recent product reviews
Klitschko (2011)
An interesting documentary about two interesting guys. To make such an in-depth, cohesive, and polished documentary without any narration takes a lot of research, carefully scripted interviews, just the right stock footage, and conscientious editing. Well done.
Full ReviewBarry Lyndon (1975)
Slow and sterile, like a lot of Kubrick’s movies. No way a movie like this gets made today. Too epic and not commercial enough. With it’s long, static takes, natural lighting, average-looking characters acting confidently and naturally with period dialogue, and seemingly authentic costumes and sets, it’s an immersive snapshot…
Full ReviewBrave (2012)
It’s a bit touching, but it could be a bit more. The story and characters are a bit one-dimensional. The whole thing’s a little more Disney than Pixar’s other movies. For a change, we get to see an understanding and compassionate father, and a cold and ruthless mother. Some good…
Full ReviewReal Steel (2011)
Not horrible. Pulls many of the same strings as Rocky. Goyo is actually pretty good. Olga Fonda is a knockout.
Full ReviewWet Hot American Summer (2001)
Some humorous underacting, and a few funny lines. A lot of good nostalgia humor from an impressive cast of young comic actors. Rudd nails it. A veil of weak Saturday Night Live humor cheapens the whole thing just a bit.
Full Review3 Idiots (2009)
A revelry of piss, suicide, musical numbers, crying, and bad comedy. Any attempt at drama is killed by some combination of the aforementioned. With so many swings in mood, it’s hard to appreciate the story. Humor comes in the form of slapstick, childish insults, and carnival music. And when the…
Full ReviewNetwork (1976)
A look at the self-consciousness of television in the 70’s, how mass media sensationalism has corrupted and ruined us, and the state of the corporate-driven world. In these respects, the film was way ahead of its time. Today, we need a similar comment on the Internet. Also an interesting comment…
Full ReviewOnce Upon a Time in America (1984)
A Leone epic, but the length of the movie is also epic and the pacing is excruciatingly slow. I know there was controversy about how this film was cut by American studios, and cutting things out indiscriminately is not the right thing to do, but I know that there is…
Full ReviewThe Expendables 2 (2012)
With an improved story, some heart, more tongue-in-cheek humor, and snappy lines, this one’s better than the first. Willis and Schwarzenegger surprisingly good in action roles. Jet Li’s brilliant but hardly in the movie at all. Why? Yu is good, but I would have liked more action from her to…
Full ReviewThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Craig is solid in the lead, and Mara fills some big shoes with a courageous performance. But why does everyone pull off a Swedish accent except Craig? Casting choices aside, this film doesn’t have much that is original. The same story (albeit with some slight changes), style, and intensity are…
Full Review
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