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Reviews
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
Exodus: A Movie Lost in the Wilderness
Radically different than prior versions of this story Exodus brings great shame to a magnificent biblical saga. Scripted to deviate from prior incarnations Exodus wanders through a series of sequences looking for a story that never develops. With horrible acting and poorly designed back lot sets the audience is degraded as the movie unfolds. Christian Bale should have remained with the Batman series instead of sullying himself with this dreck of a film. John Turturro plays Seti, ruler of Egypt and beyond. He should have stayed in Brooklyn making bagels in Transformers. God has been diminished to a tertiary role, which will make all atheist viewers happy. To reveal these sequences would spoil a film that spoils itself. As the cast moves from scene to scene the thousands of extras appear disconnected from the director's cues. For biblical purists I am still searching for a scene that comes near one event as originally told in this great work. Charlton Heston, the renown Moses of the 1050s, would have laughed off this script if offered to him. In a sense we have one of the best biblical tales treated to some of the worst Hollywood has to offer. My vote of 5 out of 10 is stated not to offend the acting of the mass numbers of extras. At nearly 2 hours and 30 minutes this film is 2 hours and 30 minutes too long.
Mark Davis President of Davis Writing Services. www.daviswritingservices.com.
Interstellar (2014)
Interstellar is not Stellar
Interstellar is a movie that never gets off the ground. Based on a script that wanders from end to end attempts to comprehend its plot and themes are very difficult for the viewer. Heavily weighted with Academy Award winners including Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine and Ellen Burstyn they are never able to surmount this poorly written script. From the beginning it was obvious many elements of Interstellar were lifted from other films. These included 2001 a Space Odyssey and Enemy Mine. Promising not to giveaway details Muppets in Space was more enjoyable. Interstellar starts in a backwater town and ends on a planet 2nd rate planet. With a running time of 2 hours and 49 minutes schedule yourself at least one break. Why? Because you will be staring at your watch constantly hoping the film would tear. I rated his movie 5 out of 10 which I believe was generous. Mark Davis MD
America: Imagine the World Without Her (2014)
America: A Historical Tour Without Revision
Dinesh D'Souza hit another homerun with his new political documentary America. Within the solitude of an empty theater I watched D'Souza's presentation as he knocked down the walls of revisionist history which is the currency of so many who lean to the left. D'Souza challenges the audience to understand the consequences if certain historical events had moved in another direction. This is exemplified by the British winning the Revolutionary War and Germany developing nuclear weapons before America obtained them. Prevailing teachings on slavery are expanded setting aside numerous untruths utilized by those who sell racism for a living. Acknowledging that America's westward movement was done by conquest he displays how its former inhabitants accrued their lands in a similar fashion. America provides a glimpse of many lives that became fruitful by hard work and perseverance as opposed to the entitlement mentality which is prevalent throughout the country. President Lincoln is held in high regard for successfully managing a war that changed the face and texture of this nation. As a leader facing a divided country the question of slavery was finally put to rest under his tutelage. Lincoln is portrayed as person who mends political fences as opposed to President Obama whose actions are antithetically the opposite. Interviews with those who overcame extreme adversity flesh out the reasons why so many risk so much to cross our borders. Especially noteworthy was D'Souza's ability to put a face on those who are affected by Obama's irrational policies. A point is a made noting the substance of current legislative efforts is a fraudulent attempt to undermine every institution, industry and tradition which has brought strength to this nation. D'Souza is intent on telling a story how progressives destroy instead of build leaving conservatives to take the blame when the worst possible outcomes occur. America raises the bar on political documentaries by presenting complex subject matter in a comprehensible format. D'Souza has brought America home. This movie will change the way you think about this nation and yourself. A must see. Mark Davis MD, President of Davis Writing Services.
Gravity (2013)
Gravity: A movie that has weight
Gravity keeps the audience on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Unexpected events occur every few minutes that fuel plot twists to make this movie worth seeing more than once. Sandra Bullock's exceptional performance could ring up another Academy nod for her. George Clooney's monotonous interludes with Bullock subtract from an otherwise excellent movie. Reminiscent of the movie Marooned Gravity never runs out of energy as the characters play out a well written script. Millions have already seen Gravity and the reviews have been extremely positive. I must restrain myself from revealing the plot to allow the reader to view Gravity from a fresh perspective. Look for this movie to win multiple awards,few others have equaled it this year. Mark Davis MD, your roving media critic. twitter.com/americassage.
This Is the End (2013)
This is the End; Strong language weak acting
This is the End should never have been. Billed as a comedy/fantasy, the audience becomes lost in the deviant dialogue during the first five minutes of the actors' performances. James Franco, Seth Rogen and array of actors portray themselves as they wander through one of the worst scripts to emanate from Hollywood this year. Our cast of protagonists drug themselves to the point of passing out during the film's numerous scenes. Bathroom humor is employed throughout the movies 107 minute running time, to draw out the minimal acting abilities of the cast. In the event I reveal the plot, most would deter from seeing this train wreck.Franco's usual arrogance permeates the film from the moment he is on the screen. Rogen, an Adam Sandler wannabe, appears to bastardize his few lines on purpose. In the event you are seeking a movie to detach yourself from reality for a few hours, look somewhere else. Mark Davis, MD, your intrepid reviewer. To comment: twitter.com/americassage or americassage@gmail.com.
Riddick (2013)
Riddick: scifi the way it should be
Riddick is an iconic character played by Van Diesel in three movies: Pitch Black, the Chronicles of Riddick and the newest installment Riddick- Into the Dark. Van Diesel recreates his version of Riddick 9 years after the last chapter was released. Left for dead on a planet with no name, the anti-hero of this film has two needs: vengeance and survival. With an interesting array of alien creatures desiring to kill our protagonist in nearly every scene, you may not want to take a break to the candy stand. A wanted criminal in half the galaxy, bounty hunters seem to find him no matter where he is. Riddick is able to outwit the lowlife and the more advanced animals chasing him, to his own advantage. Small hints of nontraditional sexual roles are sprinkled throughout Riddick's negotiations with his potential captors. Background sets flesh out the harsh reality Riddick must contend with to survive. Into the Dark is more reminiscent of the first movie Pitch Black than its sequel. David Twohy wrote and directed this latest chapter of Riddick, allowing his imagine to move as far as the set designers would permit. In the event you are searching for pure scifi, such as a Star Wars adventure, this is not the movie for you. Ingenuity is embedded in this well written script, loaded with twists and turns, to keep the audience on edge. Twohy has the so-called good guys and gal desperately searching for our anti-hero, who is not very far away. For hardcore science fiction addicts, who rebuff the dilute and worn out nature of the Star Trek series, this movie was created for you. Van Diesel, no stranger to sequels, would do himself and the audience an injustice if he did not develop this character any further. I suggest there may be several sequels to follow. Running time is approximately 2 hours and worth the watch. Mark Davis MD, your intrepid reviewer at large. For comments: twitter.com/americassage or americassage@gmail.com
Elysium (2013)
Elysium: scifi socialism wrapped in contemporary issues
Elysium: scifi socialism wrapped in contemporary issues Matt Damon reached for the stars in his new scifi flick Elysium. Instead he fell to Earth, with a loud thud, as the story line was revealed. Set in the year 2154, with a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles as its backdrop, Damon must fight his way through two worlds for his own survival and the rest of humanity. Wealthy elites live on a gigantic space platform named Elysium, while the rest of Earth's population lives in the ruins below. Twenty-second century Los Angeles is populated with millions of Hispanic individuals who have reclaimed a city once under their auspices. Very little work is available except for a few giant corporate structures managed by the Elysium hierarchy. Damon's female interest has a child who is in her last days of life. With our hero facing his own demise from an industrial accident, the clock is ticking for both to get to Elysium where cures are available. Numerous obstacles are placed in the path of the protagonist Damon before he can achieve passage for himself and others to the elites floating abode. Jodi Foster is engaging as the Defense Secretary in Elysium. Contemporary social themes overburden this film's futuristic settings begging the question, did the White House edit this film. A war between the rich and poor is continually emphasized. Climate change is creatively worked into some of the scenes. Yet, the most provocative theme is sophisticated medical services are only ordained for the rich, sound familiar. Director Neill Blomkamp, denies in numerous interviews, that Elysium was intended to showcase America's current problems. Any other interpretation would be antithetical to the evidence before the audience. Damon's performance is flat, as though he was forced to perform in a venue out of his league. Half-hearted direction makes the interplay between the actors lame and uninteresting. As an avid fan of scifi, I would wait until this one comes to cable. It has very little future. Mark Davis, MD platomd@gmail.com
World War Z (2013)
Sci-fi genre with spectacular action scenes and many plot twists
From the moment the credits stop, the action takes off. A threat to the World has come upon the human race. The clock is ticking as some of the planet's greatest minds attempt to resolve this ultimate threat. Brad Pitt, an investigator for the United Nations, is tasked with defining the problem and stopping it in its tracks. Leaving his family behind, he sets out across the World to look for answers to a problem that may have no answer or does it? He drops into numerous countries, yet by the time he arrives its too late to help. Elements of the pending catastrophe become clearer as he moves through his assigned tasks. Brad Pitt gives a fine performance. His costars flesh out the darkness looming over the World with sequences of better than average acting. This movie needs to be observed closely. There is so much action occurring simultaneously, you may need to watch it more than once to realize the total story being told on the screen. In a few interval scenes I had some trouble understanding the plot, but it becomes more clear with each passing section. I recommend this move to those who enjoy sci-fi or enjoy movies with many plot twists. Mark Davis, critic at large. americassage@gmail.com for comments or twitter.com/americassage
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
An intricate plot with many twists
Star Trek into the Darkness moves where no Star Trek movie has gone before. A blend of science fiction, drama, adventure and an emerging love story combines these elements to create a product that should be seen by anyone caught up in Star Trek Mania. Since 1965 when the pilot of the original show was produced, this fast paced sci-fi show has captured the imaginations of tens of millions. Into the Darkness' fast paced adventure sequences tops all prior productions. Action sequences over its 2 hours and 3 minutes running time are paced so quickly that one has trouble keeping up with storyline. To discuss the extensive plot would giveaway the core meaning of the movie. No one who favors this franchise will be disappointed by its content or outcome. I rated 8 out of 10 because of a few clichéd parts, otherwise it was an excellent production. I plan to return with my family to view it again. Mark Davis MD, President of Healthnets Review Services. platomd@gmail.com
Paycheck (2003)
Interesting Premise, poorly acted by the lead
This script has twists and turns in it that keep the audience in suspense, yet they could have found a better lead, who walked his way through the part.The movie is worth a look, if only to watch Uma Thurman walk across the set. If you have two hours to waste, this movie in its entirety I would put ahead of Mickey Mouse goes to sea. Watch it on cable or dish, don't waste a dime purchasing it. The premise of this movie, controlling outcomes before they happen, is not new in the scifi genre, as exemplified by Minority Report, which takes a different approach to a similar outcome. This movie was not role to make it's lead a star, yet he forges ahead with a movie way over his head. 2 1/2 stars for this non-masterpiece.