Released: 2014
OVERALL RATING: * * *
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)
Director: George Clooney
Writers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Robert Edsel, Bret Witter
Producers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov
Main Actors: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman
Directing: * * * .5
Acting: * * *
Predictability: * * *
Plot: * * .5
Entertainment Value: * * *
I wonder if George Clooney was involved in this film? (typed sarcastically) I take it this was his pet project last year. It was a noble effort George. While I wouldn't say this was a brilliant film, I do think it was good and worth seeing.
A couple things that popped into my mind as I watched the beginning of this movie are: 1. How many war films has Matt Damon done now?, and 2. How many movies have George and Matt been in together? This is not what I should be thinking about when I'm watching a movie. It bothered me that I did, thus leading me to conclude that the movie needed a bit more to fully grasp my attention as soon as it started.
There just seemed to be something missing from the movie. I can't put a finger on what that is, but there was something that I felt it lacked. The acting was good, the story was interesting, stuff blew up, guns were in abundance... it was right up the Val alley, yet there was something...
Anyway, I do recommend the movie. I just think with the talent involved and such an interesting plot, it could have been a bit 'more'. When I think of what the 'more' is, I'll let ya all know.
Favorite Scene: Bill Murray and Bob Balaban at the dentist in Germany.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief
Released: 2010
OVERALL RATING: * * .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)
Director: Chris Columbus
Writers: Craig Titley (screenplay), Rick Riordan (novel)
Producers: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Karen Rosenfelt
Main Actors: Logan Lerman, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Brandon T. Jackson
Directing: * *
Acting: * * .5
Plot: * * *
Predictability: * .5
Entertainment Value: * * *
Special Effects: * * *
Oh Pierce Brosnan, why? WHY? WHY? WHY? I cannot undo seeing you as a Centaur. And I REALLY wish I could. I am still disturbed by the image. You are so hot with the longer hair and leather, but the horse bottom??? MY EYES!!!!! THEY BURN!!!!
Okay, so... aside from my despair of Pierce's character, I thought the movie was okay. It definitely wasn't something I'd highly recommend, but it had decent entertainment value. I did like getting reacquainted with Greek mythology. Memories of theater classes at W&M came flooding back to me, and the original Clash of the Titans, and Hercules - the PST show I was in a few years ago.
The effects were okay. The monsters were pretty good and definitely frightened me (but I've been a wimp lately). I do think they could have done a bit more with the effects, but all in all, they were solid.
The fight scenes could have used some work. I know the actors are young, but I think they would have benefitted from Andrew Dillon's expertise.
I do recommend this movie if your looking for something entertaining, but not mentally intriguing. Like I said, it's decent.
Favorite Scene: Percy's first fight in the Half Blood camp and his discovery of the power he has over water. Kinda cool.
OVERALL RATING: * * .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)
Director: Chris Columbus
Writers: Craig Titley (screenplay), Rick Riordan (novel)
Producers: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Karen Rosenfelt
Main Actors: Logan Lerman, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Brandon T. Jackson
Directing: * *
Acting: * * .5
Plot: * * *
Predictability: * .5
Entertainment Value: * * *
Special Effects: * * *
Oh Pierce Brosnan, why? WHY? WHY? WHY? I cannot undo seeing you as a Centaur. And I REALLY wish I could. I am still disturbed by the image. You are so hot with the longer hair and leather, but the horse bottom??? MY EYES!!!!! THEY BURN!!!!
Okay, so... aside from my despair of Pierce's character, I thought the movie was okay. It definitely wasn't something I'd highly recommend, but it had decent entertainment value. I did like getting reacquainted with Greek mythology. Memories of theater classes at W&M came flooding back to me, and the original Clash of the Titans, and Hercules - the PST show I was in a few years ago.
The effects were okay. The monsters were pretty good and definitely frightened me (but I've been a wimp lately). I do think they could have done a bit more with the effects, but all in all, they were solid.
The fight scenes could have used some work. I know the actors are young, but I think they would have benefitted from Andrew Dillon's expertise.
I do recommend this movie if your looking for something entertaining, but not mentally intriguing. Like I said, it's decent.
Favorite Scene: Percy's first fight in the Half Blood camp and his discovery of the power he has over water. Kinda cool.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Killing Them Softly
Released: 2012
OVERALL RATING: * *
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)
Director: Andrew Dominik
Writers: Andrew Dominik, George V. Higgins
Producers: Dede Gardner, Anthony Katagas, Brad Pitt
Main Actors: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Scott McNairy, James Gandolfini
Directing: * *
Plot: *
Acting: * * .5
Predictability: * * * * (I had no idea what was going to happen)
Entertainment Value: *
This was a weird movie. It took awhile for it to make sense and for me to actually want to keep watching. It did pick up once things became clear. I wouldn't say I liked it, but by the end, I was engaged and wanted to see what happened.
I think the best part of the movie was that I didn't really know what was going to happen. That is why I have my predictability rating a 4 - it wasn't predictable for me. I do think the beginning was a little too unpredictable though. It was just too random.
Things did blow up and there were fights and guns. Always a plus for a Val review. There was a bit too much nasty guy talk though. Totally unnecessary. I will never understand that - why is talking about gross sexual acts entertaining? I don't think I want to understand it. I just know that it is repulsive and I'd rather not hear it.
To sum up, I don't really recommend this movie. If you're a Brad Pitt fan and want to see him looking like a sleazy, 70s pimp, then you may want to watch it.
Favorite Lines:
"He flies in, whacks the guy and flies out."
"Make him fly coach."
OVERALL RATING: * *
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)
Director: Andrew Dominik
Writers: Andrew Dominik, George V. Higgins
Producers: Dede Gardner, Anthony Katagas, Brad Pitt
Main Actors: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Scott McNairy, James Gandolfini
Directing: * *
Plot: *
Acting: * * .5
Predictability: * * * * (I had no idea what was going to happen)
Entertainment Value: *
This was a weird movie. It took awhile for it to make sense and for me to actually want to keep watching. It did pick up once things became clear. I wouldn't say I liked it, but by the end, I was engaged and wanted to see what happened.
I think the best part of the movie was that I didn't really know what was going to happen. That is why I have my predictability rating a 4 - it wasn't predictable for me. I do think the beginning was a little too unpredictable though. It was just too random.
Things did blow up and there were fights and guns. Always a plus for a Val review. There was a bit too much nasty guy talk though. Totally unnecessary. I will never understand that - why is talking about gross sexual acts entertaining? I don't think I want to understand it. I just know that it is repulsive and I'd rather not hear it.
To sum up, I don't really recommend this movie. If you're a Brad Pitt fan and want to see him looking like a sleazy, 70s pimp, then you may want to watch it.
Favorite Lines:
"He flies in, whacks the guy and flies out."
"Make him fly coach."
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