Jan_El_Senor Reviews

Saved by the Bell (2020–2021)

Great revival

[8/10 · 30 November 2020]

This show is a lot of fun. One thing to keep in mind is that this version is mainly told from the perspective of the new kids coming to Bayside.

This is a fun show for a new generation with plenty of nods to the original. Highly recommended.

Do You Believe? (2015)

Better than God's Not Dead

[6/10 · 28 March 2015]

I took my wife to see this on or little getaway this week. It was a pretty well made movie. In my opinion it was much better than God's Not Dead. The characters, the plot lines, and the acting were all more relatable in this film. So I wouldn't tell people who didn't like God's Not Dead to write this one off.

Don't get me wrong, the film had it's faults. Some of the character's story lines were kind of silly. However, the acting made up for the bad writing in some parts, especially in the case of Brian Bosworth (Joe) and Makenzie Moss (Lily). These two stole every scene they were in. Kudos to them.

While I went in expecting the film to be a Crash-like film, I didn't expect the climax to be pretty much exactly the same. It still worked, and it was well made. But the fact that it was basically a remake of that climax kind of stole a little of the thunder for me.

I've seen 3 or 4 Pureflix films now, and I've noticed two things:

1. They have a knack for finding amazing child actors. The children they cast in this film and Christmas Angel all pretty much stole the show.

2. The other films are all better than God's Not Dead. It's puzzles me to know that film has been their biggest financial success when watching some of their other films.

At the end of the day, I don't think this film will convert anyone or change any lives, but it's a good film to watch with the family (it might be a little too much for the younger kids). If you're not Christian, watch it as a curiosity and be aware of that it's a Christian film going in. It's not as preposterous as God's Not Dead, and it's a pretty impressive film for it's low budget.

Noah (2014)

My review of Noah (spoilers)

[7/10 · 26 April 2014]

Let's leave religion out of the review (except for my note at the bottom). As a movie, Noah was both spectacular and a letdown to me.

The first half of the film was the best. Basically, the setup is way better than the payoff. The prophetic dreams, the angels, the building of the ark and mounting tensions were all awesome. Noah is 100% bad-ass with the Creator leading him and backing him up making all that we see really cool.

Then, we get to the ark in the water. It starts off with the excellent narration of creation visualized by the evolution of the Earth. While it uses the visualization of scientific evolution, we still end up with the Biblical (and perfect) Adam and Eve. The fall of man is depicted very faithfully to the stories. This is probably one of the best sequences of the film.

The whole last section (pretty much the second half of the film) went downhill for me. We don't see Noah's visions anymore. We don't know if he's going crazy or is the Creator is still commanding him. Basically, Hermione is preggers, and Noah believes the Creator says he has to kill the baby when it's born if it is a girl. Lots of drama goes on. But, at the end she has twin girls and Noah realizes he can't murder the babies. Then we see the dove with the olive branch in its mouth, which seems to indicate Noah is still acting within the Creator's will.

I guess I didn't like the second half because it became more of a different movie. The first half is pretty straightforward with the audience as far as what the Creator wants Noah to do. In the second half, all of a sudden the audience is left in the dark, and it's unclear whether Noah is still acting on the Creator's behalf. It's a little too much of a bait and switch.

Oh. The angels were rad.

Overall, I'd still say to check it out. It has some cool concepts, and maybe you'll like the second half better than I did....

-------------------------------------------------------------------

My thoughts on the religious adaptation: It's obvious a non-believer adapted this. Yes, other adaptations like The Ten Commandments and The Passion of the Christ made changes while adapting the material, but the reverence for the source material is clear. This movie doesn't seem to be made with the same reverence, but I'd still say it is respectful of the source material. At the end of the day, the changes did not offend me in any way....

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

My opinion: US vs. Swedish

[9/10 · 29 December 2011]

OK. This movie was awesome. Go and see it now!

My opinion as far as the Swedish version vs. the US version: The US version is superior. The Swedish version was made on a "made for TV" budget, and this one has the big budget in addition to top-notch actors and a top-notch director.

Believe it or not, my only complaint about the US version is Daniel Craig. It was hard to accept him as being so helpless in some scenes. Plus, at one point he is having a hard time hiking up a hill and he states that he is really out of shape. That's kind of silly in a movie where the very obviously in shape Daniel Craig does a sex scene a few minutes later. His performance wasn't bad, but they should have done more to separate him from his Bond image. Any scene where he is wearing a suit, it is fitted just like Bond. I think a more "frumpy" wardrobe would have helped....

And Rooney Mara owned the role of Lisbeth. She had some big shoes to fill after Noomi Rapace's performance in the Swedish version. She was equal to the task. Both were really good in the role, but if I had to choose, I'd say Rooney was slightly better. Her performance was a little more emotional, and her younger look really sold the character.

Storywise: there's not much new here. I've heard that this version is supposed to be closer to the book (which I have not yet read), but there wasn't much difference here to make me believe that.

If I had to point out one thing I liked better in the Swedish version, it was Lisbeth's parole officer (or whatever he's called as far as Swedish law goes). The actor was just a much creepier fellow in that version (in my opinion). The dude in the US version was good and he sells it. He's just not as good by comparison.

Overall: see this even if you loved the Swedish version because this one is just as good, if not better.

Rin Tin Tin: K-9 Cop (1988–1993)

"Rinty" or "Rudy"?

[8/10 · 1 October 2011]

I've always thought "Rin Tin Tin K9" Cop was re-edited from "Katts and Dog" for the US, but now I think it's the other way around! After watching several episodes of "Katts and Dog" (the only versions of the show I can find until an official DVD is released), I'm surprised to see how often "Rudy" is called "Rinty" in those episodes. In some episodes, he's called "Rinty" for the whole episode (see the "Katts and Dog" version of "Hit and Run" for example). The opposite never occurred in the US version as far as I can recall....

On a positive note, after re-watching several episodes, I feel this show still holds up after all these years. We need a proper DVD release!!!!

300 (2006)

I'm sorry, I thought this was accurate....

[7/10 · 19 March 2007]

I'm so sorry, everyone. I was surprised to read about how many people think this movie will distort people's view of history. I was also surprised that so many people think this movie isn't accurate. Are you seriously trying to tell me that the Spartans weren't really betrayed by Gollum's brother in real life? Are you really trying to say, that in real life, the Persian army was comprised of men and not demons? The Persians didn't really have a goat smoking a hookah in their tent? And come on, the Spartans didn't really consult a floating naked chick before going to war? Xerxes wasn't really a Goa'uld? I find that hard to believe.... Obviously, this movie was totally realistic. It's like they took a time machine & actually filmed the real battle....