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Skenkere

skenkere
Film Freak
# Film Ratings: 839
Member Since: 26 Feb 2007
Location: VA, USA

Recent Ratings

68 54%
War Photographer (2001) - Rated 18 Feb 2009
It's a good documentary, but it's almost undeniably boring. Don't get me wrong, the subject is interesting, the photographs are amazing, and there's some good monologues about the power of war photography, but it just doesn't feel like it needs a movie to deliver those monologues interspersed with photo montages. You're better off reading the man's wiki, and quotes from his webpage, then looking at his portfolio, and saving yourself 1.5 hours. Cause really, the photos are the best part of this.
77 78%
Ace in the Hole (1951) - Rated 04 Feb 2009
Surprisingly cynical and bleak for a 50's movie. The greed and cynicism is palpable, and you find yourself getting swept up in the whole circus and forgetting about Leo, just like everyone else. Kirk Douglas is great too, I might add. I would call it a black comedy, that still seems relevant.
83 89%
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) - Rated 29 Jan 2009
Not gonna lie, I cried a little at this documentary, which is alternately inspiring and heartbreaking. This is probably the most intimate, personal movie I've ever seen. The documentary isn't about anyone famous, it's about a friend, his family and coping with loss, anger, and frustration. It's basically completely composed of home photos and camcorder home movies too. But make no mistake, just cause you've never heard of these people doesn't mean you won't cry.
50 29%
Defiance (2008) - Rated 27 Jan 2009
Thoroughly Undwerwhelming. It's got good ingredients, namely nice cinematography, good actors, and an amazing true story to tell. So why is it so dissapointing? It's boring. The action is sparse and bad, and the rest just isn't that engaging. Say what you will about Zwick, but I like his stuff. But while his other movies had good dialogue, this had virtually none, other than hebrew references out the ass. Craig's character wasn't even that cool. DISTINCT LACK OF DEFIANCE IN THIS MOVIE.
77 78%
JCVD (2008) - Rated 20 Jan 2009
Starts with a fantastically fun tracking shot, and then keeps you engaged with the primary story, which is alternately sad and funny, but always engaging. Van Damme breaks the 4th wall in the biggest way possible, but it's the best scene in the movie and his finest performance. The structure of the movie is well done too. There are definite problems, and places where it maybe doesnt work, and scenes that don't make too much sense, except to drive the story. Still, this is an impressive show.
63 43%
Body of Lies (2008) - Rated 15 Jan 2009
It's good but also disappointing, unmemorable, and missable if you want. Crowe's character was good, and great commentary on our foreign policy approach. DiCaprio is still a great actor, and even though this movie is subpar, he is not. Mark Strong is also great in his role, and there's enough tension to keep you entertained. The problem is in the story, which seems to have three different plots it can't decide on, with a love story wedged in too. It can't make up its mind, and falls flat.
55 33%
Life as a House (2001) - Rated 08 Jan 2009
Fairly sappy and melodramatic, tug at your heartstrings kind of stuff. The bad news is that its obvious in its attempts for tears, the good news is that I can see it working for a lot of people. Kevin Kline is good, and Hayden Christensen is laughably bad, but mainly due to his 'edgy, troubled' character. It's incredibly ordinary in that lifetime movie kind of way, but it's well done for what it is. Expect a lot of plot threads to go nowhere.
67 52%
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) - Rated 08 Jan 2009
I don't know how I feel about this movie. The main character starts off irritating, REMAINS irritating, yet she somehow grows on you. There's not much plot per se, but I like the concept of this character that is just relentlessly cheery in the face of everything, without becoming a caricature. But in what I suppose would be the climax, I can't help but feel that there wasn't an actual climax or resolution. I think I like this movie, but it's hard to say. I'd say watch it out of curiosity.
47 27%
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) - Rated 08 Jan 2009
Once again, much like Run Fatboy Run, we have a movie that should be terrible, but thanks to the presence of Simon Pegg ends up being entertaining enough to qualify for mediocre. There's not much to say about this, it's an extremely cliched story with good casting actually, but there's nothing memorable here. Pegg needs to get back to making good movies great instead of making bad movies bearable.
40 21%
Righteous Kill (2008) - Rated 08 Jan 2009
It's not actually as bad as people say, it's just so goddamn disappointing. DeNiro and Pacino together should be gold, plus Carla Gugino to boot, but a shitty script and fucking Jon Avnet (dont know how he keeps getting Pacino) ruin it. The acting isn't bad, it just...doesn't need DeNiro and Pacino because the script gives nothing to work with. Everyone calling it an episode of Law and Order is right. It's a good episode, sure, but nothing elevates it to good movie status.