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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
Positively surprised
I've seen the movie 'Dungeons & Dragons' back when I was a teen in 2000. I have only faint memories of it but I can remember it kinda sucked. I didn't watch the trailer (because they usually spoil too much of the plot) for this new movie thinking it probably can't be worse than the old one with almost the same name and franchise. So, I'd say I didn't have super high expectations for the movie, rather I expected (or hoped) to see an average adventure/action flick.
I currently play a Centaur Fighter in a D&D 5ed campaign.
With this background I was positively surprised that the movie was actually very good. For an adventure movie. And from a D&D player perspective. It's not a cinematic masterpiece but I was thoroughly entertained for the whole duration of the movie.
I'd summarize it that rather than trying to take things too seriously they took the D&D setting and imagined how things would turn out if regular players were playing a campaign. You know, the Dungeon Master tries to weave this intricate story with a dark evil trying to conquer everything and the players do try to play along with it but also can't help themselves for goofing a lot.
It works so well for a movie. You have these bits of action where you can imagine the players play by the regular rules but then the dice give you a 'natural 1' and the players have to try to come up with something so ludicrous that the Dungeon Master is just dumbfounded and lets it roll just to see where it goes.
I also liked very much that they had guys in costumes or puppets (as far as I know) for the Dragonborn, Aarakocra, Tabaxi, etc instead of CGI.
Go and see the movie, it's good.
Easy A (2010)
Wonderful entertainment
I really loved the movie. Usually the comedy/romance movies my wife picks are boring so I didn't really have high expectations for this one either. Was I surprised.
The plot - while it stretches plausibility a bit (but don't nearly all great stories do that?) - is wonderful. It takes the topic of fast paced rumor mongering and twists it into an entertaining story. The movie is clearly quite cheerful so naturally from that follows that the plot is quite predictable. However, even if you can guess what probably will happen next, the events are portrayed with such skill in acting and tempo of witty speech that they are still wonderful to witness.
Comedies are often bad because good comedy is hard to pull off. Fart jokes are for children etc. etc. The comedy in this movie is golden and pulled off with style. It's based on the question: what kind of situations might happen when you don't want to act like your peers expect or pressure you to? Technical details. The music score was good. Not epic like in some massive artistic films, but light, playful and rock-ish. Perfect match for this kind of movie with a rocking female heroine. Filming locations generic enough so that you can imagine them in your own hometown. Camera work was solid too.
All-in-all, I can very warmly recommend this to anyone who wants to watch a modern comedy with a not-so-subtle romantic component. Also, it probably helps if you are under 35 of age (as the events transpire in high-school and I feel it would be a bit silly to watch a movie about school life when you can't really remember what your own school life was like). The movie left me with a very happy and silly feeling inside.
An Education (2009)
A certain kind of an education
The movie was excellent. It was so refreshing to see a love story / drama made in the UK. The tone and style was so different and so much more realistic when compared to the equivalent movies made in the colonies, in which the fate of the world almost always unrealistically hangs by a thread.
The characters in this movie were believable and intelligent. I don't understand why movies with a love story plot often have a goofy woman as the lead. I liked the movie because this was not the case here. The leading woman was probably the most intelligent person around. Just a tad bit immature. And that was where the charm of the movie was. Following the story of a young woman growing up and learning about life and how the society we've built works. All stories don't have to be about saving the world.
The acting was great and the characters were believable - nothing to complain in the technical details and such. Actually, now that I think of it - it was great how the characters came to life and there was this conflict of interests without a ridiculously overplayed conflict of good vs evil or vilifying of the not-so-good-a-person characters.
I'd like to also note that the name of the movie couldn't depict it any better.
The Stepford Wives (2004)
Predictable but pretty
The acting in this movie is great but the plot is full of holes and feels hurried. The viewer is introduced to the Stepford community with such a speed that scenes are gone before the viewer has enough time to get accustomed to the mood and the current environment. I can't really pinpoint what made feel like that while watching the movie so perhaps the director wasn't up for the task.
I also felt that the characters were left quite shallow. That didn't work too well for this movie as the viewer has to follow the characters waltzing around. After the initial introduction of the characters they didn't really grow or change at all.
The movie could have been way better if the plot (the script) had been better but it was way too predictable and full of un-logical behavior or happenings. The movie is tagged as comedy/scifi/thriller but I didn't find anything to laugh at nor was the scifi part believable. Actually, some of the CGI had been left so rudimentary (on purpose I believe) that it was just sad. The thriller part failed to deliver too with the predictable plot. The characters were too sweet to make the viewer expect anything else than a "happy end".
DarkWolf (2003)
A great movie
Yes, I call this movie great for a reason. It is so great because it is so horrendous. The acting is terrible, the special effects make your eyes bleed, the plot is absolutely stupid, the camera work is amateurish and apparently the characters in the movie can't see things that the camera cannot.
I watched this movie with a group of few friends while slightly intoxicated and it was a truly fabulous experience. I was laughing half the time so hard that it was hard to watch due to the serious hurt in my stomach muscles. We had to pause the movie two times due to one of my friends starting to hyperventilate on the floor because he could not stop laughing.
Why is the movie so funny? They've tried to make a serious horror movie with a *slight* nudity twist but they've failed miserably in almost everything. We could not stop laughing when we imagined how the actors and other people involved in the production of the movie must have tried to do their best and this was the result.
This movie works fabulously when watched in a relaxed atmosphere with friends. Preferably in a guys only event. Don't let the critique stop you - the movie is horrible but that makes it worth watching with friends.
Somewhere (2010)
A bit boring movie
The movie was directed well enough but the story was too boring for my tastes. As the summary on the IMDb page tells the movie is about man who re-examines his life. There's nothing wrong in that, but watching him do it did not really entertain me. His life was depicted as is with all the rugged retails and perfectly ordinary events and behaviors. These details were not shocking, disturbing or exciting enough to make me appreciate the movie.
The movie has a message, I'm not going to spoil the movie by pointing it out, but it should become quite apparent to any viewer. I've seen/received this message from dozens of movies and other mediums so perhaps that contributed to the feeling of boredom I felt while watching this movie. I would say that this means that the movie lacks originality.
There was nothing wrong with the acting. Now that I think of it, perhaps Stephen Dorff pulls off his role as a man re-examining his bland life so well that the blandness is transmitted to the other side of the screen. It's OK if that's what you are looking in a movie, but I prefer excitement and action.
Kinky Boots (2005)
The good kind of humor
The plot was quite predictable, as other reviews have also stated, but I still found the movie extremely entertaining. The humor was what charmed me. It was not the mean kind of humor where you are supposed to laugh because people are acting like idiots or caught in overly embarrassing situations. This movie contained humor that was warm and happy and presented so that it won't make fun of any single group of people. My opinion is that this kind of humor is hard to come up with but gives the most satisfactory laughs.
The acting was OK, as was the musical score and whatnot other technical bits there are in a movie, nothing to complain in those. I also liked the sets such as the shoe factory that is in a central part in the movie and its plot. The length of the movie was OK also - not too long nor too short. One could say that the movie tries to make people more understanding towards each other and point out how there is intolerance in the world but this message isn't brought to your face so that it would prevent you from having a good time.
Women will probably get the most out of this movie (shoes, dozens of shoes!) but I can't see any reason for men to enjoy watching this also (as I did).
My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
Not my cup of tea, wife liked though
I watched this movie because my wife wanted to see it. I didn't have very high expectations for it and I knew what the plot would be because I had read the IMDb summary. I've happened to watch some movies lately which have been way better than the ratings they've had but this one most definitely does not go into that bunch. The plot did go through following some weird script but the problem was that they probably had cut away a lot events that were not central. Scenes would end abruptly or jump to a totally different scene or atmosphere. It made the characters and events a tad too hard to follow. At many points during the movie I was baffled at why the characters did what they did. However, if the point was to depict the chaotic life of people living on the streets and how they supposedly don't behave rationally, this movie succeeded in that goal.
The movie is defined as comedy/drama/romance. There were a few funny things I laughed, I admit, but not nearly enough to warrant a comedy definition. Mostly the movie was drama and romance. The drama was OK, all the characters had problems with life and so on and they tried to cope with the difficult and unfair situations they encountered themselves in. The romance part...well, not my thing here. I guess the movie tried to be provocative and probably was back in 1985 when it was first released but now it was just a bit silly. There was this "dangerous love" element in it and it just didn't work out. The script was no good and the actors quite stiff.
Also, the sounds were horrible. I don't even know how you can fail with 80's music but this movie did just that.
If you are looking for a movie with such a love theme as this one I guess the movie will be OK for you as my wife informed me that the movie was OK but for me it was a pain to watch through.
For Keeps? (1988)
A nice surprise, wink wink
Ringwald and Batinkoff make this movie a very entertaining movie. They portray the angst of having a baby when you are very young with such intensity that one would think the story to be a true story. I have no idea why the IMDb score for this movie is as low as it is. The plot is sound, the characters are logical, there is plenty of romance, humor and drama. The story might not be set into the breathtaking New Zealand landscapes but instead to a place we all might relate to. Same goes with the situation the two youngsters end up in. They are intelligent and ambitious and they have a solid plan how they intend to waltz through life. However, plans are just plans when life takes an interesting turn for you and this movie portrays such a situation with skill. Yes, it's a bit predictable but romantic movies tend to be so, eh? The plot moves at a brisk pace and I felt there were no unnecessary scenes or characters. Even the minor characters (there's a comedic relief guy too) stayed very minor as the story concentrated on the two youngsters.
The most interesting thing in this movie for me was how the two youngsters try to cope with their new situation, responsibilities and emotions. They love each other, but it is not easy all the time. Are there any couples who could say that statement is untrue? Their responsible families are not perfect (as it is in real life) and cause problems by loving too much. It's both sweet and annoying, maybe partly because that's just how it goes in real life too.
If you are looking for a good and entertaining "chick flick" to watch, this one won't fail you.
Death at a Funeral (2007)
A tedious farce
The name of the movie tells you pretty much what to expect combined with the categorization "comedy". There was plenty of "funny" stuff to go around but unfortunately for my movie experience those funny accidents and coincidences were not funny at all. Well, there was a nice five minute bit near the end of the movie when a lot things that were bizarre enough to make me laugh happened at a frisk pace but you have to bear like 75 minutes of utter boredom to reach those bits.
I think Alan Tudyk had the best performance of the cast. What happened with his character was not really believable, but at least some segments of the movie with him made me chuckle. On the other hand Thomas Wheatley made a horrible performance as the Reverend (well, his acting was not necessarily horrible but the character was the least believable of the lot). The other actors did an OK performance but the boring plot did not leave them any chances to shine. It might well be that I found most of the plot boring because it was just so easy to guess what would happen next at any given point of the movie. I've only rarely watched through a movie that has been as predictable as this one and this predictability kills the comedy part of the script. I get the feeling that the scriptwriter always chose the safe option when he/she was thinking of what would happen next.
The locale for the events in the movie was quite believable in my opinion. The amount of people attending the funeral made the place feel alive and like if it was an actual funeral. Masking, sounds and those other technical things in the movie were handled well, I have no complaints there. All in all, if you are going to watch a movie I would recommend you pick something else.
Kielletty hedelmä (2009)
A surprisingly good movie
I didn't think this movie would be any good but it surprised me. When I started watching it I expected it would again be one of those "boo-hoo life is so cruel" type of movies. However, the movie is quite cheerful in nature and does not try to condemn people with attitudes and views that differ from the norms. It just presents them with a touch of humor. The locations for the events are interesting and realistic.
Of the actors I especially liked Maristo. She fit her role perfectly as a young woman who goes out to the world to discover how it is instead of just basing her opinions on what her parents say and tell to think. I liked how all the characters were flawed in a way or another like how it is in real life. I also liked how the movie portrayed love and the painful process that is finding one's way to love. There were some famous actors in side roles and it's good that they've been left there because I dislike them in general.
The budget for this movie might not have been a large one but I enjoyed watching it and that is the most important part. You don't need to be a Finn to watch the movie (though, understanding the language is a bonus) as the theme could very well be transferred to other cultures.
Billy Elliot (2000)
A sweet sweet story not set in the colonies
One tends to heard about this movie now and then combined with praises but I watched it for the first time in 2013. I expected it to be good, but on the other hand the poster on its IMDb page is a bit turn off for me. When I saw in the intro credits that the movie is produced partly by BBC I got into a mixed state of feelings. My association with BBC is mainly to documents and news.
Once the movie progressed I soon got to a sweet state of mind. The protagonist is so sympathetic with his big ears and bright nature. A perfect actor choice. The locale where the events unfold are also very serving. They convey at the same time a feeling of poorness mixed with hope and plain old good will to live.
The characters react to Billy and his dancing hobby as one would expect them to react and a lot of funny moments play out due to this. I liked the music also - rock, punk and classical pieces mixed together.
All in all, the movie is great. I was unconsciously trembling as I followed Billy's story unfolding. I would recommend this for anyone who asks. Also, the strong English accent and vocabulary rocks totally.
Larry Crowne (2011)
A truly positive surprise
My expectations for this movie were quite low due to the low ratings it seems to have. Also the plot description on the IMDb page left quite a lot more to wish for so I almost ended up not watching this movie. Now that I've seen it I'm very glad that I did. It's a sweet movie with a good heart and a lovely and pleasant atmosphere. I would recommend it for anyone who wants to enjoy a few hours of relaxation, romance and humor.
The acting was great. The actors could have done a notch better, I feel, but still the movie is nice, while it will not be a legendary one we will remember thirty years from now on. The plot is at times quite funny, which surprised me very positively. The locations are OK for this kind of story and the movie radiates a certain warmth in this area.
If one went as far as to call this a chick flick, I'd say this particular movie will be entertaining for men to watch too. Thanks go to Tom Hanks.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
An excellent movie for kids and adults alike
I didn't read any reviews or watch trailers before I went to see this movie in the theater so I expected it to be a regular kids film with a silly story, action and fart humor. My expectations were utterly smashed right from the beginning as the movie revealed itself to be a bow to both the good old and modern times at the same time. I've grown around video games and arcades and this movie is full of those and characters from popular titles. It's part of the pull - you try and see how many you can spot and recognize. I laughed out loud how humor was made out of these characters that would never get a chance to meet otherwise. The jokes very pretty brilliant and yes, there was a few that I just didn't find funny, but that is humor often is - you bundle up a lot of ideas that you think will make people laugh and some of them will hit while others miss.
The story in the movie was interesting and full of twists. You can call it a bit predictable, but hey, kids are supposed to be able to follow it too. The animation was smooth and pretty. Effects and styles were used appropriately in my opinion. Sound effects were fitting also. Because I went to see this film with a few kids, we had to go see the version that was dubbed in Finnish. The voice acting was fitting in that version, but I always prefer the original one and sadly I can't comment on that here.
All in all, if you or your kids like video games this movie will rock for you. That is not to say that you must be a gaming addict to enjoy this one - it's just a nice bonus.
Destry Rides Again (1939)
A compelling black and white western
The age of the movie made me at first think that it would be boring. However, it went over all my expectations. The acting is solid, especially thanks to Stewart on that. The cast for the characters couldn't have been any better. Maybe part of the charm of the movie is in that the characters are a bit stereotypical. We have the charming, strong willed and pretty woman, the typical western hero and the evil guy and his dim henchmen. One would think you've seen all this kind of setting has to offer once you have seen one movie with the said setting, but here somehow everything clicks together perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle and you end up rooting for the hero and the heroine who makes the life of the hero difficult. The whole process is somehow magical, but at the same time oddly natural and familiar. Time has not eroded this film at all.
The story is fun, while at times predictable, but the smoothness of the ride makes you really enjoy it. The sets are nice and well done and serve this kind of movie and its events well. The music was good. Some old movies and the low quality of music in them (I don't like the "grain" of old records) makes me annoyed, but here the musical score flowed smoothly and supported the visual events.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
A classic romantic comedy
My opinion is that this film has not stood the test of time. Yes, the plot is logical, the characters are logical in what they do (even if what they do is illogical) and the acting is solid. The locations are fitting and all this creates a very sweet and romantic movie. It's just that newer movies have copied or processed further the events of this one so many times that they are no longer unique. I'm young compared to the age of this movie, but I get the feeling that the events that transpire in the movie caused a lot of conversation back when it was released. Stereotypes and generally quite irresponsible life is portrayed, but unfortunately those things are the norm nowadays.
I gave the movie 7, If you like romantic drama with a bit of comedy you can easily give this movie a 9.
Cloud Atlas (2012)
An engaging movie that requires that the viewer wants to think about concepts
I went to see the movie with mixed expectations. I had read reviews beforehand that warned of a messy plot line with multiple stories. I was positively surprised on how untrue that was. The stories play well out in terms of pacing and characters. There are a lot of them in total, but each part (or you could say "act") has only a couple central characters, like you would expect from any typical story. The different stories are very easy to follow because they are so different, yet they are the same on many levels. I specially like how the film expects you to think. You can watch this movie just for the visuals, but to really appreciate it, you need to think what happened and because of what. Some reviews I've read say that the stories are not connected. I would say that if that is how you feel, you did not pay attention at all and were expecting the movie to give everything pre-chewed to you. Instead the movie expects to you to fill the missing bits, notice references between the stories and to imagine what has happened between the transitions from one story to another. There is even an exchange of lines in the movie which can pretty much be summed up as the characters saying to the audience that we won't tell you everything, you can imagine and fill the blanks yourselves. The movie has a message and after you've processed the stories, it should be quite obvious. It might not be exactly the same message as I got, but still. Music and sound effects were good, not exceptional or bad, but satisfying and did their part well. The locations and visual effects were really nice and at times stunning, fitting for the events that transpired and interesting. Acting was good, the characters were played well and the actors fit their roles neatly. My only criticism is about the masking - same actors played different roles and genders, and the masking department had not been up to the task at all times. Or maybe it is that I perceive female actors playing male characters and vice versa a bit hard to digest due to the different body/facial structures of genders. I would recommend the movie if you want to see something that requires paying attention and ability to concentrate for nearly three hours, but in exchange gives food for your thought and imagination. Don't watch this if you just want to hang out with friends and chat at the same time.
Skyfall (2012)
An entertaining movie
The movie was enjoyable. The music was good and suited the scenes. Action was smooth and didn't hog too much screen time. Visually the locations in the movie were interesting, varying and beautiful. Craig continues to perform well and fits the character perfectly. Same goes for the other characters. The villain stayed within logic and wasn't evil just for the sake of being evil. The plot is OK even though you can pretty much guess how it'll play out right from the start. The makers of this movie knew what the audience expects from a Bond movie and deliberately made jokes of those things, which for me was very refreshing. As with movies involving high-tech in the plot, there was hacking and such computer stuff in it which was a "bit" overplayed and animated compared to how it is in real life, but I accept this for the sake of making it visual for the movie viewer.