who saw Revolutions would agree on that. Now combine that first movie, and all the obstacles they had to overcome (critics with microscopes, viewer over-expectations, and myopic viewers) and you have no choice but to give the bro's have an "A" for effort.
Altogether you have a movie that as one reviewer wrote, "Has something for everyone." The bro's told a rich philosophical sci-fi story by creating many story dialogue levels for varying intelligence levels of viewers -- a point missed by some critics. This technique was overdone a bit in Reloaded, but well synchronized in Revolutions.
My fellow workers and I (ok we're all mostly computer geeks at my high-tech job), enjoyed going over the movie's messages and symbols the day after we saw it.
This movie makes you think -- as a good sci-fi movie should. SCORE: 10 out 10 (mostly for effort).