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daydreamer1
Reviews
Jumper (2008)
I found the reality terribly disappointing
I tried to follow this movie but, I'm afraid, without success. All the way through I kept asking myself the same question - "Why?". Firstly, with a talent such as the ability to "jump" to play with why couldn't the scriptwriter have made an interesting story? Why, with such superhuman powers, didn't Hayden Christensen and Jamie Bell just kill Samuel L Jackson straight out or did they forfeit their intellect when they gained superhuman powers? Why couldn't Jamie Bell decide on which accent to adopt ranging from Coronation Street to Dallas and all stations in between in any one sentence? Why did Hayden's mother only have two choices when he reached the age of five - both of which didn't include him? Why did Hayden never lose his sack full of money even when arrested by the police and why didn't anyone even search the bag (he could have got money any time he wanted by using his powers without having to drag it around with him)? Why did I sit and watch it for the full duration?
I was really looking forward to Jumper as the concept intrigued me, but, I have to say that I found the reality terribly disappointing. The act of jumping was performed far too frequently to the point of it being almost like watching the story being played out under strobe lights. To stress the power of jumping I feel it should have been portrayed as something special and not something used casually every couple of minutes.
I'm afraid that this came over as nothing more than a poor cinema production of a pilot for (if it ever becomes one) a very poor TV series or a string of "sequels".
Mrs In-Betweeny (2008)
A refreshingly honest, very funny and original show
I'm afraid I came in after the show had started not really knowing quite what was going on but took to the humour and gradually worked out what the general character breakdown was (with a little help from the internet). I have to say that I thought it was very funny although maybe the characters of the family members were perhaps a little over exaggerated. Other than that the part of Emma played by Amelia Bullmore appeared to have been treated with a great deal of thought and care and I suspect a lot of research into the subject of transsexualism had been undertaken. My only (minor) criticism was probably the last scene with Emma in front of the mirror and the revealing of her (very obviously latex) "manhood" - I think her actions and expressions portrayed very well what she was thinking and it was therefore unnecessary to actually show what she so obviously felt was the offending article. I think that this comedy/drama could make for a very successful television series with maybe a little fine tuning of the family members eccentricities. Altogether though a refreshingly honest, very funny and original show.
2012: Doomsday (2008)
May contain spoilers but won't ruin your viewing pleasure
I thought that this might have been a half decent movie even though the comments had been immenseley negative, however, I was wrong and pretty much all that others had said about it were true. I do so wish I could say something positive about it but in this instance I'm scratching my head to think of anything. Well, what the heck, let's go then: The camera-work was pretty good in places and post production obviously worked very hard to get something out of what they had been given, plus, the orchestra were impressive, misplaced, badly timed, but made some nice sounds. Apart from that though the script and the acting were appalling, nothing was believable or even in the least bit natural - people just don't behave this way and they certainly don't speak as if they were reading from a book. The special effects and props were terrible, smoking volcano ugh and "gold" crucifix that obviously weighed about 3 ounces and was made from wood and plaster plus the creases in the tents that had obviously only just been erected. This was all in the first five minutes. I really don't want to criticise individual performers as this is their living but I'm sure this wont be the one they head up their cv's (résumé's) with. I have to add as well that my reviewing of the movie has been aided by a couple of bottles of Merlot so, given my sense of humour, it was probably even worse than I have said. As a finale btw - Shocking blasphemy? You tell me - cheap soap I would be more inclined to. I think even God has a sense of humour.
I Am Legend (2007)
Good start and good plot but miscast
Contains Spoilers
I really looked forward to seeing this movie and for the best part enjoyed it wholeheartedly. I particularly enjoyed the empty street scenes and the attention that was paid to detail....grass growing through the cracks in the road.....cars with tyres deflated..... absolutely beautiful and really portraying the scene more than any words could say. The storyline was interesting from the outset and didn't need too much explanation and Will played a really good part as a silent actor. Meaningful expressions and mutely carrying the story along - loads of action too and well played. The German shepherd I thought was particularly impressive, dotingly paying attention to her handler just off camera and doing all that was required of her. Then, it happened, about half way through the movie, Will started talking, the dog died and a woman was introduced to the plot. There's no way that the Will character would have lost the ability to communicate with other people. Even with zombies walking the streets would he be drawn to pull a firearm on an apparently sane woman and her child especially as she had just saved his life. This is where it lost it for me, tough girl, survived for 3 years plus in this particularly cruel world supporting her son suddenly (a little later) resorts to hiding under the bed waiting for knight in shining armour. For me it went down hill from here on in, it seemed that the ending was rushed and I suspect that there are a few alternatives in the can. I doubt that Mr Smith would have been happy with that one. To sum up I loved the plot and storyline but I really think Will was miscast, he just isn't a tough intellectual scientist character. No disrespect Will but maybe you know what I mean too. Hey, but you must see it yourselves and form your own opinion - mine is, a good start but lost momentum along the way. I think casting could have been better too but we get what we are given.
The Ape (2005)
I found it an amusing and often succinct story although not suited to all tastes
I've just had the opportunity to view this movie and on the whole enjoyed it. I have been an avid reader of Dostoevsky for many years but possibly missed the point of the frequent references, was there a particular story that this was based around. Dostoevsky wrote a lot of his work purely to make money and often had to drag the stories out. One of the greatest works I have ever read is 'Crime and Punishment' but very obviously drawn out to produce more entries in the serialised newspaper edition and thus more payments for the author. Back to the movie though I have to say that I laughed out loud on a number of occasions and could see some elements of my own life too, reflected to some extent anyway, in the circumstances of the main character. Summing up I found it an amusing and often succinct story although not suited to all tastes.
Sahara (2005)
Unbelievable
I must say that this has to rank amongst one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I love exciting fantasy adventure but this was so over the top to be almost a political statement. The west is great - everyone else is dumb - what? Hey, and what a great time to screen such a movie given the current world political situation. I would like to say that there may have been a better way to have produced the movie but I'm not sure how. There seems to be some underlying faith in loads of really loadmouthed kickass people who can handle a gun and can take on the rest of the world - and win...this wasn't fun this was politics at its most base level. Was there a plot - oh yes the tin boat... um....and the toxic waste of course wow and the rest of the world being totally stupid...sorry...nearly forgot that bit. Just sad.. if this is modern entertainment then I'll go back to my rocking chair.....row row row the boat gently down the stream....etc etc