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RonniBrant
Reviews
Jennifer's Body (2009)
Enough already...
All the hate on this movie is getting stupid. It's not the height of cinematic artistry...nor is it the worst friggin' movie of the year. And PLEASE stop comparing this movie to Juno. We're talking apples and oranges when it comes to directors and acting talent. Juno had the best of everything to support that hackneyed script. Jennifer's Body did not.
Now, I'm pretty sick of Hollywood giving me the hard sell on Megan Fox. She can barely deliver a line...and she's "average night club tramp" attractive. I'm not saying she's ugly. I'm just saying she ain't all that.
Fortunately, the role of Jennifer wasn't very demanding. All she had to do was look slutty (which she pulled off just fine) and smile covered in blood (oooo...what amazing acting chops that required).
The other actors did their part...but let's not pretend that this movie is anything but a vehicle to further sell us on Megan Fox as the sex symbol of today. I won't blow sunshine up anyone's butt. They all did the best they could with the crappy dialog and cliché character sketches handed to them. Amanda Seyfried was fun. The dude that played her b/f was the best actor in the movie and I'd never heard of him 'til now.
The direction was not bad. In fact, I think the director did about as well as could be done with that script and talent pool. The scenes were well shot and the look of the movie was very nice. Karyn Kusama managed to make an enjoyable movie despite all it's shortcomings. No small feat. Kudos to her.
Also, kudos to Diablo Cody (god, how does she expect anyone to take her seriously with that pen name) for the story itself. It was a fresh take on the whole possession thing. She is clearly a better plotter than a writer. She should consider collaborating with someone who writes better dialog.
I won't be watching it a dozen times like some of my favorite movies. But I enjoyed it and would gladly recommend it to anyone in the mood for a little cheesy fun.
Shrink (2009)
Shrink is not for the Phatom Menace crowd.
This movie will not satisfy your endless hunger for car chases, explosions and over-the-top joke-every-nine-seconds sitcom dialog. Shrink is a subtly funny drama of depth with real characters in real pain, each coping in their own way. The directing is perfect. This picture called for downplayed artistry...and that's exactly what Jonas Pate delivered. He knew well enough to keep this film grounded and let the characters breathe. And speaking of the characters; they were all beautifully written and performed. I really wasn't familiar with most of the cast...but I felt they all did their character's justice. Spacey wasn't the only one that brought his A-game to the set. Shrink is not a bundle of excitement. It's a beautiful, touching movie that will be enjoyed by any adult with a taste for quality drama.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Not since Phantom Menace have I had so much fun watching a multi-million dollar, plot less, CG-driven brain fart. While I think Dennis Quaid's performance was a little stiff, there was only so much any actor could do with such terrible dialog. I honestly believe the acting was just about as good as it could get with that painfully banal script. Every character in the movie was a trite cliché, the story was ridiculous and the dialog was top notch work for any talented 6th grader. In fact, I wonder if the writers let their teenage children write the script.
I'm not kidding. It's THAT bad.
And yet, I still had fun watching this awful movie. Most of the CG effects were awesome and a great deal of this movie was a feast for the eyes. It "looked cool". That's all I really expected from it...and so I can't say I was disappointed. I can say I wish I had been wrong.
I'm sure this movie will appeal to 14yo boys.
Marley & Me (2008)
If you read the book, you might find the movie disappointing
I don't want to be one of those fuddy-duddies who whines about how much better a book was than it's subsequent movie adaptation. I do my very best to judge a movie purely on it's own merit. Alas, I read the book. And it's not like I can pretend I didn't.
I went in with certain expectations. I ordered pizza and received a burger. It was still satisfying...just not what I ordered.
I enjoyed the movie. I felt it was well directed, beautifully shot and all the actors performed adequately. There...I said it. Now I'm gonna' whine a bit.
Can't say I'm so wild about the screenplay. Like we haven't seen enough lighthearted, syrupy sweet, family dramedies. The book was about Grogan's relationship with the DOG. His wife and kids were supporting characters. Conversely, in the movie, Marley is reduced to comic relief. Not the slobbering, leg-humping nightmare you grow to love anyway. And let there be no mistake. The version of Marley you see on the screen is a well trained angel compared to the real Marley described in the book.
This was an okay movie. I just wish they would've named it "Couple with Dog" or something equally generic. This movie did NOT do justice to the origins of it's story.
The TV Set (2006)
A little too real...
I readily related to the central plight of David Duchovny's character - writing and submitting what we're to assume is a perfectly good, heartfelt and sincere script only to be asked to compromise it's most significant and defining characteristics in ways that change the entire premise of the story. With real world responsibilities, he's forced to choose between his ability to provide for his family and his artistic integrity. I think we've all been there in one way or another - those REAL compromises in life where either option requires us to face a devastating loss.
This movie was emotionally stirring as well as funny - a troubling funny, a dark funny, where the real laughs are in the subtext - the absurdity of the whole ordeal.
David Duchovny's performance was, imo, perfect. I actually prefer him in more overt comedic roles but he owned this character in all it's deadpan glory.
I think the most surprising performances were from Judy Greer and Sigourney Weaver. I knew Judy did good comedy, but the subtle approach she applied to this character was flawless. Like Duchovny, she was funny without ever seeming like she was actually trying to be. She didn't play the character funny, she played a funny character - if that makes sense to anyone but me.
Weaver, unfortunately, lands on the other end of the spectrum - as the most disappointing performance. She appeared almost desperate for a laugh in most scenes and her character never seemed to have center. Then again, people in Weaver's character's position tend to be over-animated, two-dimensional, self-ingratiating twits with no artistic vision. So, perhaps she played her character perfectly. Decide for yourself.
Extra props to Fran Kranz for his brilliant portrayal of a slightly psychotic bad actor, Ioan Gruffudd for being so damned likable as opposed to the typical "stuffy brit" stereotype found in most American movies...and finally, Justine Bateman and Willie Garson for breathing real life into their relatively small roles. Well done...
Bottom line: This movie touched me. I don't think we can ask for any more from our entertainment than that.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Over-rated waste of time...
I won't pretend to understand how or why this film received the stellar reviews it did. When did "comedy" become synonymous with "tedious" and "annoying"? This movie, crippled by sloppy, incomplete characters, painfully drags the viewer through a series of unfunny, awkward and/or inane situations with little to no cohesion holding it all together. The acting is below the standard I would expect for any of the stars - especial Alan Arkin - who, as the only character in the movie that was remotely funny, probably could have single-handedly made this movie worth watching had he been given more screen time.
If you want a cute take little girl pageants, watch Happy Texas.
And there are dozens of "dysfunctional family" comedies from which to choose that are actually funny - The Royal Tenenbaums, Home For The Holidays, Pieces Of April, The Family Stone, etc... Take your pick.
"Little Miss Sunshine" makes my "skip" list.
Black Snake Moan (2006)
Not bad...but over-rated
I am of the opinion that Black Snake Moan is 80% of a truly great movie. If the writer/director had taken the time to really develop the characters I would have enjoyed the movie a lot more. As it is, I feel like I was force-fed tired, 2-dimensional, stereotypes with some quirks that MIGHT be interesting, if they were ever properly introduced. I think Ricci and Jackson did admirable jobs, all things considered.
And that's the part that really kills me. It's not so much that the script was empty...or the characters 2-dimensional. They were obviously intense characters...but the audience is offered only the tiniest glimpse of their depth. The movie hints at characters and stories...without telling much of either. I found that wholly disappointing.
Silent Hill (2006)
Pointless....with some good FX
First let me state for the record that I have nothing against movies based on video games (or other media). Hell, I liked the "Resident Evil" movies and had never played the games. Whether inspired by comic books, video games, whatever...doesn't matter to me. I judge movies on their own merit.
That said, this movie is an adequately acted, poorly directed, pointless, lumbering, FX-driven brainfart. The entire story was sophomoric hack work with no surprises...and major plot holes. Perhaps it makes more sense to those who played the game. I didn't.
From the trailers I expected to at least be treated to a few scares and maybe a gross out or two. No luck... The "scary" scenes were too predictable. I was sitting there thinking "I'm supposed to be scared now" instead of actually BEING scared. As for the gore, I give it a puke-factor of 5 (being generous) - this was no Hellraiser.
The creature designs were pretty creepy, albeit generic...and the FX were pretty awesome in appearance.
Bottom Line: I want my 2hrs back.
The Holiday (2006)
I love a good romantic comedy...
...and this ain't it. Wait for a rental...or better yet, a cable viewing.
Don't get me wrong. The performances were fine (with Diaz trailing behind the others), the direction was adequate and the cinematography was lovely. What this movie suffers from is bad writing.
It almost seems silly to complain about the predictability of a romantic comedy because the genre is usually pretty predictable as a whole. Boy meets girls, someone does something stupid or some unforeseeable tragedy threatens their relationship, love conquers all and they live happily ever after.
What makes or breaks a movie in this genre is HOW they go about it. In this case, the story was weak - in believability, romance and the comedy (there was only one good laugh in the whole movie). The set-ups were so transparent that there are no surprises. Everything happens exactly as expected...no twists.
I'd have been angry if I paid to see it.
I rated this movie a 2/10.