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rlaing131
Reviews
Julie & Julia (2009)
Julia Child is rolling over in her grave
I wouldn't really consider anything below to be a spoiler, BUT, I do mention a few little issues that the main character goes through in the movie that people might not want to know about yet.
First thing to get out of the way: I know that this movie has already left the theaters, but please people, if you have any respect for Julia Child, don't buy or even watch this movie and don't buy Powell's book. I knew nothing about it until after I saw it the other day. Fortunately I saw it on Netflix so no money was spent, but I still wish I had some warning. But apparently they had to wait for Child to die before they could make this movie. From what I understand, Child and her editor didn't want anything to do with this crazy woman (Powell) and didn't believe her to be sincere. I don't either and neither should you guys.
Now, for the actual story and review. The movie itself was really lacking. The acting itself was alright (Streep did a pretty good job though she may have gone over the top a tiny bit), but I felt absolutely nothing for the main character Julie, other than sickness from watching her trying to steal Child's fame. It's very hard to enjoy this movie when not only does the real Powell come off as terribly insincere and just plain fake, but even the Powell portrayed in the movie does too.
Below are where the possible spoilers come in: I mean, you basically have some loser with no hobbies and a dead end job claiming that she's going to make something of her life if she writes some blog and cooks a bunch of meals while pretending that she has some special connection to Julia Child. Then she gets really arrogant about it, treats her husband like dirt, wastes the little money they have to make these fancy meals, lies to skip work and throws a bunch of tantrums. Apparently you're supposed to really feel for her and hope that she makes her pathetic little goal of cooking these meals in 1 year? And all the while she keeps talking about what Julia might think of her, and how she feels like Julia is always with her, etc. During the movie they are many scenes which flash back and fourth between the two woman as they are cooking the same meal or doing some task so that you might feel some illusion that these woman are connected when they absolutely were not. Just tragic. Julia Child deserved better than to be tied up against her will with someone like Powell.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Scarry but a bit dumb
Overall, I think it's worth watching. I did notice that most people either loved the movie or they thought it was stupid and not scary at all. Perhaps because they went into it with high expectations. I felt that while the main characters were pretty dumb and their actions/decisions often made no sense, I was still somewhat terrified during much of the movie. And yes, pretty early on I figured that she'd probably end up becoming possessed and killing him... and yes, I kept asking, why don't they just call the demon guy??? Why are you so against it??? Or maybe if they have her committed and put her into a padded room she can at least not hurt anyone else. And if the demon starts doing impossible screwy things, professionals can at least witness it and try to do something about it. BUT I still couldn't take my eyes off the screen, especially during those night scenes. In either case, I was scared, which I guess fulfills the purpose of the movie. I don't know about you guys, but if those things were going on in my house I'd be just as scared as those people (though perhaps smarter).
As for acting and filming, I did like it (except the part where he goes into the attic with no light). I really don't know why everyone hated the acting so much. The people really did act pretty realistic. Not like typical Hollywood actors overdo absolutely everything. And yes, their day to day activities in the house were not super exciting and action packed. That wasn't really what they were trying to go for here. I think that the scenes at night were supposed to be enough excitement. Finally, I liked what they did with the camera. It didn't make me dizzy first of all. And it was pretty realistic that if someone was going to setup a camera, they'd just choose one place to put it each night. No one in real life would be trying to change things up for excitement and a change of view. They'd do what was most practical, watch their bedroom.
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
I don't see what everyone is so excited about
I just watched this on netflix the other day and I was not impressed at all. In fact, I found my self shaking my head the entire time thinking "yeah right." The movie is little more than overacting and a bunch of men calling each other names. I mean, really, is that how a typical office functions from day to day? I mean, maybe you'd see a little bit of this with real estate sales men, but this was just ridiculous. I understand that if you make many movies too realistic they can get a little boring, but this was just way over the top. If they wanted to hire the best actors and get some amazing performances out of everyone, at least make it in a setting where screaming insults back and fourth and people freaking the h*ll out is a little more realistic.
I also found it interesting that there isn't a female character in the entire movie except perhaps "coat check girl" who I saw listed in the credits. This was obviously intended to be a man's movie.
The only good thing about this movie is how they portray salesmen trying to get deals, lying to their clients and acting very desperate, etc. If it weren't for the fact that I found this movie to be so mediocre, I probably would have enjoyed the actual plot a little more. Jack Lemon did also do a pretty good job.
Whale Wars (2008)
Ridiculous at best
I didn't have the highest hopes for this show when I first saw the trailers for it and it still managed to disappoint me.
As someone who detests whalers and strongly feels that more should be done to stop them (among others), I feel that this show is frustrating to watch at best.
***Possible Spoilers (I don't know if anyone would consider it so)*** First, they can't actually do anything to stop the whale ships. Last episode I saw they were trowing BUTTER and stink bombs at the whaling ship! Like a whaling ship doesn't already stink. Come on, it's just silly. But again, frustrating to know that this is the best that they can come up with given their situation. They buzz around the whaling ships and just hope really hard to annoy them into quitting what is probably a very high paying job.
The crew is completely ridiculous and inexperienced. The captain is a fanatic. I mean, it's one thing to have your own personal views, but refusing others to eat what they want to or feel is healthy is insane. The camera man lost a serious amount of weight because he WASN'T ALLOWED TO BRING MEAT/DAIRY ONTO THE SHIP. And the crew cries whenever a whale dies? It's pathetic. If you're going to have that sort of a job you need to toughen the heck up and get it together. None of these people are professionals. They are also very bad actors.
Red Dwarf: Back to Earth (Part One) (2009)
They didn't even try!
It takes an awful lot for me to give a movie such a low score. Usually that requires no effort whatsoever on the part of the writers, the actors and director(s). Well, the actors did do their part well, so that's why I didn't give it a 1. It's just that they have nothing decent to work with whatsoever.
I loved Red Dwarf from series 1 through 8 (even if the last two weren't the best, they were still Red Dwarf). In fact, I still watch old DVD reruns now and then. But this was just dreadful. And I had already started out with low expectations.
***Sort of possible spoiler (but not really)***
First, it made no sense! But not in the cute, funny/random way. I managed to figure out what was going on, but there was no reason as to why (see below)! Second, the movie just randomly flips from scene to scene. I mean, what was up with the squid and then all of the sudden this woman just comes out of no where and no one bothers to wonder who she was, how or why? And not in the funny sense either, just that the writers didn't even bother to address the issue. Furthermore, it just wasn't funny. There were a few good lines here and there, but I was so horrified from how terrible the rest of the movie was that I couldn't hardly manage to crack a smile.
***
It would have been nice to have some sort of reunion of the red dwarf characters, but this just ruined any possibilities of having anything good. Do yourself a favor and just enjoy the memory or red dwarf...
Up (2009)
No one ever said it was a kids movie, regardless, it's pretty good
OK people. Stop whining that it is not a kids movie and giving it crummy reviews just because of that. There was no indication from the previews whatsoever that this was a kids movie. EVER. In fact, it looked to me like a very artsy movie at first. And by this point you should have enough sense to check it out online BEFORE taking your kids to see it and already knowing that many animated films are not for kids. Furthermore, did you even look to see that it was indeed rated PG? Now about the movie, I found it to be quite good. As long as you're not planning to drag all your kids to it, you will likely enjoy it. It was definitely quite sad in parts, it had a neat plot (not boring at all), it had some well thought out and wonderful humor and overall, it was a great story.