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Reviews
Eternals (2021)
Decent but sometimes hard to follow
This is okay, but I'm glad I didn't pay theater prices for it. The plot is a bit hard to follow, especially jumping between times. Maybe it's due to editing? The movie is already over two hours and did seem to drag a bit as well. Still, if E2 comes out I will see it, but wait for it to stream.
The Birdcage (1996)
A dated look at a gay relationship - a cisgender perspective
First let me preface this with a bit of a bio. I am a middle aged straight cis gender female ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Not terribly outspoken, but definitely supportive.
Now, a couple of weeks ago myself and my mother (who I will just say has qualified for AARP for a while) decided we wanted to watch a movie. This always presents the dilemma of finding something for both our tastes. We finally settled on a comedy and selected The Birdcage. We had both seen it previously, but it had been about twenty years.
The movie was good with both Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in fine form. I must say also that Hank Azaria never receives the due he should in this for the small but hilarious role of Agador. Some of my favorite one liners come from him.
The movie finished out our night and I was left pondering it. I found that this movie, one of my favorites, actually hadn't aged well. Through no fault of the producer or actors, this movie I feel is showing a distinctive view of the way a stereotypical gay couple was viewed and portrayed by Hollywood in the mid 90s. Things have changed a lot in 25 years. Perhaps this is not dissimilar to the way some people are now viewing Gone With The Wind, with even more time in perspective.
In the movie, Nathan's character, Albert, is shown as being the obviously feminine half of the relationship and the joke is made about how to tell 'who the mother is'. This implies that there should be a feminine half. Obviously we now know different. Of course this is placed within the culture of drag queens, but still. Albert is constantly portrayed as moody and simpering, almost as a woman from an old style Hollywood movie would be. Unfortunately, while watching what was once one of my favorite films, I found the portrayal sad.
In the end, the Birdcage redeems itself a bit by showing Robin's character, Armand, standing up for his partner and of course everything has a nice Hollywood ending. The movie I suppose remains as a time capsule display of where views on gay relationships have been not too long ago. As for me, I don't think I'll watch again soon.
Game Changers: Inside the Video Game Wars (2019)
Dissapointed
I watched this but it was too heavy on Atari. The first hour and fifteen minutes of a two hour show was Atari. Then everything else got jammed in and a bunch was missed. The importance of the move of games from the arcade to home was shown, but the advent of mobile gaming never was. PlayStation was given an honorable mention but Xbox never was. This was more an Atari fan's history of Atari with a look at the Nintendo/Sega war and a few other quick mentions. Nothing after the 90s was even mentioned.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
The battle truly begins
With this chapter we get our final director and the battle really begins. We also see a darker side of Harry as he turns inward more. The acting is more developed and the characters are growing with story. For the most part the movie stays true to the story with only paring small details. There's a few small jumps but thankfully nothing as choppy as we saw in the previous outing.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry is growing up
This Harry has a new director in Alfonso Cuarón and a bit of a moodier look. The characters are also growing up and becoming teenagers now with a bit of angst. It all lends to a darker turn in this third installment that also sees the arrival of two fan favorite characters: Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Brilliant acting by the new additions adds to the unique directing and makes this a turning point in the Harry Potter movies.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
A solid adaptation
Another solid movie from Chris Columbus. He did well with these early small books and they suited his style well. One thing I didn't mention on my previous review is how great all of the casting for this series is. Even the smaller parts like Filch are played to perfection. Yes some of the kids are still learning but I don't think they're that bad and the adults are really the cream of British actors.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
A solid start
Chris Columbus gets the series off to a solid start and stays fairly true to Jo's vision. No, the acting isn't the most spectacular from the kids, but I don't think it's as horrible as some have made it out to be. They are young and over the course of the movies we will get to watch all these young actors grow in skills and physically. The movie is fun and well paced.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Better know the book if you want to keep up
This movie could have been the best but it is way too choppy. I don't know if the director or editing is to blame. This is Mike Newell's only outing as an HP director and the editors for the movies change quite a bit, so that is hard to say but I would have to argue for some of both. Anyone not very familiar with the books will probably get lost at various points of this movie simply because so much has been cut. I would say a minimum of two reads of the book are required to keep pace with the movie gaps. A few points that maybe adding 20 min on the movie and fleshing out a few areas would have helped with (this was a big book with a lot happening): some brief explanation of the Quidditch World Cup before dropping us in it and maybe at least a few flying passes of the game, fix the messed up arrivals of the two visiting schools (very chopped up), include the weighing of the wands with the important information about Fleur's heritage, there's also the plot change in how Harry gets gillyweed which I've never really understood why they changed it from the book, next there is the sudden arrival at the start of the third task with no introduction to the maze before to offer any transition. Then there are whole facets like SPEW that are cut that I guess I understand don't add anything to the main story, but purists find it hard to see them gone. One small thing that was added that I love as an all time favorite bit of acting from all the HP movies was the small scene with an annoyed Snape in the study hall when the trio are discussing dates to the ball. Genius acting by Alan Rickman. Overall conclusion is I really wish I could see an extended cut.
Skin (2018)
Damn
Watched once but don't think I could watch again. Just sitting here stunned like what the hell?
Rock of Ages (2012)
A bit of camp is always fun
I have read a lot of reviews and all I can say is some people take themselves and life way too seriously. This movie will not win Oscars,but it is a lot of fun. Definitely camp in places. Tom is great, but I think Russell stole the show. He manages to lighten things up just when it's needed. Currently has a 6.3 and I think in the end it may end up being one of those guilty pleasure cult classics like Rocky Horror,which has a lot more reviews and only tops out at 7.1. Just go and have a good time and laugh with it. Oh, and if you can't sing, please don't sing along. For that matter, don't sing even if you can. Wait to watch it at home for that.