dennispublic Reviews

Defiance (I) (2008)

You have to understand - THIS IS A TRUE STORY

[9/10 · 25 November 2011]

There are two levels to this movie: On one level it is a Hollywood blockbuster, well made and well produced. Many will be interested in this.... But...

Look a bit deeper BEFORE you see the movie and it will mean a lot more to you, and you will enjoy it a lot more. Do you enjoy the internet? Free speech? IMDb? Then this movie should mean more to you then the typical Hollywood blockbuster. THIS IS A TRUE STORY.... which makes me take this film 10x more seriously then I would a normal Hollywood blockbuster. I'm a Canadian 30-something and none of my family was involved in WW2, and I'm not Jewish. So I'm pretty much impartial. But I'm still fascinated by it, and very conscious of the sacrifices people paid so that I could post this review. I have enormous respect for those who paid for my freedoms. Enormous, indescribable respect. As should you.

You think the world economy is bad, etc etc? Watch this and put things into perspective. If you're younger and don't really see WW2 as being relevant in your life: just wait. As you grow older you look further back to understand where you are coming from and how you ended up where you did. "If you know your history, then you would know where you're coming from." - BM

The first time I saw this film I wasn't terribly impressed - as far as Hollywood flicks go you can get more explosions and action in other films, I gave it about 7/10. What made me watch it again was when I saw a documentary on History Channel about the Bielski brothers. That really hit home and reminded me it wasn't just another flick. THIS WAS REAL. I had to watch it again before I realized: this deserves 9/10.

That made me google them, and led me to the Wikipedia page for the Bielski Partisans. I *highly* recommend you see a doc or visit the Wikipedia page BEFORE you see this movie. It really makes you appreciate it more, and lets you know this movie is infinitely more important than The Transformers, etc etc. 20,000+ descendants are alive and well because of what these FOUR brothers did.

In western culture, particularly with young people, we tend to think the U.S.A / U.K won the second world war for us. The truth is - the Russians and everyone on the Eastern front were what defeated the Nazis. Google it. This movie is a great example of how they did it, religion is irrelevant here. This is why "we" won the war and still exist to post reviews on websites. In an age where Lady Gaga and the likes are the most famous people on the planet... it really makes ya think... Who is a true hero? A legend? Who should be recorded in the history books for all time? Who among us has saved 1200 lives against all odds?

Tuvia, Alexander ("Zus"), Asael, and Aron.

Much respect to all veterans, east and west, from a younger person who enjoys his freedom. Thank you.

Mr. Nobody (2009)

See it twice!

[10/10 · 30 August 2011]

Making a film like this is extremely risky! It has so many complex scenes and they've all been all woven together into a huge tapestry. There are so many mistakes that could have been made; so many ways this movie could have gone bad.

But somehow Jaco Van Dormael has pulled it off, and perfectly! It's mind blowing! It's one of those films you have to see twice before you can really put all the threads together and fully appreciate the explosion of genius that you just witnessed.

Not many directors, if any, could pull it off like Jaco has done here. I think he was able to succeed because he was the writer too; it was his baby through and through. Directing something like this would otherwise be impossible without that kind of intimate knowledge and passion for the material.

The writing is incredible. The directing is incredible. This guy deserves completely separate awards for both. It is truly a film unlike any other I've seen, and definitely one of my top five favourites of all time. It might make your head hurt a bit at first, but hang in there - and see it twice.

Falling Skies (2011–2015)

I have nightmares about this show....

[2/10 · 1 August 2011]

This show is clear evidence that Mr Spielberg needs to retire. It's crystal clear that he has nothing left in the tank creatively, but apparently he's willing to whore his name out for an easy cheque. There simply is no other possible explanation for this show.

I think at the very least Spielberg should take 5-10 years off to think about what he has done here and how he can make amends to humanity. That's what this show is: a crime against humanity, it's THAT bad. Bad writing, bad acting, bad special effects, it's all just so... bad...

Spielberg should be penalized for tricking us into watching even a single episode. Perhaps some kind of class action lawsuit - this show has caused me to suffer horribly and I should be compensated. Since watching the first few episodes I have been having horrible nightmares and often wake late at night in a cold sweat screaming about "Falling Skies". The nightmares are not about the aliens or anything like that - they are just about how horrible this show is and how terrified I am of someone making me watch another episode.

Needless to say this is the biggest steaming pile of American dog crap I have seen in years and I've come to warn people: don't watch this!

True Grit (2010)

"Like an electric shock"

[9/10 · 20 March 2011]

I had a chance to see this tonight, it was a spur of the moment thing and I started watching with absolutely no expectations, I didn't even know who was in it... I was in for quite a shock!!!

Within 5 minutes I knew with 100% certainty that I was about to see a really good movie; Hailee Steinfeld blew my mind. As soon as that little girl started speaking it was glaringly obvious this was not going to be just "another Hollywood flick". This movie is perfect and it hits you immediately - like an electric shock. It sucks you in and does not let you go.

Within 10 minutes I knew I'd be I writing a review on IMDb when I got home, which is something I rarely do despite seeing 100s of movies every year. But this one deserves it, demands it. It would be an injustice if I didn't help spread the word - people must be told: this is one of the best movies you'll ever see.

Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and especially Hailee Steinfeld all deserve Oscars and any other awards we can give them - they "nailed" their roles. Perfect acting. Perfect writing. Perfect direction. The film had me literally on the edge of my seat, several times gasping and uncontrollably speaking out loud "wow, this is good".

Make sure you see this - it is shockingly good.

Fair Game (I) (2010)

Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it...

[8/10 · 30 January 2011]

First of all: I'm not an American, so I have no interest in any of the left wing vs right wing political immaturity that goes on there. And since I'm being honest: if this film was a work of fiction - it wouldn't have been that great, maybe a 6/10 IMDb rating.

What makes this film absolutely mind blowing is that this stuff actually happened. Wow! You can argue the little details if you wish, but the bulk of this is public record and you're not kidding anyone. This gets an 8/10 on IMDb from me because it's non-fiction and it's a very very important story.

The war in Iraq was a crime and the guilty should be required to watch this movie, a few times. How many thousands of lives could have been saved? Feel shame and learn from your mistakes. Get mad! Don't ever be fooled like this again!!!

Frankly this movie should be shown in schools for the next 100 years - it should be considered required viewing in History classes. I think it's important that this little piece of the past is not swept under the rug anytime soon. I praise the makers of this film, I praise Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame.

Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it - so cherish this 108 minute reminder of America's greatest mistake.

Ip Man 2 (2010)

Absolutely HORRIBLE script

[2/10 · 23 December 2010]

This film only has a one fatal flaw: it's entire premise.

I had never heard of Ip Man or Ip Man 2 until browsing IMDb the other night and when I noticed the high rating on both films. Normally kung fu flicks are not my thing, but I make a point of seeing anything with a high rating. Unsurprisingly, I enjoyed Ip Man 1, I think it deserves it's high rating.

However... this piece of garbage, Ip Man 2, is in a completely different league (a much much lower one). There is just no way this deserves anything more than a 6.0 rating on IMDb.

In fact, I found the script so horribly flawed that I had to stop the movie and login to IMDb to start writing my review even before I had finished watching it. That's how much I disagree with this film's high rating - coming here to set things straight was more important than finishing it. I'm giving this film a 2 out of 10 to bring a sense of justice back to IMDb.

How this is even slightly historical or biographical is beyond me. I think Ip Man would be rolling in his grave if he knew about this travesty. Also I agree with previous reviewers who have described the film as "border line racist" although I think it's more accurate to say the film is insulting to anyone with any intelligence.

The entire premise of this film is a kung fu master taking on a boxer, in a boxing ring. The boxer wears huge boxing gloves, the kung fu master fights bare knuckled. Just stop and picture that in your mind for a second, then ask yourself if you really need to know anymore. This kung fu master can simultaneously defeat 10-20 other men armed with swords and butcher knives etc. Yet somehow we are then expected to believe that a single British boxer (wearing his ridiculous big boxing gloves) is Ip Man's biggest challenge. Any true mixed marital arts fan out there will know where this is going. The "east vs west" fights were ridiculously implausible and made it impossible to take this film seriously.

Gangland (I) (2007–2010)

Shame.....shame..... shame....

[1/10 · 9 May 2010]

The History Channel really went off track with this *horrible* program. I'm not sure what the executives were thinking. I can only imagine it had something to do with being bored of broadcasting "history" and a desire to grab more of a younger audience... so they chose to branch out and try to influence the present, in the most horribly tasteless way they could. They sold their souls in the hopes it might bring a minor increase in ratings.

SHAME.... SHAME..... SHAME....

This is, without question, the most shameful thing the History Channel has ever broadcast. An obvious grab for ratings and popularity with a younger crowd. Clear and blatant glorification of violence. If I could rate this lower then a 1, I would.

SHAME.... SHAME..... SHAME....

Defendor (2009)

Surprise! This is a great movie!

[8/10 · 21 April 2010]

Wow, that was surprising.

I stumbled across this film by accident, I saw that Woody was in it so decided to give it a try. I wasn't expecting much because I had never heard of it. But I was very pleasantly surprised.

This movie is great! "Defendor" is very funny, yet has a real story, and will get you emotionally involved when your not laughing your butt off. You pretty much can't go wrong here. Most importantly it was all thrown together beautifully, hats off to the writers and director. Every actor did a great job as well, but Woody stole the show, he deserves an award for this - he nailed the roll and then some. 110%. Well done.

This movie is underrated!

Public Enemies (2009)

Worst film of 2009 - Should be on IMDb's bottom 250

[2/10 · 15 October 2009]

Well I don't often come on here to write reviews unless a film disappoints me as much as this one has. It is truly horrible. Where to begin? The whole thing looks phony, cheap direction and photography. At times it looks like a low budget British or Canadian independent film. The camera work is amateur. But thats just the beginning because there is not much of a story here either. The whole film screams 'Hollywood', and does not come off as very believable. It's trying too hard and missing horribly. I expected more from Mr Depp, his films are usually interesting, at least. This one is bland and just goes on and on. We never get to learn much about the main character, he's too busy trying to look cool. It's all style and no substance. Two thumbs down for this flick - I'd like my money back please.

Miracle at St. Anna (2008)

Possibly the worst WWII film ever made.

[4/10 · 4 February 2009]

If I had to summarize this movie up in one word, that word would have to be: "consistent". This movie is consistently and thoroughly bad: the acting is terrible, the directing is pathetic, the writing is horrible, even the music was inappropriate.

Within about two minutes it was clear that WWII flicks are not Spike Lee's forte; from a directing standpoint this film is complete embarrassment. At no point during the movie did I get the feeling like I was there or witnessing something realistic. The whole thing felt extremely poorly made and half a dozen times during the film I found myself breaking out into hysterical laughter because it was so bad that it became funny.

The only good thing I could say about this movie is that it would be a great instructional tool in film schools to teach aspiring actors and directors what NOT to do.