stietjen-1 Reviews

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

hated it

[1/10 · 8 July 2009]

I was shocked at the numbers of parents with young children at this movie. Those kids didn't belong there, but it wasn't the parents' fault. They expected a fun family flick with lots of transformer pizazz in it. They got more than they bargained for--and less.

Hollywood was on a role with this movie with terrible language, completely unnecessary sexual innuendos, cheesy performances, a terrible (totally trite and worn out) plot, and a poor excuse for great special effects. Some parts were actually boring. My hubbie, who loves Transformers, actually fell asleep for a couple of minutes part way through. The only good parts were the leading lady's eyes, BumbleBee, and the main character's mother. She was actually funny.

Beyond that, I wouldn't torture my worst enemy with it--and I wouldn't ever encourage my grown children to take my grandchildren to see it. Who ever heard of a robot with balls? For crying out loud. And haven't we seen the story line before? Bad aliens are going to blow up something (in this case our sun) with a special machine hidden in one of the Egyptian pyramids, the good aliens are going to help man fight them, and our main characters have the key. Woopie do. I'm snoring. The middle age kids will probably love the wham-bam stuff and the great transformations of the Transformers, but they shouldn't be inundated with any more foul language than they already hear. And what's with the robot humping the girl? It was bad enough when the dog did it to the other dog. Hollywood, grow up.

My Sister's Keeper (2009)

Good movie, fails the book

[5/10 · 8 July 2009]

If you've read My Sister's Keeper, you'll be disappointed. Was the acting good? In some cases great! Kate's character will probably get an academy nomination if not an award. Everyone did a great job as far as performances are concerned. HOWEVER,Hollywood made some big mistakes here that some of us won't forgive them for. For the sake of time, which is money, I understand clipping portions of the story that neither make or break it. Taking away the attorney's (Campbell Alexander) ex-girlfriend was understandable (but sad), but downplaying Jesse's arsonist revenge against mom and dad, which highlights how angry he is at being deserted in sissy's favor, is just plain wrong. There was too much time wasted on extended family involvement and not enough given to some of the other characters, including dad. We get the gist he's a fireman, but his role in the book was much more important than that. And as to the ending? HOW DARE THEY? The most important message in Jodi Picoult's story is how ironic/tragic it was that Sara worked so hard ruining Anna's life to save Kate. She could have loved Anna to nth degree while helping Kate but wastes so much of their lives, hoping for something that appears to be impossible. Then, when she begins to see the light and time for goodbyes have come, Anna "dies" in the auto accident and becomes a kidney donor for Kate after all--allowing her to live after all--and removing Sarah's opportunity to love Anna forever. Was it painful? Yeah! Was it a warning to all human beings who need to remember to love while you can and not take things for granted. Yeah! Did this movie deliver? No. Not for me. Was it a good movie for itself? Sure. Enjoy it. As for me (and Jodi Picoult), I'm just disappointed. Had they left the story intact and kept the "messages", both the obvious and the more subtle intact, I think this could have been an academy award movie. As it is, I think it will just go down as good.