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The Secret Sharer (1967)
Reasonable showcase
This here is a reasonable showcase of the story by Joseph Conrad, entitled The Secret Sharer. While it's not perfect, it certainly is a nice 30 minute piece that could have actually been turned into a much larger longer film. I have to wonder myself why this is such a short piece. But perhaps that was the budget restraints they had. Interesting and overall, well acted at times, as it captures the story of the Secret Sharer by Conrad in fairly good form. The atmosphere of the movie seems to work well. The characters of Leggett and the captain are pretty well done. I only wish this was longer and more was put into the storyline, capturing the essence of the original piece.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Bloody mess--here's why...
There Will Be Blood was one of those movies I put off for the perfect time, just waiting to sit back and enjoy. Clocking in at 2 1/2 hours actually delighted me, as I set off thinking I'd enjoy this film, based on reputation and hype. It was one of those films I just figured I'd enjoy, having bought it sight unseen.
Yet the film is a dead film, in my view. It has no soul. There are no emotional moments. It stirs nothing in the viewer. Moreover, there are no characters to root for nor invest in. Compared to, say, The Assassination of Jesse James, a far superior film, both Jesse and Bob were at least interesting and had redeeming values. However, Daniel Plainview has none. Even if we were to compare this to the oft-compared No Country for Old Men, at least Chigur and Moss have some sense of identity. Plainview has none. He's not even somberly humorous, as are Chigur and Jesse in a number of scenes in their films. All in all, he's a dead character...
Yes, I understand what he "represents" and the "symbolism" of his greed, and how he "longed for family", and how the "blood" could represent "blood" and "blood as in family", I get all that...please don't try to convince me on those fronts. It wasn't awful, just had no soul. Was well-acted in some parts; but that doesn't make for a great story. There is no great story here. A better character study would be Sling Blade (seemed like the music was a rip off), Assassination, or No Country, as mentioned earlier. Each far surpass this "bloody mess".
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Overrated bore...
From the corny acting and one-liners (maybe 3 were funny?) to the incessant passing around of the girlfriend (I still can't assess who's girl it was) to the shrill music and long-ass pictures to substitute for acting, I thought it stunk. Heard so many good things about this, and I can handle a slow western (Outlaw Josey Wales). But this was something else. I only finished it on principle. Took me two days. Had to mute the Bolivian scenes, the music was so obnoxious, by God. Don't get the love for this weak, mediocre film. You could have accomplished the same thing, but in better fashion, with Young Guns II. Certainly has more heart, that's for sure.
Give me True Grit or Josey Wales any day...
...this blows.
Robin Hood (2010)
Confusing mess
Not sure what to make of this dreadful effort at establishing the prequel to Robin Hood. This was awful, a waste of time. Too much emphasis on English politics which was trite, and the French landing in England (did that historically ever happen?) was absurd. Moreover, WHY was Robin Hood, after allegedly defeating the French, made an, "Ouuuutlaaaawwww!" by Prince John? Did I miss something? Was there a scene cut out by HBO? Made no sense. Was a poor-man's Braveheart, only it lacked heart. Nothing here was worthwhile, a shabby work, quite honestly. Wanted to like it, but simply would be lying to myself if I said I did. Makes "Prince of Thieves" look like a 9 star movie.