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john-graboski
Reviews
Die schwarzen Brüder (2013)
Underrated by other reviews(?) Watch it with your kids :)
I saw this wonderfully portrayed sort of coming of age story from 19th century Italy, in German. The acting and script writing is very good, with lots of nuanced moments. The sets and cinematography are first rate; smokey, dark and dirty settings add much to the atmosphere. It's a child-friendly story that exposes (without over exposing) child labor of the time. The cruelty of the time is present but the human and child spirit endures. Other reviews haven't been so positive and this might have to do with English translation. Predictable as it may be the story was especially appealing to my 12 yo.
Snowpiercer (2013)
An unbelievable incoherent mess
It's action filled desperate hectic incoherent mess. An with so many a listers that makes it even more disappointing. I suppose it might be good if you don't mind a weak wandering plot. Don't bother.
Roma (2018)
Coma. Don't bother. And how this won an Oscar says a mouthful about the Academy.
I'm 49, graduated with a four year diploma and worked in Social Work and military. I just watched about 44mins of the film and my wife and already wondered what was going on with the seemingly long intro with the water. We checked in with eachother about every five mins about whether the film was delivering anything. I just now logged in and had to write this. I'm with the most other neg. reviews. This is a boring monolithic attempt at delivering and what we were expecting an entertaining and engaging film. Nope. More like Coma.
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
This should have been better in so many ways
No spoiler here. Just watched this and thought to myself why wasn't it written better. There were so many character dialog exchanges and actions that could have made for a tighter, more believable and entertaining. I hope the writers find work again but produce better dialog next time. Watch if you have nothing better to do. Below average writing/story but pretty good visuals and action.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
If you like a flimsy plot, gratuitous and senseless violence this film is for you
Fine acting, fine set, fine camera work, BIG however many in between scenes are just loong with not much happening. The opening scene is just plain looong... nothing happening to setup us for what's to come... it takes an achingly long time to watch Daisy to ask for and go fetch a guitar from the other side of the room. Then there's the domino effect triggered and seemingly overly gratuitous killing... it's also fringed with a particularly overt violent and cruel killing of truly innocent female characters.
All that for what?
There is one really major flaw in this film. Spoiler: Why didn't Jody's gang just ambush and kill John Ruth upon entering Minnie's Haberdasherie? Logic and simplicity suggest that this would have been a very good idea to avoid the long game the Demorgue gang played out in the film.
That and the adventurous unleashed use of the n word goes beyond the bounds for such silly fictitious story. Had the story been more reality based such frequent use of the n word might have been more acceptable.
This film lacked heart, decency and plot. If you like gratuitous, senseless violence this is for you.
Tarantino failed to deliver something the real goods movie lovers love.
Lady in the Water (2006)
I liked it a lot!
This is a fable/bedtime story-come-to-life and M. Night has done a lot of work and it shows in the film. I happened to like and appreciate the originality of his story concept. The film delivered in many ways and on many levels, blending heartfelt tale with reality w/funny lines/humor and fantasy. It's a gentle tale with a matrix of good vs evil and involving several archetypes. You're likely to like this film if you can handle Peter Pan and other fantasy. Acting was very good and that can't be easy for such a story/tale. The scope and variety of characters was impressive. As for the negative reviews. Don't bother with them. Watch the film and judge for yourself!