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Reviews
The Hangover (2009)
Extremely FamiliarTerritory
I am baffled by the high user ratings. How many movies have involved a group of guys (a bachelor party specifically) going to Vegas? What new ideas did this present besides the chronological gimmick?
Just thinking about it now, this movie was very similar to the Simpsons episode wherein Homer and Flanders go to Las Vegas. It was also somewhat like a subplot of Knocked Up, etc.
But the bigger problems are, as another post here says, is that it did not really make sense, and worst of all, what was so funny about it? I can think of but a single bit that elicited an outright laugh and maybe a couple of other things that made me smile, but that's about it.
Brüno (2009)
The Fundamental Problem: Cohen probably too well known
The beauty of Borat was the genuine reactions his character was able to elicit from people who had no idea he was in fact a character; now it is unlikely that anyone in Hollywood (e.g., Paula Abdul) would not know that Bruno is fake. This is not to say that everyone in the film was simulating their reactions.
But another problem is, Bruno is a far less likable and interesting character than Borat. Sure, Borat is an antisemitic jerk, but he also could be charming; I don't think Bruno ever is charming.
There is also overlap twixt Bruno and Ali G -- the monumentally naive questions of Bruno sometimes sounded just like they came from Ali.
I think Cohen is a bright and creative guy who produced some amazingly funny stuff -- Bruno is not an example thereof. Cohen, imho, needs to channel his brilliance in another comic direction, one not reliant in putting people on. Bruno says that his goal is to become world famous; but Borat already accomplished this, queering the deal I think for Bruno.
I Am Legend (2007)
A Very Effective Horror Flic
I have read the book and seen the two prior versions. What I would say is that without much in the way of surprises, the movie includes details that are quite interesting if not nearly fully explored.
But the strongest aspect of I Am Legend is its achievement of a consistent level of suspense: it literally had me and others I spoke with on the edge of their seats.
Not a movie for kids, thought it could have been rated R.
Semi-Spoiler: This version was not faithful to the book; The Last Man is close but as another reviewer mentioned, the Vincent Price flick is really cheaply made. But what one who knows the original story suspects is that they were coming close to the central idea of Matheson's work, that maybe the script writers had this in mind and were over-ruled? That they used the Matheson title is an indication of this.
Lost in Space: Return from Outer Space (1965)
Perhaps the Best Lost in Space Episode
I remember it from across all these years as having at least one good piece of dialog: Will is challenged by local kids and when he explains some scientific concept, a kid says that he could have gotten that "from a comic book." Will then asks that kid what the Doppler effect is and the kid gives a lame answer -- Will then says something like, "THAT explanation came from a comic book..."
Will is unable to convince anyone of his true identity and must reach the matter transmitter beam in time. An older kid helps him, saying, "I'll square it for you." Another reasonable bit of dialog. Will of course decides to return to his family, bearing some sort of chemical they need.
Land of the Dead (2005)
Too Elaborate, Too Many Clichés
I am a loyal fan and loved the most recent Dawn (if only for the white-board scene with Andy the gun shop owner).
While the strength of the original Night was its starkness and minimalism, this film had just too many elements. Hopper as the evil leader... hmm, where have we seen that before?
Without providing any spoilers, I don't actually think there were any outright new ideas, just one main idea more explored than in previous films and yet not explained in any sort of satisfying fashion.
Summary: Kind of disappointed. Not too terribly much more than a Mad Max film substituting zombies for delinquent Australians.
The Opportunists (1999)
A very good flic
This movie, reminiscent of 'Palookaville', had the kind of humor that is available to a film that does not set out to be exclusively a comedy.
The incidental characters, such as Mort Stein, were well-drawn and memorable.
Extremely credible dialog.
Day the World Ended (1955)
Some notable dialog
I just saw the film again after many years. This movie can be criticized for some things, but I would have to say that the dialog delivered by the character Radek (who is in the early stages of mutation) is worth watching the movie for.