2011 Review Blog
The Adjustment Bureau
Grade: D 08/11/2014
This movie is so nihilistic, solipsistic, and so uninterested in its own presence, that it drove me crazy. If I was a man in this world, and even if I met the love of my life, and then I had the curtain pulled back to show an army or fedora-donning godlike beings that controlled every aspect of every humans' lives according to the "Master Plan", my first and only question would not be why these powers want to keep me from the girl. Why doesn't Matt Damon's character have ANY curiosity about what is happening? Its so absurd. This film was so mishandled. When done right, this material is called Alex Proyas' "Dark City"...as it sits, it is a boring piece of melodramatic garbage that decides not to have any fun with its premise. Really? The power comes from hats? Give me a break!!! I've never read it but I am positive that Phillip K. Dicks original short story is infinitely better.
Grade: D 08/11/2014
This movie is so nihilistic, solipsistic, and so uninterested in its own presence, that it drove me crazy. If I was a man in this world, and even if I met the love of my life, and then I had the curtain pulled back to show an army or fedora-donning godlike beings that controlled every aspect of every humans' lives according to the "Master Plan", my first and only question would not be why these powers want to keep me from the girl. Why doesn't Matt Damon's character have ANY curiosity about what is happening? Its so absurd. This film was so mishandled. When done right, this material is called Alex Proyas' "Dark City"...as it sits, it is a boring piece of melodramatic garbage that decides not to have any fun with its premise. Really? The power comes from hats? Give me a break!!! I've never read it but I am positive that Phillip K. Dicks original short story is infinitely better.
Bridesmaids
Grade: A- 07/22/2014
This film is so refreshing. If Hollywood gives a decent script to a bunch of funny ladies, a gem can be the result. Too often this movie would be made with guys...but all the pieces just fell into their proper places with this movie. Kristin Wiig and Rose Byrne have great chemistry together and Melissa McCarthy steals each and every scene she is in. It is as sexual, vulgar, scatalogical, uncomfortable and whip-crack smart as any other comedy in recent years....and there is a bit of heart in there as well.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: A- 07/22/2014
This film is so refreshing. If Hollywood gives a decent script to a bunch of funny ladies, a gem can be the result. Too often this movie would be made with guys...but all the pieces just fell into their proper places with this movie. Kristin Wiig and Rose Byrne have great chemistry together and Melissa McCarthy steals each and every scene she is in. It is as sexual, vulgar, scatalogical, uncomfortable and whip-crack smart as any other comedy in recent years....and there is a bit of heart in there as well.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil
Grade: B 07/25/2014
In the tradition of mistaken identity seen in movies like THREE AMIGOS and GALAXY QUEST, this film uses the gimmick in a slasher, horror/comedy, and it is original and hilarious. Who is to say that everything that happened in Texas Chainsaw Massacre was all a HUGE misunderstanding. Who is to say that when Leatherface brandishes his chainsaw, he too isn't trying to fight off an angry swarm of bees and is actually oblivious to the frightened teens close by? From the moment that the innocent Dale approaches the beautiful college girl because he thinks she is pretty and has nothing to lose talking to her...and he laughs in the most deranged, hillbilly way simply because he is nervous...you know you are in for a riotous good time. Every death is gruesome, but hilarious, and the dynamic switch is the villains and victims always makes the film enjoyable.
Grade: B 07/25/2014
In the tradition of mistaken identity seen in movies like THREE AMIGOS and GALAXY QUEST, this film uses the gimmick in a slasher, horror/comedy, and it is original and hilarious. Who is to say that everything that happened in Texas Chainsaw Massacre was all a HUGE misunderstanding. Who is to say that when Leatherface brandishes his chainsaw, he too isn't trying to fight off an angry swarm of bees and is actually oblivious to the frightened teens close by? From the moment that the innocent Dale approaches the beautiful college girl because he thinks she is pretty and has nothing to lose talking to her...and he laughs in the most deranged, hillbilly way simply because he is nervous...you know you are in for a riotous good time. Every death is gruesome, but hilarious, and the dynamic switch is the villains and victims always makes the film enjoyable.