...you wont love The Ruiner. When I think of great independent film, I think of Mean Streets, The Usual Suspects or Clerks. Contrary to what the last reviewer wrote (who is obviously either the director or directors mother), The Ruiner is none of the above. Independent film doesn't mean you are required to have cameras that are shaky, editing that borders on laughable and spotty sound. Boom mikes are not required to appear randomly in shots. It has been proved time and again that it is possible to make something competent and enjoyable without a six figure budget. Unfortunately for anyone who watches this mess, competent and enjoyable are two words that do not apply. I am curious as to what kind of camera was used in this production. Was it VHS? BETAMAX? The only reason that this film didn't get a score of 1/10 is based on the fact that the actors in this movie did an admirable job with very little to work with as far as story and direction go.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Brooklyn Rules
(2007)
Surprisingly good...
6 January 2011
...especially since the first billed is Freddie Prinze Jr.
I was at my friendly neighbourhood DVD retailer and saw this on sale for two bucks. I like Alec Baldwin so I thought Id give it a go.
The premise itself isn't terribly original - Its a coming of age type story meets a mild Goodfellas - but aside from the occasional eye-rolling moment it is well acted and beautifully shot.
Alec Baldwin is great as Ceasar and appropriately over the top. Freddie Prinze Jr, Jerry Ferrara and Scott Caan all do fine jobs as well.
Again, its nothing we haven't seen before, but its definitely worth the two bucks and certainly respectable enough to add to your DVD collection.
I was at my friendly neighbourhood DVD retailer and saw this on sale for two bucks. I like Alec Baldwin so I thought Id give it a go.
The premise itself isn't terribly original - Its a coming of age type story meets a mild Goodfellas - but aside from the occasional eye-rolling moment it is well acted and beautifully shot.
Alec Baldwin is great as Ceasar and appropriately over the top. Freddie Prinze Jr, Jerry Ferrara and Scott Caan all do fine jobs as well.
Again, its nothing we haven't seen before, but its definitely worth the two bucks and certainly respectable enough to add to your DVD collection.
Another AWFUL non-union production.
3 January 2011
Wow.
After watching "Silent Sam" (and nearly taking my own life after doing so), I clicked my way through some of the credits and found that some of the "talent" also took part in this. Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I had to check it out.
Uneccessary and absurd plot cross overs. Terrible camera work. Atrocious sound. Acting SO bad it goes way beyond feeling sorry for the performers. Rather, you feel sorry for yourself for having watched it - the unintentionally hilarious interrogation scene comes to mind - Lord, "bad" does not even begin to describe it.
I really don't know how this got made. Why would anyone spend a dime on such a story? Once said dime was spent, why would someone not take the time to hire people that could actually read lines from a page without causing the viewer to burst into laughter? I reckon somewhere down the line somebody involved with this "movie" will post a review saying something about "Hey, it was low-budget...they were trying to give new actors a chance...it was great for what it was". How about not making it at all? How about investing that money into film school or acting classes? Just because you want to make a movie DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD! Tongue-in-cheek-yes-we-know-this-is-absurd bad is one thing. (See: anything featuring Shaquille O'Neal.) This is something else.
Someone out there really, really needs to invent some sort of bad-taste/bad-acting detection program that will not allow such disastrous efforts to be burned to DVD and/or uploaded to the internet.
Recommended to anyone who loves self-loathing or to any young man or woman who wants to know exactly what NOT to do as far as acting, directing, editing, lighting and sound engineering go. Also recommended to friends and family of the production team and cast. Do the world a favour. Please, PLEASE tell them to stop making these films!
After watching "Silent Sam" (and nearly taking my own life after doing so), I clicked my way through some of the credits and found that some of the "talent" also took part in this. Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I had to check it out.
Uneccessary and absurd plot cross overs. Terrible camera work. Atrocious sound. Acting SO bad it goes way beyond feeling sorry for the performers. Rather, you feel sorry for yourself for having watched it - the unintentionally hilarious interrogation scene comes to mind - Lord, "bad" does not even begin to describe it.
I really don't know how this got made. Why would anyone spend a dime on such a story? Once said dime was spent, why would someone not take the time to hire people that could actually read lines from a page without causing the viewer to burst into laughter? I reckon somewhere down the line somebody involved with this "movie" will post a review saying something about "Hey, it was low-budget...they were trying to give new actors a chance...it was great for what it was". How about not making it at all? How about investing that money into film school or acting classes? Just because you want to make a movie DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD! Tongue-in-cheek-yes-we-know-this-is-absurd bad is one thing. (See: anything featuring Shaquille O'Neal.) This is something else.
Someone out there really, really needs to invent some sort of bad-taste/bad-acting detection program that will not allow such disastrous efforts to be burned to DVD and/or uploaded to the internet.
Recommended to anyone who loves self-loathing or to any young man or woman who wants to know exactly what NOT to do as far as acting, directing, editing, lighting and sound engineering go. Also recommended to friends and family of the production team and cast. Do the world a favour. Please, PLEASE tell them to stop making these films!
Leap Year
(2010)
A surprisingly tolerable...
1 January 2011
...chick flick.
I can't stand that term. 'Chick Flick.' It makes me thinks of the legions of crap movies out there starring the Matthew McConaughey's of the world. My girlfriend (who was born and raised in Ireland) was feeling sappy one night and insisted that we watch this. I was hesitant at first, but ended up succumbing to her charms.
Anyways: The principal cast does a fine job. Matthew Goode does a great job with his voice and his character. Amy Adamns plays the typical Im-a-Yank-stuck-god-knows-where-and-need-to-be-rescued to a tee. Adamn Scott plays his usual intolerable douche-bag.
For the ladies, there are plenty of tear-jerking and hopeful moments. For the lads, the film has a great sense of humour. Guys, if the significant other is insistent on a rom-com, you can pick this up without worry.
I can't stand that term. 'Chick Flick.' It makes me thinks of the legions of crap movies out there starring the Matthew McConaughey's of the world. My girlfriend (who was born and raised in Ireland) was feeling sappy one night and insisted that we watch this. I was hesitant at first, but ended up succumbing to her charms.
Anyways: The principal cast does a fine job. Matthew Goode does a great job with his voice and his character. Amy Adamns plays the typical Im-a-Yank-stuck-god-knows-where-and-need-to-be-rescued to a tee. Adamn Scott plays his usual intolerable douche-bag.
For the ladies, there are plenty of tear-jerking and hopeful moments. For the lads, the film has a great sense of humour. Guys, if the significant other is insistent on a rom-com, you can pick this up without worry.
Silent Sam
(2009)
I thought this was a joke...
29 December 2010
...but it isn't. Its actually a fairly serious attempt at filmmaking.
This 'movie' was passed on to me by a friend who has a friend who is an aspiring actor and was one of the leads. Hopefully, he takes some classes and never mentions to anyone that he appeared in this film. YIKES. I am also considering de-friending said friend for passing this on to me.
Silent Sam is a sad, desperate, pathetic attempt to make a film on little money in hopes of some sort of DVD release. Unfortunately, they had a VERY amateur cast (honestly, its hard to concentrate on the 'story' when you spend most of the time cringing and/or feeling sorry for the performers. I have to assume none of them were paid)an inexperienced crew and little or no money for effects. It says the budget for the film is $300,000. I would love to know where that went. Seriously. Somebody tell me.
Silent Sam proves that literally anybody can make a movie. But should they be allowed? If you are feeling suicidal, this is not recommended viewing.
This 'movie' was passed on to me by a friend who has a friend who is an aspiring actor and was one of the leads. Hopefully, he takes some classes and never mentions to anyone that he appeared in this film. YIKES. I am also considering de-friending said friend for passing this on to me.
Silent Sam is a sad, desperate, pathetic attempt to make a film on little money in hopes of some sort of DVD release. Unfortunately, they had a VERY amateur cast (honestly, its hard to concentrate on the 'story' when you spend most of the time cringing and/or feeling sorry for the performers. I have to assume none of them were paid)an inexperienced crew and little or no money for effects. It says the budget for the film is $300,000. I would love to know where that went. Seriously. Somebody tell me.
Silent Sam proves that literally anybody can make a movie. But should they be allowed? If you are feeling suicidal, this is not recommended viewing.
Tron: Legacy
(2010)
Indifferent.
29 December 2010
Went and checked this out on Christmas day. (In 3-d)
I was really looking forward to this (yay childhood nostalgia!) but I kept my expectations to a minimum...and Im glad I did so.
Long and short: Strong enough performances - Jeff Bridges is great as usual. Michael Sheen is excellent, would have been great if he had played a bigger role - that come out of some pretty mediocre material. Super predictable as far as it applies to dialogue and plot. Beautiful visually, but effects can only carry a movie so far.
Wouldn't recommend against seeing it, but wouldn't tell anyone to run out to the theatre to catch it.
I was really looking forward to this (yay childhood nostalgia!) but I kept my expectations to a minimum...and Im glad I did so.
Long and short: Strong enough performances - Jeff Bridges is great as usual. Michael Sheen is excellent, would have been great if he had played a bigger role - that come out of some pretty mediocre material. Super predictable as far as it applies to dialogue and plot. Beautiful visually, but effects can only carry a movie so far.
Wouldn't recommend against seeing it, but wouldn't tell anyone to run out to the theatre to catch it.
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