I think we have finally made it to the finish line, Saw 3-D is here - thank goodness!
OK, you can more than likely feel the sarcasm in my words, but there is a shred of truth to them. Word is, this will more than likely be the last one. But I will tell you, the door is not completely shut at least in the story line. I would fill you in on the rest of the story line in Saw 3-D, if there was one really.
Saw3-D is extreme torture. Gory, bloody, sadistic scenes. I will give them their due. If it's that you want, there is no shortage of it here. Some of it has to do with the principle characters, and some is just tossed in because there was just not enough in the original script. After seeing, and reviewing all of these movies for ANN, it never really stops surprising me ho much a young audience wants to see all of this over the top carnage. To be honest, you do become a bit desensitised to it all. That is concerning to me, not for me, but for young people. It's just one gross torture scene after another, that gets cheered and at times clapped for. Leave mom at home.
Way back when the original Saw movie was actually a pretty scary, compelling movie with a real plot and story that made sense. For what it was, it was well done and for the most part- smart. Plus it supplied movie goers with one of the best "I didn't see that coming endings" in recent memory. But over time, a decent story has given way to simply gory. And this is no exception. Plus the 3-D is not an enhancement here. It does give it some visual depth of course, but nothing to write home about and certainly doesn't make it a better movie. Just a more expensive one.
Saw 3-D. Let's hope that this really is game over. But after seeing this ending, I'll believe it when I don't see it. This has been drawn out way too long.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Paranormal Activity 2
Last year when the first installment of this franchise was put in theaters, it was a huge hit. Plus, it was a great story both on and off the screen. Compelling movie making, and all done for about 15 grand in the movie makers house.
Seems that making another one of these was ill-advised. How could you possibly catch lightning in a bottle twice. Well, this is a real good flick. PA2, is really surprising.
PA2 successfully weaves in a new story, in conjunction with the first movie, and even shows some of the same characters. It's a sequel, prequel in essence. And to be fair, this movie looks better, moves along better and is far more thrilling than the first. Tough job since you already know the formula, and this style of camcorder view movie making won't be new to you here. But it works.
The full theater was jumping and screaming from time to time, as they would like you to do. It is suspenseful and it knows when to wrap itself up. Well done indeed there as well.
As it was last year, this is a movie that will really appeal to the younger set who want to go to the movies in packs and really get a jolt. It's just Halloween fun, and to it's credit no real violence or blood or gore. It's just preys on what would scare you and then...scares you!
Paranormal Activity 2. For what it is, and when it's out...this is really well done. Tough to sequel this one and they did it. Bravo!
Seems that making another one of these was ill-advised. How could you possibly catch lightning in a bottle twice. Well, this is a real good flick. PA2, is really surprising.
PA2 successfully weaves in a new story, in conjunction with the first movie, and even shows some of the same characters. It's a sequel, prequel in essence. And to be fair, this movie looks better, moves along better and is far more thrilling than the first. Tough job since you already know the formula, and this style of camcorder view movie making won't be new to you here. But it works.
The full theater was jumping and screaming from time to time, as they would like you to do. It is suspenseful and it knows when to wrap itself up. Well done indeed there as well.
As it was last year, this is a movie that will really appeal to the younger set who want to go to the movies in packs and really get a jolt. It's just Halloween fun, and to it's credit no real violence or blood or gore. It's just preys on what would scare you and then...scares you!
Paranormal Activity 2. For what it is, and when it's out...this is really well done. Tough to sequel this one and they did it. Bravo!
MOVIE REVIEW - Hereafter
Hereafter is a very interesting movie. It makes it just quite possible that a single movie can be both good and bad at the same time.
Hereafter is the latest Clint Eastwood directed movie that is a very interesting idea, and for the most part a very good story line. Matt Damon stars as George. George is a young man who lives in San Francisco who has been given the ability to be psychic. And he is dead on so. Just s simple touch of hands, can give him a very accurate picture of the other persons past. He views this as a "curse." As it makes it virtually impossible to have relationships with others. The "curse" always gets in the way as it has obvious serious ramifications.
Then Hereafter weaves in two other stories from the other side of the world, of troubled souls who are seemingly in need of George's "curse". One is a little boy who is tragically dealing with the death of his twin brother. Plus, he has a drug infested young single mom that has been sent away to rehab. Then there's a young woman who somehow survives a tidal wave, and comes back from the dead. She cannot shake the feeling of being in the "hereafter." The entire picture puts these three on a collision course. And you are wondering what will happen when they all intersect.
Great idea, and for the most part this is wonderfully told in typical Eastwood fashion. This movie looks great, with a wonderful understated music track, and really nice performances. Damon is great, as are most of our supporting cast members. But to be honest there is something missing here. Something glaring missing. And it gets in the way. It just doesn't pay off like it should. I can't even say it has a bad ending, there's just something missing. As I though about it for while I think this I found the main trouble.
The way this movie plays out, it has the feel of a small, little 85 minute movie with a small budget, and stars you don't know. Like a small Indy pic. Charming even. But Hereafter is none of those things. It's a big budget flick, with a big star that times out over two hours, and many will walk out feeling like there was no real payout. Oh, the moral of the story is nice and all, but in the end, Hereafter is a bit hollow. Although it's darn good movie making along the way. A real contradiction.
Hereafter. For many this will be a bit disappointing. But it sure looks good being so.
Hereafter is the latest Clint Eastwood directed movie that is a very interesting idea, and for the most part a very good story line. Matt Damon stars as George. George is a young man who lives in San Francisco who has been given the ability to be psychic. And he is dead on so. Just s simple touch of hands, can give him a very accurate picture of the other persons past. He views this as a "curse." As it makes it virtually impossible to have relationships with others. The "curse" always gets in the way as it has obvious serious ramifications.
Then Hereafter weaves in two other stories from the other side of the world, of troubled souls who are seemingly in need of George's "curse". One is a little boy who is tragically dealing with the death of his twin brother. Plus, he has a drug infested young single mom that has been sent away to rehab. Then there's a young woman who somehow survives a tidal wave, and comes back from the dead. She cannot shake the feeling of being in the "hereafter." The entire picture puts these three on a collision course. And you are wondering what will happen when they all intersect.
Great idea, and for the most part this is wonderfully told in typical Eastwood fashion. This movie looks great, with a wonderful understated music track, and really nice performances. Damon is great, as are most of our supporting cast members. But to be honest there is something missing here. Something glaring missing. And it gets in the way. It just doesn't pay off like it should. I can't even say it has a bad ending, there's just something missing. As I though about it for while I think this I found the main trouble.
The way this movie plays out, it has the feel of a small, little 85 minute movie with a small budget, and stars you don't know. Like a small Indy pic. Charming even. But Hereafter is none of those things. It's a big budget flick, with a big star that times out over two hours, and many will walk out feeling like there was no real payout. Oh, the moral of the story is nice and all, but in the end, Hereafter is a bit hollow. Although it's darn good movie making along the way. A real contradiction.
Hereafter. For many this will be a bit disappointing. But it sure looks good being so.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Jackass 3-D
You know...we live in a free country and that's a good thing.
You can make movies pretty much about anything you want to. And for the most part that is a good thing. There are exceptions of course. And truth be told, if there's no market for a certain type of movie, they don't make them. Then there's Jackass 3-D.
Here comes Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the rest of the Jackass Idiots in yet another graphic, gross, cable TV show come to the big screen. First, I'll give you the highlights. There is a very funny part that involves a jet engine and how it can propel objects at breakneck speeds as the idiots get pelted and blown away from the thrust. Laughed out loud! Some of the costumes these clowns wear while performing these ridiculous "stunts" are pretty funny at times too. There's some funny musical choices as well.
But, my gosh! Much of this movie so gross you may not be able to watch at times depending on your tolerance. Words cannot really express or describe some of the things you'll see if you go. There are some guilty pleasure moments where you have to laugh, but for 99 percent of this thing...it's just a gross fest.
But you have to give credit where it's due. This band of morons didn't want to get a real job for a living, so they invented one. And are being paid out the wazoo (bad word choice I know) but accurate here. To the tune of 54 million opening weekend. The show and now movies, have paid these guys beyond their wildest dreams for performing the crude, and sometimes downright offensive stunts. They do find an audience. And more than likely influence a new generation of young thrill seekers, who will mimic their escapades.
But here's some good advice, take mom to see Secretariat, or go out to dinner, and steer clear of this. Rated R and for every reason on earth. Good thing there are young adult males to go, or the theater would be empty.
Jackass 3-D. By the way, the 3-D is not at all necessary, and really doesn't work. Matches the rest of the movie.
You can make movies pretty much about anything you want to. And for the most part that is a good thing. There are exceptions of course. And truth be told, if there's no market for a certain type of movie, they don't make them. Then there's Jackass 3-D.
Here comes Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the rest of the Jackass Idiots in yet another graphic, gross, cable TV show come to the big screen. First, I'll give you the highlights. There is a very funny part that involves a jet engine and how it can propel objects at breakneck speeds as the idiots get pelted and blown away from the thrust. Laughed out loud! Some of the costumes these clowns wear while performing these ridiculous "stunts" are pretty funny at times too. There's some funny musical choices as well.
But, my gosh! Much of this movie so gross you may not be able to watch at times depending on your tolerance. Words cannot really express or describe some of the things you'll see if you go. There are some guilty pleasure moments where you have to laugh, but for 99 percent of this thing...it's just a gross fest.
But you have to give credit where it's due. This band of morons didn't want to get a real job for a living, so they invented one. And are being paid out the wazoo (bad word choice I know) but accurate here. To the tune of 54 million opening weekend. The show and now movies, have paid these guys beyond their wildest dreams for performing the crude, and sometimes downright offensive stunts. They do find an audience. And more than likely influence a new generation of young thrill seekers, who will mimic their escapades.
But here's some good advice, take mom to see Secretariat, or go out to dinner, and steer clear of this. Rated R and for every reason on earth. Good thing there are young adult males to go, or the theater would be empty.
Jackass 3-D. By the way, the 3-D is not at all necessary, and really doesn't work. Matches the rest of the movie.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Life As We Know It
Here comes another attempt at a good romantic comedy. The lovely Katherine Heigl stars with Josh Duhamel in Life As We Know It.
It seems no one is really in any mood for romantic comedies this year. Virtually all of them have been flops. And you may struggle to stick with this one. It just tries so hard to be relevant, and up to date that is becomes hard to watch.
It's an interesting story idea. Holly (Heigl) and Messer (Duhamel) don't like each other after an ill fated blind date three years ago. Flash forward, the people that set them up, are each others best friends. They have a baby, Sophie. The parents die unexpectedly, and leave custody of one year old Sophie to Holly and Messer. Can they put aside their differences live together and raise this baby? Will they fall in love? That's Life As We Know It.
What starts out as a new idea, gets old quick as it falls back into the predictable trap. Good gracioius, can not one Hollywood writer think of a NEW idea for a romantic comedy? I mean new all the way through. Old, tired lines, scenes, techniques, and in the end the same plot. After about 30 minutes this movie gets worse by the frame. Too many non funny side characters, jokes and stunts that are too easy, and a plot line that gets more ridiculous as it goes on. There are some moments that are very funny, especially to young parents as Holly and Messer learn on the job. But it can't be saved.
Heigl is so charming on screen usually, but bad scripts for her the past year are dragging her down the drain. I wish she and her sisiter would quit be a Producer on these flicks, and go back to working with really good people and be "Kathering Heigl" again. She is a funny, beautiful, engaging star on screen, but this is just too bad here. In years ahead she may look back and wonder what the allure of this project was. Duhamel, is just a guy......he's highly adequate here. Handsome no doubt, funny? No. Connected to his audience? No. Baby Sophie sure is cute, and gives us a few awww moments.
But Life As We Know It, is simply not good. I noticed after about 20 minutes the laughing stopped for the most part and we struggled to its merciful end. It just tries too hard to be topical, and up to the minute......it becomes something else - nothing.
Life As We Know It. Idea interesting. The rest? Not!
It seems no one is really in any mood for romantic comedies this year. Virtually all of them have been flops. And you may struggle to stick with this one. It just tries so hard to be relevant, and up to date that is becomes hard to watch.
It's an interesting story idea. Holly (Heigl) and Messer (Duhamel) don't like each other after an ill fated blind date three years ago. Flash forward, the people that set them up, are each others best friends. They have a baby, Sophie. The parents die unexpectedly, and leave custody of one year old Sophie to Holly and Messer. Can they put aside their differences live together and raise this baby? Will they fall in love? That's Life As We Know It.
What starts out as a new idea, gets old quick as it falls back into the predictable trap. Good gracioius, can not one Hollywood writer think of a NEW idea for a romantic comedy? I mean new all the way through. Old, tired lines, scenes, techniques, and in the end the same plot. After about 30 minutes this movie gets worse by the frame. Too many non funny side characters, jokes and stunts that are too easy, and a plot line that gets more ridiculous as it goes on. There are some moments that are very funny, especially to young parents as Holly and Messer learn on the job. But it can't be saved.
Heigl is so charming on screen usually, but bad scripts for her the past year are dragging her down the drain. I wish she and her sisiter would quit be a Producer on these flicks, and go back to working with really good people and be "Kathering Heigl" again. She is a funny, beautiful, engaging star on screen, but this is just too bad here. In years ahead she may look back and wonder what the allure of this project was. Duhamel, is just a guy......he's highly adequate here. Handsome no doubt, funny? No. Connected to his audience? No. Baby Sophie sure is cute, and gives us a few awww moments.
But Life As We Know It, is simply not good. I noticed after about 20 minutes the laughing stopped for the most part and we struggled to its merciful end. It just tries too hard to be topical, and up to the minute......it becomes something else - nothing.
Life As We Know It. Idea interesting. The rest? Not!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Teachings Of The Sunrise
I woke up this morning at 543, wide awake and knew that the nights sleep was over. So I walked outside and decided that it was too nice to stay inside. It's a rare Sunday morning. My golf buddies were all out of town or unavailable.
So I loaded up and headed out to a course I play often, no tee time. They said no problem. I teed off before first light....I could see....but not well. For the first 30 minutes or so, I was waiting on the sun. After a few holes, the sun without warning made an appearance on the seventh green. Absolutely stunning. Somewhere between burnt orange and soft red, and as round as anything I had ever seen. It was rising over the fall colored trees, gently parting the branches, casting soft shadows along the sparkling grass, as it nudged away the clouds of dawn. I was alone on the suddenly sun soaked green. I grabbed my phone, and took its picture. It was a moment. Spiritual. I don't think if my buddies were there I would not have had the same reaction. We would have said, "Yeah that's cool" and moved on to the next tee. But with just me and the sun, I was going to take it in.
You learn a lot of things about yourself playing 18 holes of golf alone. I think you may learn what others already know about you, that maybe you don't know they do. Many times others do see us in ways we do not always see ourselves. Golf is a game that requires the most of those who choose to play it.....especially alone. It's a game of honesty, integrity, that requires patience and good citizenship on each and every hole. And you can learn if you're good company or not. It's a time, at least for me to think things all out. In detail, clearly and without noise or interruption. To reflect on the recent past, and prepare for the week ahead. It's just me, the green of the grass, the blue on the water, the steam off the water, and the yellow of the overhead sun.
Today was so perfect at sunrise, I wasn't going to do one thing to mess it up. There's those rare times you're doing just what you want to be, with just the right - everything. Right temperature, right clothes, right place - right time - right company. I was going to play to the best of my abilities, and enjoy every second of this wondrous ride through the carved and manicured landscape. This morning I figured if I fully embraced the moment I had been given, and took it all in as I think I was being asked to, the rest..... including the quality of play would take care of itself. And it did.
My golf partners and I have often joked about our Sunday morning ritual. Something like, "Yeah we attend the Our Lady Of The First Tee -sunrise services..every Sunday..." And it gets a snicker or a laugh or two. But putting golf aside, I think this morning I may have attended a sunrise service. Today was not the normal ritual.....it was the spi - ritual. And I learned that there's much to be learned by a simple sunrise on a simple Sunday. Taking a moment, and not taking it for granted. Realizing too, that great joy in solitude can be achieved as you may be a bit more open and perceptive in the company of - yourself.
And experiencing and epiphany so early in a day......there are moments in all our days.....every day.... that a sunrise in our sky, can set in motion a sunrise in our soul.
So I loaded up and headed out to a course I play often, no tee time. They said no problem. I teed off before first light....I could see....but not well. For the first 30 minutes or so, I was waiting on the sun. After a few holes, the sun without warning made an appearance on the seventh green. Absolutely stunning. Somewhere between burnt orange and soft red, and as round as anything I had ever seen. It was rising over the fall colored trees, gently parting the branches, casting soft shadows along the sparkling grass, as it nudged away the clouds of dawn. I was alone on the suddenly sun soaked green. I grabbed my phone, and took its picture. It was a moment. Spiritual. I don't think if my buddies were there I would not have had the same reaction. We would have said, "Yeah that's cool" and moved on to the next tee. But with just me and the sun, I was going to take it in.
You learn a lot of things about yourself playing 18 holes of golf alone. I think you may learn what others already know about you, that maybe you don't know they do. Many times others do see us in ways we do not always see ourselves. Golf is a game that requires the most of those who choose to play it.....especially alone. It's a game of honesty, integrity, that requires patience and good citizenship on each and every hole. And you can learn if you're good company or not. It's a time, at least for me to think things all out. In detail, clearly and without noise or interruption. To reflect on the recent past, and prepare for the week ahead. It's just me, the green of the grass, the blue on the water, the steam off the water, and the yellow of the overhead sun.
Today was so perfect at sunrise, I wasn't going to do one thing to mess it up. There's those rare times you're doing just what you want to be, with just the right - everything. Right temperature, right clothes, right place - right time - right company. I was going to play to the best of my abilities, and enjoy every second of this wondrous ride through the carved and manicured landscape. This morning I figured if I fully embraced the moment I had been given, and took it all in as I think I was being asked to, the rest..... including the quality of play would take care of itself. And it did.
My golf partners and I have often joked about our Sunday morning ritual. Something like, "Yeah we attend the Our Lady Of The First Tee -sunrise services..every Sunday..." And it gets a snicker or a laugh or two. But putting golf aside, I think this morning I may have attended a sunrise service. Today was not the normal ritual.....it was the spi - ritual. And I learned that there's much to be learned by a simple sunrise on a simple Sunday. Taking a moment, and not taking it for granted. Realizing too, that great joy in solitude can be achieved as you may be a bit more open and perceptive in the company of - yourself.
And experiencing and epiphany so early in a day......there are moments in all our days.....every day.... that a sunrise in our sky, can set in motion a sunrise in our soul.
Friday, October 8, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Secretariat
Disney is back at is again. Making another feel good sports movie, at least to a degree. This time it's Secretariat.
This movie has much the same feel and appeal as The Rookie, Miracle and some other long shot sports movies, that have all been good. And so is this one. We need movies like this, and the time is right to tell this story.
This is a story worth telling, to both those of us who were lucky enough to live through the Secretariat era, and for those too young, or not yet born. Secretariat, the horse, is quite simply the greatest race horse in the history of the sport. His story of becoming what he was, is also an interesting one. His owner Penny Tweedy became a celebrity in 1973 as well as her giant horse. This movie is well done, well cast, and put together so even if you know nothing of Secretariat or the era, you are not lost. There are a few draggy moments, and a few awkward shots, some questionable dialogue at times, and a liberty or two taken on the dramatics between characters. But that's Disney and we look the other way.
The best aspect of Secretariat is the fact that is accurately depicts the wonderful rivalry that existed in 1973 between Secretariat and the champion horse Sham. Sham in any other year would more than likely been a triple crown winner himself, but in 1973, he watched Secretariat win all three Triple Crown races. I was afraid that they would glaze over that and water down things with side plots and other drivel. But they don't That rivalry is worth seeing and leaning about. Well done.
Secretariat is a good example of a good movie starting with a good story. And this is a good story. Because Secretariat was more than a horse in 1973. He was a phenomenon. He is without any question the greatest race horse that has ever, and will never live and run. And lucky for us, he came from humble beginnings and almost because of circumstances never became part of our popular culture and a runaway champion. I remember in 1999, ESPN did a series of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century. Secretariat was number 33. I'm not so sure there were 32 better athletes in the 20th century.
Secretariat......Take a date or the whole family. Well done.....a story worth reliving, or learning about for the first time.
This movie has much the same feel and appeal as The Rookie, Miracle and some other long shot sports movies, that have all been good. And so is this one. We need movies like this, and the time is right to tell this story.
This is a story worth telling, to both those of us who were lucky enough to live through the Secretariat era, and for those too young, or not yet born. Secretariat, the horse, is quite simply the greatest race horse in the history of the sport. His story of becoming what he was, is also an interesting one. His owner Penny Tweedy became a celebrity in 1973 as well as her giant horse. This movie is well done, well cast, and put together so even if you know nothing of Secretariat or the era, you are not lost. There are a few draggy moments, and a few awkward shots, some questionable dialogue at times, and a liberty or two taken on the dramatics between characters. But that's Disney and we look the other way.
The best aspect of Secretariat is the fact that is accurately depicts the wonderful rivalry that existed in 1973 between Secretariat and the champion horse Sham. Sham in any other year would more than likely been a triple crown winner himself, but in 1973, he watched Secretariat win all three Triple Crown races. I was afraid that they would glaze over that and water down things with side plots and other drivel. But they don't That rivalry is worth seeing and leaning about. Well done.
Secretariat is a good example of a good movie starting with a good story. And this is a good story. Because Secretariat was more than a horse in 1973. He was a phenomenon. He is without any question the greatest race horse that has ever, and will never live and run. And lucky for us, he came from humble beginnings and almost because of circumstances never became part of our popular culture and a runaway champion. I remember in 1999, ESPN did a series of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century. Secretariat was number 33. I'm not so sure there were 32 better athletes in the 20th century.
Secretariat......Take a date or the whole family. Well done.....a story worth reliving, or learning about for the first time.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Case 39
Here they come! The Halloween movies in October that are supposed to scare us. Every year it's the same thing.
Case 39 - Finally at the box office. This movie was filmed a few years ago, and it's finally showing at the corner theater. Better hurry..may not be long. Case 39 stars Renee Zellweger...(remember her?) and Bradley Cooper. But this movie was filmed long before he was a star and his part is very small. Just being honest.
Case 39 is the story of Emily (Zellweger). She is a very nice, young woman who works with troubled families as a social worker. She is overworked, and has way too many cases. She inherits a case that is very strange. A weird couple is trying to kill their 10 year old daughter, Lilly. After Lilly is safely rescued away by Emily, and the parents go to jail the real weirdness begins. People start dropping dead all over the place. And all indications point back to 10 year old Lilly. Who is she? What is she? and Why is she the way she is? That's Case 39.
Holy cow is this awful. Case 39 has been delayed a few times in its release, and a while longer would have been better. Predictable, not scary, not thrilling, not anything that you can call good. And hard for some to watch I'm sure. Especially the scenes early in the flick, long before you suspect anything from Lilly, when her parents are jamming her with duct tape over her mouth into a gas oven in the kitchen, then put the burners on. Lovely. You have to be able to watch a 10 year old girl get tossed around a few times in this junk pile, so if that deeply troubles you, don't go.
As a matter of fact, don't go anyways. Story is weak and obvious, and very shallow. So many untied ends as well. Haven't we been down this " demonized little kid" road enough times. Plus, this movie look very dated, as Zellweger is really out of the limelight now, and Cooper looks like he's in high school. This movie should have gone right to DVD. Even that is too good for it.
Case 39. Really, really bad.
Case 39 - Finally at the box office. This movie was filmed a few years ago, and it's finally showing at the corner theater. Better hurry..may not be long. Case 39 stars Renee Zellweger...(remember her?) and Bradley Cooper. But this movie was filmed long before he was a star and his part is very small. Just being honest.
Case 39 is the story of Emily (Zellweger). She is a very nice, young woman who works with troubled families as a social worker. She is overworked, and has way too many cases. She inherits a case that is very strange. A weird couple is trying to kill their 10 year old daughter, Lilly. After Lilly is safely rescued away by Emily, and the parents go to jail the real weirdness begins. People start dropping dead all over the place. And all indications point back to 10 year old Lilly. Who is she? What is she? and Why is she the way she is? That's Case 39.
Holy cow is this awful. Case 39 has been delayed a few times in its release, and a while longer would have been better. Predictable, not scary, not thrilling, not anything that you can call good. And hard for some to watch I'm sure. Especially the scenes early in the flick, long before you suspect anything from Lilly, when her parents are jamming her with duct tape over her mouth into a gas oven in the kitchen, then put the burners on. Lovely. You have to be able to watch a 10 year old girl get tossed around a few times in this junk pile, so if that deeply troubles you, don't go.
As a matter of fact, don't go anyways. Story is weak and obvious, and very shallow. So many untied ends as well. Haven't we been down this " demonized little kid" road enough times. Plus, this movie look very dated, as Zellweger is really out of the limelight now, and Cooper looks like he's in high school. This movie should have gone right to DVD. Even that is too good for it.
Case 39. Really, really bad.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Social Network
With all the huge media hype, and the sheer popularity of Facebook, it would be tough for The Social Network not to be a big hit at the box office.
TSN is the story based on the story of Mark Zuckerburg and the other young geniuses attending Harvard in 2003, that in one way or another invented Facebook. Jessie Eisenberg stars as Zuckerburg, the now 26 year old billionaire who in the end, ended up with the credit of inventing Facebook. But it wasn't easy.
This story of explores the idea of who really spawned the idea of the wildly popular website. Did Zuckerberg invent it? Did he rip off the idea? Did he intentionally try to steal the idea for his own gain? This movie deals with the legal aspect of the story, and tell it in flashback form as is weaves in and out of the legal deposition, that eventually ends up costing Zuckerburg millions of dollars by numerous plaintiffs who are suing him.
Eisenburg is terrific as the enigmatic Zuckerburg. TSN portrays Zuckerburg as an absolute computer genius. That I don't think can be in dispute. They also paint him as a socially awkward, backstabbing, self involved, selfish, egotistical opportunist, who goes to no end to essentially weasel his way out of any responsibility of any wrongdoing towards others. TSN also puts the spotlight squarely on the young generation. All of it very enlightening. Some of the young phenoms are without question capable of doing amazing things. That is a good and bad thing at the some time. Some of the amazing, is not for the good.
TSN also pulls no punches, showing Harvard students as drunken, drug crazy, endless party-ers that seem anything but interested in their education. I can't imagine Harvard is very thrilled about this movie.
As a movie, is moves along very nicely and holds enough interest to be solid. I've heard a lot of hype on this being one of the years best, and I think that's a bit enthusiastic. It's solid and well done, but I think we have to wait till the heavy weight movies come out this fall, to see how it really stacks up. I think what's happening here, is that Facebook is such a prat of so many lives, now some may be getting carried away with the whole thing.
The Social Network. Sold indeed. Well done and well told. But let's get a hold of ourselves here. This is just a good movie. That's it.
TSN is the story based on the story of Mark Zuckerburg and the other young geniuses attending Harvard in 2003, that in one way or another invented Facebook. Jessie Eisenberg stars as Zuckerburg, the now 26 year old billionaire who in the end, ended up with the credit of inventing Facebook. But it wasn't easy.
This story of explores the idea of who really spawned the idea of the wildly popular website. Did Zuckerberg invent it? Did he rip off the idea? Did he intentionally try to steal the idea for his own gain? This movie deals with the legal aspect of the story, and tell it in flashback form as is weaves in and out of the legal deposition, that eventually ends up costing Zuckerburg millions of dollars by numerous plaintiffs who are suing him.
Eisenburg is terrific as the enigmatic Zuckerburg. TSN portrays Zuckerburg as an absolute computer genius. That I don't think can be in dispute. They also paint him as a socially awkward, backstabbing, self involved, selfish, egotistical opportunist, who goes to no end to essentially weasel his way out of any responsibility of any wrongdoing towards others. TSN also puts the spotlight squarely on the young generation. All of it very enlightening. Some of the young phenoms are without question capable of doing amazing things. That is a good and bad thing at the some time. Some of the amazing, is not for the good.
TSN also pulls no punches, showing Harvard students as drunken, drug crazy, endless party-ers that seem anything but interested in their education. I can't imagine Harvard is very thrilled about this movie.
As a movie, is moves along very nicely and holds enough interest to be solid. I've heard a lot of hype on this being one of the years best, and I think that's a bit enthusiastic. It's solid and well done, but I think we have to wait till the heavy weight movies come out this fall, to see how it really stacks up. I think what's happening here, is that Facebook is such a prat of so many lives, now some may be getting carried away with the whole thing.
The Social Network. Sold indeed. Well done and well told. But let's get a hold of ourselves here. This is just a good movie. That's it.
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