What is this movie about exactly? It is a meshing of several stories. Six and a seventh. You will ask yourself, how do I keep track? The trouble is, you can't. I suggest going to Wicki on the Internet and read the synopsis. Only then will you glimpse the meaning of this movie. A science fiction piece? Perhaps. It is about lives intertwining through time by karma or something else. It's just shy of three hours. Think you can sit your way through something that long before you begin to ask yourself, what am I doing? Granted, the acting is great. The cinematography is great. They spent oodles of money on this project. About 140 million. It shows. You can't complain about the production being of quality. But if you are no nonsense and demand clarity of a storyline, this won't easily yield anything. You are going to have to come up with significance for yourself. This isn't going to tell you what to think. The most interesting story of the six is the one of the futuristic Fabricants. Now, that is science fiction and that "part" was edgy and captivating. It could stand alone as a small movie by itself. Of the six this is the one worth mentioning. I suggest you ask yourself if you can afford three hours of your time without really having any satisfaction. If the answer is yes, go ahead and watch this. I had nothing better to do so I don't feel that bad, but I wonder how is something this schizophrenic can be made? Apparently Tom Hanks is the answer. He really pulled for the movie and was also granted the majority of the acting parts.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Mama
(I) (2013)
A Gem
19 January 2013
This little horror movie is a gem. I didn't expect much, but when my ten year old niece was excited to watch it I decided to see it. Apparently younger folks knew all about this, but I didn't. It is a simple story. A father murders his wife and goes on the run with his kids. His car crashes. He walks to a deserted cabin in the woods with his two girls. It is there that mama appears when he tries to kill his children. Mama is a ghostly caretaker. She is the ghost of a woman who jumped to her death in the 1800's. She cares for the two girls for several years before they are found (she did away with the murderous father). The father's brother is searching for the kids and when he finds them he brings them home. However, mama comes home with them as well. I haven't seen a good horror film like this is years. For the most part it is understated. You only see glimpses of mama until the end of the movie. The creepiest part is how the younger daughter has not acquired social skills. She is literally an animal and walks on all fours. Unlike many horror films, the characters are intelligent and don't go around opening doors they shouldn't. The flashbacks give mama her back story. There are a few unexplained things such as the children surviving on gathered cherry pits and moths, but nonetheless it is interesting. Definitely see this movie. It's on the top of my list for a thriller.
Snow White and the Huntsman
(2012)
A great surprise. An instant classic version.
10 June 2012
I was shocked that this version of Snow White was actually good. I was expecting something insipid especially since Kristin Stewart was in it. The big surprise was Cherize Theron. She plays the best evil queen ever. Her sinister faces and insane demeanor wins the prize. She's about as evil as you can get. Yet, you have to admire her. She's been through hell herself. She traded her soul for beauty and power as a young girl. She has the task of swallowing up kingdoms and delivering them into darkness. The special effects were really good. Very much up to par. Lovely sets and great acting by the whole cast. Sadly to say, Kristin Stewart looks good in this movie even if its hard to believe her the paragon of innocence and beauty. I believe this will be a classic version of Snow White right away. Its a cut above the other "glut" of Snow White stuff we've seen lately. I recommend it. I think you will be pleased.
Continuum
(I) (2012–2015)
Fresh new sci fi series
28 May 2012
Brand new sci fi series that looks promising. I saw the pilot (and yes IMDb helped me make the decision). In 2077 rich corporations rule the North American Union. A group of criminals slated for execution instead travel back in time (2012)to terrorize the past. By accident a cop from the future also gets sent back in time where she helps the Vancouver police to bring the baddies to justice. I'm really interested to see if it is actually the criminals who are bad or if it is the corporations. What side will morality and freedom take? I think that will be interesting to see in this new series. If you remember Charmed, Coop Phoebe's husband plays the good cop. I wonder if I can take him seriously in this role. Ha.
Dark Shadows
(2012)
Dark Shadows Dud
17 May 2012
Everything, I mean everything that is good about this movie is in the trailer. Then end! Full stop! Well, there was the obligatory atmosphere and setting which I loved. The story and characters were there which I love. I love Johnny Depp and Helen Bonham Carter. I love Tim Burton and Danny Elfman. I **did not** love this movie. In short, it was so disappointing and purported to be much more than it was. Besides big names, and big advertising, it was a flop. I did like some twists in the movie where Dr. Hoffman uses Barnabus' blood to make herself a vampire instead of giving him transfusions to correct his "condition". However, I thought it silly that the daughter Carolyn was a werewolf which was suddenly and ridiculously sprung on us at the end of the movie. Do not expect anything and you will be much happier for it because you will be disappointed like my friends and me.
The Avengers
(2012)
Far too much going on to pay close attention
17 May 2012
You will be dazzled and ultimately somewhat exhausted by all the characters and story lines. I love each one of these heroes individually, but I have to admit it was all too much for me. And then, for sentiment, they add a gratuitous scene (which is real sad) when a minor character dies to give context to it all. It was dashed together, crammed together, and bashed up all together. I am glad I went to see it but I was a bit bewildered and my butt hurt. I was overwhelmed and underwhelmed. I think that is really all I have to say but this site wants me to write much more and I think I have said enough. I don't want to dissuade anyone from seeing it especially if you are a fan, but this is really how me and my friends felt. It made a billion dollars on its opening weekend so there is no slowing this movie down. I could have skipped it and felt all the better for it had I trusted someones opinion, but everyone is rushing around trying to laud this monster hit so my voice is not going to be heard in this din.
Revenge
(2011–2015)
Revenge: A captivating mini series, but losing steam because of inconsistent air dates
21 December 2011
Just what is happening with Revenge? One week you get to watch it and the next it disappears without notice... Everyone knows that to successfully keep an audience, the audience *must* know when the series is to air. Unfortunately, Revenge has fallen into this trap. Revenge opened with high ratings and Madeline Stowe has received A Golden Globe, but exactly what are the ratings now? As a loyal viewer I am confused and confounded by the erratic schedule. Remember ABC Eastwick? High ratings... Confusing air dates...then the plug was pulled! I loved that series and it took years for me to finally see the last episode. How heart breaking! What will happen with Revenge? I admit I love Madeline Stowe and her manipulative ways as Victoria Grayson and it is for *only* that reason will I continue to try and watch. Emly Van Camp is miscast; some of my friends won't watch Revenge for that reason, but the story is compelling and it draws you into the plot of dealing out revenge. I hope Emily Thorne dose not falter in the end, just as I hope the series does not falter to conclude satisfactorily!
50 minute wedding followed by 50 minutes of birthing pain!
3 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, it IS awful! The books are good, but this movie is a travesty of epic proportions! 4 people in front of me stood up and walked out of the movie. It was that bad. Yes, 50 minutes of wedding...very schlocky accompanied by sappy music. I actually timed the movie with a stop watch I was so bored. There is about 20 minutes of action and the rest is Bella pregnant and dying. The end. No, seriously. One of the worst movies I have ever seen. If it didn't have such a big budget and hype it would rank with one of the worst horror movies out there. The movie is plain stupid and cheesy and by far the worst of the series. The first two movies were nowhere near this awful!
Hugo
(2011)
Has all the bells and whistles of a great movie, but doesn't deliver!
3 December 2011
Is it the story? No. Is it the actors? No. Is it the cinematography? No. Just what is it that makes this movie so hard to sit through or not take a little nap in? Well, I am not sure exactly, but to put it crudely: its just too long and boring. It is also a bit misleading. You are expecting something magical and more fantastical. You are expecting the clockwork man that Hugo finds to reveal perhaps something else and come alive. Yet, it never really does. Its very sad to come away with a feeling like that with so much substance and so many great performances. My advice is to rent it when it comes out on DVD when you have time to pause or stop it and make a snack or go to the bathroom. Its very hard to sit through. If you are thinking to take your child to it, forget it! This is an adults only movie because it is somewhat sophisticated and somewhat artsy...and yes, long and boring!
A Gifted Man
(2011–2012)
A Gifted Man abandons its supernatural premise!
3 December 2011
The premise of The Gifted Man is that this physicians x wife visits the doctor and influences his decisions and actions from the great beyond. However, as the series has progressed, the supernatural is diminishing to the point of it hardly playing a role at all in the story line. So what was a very good "mix" of science and the supernatural has simply become an "okay" medical show. I began watching this show because of the supernatural premise. I am not really interested in a medical drama with no edge. I hope the producers and writers understand their oversight and reintroduce more supernatural subjects such as speaking to the dead. The idea that made the series successful has now lost its luster. Me and my circle of friends have begun to lose interest and it will not be long that we stop watching. I have a feeling this show will not be around for too much longer as it is simply "okay" and nothing super special.
The Ward
(2010)
Why is Kristen in a mental hospital? Why do young girls keep being murdered?
4 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The Ward is set in 1966 at a mental hospital. Kristen is a newly admitted girl on the ward floor and is housed with several other girls who begin to disappear. Each girl is dragged away by Alison to be murdered (Alison is perhaps a ghost of a girl who used to live there). The mystery is who is/was Alison and why is she after all the girls in the ward? To answer a few questions, yes, it is true you will only need to watch this once. Once you are let in on the secret, the movie will have zero impact to scare you again. For me, I found this more annoying than scary because I couldn't understand why events were so random. There was no evidence as to why these things were happening. You'll understand why once you start realizing that Kristen is in a mental hospital for a good reason. This is not exactly horror in the sense that it is supernatural, but more of a psychological thriller. Yes, by definition itself it is cliché. Clues are all carefully hidden away from you until the producer is ready to reveal it. Therefore, it isn't a mystery either because there are no clues! It is only a thriller because you are wondering what the heck is going on! I have to admit I was relieved at the end because up until that point *nothing* made any sense. Personally I take great offense at movie makers that keep everything to themselves. Finally, someone jumps out behind a curtain and says, surprise, I've been purposefully withholding evidence. This is really what the movie is about! In conclusion, I don't think this movie can be considered good if you can only watch it once and never again. You usually want to watch the movie again if it is good, don't you?
United States of Tara
(2009–2011)
Season 1 & 2 Excellent; Season 3 Disaster; Show now canceled
24 May 2011
Season one and two of The United States of Tara are a fascinating character study of a woman with schizophrenia. The first two series shine exactly unlike no other series. It's unique. Then, season 3 airs and I stopped watching the series and now it is canceled. The question is, did the producers quit trying? Why did the bottom fall out from underneath this series? Please don't resurrect Tara for any more seasons because whoever made the decisions on season 3 ruined it completely. I agree with the cancellation on this! You should have actually canceled it after season two and spare us the pain of season 3. I just know SOMEONE is responsible for ruining this series!
Tell Your Friends