bandrun Reviews

Red (2008)

Unexpectly good small budget movie

[8/10 · 16 March 2009]

I don't know why it happens, possibly I'm not a good citizen, but movies in which animals die sadden me more than when humans do. And possibly on that thought, and because I'm also a pet owner, I couldn't help but intensely root for the owner who goes after the kids who killed red. And that leads me to the marvelous performance by Brian Cox, an actor whom I never gave much attention to, even though many people love him. Tom Sizemore gives, like usual, another great spectacle. Actually all actors deserve praises. The directing by Trygve Allister Diesen is also quite remarkable. I have to admit I have a weakness for this movies about this rural small towns in the USA, in particular those who delve into the drudgery of those living there, which, to me, is the center of this film.

First Born (2007)

gripping movie not for the weak-hearted

[8/10 · 16 March 2009]

Seeing the very poor rating this movie has on this site one might think this is just a piece of crap movie, just another straight to DVD filler that will never be remembered after its release, if it will ever be. You couldn't be more wrong. I think the poor notes most people give has only to do with the very uncomfortable subject of the movie, especially the infanticide aspect of it. You can even see that people say they like the movie only to be put down with the ending. surely people wanted a typical Hollywood ending where all family lived happy ever after. Even I, who really liked this picture, was left a bit shocked with the outcome; I wouldn't put a mother killing her child as a fairytale ending. Elizabeth Shue gives a brilliant performance as a postpartum depressed woman who becomes utterly psychotic. Steven Mackintosh should also be credited for his portrayal of a husband who doesn't know what to do, which would be the case of 99% of man. Great movie but not, in any shape or form,a feel good movie of the year. Come to think of it, if your wife or husband wants to have a baby, show them this film.

Fireflies in the Garden (2008)

Avoid this

[4/10 · 16 March 2009]

I've never in my life understood the Julia Roberts phenomenon. She's not that pretty and, most important, she is a very average actress. So, the last few years without hearing all accolades for her movies, which usually suck, has been great. All this to say that Fireflies in the Garden falls in the same mold. But Julia is not the worst in this. That prize goes to the most obnoxious actor of the moment, that goes by the name Ryan Reynolds. I've seen better performances by children in school plays. He's the modern embodiment of what in Portuguese we call canastrão, which I learned, through a net translator, in English is a ham actor (in my language is also some actor who thinks he's cooler and prettier than he actually is). Oh, and the plot is very weak too. All characters have very little depth and the dialog is almost infantile. There's even a part in which it seems the main character's father has a deep and sinister secret, but if he has we'll never know, because the screenwriter (or whoever) forgot all about it. The only good aspect of the movie is Emily Watson (as always expected). other than that this is just fluff and my advice is on the lines of avoidance.