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Reviews
Whatever Works (2009)
Whatever doesn't work
Woody Allen surprises us with nothing new, he asks the same existential questions he's been asking his whole life.
It's not talent to intrigue people with quirk.
It's always interesting to ask the big questions.
The film is overrated because Hollywood liberals like the conclusions that are made about Conservative communities.
The activism is preachy and not subtle in the slightest.
The moral arcs are flimsy and not believable.
It does borderline on religious bigotry.
This movie is personal and over indulgent by a character that few would respect in real life but pretend to appreciate as a matter of art.
It also needs a re classification because I wouldn't be watching it with my 13yo daughter.
American History X (1998)
Don't believe the HYPE read this....
Much of the greatest pieces of art in the history if cinema rated lower than this, which tells me the moral message pulled on heart strings.
It deserved a 6, why can't people be objective?
Americans obviously have a more sensitive approach to race relations but there is a big world outside of the USA and we for the most part have come a long way.
The transition from an evil ideology seems to have happened simply after watching a fellow NeoNazi do business with other races in prison, this quickly followed by a rape caused a humbling of the protagonist. The genre of this film is meant to be uber realism and this was not a likely path to redemption. Sorry if this was enough for you.
There was no where near enough build up of hate between the younger kids which resulted in a high school slaying.
The warmth between the prisoners on laundry duty was a missed opportunity, nothing of substance passed between the 2 of them to merit the benevolence.
The score was great and the graphic violence was done very well, triggering raw emotions.
Finally, affirmative action is mocked by many good people, politicians and social commentators all around the world without a racist bone in their body. The writer went too far with this manipulation, which was the point which ruined it the most for me and why I personally rated the film a 5.
Mad Men: Meditations in an Emergency (2008)
Ideological entertainment
A season end crescendo is always well written. Most fans will be happy about a soft reconciliation between the Drapers.
What I object to is the Feminist agenda that the producers allow and the writers frantically pursue...
Yes some comparisons can be made in the era but it is constant and the themes by Season 3 have become preachy.
The direction Ms Draper takes is one of an empowered woman with new information so she now has moral leeway to also commit adultery. We had a chance for a real hero to emerge instead we got an obvious plot.
There was no build up of an neglected house wife who develops serious feelings for an acquaintance instead a numb woman sleeps with a stranger within minutes of meeting him. Something her intimacy seeking cheating husband still never did.
No orgasmic experience or shame, its rather useless story telling, just simple juvenile revenge. Instead of employing the right to act as bad as a man how about a story that places obligations on both!
I'm getting tired of the heavy stereotypes, there's no doubt that a Gender studies 20 something is on the writing team with little lived experience.
I'm bowing out and having a break from Netflix.
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
The Franchise needs a new birth NOT Megatron
I wanted to rate this lower but the fact I'm a transformers fan in principle doesn't allow it;
Pros-:
* Nice dinobots integration * Optimus is a Prime he shouldn't get continual beatings * CGI detail excellent as usual. * Soundtrack
Cons-:
* A boyfriend being a continual smart azz to his future father in law? The writer makes me want to SPEW or he decided to write only for pre- teen boys. * So many loose ends and vague transitions, not thoughtful or clever plot. * 2 hours and 40mins? Are you crazy! We have been conditioned by Hollywood to sit in a film for 90mins you can't just rewrite the rules. Micheal Bay, you egomaniac imbecile. * Out of place humor that's not funny unless your in single digits. * So much juvenile comedy for kids but later extreme sexual innuendo, whats with that? Nasty * Cliché hot chick is getting boring * Corny hero one liners * Fans take transformers seriously, light comedy breaks the genre. Use it briefly only if necessary. * Good actors with great presence given mediocre characters to play without any depth. * Superficial story telling, backstory had to be often literally outlined * Context of new enemy not clear especially for new fans. * Fight scene details often lacking imagination, like light caliber weapons creating damage. * So many disconnects in general that make you quickly start despising a Franchise you went in wanting to enjoy
I'm not even telling anyone I've seen this crap, leave me alone
The Cider House Rules (1999)
Cider House doesn't rule
Take a highly emotive issue and write a script that is on the absolute extreme end of that issue to make a political point and what you get is Cider House Rules.
I'm sorry that fans have fallen for it but Adoption, Abortion and like themes are too delicate to pack into 90-120mins of infotainment.
Talk to Doctors and ask them whats really going on in America and this strident Pro-Choice premise doesn't stack up.
I don't believe I'm being harsh with this review, this was malicious story telling from one point of view. I couldn't reasonably ask the filmmaker to balance his thoughts with alternative perspectives because it is his story but what I can ask is viewers to consider the power of the big screen to make you believe this situation is part of the greater narrative where art mimics life.
For the record Abortion in America is counted less than 1% on account of rape and far less as a result of incest.
The happy moments and memorable characters are just candy for a film that sets out to preach.
Typical Hollywood overreach with familiar subject matter that will move a naive audience.
Location scouting was perfect.
Score was powerful.
Package was therefore deceitful.
As of 2013 for the first time since Roe Vs Wade just over half the population is ProLife, if this was remade today, it would fail.
The Kings of Mykonos (2010)
Good for an Aussie Production
I'll admit this may be more like a 6 or 7 but from a cinematography point of view their are some great shots that would probably go unnoticed by most. Add to this images of my home town and some very funny one liners this makes better viewing on the 3/4th attempt on DVD.
There was a lot of juvenille comedy and coarse subject matter which is cringe worthy but that is the kind of style for ethnic comedies.
I gave it extra points for the simple fact that there where multiple characters that were exact representations of people I know, which is what these close to home films are meant to express. Just a shame the rudeness didn't qualify for a family viewing.
"watch where I'm going" Superb