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robertdelpopolo
Reviews
Venom (2018)
Horror Comedy Action. Pick one. STICK TO IT.
There seems to be quite a bit of agreement on what Im about to say about the film. Venom doesnt quite know what it is. It cant decide wether its a goofy, action or a horror movie. Therefore its all of it and none at the same time.
The goofy jokes are pretty lame, which is why they are funny, you dont laugh with the writers, you laugh at them.
The action scenes are meh at best,
car chase : check
motorcycle : check
ridiculous (bad) cgi fight: check
sure, watching Tom Hardy motorcross in San Francisco is quite fun, but its not really action.
Finally, the horror; there are glimpses, glimmers of hope scattered around this movie. Little snippets of what could have been, but as soon as they appear they disappear.
Two scenes really stood out to me due to their potential. After quite a lot of buildup of Venom getting into the building (BY RUNNING UP IT), Eddie decides to take the lift down. Instead of having Eddie walk into the SWAT team, they should have been swarming the building crawling through the floors looking for him. Then, they could have had an ALIEN like hunting scene where Venom slowly takes out the task force one by one, in true horror movie fashion.
The other obvious horror scene could have been using the creepy little girl that delivers RIOT to the Musk wannabe, they could have homaged The Shining, they could have pulled an exorcist, they could have done a million things, but the little girl just has white pupils and a deep voice.
Throughout the movie there are just continuous disappointments because you see what it is missing.
Instead of the cheap love story and all the stupid overdone things they should have been ballsy with their movie. Yes the movie DID make 800+ million, however im sure it was going to do that anyway. Venom is probably one of the most badass characters in comic history, and Tom Hardy is Tom Hardy.
I would have loved to see something along these lines:
Symbiote hunts Eddie.
Symbiote captures Eddie and they become Venom.
Venom starts unleashing hell because he can, hunts SWAT etc.
Venom goes after Musk wannabe and Kills him.
Throw some more horror elements in there, and it would have made for a much more satisfactory watch. I have always adored Venom, and this movie had so much potential, but it was all for nothing. No rewatchability. Nothing worth remembering. Just a flick.
It was funny seeing Tom Hardy being a bit of a pussball, but even he cant help a crap script and an even worse film.
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Good but not great
There was a lot going on in this film that I did like. I enjoyed the vfx in the beginning that added to the narration. There were also a lot of interesting shot choices towards the beginning but also at the end especially one shot as it approaches the bed in the end, with the pink lighting was amazing. The film was also enjoyably meta and somehow set not quite in modern times which was enjoyable too.
As other reviewers pointed out, it could have been quite philosophical in nature and/or explore a deeper love story that would have strayed from the usual boy meets girl. This part seems like an edit that was forced by the studio execs rather than what the writer would have wanted. Is the message really supposed to be that love trumps all? Being so prevalent in movies it gets lost in the bucket of cliches that we all have grown to hate.
The flirting with Anna was really organic and some of the dialogue in the movie was really well written. I had to think of the old parable " if you met mr right, he would run away" and it was satisfying that neither of the characters initially liked each other but grew warmer, culminating in a night of love with flours (good pun) and guitar ballads (a nice tying of the guitar plotline).
What lacked was finally that it was set up in such a way that led you to believe that the watch (which was a great character btw) caused Harold to save the kids life, when it should have been the change in personality through the hero journey. The way the movie is set up however, it is not clear that at the start of the movie the character would have acted differently and there is no real connection of his action of saving the child, to anything he had learnt during the story.
If youre expecting a comedy, you shouldnt be, watch it for a nice rom(com(but not really)) and somewhat drama.
Den of Thieves (2018)
The heat is intense
This movie seems like a tribute to The Heat, which is a great thing. From beginning to start its intense and rewarding. The characters are all well fleshed out and Gerard Butlers cop is not only fun to watch but also the bit of drama in his plotline is worthawhile -looking at you Widows.
What is awesome is that the movie depicts the bad guys in such a way that you are actually rooting for them throughout. Says a lot about the acting. I even enjoyed 50 in this movie and he has some awesome scenes, especially in his daughters prom.
The plan is really intelligent and there are a lot of surprises in this movie. The action is really good and overall it makes a great watch.
9/10 would watch again, -1 star for bisping.
Widows (2018)
So long yet so shortlived
Spoilers ahead: Harry is a coldblooded thief whose motives throughout the film are unclear and dont make much sense. He kills his crew without remorse and does so for a relatively small amount of money (1 million). This is so that he can later on be revealed to be alive. He even goes so far as to shoot his wife at one point. Another thing that makes little sense is Harry's affair, as that would have been a bad idea considering he KILLS HER HUSBAND and he stays without having to (he replies "I know" when asked about this).
The plot about their son Marcus seems to be some sort of activist idea, being shot by a cop, which makes no sense as he was driving an expensive car. So deep.
Jon Bernthal is in the movie for less than Liam Neeson which is saying alot, its about 10 seconds and too minutes for each. Alice and Linda seem to be thrown in to the movie as an after thought, neither of these characters go anywhere. Alice is encouraged to be a sugarbaby by her mother, which conveniently helps out later on when she needs specific information. That plotline is hardly explored, which could have been quite interesting TBH as I have never seen a SB/SD relationship on screen. She also seems to be the onscreen punching bag, why is this woman so helpless? One of the only interesting scenes in the movie is when Alice is acquiring a gun, which could have been longer. The only redemption for Linda is that she as Michelle Rodriguez misses all the shots she fires. Thats literally all she does.
In the way that only a book could have set up, characters coming out of nowhere to conveniently help the plot along. Such as Belle who happens to be Lindas babysitter who conveniently becomes the driver. There is a whole plotline about politics and their corresponding dark sides, but it never goes anywhere and its supposed to act as a springboard for the heists. I didnt care about either of these men losing money and the fact of the matter is that the heist lacks any substance because of it.
The beginning heist is about a minute and the end one about 2. So much buildup just to end up aprubtly. During the heist itself there are two complications which happen to be quickly resolved and theyre hardly a problem. Which is even stupider because they just happen to kill somebody by driving in the back of his car.
This brings us to the main villain, one of Jamals henchmen, who has nothing going for him other than being a nutbag psycho. The scenes with him lack tension and yes, he is an evil dude, but his motivations are unclear and honestly as cold as he was, it wasnt threatening or all that exciting to watch.
One of the better performances is the Reverend who has a very good little segment, as well as the Auctioneer, he was hilarious in an otherwise bland movie, from which I was bored way too many times.
One of the saving graces is the cinematography which brings a couple of cool perspectives on driving shots, and there is a pretty cool one take going from a speech into the mansion.
This movie is CLEARLY a DRAMA. Not a thriller or anything related to action.
Rush (2013)
Adrenaline Rush Through and Through
If you're looking for a movie that will impress on you in more than one way. Brand you from fires that are so hot they would melt any metal known to man. Move you with real human desire to be the best. Then this is the right movie for you.
The rivalry between Lauda and Hunt is classic. Cold rational pragmatism fighting against a red hot charge. The characters are better than anything in the works of fiction and what was amazing throughout was how all of it was rooted in reality.
The actors are just amazingly cast and equally as powerful in their delivery, to the point that I completely forgot seeing them anywhere else. These roles can easily have been their best.
My mother of course saw each race described here and knew every single name that was thrown at us.
The cinematography is just top tier. The constant switch to the 70s look, the action looking impecable and in general everything just looking dreamlike in its perfectness.
The movie really felt like its only living entity and did much more than fire me up, but show me how far you have to take your passion if you want to be the best.
Young Sheldon (2017)
Interesting idea, nice for the family.
The show itself is a good idea for a spinoff. Although Im torn between it being too hyperlinked to the show, as it kind of takes away any mystery and imagination from what makes Sheldon tick the way he does. It cheapens big bang (then again...big bang is cheap).
The individual episodes area good length of about 15-20 minutes, and dont get boring or caught up with too cookie cut plots.
Obviously young Sheldon is played well and I applaud the Kid for being such a strong performer. Its interesting seeing the main character being a minor in each scene, as obviously the older actors will outplay him. Not good bad or indifferent, just an observation. What is a shame however is that he doesnt really get to play with the character more than being a human computer. It would be better to see him in college where an older could play him.
The stars in this show are Sheldons Mom and Grandma, who have the most fleshed out characters and are continuously funny and have a lot of expression. The Dad lacks something but makes up for it later on in the show as he grows closer to Sheldon.
The show is fun but nothing special.
Homefront (2013)
Really beautiful Action movie
Great cast. Beautiful shots. Good plot.
Really enjoyed this movie, although I thought I had the plot figured out , it wasnt how I expected it to be. Really interesting when you think about how one thing can lead to another.
A couple of times the scenes were shot a lot better than what I would have expected from an action movie, from lighting, to camera angles to clarity in action scenes. I really enjoyed the R rated action as it really does add to a movie, and Ive never been a fan of a cut right before somebody gets shot and not show the wound... so more action scenes like this please!
All actors are really delivering strong performances although Jason does sound very british for being an american. James Franco plays a good redneck and overall this movie is very enjoyable. If you wonder what JS looks like with long hair....this is the movie for you.
Torn between giving it a 7 or an 8 but since its one of the better action movies I think it deserves an 8.
Loving Vincent (2017)
Moving Art
Moving in all senses of the word.
Words do not do it justice.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
True to the Mediterranean core
When you watch a movie as a kid, you sometimes remember it to be better than it actually was. This isnt that kind of movie. MBFGW is hilariously funny even today . As a person from Italian descent, there is so much in this movie I can relate to, especially since we too have a huge family.
Its a pity that a film like this would be considered offensive nowadays as its full of stereotypes, which happen to be true and are applauded!
I was laughing out loud at all the clever observations of a greek family, from the plastic on the couches to the threatening brothers to the deluded sisters.
The plot isnt anything special, boy meets girl, but the packaging is one of a kind.
The Game (1997)
Wow. Simply Wow
Could not keep my eyes from the screen, even when changing clothes in another room or drinking.
Plot was set up amazingly, as many twists and turns as an austrian road. I normally predict where a story is going and what characters are really after but I was always one step behind in this movie.
Im sure there was lots I missed and would see only on second watching.
Acting,stunts,story,cinematography was all amazing.
Currently rated 9 because Im still a little hyped but if I feel the same way I will change to 10.
What I like best about the movie are all the little lessons that are sprinkled throughout without laying it on thick, such as the banker needing to take his life a little less seriously and break bread with his family.
Great job!!!! WOULD RECOMMEND!!!!
Red Lights (2012)
Refreshing take on ESP
Really really enjoyed this movie. The first half deals with deconstructing ESP and paranormal activities in a way that almost parodies other movies and anybody who believes it.
Simon Silver is a Uri Geller esque psychic. The introduction to his character had me thinking of him straight away which is amazing considering it was De Niro who looks nothing like him and wears sun glasses (as hes blind).
Margeret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver) who is Ice Cold towards any supernatural events, is deathly afraid of Simon Silver and refuses to let Tom Buckley (Cilian Murphy) investigate him. As he does she eventually dies and the stakes keep increasing as things blow up around him and other creepy things start happening.
Really enjoyed the way they depict the experiments that the university takes.
Due to the beginning setting up a 'realistic' view of the world it works quite well when the tension increases towards the middle/end.
Buckley finally finds out how Silver is 'pulling a fast one' yet things take an unexpected turn during Silvers final show. Another clever shot is when the anchormen are lined up and the camera tracks along them rather than the usual tv overlay.
The film climaxes with one of the best fight scenes I have ever seen. I was honestly blown away at the quality since it was much better than some 'action' movies and I wasn't expecting it. After that the big reveal is quite powerful, im not sure how other people 'saw it coming' as I didnt, but it turns out that Buckley is the Psychic after all with some Star Wars level powers.
The final message about learning who you are and accepting yourself also did not come off as cheesy. Overall I really enjoyed this and the cast was a feast to watch.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
Interesting take on a classic love story
An alcoholic and a prostitute fall in love. Not your usual love story.
The acting is well done, both players being believable and quite accurate to their characters. The alcoholism was really on point, almost eerily. Watching all the stages of it at times was quite horrific actually. The bar fight is realistic in the sense that a drunk will oftentimes be manipulated into a fight that he didnt deserve as portrayed in the movie. Watching the withdrawl symptoms left a bad taste in my mouth.
Really enjoyed the interlaced counselling sessions, as they made Sera's character more believable and helped sympathise with. Also neither of their backstories is explained in too much detail which is quite a relief considering how its a drag most of the time in other movies. Just flashbacks and a bit of exposition are enough to send a message.
Unfortunately the story is however quite predictable and it actually tells you quarter of a way through how it will end, as Dan has been steadily drinking in every shot and therefore his time is limited.
Enjoyable ride, interesting characters yet lacks any depth.
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Great fun at a Detective story
Amazing set. Great Cinematography. Fine acting. Superb Cast.
Agatha christie is obviously world renowned for her crime stories, this being one of her best sellers. So it goes without saying the story is very well written and the characters as well. Although I was able to figure out minor details as the plot eloped, I didnt see the end coming and was pleasantly surprised by the end.
I thought the use of the swiss mountainside in combination to the express itself lent for an interesting set which never felt dull in what could be consider a single room movie. Constantly keeping it fresh with various new ways of presenting the same set.
Shots were beautiful and really captured the beauty of the scenes.
Poirot was well played, master detective with a quick explanation for his seemingly magical deductions. I never doubted him and it immediately made sense as to how he came to said conclusions. The cast played the characters very well which may seem cold and distant at first, but later it makes sense for there to be a certain 'lack of chemistry'.
Good fun.
The World's Most Extraordinary Homes (2017)
ruined by annoying costar
What otherwise would have been a great accomplishment of cinematography bringing together architecture and the people who have the blessing of living in these incredulous homes, is ruined by a very annoying woman. She is disingenuous at best and histrionic at worst. Very poor use of vocabulary by a so called actress, overusing the same adjectives such as "glamorous". Every word she uttered was pain inducing for myself and my companions.
Having an architect on the show gave it a very interesting insight as he would casually explain how the design worked to appeal to the eye. I also enjoyed the selection of houses as well as the conversations with both architect (of the house) and its owners, although they were once again cut short when the woman would throw in inappropriate comment.
Clearly not in the targeted demographic so perhaps it is my fault.