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barney2001
Reviews
A Serious Man (2009)
A serious m...istake? Blunt at that!
I started this movie with no expectancies whatsoever. It ended with me appalled, my eyes struggling to stay open...
I am usually very uncritical of movies: there is always something to like in each movie, even if you dislike everything else about it. However, I'm still struggling to find something I liked about this movie...
I only take the time to write a review when it goes REALLY bad.
It starts with an opening sequence that is left completely unexplained (circumstancially) and pretty much has nothing to do with the movie itself (I understand the link, it just doesn't contribute to anything!). And then the story starts, right away... but it never evolves, changes, intensifies or even ends.
Terrible opening. Terrible storyline. Terrible closing sequence.
This movie is solely and utterly depressing, not even offering a philosophical or analytical point of view regarding what's happening; it's not even a "pictural art" type of movie. Nothing much happens, nothing is really linked (which means nothing actually contributes to the story in a significant way), and it is unlikely that you will get attached to the characters or relate to their uninteresting situation. And if you do happen to relate, it won't make you feel better about anything.
This movie doesn't achieve anything, doesn't offer a perspective (new or old) on anything, doesn't present an interesting story or psychological evolution; it failed to reach me in any way, which is practically a marvel in itself! I actually watch bad movies for fun, and I've only stopped two movies in my entire life... but I struggled to get through this one and I was completely appalled when I saw the ending screen appear.
I'd actually pay money to avoid seeing this movie again.
S. Darko (2009)
S. Darko --- S. for Spoiling
Seriously... what the hell was that??? OK, I never stop to write reviews about anything, but that movie was just plain bad / wrong, whether you're a fan of the original Donnie Darko or not. I read a few comments beforehand (given the 4.0/10 rating) and thought to myself "Well, people are always very critical. It's never as bad as they say / write." Well, I was wrong. Daveigh Chase has amazing eyes; that's the ONLY good think about this movie. Therefore, it is my role as a human being to warn you.
I thought this movie was going to talk about the original story seen through the eyes of Samantha (I never read the summary)... but NO! It's much worse: seven years after Donnie's death, Samantha falls victim of HER OWN "Time travel" experience. Oh, I get it: the first movie seemed so likely to happen in real life, they figured "Well, why not just have the EXACT same thing happen to two individuals from the same family? That's got to even out the odds!" They try to mimic EVERYTHING from the first movie, but SLIGHTLY (and I insist) differently. Elements from the first movie reappear for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. They could have AT LEAST given the poor girl her own story... I mean, after all she's been through! Oh, did I say story? There IS NO STORYLINE!!! It's not even obvious who's supposed to play which role in the movie. Manipulated living? Manipulated dead? FORGET IT! Don't even try to guess: I think they just switch randomly!
*** SPOILER ALERT PAST THIS POINT *** : I think they were aware that the "story" was bad and they just decided to shove three "stories" into one.
OK... and the final straw. Remember Roberta from the first movie? It's the old woman who always checks her mailbox and wrote the book about "The philosophy of time travel". Well, believe it or not, Samantha ends up in this small secluded village (where the entire movie takes place) and Roberta's grandson actually lives RIGHT THERE... in that small secluded village! That's awesome, isn't it?! Yeah, and he even has a MAJOR role in the outcome of the events and has been chosen to resemble somewhat Donnie. How unlikely is that? Well now, I'm convinced!!!
Oh, and for the people who haven't seen the original "Donnie Darko" movie, rent that one instead and forget that this one ever existed!
You have been warned...