mapsnmad Reviews

He Was a Quiet Man (2007)

Surreal at times, dark humor and fascinating camera work

[8/10 · 3 October 2007]

Well, by camera work I really mean all visual effects as well as the cinematography, set design... it's a visual treat. The effects used to dramatize Bob McConnell's sense of isolation and loneliness were intriguing.

Also great acting by Mr. Slater, as usual. I like this guy's work.

It's nice to see William Macy in a different type of role than I usually see him in, but anyone could have done that turn -- not much there for him to do, but he ably supports, which is a fine thing, since that's what his role here should be...

In some ways, it reminded me of Fight Club.

Saw this on an airplane today, and now I'm kicking back and looking it up.

I quite enjoyed it.

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959–1963)

Where the heck is IMDb's list of cast for this show?

[8/10 · 6 September 2006]

My gal adores this show, so I've seen a lot of it. We're looking up the cast, trying to find out who played the teacher ... and we find that IMDb doesn't even list the cast.

What's up with that?

Where does it say who played in every episode,alongside Bob Denver?

Who played Dobie's Mom? Why isn't that stuff on the first page we see when we look up this show?

It's obviously relevant, important information about the show that any IMDb visitor would expect to find on this page.

Am I missing something? Surely there's been a mistake here.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Very disappointed -- flat performance, dull script, important points missing ...

[1/10 · 30 July 2005]

... from the story, which, after all, did have a moral or two tucked in there amid all the candy and fun, unlike this movie, which seems to have missed most of the point of the story. The saddest thing about this dismal effort was Johnny Depp's performance -- I can't help but wonder how much of that can be his fault, seeing what little the script gave him to work with.

I really wanted to like this film, and was so looking forward to seeing it. What a shame that this movie's Willie Wonka was far, far less interesting, lovable or even understandable than the one Gene Wilder played, or the fellow in the books this was based on. Save yourself from this dull, heartless movie and see the old 70s one instead. Dated though it is (and with a few tedious songs you could fast forward through), it has a few crucial things that this film lacked: wisdom, heart and a clear sense of the difference between right and wrong -- the wicked got their just desserts, and the good were rewarded. This movie's Wonka was little more than a creepy, maladjusted, self-absorbed man-child (eerily reminiscent of an infamous singer who recently escaped prison by the pale skin of his crumbling nose). The earlier Wonka was both child-like and yet sophisticated, intelligent and witty, a gracious host as well as a canny judge of character. Depp's (or should we say Burton's?) Wonka is petulant, indifferent and, worst of all, just not that interesting to see or hear.

Deep Ray was cute as the Oompaloompahs, though -- too bad the songs he/they sang were neither very relevant, nor intelligible. Half the lyrics were buried in the music.