thedaver500 Reviews

The Wind in the Willows (1995 TV Movie)

The Best Wind in the Willows Adaption

[10/10 · 10 September 2016]

I am a little biased because this is the version I grew up on, but since re-watching it as an adult I still believe it captures the magic of the book better than any other version.

Unlike the others, this version doesn't shy away from the spiritual aspects of the book. Despite apparent danger, this world is inhabited by magical beings who look after the river-folk. Also, even though this movie is for kids, it trusts it's audience to relate to the internal struggle between wanderlust and responsibilities. Both Mole and Toad share this struggle, but each handles it differently. This is a fantastic lesson for kids to learn. The animation is beautiful and looks like a painting come to life. The voice acting is also perfect. Overall, the presentation is great and the story is rich. This movie will enchant children and adults alike.

The Revenant (I) (2015)

Visceral, savage, and beautiful.

[10/10 · 9 January 2016]

The Revenant was fantastic. It's definitely worth seeing in theaters. Movies like this are a truly rare experience.

First of all, the obvious. It is a visual and technical masterpiece. Filmed on location in the wilderness with all natural lighting, this is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen. It truly feels like you're placed in the American frontier along with the characters. It's a stunning mix of old, new, and groundbreaking film techniques.

The film makers went through hell in order to create as authentic of an experience as possible. No obvious and glossy CGI special effects here. Even an avalanche was created for real by detonating explosives in a mountain. Also, all of the actors fully committed to look and act the part of hardened wilderness explorers.

However, this movie isn't for everyone. This isn't a romanticized patriotic flick like most Hollywood movies set during America's early history. It's visceral and savage, examining the relentlessness of nature and the harsh reality of frontier life. The fight scenes aren't just set pieces designed to entertain the audience. They're gripping and absolutely brutal. I've seen bloodier movies, but almost none have felt this real. It's obvious that a lot of the stunt work was done by the actors because there are no quick cuts or cheap editing tricks during the action sequences. Even Tom Hardy, who can be seen pole vaulting onto vehicles in Mad Max: Fury Road, was concerned about the safety of some of the stunts he had to perform. That being said, this is NOT an "action" film. Much time is spent on the captivating landscapes and quiet moments of being alone in nature.

The story is simple. It's about the fight for survival over limited resources in the wild. It almost feels like a nature documentary because the people are just another species trying get by. Almost all violence erupts from the need for self preservation. The bear that attacks Glass is simply defending it's cubs. And even the villain of the story is driven by fear, not just because he's the "bad guy". The acting is all phenomenal. There wasn't a single mediocre performance. I doubt we'll ever see a film like The Revenant made again.

The Interview (II) (2014)

Don't Go In With the Wrong Expectations

[7/10 · 25 December 2014]

Honestly, I wasn't impressed with the trailer and thought this movie was going to be stupid. But this movie is hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud at least every few minutes or so. If you don't like Seth Rogen's brand of humor or raunchy comedies then you won't like this movie. However, if you loved Pineapple Express or This Is The End, then you will probably love this movie too. Most people who hate this movie went in expecting the wrong thing because of all the hype. The Interview hits all of marks you would expect a Seth Rogen comedy to. Crazy action scenes? Check. Ridiculous characters? Check. Funny jokes with an occasional heartfelt serious moment? Check.

Hell on Wheels (2011–2016)

Great Potential

[9/10 · 20 March 2013]

To be short, this is a great show. The acting is the at, the sets, locations, props, and realistic clothing are all top notch. And most importantly, the script is intriguing and makes the show what it is. However the show is let down with some amateur mistakes in the cinema photography and editing departments. Occasionally, a scene will be ruined by an awkward camera shot, a poorly timed cut, or bad sound editing. Besides that, everything is great. Therefore, after a while it is easy to look past the technical flaws, but sometimes they do pull you out of the experience. Its disappointing that AMC didn't hire a better production crew since their other shows like The Walking Dead don't have these problems.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Solid Fantasy Film!

[7/10 · 6 October 2012]

I'm not sure why so many people disliked this because It's a solid fantasy movie! The movie kept my interest throughout the entirety of it. Yes, some parts were predictable if you know anything about the fairy tale of Snow White but there were enough variations that made it different from the original. The Queen is defiantly the most interesting character and I'm glad they took the time to flesh her out. She isn't a simply villain, at parts you even feel empathy for her. The script can be a little cheesy at times but hey, it's a fantasy movie! The best part of this movie are the visuals because they are simply AMAZING!! Not only are the special effects stunningly life-like but they're also very artistic. This movie is very enjoyable if you take it for what it is and don't expect a groundbreaking drama.