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Reviews
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
Not super original but very entertaining film
This film is a very entertaining, if a little dumbed-down/simplified story. It is not easy to make a completely original courtroom drama, considering that this is not really a new genre and considering that there are shows like Law and Order (the original) that were releasing 21+ episodes of courtroom drama a year.
There are original legal dramas, it is not impossible, but you need more time than a film. Suits, The Night Of and some others take their time to tell a long story. In a film of 2 hours, it's much harder.
Having that said, they did a great job here. The production values are high. The script is tight, without pointless subplots and missing plot threads. It never feels too long nor rushed. The music does its part, the cinematography is very good, keeps things fresh and interesting.
The one flaw I would say this film has is that there isn't much of a twist. Let me explain. It's not predictable to the point where you're guessing and taking bets on what happens next, but a lot of that is due to them telling you exactly what's what. The mystery part is unexplored, so we don't have that suspense. We don't get a chance to think or try to solve the puzzle, we just get to watch the story unravel like a magic trick.
This is good film nonetheless and if Hollywood made more films like this, not necessarily 10/10 films week in week out (which is impossible, unless you're a very generous reviewer) then I'd say we are in a kind of golden age of cinema.
Unfortunately, the average film these days is a 4/10 or 5/10 cashgrab, as sequels, requels make these original 7/10 films as rare as 9/10s and 10/10s.
The Moderns (1988)
What is the point of this film?
A pointless film. I have no problem with the film being shot in Montreal or the obvious Quebec accents. I'm not nitpicking here. The story is pointless, the movie is so unentertaining that I needed to check the time several times and I still can't believe it's "just" 2 hours long.
The film is not sure what it wants to be. A criticism of the art world while glamorizing the 20's and the artists of the era? A criticism of the rich who fund the art world while the film idolizes the artist? A story about a divorcing couple? Forgery? What is it exactly?
The 20's thing is just a backdrop. This story could've taken place at any time in any place, but we are given the roaring 20's to make this story more palatable. Most of the good reviews would not even consider watching the film if it were set in modern day New York.
I love the 20's and Europe at the time, but that's not enough for me to watch a bad movie with a poor script.
That's just my opinion. You don't have to believe me, see it for yourself, but then come back and leave a review because if you just quietly walk away from this mess, then it'll only be the 10 star reviews that will stay.
Superstar (2009)
Not very good: more of a warning than a review
This is more of a warning than a review so I'll keep it spoiler free.
This movie is the equivalent of an American TV movie in everything, from production to writing.
Some background: I've seen/discovered some excellent Iranian films and it made me look for more. This film has Shahab Hosseini who played in A Separation, The Salesman and About Elly so I thought this film was in that vein. I was wrong.
It's not good. The production is fine, but don't expect anything cinematic. It's more TV movie quality, which is a step (or a few steps) below TV series and films.
The story is really mediocre with all kinds of weak writing. Without spoiling anything, this film uses the "I have something to tell you" "Tell me" "I'll tell you." (Phone rings) "Forget about it" type scenes more than once.
This is a low-budget for-the-money film made for the Iranian domestic market. It does not compete with the more famous Iranian films. It's no mystery that this did not get international distribution and as far as I can tell, there has not been a DVD pressing of this film that's being sold abroad.
5/10.