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Naenae72
Reviews
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
JJ Abrams is the Puff Daddy of Film (Spoilers)
JJ Abrams is the Puff Daddy of films. He takes a concept that's been done, adds a little flare (literally), and gives you the Abrams mash-up of something you've seen before. I went into Episode VII expecting this based on his previous work. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, I'm barely a fan. Here's how he played it safe and why nostalgia fanatics are loving it:
1. Extremely similar premise to original material, but maybe a gender or racial swap or two. (i.e. Rae=Luke. Group of ragtag misfits/antiheroes must deliver important info to the rebellion, that's securely nestled in the cutest bleep blooping droid in the galaxy. Eminent threat from Death Star/"Mega Death Star". Massacre on dessert planet. Morally conflicted dudes with daddy issues. I could go on and on and on and on.)
2. Similar locations (i.e. Jakku=Tatooine, Takodana=Ewokless Endor, Starkiller Base=1/2 Death Star 1/2 Wampa, Millennium Falcon=?)
3. Nearly identical shots of original in new movie. (i.e. Leia on the Death Star=Rey on "Mega Death Star")
4. Show the world, the world (i.e. Every race and gender is represented on the light and dark side)
5. Typical cameos (i.e. Greg Grunberg, chubby dude from all things JJ Abrams)
6. Surprise cameos (i.e. Half the cast of "The Raid/2")
7. Quippy winks at the previous flicks ("Chewy, we're home")
I got everything I thought I'd get from Mr. Abrams, something between a reboot and a sequel. At least the action, acting, dialogue and recycled plot we're more watchable than the prequels.
It's an OK stand alone movie, but it's relying heavily upon episodes VIII and IX to fill in the gaps. If 8 and 9 can deliver and aren't nostalgia rehashings, then we might have a solid trilogy.
If you liked the movie great but please admit it was very recycled and didn't introduce enough newness to really stand on its own.
P.S. Why is technology devolving as time progresses (i.e. Luke's hand, R2's functions: flight and flames, to rolling around, to being half dead WTF?)
Whitney (2011)
Why?
I tried, TRIED, to stomach the pilot due to Whitney Cummings stand-up performances. The storyline was bland, pointless, and like every other sitcom staring late 20-something women trying to have it all, ever written. The characters were closer to caricatures of humans that were bland, pointless, and like every other sitcom staring late 20-something women trying to have it all, ever written.
Why is this show still on the air?
Who watches this show?
Is NBC this desperate?
Not every comedian should have their own sitcom, I thought we learned this lesson in the 90s.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Movie vs. Graph Novel
The Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series is a great mix of comedy, romance, science fiction and fantasy. I was fortunate enough to see a screening of the film at San Diego Comic Con.
I am also a huge fan of Edgar Wright. His vision of the film turned an epic genre mash up into a big screen video game. It was fun to watch but a poor substitute for the books. The jokes were there and the action was EXTREMELY there. A few illustrations were even there.
Wright did his best to include as much of the books into the film, instead of skipping over smaller details the way other book-films do. It was refreshing to see this but it hurt the movie. The film felt rushed and the characters lacked arc. I give Wright props for not trying to turn SP into another comic book sequel ruining genre but if the film was split in two the characters would feel real the way they did in the books.
Ultimately the film is a fun summer action comedy. If you're a fan of the books you won't hate it but you won't love it. And if you're a fan of Edgar Wright you'll probably call it your least favorite Wright.
90210 (2008)
What's the point?
What's the point of calling this a spin off series when it has little to do with the original series. This show feels like a rushed version of every other teen drama ever produced. Someone seems to be breaking up and hooking up with a new character every episode. There is nothing new, interesting, or original about this show. There are so many unanswered questions and the new generation is bland, boring, and irrelevant. At least with the original you got a sense of who the characters were.
The CW has fallen off ever since the merger. There seem to be no shows worth watching. I get surprised every week when I see previews for Smallville and One Tree Hill because I always forget they are still on the air.
Harsh Times (2005)
You need to 12 step off B****
This movie is pointless and disjointed. The acting is over the top and everyone acts like some LA gang member even Christian Bale. Why does this have such a high rating here? Training Day is by far superior. The lines are ridiculous, cheesy and laughable. The tone goes from joking to serious but all in all extremely far fetched. It's beyond inconceivable that Christian Bale's character would not be in a mental institution let alone be allowed to work in law enforcement. Eva Longoria's character, presence and performance in this film were unnecessary and useless. Avoid this movie at all costs unless you're in the mood for good actors giving horrible performances with a nonsensical plot.
The Good Humor Man (2005)
Crap
The acting made you feel like you were watching a kindergarten play. The story is full of holes and gaps and skips around so you have no idea as to what just happened. Half the scenes are pointless. There is not an inkling of character development. The score/soundtrack consists of about three songs one in particular is played in about 70% of the scenes. I'm glad I only rented the movie yet I still feel cheated. Avoid this movie at all costs unless you want to see some decent actors give horrible performances. It seems like the bulk of the budget was spent on putting a few name brand actors in this less than bad film. This movie is equivalent to visiting a strip club, it tries to get you excited and interested but just as you think something is going to happen your thrown into some unrelated scene and left trying to figure out how you arrived there.