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tferjak
Reviews
The Twilight Zone (2019)
It seems like there is an agenda
I just finished "Replay", it actually started out very well and grabbed my interest. A few twists and turns and then it seemed to take on a black (people/person's) agenda. I have NOTHING against any race, creed or colour of people but this episode seemed to target the black community and audience (not to mention the "black lives matter" poster in one scene). I have the new Twilight Zone set up on my PVR and will give it another few chances. It started out great and then seemed to take on a lot of issues regarding the current landscape of America and their racial issues that did nothing to propel the story. A similar story could have been told from the same point of view without all of the racial overtures. I do not have any of those issues and was hoping for a similar reboot of the Rod Serling series. I'm not old, I'm not young but what I watched, unfortunately, was not what I had hoped for. Mr. Peele, please keep on the track of the original series, try not to bring your personal opinion on race, political views or social standing into what could have been a solid reboot of a classic.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
crazy stupid crud
I love my wife. Let me say it again, I love my wife. I have sat through Brokeback Mountain and I have watched The Notebook (for a trade-off for her to watch Shaun of the Dead). Tonight I willingly tried to watch Crazy Stupid Love. I have never seen a movie that was so predictable. The characters, the lines, the situations, come on! I don't watch movies to see someone's abs, or someone's chest. I watch movies to be entertained. This movie was so far from entertaining it was ridiculous. Steve Carell was enjoyable, not as much as in The 40 Year Old Virgin, but not bad. The only thing is, this type of character can only pull a film so far. It is the epitome of female fantasy. Cute young guy, older aging guy, old ex-wife, young female love interest. Where did they hope this film was going to go? It went nowhere. At least The Notebook had a story, ( however sappy), Brokeback Mountain was a cinematic marvel (kudos to Ang Lee). This movie has nothing. If I were able to rate a 0, I would have.
Prometheus (2012)
Alien prequel... Not bad
Prometheus, a space ship that carries a bunch of people to find the secrets of man's origin. Directed by Ridley Scott, beautifully. He has definitely used some of his past experiences to feed off of. With stunning sweeping shots (interior and exterior) that take me back to Blade Runner and Gladiator. It is great to see Ridley back at the helm of the Alien ship. The story is fairly basic. We have a group of people that don't quite get along, travelling a great distance to find the meaning of life. The nice thing here though, is the people that you think are going to be the troublemakers don't always turn out to be so. The Special Effects are excellent and the Visuals are fantastic. This really is a nice Set-up for Alien... I've heard talk of another film but I don't see the need for it. They have established the Weyland Corp. They have set up the downed spaceship that was encountered in Alien. What else do they need to do. Oops, almost forgot. Michael Fassbender. He is very good as David, the android (syntheziod human). Yet again, the synthezoid is always under control of the corporation. which brings up one final question. Can anyone in the future trust a synthezoid?
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A Beautiful Movie
John Nash is a quiet, introverted man. A brilliant person who doesn't quite fit in. His roommate Charles is always there to help him get through the difficult times in his life at university. Russell Crowe is, again fantastic in portraying John Nash. With Jennifer Connelly as his wife Alicia and Paul Bettany as his roommate Charles, this film sets up to be a great film about the success of a gifted person. Unfortunately that is not how things progressed. John Nash's mind leads him down a self-destructive path that neither friends or family can save him from. With espionage and government intervention around every corner it is impossible to know which way to turn. Ed Harris is excellent as Parcher, the dark government agent who, it seems, hires Nash to work at a secret government facility to help decode vital information. Directed by Ron Howard ( Robin Hood,3:10 to Yuma and Apollo 13 ), A Beautiful Mind is one of the few movies based on a real life, that actually translates into A Beautiful Movie.
Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator + Ridley Scott = Masterpiece
Masterpiece doesn't even begin to describe this film. General to slave, slave to gladiator, gladiator to ?. The story is beautiful, the cast is fantastic and the acting is amazing. Not to mention the directing. Ridley Scott is placing himself at the top of the Director food chain with yet another great film. Russell Crowe is Maximus, Joaquin Phoenix is Commodus, the battle lines have been drawn and let the war begin. Not just for country but for the love of a father. Oliver Reed and Richard Harris are so good in this film it is truly a shame that they will not be around to entertain us in the future. Gladiator shows us that a well written story and a well acted and directed movie can transport us to another time and place. That in the middle of battle, feelings like love and compassion are still there. The love for women, fellow man and family are the strongest of bonds and are not easily broken.
American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty... Beautiful
Lester Burnham, a man not unlike most. A man beaten down by life. A less than perfect marriage, a strained and disappearing relationship with his daughter and a dead-end job. Kevin Spacey is fantastic playing this character. From the beginning of the film he shows us perfectly, how his life is, just by his looks and his mannerisms. Annette Bening is also great as Carolyn, his wife. Sam Mendes (Director) does it again. After seeing both American Beauty and Road to Perdition I am truly a fan. Both films shine a light on people that goes deep down into the core of their humanity. American Beauty shows us all that appearances can and most often are deceiving and that to really know anyone you must take the time to "look deeper". I almost forgot to mention Chris Cooper, what a joy it is to see this man work. As Frank Fits he adds yet another perfect layer to this already rich tapestry.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
this spirit is NOT vengeful
After the first Ghost Rider movie, I had some high hopes that the second would do a little more justice to the idea than the first. I was wrong. As a long time comic book fan (Marvel) I am greatly aware of the Ghost Rider character. I am disappointed. Nick Cage again, no problem. He did an OK job on the first one. The Director? the special effects? the close-up shaking? the twirling around in a circle? the cuts? the story? I can't see how people can make a movie like this and seriously expect it to make money. Editing, Acting, Storyline. there are so many things wrong with this film, they cant be counted. Marvel Comics must have written this off before the film was even released. I am very disappointed, even more so than Daredevil, but thats another review.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
love, beer, a cricket bat and zombies
Shaun, Shaun, Shaun. A fantastic and funny movie. British comedy mixed with a Zombie attack with some heart.Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are hilarious together. Edgar Wright did an amazing job and the tribute to "Dawn of the Dead" as well as other movies of the same genre is excellent. Full credit for taking a subject like zombies and making it more fun than it ever has been in the past. From drinking and smoking in the neighbourhood pub to throwing "vintage" records at zombie's heads, Its a fun ride with a reality base. I mean, how many zombie movies have people throwing wooden spoons at them to try to kill them? The scenes with Bill Nighy are especially fun to watch. Credit to all involved for taking a broken love story and chucking in a bunch of dead people.