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Reviews
The Lost City (2022)
Saved only by the Pitt Cameo
The moment Brad Pitt takes a leave the film should have ended, the fact that he is gone within 25 minutes gives you an idea that it is all downhill from there. It tries to be funny but it doesn't know which route to take. Non of the characters draw you in and there isn't really a story. I spent the whole film studying the stars plastic surgery.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Don't believe the hype
This is 2 and a quarter hours of precisely nothing. Why is it getting its high ratings? It's boring and has no heart or sense. I'm sure as in all art some can f8nd a scrap of substance to it but for me it sucked. The only character worth a salt was the owner of the Japanese restaurant, so politically incorrect it was brilliant.
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021)
Did I miss something?
Great cinematography, xheck, great cast, check, that's about it. The Grand Budapest Hotel it is not, its not funny and it doesn't gel. It was so disappointing, I don't often give a 2 star but nothing can redeem this film for me as it is nothing more than a love in to the director.
The Witches (2020)
An absolute stinker
What on earth was such a talented cast doing getting involved in such a terrible movie. The plot, the cliche ridden script and cgi were exasperating. And why does every movie that targets this audience finish with a happy dance?
Les Misérables (2012)
A good adaptation of a weak musical
Anne Hathaway was brilliant, Hugh Jackman held the piece together admirably and Russell Crowe, great actor that he is, was terribly miscast. I have nothing against musicals and some benefit from exposure to the silver screen but Les Miserables has just 2 memorable songs and just doesn't grab me, the story is weak, especially when the bad guy is played so unconvincingly. I admire the photography and set pieces to this film and hats off to whoever had the courage to make it a full blown musical, the live singing gives the soundtrack reality, especially Anne Hathaways set piece (oscar on it's way) though the acoustics especially in the opening scene were a little weak and the film, like the stage version, is way too long. All in all this is given an above average mark as it is by no means a turkey
The New World (2005)
Possibly the most boring movie I ever watched!!!
OK so the cinematography is top notch but if i wanted bright scenery I could look at photographs and quite possibly I would be more entertained!! Colin Farrell is miscast what dialogue he has, fortunately very little, makes no attempt to be English. The Movie has no cohesion and just jumps around randomly, normally to show more lovely long grass. The movie never got going and dragged on for almost 3 hours, 3 hours of which I will never get back. I recently had the misfortune to watch Tree of Life another extremely arty in-cohesive movie by the same director, don't get me wrong I loved The thin Red line.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Mediocre
I feel compelled to write as I can't believe the rating this movie has. We've seen it all before many times and this movie brings nothing new. OK let me begin, the first 40 minutes are funny, if it ended there it would be 10, Carrell & Gosling give good performances and really gel as a duo but like so many comedies it loses it's way and the mid section drags only to find that the finale is a big sentimental schmaltz that really shouldn't be present in a comedy. Why do American comedies always do this (Sandler, Carrey)? It's better than Just go with it, it couldn't be any worse!, and the performances are all first rate, it's just a pity the project is wanting.
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
A balanced documentary
reading the reviews on this site I was mightily apprehensive about viewing this movie. But to my delight the reviewers missed the point and were viewing with a prejudice, this film is for the fans, 8-15 year old girls, and to that extend serves its purpose. The 3D is a red herring as only 10% of the movie is actually 3D but as a documentary of Biebers life and the tour that was being used as a backdrop I found it to be good viewing. I knew nothing about the boy and was dragged by my 10 year old daughter but I found it enjoyable and discovered how the modern music industry works and how social networks play a major part in the industry and also that the central figure was a normal and talented 16 year old.