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debniak
Reviews
The Kings of Summer (2013)
Yaaawwwwnnnnnnn......
I suppose I would think this movie was great if I were a teen in a small town in Ohio.
And then, you'd have to be a certain kind of teen in Ohio... one that could relate to the main characters in a genuine way.
I am from Ohio originally and grew up there in a small town. But I could not suspend my disbelief. All land is owned either privately or by some government entity. You can't just go build a ramshackle dwelling anywhere you please. We don't live in that kind of country. We live in a country where ownership is worshiped and capitalism is our altar.
Sad but true.
Jayne Mansfield's Car (2012)
It's an "actors movie"
Terrible script, awful directing, excruciatingly sloooowwww and has nothing to offer but pain, misery, awkwardness, suffering and stupidity.
The editor should be banned from the business and Billy Bob... please, stop... just stop. Stick to acting.
I call this an actors movie because it's all about actors trying to impress other actors. They obviously didn't make it for entertainment value. It wasn't made for the movie-going public. Its sole purpose is to be an Oscar vehicle for B.B. Thornton.
Sorry Billy Bob.... I'm not a voting member of the Academy. If I were, I would have to give you a thumbs down for blatant pandering to your professional colleagues while ignoring the ticket-buying public.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Two Hours of My Life Gone Forever
I can't believe I watched the whole thing. Actually, I fast-forwarded through the many, many long, slow, drawn-out and pointless scenes which burned the same expression on Tilda Swinton's face into my mind forever.
I don't know what was worse: the excruciating slowness of the movie or the totally horrible music that had absolutely no place in this film... a complete mismatch.
To top it all off, the movie leaves one feeling empty, used, and stupid for wasting the time to watch it. It's a very ugly, mean movie and really has no point at all other than to make the viewer suffer like the main character.
Public Speaking (2010)
Right on the mark!
I have been reading, here and there, quotes from Fran Lebowitz for decades, not really knowing who she was.
She is a virtuoso at cutting through the haze and nonsense of American culture to expose the ludicrous truths beneath. I've always felt sort of silly, being American, and now I know why. Thank you, Fran, for putting into words what any well-traveled American already knows in their heart but can't quite verbalize.
We need people like Fran to give us an honest look at ourselves and knock some of the pompous self-righteousness out of us now and then. Thank you, Fran and Mr. Scorsese.
Rabbit Hole (2010)
Painful and sad.
Despite the great acting, I'm sure this movie will bomb in the theaters. It may do fairly well on DVD but this is not the kind of movie you rush to see if you want to have a rollicking good time. Not at all.
I call these kinds of movies "actor's movies" because it seems to me they are only made to showcase acting ability and to impress other actors. They sure don't entertain. I couldn't finish watching it. Just way too saddening to witness the horrible long-term wreckage that the death of a child brings to a family and their entire social life.
Go see this if you simply must see the lead actors or if you like to be very bummed out for 90 minutes. There's no other reason to see it, unless you're a professional actor and can nominate or vote at the Academy.
Inception (2010)
Not Impressed
This is not my kind of movie. If I want to speculate on what is really happening, I'll read a mystery novel (something I almost never do anymore). I don't enjoy a movie that forces me to try and figure out the plot. Not that it should be totally obvious from the beginning, but this was just too much head work for me and I could tell that it was a puzzler, early on.
I go to the movies for entertainment -- not to solve puzzles. After 10 minutes I walked out. I was not entertained and I knew I wouldn't be. After seeing thousands of movies I can usually tell quickly if I'm going to like it.
But that's just me. I can see how others thought this movie was great but you must remember that it's not for everyone. I'm not a fan of Matrix or Tron either, so you can see why I'm not interested. Sci-Fi and puzzles are fun for some... not for me anymore.
Please Give (2010)
New Yorkers -- Legends in their own minds......
At least Woody Allen's movies about New Yorkers had some humor and plot twists. What we have here is boring self-absorption. What is it about New Yorkers that their every little feeling is amplified out of context to be the be-all and end-all of existence? Why would I care about your guilt or any other feelings you have that make you uncomfortable. The characters in this movie give me no reason to care about them at all.... they're all too full of themselves.
I'm sorry but like most people I do NOT see New York City as the "Center of the Universe". It's just a big, busy, overcrowded and overpriced mess of a city that exists for nothing more than self-glorification. Give me a break, I'd rather be in Philadelphia or Chicago or Seattle. At least the people in those cities have a horizon that isn't limited by the Hudson and the East Rivers.
I rarely walk out of movies before they are over but I did on this one. A waste of my time.
Julie & Julia (2009)
Casting Error
I have to say it is a well-made movie and Amy Adams is total eye-candy throughout. Meryl Streep's performance (as well as Stanley Tucci's) was superb.
The only glaring flaw was casting Chris Messina as Eric (Julie's husband). This is a 30-something guy who chews with his mouth open. Come on. Please. His performance wasn't bad, but some serious editing/directing attention needed to be applied here.
Overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit and I'm sure I'll enjoy seeing it again sometime. I just hope next time that I don't notice "Eric" eating like a toddler.
Remember Me (2010)
Long, slow, boring.....
It's well made, the cinematography is very good but the script and editing make for lots of "dead time". This is time where you're drumming your fingers on the arm of the chair waiting for the plot to MOVE.... which it does, at a snail's pace.
One thing I did enjoy was Emilie de Ravin, who seems to me to be the Australian version of Michelle Williams. I think she may have a future in film if only she can afford to pick better scripts.
I think we've all had enough NYC family drama to last a while -- another one was really not needed (or wanted). I skipped through many long and interminable scenes because I'm really not much for "soap opera" in the movies I watch.
Monsters (2010)
I won't be watching this again....
Maybe it's just me but I found the male lead actor (Scoot McNairy) to be totally wrong for the part. Nearly anyone could have fit the role better. He strikes me as someone better suited to secondary roles. He's not a bad actor, he's just not lead material... especially for a romantic lead.
The movie is kind of slow and monotonous throughout and the "extra- terrestrials" are kind of silly-looking and -sounding creatures. Also, the scenes shot at night are so dark you can't see much of anything.
And, the relationship between the two leading characters is just not believable largely due to the choice of McNairy for the male lead role.
Barbarossa (2009)
Truly Awful
The only reason I didn't give this a "1" was because some of the cinematography was decent. However, even the best cinematography can't save a film from truly bad acting, a horrible script, poor directing and sloppy editing.
The only good acting I saw in this movie came from F. Murray Abraham. All the rest were... well, not even good amateurs. They seemed to have no training or experience in acting at all. Their characters were entirely unbelievable.
I'm not the least bit surprised to see that this flick lost money. Someone should do us all a favor and lose all the prints, copies, DVDs, etc. Don't waste any portion of your life on this movie -- find something, anything else to watch.
Junebug (2005)
Worth it for Amy
If not for a stellar performance by Amy Adams I would not even bother writing a review of this movie.
Amy carries the whole flick with her enthusiastic portrayal of an exuberant young southern wife who is well-meaning and innocent albeit not too bright. There were other good performances in this movie but none can compare to Amy's. If I'm not mistaken, she was nominated for a best-supporting actress for her role in this movie.
And deservedly so.
As for the movie itself, I can't give it more than 5 out of 10 because it has some really long and slow scenes that just go on forever (or so it seems). It could have used better editing.
So, as my summary says, it's worth seeing just to see Amy Adams' performance.
Multiple Sarcasms (2010)
A Common American Ailment
Another reviewer here characterized the whole premise of the movie as "preposterous". Obviously, that person has not known many people of wealth and privilege. I have personally known many people of great "success" and wealth who were not very happy. They may have fulfilled the "American Dream" of job, family, etc... but they did NOT feel contentment, fulfillment or joy. One recently committed suicide... a very well-off and talented guy.
So, it's not "preposterous" at all. It's quite common and very understandable since our values here are based almost completely on money -- which is only a tool and you can't purchase happiness, only distraction.
The New World (2005)
One of my favorites...
I watch this movie at least twice a year. I get so bored and annoyed with the high-tech, action-packed, modern-themed or future-themed nonsense that is produced today that watching The New World brings me back to the pleasure that a movie CAN be.
Anyone interested in cultural anthropology or American history will love this movie. I'm sure that certain liberties were taken in the story, but that is to be expected since very little was documented about this initial contact in Virginia.
The music plus the cinematography is so soothing and beautiful. Imagine yourself in 1607 coming upon a new land. Or imagine yourself being one of the "naturals" seeing these floating houses arrive in your area.
It's fascinating to see the culture clash here. Although it's sad that European disease and greed wiped out the happy, thriving indigenous culture that was already established here, it is still a fascinating story.
25th Hour (2002)
Pleasantly Surprised
Somehow I missed this one when it came out. I was intrigued that here was a Spike Lee movie I had never seen or even heard of.
Although it's long and some of the scenes seem to take forever, the plot does move along, albeit sometimes at a snail's pace. My favorite scene is Edward Norton in the bathroom bashing New York City. Having lived there I was thrilled to listen to someone actually exposing the place for what it really is. It's fine for a visit, but you'd have to be crazy to live there. All the hype about how wonderful it is, is just that... hype.
My only problem with the movie is the believability of the whole premise that Norton's character is going to calmly submit to the penal system. Come on, would you? I'd be in another state or another country before sundown.
Friends with Money (2006)
Very enjoyable and needs a sequel!
I rarely watch movies a 2nd time within a 3-yr period but I just watched this again recently and was, again, impressed. I enjoyed the character development and found myself rooting for Jennifer Anniston's character throughout. It's already a bit dated but that didn't interfere with my enjoying it a 2nd time.
My only disappointment was the ending which left me wanting more. I'm surprised this movie wasn't picked up and turned into a television series. It begs further story development as Jennifer's character seems to finally find some resolution and the other characters' lives begin to change in interesting ways but the viewer is left hanging.
I would have rated it higher if I could have felt some closure for all of the characters but now I feel empty-handed and wondering about the lives of these people after the last scene. I suppose that is what a good story is supposed to do. There really isn't that much of a story here, it's just very well done character development and some excellent acting. The kicker is: where's the REST of the story?
JFK (1991)
You must question authority
Don't dishonor the dead. I served in the Vietnam war. 58,000 died for nothing because a bunch of greedy politicians and their corporate supporters wanted war. The Vietnam war would never have been the huge and shameful embarrassment that it was if Kennedy had not been murdered by these money-grubbing right-wingers. Many other horrible crimes committed by the CIA and other agencies would never have happened if JFK had lived to carry out his policies.
A true Patriot keeps an eye on his government because, in THIS country, the government is US! At least, that's the way it's supposed to be.
Ask yourself this: Why does the government seal records of the investigations in the assassination? Don't you think you should be able to see them? You paid for them.
It is OBVIOUS that there was a conspiracy and a cover-up. But too many Americans are naive sheep who stick their heads in the sand and refuse to believe what is right in front of their eyes. Shame on you! You're not patriots -- you don't deserve the freedom you enjoy.