lamiaaos Reviews

Cobweb (2023)

Why?

[1/10 · 23 August 2023]

It is quite a saddening ordeal in this day and age that such an abomination was greenlit by producers and that that drivel of a script was acted out by anyone instead of being tossed in the nearest trashcan and incinerated, never to have seen the light of day ever again.

It will thus, assuredly, pose forever more as an irredeemable misstep in the resumé of everyone who chose to be involved in such a wreck.

If you prefer watching films with a plot, acting, character development, or any such element that you are used to seeing in movies as a movie-goer, then I'd suggest you skip this monstrosity as all the aforementioned are nonexistent in its midst.

Face 2 Face (2016)

Worth the click

[7/10 · 23 August 2018]

A perfectly subtle transition of a rekindled childhool friendship into an unbreakable bond, riddled with unravelling secrets and fears that keep you unwittingly invested until the very end, all the while rooting for two strangers who quickly become two familiar friendly faces with every flicker of their computer screens.

The Beach (I) (2000)

An unrewarding watch

[1/10 · 22 August 2018]

This felt like nothing but an immensely poorly executed trial at portraying the events and ideas in the book from which it was adapted into a film. In fact, despite the guiding narration throughout the film, it ends up being just a pile of hysterically nonsensical scenes and storylines that are more often than not leading the film into the middle of nowhere and ending abruptly without any explanations, with the point it wanted to make seemingly distant and faraway. All in all, this film undoubtedly proved itself unworthy of even a one-time watch.

Blindspotting (2018)

Not a very well-executed vision

[5/10 · 21 August 2018]

Blindspotting is a film with some very strong scenes interspersed inbetween a wider array of more or less average ones.

It tries to delve into a series of heavyweight issues of the likes of racism and discrimination for the average non-white man living in today's world, and despite it trying to portray this via an unorthodox approach than usual, it doesn't always succeed in the delivery. That said, it does have its moments, but they are far and few.

In addition to that, this film had an overall vibe that made it more suited to be acted out as a play than in a film.

All in all, this film does okay in most departments, but its unremarkable and anticlimactic ending as well as the overall uneventful story makes it dismally unsuccessful in conveying its message to its viewers.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

A mellow ride

[5/10 · 20 August 2018]

The all-Asian cast may have been refreshing to see on the big screen and a much needed change, but this does not redeem how uninspiringly ordinary this film is. The storyline is far from being original; in fact, it is quite the contrary, seeing as how it is about a modern day cinderella. The acting itself was quite banal and every scene proved as uneventful as the preceding one, with the exception of maybe one that may stir a pinch of emotion in the audience, but not nearly enough to change the overall lack of impact this movie's story really has in general. All in all, this film adds nothing novel to its predecessors in the romcom genre, but it is a lightweight moderately entertaining film that should not be taken too seriously.

The Darkest Minds (2018)

An abysmal film

[1/10 · 20 August 2018]

A strong contender for worst movie ever made, this atrocity is an upsettingly uneventful shifting of scenes that never quite come together or amount to an actual film. This dull mess will stand the test of time as the epitome of failure, consisting of everything a film should not be, and one that should not have a sequel or any upcoming projects even remotely related to it.

Girlboss (2017)

Immensely Unbearable

[1/10 · 20 August 2018]

A story of an obliviously obnoxious adult woman who is incapable of growing up or showing any shred of respect to absolutely anyone around her, while expecting them to put up with her belligerent, childlike tantrum-throwing insufferable self. And while she constantly finds herself a scapegoat to blame for her own mishaps, she refuses to own up to anything, goes around taking whatever she pleases, i.e. steals , as though every single human being who ever existed owes her something. As for her "success story", well, it is the most uninspiring, dreary, empty shell of nothing that I doubt will ever incentivise anyone into wanting to achieve anything even remotely resembling it or its owner; in fact, it most definitely will do the exact opposite.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

A pretty decent film

[6/10 · 17 August 2018]

A sweetly simplistic highschool-themed film sans the usual "in your face" clichés and cringeworthy adolescent melodrama that have become all but too familiar in the genre. It may be no "the fault in our stars", but its mellow feel is sufficient to make it somewhat of a rather enjoyable watch.

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

A flop for the garbage dump

[1/10 · 14 August 2018]

A frantically disorganized, nonsensical master flop that fails to use a comedic genius like Mckinnon to its advantage; and instead reduces her to an almost psychotic stalkery side-kick of a best friend to the baby-faced but less humourous Kunis. TSWDM is as forgettable, redundant, and insufferably dragging as its name.

Tag (I) (2018)

Tag, you're not it

[1/10 · 14 August 2018]

"Tag" is a film that has it all; the agonizing forced humour, the subpar back and forth exchange of the same tired repetitive jokes that have been done in literally every other movie in this genre, and the same moronic group of friends who are constantly up to no good. And to top it off, ofcourse, we get the single trying-to-be-sentimental mediocre scene that fails miserably to add substance to the abomination of what was supposed to be a comedy.

Insatiable (2018–2019)

Insatiafailure

[1/10 · 11 August 2018]

Insatiable is a poorly written mundanely absurd show with an identity crisis; never quite knowing what it wants. The only thing this dark-and-never-humourous series manages to do is become more confused at every turn as the haphazardly arranged storylines and unbelievable over-the-top characters are poorly juggled throughout the season leaving you with nothing but a gooey mess with a grim aftertaste.

Crossing Over (2009)

An inadequate cliché

[5/10 · 26 August 2017]

Throughout the entire duration of this feature, only one story managed to make it to the finish line, while the rest were left behind; unfinished and incomplete.

Pretty much all the characters lacked depth and well, character. This is usually the problem with those movies that try to tell a story through the lives of multiple individuals.

But the thing is, the film kind of just ended abruptly with still a lot to vouch for, a lot more details left unsaid, untouched.

The film, like many others of its genre started off strong and showed heaps of potential on various occasions which just as quickly dissipated by the next scene.

It was entertaining with the uniqueness of putting forward a fresh new idea to the audience which ended dismally as a gooey mess that didn't quite make itself out into anything. 5.5/10

10 Years (2011)

A "then" and "now"

[6/10 · 23 August 2017]

A film about the interlacing stories of a group of friends leaving their adult responsibilities behind to relive their high school years for one night, giving them a chance to see their friends one last time - to reignite a spark they forgot they ever had, to find closure with past relationships, or to forget their adult lives for a night and just be free once again.

There were only a select few scenes that really resonated with me in this film - they felt very real and very raw with a dash of sweetness; and they all happen to occur in the second half of the movie, which is by far the better half.

But despite the unquestionable chemistry between the on-screen actors as well as the realistic awkward tension between some of them, the film overall fell short. It didn't quite deliver all that it set out to.

That being said, it still manages to give the viewer a delightful bitter sweet ride of nostalgia even if it leaves them wanting a tad bit more by the end. 6/10

People Like Us (2012)

A Good Addition To Movies

[27 October 2012]

This movie did everything right. It had an original story, every single actor nailed their part and the plot unraveled at a more than perfect pace. And yet, I find myself hesitating to give it a higher rating than 6.9. Not sure why that is, though I did enjoy every part of the film, but I was somehow not moved by any of it. The performances were all very realistic, even the little kid did his job with believability, but not once did I shed a tear, not once did it stir any emotion within me. I anxiously waited for it to do so, but that experience never came through for some reason. Somehow, I got the feeling there were certain aspects of the story that could've been elaborated on a little more, but this picture definitely introduced a fresh new idea to the film industry which is a relieve seeing how recently most movies have pretty much the same old worn-out plots.

Chris Pine has come a rather long way since his film debut in "The Princess Diaries 2", with his not too shabby but sweet portrayal of Nicholas Devereaux. He has unquestionably matured as an actor and I can honestly say he is well on his way to take his place among the big Hollywood names but has yet to add some vulnerability to his characters, permitting the audience to relate a tad bit more to each and every one of them.

Olivia Wilde does a decent job herself and so does Michelle Pfeiffer, but their performances did not strike me as stunning in any way.

All in all, Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks did this movie a lot of justice and it is a very good film indeed, but it just didn't do it for me, at least not as much as I had hoped it would...maybe it's just me, but by all means, go ahead and see it for yourself; you will not regret giving up two hours of your day to see it. 6.9/10

Joyful Noise (2012)

Joyless Trash!

[4/10 · 18 April 2012]

Joyful noise is a movie that lacks charisma in every inch of its cinematic aspects.

First of all, we have Randy, the lead actor, whose acting skills were profoundly inadequate and the clichéd grin he wore throughout his performance didn't do him any good either. The lead actress gave the only decent performance during the entire duration of this movie, but it wasn't sufficient to make us overlook the innumerable flaws that this movie was apparently packed with.

As for Queen Latifah, she succeeded in making us believe she was somehow forced to act in this movie, and we see the remnants of her tiresome efforts to push a somewhat sluggish performance through to the audience with every scene. Her character's story was implausible from the very beginning, and everything about her, from her marriage to the way she chose to raise her kids, was both unreasonable and questionable in every way, to say the least.

As for Dolly Parton, she was nothing more than a mere ornament in the film. Her presence in the movie seemed to be for the sake of completing the cast, with her spark-lacking acting I may add.

Then we come to Marvin, a kid suffering from Asperger's syndrome, whose attempts to win our sympathy were more often than not, futile. He could've had a bigger impact on the movie as a whole, but for some reason the director seemed to think otherwise. Overall, the camera and script never even gave him a chance to portray a single complete emotion to the audience, as every time we find ourselves immersed in his story some other random scene always stole the limelight from him and we are yet again struck with another random story frame within the movie.

Overall, the soundtrack was barely satisfactory, the choreography was dull and the people in charge of this project obviously didn't put any effort into making this corny storyline any less tedious than it already was. The actors appeared like they were in dire need of a high energy dose, and the stories were all over the place, and we end up leaving the theater without the slightest recollection of what the movie was even about. It's 2012 and movies have yet to even come close to standards of those produced more than a decade ago.

I did not find this movie pleasant in any way, and I highly doubt you will either.

The Vow (2012)

A Cute Love Story, but

[6/10 · 29 February 2012]

I have to admit that after watching Channing Tatum's acting skills grow, he appears to have made a milestone progress since "She's the man" and "Step up". There was one scene in particular that I found quite striking, one where he and Rachael were having a heated discussion during a wedding. And for the very first time, Channing succeeded in conveying emotions during his performance.

All in all, this movie is quite a decent attempt in the RomCom domain, but just like most movies in this genre, it managed to fall hard into the trap of having both a rushed and predictable ending. But, as it was indeed based on a "true story", then I believe it is well worth noting that the banality of the climax was somewhat inevitable. However, I could not get over the fact that the finale was rushed through in what seemed like no more than ten minutes.

What gave this movie its charm, was the delightful plot, which in my opinion was not portrayed as well as it could've. It seemed freakishly similar to "The notebook", and with one of the main actors unchanged as well.

Rachael is a very capable actress, but she somehow flunks when it comes to making her acting appear natural, and unfortunately, there was an element of "forcing it" when it came to the believability of her role.

I am starting to warm up to Channing quite a bit, and hopefully he'll flourish more as an actor in the near future, as he still requires some work in order to be recognized as a well-established performer.

To sum up, this is a RomCom film with a lovable story and a concealed message about never giving up that may not be so concealed after all.

6.5/10

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

It's about time!

[7/10 · 24 February 2012]

I have long been searching for a first-class film and thankfully, my pursuit has not proved to be futile. This was by far one of the best pieces ever created in the film industry, and here's why; The plot was original and the dialogue flowed throughout the film's course. Every character was portrayed with flawlessness and the directing was done with perfect execution.

I remember watching this movie as a kid, I remember liking it. And even though it is seldom that I re-watch a movie, I just knew this one was in dire need of a second look.

It was very refreshing to see Ashton Kutcher in a serious role for a change, one where he depended on his ability to connect with the audience rather than solely relying on his charisma and wittiness to earn our admiration. This is without a doubt his finest work to date, and it is quite saddening that he has chosen to selectively pursue comedy roles when he is obviously a talented young man. The butterfly effect definitely showed us a side of him we haven't been given a chance to see before, which I doubt we'll get another glimpse of in the future.

The film grabbed my attention from the get-go, and never did it fail to lose it – it kept me interested with every scene.

And unsurprisingly, this film was produced in 2004, back when films had a hardcore story line – it is quite heartbreaking that the quality of movies has severely deteriorated since then.

This film is well worth the watch, and it leaves you with the satisfying thought that maybe "everything does happen for a reason" and that even though we may contemplate the past and ponder on how things might've ended up differently had we made different choices, it wouldn't necessarily be "for the better". For you see, life and all of its consequences are tightly linked by a series of events and should one of those incidents become somehow altered, it leads us to a downward spiral and ultimately, another life. We may strongly believe that fate is not on our side, but somehow, it always comes together eventually.

There was a prevailing message in the film about how sometimes the only thing we can do is to let someone go, and how every now and again we are faced with situations where we have to make the tough decision of being selfless for the sake of others.

7.5/10

Bang Bang You're Dead (2002)

Bang Bang You're Dead

[7/10 · 17 February 2012]

Bullying, it's something that has been ongoing for decades in schools, at work, in clubs and even on the street. Some people are aware of it and walk by it, pretending that by not paying it any attention it will eventually go away. Others are oblivious to the fact that it even exists.

Children are like fragile caterpillars that are shaped by society and parents who possess the utmost responsibility to aid those youngsters in morphing into majestic butterflies. But, it doesn't always go as planned and something along the way hinders that process.

Bang Bang You're Dead sheds light on a much overlooked subject – bullying. The movie's beauty lies in the fact that it does not point the finger at a single individual as one would expect it to. It simply gives you the facts and leaves you as the sole judge in the matter. The movie revolves around a high school, the birthplace and current habitat of bullying. It shows us the details we, more often than not, neglect. It emphasizes the presence of trigger factors that steer the acts of savagery we hear about in the news. So, in short, it gives us the raw and dreadful truths that we are just never told.

The movie shows us the immense role the parents play in every kid's life. Parents should be the shoulder that every child can lean on, and even though they may sometimes be at fault, even though they may be ignorant to what is really going on, they cannot be fully blamed. Then we move on to the authorities in charge, and the educators, who fall short when it comes to carrying out their duties simply by failing to see the big picture. They disregard acts of harassments between students as "child play" and are then astounded when those acts have brutal outcomes. The movie stresses on how those in charge should seek to view both sides of the story, for they hold the key to alleviating such unnecessary catastrophes.

The one thing I found most striking about this film was how it gave the limelight to every single character, giving them a chance to tell their story for a change. It was simply grand, how no one person was singled out as the "victim", how no one was portrayed as a "saint". There are actions and to every one of those actions there is a reaction which may not be equal, contrary to belief. Sometimes, it's even greater. One cruel act can lead to relentless hatred…and that's where it all begins.

For the first time we find ourselves confronted with the idea that acts of hostility and those who carry them out do not go without justification. This film does that so elegantly without ever leaning towards condoning those deeds.

By the end of the film we are hit by the realization that we each have a part to play, even if we were unaware of it – and should we disappoint in doing our part, it leads to a spiral of events that only seen to go downhill. We are all part of a chain which merely becomes an ornament should one of us flunk their task.

The movie leaves us asking ourselves – who is really at fault here. And the answer is simple – we all are. Kids are being bullied every day – and it's not going to stop until we all take a stance and face ourselves. Because whether we like it or not, we all play a role in this and only when we comprehend that obligation will we truly put an end to this, once and for all.

7.5/10

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

Inevitable Frustration

[6/10 · 6 February 2012]

Just because you're making a movie about a tragedy does not mean that the audience will instantaneously commiserate with the characters involved. As I sit and watch this movie I feel that my emotions are somehow manipulated so as to force me to feel something I did not want to feel.

Throughout the course of this film I sensed that perhaps the lead character, Oskar, was supposed to connect with us and even though he was granted pretty much the whole two hours of the movie's screen time to do so, failed miserably. His acting was too exaggerated that it was almost unreal. The performance he gave was almost cartoonish, and the feelings he spoke of were not reciprocated in his actions. I am sure I am not alone when I say that I felt absolutely nothing for his character. Yes one or two scenes succeeded at unleashing a few bursts of grief within me, but they sunk back into my untouched heart just as quickly as they had appeared.

There was one scene in particular that started to grab my attention, where Oskar managed to blurt out his quite disturbing desire for his mother's death, in a rather malicious manner. So, instead of relating to the lead character, our hands are forced into resenting him during his entire performance.

So, the only thing Oskar succeeded at was that he somehow managed to engrave an unforgettable impression in our minds…and not a good one at that. The word "obnoxious" popped up in my head over and over again every time Oskar popped on the screen, which was pretty much all the time, unfortunately. And dare I say that he was indeed incredibly loud…loud and unbearable.

Von Sydow was nice to watch and he gave us a tad bit of hope that the film might take a turn for the better, but not even his authentic performance could save this awkward flop of a movie. However, I have to admit that the last half hour of the movie eased my pain, and that each time Sandra Bullock came on screen I felt somehow safe. She managed to hold the movie together with her genuine portrayal of how far a mother's affection can go. But, that sense of security soon vanished when Sandra was no longer on the screen. So, all in all, kudos Sandra, but this movie's demise was just inevitable.

I am deeply saddened by the fact that I had eagerly waited for the release of this motion picture, but what a waste that proved to be. Extremely loud & incredibly close takes you on a journey you are ever so reluctant to take, and gives you reasons supporting that reluctance that only grows stronger as the movie progresses. The movie was nothing more than a kid trying to find a lock that fits a key entrusted to him by his father, and never did it feel like anything other than just that. Although, I feel I should mention that it did succeed at leaving us feeling pity for the mother and contentment that we weren't the ones having to deal with Oskar!

Oh, I forgot to mention that Tom Hanks was featured in this film, and for those brief moments we watched him on the big screen, we waited for a breakthrough performance that never came through. We waited for so much throughout the course of the movie, but it turned out to be a sham, and we left the theater more annoyed and agitated than content and moved.

2012 has yet to prove that it's a good year for movie buffs everywhere, as all the evidence so far is pretty much against it. And so we'll wait for that flick that will turn the tables for this year…

6/10

Courageous (I) (2011)

A taste of unfathomable faith

[6/10 · 5 February 2012]

The first half of this movie left me with tears in my eyes, and trust me when I say that such an incident is rather rare. I applaud every single person who took part in this movie, for I believe it did wake something up in all of us. Although not exactly what I'd call a roller-coaster of emotions, it was fully capable of triggering both our tears and a big goofy smile on our face. One second I'd be weeping with joy, and the next I'd be heartbroken with sorrow.

The dialogue was flawless, it seemed real, like a normal conversation that would normally occur between neighbours. The father-son relationship portrayed by the characters in this film touched me beyond belief. My perception of the cast as actors shifted to me viewing them as real characters in a matter of minutes, if not seconds, from the very start. Emotions flowed on the screen just as well as the scripted dialogue, and I found myself immersed into their lives.

I found myself yearning for the unreserved devotion and comprehension between Javier and his wife Carmen. I longed for them to appear on that movie screen every time some other character popped up, I prayed for them to find salvation throughout the movie, and I rejoiced every time they did.

Living in a world where most people grumble at the imperfections in their marriages, where the word "marriage" is fervently associated with such things as failure and misery, I found this movie a much anticipated breeze of change. It showed us that it is indeed possible to make it work, if only we'd stop whining and put in an effort instead. I simply adored it when Nathan spoke about how most marriages crumble under the daily pressures simply because people make things like "divorce" and "giving up" an option for themselves, an easy way out.

The movie shed light on a subject that is more often than not neglected by Hollywood's flicks; it showed us a novel side of "faith"…such a simple word with so much complexity that will only unleash hidden treasures to those lucky few who stumble upon it.

The movie, as you may guess after haven seen it, is primarily aimed at fathers and their understated role as parents. However, I think it had something for all demographics, and it left every single one of the audience with a little something.

With a complementary review like this, my rating of 6.5 of this movie will come as a surprise to you, but I had my reasons for giving it such a score. It was predominantly due to the ending, delightful as it may have been, was simply not enough for me. It was by all means good, but not great. After all the feelings this movie left me with, I expected a tad bit more from its finale. The scenes were marvelously executed; the dialogue delivered, but somewhere near the end it all kind of melted away just enough to leave us wanting more than what was finally handed to us.

Make no mistake; everyone who took part in this project should feel nothing but the utmost pride and contentment with the tremendous effort they've put into it. I may have a reservation or two about the ending, but by no means does it negate the rest of the film.

I say watch it and I guarantee no regrets.

Wake Up Sid (2009)

Just...Refreshing

[7/10 · 29 September 2011]

Wake up Sid is a movie with a simple plot, a typical love story and a predictable ending...an average movie - WRONG!

I stumbled upon this movie while surfing the net and decided to give it a try; and I'm more than pleased that I did. Everything about this movie just made me love it. Maybe it was the realistic script, the believable emotions portrayed by the every actor and not just the leads, or maybe it was the fairytale journey we're taken on throughout every second of this film.

There were glitches here and there in the acting and the background score, but the film's beauty redeems it of all that. I was in a rut at the start of this movie, but by the end of it I must say I was pretty much in a euphoric state.

The casting was perfect, from Chottu the servant, to Sid and Aisha the lead roles. Everyone seemed to fit perfectly into this picture perfect cast.

Everything about this movie was pretty average, but when put together they made something that wasn't quite so average - a stunningly beautiful piece of work.

The thing that struck me the most was just how raw and believable all the emotions were - from the unconditional love between a mother and son, to the forgiveness of a friend we've hurt. At some point of this movie, it stopped being a movie and started feeling more like your own life. Who of us couldn't picture ourselves as Sid, the guy looking to get something out of life more than just the fun parts; or Aisha, the ambitious girl trying to start a life of her own.

Every scene was just so refreshing that you simply don't want this movie to end.

By the end of the film and as the credits roll, I found myself smiling for no apparent reason, but this movie just made me feel so...happy, ecstatic even.

This movie is just what a romantic comedy should be like and who better than bollywood to show us how it's done. 7/10

Contagion (2011)

Simply Incomplete

[6/10 · 29 September 2011]

With all the stars contributing to this work; the first thing that pops into your head is just how grand it ought to turn out and how you're going to keep your fingers crossed for it to surpass all expectations - negative.

With all the big names involved in making this film the only one who dared come close to living up to his/her reputation is without a doubt Kate Winslet. Her character was by far the most captivating and her acting was spot on. Whenever she needed to say something, she said it and whenever she needed to convey a certain emotion to the audience; she did it without hesitation.

Sadly enough, all the other characters were either played superficially, without allowing the viewer to get to know any of them in-depth or to fully understand them in order to decide whether or not we actually like them. Let's look at a few, shall we; Gwenyth Paltrow's role was just too shallow to judge and if you've watched this movie you'll know why.

Matt Damon's performance was just FINE, but although he had the greatest number of opportunities to connect with the audience; he failed to do so every single time...maybe the only thing we seem to understand is that he's a father trying to protect his kid, but that's about it. With all that's going on with the character you'd expect him to be a roller coaster of emotion, but he's not. Maybe he's trying to play the tough guy whom nothing seems to get to, and at that he might've succeeded just a bit.

Now we move on to another interesting character,Dr.Leonora, played by Marion Cotillard. She's understandable enough, yet by the end of the movie we are left in the blank about her. We feel like she's a good character in many ways, but then we're never really given the chance to really know her or to even understand what she's doing in the movie; other than of course carrying out her work duties.

As for Jude Law, his character leaves us just clueless. I, for one, did not understand what in the world he was trying to do, or whether he was a good/bad guy. I simply didn't get anything about him, his work, his life or even his girlfriend (if i can even call her that).

All in all it wasn't a bad film, but it just left you in the theater feeling empty. You're neither angry nor sad, you're neither shedding a tear nor laughing hysterically, you just feel the exact same way coming out of that movie theater as you did going in.

And the ending was just...boring, i can't really find a better word to describe it. It's not lame or involving a twist, it's just boring. This is one of those movies where there are just too many characters and too little time for any of them to develop or unravel before the viewer's eyes. Most characters left no impression on the audience, if not all. And when you did find a character that was appealing enough, the camera simply didn't agree and you never get the chance to see that much of them.

This movie was a disappointment in so many ways and I have to admit that it's one of the most unmemorable movies I've ever seen; since after all, for a movie to be memorable it actually has to leave you feeling something..but this one failed to stir anything inside me.

6.5/10

Drive (I) (2011)

A masterpiece in the failing

[6/10 · 25 September 2011]

Drive is a one hour 40 minutes movie about a part-time stuntman who'll be the designated driver for any robbery, with only one condition ; be out of there in five minutes; a second longer and he's gone. But when one robbery doesn't go as planned, he's left standing alone as he fights back for his life and that of the people he loves most.

I have to admit that for the most part I kept holding my breath for Gosling to speak throughout the whole movie, but every time he opens his mouth he manages to barely stutter out a few words here and there. His character was the least likable lead role we've seen for a while. For the most part, he strikes the viewer as a weird lunatic most likely as a result of a rough childhood as an orphan.

The movie fails to make us relate to any of the characters in anyway; the plot's a cliché and there is hardly any dialogue in the movie for us to even consider evaluating the non existing script. Carey is as cute as ever here, but every time she comes up on screen she gives us hope that maybe the movie will take an unexpected turn for the better; but whatever hope we have is taken away just as quickly. Throughout this film I couldn't help but ponder on what in the world carey saw in this socially awkward weirdo.

All in all, ryan gosling does a good job of acting out this awkward introvert of a character; but even him and his good charms can't save this movie from it's inevitable demise.

This movie sucked in all levels and how it got such a high rating on IMDb is beyond me. Please don't let me stop you from hitting your local theatre to catch this so-called "masterpiece"; but when you come out of it thinking what a waste it was, don't say I didn't warn you. Your bucks are better off spent on ice-cream is all I'm saying.

6/10