The film was as well made as it was important in these days of Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen. While I think the movie ironically took some liberties with the true history, the message came through loud and clear, and without beating anyone over the head.
It wasn't awful, but, I think I must be the only person in the world who didn't think it was great. There were times when breaking out into song mid-conversation without some sort of elaborate set-change didn't make sense, The 2 leads weren't exactly talented singers or dancers -- no wow numbers. The sets improved by the time the final number rolled around, but the singing and dancing remained an afterthought.
I will start my review by saying that I never saw the original South Korean Oldboy film. My intention was seeing the original before seeing this american remake or even thinking if I wanted to see the remake or not because all of the negative comments about this new one. The thing is, I won tickets for the premiere and as a huge addict in films I couldn't refuse it. Many people told me not to see this despite not having seen the original but man, it's stronger than me!
The story of this film JEEZ! What an amazing story! But I have to admit that one of the things that I am certain (and from hearing the reactions of some people after the film finished) is that for more amazing that this story can be, unfortunately this film make it a little predictable. At the middle of the film I was already suspecting how it would end and in the original film (as you all say) the perfect pacing and the perfect atmosphere will keep you completely blank about what will happen until the very last minute.
Josh Brolin wasn't entirely bad for the role, he was intense and emotional but in my point of view he hadn't all of the intensity required for that role and he hadn't all of the emotion required for made me feel totally heartbroken for that poor father that learned a life lesson in the worst possible way.
Elizabeth Olsen wasn't bad, she is a promissing actress and Shalrto Copley is a good villian! He surprised me as a villian earlier this year on Elysium and he surprised me again. I think he has all of the creepiness required of this kind of characters.
Overall, I can't say that it was a horrible film because for me, mostly because of the shocking story, it was a surprise and I enjoyed. Although, some things didn't worked well for me.
After all I think it was better for me not watch the original film before because I had nothing to compare. Now I am still very curious to see the original Oldboy and take my conclusions.
Many of you might criticize my rate about it but I can't lie. It entertained me and I was totally stunned by the story.
It's mediocre, yet also really entertaining sometimes. In that regard, the closest comparison to this is Jurassic World.
Pros:
- Visuals and cinematography.
- Conflict within the group of characters.
- The characters of John C. Reily and Toby Kebbell (although underused)
- Action, particularly the climax.
- The editing stands out a few times.
- Nicely paced.
Cons:
- Too many characters, meaning you won't care about pretty much all of them. They also don't take their time to develop them, meaning that most of them come across as Fast and Furious cartoons.
- Some iffy CGI (not with Kong, but with the other creatures).
- Some minor moments that felt out of place or coincidental.
- Besides a few gags, all the humour falls flat.
- The second act drags a bit.
- Sometimes, the colour grading is overdone.
Grade: 5/10
Michael Keaton's character is a low lying manipulative sack of human shit that deserves to die in the worst possible way. Burger King forever.
I don't think I have ever been in love with a movie, like I'm in love with La La Land. From the first few seconds, till the very end. This movie had me and didn't let go. My english vocabulary is not good enough to express my love, heck, my dutch vocabulary is not good enough to express it. This movie is everything.
It is beautiful, happy, magical, romantic and I could go on for a little while longer but I won't. I wasn't expecting it to be this musical-y, but I mean, I love musicals so I'm not complaining. I think this is a great "musical" because there isn't non stop singing, so people who don't like musicals might like this one because it's more "subtle". I can only imagine how much practice went into all those dance routines and don't get me started on the impressive piano skills Ryan Gosling showed us.
Something that really impressed me as well was the way they filmed everything. It's a very creative and different way, which I really enjoyed and think makes this movie a great inspiration for those who love film and camerawork themselves. The build up and flashbacks and stuff were really cool as well. Yea I really enjoyed that. Also, the storyline, which does so much for a movie, was so great.
This is normally the part were I talk about the actors, but seeing that there were mainly only two actors and they were both amazing (I do think tho, that Ryan Gosling his character wasn't a very challenging one for him because we have seen him in roles like these before. Mixing it up with all the dancing, singing en piano playing though, you got something quite different and I loved it), I'm going to skip this part and say that you should watch this movie, do nothing more, just watch it, enjoyed it and love it.
visually stunning and great acting all round. i wonder if it'll be enough for leo to finally get that oscar
To call this another Marvel winner would be an understatement.
Volume 2 is the best cinematic experience I've had in a long time. The action is great, the various cameos hilarious, the effects awe-inspiring and the laughs frequent and well-placed (one of the few gripes I had with Doctor Strange). And in the midst of all this, what really drives the story and keeps the audience interested is the character development. The heroes with which we fell in love in Volume 1 become deeper and multilayered, and the new additions add fantastic new dynamics.
While still falling victim to some minor storytelling tropes, GotG2 is the epitome of the spectacle movie.
A good idea turn into a mediocre legal drama aware of pleasing a transatlantic audience. A case of subject matter dominating. Rachel has a terrible accent. Spall gives a good performance in what feels like a character assasination.
I will never go Mcdonalds.
What a load of crap. The acting was dreadful. Give this a wide berth if possible. Story line was rubbish too. Total thumbs down for me.
So damn funny. Wish he did more than the 4 he’s contracted to do.
8,5/10
Simply unfair to all the other netflix specials
WHAT KIND OF A SICK ŒDIP-ISH KIND OF SHIT IS THIS
I'M FUCKING SHOCKED
THIS IS SOME FUCKING TWIST
I got massive GTA 5 vibes from this. Just look at it: heists, hijacking cars, more heists, criminals being portrayed as eccentric & nuts, planning heists in an abandoned urban building; hard to miss the influence.
It still feels like an Edgar Wright film though. In fact, it very much starts like one of his comedies, but then it takes a complete tonal shift around the halfway mark. It becomes much darker, and it’s suddenly driven by tension instead of jokes.
A lot of movies can’t pull that off, but this one does simply because you can look at this premise as lighthearted, but there’s nothing too ridiculous or stupid for it not to work as a serious thriller either.
The directing and editing are really stylish and inventive, the performances are good, plenty of character development (a lot of which is done visually), excellent music selection, and there are a few twists in the second half I didn’t see coming.
My only complaint is that the romance subplot starts a bit clunky, but it evens out as the film goes along.
8.5/10
[7.2/10] Certainly an interesting documentary. Through a combination of South Park’s extended scrap with Scientology, my own wiki-wormholing, and the scuttlebutt and articles that followed in the wake of this very film, I already had a decent grip on much of the information presented, taking away some of the punch of it. Still, seeing archival and recent footage of Scientology’s major figures past and present, and hearing the concerns and horror stories of former adherents in their own words (particularly Paul Haggis) was shocking and affecting.
You do get the sense that you’re only getting one side of the story, which, given the horrible things done through Scientology, isn’t the greatest sin, though does make it feel harder to trust what’s presented. Still, as Haggis said in his letter, if even a fraction of it’s true (and I believe the vast majority of it is, for the record), it reveals the horror and pernicious qualities of this organization in a fashion that shocks the conscience.
The film does a nice job at dividing its topics up into various chapters, making it possible to follow the themes and throughlines even when it becomes easy to mix up some of the personalities involved. Overall, I think someone less acquainted with Scientology’s ills and controversies would get more out of it, but it’s still an arresting look at the terrible things perpetuated in the name of this “church.”
Fantastic, sobering, well crafted and executed account of a true event. The acting was fantastic, the issues were riveting and the story needed to be told. In a world that believes that truth is relative, it is important to be reminded that such a position is harmful to society and dangerous to the future of mankind. If we are willing to rewrite history to distort it for our own purposes we will be forced to relive our mistakes. Everyone should see this movie. I give it a 9.5 (superb and valuable) out of 10.
Ok, so Deborah was annoying throughout the movie but otherwise was good. Solid acting and the topic was perfect.
Really good movie that lives from the acting and a serious story line. A rarity these days.
An excellent film about a vitally important subject which is especially relevant in this time of "post-truth" and "fake news".
Good story & advanced f/x for a film from 1927 - they painted fire & bubble f/x on to the film!
It got this documentary feel in a way that emphasize the story credibility like those are real reporters and real victims notnot some reenactment of event. That's what makes spotlight special also the incredible cast obviously
One of 100 movies you need to see
Expected some more comedy and action. It should've been catagorised as a drama.
The only thing I liked about this movie was Cate Blanchett's extraordinary performance.
It`s Bean - you either like him or you don't.
The movie that change it all
Solid film with an excellent cast
The scriptwriters were probably on strike, but still this movie works. Loads of action fun. Worth the 2 hours??? In my humble oppinion...you won't find a better mindnumbing action this summer...so yes. :)
