Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
People ask too much of this series
I knew this would happen.
In 'An Unexpected Journey', Jackson and co. copped a pasting from fans, many who have submitted reviews for this movie as well, stating that the movie dragged on.
So, he goes out and provides an action-packed movie this time around, and is smacked again, this time for not staying true to the book? Can the guy ever win? What 'The Desolation of Smaug' provides is a fantastic action-adventure story. Bilbo continues to build into a stronger, more courageous character, Thorin's obsession begins to come to the fore, and Gandalf has a side-story of his own that starts to blend the overall story-arc with that of Lord of the Rings.
I read a complaint that this movie feels as though it is directed at a younger audience. Of course, the person making the complaint fails to acknowledge that the overall tone of the book he holds so dear is also directed at a younger demographic. I was 12 when I read it. Others I know were around the same age - THAT is who the book is directed at, so why not the movie? The adaption of Smaug to the big screen was brilliant and I loved his scenes with Bilbo, and I LIKED the involvement of the elves to the level they were used. Their action sequences were breathtaking, and it was great to see a little more depth added to the character of Thranduil.
I guess you can't please all of the people, all of the time, but I've long thought that many reviewers look for things to have a whine about, and reading the user-reviews for this movie confirm that.
Take care.
Grown Ups 2 (2013)
Horrible... just horrible
So I sat at the cinema with my children to watch this. They're getting on now; one in her early teens and the other rapidly approaching the teen years.
At one point the eldest turned to me and asked if I thought there was a story to this movie at all? Sadly, I don't think there was. It reeked of doing a group of people who have an affection for each other grabbing hold of a script and using it to hang out with each other on the set. For God's sake... it's not often that you see a movie that's missing Rob Schneider and think it may be worse than the one he WAS in. But Grown Ups 2 manages to make me wonder if it would've been just a little more enjoyable if Schneider made an appearance. The answer of course is no - he makes nothing better, but the fact I even entertained the thought should give a clear indication just how poor this film is.
Whilst the first Grown Ups had a little heart, this was a complete waste of time and, more importantly, money - do not waste either of yours on this. You'll feel yourself getting dumber as you struggle to watch. This review would've been a lot shorter had it been allowed to be.
Stand Up Guys (2012)
Very solid
I read some of the reviews here, and I think that some who have reviewed this extremely negatively (as in 1/10) are those who appreciate a movie with lots of explosions, and maybe some guys with their tops off, flexing their muscles to accentuate just how tough they are.
Luckily, there isn't much of that in Stand Up Guys. It's character-driven, centered on the relationship between Val (PAcino) and Doc (Walken), both of whom are spectacular.
There's some great dialogue between the two, and despite what you may read on here, the story is quite solid, if simplistic. I don't think people have fully grasped these characters in some reviews, or the meaning of the title "Stand Up Guys". They're throwbacks, and the situations they encounter represent the direction the world has headed over the years, a world that Doc is forced to be a part of, despite wanting a quieter life.
I won't go on any further, but I found the characters endearing, and the relationship between Val and Doc kept me on the hook.
Nice soundtrack, too.
Cheers
Living with Wolves (2005)
Brilliant
Regardless of whether the practice of living with wolves is to be applauded or canned, the footage, the behaviours and the insight gained into pack behaviour and the intricacies of the wolf pack is amazing viewing.
The film makers, by being able to be so close to the wolves, have offered an insight hitherto unseen. Other documentaries around wolves have limited vision of the animals, shot from a distance. This is as up close and personal as it gets. You can't help but to feel for some of the animals as they assume their roles in the pack, but by the same token, you are drawn to other animals by their personality, and the way they behave.
Just a fascinating insight into a misunderstood species, and highly recommended.
Dungeons & Dragons (2000)
What were you expecting?
Some serious comic-book-guy reviews of this movie thus far.
Seriously, what were you expecting? Did you have any knowledge of AD&D before you reviewed this? Do we have a frustrated bunch of dungeon masters who think their own adventures surpass this? Geez... you guys expected too much from a movie that could never deliver anywhere near your wants.
It's a fun flick. Mindless action, some funny characters, and yes, some bad acting, but to see it smashed and get a 3.6 whilst Star Wars Episode One sits at 6.5 is a joke.
It's hated because the other cool kids hate it. Baaaaaaaaaaa... too many sheep, and not enough shepherds.
It's fun, as long as you're not expecting the next great fantasy movie.