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danmasucci
Reviews
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
One of Disney's Best
This film is all out fun. The direction, the voice acting, the superb design work, and thrilling script make this one of Diseny's best.
This is one I took my oldest son to the theater to see and now watch it with my youngest.
One of the great things about the film is how end action keeps building, introducing new and dangerous elements instead of wrapping it up quick and dirty. That is what good screen writing is about.
I love period pieces and in animation, the possibilities are endless. This team took that opportunity and ran with it. My hats off to them!
I'll save a more detailed review about the sequel for that film's page, but to make it fast, that too was very, very enjoyable.
Would love to have seen another film this series!
12 Hours to Live (2006)
Unrealistic Diabetes Portrayal
Let me first say that LMN movies are my guilty pleasure. I enjoy them for the cheese. In fact, the cheesier, the better. They don't have to make sense at all. As long as they are over the top and filled with scandalous plot lines, I will forgive cheap productions.
That being said... This film's screenwriter must not have anyone with Diabetes in their life or have known anyone. Type 1 Diabetes can be extraordinarily dangerous but not in the way it is depicted in this film. I have yet to see a realistic portrayal except in my own film I made. This isn't a plug, I'm not leaving my website, I just had to write about the laughable depiction in this otherwise cheesy LMN goodness.
Bright (2011)
The possibilities of this film are bright...
I recently had the chance to watch BRIGHT at the Magnolia Independent Film Festival- one of several festivals was screening at in mid February 2011 as it began its tour on the festival circuit.
From the first frame to the last, this film is a cinematographic feast. Rich visuals support a skilled writing hand, and experienced direction in this longer than normal short film. It's length however, is not a detriment. The story takes as long to tell as it needs to and the running time felt perfect.
The acting is performed with such natural, believable deliveries that, as a viewer, you often feel like a fly on the wall witnessing the true lives of real people. Sometimes you will laugh with the characters, and at other times you will feel their pain, and ultimately their redemption.
BRIGHT, for me, is about the fear of living and coming to terms with that fear. It is something many people can identify with, and I highly recommend catching as it continues touring at film festivals.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010)
Fantastic New Start!
I have been a Scooby-Doo fan for 30 years and get to still enjoy it with my sons. This new cartoon has outstanding animation that is much more moody with a spooky atmosphere than any attempt at the franchise since the early days. The stories are great and I'm glad to see Matt Lillard voicing Shaggy. Casey Casum will always be the best but his voice has changed too much. The camera angles are chosen with care and are interesting to watch. I also like that they live in the town of Crystal Cove rather than Coolsville and that the kids are kids in high school rather than adults. Scooby-Doo has serious longevity and it is my sincere hope that this new series is long lived.
For old fans and people new to the show, this is sure to delight!
Rubicon (2010)
Crossing The Rubicon
I'm looking forward to this show. If it is at all inspired by the investigative book, "Crossing The Rubicon: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Oil Age" it should be pretty scary. That book tackles the role of government and big business in ordering the affairs of the world, using terrifying tactics that include warfare and population control by way of covert and illegal actions. Quite frankly, the book scared the hell out of me. It is my hope that the show does the same for its viewers and gets the audience thinking. It will be a shame if the show trivializes the importance of the book in any way. I could see people laughing at the absurdity of the claims the show will make (in the name of fiction). The cast looks solid and AMC has put out some great programming so next to THE WALKING DEAD, I'm going to give this a serious shot.
Sympathetic Details (2008)
Well worth the screening!
This story driven study about regret of a life spent in error has sharp, realistic dialog, compelling characters that feel authentic, and amazing cinematography.
I've had to sit through enough "Tarantino" style rip offs at film festivals that I was hesitant after reading the synopsis in the program at the 11th Annual Magnolia Independent Film Festival that I was about to watch a film about a hit-man . My fears were assuaged immediately. It was clear that I was in excellent hands with writer/director Benjamin Busch.
His visual choices were graceful and elegant, whether in the midst of violence or heartfelt emotion. I was very impressed. My one complaint was that I wanted more but that is part of what made this film so good. Always leave them wanting more.