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The Challenger (2013)
A missed opportunity
On the surface, this movie should have been a great one. Here we have a great true story, involving a relentless search for truth, a government agency cover-up, a secret confidential source, and a tragedy that shook the nation. Coupled with a hero in the charismatic, eccentric and brilliant Richard Feynman, this could easily have been as good or better than say "Spotlight", or any other great movie of that genre. Yet, this movie, although OK, somehow misses. It's not great, has no great powerful moments, nor particularly funny or self deprecating. Something to watch when nothing else is on and no more.
Some of the blame must go to the portrayal of the main character, on which the entire story revolves - prof. Richard Feynman. One of the greatest physicists in history, with a crazy rich past and eccentricities that are legendary, and he is simply boring! It is clear to me that neither William hurt who plays him, nor the director has bothered to watch any of his many televised lectures ind interviews. First of all - the famous Brooklyn accent. Than the constant cocky smile and sharp humor. The many anecdotes and metaphors that are often his way of explaining. Non of it are present here. If it were up to me Alan Alda would play him as he is both sorta looks like him and is funny, serious and can do a great accent. Also the constant emphasis on his illness is over the top and distracting.
About the only really good thing I can attribute to this film is it's uncharacteristic accuracy. I didn't notice any factual errors, and that is rare in Hollywood.
In summation, this is a mediocre movie, that with a better cast and writing staff could have been a great one. Too bad!
Skyfall (2012)
disappointing
truth is, skyfall isn't a bad movie. in fact its probably a decent action flick, but sadly it simply isn't a james bond movie! it tries. the writers try to go back to the basics with the gadgets and weapons, and the theme song is great, enough that i dared hope that this one will be a fine addition to the series, unlike the previous "craigs". as the movie unfolds however, it appears that its just the opposite. the dialogs are as weak and as "un-bondlike" as before and the plot is full of holes and yet somehow very predictable. above all else though, is the story. sure, the movie is packed with gunfights and the occasional car chase but the story itself isn't working! where is the evil mastermind with the clever disguise, where is the clever banter when the world hangs on the balance, where is the save at the last minute and the unfazed bond with the girl under his arm afterward? 007 is a spy not rambo! where's the subterfuge? there are better bond movies than others but when you watch one there are certain things you expect regardless and skyfall is the first one to break that rule. that's why in my opinion, while the two previous ones "only" wherent very good, skyfall is worse, as its not a bond movie at all!