I did not think about how I was flying to Phoenix when I picked up this DVD. Or perhaps subconsciously I did. Strange.
Anyway, I did not have high expectations for Quaid. He came across pretty well in this one. Ribisi's Elliot character was a great match. A bit awkward at times, but I think that worked in well with the character. And I felt really good about Tyrese Gibson's character, but felt bad he was always walking in Quaid's shadow. And Hugh Laurie.... =) After watching several season's of House, it is almost relaxing to hear what I think is his real voice.
The film as a whole was ok. Very unbelievable at the end, but building up to it was good.
Showing posts with label Phoenix marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phoenix marathon. Show all posts
28 September 2008
Crank, 2006
I like Statham films I have seen so far, and this was another one of his action-packed deliveries. The artistic sense was a bit new, but not wholly undesirable. Having him expose himself so often got a bit old.
While the action was thick and the pace was quick, there was a bit too much swearing and nudity. And unnecessary gore. I did really enjoy the car chases, the bang-ups, the explosions, and the "go go go" race against time.
While the action was thick and the pace was quick, there was a bit too much swearing and nudity. And unnecessary gore. I did really enjoy the car chases, the bang-ups, the explosions, and the "go go go" race against time.
Poseidon, 2006
I do not know why I picked this film out; perhaps because I wanted some good old testosterone blood-pumping suspense and action. There was very little of that. Well, suspense aplenty. And most everybody dies.
Some of the things that really ruined this film. First, I know a little about tsunami's. But they never say "tsunami", but rather a "rogue wave". Yeah, a wave. What is the point of turned a big cruise liner parallel to such a wave? Would hitting it head on have a higher chance of breaking the boat? And I do not buy how a boat like that could possibly stay afloat once flipped over - I don't care about the big atrium in the middle, it would be crushed like a bubble.
Kudos to the actors who did a lot of swimming. That was probably hard work. Unfortunately, it was all very unbelievable, and dissolved any connection going into those scenes. Clear, warm well-lit water with several minutes of breathable air under exertion? *grin* What kind of boat wreck is this?
Some of the things that really ruined this film. First, I know a little about tsunami's. But they never say "tsunami", but rather a "rogue wave". Yeah, a wave. What is the point of turned a big cruise liner parallel to such a wave? Would hitting it head on have a higher chance of breaking the boat? And I do not buy how a boat like that could possibly stay afloat once flipped over - I don't care about the big atrium in the middle, it would be crushed like a bubble.
Kudos to the actors who did a lot of swimming. That was probably hard work. Unfortunately, it was all very unbelievable, and dissolved any connection going into those scenes. Clear, warm well-lit water with several minutes of breathable air under exertion? *grin* What kind of boat wreck is this?
Kingdom of Heaven, 2005
If nothing else, what most inspired me about this film was the utter injustice of the Crusades. "God wills it" is such a mockery of any true faith, and to result in such a massive amount of bloodshed (on both sides) is an embarrassment to Christianity and mankind.
I really appreciated Balian's story (Orlando Bloom). We are led to believe he has a good heart, a concept that is carried through the entire movie with great success. His honor, and defense thereof, propel him forward when all else is lost, and consequently he befriends a most influential Muslim.
The Knights Templar are appropriately evil, especially Guy De Lusignan. It is a good thing he was squashed.
I really appreciated Balian's story (Orlando Bloom). We are led to believe he has a good heart, a concept that is carried through the entire movie with great success. His honor, and defense thereof, propel him forward when all else is lost, and consequently he befriends a most influential Muslim.
The Knights Templar are appropriately evil, especially Guy De Lusignan. It is a good thing he was squashed.
Sahara, 2005
This film raised a few questions for me, questions that detracted from the film. Steve Zahn as an ex-Navy Seal? Are you kidding me? Watching him snap on rounds to an automatic rifle or disarming himself were just painful.
Penelope Cruz as a "brilliant" UN scientist? At least she was a doctor for the WHO, which is a little more believable. A little.
What are we supposed to believe about the ironclad? Did it really sail off to African, or did it slip through some kind of wormhole? That was never clarified. We are led to believe that it actually traveled across the Atlantic, and if so, I find it completely unbelievable that the characters, as smart as they are supposed to be, accept that.
Good action scenes, good suspense. The turmoil in African had an appealing quality merely because it was believable. The picture on the DVD, cruising the Sahara in a make-shift "sand-surfer" is... unforgivable.
Penelope Cruz as a "brilliant" UN scientist? At least she was a doctor for the WHO, which is a little more believable. A little.
What are we supposed to believe about the ironclad? Did it really sail off to African, or did it slip through some kind of wormhole? That was never clarified. We are led to believe that it actually traveled across the Atlantic, and if so, I find it completely unbelievable that the characters, as smart as they are supposed to be, accept that.
Good action scenes, good suspense. The turmoil in African had an appealing quality merely because it was believable. The picture on the DVD, cruising the Sahara in a make-shift "sand-surfer" is... unforgivable.
Life of Brian, 1979
I do not usually dig old movies. But this is Monty Python! =)
I also did not realize it was a parody on the "Life of Christ", so obviously, the whole think smacks of sacrilegious and scandalous bigotry. *grin* Otherwise it would not be Monty Python.
It was humorous, of course. I don't get the whole thing with Brian's mother being a man, nor why all the women want to wear beards.
I also did not realize it was a parody on the "Life of Christ", so obviously, the whole think smacks of sacrilegious and scandalous bigotry. *grin* Otherwise it would not be Monty Python.
A motion picture destined to offend nearly two thirds of the civilized world. And severely annoy the other third.
It was humorous, of course. I don't get the whole thing with Brian's mother being a man, nor why all the women want to wear beards.
Pathfinder, 2007
The preview made me think this film would be interesting, or at least entertaining. I was disappointed.
The concept at least is intriguing; Viking warriors descend upon Indians (go ahead, call them by their PC names) and utterly outclass them, but are stopped cold. The "destiny" of the orphaned child has been played on many times, and I think this film try to raise life from dry bones. Tried and failed. While the Vikings were portrayed as utterly barbaric and bestial, it was too much, over the top. And when the "ghost warrior" is reunited with his enemies/brethren, he automatically understands and can talk with them? Whatever.
I do not know if it was bad acting, or bad screenwriting, or both. But it was bad.
The concept at least is intriguing; Viking warriors descend upon Indians (go ahead, call them by their PC names) and utterly outclass them, but are stopped cold. The "destiny" of the orphaned child has been played on many times, and I think this film try to raise life from dry bones. Tried and failed. While the Vikings were portrayed as utterly barbaric and bestial, it was too much, over the top. And when the "ghost warrior" is reunited with his enemies/brethren, he automatically understands and can talk with them? Whatever.
I do not know if it was bad acting, or bad screenwriting, or both. But it was bad.
Shooter, 2007
I do not recall the last time I saw Wahlberg in a film, but I liked him in this one. The story has such a strong sense of betrayal that you really feel for him. I have never really liked Danny Glover (almost too cutesy or something), but at least he had some grit written into his character, which helped him a bit. And I have never liked Ned Beatty in anything, so I was hoping for him to bite it in the end.
My only complaint is that Wahlberg's character (Bob Lee Swagger?? a redneck?) is just too perfect. Even if he is the creme de la creme, he can take on a half platoon of armed forces or 4 other elite snipers. Or nail someone in the head while standing in a boat, using a plastic pop bottle to muffle the shot? Nope, sorry, lost some credibility there.
But I enjoyed the film.
My only complaint is that Wahlberg's character (Bob Lee Swagger?? a redneck?) is just too perfect. Even if he is the creme de la creme, he can take on a half platoon of armed forces or 4 other elite snipers. Or nail someone in the head while standing in a boat, using a plastic pop bottle to muffle the shot? Nope, sorry, lost some credibility there.
But I enjoyed the film.
Phoenix marathon
No, this has absolutely nothing to do with running insanely long distances. Nothing whatsoever; I do not run.
On a recent trip, I watched 8 movies to pass time. I am going to go over them briefly. =)
On a recent trip, I watched 8 movies to pass time. I am going to go over them briefly. =)
- Shooter
- Pathfinder
- Life of Brian
- Sahara
- Kingdom of Heaven
- Poseidon
- Crank
- Flight of the Phoenix
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