dewittambassador Reviews

Me Before You (2016)

I don't like sappy movies, but I really liked this sappy movie. Clarke wins again.

[9/10 · 2 July 2016]

Emelia Clarke's work on Game of Thrones is the only reason I watched this movie in the first place. She is occasionally transcendent in that role, where she must keep her eyebrows restrained, and I wanted to see what would happen if her amazingly mobile brows were set free ... free as her dragons.

There are a lot of solid things about this movie. The story (of a young woman who cares for a quadriplegic young man) is strong, the direction and cinematography good though not exceptional, the screen writing also good-not-exceptional, the supporting cast (especially Janet McTeer and Charles Dance)and leading man (Sam C.) quite good, and the emotional notes it hits, though all predictable and often a bit overwrought (cue swelling, heartwarming music...), ring true enough for an unabashed romance.

So, not really my type of movie. But I am happy to say that I was (almost) completely taken by Clarke's performance. Her character here is nothing like her GoT role, but is in many ways an equally fantasy-based role (but with clumsy shyness and striped leggings instead of fireproof skin and dragons) -- and Clarke manages to pull this character out of romantic fantasy into believability as effectively as she brings to life her role as Mother of Dragons. She has the combination of charisma, physical beauty, character-acting chops, and inner luminosity to pull a fairly nice, 7-of-10 heartwarmer up to a 9-of-10 charmer.

War, Inc. (2008)

Not everyone will like it, but this is brilliant political and cultural satire

[8/10 · 31 January 2016]

This is one of those movies that people hate for the wrong reasons -- because they are politically offended, because they have expectations that aren't met, because the movie is just too weird on too many levels. It's one of my favorite satires of all time, up there with Bulworth or the Truman Show, with some bits of brilliant writing, asking real questions about corporate war, evil, and compassion, and with good performances by Cusack, Cusack, Kingsley, Tomei, Duff, & many supporting cast. If you like unusual, weird or trippy, might just give it a try. I have to write more, so I'll also praise the soundtrack, and say that the movie both de-glamorizes violence, and makes some of the killings funny. 'We''re going to be a family again.' Joan Cusack screaming.

Jem and the Holograms (2015)

Could have been a good film -- watch the 1st and 3rd acts. Mild spoiler.

[6/10 · 13 January 2016]

First, if you were not a fan of the TV series, then pay no attention to all the 'this is not like the original Jem' hate. This is a complete reboot (like Batman or Spiderman) and should be judged only on its own merits--which are many, including fast pacing and some good music. Second, though Juliette Lewis is great, her cartoonish, super-bogus music-producer villain character is the big problem with this movie. The whole second act, from when Lewis as 'Erica Raymond' shows up to when Jem starts to rebel against her, is terrible. We see from the first moment that Erica is the villain and we see where things are headed -- no suspense, no fun, just squirming. For Erica to work, her character should look like a good guy at first, and the audience should realize only gradually, along with the girls, that she is evil. The only other problem with the movie is that it is earnest and sweet and heart-warming. SO, if you are not allergic to sweet and earnest, then watch the beginning, and when you see where things are going (painful), skip ahead to the third act -- it's fun to see Jem and friends getting back to themselves.

American Ultra (2015)

Out of the mainstream low-budget masterpiece

[9/10 · 5 January 2016]

If you like quirky, somewhat complex films and you don't have an irrational grudge against Kristen Stewart, you should maybe give this movie a chance. It mixes elements of several genres -- kick-ass action thriller (evil CIA program gone haywire!! gunfire, explosions, awesome, bloody hand-to-hand fighting!!), heart-warming romance, stoner comedy, and a bit of psychedelic 'what is reality?' head-trip -- into an entertaining and suspenseful stew. It could have been better with a bigger budget for production design and more takes, but within the limits of its resources, it does what it sets out to do, including making jokes that work in the middle of the film's most terrifying moments. Good supporting performances by Topher Grace, Goggins, and Leguizamo, a great climactic battle in a warehouse with Eisenberg pulling off an impressive long-take action shot, and the soundtrack worked for me. We will be looking for more from this writer and this director.

The Big Short (2015)

A genuinely great movie. On my all-time best list.

[10/10 · 30 December 2015]

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It uses creative film-making techniques (film buffs will love it), it is entertaining and suspenseful from start to finish, it has a powerful sense of humor, it pulls up big emotions in an honest, non-cheesy way -- and most of all, it puts the truth about something BIG that's wrong and evil in the world in a plain and blunt way. The director is known for big, satirical comedies like Talladega Nights and Anchorman, and here he makes use of really wicked (good) satire to tell the story of the financial collapse of 2008 in a way that stays interesting and, for most of the movie, a lot of fun. The fact that the movie is so skillfully crafted and so enjoyable to watch only makes the impact of the real tragedy at the end (the financial crash and the fact that most of the crooked bankers GOT AWAY WITH IT) that much greater. Just like a good heist movie, the 'heroes' make their score -- but no one is cheering. (And, whoa, they got a Led Zeppelin song to run with the credits!!)

Minority Report (2015)

Quirky and low-key -- if you like that kind of show, give it a chance

[8/10 · 29 September 2015]

Another decent little show that will probably die sooner than it deserves. Don't believe that it's just a formulaic weirdo + straight cop show -- it uses the basic structure, which can still be fun, but has some surprises too. If you are a fan of overwrought hyper-dramas like Blacklist, this might not be for you, but if you like a show like Castle that does not take itself too seriously, and has little jokes that you might miss if you are not paying attention, give this a try. The whole first episode went by with no explosions and no shootouts; the big climactic action sequence was pretty tame, almost like a satire of the big action climaxes with shooting and explosions and stuff. There is potential for growth here (we'll see if it pans out) but I will be checking out some more episodes.

Blindspot (2015–2020)

Has potential, but preposterous action sequences need to go!

[6/10 · 29 September 2015]

The show has a lot of potential. The premise is kind of familiar (Blacklist or Person of Interest, but with tattoos instead of a mastermind or a machine)-- but interesting enough. The actors are good, the woman playing the main character fills the screen well, the characters are somewhat interesting and have potential to develop in all kinds of ways if the show survives. Sadly, however, there are plot issues: the 'crisis' in each episode so far is clichéd and pretty ridiculous, and some of the action scenes are gratuitous (not needed by the plot) and preposterous -- agent in a (boring and too-long) car chase does not see a RAMP in the road!! and just drives onto it!!?? flipping the vehicle!?!? Seen that HOW many times? I hope the writers develop a better plot sense, and the director or directors handle the 'need for speed' and the action sequences better, and substitute some good suspense and psychological action for the hammy stunts, or this show will lose my attention very quickly.

The Bag Man (I) (2014)

I had fun with this movie--it has a sense of humor about itself.

[7/10 · 22 February 2015]

This was not a great movie, but there was plenty of fun stuff going on. I laughed out loud a few times, and had fun almost the whole way. Not everyone will like it, sure, but I don't see how it is as bad as a lot of the reviews are saying, and I wonder if those people had mistaken expectations? Like they thought it would be tense and gritty, grim and threatening? But it's not--it's a left-field black comedy with some tight action moments and--yes--actual character development. Maybe you have to have the right kind of sense of humor to enjoy it--almost nothing in this movie is meant to be taken seriously, not even the weird romantic tension that develops, and certainly not the eventually revealed backstory that drives the plot. I would rather watch 10 quirky, off-beat, low-budget indie black comedies like this than 1 (imho) flat-footed, ham-fisted, self-serious big-effects-budget film like ... Skyfall.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009)

A strong, classy indie film about Wright's title character

[9/10 · 21 February 2015]

This film is a slow build, carried by Wright's performance, intelligent writing, and a shiny supporting cast--worth a slow-day viewing just to see what Bello, Arkin, Moore, Bellucci, and even Reeves, among others, do with their roles. The movie confronts a lot of the grim aspects of life, like deep, lasting guilt and family conflicts, alienation and emotional loss, and these confrontations are where it gets its power; but it also has an irrepressible lightness that appeals to me. There's magic in it, but not everyone will see or respond to that magic, and there are aspects of the film that won't work for some viewers. The plot has its clichés--like real life has its clichés; it meanders and slows down sometimes and has weird surprises, just like life, and it has its stupid and immature moments--but even these worked for me. The soundtrack was a little intrusive and cloying at times, and occasionally the acting didn't hit the needed notes; but if you need a reason to take a chance on Pippa, then look at the cast and how many top actors worked for next to nothing (for them) just to be part of it (and at the actors attached to the writer-director's next project).

Higher Ground (2011)

Very realistic in its way, and for grownups.

[8/10 · 21 August 2014]

This is a movie for grownups. It has grownup themes and situations, some mature language, and it's very honest about the struggles a LOT of Christians go through--and about some of the hypocrisy that sincere Christians have to face in their churches. It is not an anti-Christian movie, it's an anti-bull--- movie. If you have ever felt like the people around you in church were fake, or not quite getting it, or like their religious ideas and traditions were getting in the way of God, you will probably find this movie worthwhile. If you don't understand what makes Christians tick, or why intelligent people keep trying to pray to God in Jesus' name, you might get a clue from this movie, which ends on a strong note of faith. If your 'Christianity' is rigid and brittle, this honest little movie will probably make you mad pretty quickly. This is a low budget movie, and it shows a little--that's why I only gave it an 8, it's technically a little weak, and some scenes could have used a few more takes. But it gives a very heartfelt and true picture of life inside a lot of evangelical and pentecostal churches, and of the struggles a lot of people go through in trying to live for God.

Outlander (2014– )

Exceeded my expectations

[8/10 · 11 August 2014]

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this first episode is. I was prepared to find something interesting but flawed and ultimately disappointing (to my tastes), like 'Black Sails' or 'Crossbones', or bogged down by cheesiness and historical absurdities, like 'Salem'. But the quality is high, the actors effective, the writing clean and crisp, the supernatural elements effectively handled, the historical aspects acceptable (so far) and the production reasonably realistic and convincing, neither glossy nor excessively 'gritty' or distorted. It has its own unique presence, but if you like Game of Thrones, True Detective, Penny Dreadful, etc., give it a try.

Radio Free Albemuth (2010)

Mediocre movie -- mostly only for hardcore PKD fans.

[4/10 · 22 July 2014]

Neither as good nor as bad as a lot of reviewers are saying. Flat acting, clumsy sound and cinematography--low levels of energy and interest. I never forgot I was watching a (mostly boring) movie. If you are a serious PKD fan you will want to watch it. If not, the first five minutes will tell you all you need to know--it does not get any better.

It's too talky. Dialogue and narrative seem to be recited pretty much straight from the novel, with little of visual interest on the screen most of the time.

Actors are not good at showing emotion. For instance, a main character is having an intense mystical vision, but in the reaction shots he could just as well be an American watching a cricket match.