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jcl541
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Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
Doesn't know what it wants to be
I don't think this movie really knows what it wants to be. It advertises itself as a comedy parody, but it simply isn't funny most of the time.
In fact, especially at the beginning, it's downright depressing and unnecessary violent (especially based on expectations). So much so that that I had to stop watching. I returned to finish it later, but there was more violence and angst in a way that was simply not funny.
Either "what was the director thinking" or why has the film been promoted as a fun parody biopic if this is the tone?
Some funny moments, acting was good (especially Radcliffe), and funny to see Weird Al himself in his role (roles), but could have been much better.
Parallèles (2022)
Well done - watch it in French
They say there's nothing new under the sun, and this type of story has been told before, but that doesn't mean this isn't a good version that is well told. I was hooked. The characters are interesting, the acting is good, and the "time travel" stuff is well done. If you like this type of content, I would expect you to enjoy this.
This is a French show, so I would strongly encourage you to watch it in French with subtitles in a language that you understand (if you don't speak French). I don't speak french, but I know from experience with other movies and shows that they are almost always bad when dubbed.
Free Birds (2013)
Not bad, no liberal agenda, but not really family friendly either
First, for those claiming that there is some heavy liberal/vegan/PETA agenda in this film: Puh-leez! Did you even bother to see the film? Go back to your NRA meeting if you're looking for any agreement about that. If there was any kind of liberal bias, it was in the depiction of most of the pilgrims (and particularly Standish) as mean-spirited, evil, dishonest or clueless. In the film, the turkeys are stand-ins for the traditional role of the native Americans in films set in this period. Obviously, the turkeys are the protagonists of the film.
On the other hand, everyone else is touting this film as "family friendly." Well, maybe it's on par with all the other animated movies out there, but in this old grump's opinion it's not a particularly nice movie for children. Note that it is rated PG, not G. A majority of the movie is filled with conflict, menace, mean and nasty antagonists and characters running for their lives - too much of the movie. I think it would have been better to build a little more sympathy for the protagonists with more humorous scenes, so that you would care a little more when they are in trouble (which in this film is most of the time). A little more time on the Reggie/Jenny love story would have been advised.
Despite those drawbacks, the film wasn't all bad. Owen Wilson seemed to be playing a typical Owen Wilson character in Reggie with his somewhat awkward humor, and Woody Harrelson was suitable as the regimented Jake. I actually wasn't aware of the cast before seeing the movie and it was fun to realize whose voices I was hearing. For this nerd, the best part of the film was realizing who was voicing S.T.E.V.E. Oh myyyy!
My 7yo daughter was not entertained by all the conflict and we agreed that the film was so- so. I let my rating fall on the positive side of neutral for the inspired casting of S.T.E.V.E.
Despicable Me 2 (2013)
A disappointment
Sigh!
I don't get to watch too many movies, and even fewer on the big screen. So after watching Despicable Me (the original) numerous times at home - and loving it to death, this movie was a big disappointment for me and my daughters at the movie theater. It's been hard for me to put a finger on exactly what was missing, but I think it is mostly the lack of clever, witty dialog that filled the first movie. There are many fun moments in this movie, but they are predominantly sight-gags and one-liners. And sadly, the space between those moments was just not too intriguing. FYI, my girls (10 and 7) were also underwhelmed - though my younger one asked to get it on DVD or iPad, so she could replay the few parts she really liked.
I thought this sequel had a lot of potential - especially in the Lucy character, but most of that potential was just squandered. The villain is portrayed with a very stereotyped and non-PC caricature, and unlike Vector (the villain from the first movie), didn't seem to have any motive. The evil plot was actually kind of scary instead of being funny, and the characters seem to spend a lot of time doing things that were just not that interesting and saying things that were just not that funny.
All in all, a real let-down for our once-in-a-blue-moon trip to the movie theater.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Wonderful adaptation
I must admit, I don't understand why there are so many scathing reviews. Are these just purists being petty? So what if Elizabeth's sleeves are wrong.
I'm not a Jane Austen fanatic, but I am a fan. I've read all of her novels and certain ones like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility on more than one occasion. I've also seen the 1995 BBC version.
In fact, I had just finished re-reading P&P directly before seeing this movie for the first time (back when it came out) and I was impressed that a 2 hour movie could do justice to the novel and really incorporate all the important scenes. They did have to cut a few corners, but not much (Wickham is not fleshed out enough - but he isn't in the 6 hour BBC version either). A truly remarkable achievement.
The acting is good and the cinematography gorgeous. This is the comfort food, go-to movie for my wife (who's also read all of Austen's novels and seen the BBC version).
Unless you're a nit-picking purist, you'll love this movie.