ulyses Reviews

Gangs of New York (2002)

Not the worst movie I have seen, but it is over-rated

[6/10 · 4 September 2006]

I am the first to admit that I had doubts about this movie before I saw it. Hollywood never does well with a story "based" on historical fact. After seeing it, my fears were not allayed, even though the film is shot well and the acting was above average.

My main problem is the story itself. New York during the civil war was bad enough without having to embellish the story. Contrary to the theme of this movie, most of the rioting was caused by immigrants who resented the loss of jobs to freed slaves or feared would cause their wages to fall. Most of the violence was against blacks, including the burning of an orphanage and the killing and lynching of any unfortunate black caught on the streets.

This is definitely liberal Hollywood's view of history. It may be interesting, but it definitely isn't factual. Also, all the slobbering about how great Daniel Day Lewis is in this character is over-rated. His is the kind of brutal, troubled character that doesn't appeal to me.

See this movie if you want. Remember it is fiction of the worst kind.

M*A*S*H (1970)

Way, way, way over-rated

[4/10 · 5 July 2005]

Altman's movie owes it's popularity to it's political stance and not to any great film making. In truth, it is as close to being about the Korean War as the "The Flintstones" is about the Cretaceous era. The movie is what an historically anti-war Hollywood of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s thinks war is about. They were, are, and always will be wrong. Donald Sutherland was especially annoying.

I tired of watching actors meander through their roles, with little direction or limits. The message of the movie is heavy handed. It is not that funny and it is extremely mean spirited. I would recommend that people see it only to prove that the movie does not live to it's reputation.

The Book of Mormon Movie, Volume 1: The Journey (2003)

Ouch

[1/10 · 26 May 2004]

This movie should have been better. It had the budget (small by Hollywood standards, but large in the current LDS market) and a great story, but as illustrated time and time again in cinema, money does not translate to quality.

It is no wonder that Mormons are viewed as culturally unsophisticated, when sacred text is treated in such an amateurish manner and then defended by many in the LDS community. The real truth is that this is bad cinema and not a reflection of LDS expectations on a cinema representation of the story.

The script is poor, the acting is average at best, the direction is poor and the sets and costumes "laughable". This is neither a significant work nor a good representation of the Book.

I attended the movie with the best intentions of liking the movie and I desperately wanted my beliefs handled in a professional manner, one that I could take friends to and say it represented my faith. Unfortunately, it brings no credibility to the truth of the Book. I won't be taking any friends to see this one.

Sorry, but my recommendation is that no one see this. Maybe then the idea of a sequel will be squelched. Bring on talented LDS Producer/Directors! The story still hasn't been told well. I want to see LDS artists succeed, but it must be done better than this to be taken seriously.