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Gravity (2013)
What a shame! a to-the-point review:
As most have said, in a nutshell, all of the focus on special effects and cinematography left for a neglected storyline. What a shame! Just watched it last night after much anticipation and wondered where the tension had gone that was exhibited in the trailers.
It wasn't gripping, it didn't make me care about the characters, a lot was confusing to the layman who doesn't know anything about space engineering... the list goes on. Best actor was Ed Harris who opened the film as 'Houston'- couldn't see him, but he certainly sounded the most natural, a great contrast to every line by uttered by Clooney (too bad, as I like Bullock and I'm fine with Clooney when he plays Ocean-style characters).
The only success if I were forced to list one (again, apart from the special effects, which like others have mentioned, lost the awe surrounding them anyway after having grown accustomed to the space views deeper into the film) is that I did feel the exposure and the vulnerability of floating in the vast, black emptiness of space, effectively emphasized by the contrast demonstrated upon re-entry into the relatively safe interior of a spacecraft or space station. But they blew it with the lack of character development, not making me feel any anxiety for Bullock or Clooney in this capacity, only for myself were I put into their situation. Again, a shame. Instead of being engrossed in Bullock's storyline or performance, we found ourselves speculating upon why her hair didn't stand up while inside the cabin in the absence of gravity and other trivialities.
Basically they left the plot line in the dust. This would have been better as a documentary about space, rather than incorporating a fictional screenplay. Glad we didn't purchase it on Blu Ray, not worth a re-watch. It's not AWFUL, but it's boring, so earning at most a 3.
Grease 2 (1982)
Grease 2 is a classic
I'm so tired of all of the critiques of this film being so awful.. obviously those are people who cannot simply have a good time watching a movie but instead live for the moment where they may dissect and analyse every bit and piece ad nauseam until the entire film is just ruined. If Grease 2 is such a disaster, why is it that I first watched it in second grade when it was released and can now watch it over and over again at age 34 when it appears on the Sky movie channels? I love watching the male leads, I love the cheesy songs, particularly the dream sequence during the talent show, and I love seeing Michelle in what I think is the role in which she looked most beautiful, save maybe Scarface. Today it was on again for the thousandth time, and yes, I did wonder how they allowed for the fact that Michael wasn't playing the piano during the talent show, but then I just pretended that he was only needed for the auditions as they could have had someone professional play for the real show. OK, OK, indulge me. The point is, considering that my favourite movies are more serious films like Deerhunter, Scarface and Cool Hand Luke, there's no way you can argue that I simply have no taste. It's probably more appealing to women anyway who like watching hotties like Maxwell Caulfield and who appreciate singing and dancing in films. Even if the singers are far from good. Who cares about 18 wheelers in the background and Maxwell's bad voice and Michelle's bad acting? Clearly some of you are those people who watch your movies with fingers poised on the pause and rewind buttons anxiously waiting for the director to screw up. Loosen up people. It's a fun movie where the boy gets the girl. Jeez.
Open Water 2: Adrift (2006)
unbelievable
I have to admit, I was excited to see this initially when I saw it advertised on our movie channels- I couldn't wait to see how it worked out, what a great conundrum! But having watched it finally tonight, I just kept thinking how absurd it was to have such ridiculous incidents happen when this was easily a life or death situation. Who would throw away a phone after it lost frequency only once, unless drugs were involved in the equation? It just became silly, with me repeatedly commenting to the actors, 'All of these things you brought on to yourself IN ADDITION to the problem already at hand!' I mean really, to stab one's friend??? When the situation was this dire??? Just ridiculous. Makes one want to sit down and write a new screenplay.
Oh Heavenly Dog (1980)
Oh Heavenly Dog is funny.
I love this movie. It's got the cheesiest soundtrack (I'm pretty sure it's Paul McCartney and Wings), totally dating it that way, but it's got some pretty funny moments. Seeing Benji and having Chevy Chase involved in the same movie makes for all-around fun. Added bonus for those who like mysteries. This is a romance-mystery-comedy combo. Rent it.