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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

The Descendants

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: Alexander Payne
Writers: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash (screenplay), Kaui Hart Hemmings (novel)
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, etc.

For more information on “The Descendants”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
George Clooney married, with children (two daughters) – that’s an oddity one might be curious to see. Hawaii – something else people might be interested in seeing. It is basically a story without magic or sparkle, as plain as it can be, with forgettable, weak characters. George Clooney has better roles and movies in his filmography (like “Up in the Air”, “The Men Who Stare at Goats”, the animation “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, etc.). In a single sentence: this movie is a boring drama, like any other boring drama.

Highlights:
I really can’t think of anything remarkable… Maybe Hawaii, but this movie doesn’t even present Hawaii enticingly enough…

Downside:
Dull and common, in the sense that it fits among other hundreds of similar TV movies. It also does not make much of its emotional potential.

Would I see it again? – No

My Rating (1 to 10): 6.5

Recommended: No

Suggestion:
Indulge only if you don’t want any significant emotional and mental activity.

 

Vampires Suck

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Year of release: 2010
Directors: Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
Writers: Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
Starring: Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter, etc.

For more information on “Vampires Suck”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
There is only one reason for this post – I wanted to say this: it’s NOT worse than “Twilight” (or the following movies in the series)! In fact, it’s more entertaining, even wittier (!!!), and the actors seem to actually have a sense of humor. Oh, it’s pretty much a daft comedy 😀

Highlights:
A few funny gags. Not to mention that it highlights a lot of the flaws in the Twilight series 🙂

Downside:
A few (unfunny) gags that resemble all other movies in this particular genre (silly comedies).

Would I see it again? – I’m OK if I don’t. I’m OK if I do 🙂

My Rating (1 to 10): 5

Recommended: Yes 😀

Suggestion:
If you haven’t seen the movies in the “Twilight” series, this movie will save you the pain – at least you’ll have some chuckles.

 

Sirens

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Year of release: 1993
Director: John Duigan
Writer: John Duigan
Starring: Hugh Grant, Tara Fitzgerald, Sam Neill, Elle Macpherson, Portia de Rossi etc.

For more information on “Sirens”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Starting to build a world of fairies, this movie gets lost along the way in plain supermodel nudity. The problem is that it feels as if the initial goal is not quite met. On the other hand, it’s a story about self-discovery, that Tara Fitzgerald pulls off very well in her conflicting role – she’s convincing and lovely. However, self-discovery stories usually need special support to present interest to the public, otherwise they are perceived as they are – personal experiences. This sort of story must offer something that is perceived as valuable by the viewer (eg. a subject they can personally relate to, or a biographical story). The makers of this movie didn’t seem to realize this fact, and the result was unskillfully exploited sexiness. “Sirens” is not ugly or pathetic, but rather a hit-and-miss.

Highlights:
The Australian scenery. And Hugh Grant (a reverend in a pool of art and sexuality) blushing – very funny 😀

Downside:
The movie’s obstinacy to be poetic, even when the elements of poetry don’t work.

Would I see it again? – Won’t suffer if I don’t.

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: It is watchable, but not a must-see.

Suggestion:
You can watch “Sirens” before bed. It’s good for falling asleep to – not in a bad way.

 

Coraline

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Year of release: 2009
Director: Henry Selick
Writers: Neil Gaiman (novella); Henry Selick (screenplay)
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, etc.

For more information on “Coraline”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Buttons, Scotties, and some Other World – I can’t say I disliked this film, but I did not like it either. Although lots of unusual things happen, the movie bored me. I think that was because it failed to touch a sensitive chord. That is the biggest element missing in this movie. Otherwise, it can leave you gasping at times, because it’s nicely done, definitely not silly, and the story’s interesting. Look out for a scene involving pillows and a sad Coraline – it’s touching.

Highlights:
Fresh and well executed.

Downside:
For me, it lacked feeling.

Would I see it again? – Better said, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again someday… in the distant future.

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: Hmm… I really don’t know what to say… Yes, if you like the genre.

Suggestion:
“Be careful what you wish for” 🙂

 

Black Swan

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2010
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writers: Mark Heyman, Andrés Heinz, John McLaughlin
Starring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, etc.

For more information on “Black Swan”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
It seems as if the whole movie was made for the sole purpose of winning Natalie Portman the Oscar. She deserved it, but I wish she would have been awarded for a role in a less freaky movie, one that is not best suited for teenagers, snobs, and other people that mistake shock and madness for depth in a movie. It’s Aronofsky… I don’t stomach his work well – it always leaves me sad and on the verge of nausea. It makes me wonder: what’s with him? is anything torturing his soul? He’s an artist, he expresses himself, so something must be troubling his heart. He distorted all grace and beauty into a grotesque movie that does absolutely nothing for the viewer. It’s all his vision, and what he intended you to feel, when he wanted you to feel, and those feelings are negative! It might be a movie about overcoming yourself, but you’ll most likely remember it for rashes, peeling skin, blood, and Natalie Portman turned into a disturbed character you can’t even feel for 🙁

Highlights:
It is artistic.

Downside:
Gloomy, cold, Aronofsky. Overrated.

Would I see it again? – Absolutely not

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended:
I only say yes because many people liked this movie, and you might do too. But, based on how I feel, I’d say no.

Suggestion:
If you don’t want to get depressed, avoid “Black Swan”. An hour and a half is too much time to spend solely on admiring Aronofsky’s cold art and Portman’s (undeniable and already well-known) acting skills.

 

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