LadyMargaret Reviews

Pixels (2015)

Wholesome Family Fun

[26 July 2015]

Note: I saw the film in standard format not 3D or IMAX.

***Potential spoiler for the ending of the film though I think most readers will already know what that ending is before seeing the movie if readers are in the correct frame of mind to view the film.***

I enjoyed this movie! In fact, it surprised me with its depth of themes that I was not expecting from a jaunt down gaming memory lane.

Brenner's honest portrayal of male self-respect and leadership and the effect his portrayal has on those around him is strength of character personified and is a robust genuine male role model for young boys and adult men.

The arcade scene was a powerful positive statement to which all children of all ages can relate, and, if taken to heart, empowers and liberates children from one of the greatest fears of childhood. The scene was done in a most natural way. It was a showing without the telling which is what excellent story writing is meant to be.

I found a richness of human connection in this film that didn't insult my intelligence and was humorous and believable against the backdrop of a fanciful circumstance.

Predictable plot? Yes, but genuine enough to bring a smile to the face and enjoy the familiarity of that plot like a favorite amusement park ride that you want to ride over and over again. Some plot holes? Yes, but should one care? Not if one has taken the time to see the movie from the eyes of a child enjoying the fun of the ride over and over again.

Should all movies be verbose in development, dark, and complicated with political social undertones to be excellent or good?

This is a fun "feel good" kid's movie of pretend play where for once the good guys win, save the world, and get the girl without any shades of gray. It is a wonderful suspension of adult cynicism to return to the creative world of a child's imaginative mind.

I don't know the history of Sandler's movies. It seems that most critics dislike his movies. This was the first movie of Sandler's that I saw and it was good wholesome fun on many levels.

Maybe that cynicism of Hollywood and the critics is why the world is such a dark scary place for children.

We need more men in the world like Sandler's character, Brenner.

Elles n'oublient jamais (1994)

Married man wants fling with beautiful woman who turns out to be a black widow.

[20 June 2010]

I enjoyed this movie, but I found it difficult to respect and identify with the protagonist. Without going into spoilers, the audience is asked to suspend belief for the sake of finding out the reason for Angela's attraction to Julien and why Julien would continue to encourage contact with Angela.

Many elements of Angela's character are a composite of past femme fatales so it doesn't take long for anyone who enjoys watching film noir movies to suss out the ending after the knock out scene. I was left with the question of "Is she or isn't she?" and I had my suspicion as to which answer would be correct, and watched the rest of the movie to see if the movie would unfold to support my suspicion.

There's nothing new in this movie that I haven't seen in past movies for plot development and resolution, but it kept the answers from revealing themselves long enough to make the movie a interesting viewing of a foreign film noir.

21 (2008)

I kept thinking "Good Will Hunting" meets "Ocean 12"

[5 April 2008]

Why does such a smart young man hide his two hundred thousand in the ceiling above his dorm bed? There were too many suspensions of disbelief for me to get my head around.

Thematically, it appeals to the notion that if you think big and take the calculated risks then you'll achieve big if you are smart enough, have a system and, most importantly, have the capital investment.

I found the study of the dichotomy between logic and emotion in making decisions interesting and wished there had been more than the perfunctory formula treatment of that dichotomy.

Could we say that life is a deck of cards and variable change can either make you a winner or a loser in the game of life?

I went to see the movie because Kevin Spacey was in it. It was mildly entertaining. It was a predictable formula movie replete with worn-out plot devices, superficial development and unimaginative dialog.

Sorry, Mr. Steinfeld and Mr. Loeb, you did not dazzle me.

300 (2006)

This is a retelling of a classic theme with clarity and breathtaking craftsmanship.

[17 March 2007]

When I first saw the trailer, I thought, without much enthusiasm to watch it, "Oh, joy, doesn't seem like much to watch this spring on the big screen. It's just another video game animation come to life. I bet my teenager would feel right at home with this medium on the big screen. Where is the game controller?" "Spartacus", "Braveheart", and "Gladiator" came to mind and so this movie was not on my "Must See" list as a movie that would tell a timeless theme with any new insight or awareness.

Never judge a movie by it's trailer. Go see it!!!

For all its Matrix-like slow motion, video game animation overlay on real human beings, and timeless theme retelling that is predictable, the telling of the story is powerful and emotionally engaging. Each element of film, the music, the pacing of the plot, the superb powerful performance of the actors, the artistry, the economy of direction in the battle scenes transports the viewer onto the battlefield to fight side by side, as Spartan, experiencing the heightened sense of awareness, with Leonidas and his queen. The movie moves the viewer to remember that the triumph of the noble human spirit in its freedom will always inspire one to live such a noble life in one's day to day battles against any tyranny, whatever that tyranny may be, to create a better world for those loved.

I look forward to buying it on DVD.

Go see it!!!

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Indian Jones meets National Treasure

[27 May 2006]

In watching this movie I was constantly reminded of similar plot devices and story lines of the two movies, "Indiana Jones" and "National Treasure". As a contemporary version of "The Temptation of Christ", it used the controversial subject matter to replace creative construct and concept to bolster ticket sales. To prevent bias in watching the movie and knowing the ending, I did not read the book before watching the movie. I have no interest in reading the book after the movie. I found it a boring movie in comparison to "Indiana Jones". The plot twists were easily identifiable and solved once the characters were introduced and the plot direction revealed. I won't spoil the movie, but it was quite obvious to me early on what the answer to the final mystery was. Even I could have constructed a better plot line. Maybe I've just watched too many movies in my lifetime. I rank this movie as an average 5 for the few suspenseful moments of mystery that were scattered throughout the movie.

Hitch (I) (2005)

Romantic comedy with substance

[25 April 2006]

This movie dealt with the hopes and fears of finding true love in a person's life. It's romantic comedic format allowed a humorous exploration of the sometimes painful vulnerabilities and emotions experienced by men and women in finding romance in their lives.

It begins with basic principles that anyone who has played the game of dating will recognize all too well, and as the plot develops through the interaction of Hitch and Albert in their seeking "the moments that take their breath away", that all romantic comedies afford, one begins to see these basic principles in a whole new light.

It was a refreshing change of pace to see the dating game from a man's point of view. Issues of inadequacy and lack of confidence were addressed with stock comedic situations in the comparison of Hitch's budding relationship with Sara and Albert's budding relationship with Allegra, and done in such a way that the reality of it gave this romantic comedy a depth of drama that everyone can relate to in their lives. It's a keeper. It is one I will watch again and again.