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Reviews
Long Shot (2019)
Fun, Humorous, Mocking our Times, Eerily Autobiographical
Rom-coms are not my favorite genre, but this was a very enjoyable one. Is it a bit raunchy in places? Yes, but what would you expect from Seth Rogan? Does the topic of sex come up with some of its more explicit vocabulary. Yes...welcome to life. There are always that small minority of people who would rather live life in denial such things are a part of daily living and conversation, so those low reviews from them are not surprising.
Since Charlize Theron was one of the producers, I wonder if this was meant to intentionally mirror some of her own personal struggles? To a small degree, it almost has an autobiographical or confessional feel. No she is not running for president or dating someone like Seth Rogan.
However, in interviews she has given, she admits she does not subscribe to the values or lifestyles of many of the Hollywood elite, and lives a life quite different from many of them. The politics and dating in this movie become metaphors for her own struggle to maintain her values as she has ascended into the ranks of those very elites in Hollywood from whom she tries to differ. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but the parallels to her own personal journey through the power and elitism of Hollywood are rather eerie and obvious. This thread running through the movie will be lost on those who are not familiar with Ms. Theron's interviews, but those who follow her commentary will likely recognize it.
Does the movie mock our current political environment? As others have pointed out, yes. It pointedly reveals the current dilemma within the Democratic party and mocks it openly. It also has obvious digs at both Trump and Fox News. From my position as an Independent, the mocking of both parties in this movie is justified and handled fairly. It reasserts why members of both parties have lost faith in their leadership.
If you like movies that humorously point out the social and political absurdities of current society, you'll like this movie.
Machete Kills (2013)
Oh, Wow! Just Wow!
Well, I was expecting something on the line of the first movie. Nope. If that is what you want, don't go. Even with the big-name cast, there isn't anything here to redeem it for lovers of a a good (or even average)dramatic movie. However, if you want a great comedy.....
What this movie is, and what some reviewers don't seem to get, is a complete spoof. This is a deliberately over-the-top attempt at creating a classic B-movie. Or if you've ever watched Hispanic TV, with all the poor over-acting and outrageous situations...that's what this is. This is not geared to someone who wants a great movie, but to someone who simply wants to laugh at poor film-making.
It is an extremely violent and graphic movie, but you don't really notice or care, because of how funny the poor acting is. And how so many people with automatic weapons, can miss so many targets standing in the open only feet away....well, that's what this kind of movie is all about.
Personally, I'm sorry I wasted the money on a ticket. But when it comes out on DVD, and you want a mindless night of poor B-movies, this might fit the bill.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
What a waste!
Having grown up with many of the comic book super heroes, I have been delighted to see so many of them becoming movies now, and look forward to each one. The whole Marvel series has been enjoyable for the most part. Ghost Rider (both of them) have been total disappointments.
The first Ghost Rider was poor, so I figured this one could only go up. Wow, was I wrong! The acting and plot in this one was SO poor, I was ready to walk out within 10 minutes. I decided to be fair...maybe things would improve. Well, I'll never get that hour and a half of my life back again.
I've seen some pretty cheesy B movies before. They can even be fun But I expect the quality of these to be so much more. It wasn't, and there was nothing fun about it. This one will never reach the acclaim it could have....it will fittingly go down in flames as nothing more than a poorly done B movie.
I've seen better acting out of most middle school and high school productions! Even the special affects were substandard for a movie of this type.
Don't waste your time with this one. Don't even bother with buying a DVD when they come out. Your money is worth more than seeing this movie even once.