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Reviews
Les Misérables (2012)
What an outstanding production!
I didn't really know what to expect. We are very familiar with the play and all of the music and have heard some of the best performances anywhere--namely, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean. The movie has to be taken on its own terms. You can't go expecting the quality of singing performances heard on Broadway, but if you don't have that expectation, then just sit back and let the movie do its thing, you will find a remarkable translation of the play to the big screen. The performances were stellar and overcame the lack of singing prowess by some of the lead characters. This movie is totally gripping, but in spite of the sometimes dark subject matter, you will leave the theater feeling rejuvenated and hopeful.
A wonderful experience!
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Better than most of this genre
I was really pleasantly surprised at how much I did like this movie. I've read a lot of the criticisms and most of them point out elements of comic character movies that I usually find in this genre. This movie was actually a bit of a stand out for me. The main character's development was much more in depth than I usually find and the story line was decent right up to the concluding scenes of the movie, which I found ludicrous. What were they thinking? I don't care if they had to find a way of linking to the Avenger's movie, they could have come up with any number of other story lines to get it there without the lame ending. I would have rated this move and "8" if it hadn't been for that ending.
Hereafter (2010)
A movie with a different pace
I understand some of the lower ratings for this movie. Perhaps people were expecting more action and excitement or today's audiences want non-stop thrill scenes, but this movie needs to be viewed with different expectations.
Don't expect a sci-fi or wild paranormal-type presentation and just sit back and enjoy the acting, the direction, and the story. My wife and I really enjoyed this movie. Once I understood the pace and direction of the film, I just sat back and took it in.
All of the performances are quite exceptional. Clint Eastwood really took the time to develop the characters and build the pathos for the eventual satisfying conclusion.
Superman Returns (2006)
I was really surprised at how good this movie was.
I did not see this movie when it came out, because I figured it was "just another remake." However, when I noted that it had a rating of 3.5 stars (on DISH), I decided to give it a try. I was very impressed and surprised at just how good this movie really was. I think the thing that always left me cold with previous versions of Superman (even though I think Christopher Reeve was the consummate Superman), was the camp style that each movie always reflected. The first Superman was good for the first half as you got into the character history and his life up until he joined the Daily Planet, but enter Lex Luther and everything went to silly slapstick and left me disappointed.
Superman Returns did not approach it that way. It had its humorous lines and scenes, but it primarily was a serious movie that told a good and believable story (oh yes, there are supermen flying around all over the planet these days, didn't you know?). It had action, excitement, pathos and romance--a little something for everyone.
I'm so happy I took the time to discover this movie.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
The best of the series to date!
While some reviewers point out a few inconsistencies with the book, I think this movie reflects an absolutely outstanding job of synthesizing the whole essence of the 5th book and presenting it in an extremely interesting and riveting way. The visual aspects of this movie are remarkable; the IMAX & 3D presentation was nothing less that superb; the sound and score were excellent; and the bar for acting has certainly been raised from any of the previous movies, especially Daniel Radcliffe's performance.
I was extremely pleased about this movie and would think that this is clearly the best of the Harry Potter series.
Bewitched (2005)
Horrible!
Absolutely dreadful from any perspective--first time watcher or old-time TV Bewitched fame; worst for the latter.
I really can't believe how bad this movie really was. So much potential absolutely wasted.
I'm particularly troubled by Nicole Kidman's role. She is known for usually being involved in quality stuff. Will Ferrel was beyond horrible. I still haven't seen anything that he was in that wasn't really really bad, but I truly was hopeful that this effort would be when I saw him in a decent role and could see what others seem to see in him.
Heaven Only Knows (1947)
Heaven Only Knows (aka Montana Mike)
Like the others that have commented, this movie is one of the most memorable of my youth. I cried each time I saw it. In one way, I was afraid to watch it in the current day for fear that it would not hold the same magic as it did when I was a child. However, I overcame that brief thought and started searching for it quite a few years ago, but never could come up with anything. I even emailed Leonard Maltin about it, and he responded that he also remembered it fondly. He wasn't sure either what had happened to it--whether it was being kept off the market by its current owner or whether the film master had deteriorated and no longer existed. Regardless, I will always hold the scenes and emotions of this wonderful movie in my soul.
Great Performances: Jesus Christ Superstar (2000)
It had its moments, but . . .
I am totally blown away by the high ratings and laudatory comments reflected by others for this production. It's like, what movie did you watch? I felt this production was one of the most miscast movies/videos that I've ever seen. The only cast member that evoked even the slightest pathos in me was Mary Magdalene; having said that, her singing talent fell shy.
The Jesus and Judas characters left me totally cold and confused. They really didn't seem to have a clue what their roles were meant to convey. Jesus was lacking in any quality that would ever make me think of him as a "messiah" or even a complex human being. I felt zero warmth emanating from him.
The Judas character, while certainly reflecting significant zeal, left me bewildered as to his real motivation, his commitment, his humanity.
Sometimes updating the original setting to the modern era works, but this production totally failed to carry or convince me of anything. An interesting thought that my wife pointed out was that the scenes near the beginning where Jesus touches his apostles and vice versa left her feeling like there were almost sensual gay sentiments being conveyed, rather than the natural warmth and compassion that were communicated in other "time of Christ" presentations.
I love musical theater and have seen quite a few productions of JCS, including the original Broadway and movie presentations. This production did have a few good moments that I did enjoy, but this was clearly the worst presentation I've ever viewed, including our amateur local productions. Very disappointing!!!