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norman-dostal
Reviews
Devil's Backbone, Texas (2015)
Original Found Footage Film
I watched this last night and was pleasantly surprised.The overall concept of the film works. It takes an overused genre and adds a unique, compelling spin. The director/writer/star's father is the subject of the first half of the film (done documentary style) and interweaves a current ghost story into the works. The film's first half works REALLY well-it is interesting and the subjects (the real family) are good in the interviews. The film isn't quite as successful with the ghost story second half, but this transition from non fiction to fiction would be tough for anyone to accomplish. It is clear the auteur is expressing real emotion on camera and it works. Overall, a good spin on a genre that needs creative injections such as this.
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
A Masterpiece
This movie is truly a masterpiece. It contains such well defined characterizations-both human and animal and is able to elicit such deep, layered emotion from the audience. One feels genuine fear, loss, excitement and love from this movie! The songs are fun and serve the story well. Tod is the true friend we all want to be and have in our lives-his depiction alone makes the movie a classic. There are many sad scenes in this film, but none feel overdone. The saddest scene of all occurs when the Widow has to say goodbye to Tod-guarantee there won't be a dry eye in the house! A compelling story drives this movie-and its ultimate lesson about enduring friendship-through enormous obstacles-is one the whole family will treasure.
Interior. Leather Bar. (2013)
Bad, Obnoxious Gay Porn Claiming to be Art
This was truly terrible. Franco wanted to make gay porn and made up a reason to do it, cloaking it as "art". It is more aptly described as "Fart" because it stinks. The film is basically 45 minutes of talking about shooting the "missing 40 minutes" of Cruising then actually showing about ten minutes of film inside a gay leather bar. Having just watched the actual movie, I can tell you that this piece would not fit into the film. Didn't look right in terms of color or atmosphere. And the guy playing Pacino? A chubby unattractive man? No. There is explicit gay sex-an actor gives oral sex to another guy and everything is shown. It's just porn-nothing more. Franco looks like a strange freakshow, almost drooling while saying "I wish I wasn't brought up in such a hetero normative world". The biggest problem here is that Franco claims that he is bothered that gay love isn't shown as fully as straight love, but then he shows 5 minutes of a man sucking another guy. Its exploitation in its worst form.
Somewhere in Time (1980)
Severely Overrated
I really loved this movie when I first saw it decades ago. I watched it again last night, but really wished I hadn't. The movie just isn't that great. Reeves is mostly to blame, but the poor writing and storytelling is a close second. Reeves doesn't act very well-its very method-very deliberate-every motion, every expression, you can see the mechanics of his acting. It proves that he needs a good director because he didn't have these mannerisms as Superman. Or maybe Superman was OK with a little elevation to his acting. Seymour is good-beautiful, effortless, but I don't see any chemistry with Reeves-it's almost as if they are in two different movies. The script's dialogue is really poor-clunky, weak. I liked the look of it and the general story is appealing, but this is definitely no classic. Why did I watch it again???
Iron Man Three (2013)
Great Flick
These nerd purists make me laugh. "It doesn't follow the comics" "It doesn't follow the previous stories" "It doesn't...blah blah blah" These nerds should talk about what this movie Does. The movie is a success in every sense of the word. Huge box office, amazing effects, great, enthralling, clever storytelling-this film has it all! If you like the Iron Man movies, you will love this one because it is simply the best of them. Downey is so fun to watch-he can take any line and make it funny, quirky or touching as the moment merits. Paltrow is also fun-a great match for Tony. The villains are amazing to watch-the CGI fire effects, the constant surprises-all good fun. See it now-the best Marvel movie to date.
The Art of Being Straight (2008)
Not Good
Bad movie with no ending. I knew I was in trouble when the main guy was the least good-looking with receding hairline (the comb over is terrible, especially after the gay sex scene). It was obvious this guy wrote and directed it; the main character would not be the least attractive if he was cast on his acting talents. The story begins with no realism-the least attractive guy is a ladies' man? Not believable. And then he has a gay eperience as a bottom? Guys in the closet do not immediately jump into anal sex-it just doesn't happen. And then the movie just ends after less than 70 minutes. I don't even want to go into the parallel story involving a teacher and some girl...not connected to the main story at all! Nothing new here-its all been done before and much better. Next time, don't cast yourself. Very few experienced film makers can star as well as direct a movie-this guy is NOT one of them.