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Reviews
Atomic Blonde (2017)
The Goodfellas of Spy Thrillers
Wow! At first, the name of the film turned me off. Had no interest in seeing some lame Charlize Theron/Charlie's Angels siily sexcapade vehicle, which is what I thought it would be. Bored one day, I thought I'd give it a try. The Cold War/Fall of Berlin Wall setting hooked me immediately. Very intricate plot, superb soundtrack (especially if you are an 80s kid; film takes place in 80s), stunning visuals, tight pacing, and impressively acted, especially by Theron. Can't tell if this is feminist chic noir, but if it isn't, it sure could mask at it. Well worth the watch with multiple, interesting twists. To be sure, this isn't Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; in other words, it is not trying to be realistic. It is very glam (which I usually hate). But here the glam works in the way it worked for Goodfellas. Enjoy!
Okkupert (2015)
Thinking Man's Global Affairs Drama
If you are interested in global affairs, enjoy great acting, and complex story lines, this is for you. Produced by the same folks that produced The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the production values and editing shine through just like in that series. While others find the scenario implausible, I actually found it quite convincing and interesting. Norway, currently Europe's largest producer of oil, and the world's third-largest exporter of natural gas, decides in the near future to stop producing oil in exchange for thorium-based energy (akin to nuclear power, but still fictional). The EU understandably is upset because it directly and quickly negatively effects their infrastructure. Not too surprisingly, they call on the only regional power to help: The Russians. The Russians do a soft invasion to get Norwegian pumps pumping again. Now some have pointed out that this would seem to be against Russian interests because they essentially are empowering a competitor. But that is not the case. Rather, Russia now has carte blanche to ACQUIRE a competitor. So clearly in their interests, making the invasion quite plausible.
By the way, love how the actors can switch from Norwegian, to Russian to English without effort. Reminds me of how backwards we are in America with speaking only one language generally. Like cultured Europeans we should embrace a mutli-lingual society.
Bottom-line, great drama. Better than just about anything on American TV today. I see this going for many seasons. Would be great if American TV picked it up as is, Norwegian and all (a remake/reboot would ruin the feel/vibe, just like the remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with non- native cast ruined it).
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Over-hyped but not bad
There is no going back. You will not experience the same awe, fright and excitement you did when you were a kid watching A New Hope. Neither will your kids. Our world is too high-tech now and full of CGI to appreciate the rush of watching an X-Wing fighter flying through space or on an attack run. Now, with that said, the effects are cool and not overdone. The re-imagined storm-trooper headgear is pretty cool as is the new color schemes on the X- Wing fighters. JJ Abrams did arrive an appropriate balance, pulling way back from the video-game atmosphere of Episodes 1-3. But unfortunately, as many others have rightly recognized, this is not a reboot so much as a remake of Episode 4. It is the EXACT same plot. Yes, there is the twist of a renegade storm-trooper helping out our heroine, but so what. Nothing too material or interesting, frankly. It is the EXACT same plot (worth saying twice). The actors, to be sure, are good, at least the new ones. And this despite corny lines that really sound like Lucas wrote them. But our old buddies just don't belong--even Han. Well, Chewbacca was fine (how could you screw him up anyway). Ford is way past his acting prime and his performance seemed forced, unnatural. Carrie Fisher's life was a train wreck and it shows in her face and odd diction trying to hide ill fitting dentures. Yes, that could be mean, but you will hear it and it is distracting; probably why she was not given more lines. Hamill looks like a homeless guy and said not one word. So I guess we'll really see on him. But without a doubt the characters of Solo and Leia were ill served by the original actors. The hand-off wasn't necessary. I will say killing of Solo also was unnecessary, at least on screen.
Oh, and finally, the Kylo Ren character was poorly developed. There was a rich back-story there that could have been fleshed out in 5 minutes of screen time. It wasn't so it was quite odd when at the first meeting of Ren and Solo, he kills Solo. Plus, the Ren actor does not have the gravitas necessary for the character. He looks like some Beverly Hills spoiled pretty boy prancing around in S&M gear. So that also was quite distracting.
Overall, not a bad film and I agree it is better than 1-3, but nowhere near as good as 4 and 5, and at least a level better than 6. Still, I think my interest in the franchise is at an end if I can expect just another version of Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi in the next two episodes. And no more death stars please. Enough's enough.....
All Hallows' Eve (2013)
Surprisingly Good DESPITE Itself!
I am not a fan of B movies, or, as in this case, Z movies. My kids thought that the trailer was just so silly that we had to watch. And like the film's protagonist, we (my wife and I) didn't think it would be all that bad to watch with our kids. NOTE: Not for kids!! While it is campy with not- ready-for-prime-time acting (the lead in this movie is, frankly, atrocious), for a Z movie, it actual was quite scary! Frightening even. The story and the editing is what carries the movie despite the campy effects and bad acting (well, in fairness, really only the lead was bad, but as she had most of the screen time, it was quite noticeable). "Art" the clown is truly evil and perplexing even (is he a spirit? a maniac? a demon?).
But, I think, the ending was the most interesting. While not a completely original ending, it nevertheless was unexpected and worked well. Very well!
This is no Exorcist (still the scariest of all time IMHO), but it sure as hell is way better than 99% of the horror dregs being pumped out by Hollywood.
And contrary to others, I like the VHS touch. While obviously anachronistic, it is a clue that all is not quite right in that universe. A universe that slowly, stealthily, and with a an evil bleeding grin behind the horror of a monochromatic madman, silent laughs its way through the fourth wall of your t.v.
The Interview (2014)
Karmic Komedy
Thank God for Seth Rogen and James Franco. Our Founding Fathers must be beaming from on high!! And what better present for our Lord and Savior than this artistic masterpiece being released on His birthday. Perhaps that heathen Kim Jong Un will finally be saved thanks to this karmic komedy. Can I get an Amen? After spending LITERALLY all day (leaving my kids upstairs waiting to open their presents.... thankfully made in CHINA and not that abysmal land of the "Democratic" People's Republic of Korea) reading the reviews on this site, I do not even need to watch the movie to absorb its genius through cybergenic osmosis. Thank you Pres. Obama (and Baby Jesus) for letting our country's light shine through in The Interview! Take that Kim Jong Un! As Team America: World Police so eloquently stated: "America! F*&% Yeah!"
Helix (2014)
Helix has Jumped The Shark
Interesting premise to be sure, but there's only one guy that can act on this show--Dr. Hitaki. That the writing would be horrendous even for a high-schooler certainly doesn't help all the amateur actors. Reminds me of that Spielberg vehicle from a couple of years ago Terra Nova. Like that show, this one started well, albeit briefly. The stilted acting, one- dimensional characters, and missing story arc quickly led to boredom and occasional outbursts of laughter. This, by the way, is the first time I have ever disagreed with the IMDb review. 7.5?? No way. "Someone" has been plugging this show artificially on here. IMDb should investigate.