interestedparty111 Reviews

Push (2009)

This is probably not the film you were hoping for

[4/10 · 14 September 2009]

The premise for the film is creative and provides for little twists and turns everywhere. The script writers have really taken the concept of the film for a ride. Unfortunately the storyline is non existent, so all of the twists and turns leave you in disarray. But don't worry, you'll fit right in with the screenplay which stops making any reasonable sense after the 15th or 20th twist.

The action starts out really neatly but slides further and further away from reality as the film goes on. If you like to have your dis-belief suspended, walk out after 20 minutes.

The production quality of this film is exceptional. The sound is great and the visuals are pretty darn good. As an all-out digitally enhanced action flick, it puts in a very good showing.

The real failing is the casting. If you're a Djimon Hounsou fan, DON'T see this film. His role was written very weak and one-sided. He takes his usual intensity and commitment out for a spin but unfortunately even Djimon can't break the mold of his character. Even more disappointing than Djimon is Cliff Curtis who (to my mind) is an extremely exceptional actor and is unfortunately cast in a rather weak role. The casting looks deliberately slavish to make Dakota look good. And no doubt, she isn't a bad actress it just doesn't help anyone to be standing along such an horrendous performance by Camilla Belle (honestly, just close your eyes) and such average performances by so much of the rest of the cast.

I'm not sure if the film is entirely lacking in humor because Dakota is a serious actress, but there are just ssssoooooo many opportunities which go begging. After seeing the one joke in the film, you don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to think that a little bit of comedic training would have made a hell of a difference. No doubt that there are at least 20(0) good jokes on the cutting room floor.

The editing really lacks the panache which a major motion picture should have. It covers a lot of ground but lots of sections don't work. There are scenes that definitely should have been deleted and other sections that were obviously deleted. The pace of the film isn't maintained so whenever a pointless scene (designed to get more mileage from the premise) pops it's ugly head, you realize it and start to wonder if the plot is ever going to improve.

The premise could and should have made for a film more interesting and challenging than a 13 year old boy's idea of a fun night out.

Descent (2007)

This felt like a self empowerment film

[8/10 · 24 August 2009]

Love Rosario Dawson, think she's one of the finest actresses of the modern era.

Descent seems to be more about self-empowerment than anything else. It's the consistent undertone in everything in the film. The dialog is flat, the characters seemingly intentionally bland and one sided. The only consistency is the representation of self-empowerment in the characters and Rosario's journey from self empowerment to loss of empowerment and back again.

Pitching this as a rape classic isn't appropriate, and that's probably why so many people don't enjoy the film. The standard 'rape' audience wouldn't particularly like this film, and maybe that's the point? The film asks more questions than it answers, and it does confront it's target audience, whether they like it or not. There's a compelling relationship between the characters and the target audience and while the film doesn't slap the audience across the face with self-righteous audacity it does engage the viewer for what may or may not be, all the wrong reasons.

Descent is a good film which IMHO is severely under-rated.