Katie28217 Reviews

Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

Brilliant!

[9 November 2011]

I saw this movie at a preview last night was completely mesmerized! The story line could have made for a very exploitative movie. However this was a very moving, emotionally evocative look at the repercussions survivors of cult brainwashing can have to endure once they escape. Martha breaks away to come live with her sister but it becomes clear quickly that she has some very deep and troubling issues to deal with. Olsen's acting was outstanding. She was able to convey as much when she wasn't talking as when she was. The direction was fantastic. I really liked the device that was used throughout the film where often you didn't see on camera what was happening. Instead you heard it and saw the reaction in the faces of the people in the scene. It was extremely effective. The pace, the direction, the minimalist story line, the great acting, I loved it all. I would highly recommend this movie.

Love & Other Drugs (2010)

If I hadn't been in a center seat, I would have left!

[2/10 · 4 November 2010]

I saw this movie last night at a preview. I am giving it 2 stars because the first 30 minutes brought me a few laughs and getting to look at hot Jake counts for something. But the story was SO predictable, I could have written the script with my eyes closed! I have seen this same story 1000 times before. It is a formula that tries to rise about the pack by tackling "big" issues like the pharmaceutical companies but it never does. The last 1/2 of the movie was so boring and predictable and uninteresting. I would not recommend anyone pay money to go see it in theaters and honestly, I can't even recommend it when it comes out on DVD.

The Hurt Locker (2008)

What the heck??? Best picture? Not even close!

[1/10 · 5 March 2010]

As usual, I am making a mad dash to see the movies I haven't watched yet in anticipation of the Oscars. I was really looking forward to seeing this movie as it seemed to be right up my alley. I can not for the life of me understand why this movie has gotten the buzz it has. There is no story!! A group of guys meander around Iraq. One day they are here diffusing a bomb. Tomorrow they are tooling around the countryside, by themselves no less and start taking sniper fire. No wait here they are back in Bagdad. There is no cohesive story at all. The three main characters are so overly characterized that they are mere caricatures. By that I mean, we have the sweet kid who is afraid of dying. We have the hardened military man who is practical and just wants to get back safe. And then we have the daredevil cowboy who doesn't follow the rules but has a soft spot for the precocious little Iraqi boy trying to sell soldiers DVDs. What do you think is going to happen??? Well, do you think the cowboy soldier who doesn't follow rules is going to get the sweet kid injured with his renegade ways?? Why yes! Do you think the Iraqi kid that cowboy soldier has a soft spot for is going to get killed and make him go crazy? Why yes! There is no story here. The script is juvenile and predictable! The camera is shaken around a lot to make it look "artsy". And for all of you who think this is such a great war picture, go rent "Full Metal Jacket", "Deerhunter" or "Platoon". Don't waste time or money on this boring movie!

Revolutionary Road (2008)

Don't Even Waste Your DVD Rental Dollars On This

[1/10 · 19 January 2009]

I am part of a group of avid movie-goers, seeing at least two films every week. There have been some really good ones lately...."The Wrestler", "The Reader", "Doubt".... all movies that make you think. This movie was absolutely terrible. This movie is one of those that I cant believe anyone really enjoys but feels like they have to say how great it is because it seems like it should be considered great. I was really looking forward to seeing Winslet and DiCaprio together again. Their chemistry is terrific. Well, we see them meet and fall in love in the first three minutes or so of the film. Then flash forward 10 years to when they are miserable. Nothing in between other than a couple of short flashbacks. I don't care about either one of them. They are shallow uninteresting people who have delusions of how special they are or could be. There is a lot of staring, staring, staring while meaningful music plays in the background. It's like an afternoon soap opera. A whole lot of marginally interesting stuff is drawn waaaaayyyy out and even though we know they have kids, we never see them. I think they must have been in foster care.....don't waste your money on this drivel.

The Invasion (I) (2007)

A total waste of 2 hours!

[1/10 · 22 August 2007]

I absolutely loved the 1970's version of "Invasion". It was creepy, psychologically scary and I have never forgotten that final scene. It takes a lot to scare me (dolls that come to life and Blair Witch) but "Invasion" was one of my very favorite scares. So I was excited to go see this remake. What a TERRIBLE movie! It starts out OK with people changing and weird things happening. The kids trick or treating was a great scene where the dog attacked the "changed kid" and the kid broke the dogs snout. But the last two thirds of the movie were ridiculous. Oh Nicole's characters son just happens to be immune. Give me a break. And the last ten minutes were completely insulting. A Hollywood ending to a classic story. I have never been so disappointed but unfortunately not surprised. If you loved the 1970's version, rent it and rewatch it and don't even bother to get this one on DVD when it comes out. IT IS TERRIBLE!!!

Open Water (2003)

Lighten Up! It was good!

[23 August 2004]

OK, I have read a lot of comments on this movie and people, you need to lighten up. A movie can not have big name stars and A+ script and great camera work without money and this was a low budget independent movie. It is like going to McDonald's and complaining that the burger didn't taste like steak! For the money and effort, this was a great movie. I agree in execution, character development wasn't great before they went in the water. But we learn a LOT about them after that. They go through a great range of emotions from fear to anger to despair and that is handled entirely through dialog. It had the perfect ending (a "Hollywood" movie would have had the helicopters reach her just in the nick of time, maybe with a bleeding leg from being nipped by a shark just as Tom Cruise is lowered down to lift her from the water! And then they can fall in love......but I digress). If you want to be spoon fed the mindless pablum that the big studios put out, don't see this movie! But if you have the imagination to appreciate small budget, independent movies, you will like this one!

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!

[10/10 · 13 October 2003]

Oh the Hollywood drivel I have to endure just to be entertained. I wade through dozens of overblown, overhyped junk to find a jewel like this one. This movie is every bit as good and innovative and entertaining and unique as Pulp Fiction. Go see this movie!!!