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Reviews
Forsaken (2015)
101 Clichés
Just screened at TIFF. A paint-by-numbers movie that lacks finesse let alone originality. Every hoary western movie trope + cliché - and then some. Downright ridiculous at times. Kiefer Sutherland wasn't bad - just the material he was handed. Father Donald clearly understood the dilemma as his performance was on autopilot. Demi Moore was actually OK-ish in spite of obviously being the director's idea of stunt casting. Michael Wincott did the least-affected work with arguably the most affected character - he also got to be beautifully dressed (as every gentleman killer with a code of honour should). Cameron Bailey introduced the film as a uniquely "Canadian western". I understood how sly he was being about half-way through the screening. Good news; it was only 90 minutes long. In conclusion, rent 'Unforgiven' if you want to see how it is supposed to be done.
Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014)
Competent but proforma
An OK film, but not a great film.
A bit too movie-of-the-week 'by the numbers' even for a risk-averse first time director. Lot's of potential for crackling drama + tension but we don't really experience any until the 3rd act and even then it seems proforma.
It is supposed to be based upon "true events" but the film ends without any explanation as to what happened to the main characters.
Benicio del Toro steals every scene and without him this would be a 3. Josh Hutcherson seems to struggle with the role playing someone who is (sort of) struggling with his conscience. The rest of the key supporting cast are cyphers with the exception of Carlos Bardem who nails the role of Drago.