Change Your Image
craig8128
Reviews
Hit and Run (2012)
I see a great future for Dax Shepard
Going in to see _Hit And Run_, I was not a fan of Dax Shepard. But after seeing this movie, I think the man has a really big future in the entertainment business.
I can understand why some people would not like this movie: the "road movie" has been sadly neglected by the film world for many years, and I think that there are many people who simply don't understand the genre. Could _Hit And Run_ singlehandedly bring back the Road Movie? I can but cross my fingers and hope.
_Hit And Run_ is obviously a labor of love, and that's part of its charm. You can tell that all of the actors are having a great time. It's also wickedly funny, and if the film has a liability it is that you really have to pay attention to what people are saying to get all of the jokes -- it seems like many comedies today are focused on "people who don't pay attention well", making each laugh an obvious, in-your-face moment. _Hit And Run_ won't play well with people who can't focus for more than 30 seconds at a stretch. But for those of us who *can* -- there is some real comedic gold in this film.
In the unlikely event that he ever reads this: Dax, I didn't like you, but now I am a fan -- I'm even willing to forgive you for stealing Kristen Bell from me. _Hit And Run_ is a definite Hit, and I am looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future.
Branded (2012)
Destined To Become A Cult Classic
I just saw _Branded_ and came here to IMDb and was shocked at all of the negative reviews. Other reviews go into the plot and so forth, so I won't do that here. I guess I can understand some of the criticism: the pacing in _Branded_ is uneven, at times a bit slow, which probably doesn't sit well with contemporary movie audiences who want 90+ minutes of non-stop action. But if you can appreciate the pacing involved in telling a good story (think Kubrick or Lynch), then I think you'll appreciate _Branded_.
I think this movie will become a cult classic ala _Liquid Sky_, _Repo Man_, or _Idiocracy_ - it is that rarest of things, a film with an original tale that is well-told. I've not seen a trailer for the film, but I get the idea that the trailer does not accurately reflect the movie itself, which may lead some to disappointment. But if you watch _Branded_ with an open mind and just open yourself up to the story, I think you'll find it a memorable and enjoyable experience. I fancy myself to be something of a connoisseur of quirky science fiction and fantasy movies, and I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
The Mist (2007)
*possible spoiler* Faithful adaptation that fails in the end
My mind boggles seeing all of the reviews that laud the end of this movie. For the most part, this was a commendable and accurate version of King's story. It was scary in parts, horrifying in others, and as in most of King's better work, the monsters aren't the only "bad guys".
But the ending? To me it was just a mean trick played upon the audience. Sometimes that kind of ending can 'work' and be appropriate. But here it was just *wrong*. If this had been a book I'd have thrown it at the wall.
In short: a good movie spoiled by a mean, almost sadistic ending. Fer cryin' out loud, even _Skyline_ ended better than this!
Profit (1996)
Jim Profit: Evil has never been so much fun
What can I say about _Profit_ that hasn't been said before? "Brilliant", "Ahead of it's time", "Unforgettable", "Perhaps one of the best television shows of all time". How about maybe "Dayyum, Adrian Pasdar looks great in a suit!"? It's all true. I'm sure Pasdar has a long career still ahead of him, but when all is said and done, Jim Profit may be the defining role of his life. Which is not a bad thing.
It was pure random dumb luck that I encountered _Profit_'s premiere on FOX, and I was instantly riveted -- and subsequently stunned by the series cancellation. It's easy to see I'm not alone, however, and the image of Jim Profit -- dark, manipulative, and not amoral but obviously running on a moral code all his own -- has been burned into the brains of everyone who saw this show: I'll bet even the people who supposedly called FOX to complain about _Profit_ still remember his devilishly seductive charm. It probably scares the hell out of them.
It's March, 2011, and I've just watched all 9 hours of _Profit_ on DVD, and I'm happy to report that time has been good to _Profit_: 15 years later, the dark wit and intrigue still ring true -- even more-so given recent events in US corporate culture. It's a (darkly) magical thing to watch Jim Profit work his influence upon others. Not just to make them do the things he wants them to do, but to _change_ them into different people. For instance, at the end of the episode titled _Chinese Box_, he tells his loyal but conflicted secretary Gail: "Revenge is pointless. It's a tool for the weak. And you're not weak ... not anymore."
I hate it when brilliant shows are canceled: for a brief moment in time, all of the right writers, actors, directors, and producers are working together to make something wonderful -- and then it's all smashed asunder like HumptyDumpty -- the group, the synergy, are gone forever. The only positive thing I can say is that, whether by luck or by planning, the show ends well. You definitely want _more_ -- but in their own odd way, those 8 episodes are remarkably self-contained and satisfying.
Dumb, but I can't give up hope ... someone else commented about how _Profit_ would be killer on HBO, and while I cannot think of anyone would could replace young Adrian Pasdar, still ... the thought of a new generation of _Profit_, without the restrictions of network television ... well, I can dream.
In the words of Jim Profit: "Goodnight".