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marvinbluth
Reviews
Manakamana (2013)
Interesting travelogue of something not well known
Fascinating, seeing a faraway place, that few westerners would know about. I assume if you're reading this, you already know what the film is, which is a tram going to a Temple, and the descent, going down. A couple of times it's mentioned that it was a 3 day hike up the mountain, before they built the tram, which scoots you up there today, in 10 minutes. My only criticism about the film, is they never show you the Temple, which is seriously important to the people in the film. Considering the odds that less then one per cent of the viewers of this documentary, will ever make the trip to see the Temple, it would have been appreciated, seeing what they are all going to. If you like seeing other parts of the world, where there is little in common with western life, then go see this. It is more interesting then half the nonsense Hollywood puts out.
Crystal Fairy y el cactus mágico (2013)
I'll Give This A Five,,,,,,,,,,(I'm extremely generous.)
I saw the trailer, and thought this film showed some promise. After seeing THIS IS THE END, Michael Cera definitely became more then a simple character actor. Unfortunately, this film will do nothing for his career.
The article I read about this film, said, this film was made, while the film that was supposed to be happening, was put on hold. And most of the film was improvised. No doubt.
There was nothing remotely interesting about anyone, or anything "happening" in this. The story could be told in 15 minutes, and was totally without anything interesting to say.
But one thing I must comment on, the cinematography. They forgot to rent a tripod, and the whole film is hand-held, and it's hand-held by someone who must have some nerve ailments. It's a mess.
This was a film you pay to see in a theater, and it's 3 months before you decide to go see another film.
Sorry to be so negative,,,,,,but,,,,,,
The Queen of Versailles (2012)
Not What I Expected
I went to see THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, after seeing the trailer. For some reason, I fully expected to hate the "stars" of the film, thinking they were going to be the evil, horrible, connivers, just like the ones I've watched on the TV show, American GREED. The TV series is a showcase of people who have absolutely zero conscience, who steal people's money, or the governments money, so they can spend millions of dollars with absolutely no concern about the ethical soundness of their actions. They are thieves with no heart. Bernie Madoff is a typical case.
The couple in this film are in no way like those people. Yes, David, the businessman is phenomenally successful, but he has done nothing wrong. He hasn't stolen anyone's money, and he really seemed like a good person, Just carried away by his success and the bank's eagerness to make more money from him, by helping him expand way beyond his dream.
Yes, they come off as seriously spoiled, but, that is not a crime.
And if anything, I think they both come out after the viewing the film, as two very sympathetic human beings.
I hope things go their way, and they're happy.
(Usually, after American Greed, I'm hoping for a life sentence and no parole.)
Life in Flight (2008)
nice tribute to NYC,,,,,,terrible film.
It was great seeing the locations around NYC, but it was a seriously boring, going nowhere, total disaster of a movie.
How the talented cast said the words, deserves some appreciation, but the film said nothing, and never had an iota of cleverness, or humor.
It seemed more like a film school project, then an actual film.
How Patrick Wilson and Amy Smart got to star in this, is a bigger mystery and more thought-provoking then the actual movie.
Anyone who grew up in NYC, and has been away for a while, might be able to enjoy the various places the film was shot, but, there's many better films to watch.
Shoot 'Em Up (2007)
More realistic then the MI series, and the last 10 James Bond's,,
Except for the Daniel Craig one, that was finally up to what was hoped for. The Mission Impossible series, were all totally absurd and incredibly stupid. All the Pierce Brosnan and Tim Dalton, and most of the Roger Moore films were wastes of time.This film was a total success, where the filmmakers went way over the top, without any pretense of being believable. That, and the great sense of humor, made for a truly unique movie-going experience. Go see this on the big screen, in a good theater, because it's totally worth seeing. Clive Owen, Paul Giametti, and Monica Bellucci, all give first rate performances, and the camera-work, editing, and sound are all super. I don't know how they can make a sequel, but if enough people pay to see this, you better believe they will, and I hope they do.
28 Weeks Later (2007)
This film is a total joke.
What made the first film so amazing, was how incredibly real it all seemed. All the events happened, in a way that seemed truly possible. Now, we have this film. OMIGOD. Whatever semblance of believability that's present, is so thoroughly thrown out the window from the get-go, it's unbelievable that viewers are sitting through the whole film.
I mean, the kids are brought to a quarantined area, and warned NOT to leave, and there's military surrounding the safe-zone, and these two kids, after what seems like an hour there, decide to go look for their old house. It was right out of a shlock made-for-TV movie, that would be laughed at.
And the coincidences that take place, make winning lotto seem absolutely common.
This film was soooooooo annoyingly bad.
How could anyone say this was good??
Colour Me Kubrick: A True...ish Story (2005)
A wonderful film,,,,,,,,,
I saw the trailer for this twice in a theater, and was truly underwhelmed. Although I LOVE Kubrick, and I read the original article over ten years ago, the trailer turned me off, so much so, I had no desire to see the film. It opened and closed in Los Angeles, one theater, one week, which is not a good omen. Then I rent it,,,,,,,,,, IT"S GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a really funny, very clever film, about how people would want to believe this guy, and do anything to get close to him, all because they love Kubrick and his films. I've read some really nasty criticisms, that make no sense to me. No, there's no explosions, no special effects, no incredible fight scenes, no car chase, there's just a wonderful little story based on real life, that's great. RENT THIS,,,,,,OR BUY IT!!!!!!
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Two hours , plus, of sheer boredom,,,,,,
This is not a good movie, despite what some people are saying. I love these actresses, and have absolutely LOVED most of the movies I've seen them in. This film seemed to be wandering aimlessly, with a thread-bare plot, and really was more of a sleep-inducing experience, then anything else. THE ROAD HOME, probably was made for 1/20th the cost, and is infinitely better on every level. Yes, the cinematography is okay, but it doesn't compare to HERO, or HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS. And I even found the music to be really messy, really "oriental light", or something. Take this as a warning. And the colored contact lenses, that made the heroines eyes look glaucomic, were more disturbing then anything else, DIDN'T ANYONE NOTICE THAT WHEN THEY WERE MAKING THE FILM??
King Kong (2005)
One Really Fantastic Film!!
I saw a screening today, and I was really taken with this film. It is absolutely amazing, how far we've come with special effects. This made JURASSIC PARK seem almost clunky. I cannot understand how some people have complained about the slow beginning, unhappy the film is over a third over before you see KK, but the beginning is so great, so funny, so well done, if KK wasn't in this film, and it ended after 90 minutes, you'd think it was great. My only criticism, is, the old, "too much of a good thing". The dinosaur scenes were so many, and so long, that it seemed to get almost too overwhelming. Of course, when they spent so much $$$, it's probably torture to cut those scenes. But I do think it could've been a perfect film if there were 15 minutes less dinosaur attacks/fighting/chases. But, by all means, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!