1. Did I enjoy this film? NO
There is a scene which I found amusing in this film. Bruno is trying to get two Middle Eastern leaders to make peace. He takes both of their hands and begins singing a song. Now that is funny. A few parts I let out some laughs due to embarrassment rather than really enjoying what I saw. However, 95% of the film I found so offensive, so inappropriate, that for me it has to go down as one of the worst films I have ever seen. There is one movie, Silent Night Deadly Night, which I despised more. Barely. That was because there is a scene with a man dressed in a Santa Claus suit who pulls a car over, kills the driver, then takes the driver's wife, strips her, rapes her and stabs her brutally in front of the woman's children. Absolute crap. This film has a scene just as bothersome to me. Bruno has decided to become a heterosexual and decides to go see a minister who specializes in counseling men who struggle with same sex attractions. At one point, the minister gives a straight forward invitation for Bruno to accept Jesus as his personal Savior. Bruno responds by saying the minister's lips would be great for giving a man oral sex. What a slap in the face to myself, Christians around the world, and ultimately to God. As I was sitting in the theatre, I was reminded of Ephesians 5:3-4, which says, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Writer and actor Sacha Baron Cohen creates material intended to generate laughs through offensiveness with his body of work. With this film, all does is offend.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
It was even a mistake not to walk out the first time when I knew the line had been crossed. This film is the leading candidate for the worst film of 2009.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Public Enemies (Bob says 2 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
A lot of people I spoke with said this film was too slow for them to enjoy. If they think this movie's slow, they would think the film Last Year at Marienbad never started its engine. I didn't feel the same way about Enemies, however. There are slower moments, yes, but I was never bored and was fully engaged in this great period piece starring Johnny Depp as the infamous gangster John Dillinger. I suspect people who didn't like this film were expecting a tense action film. But that's not what director Michael Mann had in mind here. Instead, he gives a snapshot about the life of Dillinger, his girlfriend, his partners in crime and the men who tried to bring them down. A great finale includes Dillinger watching a Clark Gable film which forshadows exactly what will happen to him. John knows he will be killed and refuses to spend the rest of his life locked up in a cell.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Johnny Depp has never compromised with his work, always taking interesting outsider roles instead of conventional ones that might make more box office profit. I applaud Depp for sticking to his guns and I applaud this movie. A good trip to the theater and a good rental as well.
A lot of people I spoke with said this film was too slow for them to enjoy. If they think this movie's slow, they would think the film Last Year at Marienbad never started its engine. I didn't feel the same way about Enemies, however. There are slower moments, yes, but I was never bored and was fully engaged in this great period piece starring Johnny Depp as the infamous gangster John Dillinger. I suspect people who didn't like this film were expecting a tense action film. But that's not what director Michael Mann had in mind here. Instead, he gives a snapshot about the life of Dillinger, his girlfriend, his partners in crime and the men who tried to bring them down. A great finale includes Dillinger watching a Clark Gable film which forshadows exactly what will happen to him. John knows he will be killed and refuses to spend the rest of his life locked up in a cell.
2. Would I watch it again? YES
Johnny Depp has never compromised with his work, always taking interesting outsider roles instead of conventional ones that might make more box office profit. I applaud Depp for sticking to his guns and I applaud this movie. A good trip to the theater and a good rental as well.
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (Bob says 0 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? NO
BORING BORING BORING. Way too many sequels and remakes are made these days. You wonder if writers are running out of original ideas. Even more likely, studios simply care more about making a profit at the box office than coming up with good films. Audiences don't seem to care either, as evidenced by Transformers and this film doing quite well at the box office. In my opinion, moms and dads need to spend more time interacting and playing with their kids than shutting them up with clunkers for preschoolers like this. And people wonder why the SAT scores continue to decline...
2. Would I watch it again? NO
I actually fell asleep for about 10 minutes of the film while sitting in the theater. If I'm having a restless night and can't get any shut eye, I know now what will do the trick.
BORING BORING BORING. Way too many sequels and remakes are made these days. You wonder if writers are running out of original ideas. Even more likely, studios simply care more about making a profit at the box office than coming up with good films. Audiences don't seem to care either, as evidenced by Transformers and this film doing quite well at the box office. In my opinion, moms and dads need to spend more time interacting and playing with their kids than shutting them up with clunkers for preschoolers like this. And people wonder why the SAT scores continue to decline...
2. Would I watch it again? NO
I actually fell asleep for about 10 minutes of the film while sitting in the theater. If I'm having a restless night and can't get any shut eye, I know now what will do the trick.
The Taking of Pelham 123 (Bob says 1 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? YES
Denzel Washington and John Travolta give adequate performances in this thriller about a terrorist who hijacks a train and will only talk to Washington's character. This film felt a lot like 24 lite, having the quick pacing of the hit TV show without as much excitement. Still, the leads do well enough to carry us through for one viewing, and the audience could do much worse.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Ultimately, the film is pretty forgettable and is just another day at the office for its stars. For fans of this genre, I would recommend they follow the 24 TV show if they don't already.
Denzel Washington and John Travolta give adequate performances in this thriller about a terrorist who hijacks a train and will only talk to Washington's character. This film felt a lot like 24 lite, having the quick pacing of the hit TV show without as much excitement. Still, the leads do well enough to carry us through for one viewing, and the audience could do much worse.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Ultimately, the film is pretty forgettable and is just another day at the office for its stars. For fans of this genre, I would recommend they follow the 24 TV show if they don't already.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Proposal (Bob says 0 out of 2)
1. Did I enjoy it? NO
So someone came up with this oh so original story idea of a guy and a girl who can't stand each other as the story begins, but by the end of the movie fall in love. Oh and they have to pretend they're married so she can stay in the country by marrying an American citizen. The problem with so many chick flicks is they are unbelievably predictable, which is what a chick flick audience wants apparently. Now, a lack of originality can be forgiven if there are enough believable dramatic touches or perhaps great comedic ones. For the most part, this film doesn't have either. Oscar Nunez, known for his role in the TV series The Office, plays a very different role here, but I don't think it worked. The one person who had a number of funny moments that did pay off was Betty White. I would have liked to have seen a film based on her character, the crazy but lovable grandmother celebrating her 90th birthday. But, the focus is on the two leads, and aside from a chance to see a scene with Sandra Bullock in nothing but a bath towel, you're not missing much.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Guys, only go to this if you're with a date who loves these kind of films. Girls, if your man is the one paying for it, knock yourself out.
So someone came up with this oh so original story idea of a guy and a girl who can't stand each other as the story begins, but by the end of the movie fall in love. Oh and they have to pretend they're married so she can stay in the country by marrying an American citizen. The problem with so many chick flicks is they are unbelievably predictable, which is what a chick flick audience wants apparently. Now, a lack of originality can be forgiven if there are enough believable dramatic touches or perhaps great comedic ones. For the most part, this film doesn't have either. Oscar Nunez, known for his role in the TV series The Office, plays a very different role here, but I don't think it worked. The one person who had a number of funny moments that did pay off was Betty White. I would have liked to have seen a film based on her character, the crazy but lovable grandmother celebrating her 90th birthday. But, the focus is on the two leads, and aside from a chance to see a scene with Sandra Bullock in nothing but a bath towel, you're not missing much.
2. Would I watch it again? NO
Guys, only go to this if you're with a date who loves these kind of films. Girls, if your man is the one paying for it, knock yourself out.
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