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rauh-georg
Reviews
Event Horizon (1997)
Cheesy 90s Sci-Fi Horror, but nevertheless good!
This movie has it ALL what you'd expect from a typical Hollywood SciFi flick "back from that time when movies were still..well...good" :) It is so laden with Hollywood cliches, I had to outright laugh many times. But I did enjoy the flick nevertheless!
I can't imagine that someone these days would direct a movie with "cringeworthy" cliches like the demonic voice speaking in Latin that is discovered "after I run it through some filters", or the cannibalistic horror on the "last visual contact to the Event Horizon". Several moments I wondered how the actors could possibly have kept a straight face as some scenes were so utterly ridiculous. Laurence Fishburne fits perfectly as the ultra-stereotypical commander of the ship. Loved it.
Despite the clichés I did enjoy the movie. Everything "fits" to make an enjoyable and yes, quite terrifying, at times even disturbing Sci-Fi/Horror flick. Hollywood entertainment par excellence!
Arrival (2016)
Pretentious, unimaginative
Many are calling this movie "smart", a movie for thinkers" For me, it is laced with an unbearable amount of cringeworthy cliches, from the female scientist protagonist saving the world, a bomb with a timer counting down, the way how the military is being portrayed, numerous emotional flashbacks/memories to the woman's daughter ("Mommy, Mommy!"), and then the obligatory problems with Russia and China about to turn into a major conflict. One lame cliche follows the other. I couldn't believe what I saw going on given that the movie has such a good rating on IMDB.
The movie borrows heavily from Independence Day, Contact, War of the Worlds, Butterfly Effect, etc. To a point where I am not sure whether this was done as satire, or, and this is more likely, due to a complete lack of own creativity and ideas.
The appearance of the aliens, including their noises, the appearance of their ships etc....so many elements in that movie are similar to what we have already seen in other, supposedly "less intelligent" movies. And not only does the movie borrow almost all the elements that make it from what we've already seen elsewhere (yawn!).
Considerable time in this flick is spent on how the group is going back to the aliens, attempting communication. And any time when they do, nothing is actually happening (minus that time when the bomb is going off), the aliens creating these language symbols after having made a bit of scary noises. Then our heroes go back into their tents, pondering the meaning of the symbols. Wait, if you're lucky, there was possibly a misunderstanding, so the guys have to go back for clarification. Prepare for an amazingly exciting (lol) movie night....
People say this movie is about communication, and how communication and language is affecting our perception of time. At no point in the movie can we learn how the scientists are deciphering the symbols, how they have cracked the code and how they translate the symbols into meaning/words. For me, a big hole in the plot. We are supposed to assume that at some point they simply could read them and can then communicate with the aliens. How? And albeit "interesting" from a philosophical point to think of how language is affecting our perception of time, at the same point it is ridiculous to surmise that the learning of their language, their "gift to humanity", is now doing away with the confines of time and granting the protagonist (and with her all mankind) the gift of seeing the past and the future.
I am not one who expected or wanted a "children's birthday party action flick" aka "Independence Day". But after having watched actual excellent, philosophical, creative and intelligent movies recently, I found this movie boring and uninspired/ing and, despite its incoherent and unlogical plot, also predictable. It's monstrously pretentious. It's as if the makers wanted a make a new Blockbuster the likes of Contact, Independence Day, Close Encounters etc...so they threw these classics in a blender and out came this unimaginative flick, that so much wants to be "new" and "intelligent", but isn't.
It can be summed up by its "glorious" finale that is only fitting this awful movie: In the final scene, Ian is asking Lousie "Do you want to make a baby?", and she of course, happily agrees "Yes". Ba-dumm! Credits rolling. I wish I was kidding. Yes folks, the movie really is that bad. One of the worst movies I watched.
Primer (2004)
Annoying
A bunch of unlikeable, uncharismatic guys are conversing in idiotic pseudo-science technobabble. This extremely boring movie isn't just lacking good acting or an exciting plot, it's also filmed with at times blurry scenes and awful sound. (I had to re-listen to some scenes multiple times to understand what was even said). But doesn't matter, as the film is so little interesting, they could as well have talked Sanskrit or Latin.
I always liked movies on time travel, as this is fantastic subject that can make for an exciting, imaginative sci-fi or possibly even a fun comedy. This movie has nothing of that. The characters are bare of any emotions, the movie is equally boring. Every minute of this movie drags.
I had to stop watching after 55 minutes (which to me felt like 2+ hours). Beyond awful and annoying to watch.
The Martian (2015)
"Pretty" Hollywood Cliché Flick Without Depth
This is a "pretty" movie that's great for an afternoon at the movies, one of those that I call "children's birthday movies".
While the movie is very watchable with brilliantly and credible rendered CGI and some amazing scenes and visuals, it is lacking any kind of depth.
The movie is full with Hollywood clichés, with easily digestible, predictable plot and Hollywood cardboard-cut-out stereotypical characters akin dumb "entertainment blockbusters" like "Independence Day". Including the "nerd", the super-heroic heroic crew, the NASA boss and whatever stereotypes Hollywood is always using and re-using.
(It's like that Ridley Scott decided that for once, he wants to make an entertainment flick that will make some good cash at the box office, RATHER than a movie that would be memorable and intelligent in any way).
As someone called it, "American feel good movie". Heck, even "Aliens" back in the day had more depth or drama than this movie.
As for drama, I was amazed that this movie didn't convey any sense of drama whatsoever - something which is astonishing given the fact it's about some guy stranded on another planet for more than two years. You sit there and watch and simply accept how the counter on the screen tells you how long the guy is there already, and everything he does seems easy, without a sense of danger or urgency.
The (very few) moments in the movie where something bad happens, you immediately KNOW when it'll happen since the movie "thank god" (sarcasm) guides you Hollywood style, assuming that the average movie-goer has an IQ of 20 and needs help, explaining him in advance that a situation in the movie might possibly not turn out as expected, and low and behold, exactly THAT happens in the next 20 seconds.
"Well he's doing great, unless of course something bad will happen".
And of course, as predicted, it'll happen right away...
The entire movie I was amazed how great the guy was doing for being stranded for so long and how flawless everything went he was attempting to do...sometimes border-lining the credible, with the only excitement and drama in the movie that I was wondering how long his potatoes might last...
That being said, it is an entertaining and "watchable" movie when you can manage to turn off your brain for two and a half hours and just accept it as the Hollywood family blockbuster it actually is. Just don't expect a smart SciFi movie, interesting plot with twists, complex characters or anything the like.
Interstellar (2014)
I must have watched another movie because this was average at best
I had extremely high expectations about this movie based on ratings although I knew there seem to be two groups of raters: Those who rate it as if it's the best movie ever made, and those who didn't like it and think the high ratings are overrated.
After seeing this movie I know I belong to the latter category.
I expected an epic, exciting, well let's say "SciFi-themed" movie with depth. Definitely not an action flick, this was clear before I watched and action flicks are *normally* not even my thang anyway.
But I was disappointed. I didn't felt anything "epic" about this movie, instead it dragged along, dragged along..and more so.
While the plot, in theory, could be considered deep and philosophical there were too many clichés in the movie and parts which made the movie more like into a forced "tearjerker movie" for the Lifetime channel, rather than a serious movie which would open for philosophical questions and debates.
Some parts were actually outrageously hideous, seemed forced and misplaced, like the part where in the middle of the movie the female scientist starts rambling off about the importance of love. (Don't get me wrong, this may well all philosophically and spiritually 'right', however selected scientists on a spaceship on a mission are hardly people who'd start with new-age "stoner talk" in the middle of the mission. I didn't buy this at all.
I am not even speaking of countless of plot-holes in the movie, such as the escape for humanity allegedly needs a wormhole "to another galaxy". Why to another galaxy? Is our own galaxy with billions of stars not big enough for a potential other Earth? The movie after some time developed into a mere "human drama" flick with less than perfect special effects on occasion. I also found it rather boring, at times I rolled my eyes. One of the VERY FEW movies I could see me walking out of the theatre.
Someone else mentioned the "fantastic sound track by Hans Zimmer". As so many who watch movies, I of course know Hans Zimmer sound tracks, some of them you simply can't forget, they're often simple but brilliant. But I found this movie's sound track very poor, if not outright awful. The fact that the awful soundtrack repeated and repeated (as is often the case with Hans Zimmer tracks :) just added to the monotony and boring-nens of the movie.
Overall I was very disappointed. After the almost three hours I looked at the clock and felt I entirely wasted this time.
Gone Girl (2014)
Very Overrated Movie That Can Only Be Enjoyed If You Suspend Common Sense and Logic
I went into this movie with high hopes based on the various stellar reviews - but now I see myself baffled how this movie could get such good ratings.
The plot is illogical and doesn't make any sense. I found myself getting turned off by the movie 10 minutes in since I tried to see sense and explain what was unfolding on screen.
I save yourself from mentioning the numerous plot holes others already listed here in reviews. Just my own here: * No one, no police anywhere would start a missing person investigation if a person would only be missing for 24 hours. I am no cop, but I know that police is usually allowing some reasonable time before such an investigation starts.
* In the movie there is a media spectacle going on about missing Amy after she is missing for a day. I am still puzzled WHY they would make a media spectacle UNLESS Amy was a big-shot celebrity, royality, politician etc. I think the movie somewhere mentions she is a writer, but I was entirely turned off by this since I could simply not understand why there would be media-coverage for "some missing person", plus the fact (see above) that such an investigation would not start that early.
* What awesome planning and foresight: On the alleged "day one of her missing" (repeat: DAY ONE!) they already had a press conference with relatives etc. present. Not only that, on day one they already had a working website dedicated to her appearance and a 1-800 number for people to call in clues. Who should buy that? I can't. Who wrote that script? A 10 year old? * At the end she murders one of her early ex and comes home, soaked in blood. End of story. No one would ask what happens? No one would maybe doubt her story? SHE SLASHED HIS THROAT for god's sake.
This movie and the plot as a whole and in detail is so far from reality that I had problems enjoying the movie. Others called it rightfully a "lifetime movie on a big budget" - and this is exactly what it is. With the difference that some afternoon lifetime movies probably have a better and more well-thought-out plot than this.
Some people mention "plot twists" ..problem only, there were none. There were no surprising elements in that movie, in fact I was hugely disappointed when it was "revealed" that it was her who staged all this in the middle of the movie. From there, everything was clear. NO MYSTERY whatsoever, no exciting plot twists etc.
I am baffled since I know Se7ven, one of my wife's fav. movies which is 1000x more credible and mysterious...THIS is just a bad $0.50 supermarket novel script made into a movie, entirely wasted talent, a trashy movie which could have been MUCH better with a good and plausible script.
Predestination (2014)
Brilliant, Thought Provoking, Mind Bending
One of the best movies I saw in recent times! Excellent acting and a mind-bending, awesomely perplexing and confusing but also smart story which will make you think "WTF!" multiple times, especially at the end.
This is NOT a movie for those who rate movies based on the number of exploding cars or for those who need "entertainment" for their kid's next birthday. But it's an excellent movie if you love "mindfuck movies" with a twisted story, a story which makes you think but without ever being dull or boring.
For those who said the story is "stupid", I think those people didn't get the point. If there was time-travel, those paradox situations like meeting yourself in the past and up-to and including giving birth to yourself etc. are what makes the idea of time travel so interesting and mind boggling. Maybe for some people a paradox is "stupid", but for me it's more fascinating than anything and the movie plays with those paradoxes and potential situations brilliantly.
I loved it! I wish more movies were like that.
Sadly, most modern "blockbusters" are super-heroes, CGI and flashing explosions, movies like this are rather rare.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
A Masterpiece, Again!
At first I was put off by a number of negative reviews.I hesitated to watch the movie because of this and my expectations were rather low.
Boy was I wrong! As someone who watched the original trilogy many, many times over - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is *every little* bit as good as the original LOTR movies.
This movie was epic from the beginning to the end, without any of the alleged negative things others complained about. I remember that some people complained about too many action scenes or parts being too "cartoony" and comedy-like, but I entirely disagree.
Nothing in this movie was "too much" or overdone, the pace and action was perfect in my opinion, without turning the movie into a "cheap" action flick as some people said.
Jackson, without a doubt, did it again and created another masterpiece and I cannot wait for the next part. Don't let others put you off and watch this if you're a LOTR fan!
Ancient Aliens (2009)
Ancient Aliens and Sceptics
It is ironic that the "father" of the Ancient Aliens theory, Mr. Erich Von Däniken, is the last person on earth who would sell his theories as "hard science".
In fact, having seen him in person in my youth, as well as in several excellent TV interviews, Erich will not get tired of pointing out that it's on the watchers and readers to come to conclusions on their own.
He keeps asking questions, instead of saying "it is so" as we see in the so called "established" sciences. He will ask questions like "could it be that..." instead of claiming that his theses are the last word. Heck, he even admits that he made errors in the past.
Erich is right too in pointing out that it is very often the established sciences (for example Egyptology) which is stuck in and bound by dogmas - in essence meaning that science is also more often than not a belief system, with scientists being the "believers".
The Ancient Alien theorists and "believers" make it clear and never denied that their theories are, well, speculation. Speculations which are indeed healthy because they encourage to question scientific theories and dogmas which are written "in stone" for centuries already.
There is nothing wrong with that.
Only if you ask such questions and accept alternative views you are indeed conducting real and true science.
The Jacket (2005)
Brilliant!
Awesome movie with interesting plot and outstanding actors.
Reading the plot description one could make the mistake and expect some rather low quality B "action" flick.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Out comes an outstanding movie which will capture you from the beginning to the end, guaranteed.
Its not your typical action-flick or cheaply made horror movie by any means.
Adrien Brody again proves he is probably one of the best actors we have currently, in my opinion he is just phenomenal. He gives the story depth and credibility. Kira's performance was "ok", not much too say here (sexy as always of course) and Daniel Craig and Kris Kristofferson did a great job also.
I watched the movie and it immediately became one of my favorites.
Highly recommended! G.
Kira's performance was "ok"
Avatar (2009)
Avatar: Why it was Good (To the Haters)
Most Avatar haters give as reason that the story is not original.
In my opinion, Avatar's story is not less "original" than LOTR, Star Wars Titanic or many other movies.The fact that the plot was not overly "complex" still doesn't make Avatar a bad movie. In fact we had a blast watching it.
Here is why Avatar is a GOOD movie: James Cameron managed it for the first time to create a believable world and characters based on computer graphics - the first time where such characters actually have (excuse the pun) "character", not like the static/dead computer animated characters we were used from Pixar movies or Disney animations. The CGI characters are like-able, they look incredible real as we have never before seen in ANY CGI movie. Far from "cartoon-ish".
The visuals in Avatar, the colors, the world is nothing short of amazing. The whole movies makes for a good three hours of amazingly good entertainment.
It even has a very simple, but powerful message which is in stark contrast to so many other movies of our time. Hopefully, many people will actually get the message.
Criticizing inconsistencies like "floating mountains" and dissing the movie because of this is absurd. This is the beauty of our imagination, and people like Cameron, Lucas, Spielberg, Tolkien etc. need to be given credit having created such "fictional worlds" - because they enrich our lives.
In regards to criticism that the movie is "bad because it is all CGI and not real actors": It is utterly irrelevant whether it is "real" actors or CGI. I myself remember the time where a feature movie consisting of 100% computer generated characters was totally unthinkable. I remember having a discussion with friends whether CGI characters would ever be "accepted" by the audience. Cameron answered this question without a doubt.
Avatar is an amazing movie.
Surrogates (2009)
Very Good Movie!
This movie deserves far more than a measly 6.something rating.
I found the movie highly interesting and entertaining. It is an interesting fact that there are indeed companies right now which plan to make and sell such robots in the future - and when i read about this a few months ago i immediately thought "Well...there is certainly a demand for this." Think about it...why leave the house for buying groceries if you can just send out your robot? <-- and yes i am serious, some companies are developing this tech right now.
The movie was a very good example building upon this, how such a technology could evolve...what would happen? Would people simply stay home, unable to move, getting fatter and sicker....and live their lives via "surrogates" which do everything for them, going to work...etc..etc.. This is a scenario which (in my opinion)is extremely likely to happen if such tech would be available, sooner or later.
Movie was very entertaining and it should make you think and give you the one or the other chill.....although i believe that not many people know that the science fiction in it is actually not that far fetched.
I would rate the movie a solid 7.5 and i have seen MUCH worse movies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel (2009)
I wish i could travel back in time and get my 70mins back!
I got this movie based on the good rating here on IMDb.
What followed was one of the worst 70 minutes of my life. How someone can rate this flick 7, 8 or 9 is beyond me.
This movie is basically 70mins of three pretty dumb brits talking about time travel paradoxes, with the majority of the movie playing in the pub plus a few outside shots.
This movie seems like a ultra-low budget movie which FAILS in many aspects.
) It is not funny at all. I got this assuming it is a "witty" comedy. Maybe i just don't understand British humor (excuse me: "humoUr"), but there was really nothing funny about it, except you think that three nerdish brits (British nerds?) in a pub talking about time travel is a funny thing.
) Needless to say it didn't satisfy in the "Science Fiction" area either...and FAR from "keeps you on the edge of your seat". For crying out lout, what about that movie keeps you on the edge of your seat? I started twitching about 40mins into the movie with a strong desire to turn it off and watch something else. Sadly, i watched it all the way through.
The best thing is, when you actually think that the movie might become interesting..it is OVER. It is over after a "staggering" short 70mins.
I give this movie a 3 for "good attempt" and "odd British humour weirdness"...but i am still trying to find that time-rift in my own bathroom, to go and get my wasted time back.
Don't get me wrong, i love British humour, there is lots out there which is great...but this one was just a really, really DUMB movie.
Half Light (2006)
Snooze Fest - Predictable
This movie is a snooze fest which would rather belong to the "Lifetime" channel where you could expect such a movie playing for those bored house wives.
The first half of the movie almost made me fall asleep - and the rest of the movie is extremely-predictable. Actually the whole movie is very predictable.
This is a light-weight, underwhelming, way below average "thriller" which didn't satisfy or "thrill" on any level.
The only mystery in this movie is actually how Demi Moore manages it to look really good for her age.
If you want to see this movie, rather rent or borrow.
The Village (2004)
Solid Suspense and Great Story
Do not make the mistake and expect a "horror flick", because it is not. Also, do not expect a gore filled "action thrill ride", because it is not.
Nevertheless, i was VERY positively surprised by this movie. Although slow paced, the story started to really captivate me. The suspense grew, the less we actually see of those "creatures", the more eerie the whole story got. About halfway in the movie i was afraid to leave my chair since the movie "got me", so to speak, and i didn't want to miss anything.
The movie is full of allegories, no doubt about it, and there is a good portion criticism about our society. Think about it what the "creatures" actually stand for?
The movie is also beautifully shot, with eerie imagery, one of the few movies where certain scenes and images can make a long impression in someone's mind.
I also thought that the acting was excellent.
The only way i can explain such a low rating is that many of today's movie watchers can't handle a rather slower paced suspense and prefer the (literally) cheap "horror" aka "Paranormal Activity" over such a movie. I highly enjoyed this movie, the story and everything.
I would rate this movie 7.5 - not a "perfect" score (some things are just a little too obvious) - but a solid, polished and different movie!
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Pure Garbage for the "Youtube Generation"
Testament how degenerated today's movie audience is. The "youtube" generation makes it possible to leave out all elements which otherwise would make a movie good. Good times for movie makers. Now you can make a $500 movie and make millions with it. Just don't forget to hype it up enough on "teh internets". Hype is always good, especially if it goes viral.People will buy it.
Testament how easy it is to pull people's money from their pockets - and it doesn't' even need actors who can ACT - all it needs is a camera and some string to move doors.
I had to laugh reading some reviews stating that the acting was "100% real". It was not. The acting was as fake as the whole, cheaply made movie, as fake as the trailer.
The only think NOT fake about the movie is the effort which went into making the movie go viral online, to appeal to a "youtube generation" which does seem to accept anything, even if it totally lacks any movie quality standards or (acting) skills.
This movie is a testament how over-saturated the current movie-watcher generation is - how easy it is to manipulate and hype, a testament that intelligent PR and viral marketing can literally make millions if done right. From that point of view, kudos to the makers of the movie. I know how you feel :) I quietly laugh with you while you go to the bank, laugh over such an easy to satisfy audience.
Knowing (2009)
Good!!
Nick is one of those actors who can be in very BAD movies, but also in very good ones. I personally like Nick Cage a lot.
This movie surprised me because it was *really* good.
There were a few scenes where i wish that the makers wouldn't have used that much "tear drenching" - and i am also getting really, really tired of horror/mystery movies where kids play a key role, always in the same stereotypical way. But overall the movie was refreshingly different and i truly enjoyed it.
It's a good mix which had elements of movies like cloverfield, sixth sense, carrie, the ring etc. without feeling like a rehash of any of those movies. Good entertainment - and sometimes very creepy. Although there are some logical loopholes in the story and not everything is explained to my satisfaction. Maybe i need to watch it again. 7.0/10 well done.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
A flat story - And a very underwhelming non exciting movie
It could have been a good thriller - but it's not. It could have been a good drama - but it's not.
Everything in this movie is very streamlined and predictable. It has no exciting highs of drama or whatever exciting twists - instead this is a movie which is "slow cooking" from the start to the end with a VERY cheap and predictable story.
The acting is very below average - the characters don't have any depth but instead are rather stereotypes: Stereotyped cliché characters as they come right off the "hollywood mill" - made for the typical, fast consuming VERY casual movie watcher who otherwise might find joy in the afternoon soap opera on TV. That being said, even in afternoon soaps or on lifetime i have seen movies with more drama and depth as opposed to this flat movie.
While the story could have yielded an indeed "more than average" nice thriller it did not.
Also, if you expected a rather "erotic" thriller (as the reviews/title actually imply) you will be disappointed - there is probably as much erotic in it as in your average Beverley hills 90210 episode.
A Hollywood "off the mill" movie without any depth - predictable, streamlined, right out the "10 for $10" basket.
Stardust (2007)
Stellar!!
What a brilliant movie! This fantasy tale entertains from the very first minute to the end with no lengths in between.
This movie is very polished and it has everything one would expect from a good fantasy movie - including a fair bit of humor without ever getting "too cheesy".
This movie will entertain kids as well as adults alike. Adults will like it since it is not "childish" in any way, and kids will like it since the story is not too complex.
I especially like: * the movie is beautifully shot. Watching this on a 52" plasma guarantees entertainment from the first minute to the last. Its not on the "epic level" like LOTR, but it comes very close in terms of "creating" the right feel and ambiance needed for good fantasy entertainment.
* Even if there's violence and fighting it is not a bloody movie at all, doesn't idolize violence as "solution for all things". (Refreshing after seeing a bunch of Mel Gibson movies....) * A nice bit of humor throughout the movie * No "morale teachings at all cost" as seen in SO MANY movies. There are so many movies from Hollywood which win prices because they always *need* to teach a morale, like "family is important" or things like that. They have an overly emotional plot like featuring a dying mother with 7 kids, and, at all costs, need to "embed" a morale lesson, over and over again.
This movie does NOT lift a finger trying to teach a lesson. Thank God! This is fantasy entertainment as its supposed to be, perfect in any sense! I don't know whether this movie earned any awards - in my opinion it deserves them. Stellar movie! G.
Finding Neverland (2004)
Incredible BORE - WAY overrated movie
This movie fails to deliver on many, many levels.
The first 60 minutes were literally a pain to watch, and its not only me sharing this opinion but my wife thought the same thing.
There is no story-line, whatsoever, until the movie is almost over, there is not captivating plot, no drama, no love, no action for over an hour, literally twitching on our seats to prematurely end this incredible bore of a movie.
Only after about 60 minutes the movie gets "halfway" interesting, about at the time when he presents his new play. The scene with the orphans in the theater was great, movie from there getting a little better - but in my opinion already too late to make this a "good" movie in any sense.
The acting is OK, the filming is OK, but i think the big flaw in this movie is actually the story/writing.
The fact that she (Winslet) got sick in the movie seemed almost forced, very predictable, very obvious.
The minute she started caughing we all knew that she will die, a 100% no-brainer which made this movie element seem forced, maybe just put in the movie to "save" this boring movie with a dramatic ending to make it SEEM good....by using the element of the sick/dying mother and using tears of emotion.
However, the fact that the movie has a sad ending and causes a big fest of tears is not enough to make an otherwise avg. movie/story good, on any level. In this movie it just seemed out-of place, used as a filler, to give the movie at least SOME substance or story where it otherwise failed.
Stereotypical use of emotions is used throughout the movie,but not in a captivating way which would make you want to follow the story - but in rather repetitive and very unimpressing ways.
Kids without a father, not accepting the new friend "as new father"...VERY old concept. Repetitive rejection, rebellion and negative comments by the kids towards the main character in regards to their "dead father". No BIG cinema, but a stereotype we can see in many movies , many other movies where we have the same concept and stereotypes, but then used by complex and interesting characters.
Here, in this movie, it just seems flat, without substance.
At the end it is clear that the movie tries to "save" itself by focusing onto the illness of the female main character - but also here the movie fails. The illness of her is covered in a very sloppy way, too hasty and quick to develop a good, emotional story based around this element.
It COULD have been a good, emotional movie evolving around the mother, her illness, her kids and this friendship...but for being a good "tear drencher" those parts of the movie were just not intense enough, rather "inserted" into what otherwise is a very unspectacular and very boring movie.
It could also have been an interesting movie about him, his attempts to make a big breakthrough as writer of a new play. But it was not.
It could have been a good movie about the main character, a story about the eternal wish to stay a kid forever, a story about dreams, fantasy and the power of imagination. The movie certainly attempted this, but it could not convince in this regards.
It COULD have been a love story, a VERY good love story with the main character involved into a complex relationship....but in this movie it just didn't happen either.
As i wrote above, the movie failed to deliver Drama, Love or Action...and the illness of winslet at the end does not change this and all these important elements are missing in the movie.
Wanted (2008)
Great Movie - Deserves better than 7.1!
This movie deserves at least a 8, if not 8.5.
This move has everything, it is a rapid and fast action thrill-ride with a great portion of humor, staggering action scenes and a stunning looking Angelina Jolie.
This movie truly combines (and spoofs, i might add) the good parts of several movies, matrix, spider man, kill bill and many more. I am sure that you will notice the little "hints" which remind you of those movies It has some of the best and most amazing action scenes i have seen in a long time.
Very fun to watch..an exciting ride from the first minute to the end.
Be advised that the movie in parts also contains a lot of bloody violence, nevertheless, we enjoyed it big time as one of the recent really good and entertaining action movies - without actually getting old or creating the impression of an re-wash of other movies.
Great! Georg
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
Brilliant and well polished!
One of the recent positive surprises, "The Forbidden Kingdom" delivers it all! This is a very entertaining, beautiful shot, round and polished movie which at the end, once you watched it, makes you want to clap your hands for the great entertaining time you had.
Certainly, the movie does not come up with some overly original and "never before seen" plot - the plot and storyline actually is a pretty simple and "naive" fantasy-family-adventure story. But for its genre (or better: genre-mix) this simple adventure story is enough to make a surprisingly satisfying movie.
What we have here is a kung-fu, fantasy, adventure, comedy where everything is balanced and plays together well. The movie is beautifully shot with just the right amount of kung-fu, magic, adventure, comedy and fantasy elements. No epic 12 hour movie - but a little entertaining "gem" which definitely deserves attention.
Memento (2000)
Very boring movie
It eludes me how this movie has gotten such high ratings and even two Oscar nominations.
This movie is for the most part mind-boggling boring, with endless repetitive sequences of how our main character writes notes, tries to remember certain events or persons. This goes on for about 80% of the movie in an desperate attempt to create "suspense"...but it gets tiresome. The end admittedly had a moderate surprising twist...however, from a certain point of view, the end was also predictable and, somehow, disappointing. The only positive thing about the movie is a good performance by Carrie Ann Moss, however the main character did not convince me, neither did the plot. (If there was one, besides of a repetitive line-up of the character's confusion and attempts by him to puzzle together memories.) This movie is breathtakingly boring and the ending *extremely* underwhelming. One of the movies which is praised about all over, you watch it - and it turns out a huge disappointment.
Iron Man (2008)
Horrible
This is another "run-off-the mill" marvel/superhero movie without ANY new twists or any originality.
The plot could have been written by a 6 year old.
Take known elements off robocop, terminator, spiderman and mix it together to make a "new" movie where everything is ultra-predictable, except that those other known" superheros like robocop or terminator are certainly better in their class while the iron man just excels in mediocrity.
The main character has not enough charisma to be like-able by the audience, unlike a hero, say "spiderman" with its weaknesses and odd characteristics. The story line is simple and, excuse me, not logical or credible.
The only good part of the movie was the special effects, mainly the scenes with the iron man flying...but there are other comparable movies where such things have been done better already.
Of course...since we're dealing with a "run-off-the-mill" superhero movie...add the obligatory villain end fight...add some non-logical solution so our "hero" at the ends prevails ("just push the bypass button")...villain dies....and everyone can go home happy after wasting two hours with this Luke-warm re-wash of things we've seen 100 times already. What about such a movie should be worth giving it 8 points? Nothing. This is a movie you should go to if you are 10 years old, your grandparents just gave you a movie ticket for your birthday and you really don't have anything else to do for an afternoon.