This is now my favorite movie this year; I've completely forgotten Blue Jasmine, which was quite good
I think. All of the performances were solid and believable, but Josh Gad's 'moment of failure' completely destroyed me. He is absolutely Beta Male gold in this film, and so inspiring. The duet scenes between Paltrow and Ruffalo were magical: I fully believed in the romantic spark (I can't remember when an infatuation seemed more real on the screen.) Tim Robbins and Patrick Fugit made me cry for the SECOND time toward the end--fantastic stuff. I immediately called my wife and my brother to tell them I loved them
It's just freakin' great, this movie. However, this is NOT a romantic comedy. This is a serious drama with comedic elements. Blumburg and Winston turned in an incredible script that constantly avoided being trite or Hollywood where it easily could have for laughs. I must say that I am not surprised AT ALL at the lackluster ratings: Sex addiction is tooooo touchy for Americans.
Reviews
6 Reviews
The Dark Knight Rises
(2012)
This three hour flop had one hour of substance
20 July 2012
I really liked the first two. I did. It was clear from the first gratuitous, plot-crushing soliloquy of Michael Cane (there were four in total) that this was headed for disaster: a disaster that even Anne Hathaway in black latex couldn't save. There was unintelligible dialogue from everyone, especially Gary Oldman; Bane never had a chance to be understood, with that auto-tune mask set to 'distort' on his face. People around me were constantly asking, "what did he say?" What little action and Bat-gadgetry there was just couldn't save this bloated failure. The names 'Waterworld' and 'Indiana Jones 4' will justifiably be raised in comparison. I really liked the first two. I did.
Lars and the Real Girl
(2007)
Wonderful
12 November 2007
My wife and I went to see this on by birthday, and I was expecting it to be sorta quirky and off beat. I was surprised to find that this was a touching and humorous relationship-driven drama.
As already accounted here, Ryan Gosling gave a performance that many MANY of the popular actors could only DREAM of. He was brilliant, and his portrayal of Lars covered so many emotional dynamics.
However, I am going to write about Paul Schneider, who played Lars' brother, Gus. He was so subtle and funny, so spot on! His side-arc concerning being the older brother in a troubled family. . . just genius.
I would recommend this movie to everyone.
As already accounted here, Ryan Gosling gave a performance that many MANY of the popular actors could only DREAM of. He was brilliant, and his portrayal of Lars covered so many emotional dynamics.
However, I am going to write about Paul Schneider, who played Lars' brother, Gus. He was so subtle and funny, so spot on! His side-arc concerning being the older brother in a troubled family. . . just genius.
I would recommend this movie to everyone.
The Bourne Ultimatum
(2007)
Best govt. Agent movie in years!
20 September 2007
I saw it at opening at midnight. Then I went back. I loved the first two movies of the Bourne trilogy, but Ultimatum is by far the best.
The agent v. agent fight scene (Tangiers?) is one of the best fight scenes ever put on film. I was wound up so tightly watching this fight sequence I couldn't breathe until the end.
Not just quick and tight, but sooo SMART.
I want to go back and count, but I only remember Jason shooting a gun ONE TIME in the movie--and NOT at another character. I consider this a strong tribute to Greengrass's directing: always making the smart action choice, not the loud one.
The pace was GREAT, and the lag between masterful action/suspense scenes was minimal.
Get over the shaky camera, people! Ultimatum is the best you will see for years to come.
The agent v. agent fight scene (Tangiers?) is one of the best fight scenes ever put on film. I was wound up so tightly watching this fight sequence I couldn't breathe until the end.
Not just quick and tight, but sooo SMART.
I want to go back and count, but I only remember Jason shooting a gun ONE TIME in the movie--and NOT at another character. I consider this a strong tribute to Greengrass's directing: always making the smart action choice, not the loud one.
The pace was GREAT, and the lag between masterful action/suspense scenes was minimal.
Get over the shaky camera, people! Ultimatum is the best you will see for years to come.
Across the Universe
(2007)
Something in the way she directs. . .
20 September 2007
Having seen the Cirque du Soleil "Love" twice this year (11 stars out of 10), I was thrilled to see more Beatles!!! This was a great date for me and the Wife: lots of great songs either woven into realistic plot scenarios, or (and this was where Julie Taymor really soared) great fantasy sequences drenched in color, movement, and imagination.
The more you enjoy the Beatles, the more you will like this movie. It was not a plot/continuity 10 out of 10, but Eddie Izzard, Bono, Joe Cocker, and the cast leads gave great performances.
Last thing: the Wife and I are Opera Singers (in fact, I had the pleasure of singing in Taymor's Magic Flute at the Met-nice lady to work for). THANK YOU Julie Taymor for getting lead performers that can SING. I thought they were all great except for Sadie (Bad Joplin imitation).
Bad singers can ruin a good movie (Phantom of the Opera) but Across the Universe was so enjoyable! Go spend 10 bucks!
The more you enjoy the Beatles, the more you will like this movie. It was not a plot/continuity 10 out of 10, but Eddie Izzard, Bono, Joe Cocker, and the cast leads gave great performances.
Last thing: the Wife and I are Opera Singers (in fact, I had the pleasure of singing in Taymor's Magic Flute at the Met-nice lady to work for). THANK YOU Julie Taymor for getting lead performers that can SING. I thought they were all great except for Sadie (Bad Joplin imitation).
Bad singers can ruin a good movie (Phantom of the Opera) but Across the Universe was so enjoyable! Go spend 10 bucks!
Children of Men
(2006)
Made me want to make babies
20 September 2007
Best movie I saw in 2006. Nothing else was close.
I was really sad it did not win more at the awards, but they are always wrong, so the sadness did not last.
I left the movie so blown away, and ready to MAKE BABIES (my wife is pregnant now with our first child--so the Children of Men is also a fertility drug!) Clive Owens was great and Michael Cane was so great! Julianne Moore was good in her shortish role.
But the real star was the man behind the cameras: Alfonso Cuaron. Best direction for my buck in a long while!
I hadn't heard much about the movie before I went to see it: it was just what was playing when I had time and it was 10 bucks well spent. I actually spent 20, cause I took my wife to see it the following week.
I was really sad it did not win more at the awards, but they are always wrong, so the sadness did not last.
I left the movie so blown away, and ready to MAKE BABIES (my wife is pregnant now with our first child--so the Children of Men is also a fertility drug!) Clive Owens was great and Michael Cane was so great! Julianne Moore was good in her shortish role.
But the real star was the man behind the cameras: Alfonso Cuaron. Best direction for my buck in a long while!
I hadn't heard much about the movie before I went to see it: it was just what was playing when I had time and it was 10 bucks well spent. I actually spent 20, cause I took my wife to see it the following week.
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