I think this movie is generally overrated. Sure, the general plot was intriguing, Will Ferrell proved he can act, and the characters were all developed nicely. But the script was an insult to the average moviegoers IQ. The story within the story really could not have been as exciting as we're forced to believe. Then there was only one vaguely memorable joke (the "flowers") which, as with most other lines in this movie, was repeated a few times as if we're incapable of hearing it the first time. Then the end - without spoiling it - was just not believable. There was so much more that could've been done with the idea, but unfortunately Stranger than Fiction comes across as a contrived, forgettable first draft at what should've been brilliant.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Reeker
(2005)
A must-see-twice film that will make you think...
29 September 2006
I saw this at the Johannesburg premiere last night, and the whole cinema seemed to love it.
There were some quality funny moments and a lot of jumps, my only criticism being that it lacked suspense, with some scenes being just a few seconds too long. But I never got bored, as my mind was busy trying to make sense of the plot and predict the "twist" I'd heard all about.
When the twist came, it suddenly made the whole movie so much more freaky. I'm normally good at predicting the end of movies but this one totally got me. Anyone who says the ending is unoriginal obviously didn't "get" the full extent of the twist. I have to go and see this again!
There were some quality funny moments and a lot of jumps, my only criticism being that it lacked suspense, with some scenes being just a few seconds too long. But I never got bored, as my mind was busy trying to make sense of the plot and predict the "twist" I'd heard all about.
When the twist came, it suddenly made the whole movie so much more freaky. I'm normally good at predicting the end of movies but this one totally got me. Anyone who says the ending is unoriginal obviously didn't "get" the full extent of the twist. I have to go and see this again!
The Break-Up
(2006)
Painful
18 August 2006
I can handle a good drama. But not when most of the movie is nothing but 2 people arguing and shouting at each other. And ESPECIALLY not when it is marketed as a comedy! Yet another movie to come out of the Hollywood meat processing factory, this story is (surprise) predictable and unoriginal; the dialog is weak and inane, but what really got to me is the shouting - it is completely energy-draining to watch and I left feeling almost sick. Everyone has had their fair share of breakups and/or fights, and there's no humor or joy value in watching a repeat of all your worst moments on the big screen.
This I will give the movie though: It is a realistic portrayal of a breakup, the actors did a great job, and there are maybe 2 or 3 minor funny moments. But as a whole its nothing special or memorable and if you're planning to buy a movie ticket to "get away" from your dreary life for 90 minutes, then don't see this one.
This I will give the movie though: It is a realistic portrayal of a breakup, the actors did a great job, and there are maybe 2 or 3 minor funny moments. But as a whole its nothing special or memorable and if you're planning to buy a movie ticket to "get away" from your dreary life for 90 minutes, then don't see this one.
The New World
(2005)
If this movie were any slower, it would just be a photograph.
19 February 2006
To sum up this movie:
30% of it, is badly scripted voice-over monologues. 15% random shots of nature. over and over again. 10% close-ups of peoples bodies. 5% badly choreographed fight scenes. 5% unintelligible babbling. 10% of it I didn't pay much attention to because I may have been asleep, but its OK because they were still showing the same thing when I woke up.
I hope this isn't considered a spoiler, because while I haven't given away the so-called plot, I think I have just about covered the whole movie.
Its just the same stuff repeated over and over, in a random and disconnected fashion, drilling it into you like the director is insulting your intelligence. And the whole way through there is a seemingly looped sample of an orchestra tuning up.
A movie is supposed to be an experience, but my word, this one made me feel like I was in jail.
30% of it, is badly scripted voice-over monologues. 15% random shots of nature. over and over again. 10% close-ups of peoples bodies. 5% badly choreographed fight scenes. 5% unintelligible babbling. 10% of it I didn't pay much attention to because I may have been asleep, but its OK because they were still showing the same thing when I woke up.
I hope this isn't considered a spoiler, because while I haven't given away the so-called plot, I think I have just about covered the whole movie.
Its just the same stuff repeated over and over, in a random and disconnected fashion, drilling it into you like the director is insulting your intelligence. And the whole way through there is a seemingly looped sample of an orchestra tuning up.
A movie is supposed to be an experience, but my word, this one made me feel like I was in jail.
Main plot suffers thanks to time constraints
1 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Being tasked with creating Harry Potter 4 cannot be easy. One has to out-do movies 1, 2 and 3 just to meet public expectation. Many of the scenes that work well in the book simply can't be filmed - a lot of book 4 was the thoughts running through Harry's head - and you can't suddenly add voice overs to a sequel when the last 3 movies didn't have them. In these respects, the way the film was adapted from the book was excellent. Other highlights for me were the underwater scene and the dragon chase.
Thats about where it ends though. I did not like the new Dumbledore - I don't think this actor has even read the book or he'd realize that Dumbledore is a quiet, humble, respected man who doesn't have to shout or push people around to get things done. He also looks more like a recovering alcoholic than a kind lovable old man.
The cinematography also sucked. Too many close-up shots with blurred backgrounds. This is cheating - the previous movies always had interesting, often humorous magic stuff going on behind the characters, adding depth and the ability to watch the movie a second time and still notice new things. This one was filmed like some kind of low-budget adult drama. The score lacked depth and did nothing for me either.
And lastly, I can understand that there was a lot to get into a 2.5 hour film and they had to drop certain sub-plots, but I really felt the movie was too rushed, the main plot was squeezed to its bare minimum at the expense of scenes like the Yule Ball, which could've probably been cut out along with the others to allow more time to develop the characters and story (so that it makes sense to people who haven't read the book) and to add back in that touch of humor which makes the potter books so much fun to read.
Thats about where it ends though. I did not like the new Dumbledore - I don't think this actor has even read the book or he'd realize that Dumbledore is a quiet, humble, respected man who doesn't have to shout or push people around to get things done. He also looks more like a recovering alcoholic than a kind lovable old man.
The cinematography also sucked. Too many close-up shots with blurred backgrounds. This is cheating - the previous movies always had interesting, often humorous magic stuff going on behind the characters, adding depth and the ability to watch the movie a second time and still notice new things. This one was filmed like some kind of low-budget adult drama. The score lacked depth and did nothing for me either.
And lastly, I can understand that there was a lot to get into a 2.5 hour film and they had to drop certain sub-plots, but I really felt the movie was too rushed, the main plot was squeezed to its bare minimum at the expense of scenes like the Yule Ball, which could've probably been cut out along with the others to allow more time to develop the characters and story (so that it makes sense to people who haven't read the book) and to add back in that touch of humor which makes the potter books so much fun to read.
Just Visiting
(2001)
Underrated
17 October 2005
This movie doesn't get enough credit. I found it in a DVD bargain bin after never even hearing about it on cinema, which is a great pity. Jean Reno is in a different role for a change, and he excels - his comic timing is perfect, and together with Applegate and the dumb slave, you are left wishing you could see more of them. You also develop a real hate for Applegate's boyfriend. I laughed solidly the entire way through at the way the characters battled to fit in with modern living standards. Everything from the concept to the jokes, even the graphics, is done really well, and I would highly recommend this to fans of sci-fi comedies or even romantics. 8/10
The Island
(2005)
A good prediction of our future...
13 October 2005
The concept of this movie is one of the best, most original ideas I've seen in a film in ages, and reminded me of Gattaca in the sense that with the way science is going, it may be a very good preview of our future. Unfortunately, they gave the idea away during the making-of/trailer I saw a few nights before the movie came out. That was the first mistake - it would've been better had this come as a surprise. The second mistake was adding in half an hour of unnecessary running around mission-impossible style, which made the film less believable because they just seemed to survive one impossible situation after the next.
Otherwise, the movie has a hot cast with some great acting, and a lot of research and creativity clearly went into the making of this film. Highly recommended providing you go to the toilet just before the film. 9/10
Otherwise, the movie has a hot cast with some great acting, and a lot of research and creativity clearly went into the making of this film. Highly recommended providing you go to the toilet just before the film. 9/10
Sin City
(2005)
Maybe you have to be a comic book fan...
11 October 2005
I have never read a comic book in my life, let alone the Sin City ones. Which is probably why I thought this highly-regarded film was actually a load of nonsense (- apart from the outstanding cinematography, which is mind-blowing, and clearly took a lot of effort to pull off flawlessly.) Rated purely from an entertainment point of view, I have to say the plot - or plots rather - are weak and badly scripted, most of the characters have no depth at all (with the exception of Willis & Alba), and I spent the whole movie waiting for a climax or twist that brought together all the plots, but there wasn't one. It just ended, after a lot of senseless violence. 4/10, plus another 2 for the cinematography and Jessica Alba, who is the hottest woman on earth.
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