glopezruelas Reviews

The Hurt Locker (2008)

the movie falls way short of its raving reviews

[5/10 · 27 November 2009]

It had been quite a while since I last encountered a movie with such a great discrepancy between the critics' reviews and my own. I saw this movie last night at the theatre, and I still cannot believe the generosity of some of the grades/reviews this movie's received.

The best way to put it, simply, is that this is just another war movie. It falls flat, it bores, it is about 25 minutes too long, and, to top it off, it is completely unrealistic. (yes, movies in general are fiction, but this one being a war movie, and being so wildly unrealistic, it very much spoils what is supposed to be the effect of the film). It provides next to nothing new that you haven't already seen in other war movies. The scene juxtaposition (not necessarily the editing in general) feels extremely unnatural, even annoying to an aficionado. And, unlike good war movies, it completely fails to move you.

And it is not that I don't like war movies. In fact, I only recently watched Flags Of Our Fathers, as well as Letters From Iwo Jima, and both are excellent war movies (though of very different kind). Not to mention the half-dozen or so war classics that I love.

Actually, if you want to watch an effective version of The Hurt Lucker, watch Metallica's The Day That Never Comes music video - and you'll save about 2 hours and 15 minutes of your time. I'm only half-kidding about the music video.

Untraceable (2008)

Not a good movie, but...

[5/10 · 4 February 2008]

This is simply not a good movie, for basically the same reasons bad movies are bad (inferior script, implausibility, trying-too-hard, mediocre acting, etc.), and at times it is pretty hard to watch because of how low it sinks.

However, I gave it a 5 (and not lower) for a couple of reasons. This movie does NOT bail itself out of situations with cheap scares (e.g. bursting a loud noise out of nowhere; do an extreme close-up so you can't see the surroundings). Also, while a lot of scenes, situations, and decisions by characters in the movie are highly implausible, the overall concept, and even a few of the scenes are more believable than most of your contemporary thrillers and "digital sci- fis".

Definitely not worth $10. A rental AT BEST.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

An impartial review: Disappointing

[5/10 · 11 July 2004]

To be brief, I love Will Ferrell's comedy, I love the stunts and cameos he's made as Ron Burgundy leading up to the release of this movie, and I very much enjoy what we all like to call "stupid funny" comedies. However, Anchorman was a total disappointment. It has two or three hilarious scenes and that is it. For the rest of the movie I was pinching myself to see if I was really awake or if it was just a bad dream. I can't believe Will Ferrell actually wrote this...I kinda refuse to believe that, actually. I'm not going to sit here and tell you to go or not to go watch it, I don't care, but I must tell you I don't really recommend it. Even if I hadn't had such high expectations for this movie, I'd still think it was bad.

Zoot Suit (1981)

saying...

[5/10 · 10 September 2003]

Saying that this is one of Olmo's best films (or his best) is not saying much. Overrated. The movie has some originality, but it is not developed well, most acting is pretty bad, and the script leaves a lot to be desired. Though Zoot Suit was certainly not the first one to use this style (of the "personified conscience"), it is somewhat refreshing. If you want to see a really good movie with this style (but very different in content) see Entre Pancho Villa Y Una Mujer Desnuda. That's a great play-turned-into-movie.

Phenomenon (1996)

very underrated

[9/10 · 26 August 2003]

My favorite movies are: Pulp fiction, Run Lola Run, Seven, and A Clockwork Orange. So how in the world do I like Phenomenon? It is very well-made (i.e. lighting, direction, editing), excellente acting, and a very strong message. Give it a real chance, and you can't deny that it is at least good. I personally gave it a 9 out of ten, and I'm rarely that generous.

The Gatekeeper (2002)

unfortunately...

[1/10 · 16 August 2003]

I hardly ever say this, but this is a very, very bad movie. I gave it a one...I don't think I'd ever rated a movie a one, out of dozens of movies I've rated. For starters, the portrayals are COMPLETELY inaccurate. I grew up in a border town in Mexico (before eventually moving to the border town in the U.S.), and this is not even close to reality. Sure, movies are not reality, but this movie also has no point, no real story, horrendous acting, and, the worst aspect of the movie, an awful script. Every line is not only full of cheese, but it actually doesn't mean anything (to the movie or to real life). Please, if you ever see this movie, do not even begin to consider the possibility of getting anything informative out of it. I really dislike bashing someone, but I can't help to think how in the world this guy got to make this movie and, worst of all, release it nationwide. Again, portrayals of ALL people (not only Mexicans) and individual characters are especially unjust. I actually went into the theatre with a positive attitude and favorable expectations, so if it would've been something in-the-middle, I would've given you the benefit of the doubt, but the truth is that, *gulp*, this is the worst movie I recall watching.

The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002)

don't be a fool

[8/10 · 21 November 2002]

Now, I will start up by saying that no doubt do I rather watch a movie like this than your typical Hollywood movie. However, the movie's critical acclaim is much greater than the film's overall quality. The movie is worth watching...let's get that out of the way, most people know that...and that's why I'll mainly mention the flaws of the movie. This film tackles a few too many issues. Though they are all worth bringing up in art in general, the movie losses its coherence by doing that. It also leaves a lot of unanswered or unexplored issues, particularly that of the mafia, which was perhaps the most compelling one. Also, the second part of the movie is almost like a soap opera...I don't know how to describe a soap opera, but you all know them.

City by the Sea (2002)

10, 45, 60 (thinking about watching the movie? Read)

[7/10 · 21 November 2002]

The movie was sort of mediocre, but it is worth watching I think. It is mediocre because it is highly predictable. It has good things, though.

The movie lifted from sort-of-bad to OK because of its great acting.

DeNiro has done his share of great acting and his share of not-so-great acting (or at least not-so-great movies), but he is extremely good in this movie. DeNiro, McDormand, and Franco are all very good in the movie...all three of them are usually good anyway, but I think they were all at their best here. The movie itself is not particularly "beautiful to watch", or something with "superb editing", but it has a good story.

The big error of this movie I thought was pacing. The near-middle of the movie is almost worthless. You could watch the first ten mins. of the movie, sleep the next 45, and then watch the last hour, and you'll be missing nothing.

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)

...It's actually o.k.

[8/10 · 28 November 2000]

When I heard a Beavis & Butt-head movie was being released, I went "oh, no, another TV show made into a bad movie". Well, Beavis & Butt-head Do America is obviously not one of the best movies out there, but it was actually worth making, and therefore seeing. It is funny and original, and does not contain any of the cliché comedy lines other modern "comedies" do...just watch it for yourself.

Casino (1995)

yes, underrated...but could be even better

[8/10 · 31 October 2000]

I have heard several times that this movie is underrated, and it is, to some extent. This movie became a cliché the very moment it came out since it was directed, written and starred by the exact same people as Goodfellas.

Overall, Casino is a good movie, but maybe if it would've come out before 1995 (and 1990, for that matter), would have been more sucessful, and less criticized. Also, I definitively think this is not Scorscese's best film...Goodfellas, Raging Bull are of more quality.