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zonkerjohn
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Big George Foreman (2023)
Bad all the way around
First, I am as big a Foreman fan as their is and got my picture taken with him. I have read all his books. I read everything I can on the internet, so I know his story quite well. So, I really wanted to like this movie. George Carlin used to talk about the worlds worst doctor? Well, somewhere in the world is the worlds worst actor, and I we just found him. I introduce to you Khris Davis, who played George Foreman. He basically had one expression, and that was to look like he was deep in thought. He did not come close to portraying the menacing Foreman, who in his early days literally said he wanted to kill his opponent. Perhaps I knew the story too well, but Davis does a horrible job of portraying the two parts of Foreman, (pre and post religious conversion). The production was bad also. The fight scenes were done poorly, and I could not help but feel the whole time that I was rereading his wiki page. Obviously, a biography has to tell the true story (and that they did), but it was just hard to emotionally connect to anybody or anything in the movie. Todays standards have mightily fallen. Directors like George Tillman, Jr. Could have never survived back in the day. If you do not know most of the story of Big George, perhaps you might get something out of this.
Let's Do It Again (1975)
Fantastic movie
This movie was great from start to finish. I really don't understand why there are just 17 user reviews as I write this. The acting was first rate. Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier were excellent, and Calvin Lockhart and John Amos were very good in their respective roles. This is not to take away from the rest of the cast.
Sidney Poitier did a fine job with the directing. Curtis Mayfield wrote a first rate film score for this movie, including the hit "Let's Do It Again".
It was a funny movie also. Generally, when I like a comedy, it is more for the plot in general as opposed to the actual comedy, but this made me laugh out loud quite several times.
But the biggest thing? It was just a well written, CLEVER script that kept you wanting more. When you have boxing, gambling, underdogs, and hypnotiism with good writing, its a cant miss. I have seen it at least a dozen times, and never tire of it.
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
cute to an extent but had many flaws
OK, first the good. it was a cute story with charming actors and it kept your attention. Woody Harrelson did a good job as the teacher, and had some witty lines. The not so good. I thought her acting was poor. I looked at many other reviews, (most of the bad ones) and nobody mentioned her acting. I am no expert, but it just seemed to me that at various times she was TRYING to act. almost as if she was playing a parody of herself. That is fine if the movie is supposed to be a parody. I thought the same thing could be said about Teresa Palmer in'the Choice'. but if you are good looking, and/or in the case of Steinfelds case have a movie under your belt (True Grit), you can get away with anything, and more so when people expect you to be good, they see only the good. the movie also did a poor job of really zoning in on the true issues that face most teenagers. the potential was there for a good movie, but it really was not brought home.
Pursuit (1989)
excellent movie
this movie was indeed underrated. It of course, has been a good while since I have seen it, but I was glued to the TV set.
The unfolding of the story as the son realizes who his real father is very intriguing.
and this really did happen.
being set in WWII makes it all the more interesting.
the acting was top notch.
the script was excellent.
I looked for years for a DVD or VCR and still cannot find any.
if anybody has a decent copy, I am willing to pay them. my email is zonkerjohn@yahoo.com
Kept Woman (2015)
Intriguing storyline, but
very poor credibility, and bad acting by lead female.
credibility: a woman goes into a house of her neighbor who she has suspicions about.
her fiancée should have immediately been suspecting foul play by, among other things, the fact that she left he cell phone back.
the police should have been more suspicious of her neighbor.
I thought she did a horrible acting job, at least when she was first there, as she did not seem nearly as distraught as she should be at the potential of her horrifying fate.
it was an intriguing story and did have its moments.
Hidden Away (2013)
Pooor writing..too many loopholes
although mildly interesting, it had way too many loopholes. it simply lacked credibility. yeah, I know it is just a movie, but you still need plausibility in a story line.
Perhaps the biggest thing is that they never demonstrated how she was able to cash in on the insurance money. did she send in a request and not have to appear in person? and why did the police conclude she was dead so quickly? had seven years passed? I don't know that 7 months passed.
then at the end when he is chasing his ex and daughter, he does not grab the gun when it was right there? he forgot? come on! and finally, Emmanuelle Vaugier might have turned in the worst acting performance I have ever seen. when she should have shown fear, it looked like she was smirking, not overtly, but she was just way off the mark.
Taken: The Search for Sophie Parker (2013)
It had its moments, but
First, let's talk about the 'Inspired by a True Story'. It is something that I wish the movie industry would monitor. The simple fact is that just about anything could be based or inspired by a true story. The Brady Bunch could be based on a true story because somewhere out there (many places), somebody with children married somebody else with children.
Jaws was based on a True Story. So, was Shawshank Redemption, A Few Good Men, etc. etc. Only the degree to which these movies are based on a true story varies.
Regarding the movie, it was somewhat intriguing. I cannot say that I not found myself waiting for it to end, which means I liked it somewhat. I was kind of similar to the original 'Taken' with Liam Neison.
The factor I disliked the most was its political correctness. Some people may debate this, but you have a bad ass girl going into a foreign country (Russia, no less) and for the most part dictating to their police force how things were going to go down. I think it was part of the movies' message that thousands of women are trafficked every year, and "we are going to show the world that not only is that wrong, but we will also show them just how tough women can be."
It is certainly tragic what goes on with trafficking. I do not need to reminded through political innuendo that guys are the culprits (we all know that). The message of 'don't mess with women' was too much over the top.
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
Loved this movie
While I am typically a tough critic of movies, I just found this one riveting from the start. I particularly liked the way the revelations slowly unfolded (Marcia recognizing the tapping of the glass, his mother from a previous life recognizing him, etc.) I liked the way the producer did the flashbacks. The music was great. I did not like the ending, but rationalized it as 'hey somebody has to write bad endings, because if they were all good, then we would not appreciate them' I actually put this movie right up there with the omen and others (on my top list, anyway). surprised more of these type have not been written. it seems the possibilities are endless as to how creative one can be.
Man of Steel (2013)
Standards have greatly fallen
What happened to good dialogue? Good character development? Must it all be special effects and action? Actually, the first 45 minutes were good.
The last 2/3 of the movie was almost all action. I guess this is what people want. I will never understand this. I get no enjoyment from watching buildings explode.
The writers should take a note from Superman I. In that movie, there was great banter between Gene Hackman and Ned Beatty. There was the cute awkwardness of Clark Kent in the newsroom. Superman I did NOT have much action. I understand these movies need some action. why so much? Superman is the greatest super hero. and this movie could have been great. but they ruined it with way too much special effects and action.
Seinfeld (1989)
So overrated!
I just don't get it. Here is the way I assess Seinfeld's popularity. There are 3 reasons, none of which have anything to do with it being a cleverly written show. 1) They have good actors/actresses who had great chemistry together. 2) They were a bunch of smart asses who fit into a smart-ass society (this show does not transcend time) 3) They benefited from what I call the placebo effect. What do I mean by that? .. people, newspapers, etc, told them it was great. Sometimes shows just take on a cult following and it snowballs with little foundation.
The characters are amusing, and the plots are semi enjoyable, but I want to see clever writing out of a comedy show. I want to laugh, and think to myself, 'that was a clever way to deliver a 'punch line' (so to speak).... what do you get from Seinfeld?
Characters who pretend they have a funny script and say things in funny ways and of course much of America goes gaga over it. The next time you watch it, notice the very things you are laughing at.
I mean like the gang being at the restaurant and one of them offering a bite of a ice cream cone and the other saying "you are just offering me something so I will offer you something" and the audience laughs?
Or shrinkage at the pool? When I was 10, my friends and I would laugh about that.
Larry David is considered a 'genius'. Wow! How standards have dropped. If only our society were more sophisticated.
If you really want to see clever comedy writing, check out David Angell and David Lloyd of Cheer's fame.