...Not to mention funny, or at the least, amusing. It's the little things. The narrator's awkward annunciation -- If it is stylized, he times it well for comedic effect. The various scenes of everyday New York and its people. How simple subject matter turns into surprisingly significant existential, psychological, and relational reflection. How the visuals compliment the narrative in comedic and unexpected ways. I think this is one of those shows that will probably get better as it goes along. Try it. At the very least, it's something unique you might end up liking or even loving. If not, at least you tried something different. It's worth a shot. I give a rating of 7 because it's new and it remains to be seen how it goes in the longer run, but so far, I'm really enjoying this novel little morsel of comedic food for thought.
PS: I just can't let this one go: Poor Reviewer Fred_Walker. I'm afraid irony is lost on him. His useless review rails against NYC, calling it "slimy" and a "cesspool" full of deluded, rude people who are all nuts -- and yet here is his profile introduction on this site: "Hi! im fred "the white trash date raping personal pharmacist" walker, your favorite 50 yr old degenerate opportunist born and bred in cincinnati :)" (I repeat, those are his words on his profile.) No, you're not biased, bigoted, or prejudiced, Fred. And you're certainly not slimy or rude at all, Mr. self-proclaimed date-raping degenerate opportunist -- not like those awful New Yorkers! o_0
Reviews
4 Reviews
How to with John Wilson
(2020–2023)
Quirky and strange, yet insightful and endearing...
8 December 2020
Captain Fantastic
(2016)
Somewhat unpolished, yet nonetheless a gem
11 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
**Possible Spoilers** I'll try to avoid spoilers or at least be as vague as I can with them, but I placed a spoiler alert just in case I don't succeed.
Too many movies dominate the market that seem to discourage having an attention span. This isn't one of them. If you don't care for beautiful cinematography, good writing, and a sophisticated story line, this movie will seem to long for you.
Personally, I didn't notice the time going by because I was so drawn into it. The movie is beautifully shot. The writing is very good, but with some flaws -- more on that later. The acting is wonderful (par for the course with Mortensen; it is always a pleasure to watch him work his craft) and the children shine as well.
I completely disagree that this is a liberal propaganda piece. It is simplistic thinking to believe a movie is some sort of propaganda piece just because a character in is is a liberal, or a conservative, or anything else for that matter. The film isn't pushing any beliefs, and although there is some social commentary, it isn't preachy at all. Far from propaganda, the film is a character piece of a particular type of man, and of his family.
In fact, the main character is depicted far from perfect or justified in all his actions and beliefs. He is challenged and critiqued throughout the movie, by the consequences of his actions, the grandparents, and even some of his own children. The fact that a deep change occurs in him is the ultimate evidence of that. Meanwhile, Captain Fantastic is a unique and overall well written story, but not without it's flaws... and they are somewhat glaring indeed.
The end is untidy and feels a but rushed, as if the writers and director couldn't quite find a way to wrap up and tighten up certain ambitious sequences in the plot line. For example, we are expected to believe that the grandfather simply let "it" go. This isn't in keeping with neither the action of the movie, nor the character of the grandfather. He would have had the proper authorities go after them immediately. Still, at least in terms of how the family turns out, it is believable that given the father's adjustments, he would be favored lawfully as the guardian, so although too abrupt, that particular piece of the plot line can be forgiven. However, one is left to wonder how the father came about having the means to pull such a thing off, and there is zero explanation for it.
Then of course is the climax, where the family goes on a special "mission" involving a rather serious crime, and an extremely ambitious goal. We are expected to believe that they were able to accomplish it without a hitch and with no one noticing. In this instance, suspension of disbelief becomes too challenging. Thus, the film gets pretty sloppy at the end.
Dramatic, touching, challenging, disturbing at times, and yet also witty and funny, the film's virtues out weigh its flaws. Plus, with such great acting and lovely cinematography, Captain Fantastic is well worth the watch, unless your attention span is limited to CGI action flicks or simplistic, vapid story-telling.
A very solid 7 out of ten stars.
Too many movies dominate the market that seem to discourage having an attention span. This isn't one of them. If you don't care for beautiful cinematography, good writing, and a sophisticated story line, this movie will seem to long for you.
Personally, I didn't notice the time going by because I was so drawn into it. The movie is beautifully shot. The writing is very good, but with some flaws -- more on that later. The acting is wonderful (par for the course with Mortensen; it is always a pleasure to watch him work his craft) and the children shine as well.
I completely disagree that this is a liberal propaganda piece. It is simplistic thinking to believe a movie is some sort of propaganda piece just because a character in is is a liberal, or a conservative, or anything else for that matter. The film isn't pushing any beliefs, and although there is some social commentary, it isn't preachy at all. Far from propaganda, the film is a character piece of a particular type of man, and of his family.
In fact, the main character is depicted far from perfect or justified in all his actions and beliefs. He is challenged and critiqued throughout the movie, by the consequences of his actions, the grandparents, and even some of his own children. The fact that a deep change occurs in him is the ultimate evidence of that. Meanwhile, Captain Fantastic is a unique and overall well written story, but not without it's flaws... and they are somewhat glaring indeed.
The end is untidy and feels a but rushed, as if the writers and director couldn't quite find a way to wrap up and tighten up certain ambitious sequences in the plot line. For example, we are expected to believe that the grandfather simply let "it" go. This isn't in keeping with neither the action of the movie, nor the character of the grandfather. He would have had the proper authorities go after them immediately. Still, at least in terms of how the family turns out, it is believable that given the father's adjustments, he would be favored lawfully as the guardian, so although too abrupt, that particular piece of the plot line can be forgiven. However, one is left to wonder how the father came about having the means to pull such a thing off, and there is zero explanation for it.
Then of course is the climax, where the family goes on a special "mission" involving a rather serious crime, and an extremely ambitious goal. We are expected to believe that they were able to accomplish it without a hitch and with no one noticing. In this instance, suspension of disbelief becomes too challenging. Thus, the film gets pretty sloppy at the end.
Dramatic, touching, challenging, disturbing at times, and yet also witty and funny, the film's virtues out weigh its flaws. Plus, with such great acting and lovely cinematography, Captain Fantastic is well worth the watch, unless your attention span is limited to CGI action flicks or simplistic, vapid story-telling.
A very solid 7 out of ten stars.
Backyard Ashes
(2013)
Right Down the Middle
26 June 2014
Really, a 5 1/2, (hence, my summary title) but that wasn't an option. I was a bit bored at first, but it was a rainy, lazy Sunday, so I kicked back and sat through it--and you know what? As it went on, it grew on me. I don't watch cricket, nor do I understand the rules, but it doesn't take an aficionado, or a genius to figure out that backyard cricket is a pastime over in Australia. In a way, this movie is an ode to the love of the game, family, and friends.
You won't get big laughs out of this one (at least it didn't happen for me, and I suspect it won't happen for most), but you will find yourself smiling, and that smile will remain for awhile after the movie ends.
Another thing about this low budget little movie is that it is clean, good fun (except for a bit of swearing, but nothing to write home about). It's something the whole family can enjoy, or an alternative if you just need a break from the raunchy stuff. Not every comedy has to be full of cursing, douche-bags, and tits--something Hollywood seems to have forgotten.
This is a cute, feel-good movie about the possibility of making friends, even with your enemies, that puts some faith back in humanity. Yes, there were clichés, and it was a bit cheesy, but c'mon, admit it: sometimes you're in the mood for a nice little chunk of cheese. With a few crackers on the side. And a beer.
If you've got nothing to do on a rainy evening, kick back with the family, pass the cheese and crackers, crack open that beer, and give it a shot. You might be surprised.
You won't get big laughs out of this one (at least it didn't happen for me, and I suspect it won't happen for most), but you will find yourself smiling, and that smile will remain for awhile after the movie ends.
Another thing about this low budget little movie is that it is clean, good fun (except for a bit of swearing, but nothing to write home about). It's something the whole family can enjoy, or an alternative if you just need a break from the raunchy stuff. Not every comedy has to be full of cursing, douche-bags, and tits--something Hollywood seems to have forgotten.
This is a cute, feel-good movie about the possibility of making friends, even with your enemies, that puts some faith back in humanity. Yes, there were clichés, and it was a bit cheesy, but c'mon, admit it: sometimes you're in the mood for a nice little chunk of cheese. With a few crackers on the side. And a beer.
If you've got nothing to do on a rainy evening, kick back with the family, pass the cheese and crackers, crack open that beer, and give it a shot. You might be surprised.
The Raid 2
(2014)
Spectacular Acton Flick--Not for Pretentious Windbags
23 June 2014
*Rolls eyes at some of the reviews in here* Seriously? There is nothing worse than pretentious, pseudo-intellectuals coming on a site to (NOT) review a film they just saw. Instead, they review a film they think should have existed in their bulbous heads--the one they did not see, one that doesn't exist--just to intellectually jack-off in front of everyone, while in the throes of full condescension. Heads-up you poser LOSERS: this is an action flick. Not a "fiiilm," not a drama, not a character study, not Shakespeare. A MARTIAL ARTS ACTION FLICK, you know, those movies that are for...martial arts action flick fans, perhaps?
Therefore, accepting and understanding this movie for what it is, I give it a 10 because the action is off the hizook boi!! The 10 of course is strictly for the action, because, as is usually the case with such movies, the story line and plot isn't the best, but as far as action flicks are concerned, it isn't bad. It has some of the best fight choreography I have seen in ages, and probably THE best car chase/gun battle I have ever seen, as far as I can remember, except perhaps for Mad Max, which was epic.
The final battle is edge of your seat material, and there's no high-wire or GCI bullshit. There are also no generic PG13 garbage fights for audiences of all ages, thank god! This one is for the grown-ups folks, so, when somebody gets blasted in the head by a shotgun, it looks like what it's supposed to look like.
A piece of advice: It's pretty simple, if this kind of movie isn't for you, then stay away from the genre, simple as that. However, if you're going to review a movie, review the movie you saw, for what it is--not the movie you didn't see, just to go around feeling superior.
To the martial arts action-flick fans: Go see this, grab a bucket of popcorn, and get ready for a wild ride. It will not disappoint!
Therefore, accepting and understanding this movie for what it is, I give it a 10 because the action is off the hizook boi!! The 10 of course is strictly for the action, because, as is usually the case with such movies, the story line and plot isn't the best, but as far as action flicks are concerned, it isn't bad. It has some of the best fight choreography I have seen in ages, and probably THE best car chase/gun battle I have ever seen, as far as I can remember, except perhaps for Mad Max, which was epic.
The final battle is edge of your seat material, and there's no high-wire or GCI bullshit. There are also no generic PG13 garbage fights for audiences of all ages, thank god! This one is for the grown-ups folks, so, when somebody gets blasted in the head by a shotgun, it looks like what it's supposed to look like.
A piece of advice: It's pretty simple, if this kind of movie isn't for you, then stay away from the genre, simple as that. However, if you're going to review a movie, review the movie you saw, for what it is--not the movie you didn't see, just to go around feeling superior.
To the martial arts action-flick fans: Go see this, grab a bucket of popcorn, and get ready for a wild ride. It will not disappoint!
Tell Your Friends