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Reviews
The Great Gatsby (2013)
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Well now, I was taken aback by how tragically bad this movie was. Let me start with some positive things before I go on berating it. First, visually this movie is captivating beyond words. Now I went and saw it in 3D (not necessary) and I think it would have been better in a standard format. Now the acting. I felt like everyone acted their part well, aside from Toby McGuire who has such an unlikable feature for me (his acting) that I wish he could just disappear from cinema altogether. The female parts were just.. OKAY, they felt a little watered down for me. Really I honestly enjoyed the book, and have liked one or two of the film adaptations that were done in the past but this one just missed it completely. You cant put Leonardo DiCaprio, in the lead role and it automatically makes the film good, although I think that may be some directors thoughts. The pacing in the movie is just weird. Its like you are literally getting all of the sour parts of the book, being pumped up by some visual effects, trying their best to woo you over. Well needless to say at 2hrs and 20 min, it completely missed me. The Dialogue seems patched together and last minute, none of it ever seems generic. But WORST OF ALL is the MUSIC.... I absolutely can not stand non period music in a period film. For instance, the movie takes place in the 20's and they have Jay-z and "Dub step" slathered all over this thing. And its so thick you feel like your drenched in it by the time you leave the theater. In all honesty, this film was one that I wanted to leave half way through, and by the time the end credits rolled I wished that I had. Don't see it, and sure as hell do NOT waste your money and pay too much by going to a theater.
Gangster Squad (2013)
It could have been amazing, instead of a bad LA Confidential Rip off.
I feel as though I was a bit generous with my 6 star rating, and at the same time I feel that in some aspects it worked to get my 6 stars. The movie is entertaining, and during the few first opening scenes, the movie hooks you, and you begin thirsting for more, but after the first fifteen minutes the movie gets extremely off track. Which honestly disappointed me, because as star studded as the movie was, it should have been MILES better. As far as the acting goes, Sean Penn, is good, most of the time. Josh Brolin, I felt had the wrong role. Ryan Gosling has the same role that he does in nearly every movie (extremely depressing after seeing his skills in action during Drive). The one that actually did impress me, was Giovanni Ribisi. Which surprised me because I figured either Gosling or Penn would steal the screen. I feel like Ribisi took his role and put his own stamp on it. The rest of the roles are the actors same Ole' roles, rolled up into one overly long, terrible CGI, beautifully shot, 1940's gangster flick. And that's a shame, this had so much potential.
Flight (2012)
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.
HEED MY WORDS Hollywood, CAST DENZEL IN MORE ROLES!!! Let me put it this way, Denzel Washington has impressed me before, and he has also completely bored me for entire movies. And this movie, is by far one of his best performances (and get American Gangster out of your head, it was way overrated). Where to start? Lets see, well the writing of this film is totally spot on, it has such a pace and depth to the story that it just compels you to pay closer, and closer attention. Usually these disaster movies, hook you for the beginning, you loose attention in the middle as the pace slows, and then fails to entertain towards the end. NOT THIS. This movie will get you hook line and sinker. Acting? OH WOW. I didn't see John Goodman being cast in the role of his coke dealer, it was a total curve ball. AND I LOVED IT... When Denzel Washington, and Goodman, share the screen they captivate together, they play off each other, and make extremely memorable scenes. This movie was also shot very well, and with a lot of precision, the framing, and the cutting are spot on and keep the pace going. It never gets slow. BUT. Above the acting, and the way it was shot, and the writing, is the music. The music is a character in the film, and I like it because there are huge uses of the Rolling Stones, every time Goodmans Character is on screen. If you want a movie that you wont soon forget. Go watch this one, Id even recommend buying it.
Killing Them Softly (2012)
Unusual in a good way...
You know, I had mixed feelings going into this one. After all, I don't usually buy into movies where we are supposed to take Brad seriously. I like his playful borderline comedic roles, like Aldo Raine. However this caught my attention when I first saw the previews for the film. Welcome Back Ray Liotta, even though you never officially left, there were a few roles where it made me wonder if Vice City cheapened you a bit, but this movie brought back any credibility you lost. The Roles in this movie honestly speak for the diversity of its actors, and the cinematography was just a treat. There were some very detailed sequences such as when they kill off Liotta's character that had me wondering if they were CG I. Special effects in this film are top notch. Overall, about the only parts that I didn't enjoy would have to be some of the Dialogue, that of James Gandolfini which just seems to drag on and fill up space in the movie, other than that, the violence is violent, the cinematography is spot on, and its unlike any crime film I have ever seen! 8 out of 10 stars!!
Hitchcock (2012)
Great Film
When I first saw the preview for Hitchcock, I knew it would be right up my alley. I mean its about Alfred Hitchcock and what he went through to produce easily one of the greatest horror films of all time. And to top it all off Anthony Hopkins Plays Hitch himself, and when it comes to Hopkins, he brings his A-game to every single role. This movie blew me away, the acting is spot on, the cinematography is excellent, almost shot like an early horror movie in my opinion, lighting is precise and the music fits the mood and the story perfectly. I don't remember the last time I had so much fun watching a movie. Watch this one, its a gem!