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The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again (2016)
Trains-wreck right from the beginning
I gave it 3 stars for the sake of Richard O'Brien's score, still some of the best music around. Otherwise.. good grief.
If you were/are a fan of the original Rocky Horror Picture Show, do not see this, it's awful.
I am not a hater. People should not be judged based on their sex, religion, politics or fashion choices but, in what universe does Laverne Cox dressed as a woman qualify as a transvestite? And that's not as bad as it gets.
To semi-quote Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, "It looks okay from a distance but when you get up close it's just a big old mess."
Despicable Me 2 (2013)
Evil Purple Minions
Even when they're purple and evil the minions are cute beyond belief.
The movie was aimed somewhere between adult and child with enough funny to go around. We saw it with a mixed audience, and I could hear laughter from all ages.
I don't want to give too much away but Gru and crew, Agnes, Edith, and Margo along with Dr. Nefario, and assorted others, all turn in stellar performances.
The story kept me engaged, and there was enough going on that I didn't even leave to go to the bathroom, even though I needed to.
I can't recommend this highly enough. Go see it!
John Carter (2012)
Okay but..
I tried to approach John Carter as someone who had not read the books. But I HAD read the books so it was somewhat disorienting to see all the familiar characters and settings but an almost entirely different story. Unlike some, I didn't have a problem with this John Carter's attitude problems, but Dejah Thoris failed to charm me. Of course the "Incomparable" princess was never more than a raison d'etre in the books anyway so I didn't expect much. I have to say, the VFX were stunning and very true to the books (except Woola was too cute) I just didn't get some aspects of the story and few explanations were given. For instance, why was the city of Zodanga a big moving pile of metal? And, why bring Therns into the plot when they clearly weren't necessary? I have other questions that will never be answered but those are important, sort of. As an action/adventure film it was compelling if a little disjoint and It's too bad there won't be a sequel. I'd like to see more character development and perhaps the other two Barsoomian races (Yellow & Black) but I'll manage. I really think it's a film worth watching. Mostly because it's visually stunning.
Alphas (2011)
more beta than alpha
Yes, the acting is reasonably decent and the plot moves along without too many starts and stops, I just have some trouble with the whole premise. Alphas are people with extraordinary abilities who can wreak havoc or save us all as the mood, and the writers, strike them. OK, I guess, but this series, based on the pilot episode, seem a little like NYPD Blue with super powers. How would we fight crime if we could read minds and jump over tall buildings? The Alphas only reason for existing is, apparently, to fight other Alphas. It just doesn't capture my imagination. Also, I'm wondering why someone hasn't strangled David Strathairn's character, Dr. Rosen. He's infuriating and self-important. His whole answer-a-question-with-a-question approach to the mental health of his team seems very ineffective, not to mention irritating. I'll watch a couple more episodes to see if things improve but I won't be holding my breath.
Roseanne's Nuts (2011)
Nothing to see here
If you didn't like Roseanne Barr before, there is nothing here that will change your opinion. She is as screechy and obnoxious as ever, if not more so. We decided to watch Roseanne's Nuts to see if there was anything of interest. There isn't. In the first episode we see how Roseanne deals with feral pigs on her Macadamia nut farm. She screams at them, fires a shotgun over their heads, traps them and then lets them go and sends them psychic mind messages to "go away and never come back." When she actually calls someone who can get rid of the pigs she refuses to let them kill the animals because of bad karma. The pig hunters are, understandably, confused and try to tell her that killing and eating the pig is what they do but she steadfastly refuses to let them do it, claiming she doesn't eat meat. We only made it half way through the second episode which featured Roseanne tearing up the landscape on a bulldozer and using very bad language. We switched to Southpark and had a much better time. In short, Roseanne is loud, foul-mouthed, abusive, and manic with anger issues. I hope Lifetime cancels this show ASAP.
Skyline (2010)
You expected great art?
We almost didn't go because of the bad reviews but it turned out to be very entertaining. It was suspenseful and I thought the special f/x were pretty good for a low budget movie. The premise was not exactly new but there were a couple of interesting bends in the road.
At least the actors were not no-names. Eric Balfour, last seen in Haven, is very good. As are David Zayas (Dexter) and Donald Faison (Scrubs). Scottie Thompson turned in a creditable performance as did Brittany Daniel. So what if they're all from TV series? At least you recognize them, and they did a good job.
Will it win an Oscar or a Golden Globe? Nope. But it will take your mind off work for awhile. I'll buy the DVD.
Bosque de sombras (2006)
Deliverance meets Pumpkinhead?
This movie just meanders around in the woods for awhile, much like the cast, and then ends.
I like Gary Oldman and I have to admit the other actors did a good job. The movie was very well done, cinematically and directorialy, however, it just didn't go anywhere. And, at least for me, there were a few important points that needed a bit more explanation.
Like why was the little girl locked up? It had something to do with her mother and someone having offended God, I think, but otherwise you just have to guess.
And, what happened to Gary Oldman's dog?
I found the characters hard to warm up to. I just didn't care what happened to any of them. I can't really recommend this as some sort of underrated masterpiece. It isn't.
10 Items or Less (2006)
really charming
I don't know why people always want deeper meaning in movies or else consider them worthless.
What about just being entertained? Something at which Morgan Freeman excels. He gets a chance to show off a bit. Paz Vega, his co-star, gets a career boost and Brad Silberling gets a name to draw people into watching his movie.
I thought it was a good movie. Some humor, some pathos, some bittersweetness but nothing over the top. I got an especial kick out of Jim Parsons as the receptionist at a construction company. When he looks at Freeman adoringly and says, "You make me want to be a woman." He's just hilarious. The fight scene between Ms. Vega her ex-husband and his girlfriend is wonderful too.
In short, it's a cute, charming film that will make you smile. You could do much, much worse.
A Scanner Darkly (2006)
really amazing movie
I have to say this was the best adaptation of a Philip K Dick novel I've seen yet. The first of all of them where the movie (star, special f/x, etc.) didn't overshadow the story. Even the rotoscope approach didn't detract from and, IMHO, added to the whole experience in a subtle way.
It was gratifying to see that the story hadn't lost it's relevance. It fit with the current political atmosphere perfectly. Mr. Dick lived, and wrote in a time and place where paranoia was the way of life for practically everyone. He said things the government disapproved of strenuously. He's still saying them and it's great.
Firefly (2002)
a small but brilliant gem
There is no doubt that this was one of the very best series, of any genre, ever. And now it's gone. A life as short as the insect it was named for and just as brilliant.
Intriguing stories, interesting and complex charaters, unique photographic techniques, great writing. I could go on for hours. I was angry when UPN cancelled Special Unit 2. When Fox cancelled Firefly I actually mourned. I can watch the DVDs and that's okay, but it's like watching movies of a loved one after their untimely death. Just not the same.
TANJ!
The Cooler (2003)
really excellent
I was really impressed with this film. I didn't know quite what to expect going in and I admit that the first 20 min. or so I was wondering if this was going to be good or just an even more depressing "Showgirls". Of course, it's anything but.
It's a dark film with an edge of almost whimsical fantasy that illustrates how superstitious the world of casinos and gambling can be.
All the performers are at their best and have thrown themselves into their roles with abandon. Alec Baldwin is very believable in his role of evil-casino-boss-with-a-heart-of-er... gold(okay maybe just silver) and William H. Macy is just incredible. A perfect choice for the part of Bernie. Maria Bello, in addition to being very good in her role of Natalie, also wins my admiration for apparently not washing her hair once during filming. Now that's dedication! You go girl!
An intriguing movie and well worth watching.
Ice Age (2002)
well I thought it was funny!
Alright. It was very silly. But it was funny too. I think that if you're just looking for comedy and don't get hung up on comparing this film to others (Shrek for example)you could do a lot worse. It's certainly funnier than anything Adam Sandler has done... ever. The filmmakers did their best to avoid too much sappiness. There was some but it was over quickly and didn't make me squirm too much. It was a good combination of cute for the kiddies and humor for older folks.
Great for a Sunday afternoon, and possibly even worth buying the DVD.
Special Unit 2 (2001)
I just got to know you, and now you're gone.
Well, I was so disappointed in UPN for cancelling this show only to replace it with 2 half hour teen angst shows just like a dozen others out there. When I first saw this show I didn't think a whole lot of it. It seemed silly. However, in a very short time the characters had started to really come together and take on a life of their own. This is not something you see every day. I think the writing was top notch and the actors were able to take full advantage of it. The show got funnier and better each week.
Just when O'Malley and Carl were starting to become a solid team, UPN pulled the plug. What a mistake.
Dragonfly (2002)
Entertaining but a bit predictable
If you don't like Kevin Costner, don't see this. If you like him or are indifferent it's not a bad movie, but it will end up being one of those that is not particularly memorable. IMHO it is also pretty predictable. I gave it a higher than average rating because I thought the directing and editing were well done. It was also well photographed. Some really gorgeous rain forest scenes. It was worth the price of a bargain matinee, and provided a couple of hours of watchable film. That's about it, though.