JTBond Reviews

Colossal (2016)

Interesting premise, but ultimately hollow and uneven

[4/10 · 29 April 2017]

I get the premise, and I get the connections to the kayju genre. That gets the movie out the door, and keeps things moving. Where this movie falls flat is the characters and plot development. Other reviewers have nailed it: It's as if the middle of the movie was missing.

*Spoilers below*

You have very flawed, but bordering on real characters, and then within a blink of an eye, one turns into pure evil. And not only that, but the character has always been this way? You get one flashback that begins to set that up, but then ultimately delivers nothing. I didn't believe his transition, and even if I'd wanted to, the movie only gives you about 20 minutes to come to terms with it, before it ends.

They tease out interesting concepts – e.g. "I got drunk and, because of that, my kayju avatar killed a bunch of people." The moment they start to explore that, the movie races to the finish line, and skips over a needed section of character and plot development.

Ultimately, I felt like I'd received the appetizer and dessert, but the restaurant forgot my entree.

Today's Man (2006)

Good doc with one glaring issue

[7/10 · 22 February 2010]

A very educational and real look at a person with Asperger Syndrome. The inability to read and react to social cues is difficult to imagine, but shown well in this documentary.

My main issue with the documentary contains spoilers, of a sort, but has to do with an issue that is somewhat glossed over by the doc.

If one of the defining factors of Asperger Syndrome is the inability to relate to other people and/or to pick up social cues, then why would you allow a person, who is already at a disadvantage socially, to carry such inappropriate racial prejudices? I doubt that Nicky picked up his fear of "Blacks and Hispanics" from his own experiences, since it seems that most of his time was spent at home with his parents.

When a child ACTS upon a racial prejudice that has been picked up from a parent or family member, you hope that said family member can see how their own prejudicial feelings/thoughts/statements can have a real impact on the actions of their children.

And for a parent of a child with Asperger Syndrome, wouldn't that realization be ten-fold? They've not only passed on a prejudice to their child, but they've done it to a child who already has a difficult time relating to others and whose inner thoughts (no matter how bad) will not always remain subtly bottled up.

And this argument doesn't even deal with the fact that they've taught their child how to hate and fear others...something that child will be a victim of simply because of his/her mental condition.

I was shocked that the story of the racist comment and Nicky's subsequent termination (which was most likely spearheaded by this statement) was not explored. Other issues such as were looked at a lot more closely with even some prodding of Nicky to open up.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

In one word: Class

[10/10 · 22 October 1999]

Lock,Stock and Two smoking barrels is a unique movie. It combines comedy, violence, action, money,spectacular camera effects (that give it a cool, dark arty feel, but not too much so-the card game) more comedy, great moral values and of course drinking. It contains a nice selection of upcoming stars and some old favorites (I include Vinnie Jones, because he was absolutely amazing. It was emotional...) You may have to be English to appreciate the humor, but a lot of my American friends enjoyed it in the same sense that they like Bottom and Red Dwarf. Lock,Stock and Two smoking barrels is a "lads" movie, by lads for lads (much like Trainspotting). All in all: It's a fantastic movie, THE END.

The Game (1997)

A great suspense filled movie that keeps you puzzled and on edge

[10/10 · 19 October 1999]

The movie "The Game" really brings out Micheal Douglas's acting ability. "The Game" makes the viewer connect with the lead character. You become just as frustrated, confused and eager to find the truth as Douglas. Some say the movie is too unbelievable, but then you have to ask yourself: could it happen to you?