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Reviews
Spring Breakers (2012)
So bad. So so so bad.
There's an audience for this movie, but with the readily available online porn, why bother? Seriously, this is little more than a pervert's paradise watching slow motion butts juggling and boobs flopping.
Don't get me wrong. I like butts and boobs. But I also like plot. And substance. And stuff that actually moves the story forward. Take the ridiculous slow motion gratuities out and there's maybe 40 minutes worth of a movie here.
When there are scenes of plot-driving dialogue, the same words are repeated over and over again. Repetitive, dark, gratuitous (which normally doesn't bother me!)... just a bad movie.
What If... (2010)
What if all faith-based films were this good?
Perhaps the fastest growing classification of movies, faith-based films have a tendency to sacrifice production value for message. While movies like Facing the Giants and Fireproof have solid messages, they lack in the aesthetic polish audiences get from most Hollywood releases.
With "What If...", Dallas Jenkins manages to give audiences an aesthetically beautiful film with wonderful performances on both sides of the camera. The movie feels like a mid-budget Hollywood release, a remarkable feet considering the low budget and tight shooting schedule. Kevin Sorbo has a great presence throughout, and Kristy Swanson, still beautiful as ever, shows off her dramatic chops. And John Ratzenberger's performance is angelic, in a good-old-boy way.
Still, great direction and performances don't make a great movie unless the story matches. Thankfully, the story of "What If...", albeit somewhat recycled, is outstanding. Living a life of luxury and power, Ben Walker (Sorbo) is chosen by God to receive a glimpse of what his life could have been had he made a different decision 15 years earlier. The bulk of the movie is spent in Ben's alternate reality where he learns the true riches of life.
"What If..." doesn't hide the fact that it's a Christian movie. Still, it doesn't hurl religion at the audience with reckless abandon. In other words, it's a movie that even non-Christians can and should enjoy. Without sex, violence, or language concerns, it's perfectly suited for all ages.
Raising the bar for faith-based films, "What If..." is hopefully the start to higher standards for movies delivering messages of the Highest Standard.
Write & Wrong (2007)
Refreshingly clean, entertaining movie - Write & Wrong
Much of the execution of this film is mediocre at best, but the story works, the acting is passable, and never once does the movie resort to least common denominators of sex or violence. Well, maybe a little implied sex early on, but nothing too raunchy. As a social commentary, Write and Wrong tackles a very real discrimination that plagues Hollywood. Age discrimination is clearly rampant in the acting world, but few are aware of its prominence in the writing world. Write and Wrong makes its audience aware of the issue without being bogged down in preachy overtones.
Definitely worth a watch on a low-key, mellow evening!
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Not a fan of Ryan Gosling... UNTIL NOW
Horribly miscast in The Notebook, Ryan Gosling shines magnificently in Lars and the Real Girl. His other roles to date pale in comparison to his spot-on portrayal of a remarkably socially-awkward simpleton. The premise of this movie could have been slap-sticked and ruined by so many of today's gross-out comedy filmmakers, but director Craig Gillespie keeps it (somewhat surprisingly) an understated comedy with a lot of heart. While not gut-bustingly funny, Lars and the Real Girl is in its own way hilarious, tender, and endearing.
The biggest shame of the DVD version is that it lacks useful extra features. Why is there not a commentary track or gag reel for every DVD or Blu Ray these days? But the movie itself is worth a look. See it now!!