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Reviews
I, Frankenstein (2014)
Actually, this is a pretty good action film!
If we are able to believe that sexy Kate Beckinsale can be a vampire in Underworld, then why can't we believe equally sexy Aaron Eckhart can be Frankenstein's monster? This imaginative take on the classic Frankenstein myth is a highly stylized roller coaster romp filled with mindless fun and excitement. Leave your brain at the door and just enjoy the ride.
I think the main reason why people hate this movie is because it is so different from any other Frankenstein film out there. The "monster" is not a slow-moving, dull-witted giant who can't speak, but a sleek, superfast ninja-like fighting machine with a piercing gaze and a chip on his shoulder. I had problems at several points in the movie when they kept referring to Eckhart's character as "it" when he clearly looked like some guy with a lot of scars. I think if they did a better job with the makeup, it would be more "realistic" for me.
Gotham (2014)
This truly amazed me!
At first I didn't know what to make of this... a TV series that's basically a prequel to Batman... no wait... a prequel to Commissioner Gordon with Batman as a side character?! How is that going to work? But, as I watched, the story began to unfold and make sense. The production values are top notch... this looks like another Batman film you'd see in theaters... and the mix of too many bad guys in one movie reminded me a bit of Spiderman 3, but it just worked here. The plot is set up. Everyone is kind of interrelated in this whole mess called Gotham City and we're all waiting with some baited breath not for Batman to arrive, but to see how the bad guys develop around Jim Gordon, who is masterfully played by Ben Mackenzie (who is kind of hot, by the way). One can only guess that, as the series develops, that the mess that is Gotham keeps escalating to a boiling point whereby the caped crusader is truly needed to help Gordon keep Gotham stable.
The bad guys are truly vicious. Many of the scenes are cringeworthy and the story flows nicely. I hope they can keep it up for the remainder of the season.
Transparent (2014)
An excellent series!
I just finished watching the entire 10 episodes in season 1 and I must say I am truly impressed with this work. Jeffrey Tambor is amazing and the rest of the cast is equally great. I like the flashback sequences, the choice of actors and their younger counterparts, the stories and subplots, and the fact that these people are not all pretty and polished.
What really struck home with me is the friends I know who have all seen and experienced the types of struggles that Moira experienced in her transition, including the restroom situation, the explanation of the difference between crossdressers and transsexuals, the loss of family and friends over transition, etc. Everything is handled poignantly without sensationalism. I love the trans women they found to star in this series (Trace Lysette is a beauty!) and I look forward to watching the next season's shows!
Absolute Power (1997)
I liked it!
I had this on my long list of to-watch vids because of the mediocre reviews, but I'm glad I watched this. It plays like a good TV movie. Never once was I bored! Sure, there are suspensions of disbelief you have to have, but if you just ignore the silly parts, it's a good feel-good movie. Clint Eastwood, Ed Harris, and Laura Linney provided good performances. There was a good amount of action and drama. I hated Gene Hackman as the president, but they basically needed a tall, pervy geezer to play the role and he fit nicely. The two characters that truly bugged me were played by Judy Davis (the Chief of Staff) and Dennis Haysbert (the black Secret Service agent). Davis' character is a clueless idiot and Haysbert is just a robot following orders. Have I mentioned that you have to suspend disbelief? Just have a couple of drinks and enjoy this little story and don't take it too seriously.
The Scorpion King (2002)
Surprisingly good!
I originally wanted to see Blade II at my local theater, but they weren't showing it anymore. In its place was The Scorpion King. I reluctantly agreed to go at first, but now I'm glad I did. From the first minute to the last, it was nonstop entertainment.
Unlike Arnold and Van Damme, the Rock doesn't pretend to be funny. It's all the weird people and things around him that make the scenes funny, witty, and entertaining. The fire ant scene was hilarious and reminded me of the antics in the later Evil Dead movies.
The climax of the film with three different things going on at once is top-notch. I wish Spiderman had as climactic a scene as this.
I was not a Rock fan before I saw this movie, but now I see how guys and girls would like this man. I could easily see him as the new Arnold, Van Damme, Segal, etc. Hell, we need a new action superhero!