Packiderm Reviews

Now You See Me (I) (2013)

Biggest disappointment of the year so far

[4/10 · 28 August 2013]

I was expecting so much more from this movie. Good actors aren't always a sign of quality. The beginning of the movie is okay, but we soon notice that it is total nonsense.

Magic usually doesn't work in movies, and this one takes it to a new level. When you do magic with cgi-bubbles, you are doing something wrong. The idea in a magic show is to wonder "I know this isn't what it seems, but I wonder how they do it". When you see crap like that in movies, you know it is just a guy holding his hands out and a geek on a computer has made the bubble. Ther is no magic in that, just stupidness.

I think the director tried to get an "Ocean's 11" feeling to the movie. He failed. The music is that generic casino/Las Vegas swagger crap that is supposed to be just right for this movie. It is not, it is annoying.

This movie offers a surprise plot-twist. It's not enough to tell (smart) viewers that the most unlikely character is behind all this. They should explain even a little how that person made all that possible.

At one point in the movie we get the "One year later" routine. I wish this movie would have been about that year.

Springsteen and I (2013)

From fans to fans and Bruce

[9/10 · 22 July 2013]

What a great documentary of the affect a mans lifework has had in peoples lives. This is not an introduction to Springsteens music or career, this is about what he means to people deep in their hearts. To a Springsteen fan (like myself) it really touches deep. When watching the stories told by his fans, you realize that it's not just the great music that makes such an impact, but also Bruce as a human being. He really loves his fans and gives them everything every night on stage. His fans feel that and give him their everything. Highly recommended to every single Bruce fan, but I also think that if someone who is not familiar with his work should see it, it would awaken a need to find out more about the man and his music: "If someone can make people feel like this, I need to find out more". That person should buy a ticket to his next show and his/her life would never be the same.

Thanks Bruce.