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adam8it2
Reviews
Henry Poole Is Here (2008)
In This Case, Less is Not More
I don't need explosions or boobs to enjoy a movie. Great movies can be simple in terms of story and budget. In this case, Henry Poole is Here attempts to force-feed you a pro-hope message, counting on the dialog to keep you ignoring the fact they filmed this movie down the street from your house in about a day and a half. Luke Wilson is the only standout and even he struggles to come off believable.
Esperanza's character needed a strong actress in order to make her seem genuine. Instead, we have a chubby lady with a Latina accent who refuses to stop annoying Henry.
The ending was a forgone conclusion when Henry predictably destroys the water stain. Oh, and guess what? You were never sick. Your doctor incorrectly diagnosed you with an incurable, extremely rare disease but, thanks to hope, you were never ill to begin with. This movie comes off like a mandatory bad high school assembly play. See that everyone? So, stay hopeful and everything, OK?
I, Robot (2004)
A Potent Elixir of Asimov Diluted Into 40 Ounces of Ghetto
OK, I think the Asimov fans already knew this was a loose recreation of the original and personally, I have no problems with movies based on books which end up almost nothing like the book. In my opinion, this movie couldn't stand alone as a great piece of cinema and only has the 'I, Robot' name to give it any validity.
My biggest issue as one may guess from my summary is Will Smith's ghetto, flippant attitude throughout the movie. From the first scene of Smith leaving his apartment, he walks down the street with a scowl on his face, bumping into people, and dew-rag over his ear just dripping with 'thug'. Just like in ID-4 and Men in Black, Smith faces life-threatening circumstances with a sarcastic and improbable facade. Nothing is ever scary or serious to the characters he plays. Not the aliens chasing him in Independence Day, not the giant killer-cockroach in Men in Black, and not hundreds of killer-robots in this movie. Smith retorts to ever threat with a stereotypically black attitude. His confrontation with his boss when he loses his badge is nothing short of ridiculous. He stomps off shouting and throwing a tantrum like a stereotypical, over-entitled minority. For me it's disgusting and tired. I think Will Smith can be funny and charming. I like that he took a break from music during the early 90's when hip-hop was saturated with hateful gansta-rap, finally returning when things settled down with a decent album. I don't know why he continues to play roles where he assumes these arrogant roles, fronting everyone off wherever he goes.
True to her character in the book, Bridget Moynahan plays a decent Dr. Calvin. Cold, intelligent, and logical.
If you're an Asimov fan, don't expect the book or anything Asimov would have approved.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
The trailers made this movie look bad!
I was a little nervous going into this movie because of the trailers, but my skepticism was for nothing. The movie is great! TONS of action, good story (I think they resolve this issues of judgment day and skynet very well). I'm VERY into the first two movies and I believe this one is a fantastic sequel and you shouldn't be disappointed.