Change Your Image
chrisochs
Reviews
War (2019)
Ever Fast & Furious Movie Rolled Into One
Holy. Schnikes!!!
I work for a company based in Bangalore, and while waiting on a conference call, I checked out the India Times. The headline was about how "War" had broken all of these records and was the most amazing movie in recent memory.
Today, I happened to check out the AMC app and it was playing at a theater here in Denver. I figured I should watch it...
Am. I. Glad. I. Did.
This movie has action, drama, suspense, thriller twists, and is completely amazing!
This is my first "Bollywood" movie, and I am hooked!
As my headline said, this movie is what you get if you took every F&F movie made (not including "H&S") and rolled it into one.
Find this movie...Go watch it...
The Gambler (2014)
I guess I didn't get it
I was able to see this early as part of a sneak preview, and I almost walked out of the movie it was so bad.
Briefly, and I don't think I'm giving anything away, but I ticked the "spoiler box" just in case: Marky Mark said he "prepared his life for this role"...it doesn't show. A lot of laconic acting coupled with forced "teacher dynamics". I guess I haven't been in college recently, because his professor character is atrocious.
He's a gambler, yet we don't see anything to indicate history, addiction, etc. He plays blackjack, and in the opening scene we are expected to experience the roller coaster that is his life in 6 hands? Nope.
He's issues with his mom. And while Jessica Lange kills it, she can't prop up the fill-in lead singer of Steel Dragon.
Another bright spot is Omar from "The Wire". Michael K. Williams actually demonstrates acting ability and character immersion...maybe he should have been the lead.
I just realized I've spend way too long on a movie I was about to walk out of. Here's the short version: The main character is a Lit Teacher so he can have soliloquies to demonstrate depth. That device doesn't work. The main character is a "loser" gambler who keeps chasing and making poor decisions to draw in the audience to his plight. That doesn't work. The main character ruins relationships in a quest for the "rush of winning"--which we never actually see. And in the end, when it of course ends favorable for our hero (OK, I guess that's a "spoiler"), the main character demonstrates hubris and altruism by, literally, walking away...and then running for hours (without sweating a drop, btw) to see the only person he cares about--His Elizabeth Shue, 'Leaving Las Vegas' wannabe, student who is the only person who "gets him". Yeeech! OK, I'm changing my rating from 3 to 2.
A Numbers Game (2010)
Bought the DVD and 90% off and still want my money back
I'll get the good out of the way first. I'm a victim of the 80's, and so I loved the costumes. But seeing as how they are set in "present day" (2010), it's just stupid. The female lead is somewhat hot, but her hair reminded of a porno do, sans the payoff.
OK, have you ever been channel flipping and come back to a program you were kinda watching, and then said, "Wait, what just happened?" Well, that is the WHOLE movie.
I do sales, and like to see the glorification of my profession. This is a Special Olympics version of Glengarry, Boiler Room, and Tin Men...except that would be a slam against Special Olympics who actually have talent and a purpose.
I like Steven Bauer, he's a cool cat. But bloated and sweaty doesn't play here.
The only character who shows some "range" is Kevin Madden who is the sales guy who gets it.
For having a cast list with amazing head shots, this movie would have been better is the ladies just stood there. This is not sexist when you realize how horrible this movie is. For example, there was the "swimming pool at night montage" with the beautiful Madison Walls--and even THAT was unwatchable! The takeaway from this movie the best salesman in the world in James van Alden. He somehow sold people on giving him money to finance this movie. Nice job!
Old School (2003)
The funniest movie I have seen in years!!!!
WOW, I was able to get into a sneak preview Sunday night. The movie was so hilarious my face hurt. Will Ferrell outdid himself. He was able to keep his physical comedy going the whole movie. Kudos to the screenwriter. The cameos were tremendous. What might be construed at horrid acting was perfect for each situation.