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Reviews
Grandma's Boy (2006)
A veritable travesty
A terrible movie. This is where I feel Adam Sandler's descent began. This is one of those movies where you stay rooted in your seat just to see how bad it can really get. And every time you think it has hit the bottom, the filmmakers find a passage taking them lower. Consistently unfunny and consistently offensive, Grandma's Boy makes a person wonder what the money men saw in the finished product to earn it a theatrical distribution (20th Century Fox hid it from critics, not offering press screenings). Something like this should have been shelved or, better yet, buried. s much as the film sneers at its characters, so viewers will sneer at it. And sneering is one of the milder forms of hostility deserved by Grandma's Boy. Other, more appropriate expressions of anger are likely illegal, although, considering the theft of time and money committed by the filmmakers, not necessarily immoral. Miss this, rent other Sandler films instead.
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
A rather peculiar, funny Bond outing
One of Roger Moore's better Bond outings The Man with the golden gun is a nice addition to any Bond aficionado. This is Roger Moore's second outing as Bond (and the ninth film in the series), and, while he still hasn't fully grown into the role, he's more comfortable here than in Live and Let Die, showing signs of a unique characterization. All the regular supporting players are back: the humorless M (Bernard Lee), the crusty Q (Desmond Llewelyn), and the ever-faithful Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell). There are more jokes-per-minute than in any other Bond film. Even John Barry's score is less earnest than usual, and the opening song is ridiculous. Regardless, and despite an unnecessarily protracted denouement that had me wondering if the film was ever going to end, The Man with the Golden Gun is still fun. It's about as far from Ian Fleming's vision of the superspy as the filmed interpretations have ever gotten, but for those who expect light, totally-unbelievable escapism, this movie does its part.
Dadetown (1995)
Unmissable documentary
Dadetown is a "meta-documentary" about small-town America in the 1990s. Is a rural, close-knit community still the "American dream", or, with the closing of factories, has it become a kind of American nightmare? A stunning first feature from director Russ Hexter, Dadetown leads to an unforgettable revelation during the closing credits. Dadetown highlights a problem afflicting communities and individuals all across the country as the face of business undergoes a change. We can no longer rely on our employers to provide for us. No jobs are safe. Whether in Dadetown or New York City, the bottom line worker is always the first victim of middle-management judgment errors and upper management selfishness.
Fatal Instinct (1993)
Passable humor, one time watch
Fatal Instinct is the next in a seemingly-endless series of parodies that sets its sights on recent blockbusters. As indicated by the title, the primary targets are Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction. Thrown in for good measure are satires of Double Indemnity, Cape Fear, and Sleeping with the Enemy. Considering the fertile ground available with no less than five films being lampooned, you figure Fatal Instinct can't possibly miss the mark altogether. Bad assumption. This movie is about as stale and unfunny as they come. From the cast I can only recollect Sherilyn Fenn and Sean Young. Better to pass on this and watch The Naked Gun series.
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Well-made offbeat drama starring Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell plays an accountant who suddenly starts haring a narration in his head every time he does something. He gets accustomed to it until the voice tells him he will be dead. He searches for answers, falls in love with a client and eventually everything comes together. This movie is proof that a solid idea can be stretched out to make an engrossing film. You should watch this simply for its brilliant premise but everything from Ferrell's acting to the pace and structure of the story will keep you engrossed.
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
A great fun filled heist movie
Steven Soderberg's Ocean's 11 is a great movie filled with fantastic chemistry and a great storyline. A remake of similarly named feature film starring the immensely popular "Rat pack" of the 60s, this version more than holds up on its own. Led by the charismatic Brad Pitt and George Clooney Ocean's 11 has an eclectic cast who are having a great time in Vegas and it can be seen on the screen. Soderberg is a magnificent cinematographer and it shows here- the lighting is sublime, and the casinos and streets of Vegas look divine. This is the beginning of a great series and Ocean's 11 is the best of the bunch.
Nighthawks (1981)
Sylvester Stallone in a non Rocky/Rambo avatar
When one thinks of Sylvester Stallone they think of Rambo or Rocky or one of his many other action avatars but this film Night Hawks is where he gives one of his most underrated performances. He plays a conservative cop trying to catch an international terrorist in his city. Rutger Hauer is another actor who is better known in films like Blade Runner but he is absolutely sublime here as the bad guy. The pacing is good and the film has that raw gritty look of early 80s. If you haven't already then you should check out Night Hawks.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Better to go rent Jurassic Park instead
An abomination of a movie even by the standards of the series, Transformers: ROTF is a joke of a movie bestowed upon us by Michael Bay. Everything that happens on the screen is so blurry and confusing you never know who is fighting who, or for that matter who is who. All the actors from the previous installment are on hand to collect a paycheck for acting in front of a bluescreen. At least the earlier film made some sense. This is an abomination. Avoid.
Godzilla (2014)
Depending on your expectation this Godzilla will polarize
Godzilla by Gareth Edwards will polarize audiences. For one the giant lizard is barely on screen and even the fleeting moments are punctured by the focus being strictly on the humans. This is not to say this is a bad adaptation of the iconic Japanese monster- if anything this is more faithful than the 1998 effort. The scenes of mayhem are well executed but we have seen all the carnage so many times it doesn't surprise us anymore. De-sensitivity has set in and even scenes of massive waves rising and hurling towards land don't bring out any kind of excitement. On the other hand, some moments of silence are good- including a scene on a railway track which is a highlight. The actors are all competent.