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juliascott60
Reviews
The Leftovers (2014)
We liked it- intriguing, and it's not supposed to give it all away
It's a series people- get over it! I'm continually amazed by folks who want to be spoon fed all of the answers to a series in the first 60 minutes. At any rate we found the first episode thought provoking. Yes, it is a little confusing and I truly hope it doesn't go down the path of LOST in which I lost interest rather quickly (because of the things in it that made no sense and never would. I mean, really, how did the heavy guy not lose any weight in the first season?!). That said, I have high hopes for this drama as I love these sorts of human stories that make you think for yourself and don't try to shove an agenda down your throat.
I'm reading the book right now and as in all books that turn into a movie or show, there are the expected differences, however it seems to be following along nicely with the spirit of the original story.
Give it a try and decide for yourself, and don't be dissuaded by the many reviews that are so negative and in my opinion premature.
Anna Karenina (2012)
Quite possibly the worst movie- ever
We left this movie after 65 minutes- each one more torturous than the last. I have never- ever- left a movie half way through.
First off the presentation was odd- really odd. It was like a sad remake of the movie "Moulin Rouge" without the good singing or any semblance of believability.
I really tried to like this film adaptation of a truly great book (and I confess I've not seen the other film versions so have no comparison base). We were all SOOOOO bored and having to stifle our laughter that in the end, the only kind thing to do was to leave and not disturb the other patrons.
On the plus side, the costumes were beautiful. The fake train scenes were glaringly bad, however.
If you must see this, save your $ and rent it when it comes to your local Red Box or on a movie channel. You'll be glad you did, I suspect.
Intruders (2011)
Boring
We like Clive Owen- a lot. Him being in such a dull and plodding movie was truly a disappointment! We watched this through to the end and it never improved. Moments that could have been made scary were not. I could never relate to nor empathize with any of the characters. Further, the characters never were really developed, nor was the story.
This was a major flop and I'm glad it was a red box rental. I get really irritated when we spend movie theatre prices for movies such as these.
Don't waste your $ or time. If you are a fan of this genre, the director of Clive Owen wait for it on free on demand. Or wait for encore- or FREE on demand. You'll turn it off I'll wager!
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Disjointed, disturbing and frightening
We saw this last night and I picked it mainly due to the leads being Hilda Swinton and John C. O'Reilly. The film held our interest completely and you can immediately tell that the ending would be more than a little tragic.
The boys/ young men who played Kevin were exceptionally talented. The part called for a slyness and subtlety that doesn't come naturally to most adults much less children.
Tilda S and John C O gave excellent performances- Tilda quite knowing and John C O oblivious to the strange child they've brought into the world.
I like this movie in the same way I liked Snow Angels- like watching a train wreck but you can't take your eyes off. After seeing Snow Angels I read the book (excellent- better/ deeper than the movie) and I have just ordered this book from the library.
I recommend it, but it's not a happy movie nor for the feint of heart.
Another Earth (2011)
It is a good drama- sci fi is the after though
OK this was a RedBox rental and I'd hardly heard of anyone involved in it so we rented it with no expectations other than my husband clearly thinking I'd rented another set of weird movies.
We watched this the same night as The Future so that bar was quite low after that.
The characters are believable but their actions at times not always so much. I can't see the two main characters hooking up as they did and their chemistry was good but not of a sexual nature.
The way Rhoda tries to make up her crime of killing his family in a teenage drunk driving incident is in many ways understandable... but goes beyond the scope of reason.
The ending sort of redeems the movie at the end when you realize Rhoda has given up yet another one of her dreams (after missing out on her MIT education and what might have followed due to jail) and not taking the trip to the Other Earth.
What is going on when she sees herself at the end is rather confusing and didn't close the movie with me.
All in all I found it thought provoking but my more mainstream husband thought it was stupid. You decide.
The Future (2011)
You may hate it you may love is (or like it slightly)
Well I struggled to give this 5. I sort of liked it. My husband absolutely HATED it (thought it was pointless, banal and warranted just about every negative opinion available.
I do not know anything about the artist that made this so I came into it with no expectations except preparing mentally for a different movie as are most indi movies.
The characters are interesting in their own ways but the point will be different for each person I think as the context of their own life will affect their take on it.
We got this at the red box also so it was $1.20. Not a waste of $ but I would not pay more either.
That said I'm so happy to see RedBox carrying more of these kinds of titles. We watched this on the same night we watched another earth which was IMO much better and more believable.
You Again (2010)
This move is a riot- mindless entertainment but worth the time
Set the bar low and you won't be disappointed. This sounds like it will be just a chick flick and it sort of is, however my husband and I laughed until we had to pee. We are not talking Oscar material here, but it's fun. If you liked mean girls (which is more clever but we are talking Tina Fey there) you will likely like this too.
Let me start by stating that Billy Unger as the younger brother to Marni- Ben- has some of the funniest lines and actions in the movie (even though his part isn't terribly large). He is the young master of the understatement and I see great things in his future. He has impeccable timing.
Kristin Bell as Marni is a typical pimply HS geek with bad glasses who ends up being super-successful in her career, however she has not yet matured personally nor moved on from her years of high school hazing by the mean girls. Her character could have been a bit more developed but probably acts just as many of us would if our dopey brother had been reeled in like the goober he is by a bipolar she-devil. You end up wishing she had a lot more back-bone and was less predictable but this is the movies...
Speaking of James Wolk- brother Will
one has to be a fairly good actor to pull off what is the dopiest character I've seen in a while. For an allegedly smart guy he is an idiot.
Odette Yustman as Joanna "JJ"- Wills fiancé- is the girl all teen girls except the other plastics used to hate... pre-40s anyway (after that you don't much care b/c these girls by and large end up being the jerks they were practicing to be all long and everyone sees through them in real life). Cheerleader, mean girl, beyotch- she plays her shallow part well.
Jamie Lee Curtis- as Gail- plays the sanctimonious mom with loads of goody-goody advice about giving people second chances. Blah blah blah
.. She has re-written her personal HS history as a former less than kind friend to Sigourney Weaver is very, very good as Ramona- the former HS wanna be who is (shockingly) successful in business but has yet to land the personal life of her dreams.
Victor Garber plays Gail's husband- is a more or less sap, but the bits of him on his blind-fold diet are amusing.
Kristin Chenoweth- Georgia, the A-list wedding planner- is so over the top you can't help laughing at her weird showmanship. Yes she is an idiot in this movie- everyone is. It's her best comedic role since RV which, yes, was another really stupid move (but I liked it).
Betty White as Grandma Bunny has a sort of dull and underdeveloped part but she does her best with it.
I'd recommend this film- especially if you have Netflix streaming because you have already paid for it :)
Hanna (2011)
fabulous movie
Lots of action yet is has a story about the past which made the present on the screen today believable. Main actress is superb as is her dad and Kat B. The ending felt a little obvious to me- can anyone say sequel coming down the pike? Cinematography is top notch. Definitely worth the price of a ticket- best to see on big screed because of scenery & for scale of the chase scenes- especially in the container yard.
Lots of action yet is has a story about the past which made the present on the screen today believable. Main actress is superb as is her dad and Kat B. The ending felt a little obvious to me- can anyone say sequel coming down the pike? Cinematography is top notch. Definitely worth the price of a ticket- best to see on big screed because of scenery & for scale of the chase scenes- especially in the container yard.
Burlesque (2010)
Chicago caliber... it's not
First off I just love musicals & opera... LOVED Chicago, Moulon Rouge & will watch & re-watch the all of the old musical films on AMC etc.
I had high expectations even though I'm not much of a Cher fan (but I do admire her staying power and she does have a set of pipes). I think Christina A. is a fantastic performer, however, and I was so looking forward to seeing her acting debut. Sadly it didn't seem to be her best thing but for that you can blame the script a bit.
If you liked Milli Vanilli and are into lip-syncing in general this is the film for you. When the performers do get around to ACTUAL singing the gig improves immensely.
It's not a waste of time but I rate it as "we should have waited for the red box or cable".