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Reviews
Shazam! (2019)
Worse Than Awful
No idea how this movie has such high ratings. It is probably the worst movie I have ever seen. Would have walked out except was there with somone who didn't want to leave. Bad in so many ways: plot, CGI, acting, cinematography, and more. Would have rated it at zero if that rating were available.
Gone (2012)
Excellent 90 Minute Thriller
Before going to see this movie I had read some really bad reviews. After seeing it, I can't understand why. I thought the movie was an enjoyable thriller. I thought Amanda Seyfried did great in her role. This was again in contrast to some of the reviews I had read. As far as I am concerned, if you want an excellent thriller that will provide 90 minutes or so of escapism, "Gone" will more than fill the bill. The single scene that 'annoyed' me a bit was a product placement for Aquafina water. A large bottle of Aquafina was on a nightstand in a bedroom. It seemed so out of place that it was an obvious paid placement.
Act of Valor (2012)
An OK Military Action Movie
Most of this movie was action scenes of real U.S. Navy Seal reenacting actual missions. Those scenes came off as pretty good for anyone who likes that sort of thing. Real military hardware was shown to good advantage and the Seals themselves did a good job of recreating the live action sequences.
The last action scene, which lasted for 20 minutes (my estimate), was shot from a camera angle that made it feel like a first person shooter video game. For me, that took away from the movie. It made the action feel less authentic than if the camera work had been done differently.
The final portion of the movie was non-action and seemed like a forced attempt at patriotism. It should have either been left out entirely or made much shorter.
Other reviews I've read have spoken about bad acting by the actual Seals who played themselves. That was not an issue for me. I thought most of them did pretty good.
Overall, it was an OK way to spend an afternoon at the movies.
Summer and Smoke (1961)
Remembered as a Great Movie
I saw this movie at a theater in Springfield, Ohio, at the time of its original theatrical release. I don't know if memory makes things seem better than they really were but I rate this as the most memorable movies I have ever seen. I thought it was fantastic. I've not seen the video and I'm not sure that I would want to since this VHS edition is not letter-boxed. It would have a 1.33 aspect ratio instead of the wide, 2.35 aspect ratio of the original Panavision film. I think that would destroy much of the film's visual appeal. If this movie ever comes out on DVD, in the original Panavision aspect ratio, I'll be certain to buy it!