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stevepat100
Reviews
Dr. Cabbie (2014)
Dr. Cabbie ... the perfect RX for a fun cinema ride!
Those who enjoy light hearted romantic com/drams and who may not be enthralled with Bollywood style efforts should run, not walk, to this film. Casting is dead on. The lead, Vinay Virmani was delightful as a Toronto medical fish out of water. His mother, uncle and uncles comedy-relief wife were spot on. I was surprised to see Big Bang's 'Raj' Kuanl Nayyar in his first movie role. I enjoyed watching him as much as he seemed to enjoy making the film. Dance numbers, unlike the Bollywood mold, were left to a huge birthday party (where expected) and one hot, brief dream sequence.
The more serious cultural issues were treated with perfect comedy versus serious attention. The only weak link was the wannabe politician bio dad. I did not buy his buffoon comic caricature at all. Who would believe that any wannabe big city mayor would go out of his way to publicize an illegitimate child. He was more a 4th Stooge then a Mr. Evil.
That aside, this film was, for me, a total romantic com/dram delight and one I could easily breeze through again. Got to go and spread word of mouth on this limited release gem.
Fast Girls (2012)
Fast Girls is a Fun, Fast Ride (Run)
This 91 minutes Chariots of Fire wannabe rises above its obvious cinema 'warts' and wins a gold for fun, fast entertainment. The fictional drama of a struggling UK relay team approaching a world championship race offers realistic action and lots of cliché drama. Elements of Chariots of Fire and Rocky abound and yet the cast, young, energetic and obviously devoted to the project create the necessary realism on the field if not off.
Shania seeks to escape the trappings of her ghetto London neighborhood although the race card can not be played when three of the four team members are black. This brings us to the ever lovely California blond looking Lisa. Lisa is refreshing, rich and nasty. The latter no doubt related to her over bearing, domineering father, himself an ex-medal winner and very well played by veteran actor Rupert Graves.
The film keeps us close to the real action, running! The final race score, Starlight by Matt Cardle (see the YouTube music videos) was spot on and a perfect match for the haunting action. The mix of slow motion, action and one nice overhead shot enhanced the final key scene. Will the girl from the wrong side of the tracks grab the gold ring? If you want to see the films much higher ratings check out its 82% critics and 65% audience at Rotten Tomatoes. This entertaining feel good sports movie deserves a wide audience. Give it a shot. Most likely you will be glad you did. Aside from all else be sure to watch and enjoy the final world championship race!
Elfie Hopkins (2012)
This British Rollar Coaster Horror film ROCKS
This low budget movie succeeds as an entertaining horror film. I am giving it a 9 to counter other unreasonably low reviews. Casting was very good hence nice acting all around. While the story, new next door neighbors who have have deep dark and possibly deadly secrets, has been seen many times before that does not diminish the fun of this original re-telling. Elfie and her side-kick, who are about 18 years old, seem a bit beyond their teen years which makes for a more satisfying adult viewing. Characters are developed including Elfie's major baggage and the stoner angle plays well into the story line. The first half of the film's build-up leads to the FUN roller coaster ride of splashy, classic and 'tasteful' blood and gore finale. Clearly Elfie is a 21st century British version of Nancy Drew. Forget the thumbs down reviews, kick back and give Elsie a chance. Here's looking forward to Elfie's next case! Go Elfie Go.
The Lone Ranger (2013)
Hollywood Destroys Another Cinema Icon
Reasons to vote thumbs up for this film: (1) You are in the age group that knows nothing about the LR icon, story and/or cinema-TV history (2) You like a mindless drivel script the kind of script that has the lone ranger pulled by a rope along the ground with his bare head dragged through horse s- - t. (3) You are related to the movie (4) You have a skewed cinema value system (5) You enjoy seeing the LR slam Tonto in the head with a heavy metal shovel and then ride off and leave him (to die???)and this after Tonto saved his life (I did say senseless) (6) Script writers have the LR tell us he believes the saloon prostitutes are all 'dancers' (7) You are forced to watch scene after scene with a kid and come-to- life museum exhibit Tonto that has nothing to do with the story except to interrupt it (8) See the LR make a mocking joke about his brothers death as he says in joking fashion " I guess I'm the wrong brother".
Okay you get the picture. I did like the train wreck scenes since they truly represented the film which itself was a major train wreck. Very often when you see multiple screen writers, in this case THREE, you know a cinema train wreck may be heading your way. Horse Silver was mocked, the endearing term Hi Oh Silver was mocked, the LR is portrayed as a brainless air head, the LR was so emotionless he shed not a tear when he watches, from inches away, as his brother was butchered in a much worse fashion then an effort by Dexter. A love interest was created and followed for hours even though we all know the LRs only real 'love' interest is his horse Silver.
Johnny Depp has a strange sense of humor which often works. His close efforts and involvement in making this movie destroyed every premise of this cinema icon. Since Depp played Tonto as an emotional cripple that may explain what we are forced to view. Wow, watching the LR accuse Tonto of being complicate in the deaths of 100's of his tribe's men, women and kids when Tonto was shown as nothing worse then an innocent 10-12 year old was again nonsensical.
So long as some like nonsense (hey look at the Adam Sandler following) and have no 'feel' for the LR icon and history you will see many thumbs up. That does not turn a awful piece of cinema garbage into a deserving presentation.
Pros: Some awful nice scenery and special affects.