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Oppenheimer (2023)
Amazing all around
Oppenheimer was overall fantastic! My brief, non-spoiler review:
It's about Robert Oppenheimer as a person and the journey he experienced in the development and usage of the atomic bomb. The film explores Oppenheimer's complicated personal life, extreme risks with the discussion around the usage of a bomb, his fears of those risks, the PTSD he experienced post-development/bombing, the complicated relationships he had with his colleagues, and misinterpretations that often took place during the Communist era.
The story is told through his eyes and we experience his feelings, basically.
Some have considered this to be a horror film: no, not really. It does have a few jumpscares, but they are Oppenheimer's PTSD.
The film is a bit long for my liking, but that's just me. Sound design is flawless and will blow you away. The soundtrack is crazy good.
This movie is Rated R so if you can handle the content but moreover, appreciate how it relates to the character, you'll likely enjoy this movie. This will be a Blu-ray on my shelf for sure.
47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019)
Very bad but still entertaining
This movie tries to be a mix of Lake Placid and Jaws but doesn't even come close. It's very predictable with a lot of stupid decisions that made me want to see the consequence to that decision. There are several things that make this movie unbelievable but I recommend watching for the scattered thrills. There are many of them.
One consistency that I was unable to get past was how the girls were able to communicate with each other under water. It's assumed they all had a communication system built in. In many of the stationary and/or close ups it doesn't seem like the actor is under water, rather in a zero gravity space with CGI water particles floating around. It was very weird.
Last but not least, the 'Crazy Fact' on this IMDB title states no sharks were harmed in the making of the film. That's because they were all CGI sharks. When looking at them up close, it's awful CGI. There is a slim chance they might have been able to capture real sharks in the Birds Eye view shots or in the interior of the 'shark watching' boat.
Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
Entertaining at best
Where do I begin? Trevorrow needs to stop directing Jurassic movies. He thought that by bringing in Sam Neil and Laura Dern they could save the film from an awful story. The story and soundtrack are the worst. On a story basis, he uses several homages to the original Jurassic Park that make me tear up a little, but then that moment is ruined by awful dialog or cheesy forced comedy. The acting is very forced and just very unnatural, as compared to the Jurassic Park masterpiece. There are just so many things in the story that I shake my head at.
On an entertainment basis at least it has amazing sound design and fully utilized a 5.1 surround atmosphere.
I wasn't willing to spend money to see this film at a theater and got lucky that Amazon Prime paid for a license for a while. This is definitely a movie that can play in the background. It doesn't require your full concentration. It's not scary, it's stupid action that is sometimes fun.
It's a great action flick, but a major punch in the face to the 'Jurassic' title.
In Time (2011)
Nice cinematography. That's about it...
"The film is beautifully shot in chilly blues and grays by cinematographer Roger Deakins, and Los Angeles locales are well chosen for futuristic effect." This was one critics remarks for the film. I LOVED the cinematography.
However...how-ever... Justin Timberlake is not an actor. He gave an unsettling fake cry, as I saw it. His facial expressions and reaction towards other actors was just "meh". I was wanting more background on him. Many feel as though much of the film and character just wasn't developed, and I'd have to agree with them. There were some clever moments and slightly intense times. Overall, I'd consider this an incomplete film. It's story just didn't provide enough information and it kept me wondering...and was never satisfied.
The camera work was great though and the Director of Photography has a job well done. The Director, however, needs to go back to the typewriter...as he's also the writer. It was moderately entertaining.
Act of Valor (2012)
Spectacular Navy SEAL war movie
This is a spectacular war movie. It's hard to categorize this as a "real motion picture" because it features real active duty Navy SEALs whom are NOT actors, but I don't think an actor would have been as authentic with military language as the SEALs were. Some dialog is cheesy, and sometimes character development isn't really shown.
It's a movie purely showing superb cinematography, and gives an appreciation to the serving men and women who experience events and situations that could actually happen. The imagery is simply stunning, given it was originally intended to be a recruitment film. This is really a movie for those who can handle blood, gore, bullets, (implied) torture, and most prominently, intense scenes.
Colombiana (2011)
Surprisingly good
This was a surprisingly good movie, given the loop holes in the story.
It has a very basic story...but this movie is centered around her journey, not the plot. Bad idea? Perhaps not. Entertaining? Most definitely.
I loved the camera work and cinematography. Her character was also very good...just restrained by a "kind of bad" story.
The camera work, searching tactics, and fighting styles are similar to Bourne, Taken, and Transporter.
The journey of how she goes about getting to the plot is certainly entertaining.
Super 8 (2011)
Entertaining
Ir's hard to rate this movie, because it's not like most films I watch. I really enjoyed the stupid conversations and fighting of the group of kids, but I did get annoyed with them from time to time. There was a great deal of adventure and lust to find out what exactly is going on and what was on the train. The panic and naive nature of many "uninformed" characters definitely provided suspense. The sound design was spot on though - and it was rightfully given a "Dolby True HD 7.1" channel audio track to entertain its listeners with. I am more of a "DTS-HD Master Audio" fan, but Dolby was fine.
The quality of acting and nature of the kids makes me believe that this movie was marketed towards perhaps a younger age group. It's not that I don't have an imagination, it was the acting and the cheap CGI that the monster was made of. This was not directed by Steven Spielberg, and I could tell. It was just produced. He did have some of his own blood on it, and was still entertaining, but it was some "Holy Crap!" Jurassic Park film. I felt the CG monster was so detached from the characters and rest of the world that it was just not believable. Unfortunately, this affected my watching experience.
I do think this movie was way over rated when being advertised. For me, it did not live up to it's hype. When I found out what the monster wanted, it was rather let down. Though it was over rated, I still enjoyed watching it. I don't think it's a movie to go on my shelf, but definitely an entertaining Friday night flick.
Insidious (2010)
Entertaining
This was actually entertaining. The soundtrack essentially drove the film. You would probably loose interest within minutes of watching the film without the soundtrack, but I think most horror films are driven by the "screeching" sounds. There are all kinds of moments when you can assume something might happen - but the catch is that you aren't really sure what that might be...or when it will be. The "screech" or "metal bang" suddenly comes, and I most times twitched.
The people, props, and environment inside the "further" are somewhat corny. However, for an idea that is so far out there and unrealistic, I thought they did a pretty good job making this place "hell".
Patrick Wilsons character seemed a little dry to me - Rose Byrne seemed to have more emotion when emotion was needed. But, Rose experiences much more in the beginning of the film then Patricks character. I suppose they are reacting equally to the amount of emotion they are put through. I personally loved Rose Byrn's role in this - it was very believable. She played another great role in 28 Weeks Later as well. There was a specific difference when a great actress was paired with an okay actor, but they both interacted well, which is essential for a believable couple.
I am not a fan of most horror films, but I did enjoy this one.
I Am Number Four (2011)
A "Super Hero" flick for Entertainment
The title of this film really doesn't explain much. "I am Number Four" really doesn't carry much meat with it either. This is very much a Superman movie.
The story is about this guy who is constantly on the move to get away from these bad people trying to kill him. In the process he attends a new school and meets a new girl.
We really have no idea why he escaping from them, nor do we know what "they" want. The movie is really just about us learning who this guy is, what powers he has, how he confronts his enemies, and finally how he defeats them.
Much of the film keeps you wondering why exactly he's being hunted and who the hunters really are. Not much is explained.
However, I did like the cinematography and sound though (I watched the Blu-ray). This film did have a good amount of action, which was pretty entertaining. The film is really just entertaining, so you'll just have to put the holes in the story to rest.
The Next Three Days (2010)
A surprisingly good movie
I was skeptical about this movie. The poster shows two people running. It was that and a decent trailer that led me to watching this.
A wife is wrongly accused of murder. Her husband tries to free her, but fails. He then finds a way to get her out.
Sounds pretty plain and basic...but it's how this story is told. Much of the story is told visually...and I loved every minute of it.
Many of the shots are similar to the "Bourne" series.
The movie is somewhat slow up until 3/4ths into the story, but this is where you can see each emotional state of the actors...and they all did a fantastic job.
The film also taps into the relationship between John and Laura, and their goals...which is beautifully crafted.
Smart House (1999)
Made for Kids
I remember watching this movie when I was in late elementary school. As a kid, you could care less about acting or a dumb story - as long as the movie or show was entertaining. Mom and dad on the other hand, probably though different. I absolutely loved it because the house did all sorts of cool things.
I'm now 23 years old and a filmmaker, and I remember most of the scenes in this film.
The movie was made 100% for kids, and therefor they can get away with terrible acting. The acting is made for kids...very dumb down...very explanatory for a young one. An adult would consider it horrible - because it really is horrible, but a 13 year old would most likely love it. The story is interesting, but the acting can't even be rated because it's a movie for kids. However, most of these "kid movies" do have a good message behind them.
Faster (2010)
Just an OK "action film"
What to say...
This is the first Dwayne Johnson movie I've ever seen. His character lacked depth...or just plain having character. The film was marketed for being an action movie...and there was very little of this. Some gun fights, but that's it.
Johnson's character in this movie sucked - there was nothing to him, except for revenge and rage. This guy has huge arms and is like 6'6...and he can't get into a fist fight? Come on. Maybe Dwayne Johnson is just a terrible actor...for being a wrestler. I'm not sure.
The movie looked like it was going to be awesome, and I was excited to see what The Rock had in store. I wasn't let down...but my expectations for the film weren't met...it was just OK. Nothing to go on my shelf.
28 Weeks Later (2007)
Great Zombie and Horror film
This blew "28 Days Later" out of the water, though still a good movie. Both movies lack a good storyline, but they have their own artistic qualities.
This movie is filmed much like The Bourne series, and I love the angle in which many scenes are shot in. Scenes can be very intense and along with cutting in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat - some is cut in a very "in your face" style - very fitting for a horror film. Cinematography was also very well done. Camera aesthetic was superb and Sound Design also gets high marks. These two movies will be going on my shelf.
Marley & Me (2008)
A surprisingly great movie
Just as a side note, this note may contain spoilers of the film. If you have not yet seen it, I suggest you refrain from reading this for now.
Originally, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to see Marley and Me or not. It almost seemed a little too "101 Dalmatians" or family type to me (I wasn't in the mood for that at the time). But, I had heard good things about it previously, so I gave it a go.
The movie is primarily based the care taking of a dog from its owners, though this dog is not usually behaved like others. John and Jennifer want to start a family, well, more so Jennifer. She'd like to go down completely down the list, and John isn't sure about that. Well, one thing leads to another, and they end up having 3 kids - not necessarily expected.
As parents, they find themselves in unexpected stressful situations no one can really prepare you for. There is a point where Jennifer mentions John just leaving the house because she feels he does nothing to help.
However, through the movie, the couple realizes that they will get through the challenges laid ahead of them.
This movie really does make you think about how you take care of your animal, whether it's a dog, cat, or whatever. It also highlights the 3 types of attention a movie gets from its viewers, as I see it. First is when the audience has let the movie engross them and bring them on the "Cinematic Journey". For me, I felt like I had been watching the film for 3 years because the element of time had drastically changed in such a short amount of time. The movie starts out with them just getting married and ends with them parenting 3 kids, one looking about 10 years old - this is all in a period of 2 hours. The audience is living in the era and world the film has created and will show any emotion that the film can possibly think of to run by them. This is I believe the pure form of watching a movie.
Second is the audience is a little distracted watching the film, or maybe just detached. They don't have much emotion, but are watching it for merely an entertainment purpose.
Thirdly is watching a movie just to pass time, or because there is nothing else better to do.
Marley and Me completely covered the first type of attention it will get from most audiences. As one viewer told me, they wondered, laughed, and sobbed.
On an acting note, I've seen 2 great movies with Jennifer Aniston and believe is does her job naturally, this also follows for Owen Wilson as well. For some actors, you can tell that they are acting, but with Aniston and Wilson, you'd think they actually are married and have a family.
There was one issue that I didn't like about the film - continuity. The aging of Aniston and Wilson just didn't happen. The start of the movie was a particular stage in time. The movie didn't show John and Jennifer getting a grey hair from Marley, but after that, something like 5-10 years go by and you don't see much of anything, visually. John does show a little strain to show older age at 40 years. But, these are just my observations.
This is a great movie for anyone to see and shows you that even when you having rough times or literally are going through the beginning stages of parenting, that it will all work out (not that I would know). This is a movie to go on my shelf.