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denise-hasircioglu
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San Andreas (2015)
Disaster Masterpiece
The starting scene with the girl trapped in the car gave this movie a very explosive head start. Dwayne Johnson (Ray) is already the hero of the movie and I am anxious to see what will happen next.
Special effects are amazing but this has become a norm in Hollywood nowadays so I can't weigh all my stars on that one. But something happened while I watched this beginning scene. A wave of intense suspense apprehended me. I don't know if it was the buffet of heavy sound effects and music or the expectation of what was to come but I was instantly engrossed and excited about the film.
Some say the plot of a family trying to rescue each other is absorbed and 'been done before' but isn't this what anyone would do in a situation such as this? Your family becomes number one priority and what's better than a dad who is a search and rescue squadron? Utilizing every creative means of modern transport in California to save the one daughter he has left.
However it seems logic was a bit lost on this movie. And maybe I just like finding the logic holes. But while everyone ran one way, the leading cast ran the other way, directly into the epitome of disaster. Making it all the more harder for Blake's parents to track her down. What also bothered me is during the telephonic call where they communicate their plans to meet at the Coit Tower. They had a secure line and enough time to make a plan B. Why didn't they? Instead Ray and Emma just had to guess where their daughter might go next and sail around aimlessly through the 49 square miles of flooded San Francisco. Eventually, with the creative use of a laser light. Their hearts full with hope that they will be reunited. Yay! But wait.. over all the barriers they broke through to get there, one wretched layer of glass stands between them. And for half an hour you watch as a re animated version of Titanic comes to life and suddenly the building is a sinking ship filling with water level by level. This is the part where the acting gets really genuine. Blake's drowning death is significantly spine-chilling, considering her sister died the exact same way. Ray takes some time to recover from the recall and gathers the strength to break through and rescue his daughter. When mother could have saved them the hassle and jetted through the window to begin with.
All these logic flaws, unfortunate as they are, they make this movie. They add the story line as every movie has always done. If Emma and Blake didn't get themselves into all kinds of trouble then where would Ray be able to display his amazing heroic talent? I give it a 10 out of 10 because despite its flaws, this movie gave me a feeling that was notably powerful. Like I was there, experiencing the terror with them. That is very difficult to achieve so I commend the Director Brad Peyton. As well as Dwayne Johnson's role that fit him perfectly. Alexandra Daddario with her performance during the drowning scene and Carla Gugino when she sees her daughter is dead. Also the scientist played by Paul Giamatti when he witnesses the Hoover Dam go down and predicts the repercussions that will follow. Excellent acting. Excellent directing. Superb CGI, and an engaging topic.
Still Alice (2014)
This Movie Hit a Soft Spot
Having being the granddaughter of an Alzheimers sufferer for 3 years. Living with and taking care of her and seeing her deterioration every step of the way I found myself relating to the movie in more ways than I imagined I would. The realization that Alzheimers disease takes a lot of common attributes in all its patients hit me as I watched the movie. Characteristics such as forgetting where you are. Where the bathroom is.. feeling trapped. Not knowing who your family is .. your family not knowing who you are and who you have become. It was an adventure I relived as I watched the movie. I cried. I related. I empathized. I have so much respect for the families who choose to care for a member with Alzheimers at home and not send him/her away to a medical institution. It takes so much strength. We took the home care route with my grandmother till she was in diapers. Till we were strangers to her. Till the voices in her head stopped. Till she took her last breath. Till we ourselves, took a breath of relief that the pain was over. For her and for us. I will tell you, it's not easy. To bare burden over the life of someone who is 6 times your age, but acts like they are your new born baby.
About the movie I would have wished to see the latter stages of her condition. Where she starts calling her children and husband the names of various house hold objects. How she escapes her home and is found by neighbors and won't come back because she has her own wedding to attend. (Yes, these occurrences of many, happened with us)
Julianne Moore's performance is beyond impeccable and well-deserving of best actress academy award. And the real life award should go to Kristen Stewart, Alec Baldwin, and Kate bosworth for enveloping the reality in which families of Alzheimers sufferers face on a daily basis.
The movie rates highly on my watch-list because it reflects a part of my life that is sensitive to me. And it is something that needs more public awareness. Mental disease is not an object of ridicule. No matter how young or old you are. Your mind will always be your biggest enemy. And the more aware you are of this, the more control you have to fight it.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Masterpiece
The Wolf of Wall Street; a three hour long masterpiece. When I started it, I didn't know how long it was. A lot of the times I thought the movie plot had reached its end and that the credits were going to roll, yet I was shocked to find I was only half way through and there was still an hour and a half to go. It just continued to get better as you watched. I was glued to the screen all the way through and was mesmerized by Leonardo Di Caprio and his deserved Oscar winning role. I applaud his talent of multi genre acting, and how he managed to fit that all in one movie. He did so well I started to believe he was actually a filthy rich stock broker. Also Margot Robbie did an astounding job as Jordan Belfort's wife Naomi. Martin Scorsese deserves another Oscar. Him and Leo make the best team in many movies. Plus one that is based on a true story (and at the same time a book) is always promising. There was no way this movie could have gone bad, every way you look at it, its got the best actors, narration, camera work, and script and screenplay. Apart from the snorting of drugs every 5 minutes (which was unnecessary) it was a compelling, captivating film I give ten out of ten!
Upside Down (2012)
Excellent Idea . Shouldn't have been a love movie
So I just finished watching Upside Down for the second time and I gotta say, brilliant movie.
The storyline and concept is exceptional. One world being poverty stricken and "Imprisoned" and the other world leading a complete opposite quality style of living and at the same time, opposite gravity really added valuable insight and scientific excellence.
I have to mention that this topic is so original it could even be sequeled into a more epidemical movie with less "Power of love" branding Upside Down so obviously displays. Sure, seeing Kirsten Dunst fall in love with an adventurous orphan boy scientist who is desperate for the forbidden heart is fun and all. But I would like to see some more War of the Worlds action. Two worlds clash, nuclear war breaks out. Some continental and universal changes take place. Then eventually both worlds come to live in harmony.
Also I didn't really get the ending. How did the fact that Kirsten Dunst falling pregnant with twins allow her to stay at the bottom world? What would happen after she gives birth? Does she fall back up into the above world and take one of the babies with her? It's not like her genetics magically changed. And how does that manage to impact the two worlds into accepting each other at the end? It's all a bit half done with the conclusion. Felt almost like the production ran short on time and they had to rush through it. In my opinion; they should have spent less time trying to emphasize the obvious lack of chemistry between the two main characters and more time explaining what is actually going on between the two worlds and the scientific breakthrough the pink powder actually makes.
The graphics department gets a round of applause. The part where he climbs the tree on top of the mountain and catches the inverse rain while the clouds from both worlds collide ferociously around him. Fantastic!
To round it up; I give Upside Down 8 out of 10. It's not every day you come across a movie with such an original concept. I was excited from the start when the topic was unfolded in the narration. Gave me the positive energy to watch on. Perfect beginning, not so perfect ending. But still a dynamic and spirited film that I very much enjoyed.
Pain & Gain (2013)
Surprised it made it on the big screen
Had a bit of a shock that this movie is directed by Michael Bay, and casts such renowned actors like Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson yet it was made in such an empty-headed, lightweight (excuse the pun) film.
I understand that it was based on a true story. But most true story films have been shaped and snipped into something a little more pragmatic and interpretable to the masses. This one was not.
All that was done here was make the people that played in it look like complete idiots. A not very realistic, humor-added portrayal of what must have happened.
The only thing that gives this movie a 6.5 IMDb rating is the excellent filming and editing, and the selection of actors. If they didn't have Mark Wahlberg showing off his biceps every .5 seconds, and if they didn't have Dwayne Johnson acting like a complete girl and humoring the audience in another unexpected role, then this movie would just be another dusty DVD on your bottom shelf that your neighbor borrowed you and you forgot to give it back.
After you have sat through 2 hours without even realizing how long this movie actually is, the ending is rather pleasant. The way they show what actually happened to the real subjects involved in the story, and their real mug shots were included into the footage. It really leaves you with a good taste in your mouth. And you don't feel like you've wasted two hours of your life.
All in all I give this 6 stars and applaud Michael Bay for creating a Multi-Genre hit which will indulge the action heads, comedy addicts and crime maniacs all at the same time.
Gravity (2013)
Watch on 3D only
If you rented, downloaded, copied this movie, you've wasted your time as this film can ONLY be enjoyed on the big screen with 3D glasses on. Thumbs up to the graphics editor that was most likely the best part of the film. Other than that the movie lacks a proper plot, and it surprised me that such a good actress like Sandra Bullock was given a script that hears her breathing in and out, more than talking. Her hair was cut short which was a bit of a let down. Would have liked to see her long hair swaying in the Zero gravity (with added 3D effects)
Also, when you look through the cast all you see next to the names is (Voice). That brings you to wonder, couldn't the producers afford more actors?
I'm not an astronaut myself but it really seemed to me like it was a tad unrealistic but hey, aren't all movies? I cant hold that one against Gravity as this is Hollywood, and people enjoy a good Sci Fi.
I give it 7 out of 10 for the good effort. Good actors. And Awesome 3D
May (2002)
Not for everybody
You have had to have a bit of experience in the psychopathic films genre to really appreciate this movie. Either that or a degree in psychology and a wide understanding to the mind of the mentally ill.
The main character, May, portrayed by Angela Bettis is EXCELLENT. This girl deserves more recognition! And this isn't the first time she's played the part of an unnoticed, troubled young woman who has a psychotic break. Her performance in Carrie also blew the minds of many. Bettis MAKES this movie. I wish I could have seen her in more movies since then. I still hope to! She must keep her character alive.
The plot kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the movie. Always wondering what crazy, awkward thing May is going to do next. I loved the ending, it was shocking yet not unexpected. The catchphrase "If you can't find a friend, make one" really fits into the scene.
After getting over your initial surprise of the movie in itself (which takes about a day or two) you eventually find clarity and peace in it. And start to see the quality in the details. You see deeper into the mind of the main role, and the psychological meaning behind the production.
I give this movie a 10 out of 10 for giving me so much to think about. And i give Angela Bettis a 10 out of 10 for her acting. It really takes some talent to match what she does..
Empty (2011)
What did I just Watch
"If this sh*t happened back in the medieval times or whatever, you couldn't call the cops, there were no security guards."
Really? What kind of amateur script writing is this? My seven year old niece can write better material than that.
If a guy tries to steal your car and "kidnap" your girlfriend. By all means, stab him in the stomach.. But don't assume you killed him please...
Secondly WHY make the motel manager this creepy serial psycho killer type when you're not even gonna go anywhere with it.
I don't have anything bad to say about the characters, considering how little they must have been paid. Spoilt rich girl and moneyless boyfriend trying to prove his worthiness. But they could have done so much more with the topic. Trying to survive with no gas and having no survival experience. Instead, there is a multiple homicide {or suicide?) situation JUST as they are about to get saved. What kind of an ending is that?
I kept thinking there was gonna be an explanation to that ending after the credits rolled I sat their looking at the names of people who worked on the film. Taking note to never watch a film with the same cameraman again.
So, script: Bad Camera and editing: Bad Acting: Average Topic: Good Ending: Horrendous
I give this a 1 out of 10 in the hopes that the director makes better movies in his future career, after seeing how he failed so badly on this one.