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Reviews
God Bless America (2011)
Ruined a good premise
We all would like to zap those inconsiderate people who text, talk and use a cellphone. I also dislike the banality of pop culture. But whoa the film then proceeds to annihilate anyone whose political views do not agree with Bobcat Goldthwaites. They assassinate a "Fox-TV"-like commentator while jogging and then at the end in the final shooting spree Frank decries those, like the commentator who spread hate. Ironically I watched Bobcat on the Bill Maher show last week. Bill, unsurprisingly, praised the movie, but in reality he is also spreading divisiveness and hate.While I consider myself a moderate liberal I find the self righteousness of the extreme left as morally repugnant as the right wingers they portray. This movie does nothing to help the issues it portrays and just adds to divisiveness that is rampant in the US this election year. Avoid this movie at all costs.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
Episodic, boring and without redeeming qualities.
This is Hollywood at its worst. A totally unbelievable and predictable piece worthy of any afternoon soap opera. The story is not believable and the characters are flat. Why would the tall good looking British actor go for the short overweight Carmen, when he has the opportunity to date a tall elegant blonde. At a whim all the girls jump onto planes to Greece, never mind the cost.The first Travelling pants movie, while not a masterpiece was infinitely better than this. For the first half the movie jumps around from character to character making it hard to follow ( if you even care by this time). The pants themselves do not even figure much in the plot. Best parts are the Greek scenes and Lena's Greek grandmother. Costas gets accepted at London School of Economics which says a lot for the benefits of the EU.
Stardust (2007)
Worthwhile Fantasy
This was the first movie I saw this summer that I really enjoyed and would recommend to others. It has a great cast with Clare Danes giving an excellent performance. Sheis truly one of the best actresses on the screen at the moment. The movie has a plot and the special effects serve the story, whereas in many movies these days the special effects substitute for the plot. Robert De Niro shows his comic side again as he did in the "Fokkers" movies but it is a little overdone. Michelle Pfeiffer is excellent as the witch. The plot moves to a thrilling climax before good wins over evil with the rightful heir to the throne of the mythical country marrying Clare Danes and living a long and happy life. The soundtrack is perfectly co-ordinated to the action on the screen, which adds to the mood. Outside filming used locations in England, Scotland and Iceland to great effect. This movie is suitable for both children and adults. I wish more quality movies like this were available to see.
The Murder of Princess Diana (2007)
Lifetime Nonsense
Only Lifetime TV could produce something this bad. People who believe that Diana was murdered probably also believe in alien abduction. The plot is not believable and while it raises some questions it then fails to provide a satisfactory explanation. Acted on the level of a soap opera, this is the kind of exploitation that provokes baseless conspiracy theories and glibly ignores facts. The whole concept of an American reporter stumbling onto the conspiracy and then blabbing it to everyone she meets is just not credible. It also plays on the prejudice of people who loved " the beautiful princess" but dislike the family into which she married. If you want to see something worthwhile watch Helen Mirren in "The Queen" and listen to Helen Mirren's comments at the Oscar ceremonies. Do not waste your time with this travesty.