Abrupt, disconcerting, stereotypical script and acting... Couldn't watch but the first ten minutes. Cinematography was well done, but cuts felt awkward.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Infinite
(2021)
Poor execution of an intriguing concept
3 July 2021
Car chases, fights, threats, mystery, superheroes, immortality, time relativity... All rendered into an uninteresting stew of poor scripting, unconvincing overacting and tired attempts to mimic The Matrix. Disappointing.
Utopia's Fatal Seed of Evil
3 September 2020
Finally, a disturbingly honest story of how "centuries of human evolution" fail to eliminate our persistent problem of moral evil, whether from a snide remark, road rage or sexual assault.
The "entertaining" stories of the early seasons of TNG lack the depth and honesty that this one episode contains. This episode is disturbing...as it should be.
The "entertaining" stories of the early seasons of TNG lack the depth and honesty that this one episode contains. This episode is disturbing...as it should be.
Forbidden Planet
(1956)
I tried, I really did try...twice!
23 May 2020
The relatively high rating, and some well-written reviews drew me in. But, after 20 minutes it became starkly familiar. I'd already watched the movie some years ago and had forgotten its mediocrity. I do appreciate the special effects as being excellent for a 1956 film. I do see the film's influence upon much of our sci-fi history. I just couldn't sit through the dated attempts at humor, sexual attraction and drama.
My apologies to all sci-fi fans who admire this film. It's not you, it's me.
My apologies to all sci-fi fans who admire this film. It's not you, it's me.
Cheerful and Chuckle-friendly
22 May 2020
A lighthearted look at eccentricity and the cost of conforming to a culture that clings to the shallow illusion of joy and security proffered by money and the mundane. It touched upon all the cornerstones of myth and story: the trauma of collision, the despair of drunkenness, the mystery of divine providence, the bitterness of servitude, the betrayal of friendship, the delight of eclectic curiosity, the compassion of strangers, and the innocence of youth. It held it all with a tender, light touch.
Welcome to Marwen
(2018)
Falls Short in Depth, Astounds in Technique
14 April 2019
Welcome to Marwen was most intriguing to me for its technical quality. It transforms the dolls into living characters who remain fascinatingly doll-like. The raw emotions of fear, shame, desire and courage told by the artist's photographs are brought to vivid life with moving, breathing, feeling and speaking dolls that resonate with the plastic dolls used by the artist to create the photographs.
All of the characters, doll and human, were developed well and portrayed in a way that was believable and meaningful. Steve Carell portrayed well a man whelmed with pain and purpose, unstable yet courageous, pitiful yet powerful.
However, this movie is much better seen after having viewed first the documentary film, Marwencol (2010), an exceptional look into the life and and work of the artist, Mark Hogancamp. Welcome to Marwen falls short of the profound skill and strength of a man wrecked by violence and shame.
All of the characters, doll and human, were developed well and portrayed in a way that was believable and meaningful. Steve Carell portrayed well a man whelmed with pain and purpose, unstable yet courageous, pitiful yet powerful.
However, this movie is much better seen after having viewed first the documentary film, Marwencol (2010), an exceptional look into the life and and work of the artist, Mark Hogancamp. Welcome to Marwen falls short of the profound skill and strength of a man wrecked by violence and shame.
Making It
(2018–2021)
Heartwarming, funny, interesting and impressive!
9 September 2018
I've thoroughly enjoyed this series. As a crafter, potter, woodworker and orthotics tech I saw top-notch skill and artistic expression. The crafters felt real, and I was drawn into their stories and journey. The banter and comedy of Nick and Amy was fun, balanced and contributed to the success of the show. The disappointment of losing a crafter after each episode was genuine yet essential to the goal of the show: how do artists, creators and crafters deal with competition, critique and success; how does crafting and art help us love others?
Tears? Why did I cry?
25 March 2018
I cry rarely. It must be an extraordinarily strong emotional movie for me to cry watching a movie. I cried watching A Beautiful Mind. Why did I cry watching Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle? Story was similar to that of Galaxy Quest (a great favorite of mine). But that's not why I cried. Humour was funny, some of it adolescent, but still funny. Moral of the story was good. All of the actors believable, interestingly complex. But that's not why I cried. I cried because I resonated with the feelings portrayed by the geeky couple. And for me, any movie that moves me to tears is a good movie. This is one that I'll buy and watch again.
Star Trek: Discovery
(2017–2024)
Pilot episode shows promise, I liked it and I plan to watch more!
25 September 2017
I'm a solid Star Trek fan, TOS and all the rest. This first episode of Discovery started weakly, the jovial banter seemed forced, but nearly all pilot shows, in any genre, are weak. I never judge a series by its pilot. Discovery shows great promise. I liked the Klingon character appearance. The advanced technology is good...it's what TOS would have done if they'd had the budget. I like the diverse people groups. I like the Captain and Number One. The weak beginning became a strong ending, with a conflict that I hadn't expected, especially in the pilot episode. I was a CBS subscriber before Discovery aired, but if I had not been...I would have subscribed just for this series. For the fans who bemoan the discontinuity and radical changes: I watch TV for the story's sake, not for canon's sake!
The Blind Side
(2009)
A wealthy white woman takes in a poor black teenager from a gang-ruled neighborhood and breaks through his wall of despair to care for him as her own child.
10 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The best stories in life (and film) have simple plots and complicated, inspiring and intriguing characters.
I want to see the film again and here are two of my reasons:
Reason #1: I Don't Like Football
I've never understood the strategy, except "throw the ball and catch it, or try to stomp on any one on the opposing team." I admit that's a shallow understanding of the sport, but that's where I was, before I watched "The Blind Side" last night.
Sandra Bullock plays the mother, Leigh Anne. The film opens with her giving a play-by-play color commentary of a real football game, focusing on the role of one of the defensive linemen, the left tackle. I just might watch a football game this weekend. Even if I don't, this new awareness of how football works, or at least, how a part of it works, inspires me to see parallels in other parts of my life.
Reason #2: Sandra Bullock's character was a b - - - - h, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
b - - - - h: The female of the canine kind, from Anglo Saxon, "bicce" (1949 Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary). By the 15th century the word was used to describe a bad woman. Why? It is helpful to look at how dog breeders and trainers regard the word, "b - - - - h" ("Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs: A Guide to Dog Behavior", by Mary Stasiewicz, http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-and-animals/a4104-how-to-choose- between-male-and-female-dogs.html).
"b - - - - hes tend to want to be in control of the entire situation. They may come to their owner when they are seeking affection but will often move away when they have had enough."
The mother, Leigh Anne, is an interior designer, shown in the beginning of the film on the phone, dictating requirements of a project to a supplier. She sounds firm, knowledgeable and in control. She makes decisions quickly, she sees the big picture, and she's obsessive about quality and appearance, in life and home. Leigh Anne's first response, in almost all situations, seems to be one of taking control and solving the problem by moving and shaking.
"In many packs, a b - - - - h is typically the Alpha dog. Female dogs crave more control of situations and are quick to respond to perceived challenges with fierceness."
Leigh Anne packs heat. She never pulls her gun out of her purse, but her strong words and "in your face" confrontation with bad-side-of-town tough guys who threaten her son leave no doubt: She's going to do whatever it takes to protect her own.
"Female dogs mark in the same way male dogs do. A spayed female may continue to mark for her entire lifetime regardless of when she is spayed while most males will cease marking behaviors shortly after they are neutered and the testosterone levels subside."
Leigh Anne's home is visually stunning, with beautiful furniture and art placed intimately and comfortably. She has a place, a room, for every purpose, designed and furnished for that purpose. From landscaping to the laundry room, and from great room to guest room, Leigh Anne's aesthetic marking behaviors are clearly seen.
"B - - - - hes are generally less affectionate and friendly than male dogs. This characteristic is noticeable in puppies and becomes more pronounced with age."
This is an interesting generalization. Discussing it with my wife, we couldn't definitely agree that this was true of Leigh Anne, or of women in general. The film offers a good representation of the complexity of human emotion and ambition. There were definitely instances when Leigh Anne demonstrated a business-like approach to solving family problems. However, she also showed a compassionate side, a weaker, softer, needy and caring side.
"It is also important to note that if you do not spay your b - - - - h, she will come into heat at approximately one year of age and approximately every six months thereafter. During this time, there will be some bleeding as well as a change in mood or behavior. Keep this in mind when you adopt a puppy and make the decision of whether or not to spay her."
I laughed when I considered comparing this characteristic of female dogs to women. The classic descriptor of a women enduring her monthly cycle of menstruation, or the hot flashes and moodiness of menopause, is the rough, vulgar term, "b - - - - hiness". Cute bumper stickers and T-shirt slogans testify to the reputation that hormonal changes in females is cause for extreme wariness for all that may consider interacting with them.
The film included no scenes that implied that hormones were involved in any of Leigh Anne's actions. But with a pistol in her purse, I would indeed tread softly if I were anywhere near her when she feels her pups were in danger!
Go see this film.
It will give you an itch to watch a football game this weekend. It will make you want to redecorate your living room. It may even inspire you to reach out in love to someone completely different from you, just for the joy of it!
I want to see the film again and here are two of my reasons:
Reason #1: I Don't Like Football
I've never understood the strategy, except "throw the ball and catch it, or try to stomp on any one on the opposing team." I admit that's a shallow understanding of the sport, but that's where I was, before I watched "The Blind Side" last night.
Sandra Bullock plays the mother, Leigh Anne. The film opens with her giving a play-by-play color commentary of a real football game, focusing on the role of one of the defensive linemen, the left tackle. I just might watch a football game this weekend. Even if I don't, this new awareness of how football works, or at least, how a part of it works, inspires me to see parallels in other parts of my life.
Reason #2: Sandra Bullock's character was a b - - - - h, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
b - - - - h: The female of the canine kind, from Anglo Saxon, "bicce" (1949 Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary). By the 15th century the word was used to describe a bad woman. Why? It is helpful to look at how dog breeders and trainers regard the word, "b - - - - h" ("Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs: A Guide to Dog Behavior", by Mary Stasiewicz, http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-and-animals/a4104-how-to-choose- between-male-and-female-dogs.html).
"b - - - - hes tend to want to be in control of the entire situation. They may come to their owner when they are seeking affection but will often move away when they have had enough."
The mother, Leigh Anne, is an interior designer, shown in the beginning of the film on the phone, dictating requirements of a project to a supplier. She sounds firm, knowledgeable and in control. She makes decisions quickly, she sees the big picture, and she's obsessive about quality and appearance, in life and home. Leigh Anne's first response, in almost all situations, seems to be one of taking control and solving the problem by moving and shaking.
"In many packs, a b - - - - h is typically the Alpha dog. Female dogs crave more control of situations and are quick to respond to perceived challenges with fierceness."
Leigh Anne packs heat. She never pulls her gun out of her purse, but her strong words and "in your face" confrontation with bad-side-of-town tough guys who threaten her son leave no doubt: She's going to do whatever it takes to protect her own.
"Female dogs mark in the same way male dogs do. A spayed female may continue to mark for her entire lifetime regardless of when she is spayed while most males will cease marking behaviors shortly after they are neutered and the testosterone levels subside."
Leigh Anne's home is visually stunning, with beautiful furniture and art placed intimately and comfortably. She has a place, a room, for every purpose, designed and furnished for that purpose. From landscaping to the laundry room, and from great room to guest room, Leigh Anne's aesthetic marking behaviors are clearly seen.
"B - - - - hes are generally less affectionate and friendly than male dogs. This characteristic is noticeable in puppies and becomes more pronounced with age."
This is an interesting generalization. Discussing it with my wife, we couldn't definitely agree that this was true of Leigh Anne, or of women in general. The film offers a good representation of the complexity of human emotion and ambition. There were definitely instances when Leigh Anne demonstrated a business-like approach to solving family problems. However, she also showed a compassionate side, a weaker, softer, needy and caring side.
"It is also important to note that if you do not spay your b - - - - h, she will come into heat at approximately one year of age and approximately every six months thereafter. During this time, there will be some bleeding as well as a change in mood or behavior. Keep this in mind when you adopt a puppy and make the decision of whether or not to spay her."
I laughed when I considered comparing this characteristic of female dogs to women. The classic descriptor of a women enduring her monthly cycle of menstruation, or the hot flashes and moodiness of menopause, is the rough, vulgar term, "b - - - - hiness". Cute bumper stickers and T-shirt slogans testify to the reputation that hormonal changes in females is cause for extreme wariness for all that may consider interacting with them.
The film included no scenes that implied that hormones were involved in any of Leigh Anne's actions. But with a pistol in her purse, I would indeed tread softly if I were anywhere near her when she feels her pups were in danger!
Go see this film.
It will give you an itch to watch a football game this weekend. It will make you want to redecorate your living room. It may even inspire you to reach out in love to someone completely different from you, just for the joy of it!
Tell Your Friends