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An error has ocurred. Please try againObviously, not every character in the game will be represented, a movie wouldn't have the time!
Paul Blackthorne Joel Courtney Ryan Potter Keith David Vinnie Jones Amy Adams Christoph Waltz/Zooey Deschanel Zach Mills/Elle Fanning Jim Parsons/Gabriel Mann Charlie Day/Dean Winters/Joe Pesci/Ray Liotta with Grant Gustin as Patrick Mac and Danny DeVito as Winn Farrow
Reviews
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Not Bad, Just Overrated
Frank Darabont's "The Shawshank Redemption" is a good movie. It has a solid cast, a solid script, and solid cinematography. The film is at times engaging, moving and thrilling. You'd be hard-pressed to find anything particularly wrong with it.
But that doesn't make it a great movie.
"The Shawshank Redemption" is a very safe film. Not so much in terms of story, but in how it's executed. Frank Darabont directs the film competently, and seems content to stay at that level the whole time. Roger Deakins, possibly the best cinematographer working today, seems to be phoning it in, and the usually excellent Thomas Newman provides an unmemorable score. Everyone seems to be operating at three- quarters cylinder, enough to be good, but never enough to be amazing.
This extends to most of the performances. Tim Robbins as the wrongfully convicted Andy Dufresne is not a particularly engaging lead. Bob Gunton and Clancy Brown are fun in antagonistic roles, but they've both given much better performances. The ensemble cast of prisoners is game, but very few of them are given much to do.
The standout performance is easily Morgan Freeman's Red, who helps Andy navigate life in Shawshank State Penitentiary, and that has more to do with Morgan Freeman being Morgan Freeman than it does anything to do with the role.
There is little wrong with "The Shawshank Redemption". But it takes more than having nothing wrong to make a great film. A great film requires risky decisions, new ideas or masters of their craft bringing their A-game. "The Shawshank Redemption" has none of these, and that's not a bad thing. It's a decent film. Just not a masterpiece.
Pete's Dragon (2016)
A Feast for the Eyes and the Heart
If I had to pick one word to describe "Pete's Dragon", it would be "authentic." Not because the effects are state of the art (which they are), and not because of the fact that the film was shot in real locations and not a sound stage.
No, I say "authentic" because it feels real. The characters feel like real characters (thanks in no small part to the talented cast), and the story feels like something that could conceivably happen. There are no mustache-twirling villains and there are no perfect angels who can do no wrong. "Pete's Dragon" is filled with complex, messy people who nonetheless love each other, and it's their flaws that make their bonds so powerful.
From beginning to end, watching "Pete's Dragon" feels like watching a real-life adventure play out before your eyes. Director/co-writer David Lowery is not afraid to let the characters talk, feel, or enjoy each other's presence. These slow moments only add to the moments of splendor, and the wonder never stops being fantastic.
Don't miss your chance to see this film in theaters.
Stitches (2012)
Not the Worst Movie I've Ever Seen, But Probably My Least Favorite
There is a big difference between the "worst movie" ever and your least favorite. "Stitches" might be a bad movie, but I could hardly call it the worst. It's competently shot, decently acted and the gore effects are pretty well done. If I was judging on a purely objective scale, this film would probably get 3, maybe 4 stars.
However, once you take into account the actual viewing experience, you begin to realize why I gave it this grade. If you like "Stitches", good for you. I won't take that away from you. But for me, personally, it was probably the worst viewing experience I've had in my life.
I'm a fan of a good dark comedy, but it has to be good. "Stitches" isn't funny, and it isn't scary. It's dismal, gross, nasty and all around unpleasant. It's got a wicked mean streak, and it's not remotely funny enough to justify it. I think I laughed once, and it was a weak chuckle at best.
See it for yourself if you'd like, but don't say I didn't warn you.