Change Your Image
mn8335
Reviews
ER: Middle of Nowhere (1999)
Deliverance meets Doc Hollywood
This episode all the stereotypes and ironies of a black fish out of water in a shallow white pond. I like the plot that humanizes Benton and shows more facets of his personality, but the point could've been made without banjos and harmonicas. By far one of the worst concepts the show has to offer.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
Not child friendly!
Creepy, possessed dolls and demons. Animated corpses and frightening scenes were too much for my kids. The previews were grossly misleading. I shocked and disappointed.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Taking It Too Far
This film is mediocre. I think the Rocky series has taken it a little too far. The acting is average, the plot thin and characters underdeveloped.
Rocky gives a couple of dramatic speeches in the film, but they were contrived and overacted. "Little Marie" and her son are supposed to be germane to the plot, but neither character is explored in-depth to make them seem necessary. I think Stallone going for the emotional impact just made everything seem cheesy. The storyline would have been better served with Talia Shire playing "devil's advocate" against Rocky going to compete for a final time. Some type of conflict that way would have moved the plot along better than what we see in this film. Their on-screen chemistry was what held the previous Rocky movies together anyway. Also, Rocky drawing strength from his wife's memory was a bit dramatic, once again, and it felt as if the viewer is being dragged along a very uncomfortable Memory Lane.
Basically, with the disjointed flashbacks and archival footage, combined with incorporating old characters (can you believe Paulie is still around?!) plus the opening song, this film seemed more like a nostalgic E! True Hollywood Story than a Rocky movie that can stand on its own. The ending isn't even inspiring.
Stallone is in great shape for being 60 years old, but I didn't need to pay $9.00 to find that out. Save your money and get this one on PPV.
Jarhead (2005)
What's the Purpose?
This review does not reveal any plot points, but does mention specific scenes which persons who have not seen the movie may not wish to have revealed.
I noticed that this film will either appeal to your sensibilities as a provocative and philosophical art-film, or you won't see the point and walk out halfway through after hearing your share of curse words and seeing graphic sexual sequences.
The person in the seat next to me asked, "Does this movie have a point?" just beyond the halfway mark. I will say this was a valid inquiry. The first part of the film has some great comic relief and one-liners that you are intrigued enough to think this will be a great shoot-em-up, testosterone-filled war flick to show the superiority of the US military might. The second part of the film seems to trail off, but I think that *was* the point. Young men go into the military having idealized versions of what they expect to encounter when they are sent off to fight. Case in point: the screening of Deer Hunter where the marines are chanting and shouting and cheering at helicopters sweeping in over the ocean. But the realities of being shipped halfway across the world only to combat boredom and see little or no real action is anti-climactic at best. This is how the viewer is left, but it ties you in more deeply with the characters.
I believe this film is a real depiction of a soldier's life. You train, you work, you believe so deeply in something, but when the time comes to perform, that is taken from you... and then what? What was the purpose in all the struggle and sacrifice? This is the point that the book's author, Anthony Swofford, and the movie's director, Sam Mendes, adeptly point out. The motto, "Without me, my rifle is nothing; without my rifle, I am nothing" is the basis for this poignant look at a young man's decision to enlist in the military. Is he really nothing without his rifle?
Some of the sequences that not only depicted sex, but were frankly pornographic in nature were a little misguided and misplaced in the film, but the emotional connections these men have to sex and love and death and friendship and family are very real and should not be dismissed.
This is an important, thought-provoking film for mature adults. 7/10 stars.
Chicken Little (2005)
Laugh Out Loud for Kids of All Ages
I am 27 years old and saw this movie with my mother. Nope, no kiddos in tow. I was hoping this wouldn't turn out to be a case of seeing the best parts in the previews. Not even close. You can be a kid of any age and still enjoy 77 minutes of frivolous fun.
There are some great sight gags, clever puns, and a few pop culture phrases thrown in for good measure. Casting is excellent, matching voice characteristics to superb animation, and a fun mix of characters to fall in love with. Along with other commenters, I vastly prefer Pixar's films; however, this is an ace in the hole for Disney.
The only caution is the alien invasion scenes. Might be a bit scary for children in some parts, especially when the humor is sparse to break the tension, but as with any Disney film, all's well that ends well.
I will probably own this one on DVD. 7/10 stars.
A History of Violence (2005)
Save your $9.00
This movie was easily one of the worst of the year, not to mention on my Top 10 List of all time. The pacing is slow, the plot thin in most places. Mortensen and Harris are capable of so much more. The opening scene is oddly filmed, contains a disturbing element, and adds little, except as a set-up for the main plot point. Without much character development, this point could have been made quicker and easier, allowing for more backstory with Mortensen's and Harris' characters.
From beginning to end, the movie is nothing but a vehicle for raunchy sex scenes and graphic violence. (This is one "R" movie which you should spare the kiddos.) I wouldn't mind those elements if they added something to the plot, but they don't. The suspense falls flat, leaving the viewer waiting for an interesting twist or satisfying conclusion which never happens. I, for one, was very disappointed. Most of the audience around me seemed to feel the same, as there were jeers and inappropriate laughter throughout the show. 2/10 stars.