daadv's Reviews

A Most Violent Year (2014)

7/10

Pretty good film with very strong performances and growing tension

10 January 2016

Abel Morales owns a Heating Oil Co whose trucks are being hijacked, causing the loss of plenty of money just when it's trying to expand. Morales gets himself deeper and deeper in trouble, as he refuses to answer violence with violence.

Truth to be told, the trailer and the title cheat quite a bit: If you're looking for a very violent gangster movie, with plenty of bloody and explicit scenes, this is not your film. If you're expecting fast paced action or a new Godfather like film, you're up for a disappointment.

That being said, this is a pretty good film, with very strong performances, where tension grows up as time goes by. The pace is quite slow, but if you like this kind of movies, you're in for a treat. Now, don't be fooled. Despite the slow pace, several scenes will make your heart rate's race.

The image quality and cinematography are good, despite some kind of weird yellowish tone in certain scenes. Sound is good, but a bit low.

Despite the misleading advertising, this is a movie I would recommend.

3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Omen (1976)

10/10

One of the best horror films ever

24 December 2014

An American diplomat is told that his newborn son is dead and a priest offers him a solution....to adopt another newborn baby instead and to never tell his wife that their son is dead,

It isn't just a great horror film, but a terrific suspense movie also. Tension grows up as time goes by and it keeps you interested and alert. It has one of the most memorable death scenes in cinema history, many disturbing moments, cast is great, performances are very good, awesome soundtrack (Jerry Goldsmith won his only Academy Award) and very nice photography and direction.

It's a pleasure to watch and you will enjoy it every single time you watch it.

6 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Tamarind Seed (1974)

6/10

Fine entertainment

17 February 2012

Warning: Spoilers

Blake Edwards, better known for his comedies, directs this respectable spy film based on Evelyn Anthony's novel of the same title. July Andrews in on a holiday in Barbados trying to recover from a love affair with a married man. She meets Omar Sharif and she falls in love with him, only to discover that he's an international Russian spy willing to change sides.

On the bright side, the story keeps you interested despite the slow pace. It shows that it is possible to make a nice spy film without crazy special effects, nonsense action scenes and going ballistic for the most unsuspected reason. There's a very nice soundtrack by John Barry and a spectacular song sung by Wilma Reading.

On the dark side, it has several of the stereotypes of this kind of movies from the 70's, as for example, the Russians spies have a very strong Russian accent: how do they manage to spy and mingle without being noticed? To keep it short, a nice spy movie where for over 108 minutes, not a single gun is shot and not a single blood drop is spilt. It has great climax scene, where suspense is very well built. A rara avis nowadays, where the explosions have to be loud and action has to be unbelievable in the less realistic possible way. By the way, the movie is 119 minutes long and, believe it or not, July Andrews doesn't sing on this film!!

3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

My Cousin Rachel (1952)

8/10

Excellent film

17 February 2012

Warning: Spoilers

My cousin Rachel is a black and white adaptation from the novel by Daphne du Maurier of the same title. Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton star in this excellent film from 1952.

"Death is the price for murder": The film begins with these words, as to warn us about the story that the movie tells.

When Philip's wealthy cousin, Ambrose, dies under mysterious circumstances from a sudden illness, he suspects Rachel (Ambrose's wife). He thinks his cousin has been murdered and he seeks vengeance. But when he meets her, he falls for her charms and he's no longer sure of what to think.

What I've liked the most about this film is the suspense: lies within lies so we can't uncover the truth until the main character does. Burton and de Havilland give great performances. The story is very well told.

1 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Nanny (1965)

5/10

It didn't age well

25 June 2011

IMDb 7.2/10 ROTTENTOMATOES 3.7/5 A boy wants his nanny out of his life.

I think this film is widely overrated.

Most of the performances are mediocre, except for Bette Davis and the little girl (she performs for just a minute). Still, the story manages to keep you slightly interested due to a well built tension every now and then and some disturbing moments. Unfortunately, the end is really weak and disappointing.

Funny thing is that even if Bette Davis carries pretty well the weight of the film and that she's on the screen a big deal of time, I had the feeling her character was not well developed.

I was disappointed by the film: I was expecting much more given the good reviews on the site.

4 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

10/10

Fantastic film, extraordinary cast, terrific performances

25 June 2011

IMDb 7.9/10 ROTTENTOMATOES 3.9/5

The intrigues in a real state business firm.

I was quite skeptical before watching this film because I though the subject was boring, but it kept me interested from the first to the last minute.

I can't believe this film is rated only 7.9/10. How can a movie this good be so underrated? This film shows how to make astonishing cinema without violence, without sex, without blood, without explosions, without easy gags....just talented actors perfectly directed and intelligent dialogues.

Al Pacino and Jack Lemmon's performances are superb.

2 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Mad Max (1979)

6/10

An overrated classic

23 June 2011

IMDb 6.9/10 ROTTEN TOMATOES 3.4/5 The film stars Mel Gibson, who was unknown at the time. A policeman in the near future, fights a vicious biker gang. It's considered as one of the best films of 1979.

I've just watched today this film about 30 years after it was filmed. It has some action scenes really fun to watch despite some cheesy moments. It is a classic, but I've found it just watchable.

Usually, films have a beginning, a development and an end: this one has a beginning 70 minutes long and an end. No development what so ever.

Some of the cast show some tendency to overact and dialogues are not that great either.

I can't say it didn't age well, but I was disappointed after watching it. It's a shame, because I really liked it when I was a teenager.

13 out of 23 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Despicable Me (2010)

6/10

Funny and cute, but there's something missed

22 December 2010

IMDb 7.6/10 ROTTENTOMATOES 6.8/10 ALLMOVIE 3/5

Two villains fight each other to be the more evil one. One stole a pyramid, so the other plans to steal the moon.

Great for kids and good for parents. Good acting and animation. Often charming and cute without being corny. You see the whole thing coming but it doesn't matter because it's a fun ride. The Gru character is excellent. This movie proves that you don't need to be nasty or violent in order to be funny. Probably, the funniest Carrel's performance to date.

On the bad side, the film lacks originality sometimes: the little girl is a carbon copy from the Monsters Inc one, one of the minions is Ned Flanders' copy and some jokes we have already watched them in other films. I had the feeling that there was something missed several times while watching the film. It doesn't touch you the way Monsters Inc did.

It's a mix between Jimmy Neutron, Monsters Inc.

It's worth watching.

1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010)

7/10

Amazing animation

22 December 2010

IMDb 7.1/10 ROTTENTOMATOES 5.5/10 LECINEMA 4/5

Based on a book series'for kids.

Animations are stunning (feathers' detail are amazing, eyes look alive), excellent use of slow-motion technique and great voice acting. Story is well told and the score is good.

Some scenes reminded me of The Lord of The Rings (Council, Isengard and some fighting scenes), Starwars (Yoda, The force, some flight pursuits, Luke against Dark Vader), The Dark Crystal (Mystics and Everlasting essence effect on captives) and one surrealistic dialogue (Monty Python type).

On the bad side, humor is weak and violence a bit too strong for kids (even if you see no blood).

Highly entertaining for both children and adults. Without any doubt, one of the best animated films of the year. A must to watch.

0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Dialogue avec mon jardinier (2007)

7/10

Nice little movie

18 December 2010

IMDb 7/10 ROTTENTOMATOES 7/10 ALLMOVIE 4/5

A famous painter whose marriage is in trouble goes back to the house where he grew up. He hires a gardener, who turns out to be an old childhood friend.

Great performances, nice script, realistic situations, very well developed relationships.

A movie that entertains and makes you think and value simple things in life.

This film was adapted from the memoirs of painter Henri Cueco.

Recommandable film. A pleasure to watch.

6 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Sniper (1952)

5/10

Mediocre

17 December 2010

IMDb 7.1/10 ROTTENTOMATOES 6.5/10

A young man who hates women cries for help, but no one listens to him. And so the killing begins.

This film has some interesting details, like the attempt to explain the sniper's behaviour and it has a couple of pretty good scenes.

Unfortunately, acting is very weak, storytelling mediocre and the psychiatrist' talks were feeling out of context (it was like being in a seminar in the middle of the movie).

Probably this film was ahead of its time in 1952, but unfortunately it didn't age well.

5 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

La vida de nadie (2002)

7/10

Nice little movie

17 December 2010

IMDb 6.9/10 ROTTENTOMATOES 3.8/5

A man's life, who is not what he appears to be, is about to change.

I was very surprised when I watched the movie, because the viewer develops such strong and contradictory feelings for the main character while you witnessing his actions in disbelief.

Tension is well build and the story is well told. Performances are good.

The pace is slow at the beginning but it increases along with the suspense.

Based on a true story.

0 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Outland (1981)

7/10

Good space western

14 December 2010

IMDb 6.4/10 - ROTTENTOMATOES 8.8/10 - ALLMOVIE 2.5/5

A marshal is sent to a mining colony in Io. What it appears to be a regular assignment, it turns soon to be a dangerous one.

What is not to like? Good performances, solid script, excellent set design, growing tension, exciting pursuits, realistic dialogues, well shot scenes and good special effects' use.

The story is no original (typical far west sheriff against powerful bad guy), but is well told and Connery carries the weight of the movie admirably.

Funny thing, 5 minutes into the movie there's a scene that looks taken from Total recall (which wasn't filmed until 1990, so it's probably the other way around).

Unfortunately, it lasts only 109 minutes (time passed so fast even if the film is slow paced).

Highly entertaining.

1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Orphanage (2007)

8/10

Excellent film

6 December 2010

IMDb 7.7/10 - ROTTEN TOMATOES 7.3/10 - METACRITIC 7.4/100 - ALLMOVIE 4/5

Laura, with her husband and her son, goes back the old orphanage where she was raised when she was a child with the idea of create a home for kids with disabilities.

The orphanage is a mix between "The others" and "Poltergeist". The film is wonderfully shot, the story is well told, the score suits the movie and Belen Rueda's performance is fantastic.

The film is better than just scary. As the movies advances, you grow more and more uneasy on your seat even when sometimes you see it coming.

Unlike many of the recent horror flicks, you won't see a bloodbath or gores scenes. The filmmaker manages to create an intense atmosphere all the film long, where the worst isn't what you see but what you can imagine that happened. Still, you'll jump from your seat a couple of times (that's guaranteed).

The weakest part of the film is towards the middle, a 10 minutes length scene, a carbon copy of Poltergeist.

Overall, a must to see, a classic to be. Highly enjoyable film with some minor flaws.

1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Daybreakers (2009)

5/10

Watchable vampire flick with a new twist

6 December 2010

IMDb 6.5/10 ROTTEN TOMATOES 6.1/10 METACRITIC 57/100 ALLMOVIE 2.5/5

Vampires take control of the world and face a dangerous problem: they need to develop some artificial blood in order to survive because humans are to be extinct.

Watchable vampire flick with some good action. There's a new twist: until now, we knew that a human could become a vampire, but now we know also a vampire can become human! Obviously, you need to forget about all the scientific nonsense they use in order to justify the film's "logic". Once forgotten, you might enjoy the film.

Funny thing, I can't decide whether Defoe's performances is great or just weird. Neil's performance is too cliché. The rest of the cast is correct. Unfortunately, you see the end (quite weak, by the way) coming so there's no final surprise.

Overall, a watchable vampire flick with some interesting details but some bugging flaws. It's worth watching once.

1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Date Night (2010)

5/10

Uneven with some funny moments

6 December 2010

IMDb 6.5/10 ROTTEN TOMATOES 6.1/10 METACRITIC 56/100 ALLMOVIE 3/5

A couple tries to spice up their marriage when things get out of hand.

This is not a great comedy, but isn't a bad one. Performances are fair enough. Carrel and Fey have a good chemistry but the plot has a lot of holes and the film is full of clichés.

It's uneven: it combines forgettable moments with other ones so funny that will make you cry (the cab gag is priceless).

If you're looking for some good laughs and you don't mind to watch a silly movie, this one might be it. You may exit the cinema with a smile on your face.

1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Other Guys (2010)

1/10

A complete waste of time

6 December 2010

IMDb 6.8/10 ROTTEN TOMATOES 6.7/10 METACRITIC 6.4/10 ALLMOVIE 3/5

This is one of the worst comedies I've ever seen. Is this supposed to be funny? I think I've smiled twice all the movie long.

Poor performances, non-existing plot, really bad jokes repeated several times all over the film. The movie is full of clichés and it lacks originality and imagination. I've checked my watch several times during the movie. I was so bored. What can be worst than a comedy that is not funny...at all?

Surprisingly, the movie has been highly rated, so maybe it's just me who didn't get the jokes.

3 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The Golden Compass (2007)

3/10

Disappointing

6 December 2010

IMDb 6.3/10 ROTTEN TOMATOES 5.6/10 METACRITIC 51/100 ALLMOVIE 3.5/5

If you haven't read the book, the film may be mediocre but watchable despite the poor acting (Kidman and Craig) and boring storytelling. It will be quite confusing because so many characters appear out of nowhere without further explanation. Characters are also poorly developed.

On the bright side, visual effects are good and daemons are well made and dubbed.

If you have read the book, you will be deeply disappointed. The story has been changed (no religion or church references), key events chronology have been changed and some even disappeared.

0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Inception (2010)

6/10

Overrated film

5 December 2010

IMDb 9/10 ROTTEN TOMATOES 8/10 METACRITIC 7.4/10 ALLMOVIE 4/5

First of all, I must say this film is very overrated. It's over-average, but it isn't' great. It delivers some good and sometimes unbelievable (not always in a good sense) action, it has some interesting twists and performances are convincing enough, but that's about it.

On the bad side, the film it's a bit too long, the characters aren't well developed and the end isn't very satisfactory.

This film is a mix between Matrix (slow motion, different reality), Memento (present/past vs dreamworld/ real world and flashbacks) and James Bond (action).

So, an entertaining movie with some interesting details but a somehow disappointing end.

7 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

daadv

Reviews

Tell Your Friends

Recently Viewed