kcl-scv Reviews

West Side Story (2021)

A remake worthy of the original

[9/10 · 28 December 2021]

My first thought in hearing about this ... a thought I'm sure was shared by many ... was WHY? Why remake a movie that was done so well the first time. Still, I went to the theater and found a wonderful, well-made movie. I hadn't read anything about the movie before seeing it and I went in wondering if they would update it to present day. They didn't, but I think that might have worked too.

Discussing the movie with my twenty-something son, I brought up the "why remake a nearly perfect film" question and his response was ... for a new generation. People his age were never going to see the 1961 version in the theater and most would never see a 60 year old movie at all. This movie allows a new generation (or two or three) to experience the magic on the big screen. Ultimately, the appeal of the movie lies in the music and the dance ... even more than the story. But the story is still powerful even after there have been so very many Romeo and Juliet adaptations.

A fun movie to see on the big screen.

The Other Guys (2010)

Don't waste your time

[2/10 · 20 January 2011]

I am completely at a loss to understand the high marks reviewers here have given this film. I can't recall the last time I've watched a "comedy" without laughing ... not even once.

The plot was weak, the dialog was horrible, the comedy was missing. I was embarrassed for the cast. Will Ferrell was Will Ferrell ... he plays pretty much every character the same way. I'm not a huge fan, but he certainly can be funny. He had nothing to work with here. What possessed Wahlberg to take this part is beyond me, though. He's a capable actor and this was just ... sad.

For the most part, this one's on the writers and whoever OK'd the script.

Don't waste your time on this one.