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streabbog
Reviews
The Pianist (2002)
The Worst Pseudo-Playing Ever!
How did Adrien Brody win best actor when he couldn't even convincingly "fake play" the piano? Every time he sat down at the piano, I rolled my eyes and felt so embarrassed for him: here goes again the utterly ridiculous head sways and the faulty positioning of the hands on the keyboard! The scene in which he plays for the Nazi guy was the most hilarious: The Nazi is supposed to be "inspired" and "touched" by his playing, but because Brody looks so awful, all one can think about is how truly awful it must have sounded while filming; there was no suspension of disbelief. Brody has been awarded for FAILING--that's totally unfair! If you want a truly inspiring and believable performance, then watch "Shine". Geoffrey Rush does a spectacular job at pseudo-playing the piano--he won't make you cringe or laugh in embarrassment.
De battre mon coeur s'est arrêté (2005)
He needed more piano lessons
Perhaps it doesn't seem like such a big deal to a lot of people, but I was completely turned off by how *badly* the actor faked at playing the piano. It's like he never ever saw someone playing the piano in his life! The film became pure comedy for me when watching the scenes with his piano teacher. It wasn't as bad as Adrien Brody's fake playing, but it was still noticeable enough to make me question what the director was thinking. Is it so hard to find an actor who can actually *play* the piano? I'm just thankful the main character wasn't a violinist or cellist (can you imagine how horrible that would be...it would be pinky fingers going in all directions...) Gosh darnit, you actors! If you're going to fake-play an instrument, be believable!
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)
Get the directors out of their films!
I would have given this film a "10" if all the scenes with Miranda July were cut out. I hope this doesn't become a pattern for her like Woody Allen (I would enjoy his films if he weren't in any of them!) The scene in which Ms. July is riding in a car with a passenger and they're trying to save a little girl's "pet" (it's near the beginning of the movie). That scene is the worst! July's acting is so stilted and the dialog in that scene is cloying (every scene that she is in is execrable...) Thank god the other parts redeemed the rest of the film: the unique score, the storyline that connects the diverse characters, the unselfconscious acting... Overrall the film is both hilarious and poignant.
Incident at Loch Ness (2004)
If you like unfunny comedies, then you'll enjoy this.
The acting is so self-conscious and terrible (especially the bald guy), Werner Herzog is completely annoying (he reminded me of the equally annoying Wim Wenders), and the story is just stupid; however, all of this wouldn't have mattered if it had been FUNNY. Even the outtakes on the DVD are UNFUNNY! Herzog's "WOYZEK" has more laughs than this (I hope I got the point across about how unfunny this film is...) I grudgingly admit that Herzog was actually the best actor in the film. Despite how irritating he was, he did seem very natural (so I guess he's just naturally that annoying--but not as annoying as that bald guy!) If you like unfunny comedies, then this is the perfect film for you.
Putting It Together (2010)
If you don't mind prerecorded music...
If you are a fan of Carol Burnett (and you're not bothered by her scary, plastic-surgery face), if you like Bronson Pinchot, and if you don't mind prerecorded music (and heavily miked singing...), then by all means watch this program. I *hated* it! I was so disappointed. One longs for a live orchestra, band or pianist...and better singing! I wasn't thrilled that Perfect-Strangers-Balki was in it (and even more dismayed when he opened his mouth), and I was bitterly sad that George Hearn deigned to appear in this travesty. A performer like him shouldn't be in this!
There are however some pretty good extras: an interview with Ms. Burnett and an outtake (very hilarious! It was my favorite part.)