Superb Scenes With Seanc

Director: Zach Snyder

In my opinion Superman has a people problem. Most of us identify with the Waynes, Starks, and the Parkers of the comic book universe. Kent on the other hand is near impossible to sympathize with because we see him as perfect. Snyder spends the first hour of the film trying to make us connect with Superman. To his credit it was working. Seeing Kent as a boy trying to cope with being different then everyone else, nonhuman, was pushing all the right buttons. Unfortunately not enough time was spent with this aspect of his life and before we know it we are thrust into chaos that we have next to no investment in.


A lot of Kent's relationships are thrown at us as well, probably too many for one film. We see significant relationship arcs with two fathers, a mother, a schoolmate, co-workers, and of course Lois Lane. Most of these were done well enough, but the one that fell the most flat is the one that we should care the most about going forward and that is his relationship with Lois Lane. If they took this character out of the film entirely I don't know that I would even noticed, I certainly wouldn't have cared.


The acting in Man Of Steel is good enough, but a lot of characters are wasted because of trying to cram too much into one film. We don't get to know Cavill too well, he really looks the part, and I think he will be fine going forward. Shannon and Adams are wasted as the villain and Lane. Shannon especially could have been saved for a future film. All other players are doing exactly what they are asked, and that is good enough for a summer blockbuster.


My biggest disappointment in Man Of Steel comes in the last hour or so. Snyder goes Bay on us and we are treated to countless explosions, unprecedented destruction, and God only knows what kind of body count. I would have much rather spent this time getting to know our characters further. I think that Snyder could have even done an entire film ending around Kent's teen years. That of course could never happen because every summer movie is trying to make a billion dollars at the expense of having a franchise that people would be truly invested in. So Man Of Steel will go down for me as another ho-hum spectacle. One that I enjoyed most of but will have no lasting effect.

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“Except for markf, you’re all a disgrace to cinema.”

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

I finally got around to the greatest ever made. While it is easy to see why people feel that way I disagree. There is plenty to love, and way more to like then dislike, but I still had my issues. As in all his films Hitchcock keeps us on our toes. Blending strong characters into the story and tension perfectly. We receive the proper amount of exposition so that we care about the characters we are supposed to. Every scene is in its perfect place, revealing what we need when we need it. It may sound crazy but I think the perfectness of it is all is what removed me from the film at times. When watching a Hitchcock film I feel myself just waiting for the twist that I know is coming, instead of soaking in every moment.

The acting is great, which is a credit to both the actors and Hitchcock's script. The scenes between Stewart and Geddes are my favorites in the film trumping those between Stewart and Novak by a narrow margin. I found myself wishing we had more of Geddes character by the end of the film. She served her purpose in the plot, but I was left feeling that there was much more to her relationship with Stewart that was unexplored. One small nit-pic about the actors themselves, what in the world is going on with Novak's eyebrows?

Overall another great Hitchcock film. The twists are awesome. The ending is bound to be one of my five favorites forever. I won't talk about them even though the film is over 50 years old. Vertigo is great and well worth your time, even if in my opinion it is not the greatest film of all time.

Director: Andrew Dominik

One that I was pretty disappointed I missed in the theater last year, just catching up with it now. Killing Them Softly is a pretty straight forward crime film. When your narrative is this simple you have to make up for it with well written complex characters. Mostly Dominik succeeds. The pair of two bit thieves that drive the narrative are well written and well played by Mendelhson and McNairy. They have some very entertaining scenes together and bring most of the levity to the film. Pitt and Gandolfini steal the film as would be expected. Their scenes together are the highlight of the movie, and what I will remember when talking about or thinking about this film in the future. I found myself wishing that Gandolfini had more to do so we could have seen more of their dynamic. Still what we get from him is pretty great.

Now for the elephant in the room that everyone has talked about. was the political commentary a useful tool in depicting the state of our country at the time this movie takes place, or was it unnecessarily preachy and distracting? I would lean towards the latter. Although I didn't find it too preachy, I definitely think it was an unnecessary distraction. It felt like the commentary was there to give us some kind of perspective on why the films criminals are acting in the way that they do. If this is the case it fails miserably, if it is not the case I am really not sure of the point. In addition Dominik could have had the same dialogue concerning the economy without it being the background noise that it was. The truth is it does not matter the era or place that a story takes place, the economy is always a relevant topic. The have and have-nots have always been and always will be. The question of how to close the gap is never irrelevant.

Killing Them Softly is a film worth watching. Some of the individual scenes are really fantastic and override many of the films flaws.

Agree with a lot of what you said about Vertigo and Killing Them Softly. Particularly in relation to Vertigo. I felt like there was real chemistry with Stewart and Geddes and I wanted to see more of her but she just seemed to disappear. The chemistry between Stewart and Novak was really forced. Overall I thought it was a great film for an hour and a half but then went downhill due to that lack of chemistry.

Thought Pitt was great in Killing Them Softly - one of my favourite performances by him.

Director: Billy Wilder

There is nothing better than when a film lives up to every bit of your expectations. The Apartment certainly did for me instantly becoming not only one of my favorite classic films but one of my favorite films period. First off the premise of the film is brilliant and Wilder lays it out perfectly. Baxter (Lemmon) lends out his apartment to his superiors at the insurance company he works for so they have a place to bring their mistresses. I was especially fond of how Baxter's neighbors believe that he is the one who is carousing at all hours of the night. By doing this Wilder gives us all the exposition we need of the character of C.C. Baxter. We quickly learn in a very entertaining way that Baxter has not only a difficult situation on his hands but also longs to have a life quite different than the one he is leading.

Once Fran Kubelik (Maclaine) is introduced we have a good idea of where the story is heading but Wilder throws us a couple of nice curve balls along the way. Baxter and Kubelik are our protagonists and certainly who we are rooting for all the way. However what I love about The Apartment compared to most classics is that they are not one dimensional and Wilder does not let them off the hook easily. Both are complex, flawed characters, so despite our hope that thing turn out for the best for them we do have points where we are let down by their actions. In my opinion this make us love them all the more. Characters that we can empathize with are always superior to those who seem above us.

There are points of this film that I could nit-pic but frankly I don't want to I loved it so much. Lemmon and Maclaine are fantastic, Maclaine is way cuter than I ever realized. The supporting players are all well done and well acted. Lemmon's neighbor the doctor especially stands out in his scenes. This was only my third Wilder film and certainly has me excited to see more as they just keep getting better and better for me. The Apartment is a perfect film.

What were the other two?

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I disagree about the lack of chemistry making the film worse in general.
The whole film is about obsession. Hitchcock wasn't reaching for romance at all. They don't need the chemistry, because they really don't belong to eachother. He isn't meant to be with her, but his mind is constantly pulling him in her direction. It's quite a horrific and traumatic story actually.

Sunset Blvd which I hated and Double Indemnity which I loved but didnt respond as strongly as I did The Apartment. Where should I go next ?

Dont completely disagree with your assesment but the fact that they fall hopelessly in love would suggest they should have better chemistry dont you think? In fact fatal love like they share would lend itself to a more animal type magnetism I think.

You hated Sunset Boulevard?!!!

And I'm not sure where to go next. I've only seen a few more of his films than you have and also plan on tracking down a lot more. A lot depends on what you're in the mood for as he certainly seemed to jump across genres. Personally however I would have to recommend the delightful Some Like It Hot.

Director: Michael Haneke

This is my second Haneke film having seen The White Ribbon just a couple of months ago. While there is a coldness to his films and characters that I feel will always keep me from completely embracing them, I certainly respond to his themes and the way he builds intrigue. Cache revolves around a married couple and their son who begin to receive extremely strange videos and pictures on their doorstep. Although at first they have no idea where they are coming from, it begins to become apparent that they are from someone that has been in the husband's life. The beauty of Haneke of course is that we never find out for certain. The final static shot in this film is memorizing and I would be hard pressed to think that someone could watch this film and not just let the silence roll over them while contemplating all that has transpired. If afterwards you don't have more questions then answers please feel free to share. Of course this is the whole point and while some filmmakers annoy me with this style of storytelling, thus far Haneke has always given me enough answers in his film to where I appreciate the ambiguity.

Daniel Auteuil plays the husband and does a more than capable job. It is really his film and at no point does he lose it. However after Cache and seeing Certified Copy about a year ago I have to say that Juliette Binoche has become a revelation to me. She is absolutely brilliant here as the wife who throughout the film is receiving even less answers then we do. The emotion she conveys as she slowly realizes her husband is only giving her half truths ring true each and every time. Haneke is throughout the story also giving small glimpses into this couples marriage up to this point and Binoche is spot on in conveying this to the audience.

Cache is more than worthy of your time. Haneke's static shots are beautiful and haunting all at the same time. The characters are well drawn and well portrayed. I do wish that Haneke would allow a little more warmth into his films. This is a small point of contention however as he does everything else so well. I am dying to see Amour, what is taking so long with a Blu-ray release for that film?

Haneke follows his own muse, but this is one of his better films, and I've seen nine of his features. Some of them really challenge an audience to care about anything, but he's certainly unique.

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It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. - John Wooden
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The Queen Of Versailles

2012 Director: Lauren Greenfield

The Queen Of Versailles is a documentary that follows a billionaire and his wife on their quest to build a modern day french palace. It is to be the biggest one family house in the US. Things turn upside down when his business hits major obstacles during the market turn in '08. Whether Versailles will ever be finished or not suddenly comes into question. In addition the family has to learn to live quite differently than they have in years.

This documentary has many different layers that make it unique and quite enjoyable. First off I am sure that this endeavor for the filmmaker started as a movie that would simply be about the family behind this obscene home. Once the families luck turns it becomes altogether a different film. As gross as it sounds to say this is probably the quality of documentary it is because of their misfortune. Also on the surface their relationship appears superficial. He is much older than her. She was a model and beauty queen. Obviously he wanted a trophy wife and she wanted a billionaire, right? Maybe, but like all of real life things are not that simple. We do get some hints of this superficial relationship, and certainly both of these people can frustrate you at times with their lack of real world perspective. However there is more to both of these people than surface faults. We learn many things about them, their family history, we meet their children. Of course we grow to care what happens to this family, so our judgements are flipped upside down as they should be.

The most important positive of this film is that it never fells like Greenfield is passing judgement on anything or anyone. This is what makes a good documentary. We are shown the material and are free to make our own decisions on its value. The Queen Of Versailles is a quality and entertaining documentary.

Director: Ruben Fleischer

You ever dislike a movie so much you don't really want to talk about it? The biggest issue with Gangster Squad is at no point is it believable. This is a problem for a film that is supposed to be about real life events. None of the relationships are believable or enjoyable. It is the type of film that is too violent not because it grosses you out but because none of the action is earned. It is not earned because you don't care about a single character in the slightest. What very little exposition we receive is spoon fed us like we are children. I knew I was in trouble when during the first scene we get with Brolin and his wife she lays out every single piece of information we should know about his character by reciting it back to him as if he forgot. Then she kisses him and that is all we need to know about them and their relationship. On with killing the bad guys.

This is a wasted cast. It is especially surprising that Penn who seems to do a movie every two years would pick this script. The only reason I give this film any stars is because it does look alright, and we get to see Penn blow his lid a couple of times.

I must be the only schmuck on this site that thought Gangster Squad was fun.

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Fear and Loathing in MoFo... The Gunslinger 45's Top 50 Favorite Films

In the 10 Ring: Gunslinger45's reviews

I thought it was possible it could be watchable... Until I saw the trailer. I've not given it a thought since.

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5-time MoFo Award winner.

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Side Effects starts out as a pretty promising thriller. It has a very interesting premise. I love the idea of exploring the way we use prescription drugs in our society now. The acting is good as would be expected from this cast. Soderbergh is adept at this point in drawing us into the film. His pacing is great, and the movie looks good even if the back drop for the story is nothing to gush over.

The story centers around Emily (Mara) and Martin (Tatum). Martin has just been released from prison for insider trading and although Emily loves him and stands by him she is having a hard time coping. Enter Dr. Banks (Law) who plays around with her prescriptions trying to get the perfect balance. Something terrible happens to Emily and the real conflict of the film takes shape. Is what transpired a side effect to her meds or is something deeper going on? This for me is where the movie falters. It is engaging to watch the story transpire but as with many thrillers the stories and characters begin to lose their credibility as it does. Soderbergh mostly manages to maintain the essence of the film but he take me out of the film just enough to strip away most of the investment I had in how things will end for the characters.

Side Effects is mostly smart and mostly entertaining. The story is certainly relevant and that is what makes it pretty disappointing that it could not maintain everything it earns in the first third.

Director: Richard Linklater

One massive piece of advice before watching Bernie. DO NOT read the IMDB or Netflix synopsis before watching. I am not usually spoiler crazy, what they spoil however is the entire point of the movie and doesn't transpire till a solid 40 minutes in. Bernie (Black) is an interesting character. He is an eternally positive individual despite working in a funeral parlor. He is an expert at consoling people through their grief, especially older women. When he befriends a rich widow (MacLaine) who no one else in town can stand the company of, people begin to talk and speculate.

Bernie is based on a true story and Linklater decides to tell the story documentary style which I think works to great effect here. The people of the small Texas town are givng us perspective on Bernie and his story directly to the camera. They are mostly older people who have lived in this small rural Texas town their whole life so they certainly fit some stereotypes. At no point however did I feel as if Linklater was placing judgement on these characters which makes their weaknesses bearable to watch. Bernie himself is beloved by most everyone in town and it is easy to see why. he is a giving and caring individual who seems to know the right thing to say to everyone he comes in contact with. Bernie is not the type of individual you would want to go get a beer with, but he certainly would be hard to dislike.

The acting and storytelling are the highlights of Bernie. McConaughey is very good in his smaller but entertaining role. MacLaine also does a nice job although I don't feel that her character is very hard to capture. As corny as it may sound the role of Bernie seems to be the one that Black was born to play. The quirky mannerisms and the singing are right up Black's alley. He is perfect in this role, and is definitely the best of his career thus far.

Everything in the final half of Bernie is off limits to talk about as far as I am concerned. The movie takes us to some places where I didn't expect it to go even after reading the synopsis. Bernie is not a perfect film but it is a memorable and entertaining one.

Director: Roland Emmerich

Come for the bullet dodging stay for the worst case of republican bashing since Fahrenheit 911. It's July 4th weekend so a film buff has to catch a movie, so what to see? Pirates Of The Caribbean on horses? No thanks. The filthy version of Miss Congeniality? I don't think so. Maybe Emmerich can bottle some of the summer fun from Independence Day in 2013. That was a pipe dream. White House Down is trying very hard to be political commentary wrapped up in summer fun. It falls short on both accounts.


The biggest surprise to me was that White House Down does not even look good. From the opening scene where we see helicopters flying through DC the CGI sticks out like a soar thumb. Unfortunately that never changes throughout the entire film. The acting in this movie is also sub par. Foxx especially stands out as the worst of a bad bunch. It is possible that much of this may be a result of a horrible script, however Jason Clarke does manage to be somewhat enjoyable with an ill conceived character.


White House Down simply fails on every level. Plot hole riddled script. Unimaginative action sequences. Flat humor. Contrived relationships. This is one of the worst movies I have seen in a couple of years. Half a star for Clarke and the two smirks in the hundred jokes Emmerich threw at me.

Does not surprise me. Glad I stayed away. Great review dude!