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mattstoc
Reviews
Dads (2013)
I saw this by chance when it debuted - I wish I could gouge out my eyes
This was one of the worst things I have ever seen on TV. The "inappropriateness" didn't bother me in the least. However, the acting was terrible, the humor non-existent, story bad and boring. Seth Green has done funny stuff, but it doesn't show here.
Run Away
I had read that this was offensive, I can understand that feeling. I don't get offended, so when I channel surfed into it, I thought I would watch it. Brutally bad.
Run Away
If you do nothing else this Fall, avoid this show. I would recommend a trip to the dentist (even a dentist with no TV on the ceiling).
Run Away Run Away
The Lorax (2012)
Boring
Capitalism and Consumerism are bad. There, I have saved you 1.5 hrs of your life and $15 in tickets and snacks.
The musical numbers were painful, the story was boring (The point of the movie is driven home in the first 10 minutes), the animation is standard fare for today.
My 12 year old twins didn't think it was very good and my wife and I were more eager to leave than anything else.
The disappointment for me was that I loved this story as a kid. However, the dialog was not nearly as sharp as the book. The writers could have had some real fun with the dialog. There was no development of grandma (Betty White), the Lorax (Danny DeVito) or anyone. The "That's a woman!!" comment from the Lorax that you see in the preview is all the humor.
Up (2009)
"Up" - It Ain't "Up"-lifting
"Up" is technically perfect. The animation is tremendous; the soundtrack is moving (and compliments the content). For these reasons alone, I reluctantly give 3 out of 10 stars.
That said, the story is SAD, depressing, and too frequently vicious. The story is also SLOW to evolve. Another review I read here hit on the most frustrating aspect – this movie was misrepresented in its advertisements.
This movie is about a man who feels like he has done nothing with his life and as consequence becomes a shut in when his wife dies. We see a montage of their life with lots of sad moments about not having children and the wife's final days in the hospital. Then we meet the boy and find out he is motherless and that his father left him. He hopes getting a scout badge will bring back his father. Uplifting so far huh?! Finally we arrive in South America, where the curmudgeonly old man and whining boy drag a house through the jungle until they meet the old man's boyhood hero. Turns out the boyhood hero is now a murderous evil psychopath who wants to kill the old man and the boy. Mixed in is a playful bird and happy go lucky dog. Oh yeah, the boyhood hero is trying to capture the bird. The boyhood hero's dogs are trying to destroy the happy go lucky dog.
In the end all is well. The boyhood hero plummets to his death and the whining boy's father doesn't come back. However, the old man becomes a new father figure.
I am sure the folks who made this thought they were making a serious film about life meanings, opportunity lost, the dangers of obsessions, etc - they probably succeeded. I took my children to see a movie about a floating house, funny kid, and a goofy bird. They got what they were after, I did not.
House of Sand and Fog (2003)
Wow this was bad
This was the worst movie I have seen in years. Other reviews talk about the portrayal of the shattered American dream and the raw emotion on the screen. I guess. What they miss is that this is a story populated with the dumbest characters on earth. The decisions made by the characters are so flawed that it is totally unbelievable. At every turn in the plot if you were to stop the movie and poll the audience on what would be the dumbest decision the character could make, that is what would be done. One example (CAUTION SPOILERS): Jennifer Connelly's character sets this whole thing in motion because she can't lose her house (Mom is coming on the 18th) so when everything is all worked up, after she tries to kill herself, she decides it would be ok to sell the house for $45k (Spoiler Over). It is agonizing. Wacking some on the toe with a hammer and filming it would show raw emotion, but it doesn't make a good movie because it is stupid.
Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley do very good jobs acting, but it is totally wasted. If you want to see these actors then rent "A Beautiful Mind" and "Gandhi".
Wow this was bad.
Kangaroo Jack (2003)
Yes - It is stupid; but ...
If you rented this movie or saw it in the theater and didn't know it was going to be stupid, then I am amazed you can operate your computer. This movie is totally mindless and sophomoric, it also underrated.
This movie is fun. Don't take everything so seriously. If you have some time (and especially if you have an 8 year old kid) and a cheap/free rental; then pop some corn, suck down some soda, and have a laugh. You don't have to worry about missing anything important while you make the popcorn or answer the phone.
Definitely not one of the 100 worst movies (also not one of the 100 best movies)
The Mexican (2001)
Unlike most, I enjoyed this
I don't know why I liked this when most on this board did not. I saw this movie long after the commercial runs, so maybe I was not expecting a Julia / Brad romantic comedy. I enjoyed the two stories; however, I think the movie would have been better if it had focused more on only one of the plot lines. The cinematography of the scenes in Mexico were very good. Rent the DVD version if you can, the scenes that were cut make the movie flow a little better. I do agree with many on this board that the movie seemed to drag at times. On a whole though I enjoyed it. I gave a 7 out of 10, which was probably a little generous.
Pitch Black (2000)
Very Good - Despite the reviews
My wife and I watched this movie last night, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. This movie received lots of bad reviews, but I think they missed the intent. This is not a deep thinking science fiction movie. This is nice effects, cool looking creatures, good sound effects, and a pretty decent cast. The acting is definitely carried by Vin Diesel; however, since the other characters are (at best) supporting characters - who cares. If you want sci-fi high cinema, watch 2001. If you want a good time, watch Pitch Black
Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
A good movie with a great message.
I saw this movie in the theater, and I hated it. I then rented it, and enjoyed it. Now I own it and love it.
This movie is an excellent story with a fabulous message about how to live your life. As a typical Hollywood comedy it fails (thank god), but if your life outlook needs a little kick in the pants - this is the movie.
There is a ton of whack-you-over-the-head obvious symbolism, and some a little more subtle.
As with everyone else, the "moon" scene is fabulous. However, the scene overlooking LA is probably my favorite. Joe's line about choosing between killing yourself and doing something you're afraid of is perfect. I think that every teenager should see this movie.
This is fabulous