peelscreen Reviews

Shutter (I) (2008)

PERFECT! for our image of American youth...

[1/10 · 22 March 2008]

I think this movie shows exactly how Hollywood sees America's youth. Compelled by fashionably dressed model women, sometimes half naked, bright colors, spooky images and scenes that are only there to make you jump. Oh... and I forgot, no brains. They think you're all idiots so they give you this cliché garbage.

Skinny attractive woman who couldn't act if it were cursed on her, walks around always looking fresh and dumb in designer clothes. This movie is about as intelligent as a log. Everything seems forced and none of it is original or done in a compelling way. I have to wonder if English was the native language of the director since most of the dialog is unacceptably terrible. Many times I cringed or laughed at things that I knew weren't meant to have that kind of reaction.

Poorly paced, poorly written, poorly acted, the effects are okay. I haven't seen the original, but conceptually, this movie could have been great if it were done the right way. Unfortunately, it was not. F-

Superman Returns (2006)

Entertaining Film

[7/10 · 27 June 2006]

When I went to see this movie I had read all of the bad reviews so I was fully prepared for whatever nonsense I might have to deal with. I agreed that Bosworth did not look right as Lois Lane but after watching the film for a while completely forgot that she didn't visually fit the role so I feel she gave a convincing enough performance.

If you're new to this film, it starts off as a continuation of the first two films that were made in the late 70's, early 80's. Superman just gets back from visiting his home planet. You might read some reviews that complain about this movie not explaining why he was gone for five years but the film explains clearly (in a sentence or two) that when Superman gets to his home planet it was just a graveyard. So he did nothing. There's nothing to talk about. His 5 years of absence is probably because his home planet was light years away. In fact, I'll bet it was about 5 light years away. Anyhow, while he was gone his enemy Lex Luther avoided going to jail because Superman failed to come to court to testify. Lex Luther is now out and about devising an evil plan. So here's where the movie begins.

On to my review.

My quarrel with this film is it does not make you believe it. Personally, as a viewer, I can respect a film that makes me lose myself in it. Seeing as this is a Hollywood blockbuster (think King Kong) you will find yourself in the middle of a few things you might find ridiculous. While entertaining for their visual/action effects, these things keep reminding you that you're watching a movie. Anyways, the thing this film DOES do is make you feel it. Strangely, this film seems to build its grounds more on its romance than its action. Not what one might expect from this film. Every dramatic scene of Superman saving this or that seems to try to communicate with the viewer just how important Superman really is. If you're one for feelings this movie might push you emotionally but if not you'll likely find yourself sitting in a bunch of over-dramatic rescue scenes with a hand full of social drama and mushy romance thrown in. It even has a soap opera twist to boot. (p.s. special effects are great)

In summary, yes, Routhe could have done a better Kent. Yes, this film moves a little slow (put my 4yo son to sleep). But overall I found the film to be entertaining and emotionally gripping. I think everyone will be able to enjoy Kevin Spacey's performance as Lex Luthor. Some will even walk out of the theater very happy they made the trip to see this film. I did.

A History of Violence (2005)

This film was simply not convincing...

[1/10 · 16 March 2006]

This film is confused about whether its fast paced and in your face for the mainstream audience or well thought out and paced for the art/film enthusiast. The two main characters hardly make a believable couple and their unconvincing near pornographic sex scenes seem out of place. The extent and degree that they are revealed is just not good story telling. I morbidly enjoyed the graphic violence but most will find it unnecessary. There were parts where I really felt I may have been watching a good movie but this film continued to remind me that I wasn't. I think the biggest enemy of this film is its production. There are so many unnecessary STUPID scenes that could have been cut out and this movie could have been something really good (although the ending wasn't believable and offered little reward). Unfortunately most will not find themselves enjoying this film in its entirety.