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Reviews
The Karate Kid (2010)
Criticism of title silly
There have been many critiques of the title - get over it. Since when has a title ever influenced your opinion of a movie?
This movie is an excellent remake of the original. Who knew Jackie Chan could act? Hopefully we see a lot more dramatic parts for him rather than the tongue-in-cheek caricature of an action star that he has become.
There are a lot of criticisms of Jaden Smith that I have seen and they are completely unwarranted. His performance at age 10 or 11 is phenomenal. His physical capabilities are a huge plus. There are a few idiots that believe the original was a superior film. Jaden Smith is physically more believable at 11 than Ralph Maccio was at age 23(?).
This was enjoyable for the whole family and a pleasant surprise. If you want criticize the film because it's a remake or predictable - why did you go see it? Picking on this film is ridiculous. Just go and enjoy.
Funny People (2009)
Mixed Emotions
As many of the reviewers have stated, this movie is not even close to what I expected. I applaud Judd Apatow for extending himself. I also applaud Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen for doing the same. Unfortunately, it all falls a little flat.
I seem to agree with many reviewers in that the first half of this movie is quite impressive; the introspection/depression of Sandler coupled with the struggling wanna-be Rogen creates a great dynamic for drama with some laughs.
Eventually, almost simultaneously, Rogen enjoys a few small successes and Sandler feels better about himself. The simultaneity of their changes in outlook is short-lived and soon their fragile psyches come completely unglued creating a messy ending.
Nonetheless, I gave it a "6" because despite both main characters being somewhat despicable, I found myself rooting for them to gain some perspective and improve their lives.
Judd, in the next drama you attempt, surround yourself with people that will tell you how to properly edit a drama so that a more decisive conclusion is reached. The movie was 2.5 hours and yet the ending was quite rushed.
Streets of Fire (1984)
Great movie, great music, great performances
What a cast! This was possibly Michael Pare's last decent film, Willem DaFoe's first great role (he's a devilish bad guy) Diane Lane is the gorgeous heroine, Rick Rossovich is the novice police officer, Bill Paxton plays a great wise-ass bartender and Rick Moranis tries to be a tough guy. If you like a movie with people with a lot of attitude, this is the film for you. It's a classic good vs. evil with the hero (Michael Pare) who just wants to be left alone. Everyone has advice for him - his sister, the cops, the bartender, his ex-girlfriend, his ex-girlfriend's new beau - and of course he does things his own way. The movie takes place in "another place and another time" and has a fifties feel but the music is all 80's - Jim Steinman, Tom Petty, and Stevie Nicks wrote some of the soundtrack. At the time, it was a low budget film with unknowns that was filmed extremely well. I gave it a 10 for fun.
MC5*: A True Testimonial (2002)
not just a great documentary
This is one of my 10 favorite films of all time. In the "truth is stranger than fiction" vein, this documentary was more like a narrated movie for me. The MC5 was your stereotypical 60's band that imploded due to various abuses. The stories range from hysterical to tragic. The Greek tragedy continues, as apparently the filmmaker and wayne kramer are at odds over rights to the film. The public is being denied a 4 star DVD with hours of deleted footage from some rock 'n roll greats giving testimonials on the MC5's influence. It amazes me that this movie got no fanfare at the academy awards for best documentary - proving what a sham the academy is. For classic rock fans and punk fans, this is a must see - if the DVD ever sees the light of day.