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Thursday, February 28, 2013

LIFE OF PI

Because of the rave reviews from all the critics, I broke my longstanding rule of avoiding 3D movies.    My error!   Yes, the cinematography was brilliant -- and that's probably why I actually hated this film!   I don't do well being violently storm-tossed and  washed overboard again and again and again in the middle of a raging ocean.   I was practically seasick!   The acting was flawless. And the Tiger who shared the lifeboat with "Pi" was wonderful -- great use of, what is it called?  "CGI"  technology?) The problem with "The Life of Pi" was not the fault of the film; it was totally my own queasy stomach.   My opinion on this is probably a minority of one.   The friend with whom I saw "Pi" liked it a lot.  So feel free to ignore my negative experience.

SAFE HAVEN

Hiss, Boo!   Sorry,  I didn't like this film.  (though the acting was fine.)    I actually had to have my friend explain the ending  to me.    You may like it; I didn't.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

STAND UP GUYS

Occasionally the critics are right.  This is one of those times.  Admittedly, this is not a very good movie, however,  I enjoyed it anyway.   With Al Pacino (who looked really scraggly and scroungy -- as he emerged from over 20 years in jail) and Christopher Walken, his previous criminal buddy who met him at the gate, and Alan Arkin  (one of my favorite actors) whom they 'rescued" from a care facility, leaving his oxygen behind,.The acting was first class.   I can only blame the script/dialogue. The concept : one final caper to  eliminate the really bad guy just didn't have what it needed to support the idea.   I forget the name of the lovely young girl who played the waitress -- she was charming and wonderful.   Go in with low expectations and just appreciate the cast.   Whee were the good writers hiding when this film was written?   (Spoiler:   I liked the ending -- guns blazing.).

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

ZERO DARK THIRTY

There was a time when I was known to have a great tolerance for  film violence.  This one, however, was way over the top and beyond anything I expected.  Yes, I was forewarned and prepared for an opening sequence of torture, so I braced myself for that.  But then I expected it would provide a "police procedural"   plot revealing the 14 years of clever detective work by "Maya" - the government agent expertly portrayed by Jessica Chastain.  No way!  It was totally violent all the way through.  If I had been alone, I would have walked out of the theater.  Unfortunately, I had gone with two friends and so I suffered and cringed through the whole thing.  We all came out needing tranquilizers!   No review, either on line (that I could find)  or in the LA Times newspaper mentioned the constant violence throughout.   I HATED THIS MOVIE!!!   Yes, the acting was worthy, the cinematography excellent, the music good,  but yegods and little fishes!!!!  I must be getting soft in my old age.   I can take a lot of shooting (Remember,  I loved "Ganster Squad"), but "Zero Dark thirty" was horrible.  I know the Critics raved about it.  I was not  "entertained."