olec-3 Reviews

In the Heights (2021)

Magnificently well crafted

[10/10 · 18 June 2021]

Watch the cinematography, especially on the city scenes -- perfection. The directing and casting are perfect, and the feel is uplifting without being over the top sunshiny. Loved the whole film.

Fired Up! (2009)

Odd to say, but "great chemistry!"

[7/10 · 13 March 2009]

Kudos to the casting agents for this one -- it's fun and lively and moves along steadily to the predictable happy ending, but along the way the dialogue is snappy, witty, and oddly believable. Why so? Hard to believe, but it was the great chemistry of the two bromantic leads! They play off each other perfectly, and because they're sharply versed with each other, it's instantly believable that they're also sharply-witted with others. It's rare to have the sex-hungry jock teens be intelligent too (smart jocks? Who'd buy that?), yet it works! I bought it, I laughed (a lot!) and I never reached a point where I thought the lead characters had stepped to a point of groan-ness. So kudos to the casting, and the lead actors themselves -- should the chance happen again, I'd gladly see another comedy with these two -- they make a good 'bro' pair.

Role Models (2008)

Well written!

[7/10 · 7 November 2008]

Surprisingly well-thought out story, strong performances, and best of all, a crack-a-minute script. It's kinda like 30 Rock, or Arrested Development, or Earl... you can watch it over and over again just to be sure you catch all the lines! Who'd've thunk it -- one of the sharper comedies in a long time. Also surprisingly, and I don't think this counts as a spoiler, it doesn't move towards the trite, predictable, sappy ending you'd expect -- which is a pleasant surprise of its own. Sure it's upbeat, but it's not quite what I predicted the ending would be... like I said above -- it's well written! If I were to nitpick, it's that a couple relationship reconciliations are underplayed just enough that it's difficult to imagine how the character(s) came on-side... maybe one extra explanation of how/why Ronnie would be supportive of Augie -- but for the most part, the characters are broad enough that their coming together doesn't really hit you as unbelievable. Well done!