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Pan (2015)
6.4
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Living a bleak existence at a London orphanage, 12-year-old Peter (Levi Miller) finds himself...
Solstice (2007)
7.0
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There's something spooky down on the bayou, in this supernatural horror from 'Blair Witch' director...
Big Love - Season 1
9.5
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TV Season
Bill Henrickson seems like a typical suburban husband and father, except for the fact that he has...
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019) in Movies
Aug 19, 2020
Full disclosure: I would pay to listen to Kevin Costner read the dictionary.
With that being said, what an exceptional film. Told from the point of view of a family's dog, Enzo. Enzo was brought home by Denny before there even was a family. Through Enzo's eyes we see Denny fall in love and start a family of his own all while pursuing his dream of driving a race car professionally.
Amanda Seyfried and Milo Ventimiglia are both wonderful in their respective roles but at the end of the day Kevin Costner truly stole the show (pun intented) and made the movie as excellent as it is. Amazingly, you obviously never see him on screen, but his presence remains the largest of all.
Give this a watch and make sure that you have a hankie handy. Seriously.
With that being said, what an exceptional film. Told from the point of view of a family's dog, Enzo. Enzo was brought home by Denny before there even was a family. Through Enzo's eyes we see Denny fall in love and start a family of his own all while pursuing his dream of driving a race car professionally.
Amanda Seyfried and Milo Ventimiglia are both wonderful in their respective roles but at the end of the day Kevin Costner truly stole the show (pun intented) and made the movie as excellent as it is. Amazingly, you obviously never see him on screen, but his presence remains the largest of all.
Give this a watch and make sure that you have a hankie handy. Seriously.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Jennifer's Body (2009) in Movies
Nov 1, 2020
The best way to describe Jennifer's Body is that it's pretty middle of the road. Nothing spectacular, but still pretty entertaining, and a would-be standard demonic posession horror-comedy if it wasn't for some good turns from the cast.
The plot revolves around popular high school teen Jennifer (Megan Fox) becoming possessed after a satanic ritual goes awry. Her best friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) is caught in the crossfire as she tries to find a way to stop Jennifer's murderous Succubus ways.
The movie misses a trick in its titular character. Megan Fox is good at the whole evil schtick, but Jennifer is possessed for about 95% of the runtime, and for that entire duration, she's an absolute douche. We don't see enough of Jennifer beforehand to feel much sympathy towards her. A flashback sequence dealing with how she ended up possessed starts to lean in that direction, but it's an opportunity that's not explored enough. It feels like there's a message in here about the pressures put on women in today's culture to always look the part. An important message indeed, but it's gets lost somewhat in this oversight.
Amanda Seyfried is the real lead here, and her character is wholly sympathetic, and a huge bonus for the overall film. The relationship between her and her boyfriend Chip (Johnny Simmons) is believable and often humourous, and together, they add so much to this movie.
It's also worth mentioning that Adam Brody and J.K. Simmons are both great, and definitely provide the best comedic moments.
The scares are spread pretty thin, but there are a few creepy moments here and there, and some decent gore for good measure. A lot of it seemed practical as well which is always a plus. The little CGI on display is a bit dodgy, but a minor gripe.
Overall then, Jennifer's Body is an imperfect, but solidly entertaining splatter film that tries to capture the struggles of being a teenager, and kind of succeeds, and is certainly worth a watch.
The plot revolves around popular high school teen Jennifer (Megan Fox) becoming possessed after a satanic ritual goes awry. Her best friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) is caught in the crossfire as she tries to find a way to stop Jennifer's murderous Succubus ways.
The movie misses a trick in its titular character. Megan Fox is good at the whole evil schtick, but Jennifer is possessed for about 95% of the runtime, and for that entire duration, she's an absolute douche. We don't see enough of Jennifer beforehand to feel much sympathy towards her. A flashback sequence dealing with how she ended up possessed starts to lean in that direction, but it's an opportunity that's not explored enough. It feels like there's a message in here about the pressures put on women in today's culture to always look the part. An important message indeed, but it's gets lost somewhat in this oversight.
Amanda Seyfried is the real lead here, and her character is wholly sympathetic, and a huge bonus for the overall film. The relationship between her and her boyfriend Chip (Johnny Simmons) is believable and often humourous, and together, they add so much to this movie.
It's also worth mentioning that Adam Brody and J.K. Simmons are both great, and definitely provide the best comedic moments.
The scares are spread pretty thin, but there are a few creepy moments here and there, and some decent gore for good measure. A lot of it seemed practical as well which is always a plus. The little CGI on display is a bit dodgy, but a minor gripe.
Overall then, Jennifer's Body is an imperfect, but solidly entertaining splatter film that tries to capture the struggles of being a teenager, and kind of succeeds, and is certainly worth a watch.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Anon (2018) in Movies
Jul 18, 2018
Plot doesn't live up to the technology
I don't want to be judgemental, but when a film gets released on Sky Movies the same day it apparently comes out at the cinema, it isn't a good sign. Whilst Anon isn't terrible, it isn't particularly good or memorable either.
The technology ideas in this film are fantastic. They're so relevant with today's society and obviously relate to all of the current issues around data and privacy. I think GDPR would have a field day with it all! The problem is that the rest of the film and story is just so dull in comparison with the technological ideas. The effects are okay but a little rough around the edges, but the plot itself isn't much of a thriller. It was trying to be stylish and insightful but instead it was boring and I was just waiting for it to end. Gattaca it isn't. It was good to see Clive Owen back as he isn't in much nowadays, but the rest of the cast were mostly immemorable. Except Amanda Seyfried - what on earth were they thinking with that damn awful wig?!
The technology ideas in this film are fantastic. They're so relevant with today's society and obviously relate to all of the current issues around data and privacy. I think GDPR would have a field day with it all! The problem is that the rest of the film and story is just so dull in comparison with the technological ideas. The effects are okay but a little rough around the edges, but the plot itself isn't much of a thriller. It was trying to be stylish and insightful but instead it was boring and I was just waiting for it to end. Gattaca it isn't. It was good to see Clive Owen back as he isn't in much nowadays, but the rest of the cast were mostly immemorable. Except Amanda Seyfried - what on earth were they thinking with that damn awful wig?!
Lenard (726 KP) rated Mank (2020) in Movies
Dec 6, 2020
David Fincher has spent two decades working to adapt his father's screenplay about Herman Mankiewicz. He succeeded in a major triumph. Gary Oldman plays the alcoholic washed up screenwriter hired by New York wunderkind Orson Welles to write the first draft of the screenplay for his first film. The resulting film, Citizen Kane, would change moviemaking for generations even if the battle to get it made, released, and seen lasted two industry cycles.
Mank is a wonder to behold technically. The production design, editing, and cinematography takes you back to an earlier Hollywood era. Its use of flashback, mirroring Kane, fills in the blank as to how Mank was in this world and why he was willing to burn it. The movie even foreshadows events that would.shape the screenplay Mank is writing.
My greatest pleasure was how its relevance continues today, but without the explicit shoutouts or manipulation of events. Do you know the parable of the organ grinder's monkey? If you don't, Mank tells you, but never exposes the reason it resonates. Also, even if you have seen other works about WRH, you still learn more about him. Mank is great and will get many Oscar nominations. Amanda Seyfried gives Marion Davies the star turn she never had in life.
Mank is a wonder to behold technically. The production design, editing, and cinematography takes you back to an earlier Hollywood era. Its use of flashback, mirroring Kane, fills in the blank as to how Mank was in this world and why he was willing to burn it. The movie even foreshadows events that would.shape the screenplay Mank is writing.
My greatest pleasure was how its relevance continues today, but without the explicit shoutouts or manipulation of events. Do you know the parable of the organ grinder's monkey? If you don't, Mank tells you, but never exposes the reason it resonates. Also, even if you have seen other works about WRH, you still learn more about him. Mank is great and will get many Oscar nominations. Amanda Seyfried gives Marion Davies the star turn she never had in life.
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated Letters to Juliet (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
Sophie’s life is heading in a good direction. She is the best fact checker at the New Yorker, engaged to an up-and-coming chef and is headed on a romantic trip to Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s most famous play, Romeo and Juliet. But when Sophie discovers a multi-decade old letter written to Juliet she finds herself on a new and exciting adventure in the spirit of true love.
The film hitches its wagon on rising star Amanda Seyfried as the leading lady, playing romantically-inclined heroine Sophie. Amanda plays opposite Christopher Egan as Charlie, a pessimistic and overly protective grandson of Claire, a romantic adventurer and ideal parental-figure, played by the ever-enchanting Vanessa Redgrave.
It was easy to expect that this would be the same old American twenty-something in love tale, but I was unexpectedly surprised by the depth and honesty in “Letters to Juliet”. While it is much more a love story than a comedy, the film tackles a number of the usual subjects –love, loss, and destiny– in new ways. Throughout the film are touching scenes that blend laughter and keen, realistic emotion, without the all too familiar awkward result.
And it is hard not to smile while watching “Letters to Juliet”. The infusion of a love story mixes well with the films other themes: the importance of family and the value of cross-cultural perspectives. These complex themes support the romantic story so well that the experience is less like a fantasy and more akin to a well-layered tale told by a close friend. Mix in the stunning landscape of Italy and “Letters to Juliet” becomes a magically honest story about the quest for true love.
Filled with quality acting, romance, and many kinds of love while speaking across generations and cultural viewpoints, “Letters to Juliet” manages to pull at the heartstrings and share an inspiring and uplifting tale.
The film hitches its wagon on rising star Amanda Seyfried as the leading lady, playing romantically-inclined heroine Sophie. Amanda plays opposite Christopher Egan as Charlie, a pessimistic and overly protective grandson of Claire, a romantic adventurer and ideal parental-figure, played by the ever-enchanting Vanessa Redgrave.
It was easy to expect that this would be the same old American twenty-something in love tale, but I was unexpectedly surprised by the depth and honesty in “Letters to Juliet”. While it is much more a love story than a comedy, the film tackles a number of the usual subjects –love, loss, and destiny– in new ways. Throughout the film are touching scenes that blend laughter and keen, realistic emotion, without the all too familiar awkward result.
And it is hard not to smile while watching “Letters to Juliet”. The infusion of a love story mixes well with the films other themes: the importance of family and the value of cross-cultural perspectives. These complex themes support the romantic story so well that the experience is less like a fantasy and more akin to a well-layered tale told by a close friend. Mix in the stunning landscape of Italy and “Letters to Juliet” becomes a magically honest story about the quest for true love.
Filled with quality acting, romance, and many kinds of love while speaking across generations and cultural viewpoints, “Letters to Juliet” manages to pull at the heartstrings and share an inspiring and uplifting tale.