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Otter-17
Reviews
Bouncer (2002)
Very instructive.
I recently (November 2014) undertook SIA door supervisor training. (SIA = Security Industry Authority, in the UK).
Part of the job is to deal with customers at nightclubs, who, sometimes, need to be sent on their way.
My class of six in training watched this on our third morning. This short is brisk, telling, very relevant to door work, and also well acted and assembled.
After the showing our SIA instructor asked us the question "OK, what did he do wrong?"
The unanimous answer from our class proved that this is a very effective and instructive piece of storytelling.
I don't know if watching this short is a requirement for SIA training, but if not, it should be. Should also be of interest to anyone who likes authentic portrayals by actors, and crisp film making.
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Comic book as movie
I personally am a big fan of the original Alien, Aliens and also this movie, for different reasons. Aliens vs Predator is an episodic story, perfect to relax to with my lifestyle. I come home from work, mentally exhausted, i eat dinner in about ten minutes and i want ten minutes of entertainment. Wherever i fast forward to in this movie, i can be guaranteed of getting that ten minutes. The performances are well done within the time allowed for the actors to develop their characters. The production values are all there, and well done of course. The plot line really holds no great surprises, but then, it isn't meant to do that, it is a comic book on film. I have watched it many times. Episodically.
Swimming with Sharks (1994)
brilliant
A simple gem, lit with truth. Also a lesson in what a movie can be when actors are allowed to
act, and a writers insight is respected, rather than given lower
billing to a director's ego,special effects and Hollywood cliche.
Vanilla Sky (2001)
thoughtful
I was quite negative in my initial overall impression of Vanilla Sky, probably because some of the plot mirrored my life ( see the bluntly simple yet stomach lurchingly spectacular car wreck. Nice metaphor).
On reflection, i would recommend this movie to anyone who has a good few years of life experience and relationships to dwell on, and also as a thought provoker if you're young.
SPOILER: the way the storyline loops from begining to end to beginning is a superb device.
Renaissance Man (1994)
If you're old enough, this movie is brilliant
Unless life has kicked you in the nuts as an adult a few times, then you may not appreciate the thought and point that has gone into this little masterpiece.
This movie is about how a self serving man (typical adman in NYC) working in a self serving profession (advertising), learns to be unselfish by serving others. He does this first because he has to (get a job because the Government is stopping your welfare), but after a bit of experience, he does it because he wants to.
Yep, it's that simple, but makes some very true and adult points. Devito's character isn't seen to have kids, isn't seen to have a wife, or anything happy in his life at all except an expensive apartment, but the expensive apartment doesn't apparently give him any contentment either.
I for one would be interested in seeing a sequel because i would like to see if the main character reverted to type if he got a job in advertising in say, Nunchuck South Dakota, or did he end up as teacher in a prestigious East Coast finishing school. Yay, let's all throw our hats in the air!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
very,very good game
I am a hardline online gamer, have been for 5 years. I bought this game because 1; i like the books, and 2; it seemed a gentle enough game to introduce my son, all of 3 years and 10 months, into the educational values of a decent computer game with a good, non-violent story attached. This game is great, and my son loves it ( i control Harry with the direction keys, my son casts spells on switches, trees, doxy's and gnomes etc with the mouse. His hand/eye co-ordination is developing a treat). This is a thoroughly engaging, well thought out and imaginative game. The graphics and lighting are pleasing, the attention to detail is authentic and amusing (example; wizard card details), the levels are well designed and their variety has a good balance and is close in feel and plot to the first book. It;s a great kid's game, and adults may well enjoy it too. I certainly have.
btw, of special note should be the music by Jeremy Soule which is absolutely superb, far better than the movie's score in my opinion, and whoever the voice talent was who did a ripping John Cleese impression for the voice of Nearly Headless Nick deserves a round of applause.