rtaron Reviews

The Words (2012)

Four generations of stellar actors!

[10/10 · 20 December 2012]

This is such an under-rated movie and it is so sad that it will not be seen by more people.

Bradley Cooper has a great career ahead as a producer, he was very smart to make this project. The four generations of great actors were so well- chosen, each one the sexiest man alive I'm sure at one time or another. For me it was Dennis Quaid, and I saw more of the old Dennis Quaid in this movie than in a very long time. Bradley Cooper is the third generation actor in this piece and he really shows his acting chops. He's not just a pretty face! The pretty face is now Ben Barnes and what a great face it is. He is perfect as the young 'old man' in Paris after the war.

I almost never like stories within a story, now do I like stories about authors or actors, they always seem so navel-gazing, but this movie trumps all of those problems in such an amazing excellent way.

Watch this movie, you won't be sorry.

A Bag of Hammers (2011)

A superb movie suitable for everyone!

[10/10 · 17 June 2012]

So far the rating on this movie is so low - that is NOT because it is not a good movie. It combines the bro-movie with a real look at the financial circumstances so many are suffering today. Both male characters are a gentle combination of quirky losers who decide to take on a young boy who is going through hard times much as they did.

Jason Ritter is such a pleasing actor, his nature and humour shine as the young man whose brother's death informs his aimlessness. Jake Sandvig is an excellent match, if you wanted to find a flaw perhaps they were too much alike, but personally I found it believable. Rebecca Hall, playing Jason's sister, is the voice of sanity - but not always right. Chandler Canterbury as the young boy is wonderful - all you would want in any 12 year old but prematurely old due to his life circumstances.

Done with a beautiful subtlety and restraint, this is one of the best movies I've seen of this genre in a long time.

West Is West (2010)

British Punjabi movie at its best!

[10/10 · 19 June 2011]

The best thing about this movie is the jewel-like character development of each participant. The humour is great and does not deteriorate into slapstick like similar movies. Unlike some reviewers, I found this funny, touching, believable and authentic.

Aqib Khan is rebellious and defiant for legitimate reason. His father has gone through life selfishly, always calling his sons 'little bastards'. His transformation is sweet but not syrupy.

Om Puri does a great job; this script allows him to be more serious than other roles he has played.

Linda Bassett, as always, gives a stellar performance. The Nana Mouskouri look-alike (can't find her name) is priceless.

This is a movie that flows well, with no long boring sequences or crazy events. It relies on good writing, acting, photography and direction, as all great movies should.

The Romantics (2010)

The romantic comedy that never was.

[4/10 · 18 June 2011]

The Romantics is neither funny nor romantic. A huge disappointment in spite of its promising cast.

Katie Holmes played this role in exactly the same way she played Jackie Kennedy. I was around when Jackie was all the world's sweetheart, and believe me, she was never the sad sack portrayed in The Kennedy's television series. With all Tom and Katie's money you'd think they could get this woman an acting coach!!

Josh Duhamel is not a great actor either, but when paired with someone with talent, he gives an adequate performance and is just so darn good to look at. He doesn't even look good here!

The supporting actors do a better job and there are some good moments. The movie ends too abruptly.

So sad, what could have been a good summer movie was a disappointment. That being said, if you're desperate while you're waiting for Bridesmaids, it is watchable.

Ceremony (2010)

Excellent light romantic comedy!

[9/10 · 17 June 2011]

One of the easiest to watch movies of recent memories. The movie has a slow start establishing Sam's character as an absolute jerk and his friend Marchall's character as a whiny hypochondriac. However, things pick up nicely when Uma Thurman (Zoe) comes on scene. Nothing like a major star like her to pick things up.

The setting is a gorgeous beach house on the ocean, with all the beautiful people partying for a weekend wedding - who doesn't love a wedding! Sam's character unfolds delightfully as his deeply romantic self comes to the fore. And Marshall proves to be a hero!

The boys learn about life and love and the pursuit of happiness through pain and suffering. The movie, thankfully, doesn't take the easy way out by tying things up with a bow, but leaves you with the sweetness of the mystery of life.

Shadows & Lies (2010)

An artsy movie that you must really want to see

[1/10 · 4 June 2011]

This is a movie that is beautiful with photography and that is the only positive thing I can say about it.

This film could have been great with the cast it has. James Franco does a great job of the brooding, James Dean like character. Josh Lucas as the dark, controlling bad guy is very good. Freckled Julianne Nelson is beautiful as the femme fatale, but the director seems to be attempting to imitate a good french movie but just fails.

If you like minutes long scenes of an actor's face, a room, an actor walking, you might enjoy this film. If it was condensed to a half hour drama, it might be great. Otherwise, it is not worth the time.

Route Irish (2010)

Fast paced, excellent tension,sensitive, violent and thought provoking.

[10/10 · 4 June 2011]

If you want a movie that will hold your attention and leave you feeling like you've watched a great movie, this is it. I am not a connoisseur of Ken Loach, or a movie snob, I just enjoy a movie that holds my attention.

Unlike the other reviewers, I thought the characters were well-drawn and convincing. The effects used on the film itself such as graininess, washed out lomo effect, and darkness in the right places, makes this a pleasure to watch.

The over-use of the f-bomb is a real factor. Men do talk exactly like that, but for a film less would have been more.

The politics of the mercenary world are shown brilliantly and without any sense of preachiness or one-sidedness.

Just an excellent movie.