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Awix (3310 KP) rated The White Crow (2018) in Movies
Mar 28, 2019 (Updated Mar 28, 2019)
Left-field remake focuses less on vengeful undead Goths and more on cold war politics and ballet dancing. Talented, driven, arrogant dancer Rudolf Nureyev chafes against the Soviet system seeking to exploit and control him; a visit to Paris offers him the hope of freedom. (You know, the more I think about it, the more I suspect this doesn't actually have anything to do with that Brandon Lee movie...)
Solid, typically measured stuff from Ralph 'Little Sunbeam' Fiennes; strong performances and good photography, together with a thoughtful script, make this engaging even if you're not that into people bounding around doing plies and what-have-you. Sags a bit in the middle, but the scenes depicting Nureyev's defection are gripping. Oleg Ivenko isn't quite the full Rudolf, but he gets near enough (thanks everyone, I'm here all week).
Solid, typically measured stuff from Ralph 'Little Sunbeam' Fiennes; strong performances and good photography, together with a thoughtful script, make this engaging even if you're not that into people bounding around doing plies and what-have-you. Sags a bit in the middle, but the scenes depicting Nureyev's defection are gripping. Oleg Ivenko isn't quite the full Rudolf, but he gets near enough (thanks everyone, I'm here all week).
Dean (6927 KP) rated Thir13en Ghosts (2001) in Movies
Jun 18, 2018 (Updated Jun 30, 2021)
Another cool Dark Castle entertainment horror re-make. Didn't know of the original until I saw some reviews mention it. This reminded me a lot of the House on Haunted Hill remake made 2 years earlier. It's fun, not too serious, has a good mix of humour and gore/kills. The cast is ok and well known with Shannon Elizabeth and Matthew Lillard, but it was a nice surprise to see Tony Shalhoub (Monk) appear in this. What really makes this film enjoyable in my opinion, along with House on Haunted Hill, is the set design, make up and ghoulish characters created. Both films have a great wacky house setting, good SFX and the ghosts in this look awesome. A great way to enjoy 90mins. So if you liked House on Haunted Hill you will like this just as much.
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Grinch (2018) in Movies
Nov 9, 2018 (Updated Nov 9, 2018)
As expected, there was nothing new to see here. The Grinch is one of my favorite Christmas stories, so I had to see this one.
This film reverted back to the original story, in contrast to the film in the early 2000s, where the commercialism was downplayed. There were some unnecessary plot points, and the Grinch was more mildly annoyed with Christmas. Benedict Cumberbatch was kind of perfect for the voice part and he was, by far, the most entertaining. I could have lived without the whole Cindy-Lou Who plot line, but I guess it had to be in there to stretch the story out to nearly 90 minutes. Again , another unnecessary remake, but I still enjoyed it.
This film reverted back to the original story, in contrast to the film in the early 2000s, where the commercialism was downplayed. There were some unnecessary plot points, and the Grinch was more mildly annoyed with Christmas. Benedict Cumberbatch was kind of perfect for the voice part and he was, by far, the most entertaining. I could have lived without the whole Cindy-Lou Who plot line, but I guess it had to be in there to stretch the story out to nearly 90 minutes. Again , another unnecessary remake, but I still enjoyed it.
Peter G. (247 KP) rated The Magnificent Seven (2016) in Movies
Oct 30, 2019
Having seen most of the original and seminal Seven Samurai I can attest that the remakes are very good movies and carry the essence of the original very well without surpassing it.
It maintains the feel of the original western well and allows just about enough of an introduction to each character to become invested, although for others it's all left to the imagination.
If you have seen the original then you already know where the story is going and move on to guessing who survives at the finale.
All in all a good movie from the consistent Antoine Fuqua and an enjoyable watch, although I feel as though this remake didn't have to be remade at all, but Hollywood seems to insist on it these days with its unwillingness to indulge and invest in originality.
It maintains the feel of the original western well and allows just about enough of an introduction to each character to become invested, although for others it's all left to the imagination.
If you have seen the original then you already know where the story is going and move on to guessing who survives at the finale.
All in all a good movie from the consistent Antoine Fuqua and an enjoyable watch, although I feel as though this remake didn't have to be remade at all, but Hollywood seems to insist on it these days with its unwillingness to indulge and invest in originality.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) in Movies
Nov 14, 2019 (Updated Nov 15, 2019)
Poke-tastic!
The only good film based on a game, ever! Both fun and a little crazy, if is good because it does not take itself too seriously. Ryan Reynolds once again stealing the show, a perfect casting and brings is own wit tho the picture.
Making a live action Pokemon film was going to be a challenge, but they have done a great job, from showing the world of life with Pokemon, to the more realistic looking pokemon, all in a gritty mondern film noir style setting.
It is just nerdy enough to keep fans happy, and has enough Reynolds and jokes to keep everyone else on their seats.
A great film, and lovely to see something that is not a sequel or a remake. It certainly is working hard to be the very best, like no video game film ever was.
Making a live action Pokemon film was going to be a challenge, but they have done a great job, from showing the world of life with Pokemon, to the more realistic looking pokemon, all in a gritty mondern film noir style setting.
It is just nerdy enough to keep fans happy, and has enough Reynolds and jokes to keep everyone else on their seats.
A great film, and lovely to see something that is not a sequel or a remake. It certainly is working hard to be the very best, like no video game film ever was.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Beauty and the Beast (1991) in Movies
Mar 16, 2020
Be Our Guest
Beauty and the Beast- such a classic, with excellent songs like.."Belle", "Gaston", "Something There", "Be Our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast".
The plot: An arrogant young prince (Robby Benson) and his castle's servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into the hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. The spirited, headstrong village girl Belle (Paige O'Hara) enters the Beast's castle after he imprisons her father Maurice (Rex Everhart). With the help of his enchanted servants, including the matronly Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury), Belle begins to draw the cold-hearted Beast out of his isolation.
Such a classic movie than their had to remake it. Grr. Like why disney, oh yea i know why $$$. What next a live action of "The Brave Little Toaster".
The plot: An arrogant young prince (Robby Benson) and his castle's servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into the hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. The spirited, headstrong village girl Belle (Paige O'Hara) enters the Beast's castle after he imprisons her father Maurice (Rex Everhart). With the help of his enchanted servants, including the matronly Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury), Belle begins to draw the cold-hearted Beast out of his isolation.
Such a classic movie than their had to remake it. Grr. Like why disney, oh yea i know why $$$. What next a live action of "The Brave Little Toaster".
Leather Jewelry: 35 Beautiful Step-by-Step Leather Accessories
Book
Leather has never been more popular - from stacking and wrapping bracelets to leather jackets and...
Shakespeare and Feminist Theory
Book
Are Shakespeare's plays dramatizations of patriarchy or representations of strong women? Or are they...
Tom Turner (388 KP) rated Planet Of The Apes in Books
Apr 29, 2021
When the Tim Burton remake of the 1969 movie was released there was an uproar, essentially because they had changed the twist ending. True, the twist the Burton film came up with was awful, but there is an irony in that uproar. You see, that classic twist from the original movie is not the twist in this book! I'm not going to say what that twist is, but thankfully it is on a part with the one we all know and live.
I love this novel, and really wish more people were aware it existed. I wouldn't be surprised if some people avoided it believing it to be a novelization of the movie, but no, this was published six years before the original movie! I think this is a must read for any science fiction fan, and movie historian.
I love this novel, and really wish more people were aware it existed. I wouldn't be surprised if some people avoided it believing it to be a novelization of the movie, but no, this was published six years before the original movie! I think this is a must read for any science fiction fan, and movie historian.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) in Movies
Aug 29, 2019
Fun!
Took me a while to finally watch this one. There have been more than a couple "not-so-good" godzilla movies made that made me wary. This one, however, turned out pretty good. The acting was good(Millie Bobby Brown impresses again), the cinematography/ effects were great. I appreciate that they went with the "older" look to the monsters(they were awesome). The action scenes were intense and the story(whilst taking a lot-and I mean a LOT-of liberties with science and nature) was very entertaining. A few cheesy jokes, a corny scene here and there, a couple jump scares and the remake of the Godzilla song thrown in make this a fun watch for everyone. This is what a movie should be-entertaining and fun(even with the socio-political undertones). REALLY worth a watch!