david-comeau Reviews

The Bank Job (2008)

What a wonderful surprise...

[9/10 · 27 June 2008]

This was a great movie to watch. I only watched it because of reviews online here and at other websites. Jason Stratham has a bit of a stigma about his movies for me since Transporter 2 and Crank, and this movie was a pleasant surprise, bringing a performance above Snatch and The Italian Job. In this movie, he plays both a realistic character and does a believable job at it.

The plot twists and turns are unpredictable but at the same time believable. It is nice to see a good story (And apparently a true story) told in such a believable manner.

Glad I did not write this off as fluff and actually watched it.

Men with Brooms (2002)

This was an OK comedy, with realistic characters

[7/10 · 6 May 2006]

OK, so this was not exactly high art. But let's be realistic, it is a movie with Paul Gross and Leslie Nielson in it. I was not expecting the English patient.... What was here was a good little comedy movie that poked fun at a lot of Canadian idiosyncrasies, had realistic characters and had a bit of fun with a known Canadian (and international) sport. It was nice that most of the characters had some sort of flaw, but still managed to sort things out and overcome. Better yet, it was nice to see Leslie Nielson actually act in a movie with a character who had depth instead of his normal two dimensional slapstick characters. Mostly, I enjoyed this movie because it was not a complete cast of perfect people, and it did have fun with a lot of Canadian stereotypes. It is always good when we can laugh at ourselves. Like I said, not high art but that was not what we were looking for.

Space Cowboys (2000)

A nice little movie, not too outrageous and the expert acting makes it enjoyable

[7/10 · 10 April 2005]

We own this movie in our home collection and we haven't watched it in a while. Saw it again tonight on TV, and realized that it is still a good movie.

Clint Eastwood produces and directs this movie, and draws some "experienced" actors to help him fill the lead roles. They manage to extol the trials and tribulations of the senior years, while still capturing the exuberance of youth from the past.

the story leads a mildly predictable pattern, but in this case it is not the end of the story that is primarily important, but instead how they get there. Also, all 4 lead actors all come off as really having a good time in the movie, it feels like they really enjoyed making this one and it comes out on the screen in the performances.

The pace is even and smooth, again demonstrating Clint Eastwood's legacy of directing and acting in watchable, enjoyable movies, no matter what the gender.

I should also mention that the special effects and the space sequences are stunning and much better done than most other movies in near-earth space. That would be the industrial Light and Magic team doing it again.

Overall, enjoyable.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

An OK show, shows rednecks are everywhere...

[7/10 · 30 March 2005]

This is an interesting movie, about three drag queens out on a quest to get from Sydney to Alice Springs for a gig.

This movie works particularly well if you are familiar with gay personalities as they do fit the stereotype and the parts are well acted. In fact, they do a more convincing job of the drag queen persona then most modern gay comedy movies. This is not a good movie for families or homophobic straight men. Though tolerant men and women will find a lot of comedy in it. And it does take a good bite out of travel in central Australia. The three lead actors are quite famous for many other projects, and none of them are gay. Have fun figuring them out (before researching on IMDb).

P.S. (2004)

Disappointed, great actors - lame story

[2/10 · 26 March 2005]

My only problem with this movie is the GAPING plot holes and continuity issues.

Right off the bat, the lead character sets up an interview over the phone, but does not tell the artist where to go for the meeting. This is important since he mentions he knows nothing about the University.

And within an hour of the meeting, they enter a more complex relationship, without any concern for the repercussions on her job or any dislodge driven chemistry for that matter.

It was a shame to see such talented actors on all fronts having to deal with a lame screenplay.