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The Beaver (2011)
What a Surprise!
I've wanted to see this movie since it was released, but it was out of theaters by the time I got around to going to see it. The other day I was browsing IMDb and this came up and I noticed it was on DVD. I grabbed it the first chance I got and watched it. I expected little from this movie, just a nice entertaining family comedy. As I began to watch, I quickly realized I was totally wrong. The movie begins with Walter Black, a troubled man who was just kicked out of his house by his wife and family, emptying out his trunk so he can fit beer in it, and while throwing his trash out in the dumpster sees a beaver puppet and grabs it. He then goes home and tries to kill himself. However, he does it with the puppet on his hand and when he knocks himself out trying to commit suicide he wakes up talking through the puppet. Walter uses this puppet to say everything. He then tries to reconcile with his family, doing it acting like the puppet. Everyone that comes across his path must accept him for who he is now that he is using this puppet for communication. It also tells the story of his whole family and the problems they also face, especially his oldest son. The son's story is equally as emotional and entertaining as his fathers. The acting, especially by Mel Gibson and Anton Yelchin were wonderful, and Jodie Foster and Jennifer Lawrence were also great. The story is unique and quirky but is also very deep and emotional, which I wasn't expecting at all. This movie is great for anyone who like Mel Gibson or wants a movie with a deep story and a great ending. I give it 9/10.
Apollo 18 (2011)
Not worth your time.
I went into this movie with high expectations. Two people told me it was very good and extremely scary, so I figured I would really enjoy it. However, as soon as it started I knew I wouldn't like it. The story is of the Apollo 18 space shuttle and the "problem" it encounters on the moon. It may sound cool, but there just isn't enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. They use the "real life footage" type of camera angles, which for the movies I've seen is good (Blair Witch, for example) but I felt this was just too much of an obscure topic to make one of these for. One in space? It just doesn't seem to fit. However, it works o.k., but it could've done better without it. Also, the scares just aren't up to par with other horror movies. The movie tends to rely on the pop up fright technique, and after the first one you just get used to it and it is no longer scary. The movie was also fairly boring and I felt myself looking at my phone waiting for the movie to be over. There is not enough action and fairly little suspense to keep you motivated in finishing it, and what there is of that is just not enough. Now I am not a person that needs action in a movie, but when I watch a movie like this I expect some type of it. This had very little. However, the last ten minutes or so were exciting and were the best parts of the film altogether. If the whole film was that good it would have been a better film, but it wasn't. I recommend it for anyone into aliens or those types of horror movies like Paranormal Activity or Blair Witch Project, but even those people will be disappointed. I give it 4/10.
Meeting People Is Easy (1998)
disappointing
I started to really like Radiohead over the past 2 weeks so I decided it would be a good idea to watch this documentary about their OK Computer tour. I went in expecting a normal documentary tracking the band on their journey, but this was far from that. All this is is small clips of songs, clips interviews, and clips the band moving from show to show. not FULL interviews or songs, small CLIPS. This was absolutely horrendous. Nothing felt complete. The clips of songs were only about thirty seconds at most and the interview clips and other clips of the band were more of the band explaining why they don't like interviewing and them complaining and whining every time they mess up then actual informative footage and interviews. After the movie I felt I learned nothing of the band. Everything was mixed up and a complete mess. I know Radiohead is a weird band and they probably did this documentary this way to keep that strange feel, but this was just done terribly. This movie should not be viewed by anyone, even Radiohead fans. Hands down worst documentary, 2/10 stars.
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
shocking!
I went into this movie not knowing what to expect, and boy was I surprised! This documentary tells the story of the murder of an innocent police officer from the different points of view of the people involved with the case. The whole movie has a very creepy feel to it, and I actually felt nervous throughout the whole movie, as if I was watching a horror film! The whole case is extremely interesting, and all the twists and turns of it kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself trying to pick apart the case myself. The only problem I had with the movie, which is minor, is that it was told in a kind of fashion that had each "time period" (trial and accident) kind of mixed into each other, which is a creative way of telling the story, but I honestly don't like it in most movies because it can get very confusing. However, this doesn't really get too confusing and is still pretty easy to follow. With an ending I was not really left me speechless, I say this is a must see for anyone who is into trials or murders, likes documentaries, or is just looking for a good mystery type film (even though it is a documentary). It is one of the best documentaries I have actually seen, and so I give it 9/10 stars.
City Lights (1931)
beautiful movie, must see for everyone
The first time I saw this movie I fell in love, and it instantly became one of my favorites. I just watched it the other night again and it still had a similar effect. This masterpiece directed by the great Charlie Chaplin is his best I've seen so far. It tells the tale of a poor tramp who meets a beautiful women selling flowers, and quickly finds out she is blind. When she begins to believe he is a wealthy man, the poor man goes along with it and begins to try and impress her. This may sound like some kind of romantic comedy that no one would want to see, but trust me, its far from that.
The tramp starts off with his antics right from the get go, and even though its all through the movie, they never get old. It is always something new, and it keeps it interesting. That's the thing about this movie, its not like The Kid or The Great Dictator where all or most of the gags revolve around a certain topic or event, this story was made where the lead character can go on many adventures during the film, but it still ends up coming full circle to the most important story of them all. That's why this isn't just a romantic comedy, its more than that.
For people who have never seen a Chaplin movie, or at least a full length film of his, it may seem like this movie would be all slapstick. Yes, there is slapstick, and a lot of it. However, the comical time is perfect and I found myself laughing at a lot of these gags, and I normally don't find that type of humor funny, Also, if you look deeper, you will soon see there is much more depth then one would think. It tells the story of a kind poor man trying to help everyone he meets and especially the ones he cares about. The Tramp meets this young women and soon goes to great lengths to help her when she is in need, more then most people would ever do. This loving side of him brings him through hilarious and memorable journeys. Along with the amazing score, this movie is prefect.
For anyone who even is CONSIDERING watching this, I strongly, strongly suggest you do. With gags that will leave you laughing for weeks, but also a heartwarming tale that will leave you satisfied, it is enough to make any movie lover happy, no matter what kind of person you are.The only person I could think that would not enjoy it would be someone who hates slapstick, but really, I was never a fan of it, but when I found Mr.Charlie Chaplin's work I realized how funny it could actually be when done right. 10/10, one of the greatest movies of all time.
Winnie the Pooh (2011)
Okay, But Disappointing
As a young child, Winnie The Pooh was almost part of my lifestyle. I remember watching all of the tapes and even buying Winnie the pooh video games (as a note I do not remember the original Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh if I even saw it, I just remember the cartoons). When I heard they were creating a sequel, which wasn't made of puppets or 3D animation, I was ecstatic. When it came to the local theater, I jumped at the opportunity to go and see it. What I got however, was just disappointing. I won't deny it, the animation was great. Its a nice change to see a 2D movie in a world where 3D animation is all the rage. It is very colorful and really pleases the eye. Characters like Piglet and Pooh have never looked better. However, I felt this movie wasn't a proper Winnie The Pooh movie. The story felt very empty for one. This movie is made up of stories left over that weren't used in the other Pooh movies, and honestly, I feel they were left for a reason. They weren't very entertaining in my opinion and didn't give me the satisfaction I was hoping for. The main story of the gang trying to get back Christopher Robin was good, but nothing above average. However, the rest of the movie felt lacking. Another problem is the extremely short time span which is just over an hour. It felt more of a t.v. episode then a movie. The only scene I truly loved was Pooh's honey fantasy (without giving out any spoilers to anyone who hasn't seen it). I don't know if I just grew up, but I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I also understand this is made for younger children, but I am reviewing it in a former Winnie The Pooh fan's point of view. If you are thinking of bringing your young child to this, I would due to its short time span and very simple story line that is easy to follow and nice moral at the end. However, if you want to reminisce of your early childhood, I don't think this movie will satisfy your cravings.