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dmann135
Reviews
Kill the Messenger (2014)
Great subject, average movie
Even though I'd never heard of Gary Webb, I wanted to see the movie because the story sounded interesting and I enjoy movies based on true events. I'm wiser for having watched it, but to call it a movie might be a stretch. It's almost like the director didn't want to use creative license, so he just left stuff out. There's a focus on Webb the family man, but hardly enough to endear the viewer to him or his family. There's a focus on his investigative reporting, but its not like the movie followed the events step-by-step, which would have been great. Then, to top it all off, they plug Ray Liotta and Andy Garcia in as pivotal figures to Webb's investigation, but they only get like 5 minutes of screen time. You expect to see them again at some point but never do. Again, the decision to make a film on this subject was great, the vision for the movie, however, doesn't do the subject matter justice. Great subject, average movie.
Godzilla (2014)
Stop trying to make Godzilla movies, already!
If you would have told me in the 1970's that the Godzilla franchise would only get worse, I would have told you that you were crazy. Well, here we are, and it did. Okay, maybe I'm slightly exaggerating. The 2014 Godzilla movie had great potential in the early part of the film, by mid-way through, though, I had lost interest. I'll be honest, I didn't even watch the final 1/4 of the movie. Pros: It hearkened back to its roots by beginning in Japan. It had a very plausible story line, considering the subject matter. Bryan Cranston and Juliette Binoche helped to give the film credibility with excellent performances. MUTO was very well designed and the true monster star of the movie, getting much more screen time than Godzilla. Cons: The storyline relocated to the United States. The performances and chemistry of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen were terrible. The portrayal of a bumbling, inept U.S. military. Godzilla, he got very little screen time and the design was a bit of a let down, although, that's a personal preference since I prefer my Godzilla with a little bit of a neck.
The Skeleton Twins (2014)
Excellent dramatic departure for Wiig and Hader!
Warning, this is a dramedy. If you go in expecting a magical SNL reboot, you might get it in passing moments, but you'll likely leave with an overall disappointed feeling. However, if you're looking for a lighthearted drama that explores the ongoing unmanageable lives of individuals scarred by childhood trauma, this certainly proves to be a refreshingly original and lighthearted take that might be right up your alley. Hader and Wiig play Milo and Maggie Dean, siblings struggling to lead manageable lives since scarred by the suicide of their father at a very young age. Now adults, Milo and Maggie have grown apart, but are reunited when their common inability to find hope and stability in their respective lives leads each to the separate conclusion that suicide may be the only solution. The duo's dysfunction is offset and highlighted by Maggie's very normal and unaffected husband, Lance, excellently portrayed by Luke Wilson. Together, Wiig and Hader, bring depth and chemistry to the characters, and in the final quarter of the film engage in a brilliant dramatic confrontation that legitimizes both actors as much more than comedians.