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Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974 (2009)
An utterly magnificent movie, but stupid as hell
OK, this is noir, for sure. But it also shines for its shallowness and emptiness.
The movie opens with what promises a complex investigation about the murders of several girls, mixed with some political corruption.
But here is the catch, because it doesn't go anywhere further. The main character, Eddie Dunford, doesn't have a clue about anything. Neither about the case, neither how to proceed, neither about the basis of his job as a journalist. (though he claims and boasts a lot to be one)
The acting is well performed, though it's always difficult to say so when characters and situations are incoherent.
I admit the cinematography is perfect, in the mood of old 70's thrillers, which can lure many into considering it makes a good film, just because it looks smart.
Nevertheless, the scenario suffers from weakness and evasiveness. The main character is stupid and his main achievement would be to receive the result of one life's work and researches of his dead and more gifted friend, then give it to a cop.
So here is another movie with a beautiful photography, a static scenario, a stubborn and stupid character, whose pointless actions lead to absurd and nonsensical situations I found hard to believe. The famous "willing suspension of disbelief" failed to work here as far as I'm concerned.
I think I miss Chinatown, and will need to watch it soon after this mess. All the more so it looked promising.
MacGruber (2010)
Parody without object
Macgruber seems to be a parody of MacGyver series at the beginning, which could have been fun, mixing it with some early 90's kitsch culture. But that would have been too demanding.
Macgruber makes a few hints at Macgyver's habits like not using weapons, but that never goes beyond.
So it looks like a parody. Problem is it has no object to parody. Thus no purpose, thus no humor. I kept asking myself what we were supposed to laugh at, but didn't find any answer. It doesn't even have anything to do with Macgyver, except for the costume.
Then, this comedy suffers from emptiness, but since nature hates emptiness, it has been filled with the usual low-brain solutions such as continuous grossness and vague attempts of pointless jokes.
So avoid it if possible, even if you intend to watch it on a hangover day.
I rated it 2/10 (not 1 because one scene in a café was almost funny for 3mn.)