rydangel-1 Reviews

Transformers (2007)

Transformers

[8/10 · 6 July 2007]

Seeing the previews I wasn't sure I would like the film beyond the effects. The effects looked amazing, and they truly were. However the film was actually a lot of fun. No wonder Michael Bay did Victoria Secret commercials, the man knows what is hot. The cars, the chick, the shots, the music, all very hot.

The first half of the movie is actually really good. It's got great comedy, great acting, great music, and great mix of stories. It's paced well, shot well and contagious. The second half left a bit to be desired. The dialogue between Optimus and Sam was a bit lame and too filled with positive messages for kids, as was the dialogue between Optimus and Megatron. They could have gotten the same message across in less cheese. In addition, the fight sequences between the robots were not nearly as cool as everyone wants them to be. While the effects are good and life-like, the coverage of the fights left a lot to be desired. Not only was it hard to see the actual fight, the fighting wasn't even that cool. You know you're not alone in this when in the beginning the whole audience is cheering, and by the end you hear the odd "whoo" and that's it. With that said, we all clapped at the end because it really was a cool film with great characters that you want to watch. I know I'll buy this when it's on DVD, in fact, I can't wait.

Blood Diamond (2006)

Bloody great.

[10/10 · 16 December 2006]

Blood Diamond is easily one of my favorite films of the year. Great story with dynamics, intellect and interesting characters. The film has a very documentary style feel to it, which increases the suspense ten fold. The visuals that take place in this film range from heart wrenching, to beautiful. The story is never lost, and never becomes "hollywood", there are no fast cuts, and music video style editing, yet it maintains a riveting pace. It really is great film-making. Edward Zwick has quickly become one of my favorite Directors. I hope he never loses his depth because it's refreshing to see a great story done real, and with substance. He just keeps the hits coming lately, and I hope he's here to stay.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)

If you liked the first one, I doubt you like this one....

[1/10 · 17 October 2006]

The first Chainsaw (remake that is) Produced by Platinum Dunes was great. The look was amazing, the cast was believable, and it was done really well. For that kind of film I thought it was one of the best. This follow up one was just disgusting, and grotesque to be grotesque.

It's a shame they didn't stick with the original Director, because I found the coverage of the film weak. It was like a Michael Bay wannabe and just not done well. The look of the film was inconsistent as was the performances, although they got better as it went on. The cast gave it their all, but with that dialogue no wonder it just didn't work.

I'm so disappointed.

The Family Stone (2005)

Can't wait for the DVD

[9/10 · 6 January 2006]

This film was very enjoyable. The family felt authentic, the house was full of love and humor and I believed almost every second of it. The only reason I didn't give this film 10/10 was for a scene between Diane Keaton and the eldest son, I won't give the details, only to say that I felt the dialogue was a bit weak. However, I enjoyed everything else, most of all the Direction. I really appreciated the way he gave us the information on the characters, it wasn't being spouted off in excess dialogue, it was being shown and hinted to in conversations so that your mind and imagination could do the rest. Any information that was needed was revealed in a subtle, tasteful manner. This is a film for smart audiences and people who appreciate good film making with fine performances and authentic family fun.

Film School (2004)

Awesome

[16 December 2004]

I just had to comment because I love the show and I can't wait for more. I am a film school grad from a one year hands on program and what the students on this show go through are the same obstacles I went through. My film school experience was the best time of my life, challenging, creative, and exhausting. Watching this show brings back so many memories of my experience and it's cool to see others going through the same thing and seeing how they handle the situations. The characters seem real and I love how they all approach things differently and all have different mindsets. I like that the show takes us from preproduction through production. I can't wait to see everyone's final project. Great show, great job. I was hooked from the first episode.

Alexander (2004)

Diplomatic, but honest

[30 November 2004]

I have been looking forward to this film for a while now, even though I am not an Oliver Stone fan, I have always loved the story of Alexander the Great.

The movie was not what I expected because I didn't find it to be a very "Hollywood" type film or an epic film. I found it to really just tell the story of Alexander and I respect Oliver Stone for that. Oliver Stone presents Alexander the Greats life as he found it to be through his research, and while it is laced with Oliver Stone's opinion, it is not forced. He does give you both sides of how things may have been (referring to lovers and his death)and that's fairly rare. I truly felt like I was being told a story about a legendary man. Alexander was also humanized instead of glorified in the film, which I also respect. We see his flaws, his trials, we understand why the people loved him, we see what made him a great leader, and we realize what made him fall.

Now, with all that said, I found the performance to be inconsistent. At times I felt the actors weren't sure why they were committing to a line. But at times they were quite powerful. The one sensation that I took away from the film is what a passionate man Alexander was, about all aspects of his life. As for the accents, well they were all over the place and as off putting as that may be, it does not break a film, it hurts it.

The camera work on Anthony Hopkins performances was distracting and awkward, but the coverage, angles and cinematography in general in the battle scenes I found to be very effective. The production design was stellar, but the score left me wanting more, a man like that should have had a theme as dynamic as him. All in all, I'm glad I saw it; I wish it was stronger all around, but compared to a lot of the junk that is in theaters these days, it's a fairly respectable film. I give it a c+.

On a quick personal note, may I just say that to all the people who feel there should have been homosexual action I just have to say that you don't need sex to portray love. Love is portrayed in this film without a kiss, unless you're deaf and blind. For those who feel Alexander was not bisexual and are offended by the suggestion can just refuse to believe it and write their own film. This is Oliver Stone's interpretation, not yours and he was rather tactful with his suggestion. It's unfortunate that some rate the entire film by that notion.