activeverb Reviews

Wilson (1944)

A justified bomb

[1/10 · 10 May 2005]

I can see why this film was a bomb in its time and is all but forgotten today. I just saw it for the first time, and on a big screen.

I left after about 40 minutes. There simply wasn't one interesting or dramatic scene. Wilson was depicted as a wooden saint, and everything he wanted -- getting nominations, passing bills -- happened without any apparent effort by him as he sat quietly in a room and waited for everyone to come to their senses.

This film to be epitomizes the word dull. I can see why it's forgotten. It is simply bad bad bad bad bad.

I just added those to get to 10 lines. This film isn't worth spending more time talking about

You Can't Take It with You (1938)

Thought It'd Be Funnier

[10 December 2004]

I'd always heard about this film, and when it came on Turner classic was delighed to catch it. It wasn't what I expected. The acting was wonderful, particularly James Stewart, giving a subtle and powerful performance. Many of the supporting characters were finely drawn. However, the film simply wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. It was a sweet romantic comedy (light on the comedy. In fact, I was surprised how many scenes in the film weren't even attempting to be funny (the film had too many speeches with hit-you-over-the-head messages). I enjoyed this film. But I am surprised it even got nominated for best picture, let alone won. If not for winning the award, I think it would be all but forgotten today, and it is pretty forgotten for a best picture winner.

Road to Perdition (2002)

Trying too Hard

[7/10 · 15 July 2002]

"Road" wants so, so, so, SO much to impress us that it is afraid to offend us, and so ends us fairly mediocre. This is a film that takes few chances -- Tom Hanks is a hitman, but most of his "violent" scenes are carefully filmed and edited to take away any hints of ruthlessness.

Paul Newman fares better, but is a bit hammy in some of his scenes.

It's a watchable movie that you forget quickly.

The Edge (1997)

Bearly acceptable action thriller

[15 July 2002]

This is an intelligent, though hardly enthralling, action picture. Anthony Hopkins is a little bland as the billionaire who knows everything. Alec Baldwin is a little more distinctive, though he looks flabby and out of shape. David Mamet is famous for his dialogue, but it's not particularly noteworthy here, though the script is filled with clever flourishes.