Change Your Image
davidj722
Reviews
I Care a Lot (2020)
Started Well Enough
Poking fun and bringing to light the way the elderly are treated is a good thing then devolving into a ridiculous story with dark tones of hatred. Not fun.
I Know This Much Is True (2020)
Much Needed
Greetings All,
As someone who works in the mental health field, including time spent working with the schizophrenic population, I can tell you that the trials and tribulations that affect this population AND their caregivers is a story that needs telling. Not only does this series address some of the realities, but does so with integrity. It's not always easy to watch, but I am hoping this series sheds some attention here. I appreciate that Mr. Ruffalo has not fallen prey to making a quick dollar doing simple entertainment (like so many of his peers) and shows an interest in tackling stories in our culture that need telling. We need more intelligent story telling and this fits the bill.
Thank you.
Collateral (2004)
Plot is predictable
I have to admit up front that I am no fan of Tom Cruise's acting. Much to my surprise, the acting in this film is its strength. Nice cameo by Javier Bardem, but his presence if pretty much wasted. The problem is the heavy handed directing and typical Hollywood boorish script. A reasonable person can pretty much predict the outcome within the first half hour of the film. The ending left me less than satisfied and laughing at the lack of ingenuity. I think Michael Mann has found his calling with Transformers.
I Am Legend (2007)
Not Up to Snuff
Like its predecessors "Omega Man" and "Last Man on Earth" this film had Richard Matheson's splendid story to use a blueprint. What the former films lack in special effects they more than make up in coherent and interesting storytelling. What was especially driving in the Heston version was the hero/anti-hero relationship built around Heston/Zerbe characters. Such a relationship is hinted at with the CGI characters and Neville, but falls flat. The choice not to allow communication between Smith's Neville and the "infected" does not allow the story to evolve into anything more than a adequate melodrama, and removes an a compelling layer of complexity. This film is another example of how Hollywood producers prefer to focus on special effects as a means to excuse an uninspired script, which is a shame since they had a wonderful existing story to build upon. Rent the Heston version instead or wait for the video game (there is going to be a video game, right?).