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mikefrei
Reviews
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
sorry
About 40 more minutes worth of thoughtful and intelligent editing would have made this a truly great movie. Oh, and Kevin Smith, Kevin Klein or Kevin Spacey could have played Batman, considering it was largely a CGI character, no difference would have been noticed. And Kevin Costner's appearance did not warm my heart. And I hate you IMDb for making me type more letters than I care to to get my brief thought on this movie posted. So I will type more letters and make them look like intelligent recourse. I will type and type until my fingers bleed if that is what it takes. Sorry. it appears I need yet another line of text. A sentence if you will. I will insert the names Batman and Superman in hopes it will be be adequate for your requirements. Here I go.....gonna press submit...
Seventh Son (2014)
Such a disappointment
I had hoped this would be a fun, escapist popcorn movie but it was not to be. You can't fault any of the actors, I'm sure they all saw some potential and the budget was obviously fat. The score, effects, set and costume were all spot on. There may actually be a decent story under this mess but I couldn't even make it half way through the film.
What this movie is about has more to do with someone who really wanted to make a movie that had deep pockets but no understanding of story telling or continuity. The film fails spectacularly somewhere in the mix of writing, editing and direction. I suspect the film editors did what they could but the writer/directer combo falls miserably short. Such a waste of good actors and a budget. It should be required material for all film students on how not to make a movie.
Zombie Apocalypse (2011)
Why?
Pathetic. Why does Sci-Fi always seem to have the right idea yet execute so poorly? Didn't make it 10 minutes into this wasted effort before hitting stop. I enjoy low budget efforts, freshman creativity and even 'me too' productions if passion is applied. There was no effort exerted in this badly produced, acted and directed production. Someone was either simply going through the motions for hope of profit or entirely clueless as to how to tell a story and capture it on film.
There must be a long list of students coming out of film schools chomping at the bit for a shot. Hopeful Directors, Writers, Actors and the rest. You know, the ones that will work cheap for a vision. Are they really that tough to spot? Get your head out of you know where Sci-Fi and invest in your product. Who knows, you might just become something significant.
Downstream (2010)
A flip of an older movie
I seem to be drawn to the post civilization, end of days genre. I think in an intentional way, this movie pays homage to almost every one I can recall. Eli, 28 Days and 28 Weeks Later, Mad Max, I am Legend, etc.
The most significant though is the twist on 'A Boy and His Dog' where a very young Don Johnson (Vic) and his dog roam the nuclear wastelands of the mid US. He communicates telepathically with the dog, giving him an edge in finding food and naturally sex since women are scarce. Someone asked, "why kill the dog?" Well in 'A Boy and His Dog" Vic kills the girl so he and the dog can eat. Downstream flips all this giving a nod to the earlier version.
Franklyn (2008)
A bit gob smacked
Just finished watching, feel as if I've been taken down the rabbit hole in a most excellent way. I think the concept of reality sums this one up in a sense, a concept near and dear to me (a devout Matrix fan). Won't comment on acting, SPFX, script or story, leave that to the more eloquent. Will just say if you enjoy a film that challenges you a bit, watch it. Read the other reviews, develop some expectations and prepare to be surprised. Most are correct, some miss but to define this movie too accurately would spoil it for someone who has not seen it, IMHO.
Slow to start, almost frustrating but endure. It slowly seduces, puzzles and sums up....sort of. Offers you the chance to create your own ending. Will certainly watch it again.