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MisterMovieDude (2 KP) rated Downsizing (2017) in Movies
Dec 29, 2017 (Updated Dec 29, 2017)
Hong Chou (3 more)
The concept
The SFX
Has heart
Every actor except Hong Chou (2 more)
Run time
Pacing issues
Big Concept, comes up short
Contains spoilers, click to show
Going into Downsizing I was excited. I had seen all of Alexander Payne’s previous work, but couldn’t necessarily call myself a fan, but I had respect for him as a filmmaker. I had a feeling that this was going to feel more like stranger than fiction, or everything must go than the trailers and tv spots were making it seem. Unfortunately, I was right.
First off, the movie is obnoxiously long. I saw this and Jumanji as a double feature and while Jumanji was 15 minutes shorter, Downsizing felt like it lasted for about 5 hours too long. The pacing was way off as well. It felt like the movie was going pretty well, and then it just slowed to a crawl at times. I get why, because the writer and director were trying to set up story and tell an awards caliber story, but that was really unnecessary. We have a movie about shrinking people down to 5 inches and placing them into a whole new community. That is a great concept, and a concept that would have made a great comedy. It didn’t make a great dramedy.
Second, the acting was bad, well for everyone except Hong Chou. I don’t know who she is but I fell in love with her in this movie. They say that beauty is In the eye of the beholder, and man, she starts out rough, but by the end she ends up this sweet, beautiful soul. It was truly a “shes all that” type of situation, but internally, if that makes any sense. The other actors just played themselves. Damon played himself, Christoph played the same character as he did in the Green Hornet(I know, we all wish we can forget he was in that too). Jason Sudeikis and NPH were in it for literally two seconds a piece, which was unfortunate, and once Wiig leaves the movie, it slows to a crawl.
I didn’t hate the movie. It had its moments, but I feel like the could have told the same movie and leave out the downsizing concept, and have two pretty decent movies with them being separate. What this is, is matt Damon finding himself after his wife backed out. Thats it. How he copes with his irreversible decision, and his story in “Liesure Land”, the community he lives in after being down sized.
Jokes don’t land, it’s too long and its poorly acted, but Hong, she is something special. I’ve never left a movie I hated before and still wanted to see a sequel because I wanted to see more of her characters story, so for that reason I recommend this movie.
There won’t be a sequel, but it’s already basically a prequel to the borrowers. You’ll see why, if you see it.
First off, the movie is obnoxiously long. I saw this and Jumanji as a double feature and while Jumanji was 15 minutes shorter, Downsizing felt like it lasted for about 5 hours too long. The pacing was way off as well. It felt like the movie was going pretty well, and then it just slowed to a crawl at times. I get why, because the writer and director were trying to set up story and tell an awards caliber story, but that was really unnecessary. We have a movie about shrinking people down to 5 inches and placing them into a whole new community. That is a great concept, and a concept that would have made a great comedy. It didn’t make a great dramedy.
Second, the acting was bad, well for everyone except Hong Chou. I don’t know who she is but I fell in love with her in this movie. They say that beauty is In the eye of the beholder, and man, she starts out rough, but by the end she ends up this sweet, beautiful soul. It was truly a “shes all that” type of situation, but internally, if that makes any sense. The other actors just played themselves. Damon played himself, Christoph played the same character as he did in the Green Hornet(I know, we all wish we can forget he was in that too). Jason Sudeikis and NPH were in it for literally two seconds a piece, which was unfortunate, and once Wiig leaves the movie, it slows to a crawl.
I didn’t hate the movie. It had its moments, but I feel like the could have told the same movie and leave out the downsizing concept, and have two pretty decent movies with them being separate. What this is, is matt Damon finding himself after his wife backed out. Thats it. How he copes with his irreversible decision, and his story in “Liesure Land”, the community he lives in after being down sized.
Jokes don’t land, it’s too long and its poorly acted, but Hong, she is something special. I’ve never left a movie I hated before and still wanted to see a sequel because I wanted to see more of her characters story, so for that reason I recommend this movie.
There won’t be a sequel, but it’s already basically a prequel to the borrowers. You’ll see why, if you see it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance in TV
May 21, 2018 (Updated May 21, 2018)
I Give It A Year
Mind-bogglingly weird, supposedly based-on-true-events TV movie cashing in on the recent paroxysm of monarchist schmaltz. You know the story: she's on TV, he used to be in the army, hushed intake of breath from the British establishment when it turns out the lad's seeing a lady of her particular type, and so on, and so.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
Fred (860 KP) rated The Haunting of Hill House in TV
Oct 24, 2018
Genuinely creepy (2 more)
The tall man
The amazing 6th episode
Horror done right
What is the chance that I would watch the original "The Haunting" movie, only to see that the following day, a TV show based on the book that spawned the original movie, would appear on Netflix? Well, this is what happened to me. I'll start by saying I love the original movie. I love the psychological aspect of the horror. Sounds & shapes can be so much more terrifying that gore & jump-scares. When I saw the show under my recommendations, I couldn't wait, so I just jumped in.
I am not one to binge watch shows. My time is limited & I watch lots of stuff. But I was immediately hooked on this show. I watched half the season in one day & the rest the following.
The show does a very good job in taking the original movie's plot, changing things around & creating a terrifying tale that takes the psychological horror of the original, mixes it with some minor jump-scares & a compelling story of a family dealing with it's own demons as well as the spirits that live within Hell House. Yes, that was a very long sentence, which reminds me of the 6th episode, which is filled with long shots. The camera spins around, while things change around them. in fact, throughout the series, things change all the time. Sometimes statues turn their heads, ghosts appear in the background, faces appear in the furniture. Once I noticed one of these faces, just there, staring at the family. My fiance didn't even notice. I backed it up to show her. She went "Ooh! How did I not see that?"
The story does jump around in time, showing when the family first moved into the house, with 5 children & their parents & then in current day, still being haunted & compelled by the house. Every actor in the show is fantastic. Even the children really pull it off.
The ghosts in the show are creepy as all hell. My favorite is the tall man. I haven't been freaked out by a movie or TV show in decades, but I held my breath & stared as he...well, just watch.
I have recommended this to all my friends & those who watched it all got back to me to thank me. So, I'm recommending it to all of you too.
I am not one to binge watch shows. My time is limited & I watch lots of stuff. But I was immediately hooked on this show. I watched half the season in one day & the rest the following.
The show does a very good job in taking the original movie's plot, changing things around & creating a terrifying tale that takes the psychological horror of the original, mixes it with some minor jump-scares & a compelling story of a family dealing with it's own demons as well as the spirits that live within Hell House. Yes, that was a very long sentence, which reminds me of the 6th episode, which is filled with long shots. The camera spins around, while things change around them. in fact, throughout the series, things change all the time. Sometimes statues turn their heads, ghosts appear in the background, faces appear in the furniture. Once I noticed one of these faces, just there, staring at the family. My fiance didn't even notice. I backed it up to show her. She went "Ooh! How did I not see that?"
The story does jump around in time, showing when the family first moved into the house, with 5 children & their parents & then in current day, still being haunted & compelled by the house. Every actor in the show is fantastic. Even the children really pull it off.
The ghosts in the show are creepy as all hell. My favorite is the tall man. I haven't been freaked out by a movie or TV show in decades, but I held my breath & stared as he...well, just watch.
I have recommended this to all my friends & those who watched it all got back to me to thank me. So, I'm recommending it to all of you too.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here in Books
Feb 1, 2018
I would like to preface this by saying I only read a SNEAK PEEK, not the full book.
Scarlet was suggested to me as a cross between Veronica Mars (who I love) and Daria (who I know next to nothing about). Scarlet writes and reads fanfic about her favourite television show, Lycanthrope High. It's one of those books where you connect with the main character because they <i>get you</i>. The tv show, movie, book comic or video game character that you fall in love with feels like a real person - and Scarlet understands that. Her straight-laced best friend, Avery, not so much. It's a unique take on the high school experience with an awkward protagonist you want to know more about. I suggest you check it out.
Scarlet was suggested to me as a cross between Veronica Mars (who I love) and Daria (who I know next to nothing about). Scarlet writes and reads fanfic about her favourite television show, Lycanthrope High. It's one of those books where you connect with the main character because they <i>get you</i>. The tv show, movie, book comic or video game character that you fall in love with feels like a real person - and Scarlet understands that. Her straight-laced best friend, Avery, not so much. It's a unique take on the high school experience with an awkward protagonist you want to know more about. I suggest you check it out.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 26, 2018)
Don't Forget the Honey, Mummy
Second of the Subotsky-Rosenberg Dr Who movies eschews the darkness and it-happened-here subtext of the TV serial in favour of a jolly plastic romp set in a startling vision of 2150 where donkey jackets and flat caps have come back into fashion and everyone only eats Sugar Puffs (although that may just be the product placement).
Actually rather charming on its own terms, and a number of good actors (Cushing, Keir, Philip Madoc) are trying really hard with the material. Just sit back and let it wash over you and it's highly entertaining stuff. Contains more bongo-drumming on the soundtrack than any other alien invasion movie in history. Extra point very nearly added for the awesome food machine sequence with Cribbins and the robo-men.
Actually rather charming on its own terms, and a number of good actors (Cushing, Keir, Philip Madoc) are trying really hard with the material. Just sit back and let it wash over you and it's highly entertaining stuff. Contains more bongo-drumming on the soundtrack than any other alien invasion movie in history. Extra point very nearly added for the awesome food machine sequence with Cribbins and the robo-men.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Terminator (1984) in Movies
Feb 18, 2018 (Updated Feb 18, 2018)
Undoubted leader of the pack when it comes to post-punk low-budget SF movies is, let's be honest, highly derivative, but makes up for this with sheer inventiveness and economical storytelling; unusually grim tone helps, too.
Future warriors from post-apocalyptic future arrive in 1984 Los Angeles; one is intent on killing hapless young waitress, the other seeks to protect her. Time travel plot is cleverly retooled as the basis of gritty action thriller; performances are much better than you might expect, too - you can't imagine anyone being more perfectly suited to their role than Arnold Schwarzenegger is here (and I don't say that very often). Every other film and TV series in this particular franchise ultimately does nothing but diffuse the impact of this brilliant movie.
Future warriors from post-apocalyptic future arrive in 1984 Los Angeles; one is intent on killing hapless young waitress, the other seeks to protect her. Time travel plot is cleverly retooled as the basis of gritty action thriller; performances are much better than you might expect, too - you can't imagine anyone being more perfectly suited to their role than Arnold Schwarzenegger is here (and I don't say that very often). Every other film and TV series in this particular franchise ultimately does nothing but diffuse the impact of this brilliant movie.
gayga (2128 KP) rated Swimming with Sharks (1995) in Movies
Nov 15, 2019 (Updated Nov 15, 2019)
How far would you go to get your into the movie business?
I first saw this on TV some years ago. It’s also known as The Buddy Factor in some countries. I just love it so much. I know Kevin Spacey is a dirty word these days, but his acting in this as Buddy Ackerman, head of Production is just so good! Psychotic sex maniac, obsessed with hair loss.
Add to this Frank Whaley as Guy, the newbie assistant to Buddy, is put through hell hoping to get a screenplay produced. Add to this Dawn, producer, Guys new girlfriend, producer and ex Buddy squeeze and you get a recipe of disaster.
It’s just funny but also appalling tale of Hollywood film production.
Add to this Frank Whaley as Guy, the newbie assistant to Buddy, is put through hell hoping to get a screenplay produced. Add to this Dawn, producer, Guys new girlfriend, producer and ex Buddy squeeze and you get a recipe of disaster.
It’s just funny but also appalling tale of Hollywood film production.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) created a poll
Mar 18, 2020
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Impractical Jokers: The Movie (2020) in Movies
Apr 20, 2020
Meh...
411. Impractical Jokers: The Movie. I found it pretty unfunny. Based on a hidden camera show that's gone on for 8 seasons? Plot revolves around a stunt they did way back in 1992 involving sneaking into a Paula Abdul concert dressed as security guards, loser got left out. So now years later, Paula is back somehow and the guys want to do it again, so they head out on the road and compete in hidden cam challenges along the way. To me, it felt that after 8 seasons they are no longer trying. The challenges were a bore, and all the spectators seem to be in on the joke. Wait for it to be on network TV... I mean they couldn't even give us an R-rating? Filmbufftim on FB!