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Reviews
The Leisure Class (2015)
Not bad
Considering the circumstances behind it I thought it was well done. Great chemistry between the two leads. I was drawn into the concept of the film and even looked beyond it. Philosophically speaking you might interpret Leonard as the crazy extension of William's personality. (and lets be honest Leonard did exhibit signs of the actor from Drop Dead Fred) It seemed to me, the tighter the noose was getting in the real world considering Fiona and her father, "POSSIBLE SPOILER" the more Leonard's psycho personality would come disrupt the household eventually forcing all cards to be laid on the table.
Jason, the director may be destined more for the indie film path, as opposed to Hollywood but there's no shame in that. After watching the series leading up to the movie I was more than shocked to find out they'd actually put a coherent story together, achieved nice visuals, and pulled off some pretty good acting. The movie has a beginning, a middle an end. There were lessons learned for the characters and while the story wasn't perfect I have to say honestly I have seen a lot, a lot worse.
So I don't understand all the bad comments I've seen. Maybe there wasn't enough raunchy jokes for the college crowd? Maybe not enough special effects for the Hollywood kids? Maybe the story wasn't as deep, funny, intense (or whatever adjective you wanna throw at it) But, for all things considered I felt it was well done.
Chappie (2015)
Chappie is genius
Incredible film. I don't understand the haters and trolls out there, I can only speculate that they are younger and prefer the usual Hollywood movie. As far as I'm concerned District 9 and Chappie are genius. I've seen people make snide comments that this was a rip off of Short Circuit and Robocop. Considering that movies have been borrowing from each other for decades, and that no story (on the face of this planet) is truly original, I can only surmise that these people haven't lived long enough to know better.
What I find most intriguing is the films comment on humanity, which, oddly enough is delivered to us by a non-human. Much the same way that District 9 boiled down to racial tolerance and human nature, Chappie teaches us the same as well as the value of compassion.
To me, these are all valuable lessons. For those who wish to discount this film for any number of valid or invalid reasons, they should probably remember that just because god gave them a mouth, doesn't mean they should always use it. In my opinion if you can't say something constructive then shut the F up.
More words of wisdom for those who left negative comments.
A) For those who couldn't stretch their imagination enough to accept the story. Go watch documentaries.
B) Why does the directing in District 9 look the same as the directing in Chappie? Big duh. Go check out the movies of Terry Gilliam, Stanley Kubrick, Tim Burton, Felini, Lynch... and (insert other famous directors) Then get back to me. Did you realize anything? C) For those that complained about Hugh Jackman's hair cut? Really? Are you old enough to watch a mature movie like this? D) For those that thought the punk chick reading to the robot was somehow embarrassing and cringe worthy? Children (in real life) read stories, and treat their dolls as friends. Many people treat their pets like humans. In a cold world such as this movie was set in, I would think that any person of compassion would be dying to show it to anything.
E) For those who think the acting was bad? You haven't watched a whole lot of films have you. Not to mention, you must be one of those folks who think all acting should be the same, as if every person on this planet would behave exactly the same way, given the exact same situation.
F) For those who found the plot/script bad? How many films have you seen? Please go away and grow up.
G) If you truly hated this movie? Please find a quiet room and eat vanilla pudding for every meal, for the rest of your life, that should make you happy.
For the open minded, the alive, the artist, the emotionally mature... you will enjoy this film.
The Lone Ranger (2013)
The bland epic, The lone yet great and powerful oz ranger yawn
Let me put it this way. When you were young you liked macaroni that came from a box, now that you are older you prefer the real thing.
To summarize up front, why was the Lone Ranger in this film such a pussy? This was not the Lone Ranger of Legend. This was the Long Ranger of lazy story plot convenience.
Disney, could you give us a moment of sheer artistic creation and boldness instead of trying to please the masses while attempting to live up to your own over bloated legend? Sure you had a bang of an ending in the film, but hey money can buy anything, and quite frankly it should have bought a better script. Personally I found the ending like I found the whole film; trying to be to many different things.
I myself am a humble film maker working off of nonexistent budgets and trying to do the best I can. When I see so many wonderful resources, people and budgets attached to this type of movie I expect something genius. If you can't give me something genius, then at least inspire me.
From my perspective, and I apologize for being negative, but here's where it went wrong.
1) The wrong actor played the Lone Ranger. Someone, say of a more heroic nature would have been a better choice. This, in part was probably due to the writers and whoever else decided it was a good idea to take the lazy way into writing a screenplay, by adding the horribly clichéd buddy relationship good cop/bad cop/straight lace guy vs wild crazy guy plot line...etc. After all, if it wasn't for the Lone Ranger's imbecilic pantywaist behavior there would have been no chemistry what-so-ever with the Tonto character... which was pretty much nonexistent anyway.
Not to mention the "my brother was a real hero, and I'm a pantywaist who has to strive for that mark" story line.
Couldn't they have tried something bold, couldn't the Lone Ranger be a kick ass dude? Someone to look up to? Instead of comic relief? 2) Johnny Depp, OK I know some people are sick of him but I still think he's alright, however maybe Disney could have done something real crazy... like cast a Native American? OK. Quick Google, apparently Depp says he has Native American blood. But... must Disney be so desperate to sell their films to the public? Why didn't they just ask Tom Hanks to play the part? Or Matt Damon? or maybe Denzel Washington? Or even Tyler Perry? Or get someone to make a Muppet Tonto? Depp's character, seemed to be there for nothing more than to babysit the lone ranger. Almost as if he was the candy that the studio dangled in front of the audiences to hopefully kick off a franchise. Sadly his acting reflected the same.
Between this film and Oz the great and powerful, they both seemed to be epic-wannabes. They play the dramatic music in all the right places, they try and give us dramatic moments with characters that we (don't) really care about. They try and give us the small uplifting moments. They try and give us a moment of deep thought to ponder something bigger than ourselves. They try and give us a triumphant, yet very Disney approved ending...
Did I mention they place all the correctly clichéd music at all the correctly clichéd moments?
I think, to make a true epic you have to have bold genius. You have to make real macaroni, not the stuff from the box.
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Oz the Long and Boring
I'm watching the DVD as I write this review. I see that many people have already written reviews about the short-comings of the film of which I completely agree. I offer my views.
One could argue that this is a children's movie thus all short-comings in the mind of an adult do not apply, but damn't Disney, you had a huge budget, and an innovative director. What happened? Why James Franco? Why does the wicked witches make-up color and lack of normalcy look identical to Jim Carrey's in The Mask? Two and a half hours of viewing? and not one honest moment, or any heart and soul in the movie? One lesson I've learned in screen writing is, you've got to make the audience give a damn about the characters. I say this is also the downfall of the recent Tim Burton movies (Alice, Willy Wonka, Dark Shadows) Have you guys forgotten how to write a compelling story? With compelling characters? Tim, you did it before. Sam, you've done if before.
I see raving about how great the CGI is in this film, but the monkey still don't look real.
You could say it's easy for me to sit on my couch and give a negative review to a movie, and it is. But in this day and age I expect better. As a small time film maker working on a zero budget and a day job, where I have no hope of special effects, and locations are always found through prayer and what I can fast-talk my way into, I find it disturbing that a company with all resources at hand can't produce a truly inspired spectacle. Again I believe this film (as well as others) are missing a heart and soul. Perhaps they should have put the Tin Man in it somehow.
If this wasn't a Disney flick would it have been better?
My final thoughts: Warmed over generic pablum for the masses. Don't get me started on Cowboys and Aliens.